Hey guys! So this is my first story and I sincerely hope you like it. Please let me know what you think because I dunno if this is something people are interested in. Oh, and I promise this story will get better. This was just kind of an introduction to the whole concept. But yeah, please give it a chance and I'll try improve as the chapters go on. Anyway, enough from me! Enjoy!
Clary gazed at the castle in the distance. It lay upon a hill made of lush grass and cold rock. She had never been up to the castle, no one in the village of Nazath ever had. It was forbidden to lay a foot in its grounds unless you were invited. If you were found wandering about, you were punished, usually by death, sometimes just by flogging but only if you were lucky.
The castle was occupied by the Lightwood family. They had control over all areas in the vicinity. All criminals found in Nazath were brought up to the castle for trial. Most were never seen again but it is said that they are kept in the dungeons deep inside the hill. Clary hoped those rumours were true, after all, her father was brought up there when she was merely three months old and he was never seen again.
Clary averted her gaze from the castle to the sun. It hung low in the sky, signalling it was time to get home. She gripped at the tree branch she was sitting on and lowered herself until she was a few feet off the ground. She dropped, landing gracefully on her feet. Clary strolled through the thinning trees and reached the edge of the village she called home.
Nazath was small, it's houses made from cold, damp stone. The streets were narrow and made of cobblestone. Clary strode through the streets, tripping over her dress which was far too long for her. She barged through a wooden door, slamming it behind her. The room she was in was plain but it was home and nothing could beat that.
Her mother sat at the table sewing while her brother Jon sat in one of the chairs by a window. Neither of them looked up. Clary frowned, something was wrong. They always welcomed her home but neither of them were even looking at her. She saw tears rolling down her mother's face. What in hell? Her mother never cried.
Clary rushed over to her, which only resulted in her falling flat on her face. She expected Jon to tease and slag her like he usually would but only silence met her ears. She returned to her feet and placed her hands on her mother's shoulders.
"What's wrong?" she whispered.
Jocelyn turned her head towards her daughter. Her face was red from crying and her hair was matted to her face.
"Clary, you know that every three years a list is brought to the village from the Lightwood castle." Jocelyn sobbed, putting her head in her hands.
Clary had completely forgotten that today was June 18th, the day the list was sent to the village from the castle. It was a tradition that a list was sent to Nazath every three years and it stated the names of people who must go and work in the castle. It was the villagers way of repaying the Lightwoods for keeping their home safe from demons. Those who go to work in the castle never see their families again. However, their families are guaranteed money and food because of it.
"Yes, I completely forgot but what does that have to do with me?" Clary asked.
"Clary your name is on the list. You have to leave by tomorrow." Jocelyn cried.
Clary recoiled in shock. Yes, of course she had heard of the list but she never thought that her name would be on it. It was just one of those things she never saw happening. And now she had to leave her family, her home, to work for people she had never even seen before. The whole idea was bizarre.
Clary took a step back and she was enveloped in a bear hug from Jon. She felt all her strength leave her at once and she sagged in his arms.
"I'm so sorry Clare. I'd go instead but you know the law." Jon whispered.
Clary felt her eyes welling up with tears. She needed to escape, to get away from them and think. She broke out of Jon's deadly grip and sprinted to her room, barricading herself in with a chair.
Clary let her tears fall. Her family, she would never see them again. She'd never come home to the smell of her mother making fresh bread, flour coating her vibrant red hair. She'd never see Jon laughing at her as she slipped while climbing a tree ever again. She would never walk the streets of Nazath again. No, instead she would be working for people she didn't know who probably didn't care about her. She would have to slave away just because they were royalty. The thought pained her. But if would help her family. They would never starve or be poor again because of her. She could give them something she never could if she stayed in Nazath.
Tears stopped falling and Clary stood up. She went to her chest and began packing for what was to come. Tonight she would stay by herself, but in the morning she would spend time with her family. The only people she has ever loved. But right now, she just needed time alone. She needed to get used to being alone anyway. After all, who was going to be there to comfort her in the castle?
Clary lay on her bed, not bothering to change. She waited for sleep to overcome her but she was met with a night of restlessness.
Jon and Jocelyn must've stayed up all night just like her because when Clary came into their sitting room, Jocelyn was still at the table and Jon had returned to his chair by the window. Clary examined both of their faces, memorising each and every detail. She didn't want to forget a thing. They both looked tired and emotionally drained. Jocelyn's eyes looked puffy from crying but no tears could be seen. Jon's face was just blank, completely empty of emotion.
They both turned and looked at her. Clary forced a smile onto her face. She wouldn't let them see how upset she was, it would only make things harder. At this point in time all she could do was assure them she would be alright.
They spent the morning in each other's company, sitting and reminiscing about good times. It would've been normal on any given day but today, there was an undertone of sadness. It couldn't be helped but it wasn't as bad as Clary had thought it would be. She loved her final moments with them, although they were very normal and mundane, they would always be remembered.
There was a knock on their door at noon. Clary got her bag while Jon answered the door. She could already hear him pleading with them to let him go instead of her but apparently they were having none of it. In a way it was a good thing. Clary knew Jon couldn't survive by himself whereas Clary had been doing that her whole life. While Jon had lots of friends that supported him, Clary had spent her time alone in the woods building and climbing or drawing on bits of parchment with charcoal from fires. She knew how to be alone, Jon didn't.
Clary emerged from her room and walked towards the door. She hugged her mother one last time. It was warm, familiar and it made her want to cry knowing that she would never be with her mother again. She then hugged Jon, telling him to stop trying to replace her and that she would be alright. He stopped immediately and buried his face in her neck. She could feel his tears and it sent a shooting pains through her heart.
"Take care of our mother." Clary whispered in his ear as she released him.
With that, she turned and left. If she didn't she would've had a melt down and cried hysterically. At least this way they would remember her being strong and facing what was to come.
Clary climbed into an awaiting carriage. It was exquisite with its golden paint, white details and red velvet seats. It was comfier than any of the chairs in her home. Her old home. That was the last thought Clary had before bursting into tears. They streamed down her face and seemed to be never ending. As soon as she wiped one away another would follow.
When Clary finally looked up after God knows how long she was greeted by lush gardens and an enormous castle. It was made of stone and it had towers rising on either side of it. They had slitted windows for defensive purposes and even from where Clary was sitting she could see detailed tapestries. It was beautiful, like something out of a fairytale. She couldn't believe she was finally going inside the castle. It had always been her childhood dream to see what it was like, it was just a pity it had to be under such bad circumstances.
The carriage pulled up in front of the castle and Clary jumped out, eager to absorb as much detail as possible. The road she had come in on was made of cobble which explained why it had been a bumpy ride. The grass was short and well kept with no weeds in sight. Flowers of all shapes, sizes and colour laced the walls of the garden. There was a pond hidden under lily's and the water was pristine blue.
Clary turned back to face the castle and was yet again shocked by its size. She got a feeling that she would never get used to its enormity. Ivy had begun to climb up the sides of the castle walls but it seemed a gardener was already trying to stop it from going any further. Clary frowned. In her opinion the ivy added character but obviously the Lightwood's had other ideas.
Clary turned her attention to the wooden doors that lay above three stone steps. They were the perfect entrance for the perfect castle. The doors were blue and decorated with symbols Clary didn't recognise. She loved it, they were so unique and it looked as if they were almost trying to tell a story…
As soon Clary tried to get a closer look the doors opened. Beyond them stood six elegantly dressed people.
The Lightwood's.
Ok, so that's the first chapter. I really hope you liked it. I know it was kind of rushed but I got so engrossed in it and just wanted so much to happen that I didn't really notice what I was doing. Sorry! I promise the next chapter will be much better! Please let me know what you think, both good and bad, cause I haven't got a clue if this is something people are interested in. Oh and let me know if there are any specific ships you want me to include too! Anyway, I'll see you next time!