Hello, this fic I had been inspired to write for sometime now. I did a lot of research for it, but just know that not everything in here is factual obviously so it is a mix of fiction and facts. This fic some may find offensive due to it being about a Very sensitive topic. It isn't meant to target anyone of any sort, it is just a story. There is very offensive scenes, words, language, depictions of rape, slavery, violence, strong emotional angst, and disturbing beliefs (of the characters not me personally) however many people during this time thought and acted this way. Please know that I am not a historian and I may get some things wrong however I tried my best. Please enjoy and thank you.
Prologue
"Her Name? What is in a name but only one's soul? In her are pieces of her ancestors souls so she shall have many. This little one..." Queen Amai watched as her newborn daughter was lifted into the air and placed upon what they called the branding cradled where all newborn royals were branded with their tribe's symbol; a blue intricate waterfall entwining with a golden mountain peak.
The queen looked to her left to see her eldest son Chilufya of the age nine. He put up a fuss but wore his formal wear for his new sister's ceremony. He was adorned in the tribe's colors of blue and gold that were only allowed to be worn by those with royal blood. He wore a sash shirt and skirts with his fila hat upon his bald head. He tried to remain stoic like his father, the king, Maliro but his mother caught the small wince that graced his soft face when the hot branding iron was brought out of the fire pit and was placed upon his sister's left arm.
Her daughter whimpered but unlike most royal babies that went through this ceremony did not cry out, even when the mark was colored by the tribe's artists. This made their head prophet, Dalitso, bark out a hearty laugh broken with his elderly voice.
He turned to his rulers with the babe in his arms. "My rulers see how strong she is even now at 5 days old she refuses to show weakness before your ancestors!" King Maliro smiled while scratching his full black beard. All of his subjects who could see him noticed the pride he felt for his newborn child.
"On this day we name your souls, for you shall do things none of your ancestors from the beginning of time had ever dared!" The baby gazed up at Dalitso, his foggy white eyes met her greenish brown eye and the other grayish hazel orb.
"You shall look to your ancestors they let me see in you what they see. And I see one who will never bend or submit. It is not in you, not possible so you shall have the name Lehana..." The tribe cheered then quieted.
"Because you possess and control strength of not only yourself but around you the name Amare bestows itself upon you...and because you shall have the softest of hearts and be beloved by all who see you your last name is Lupupa."
He knelt then approached the royal couple. "I present to you your majesties your daughter Princess Lehana Amare Lupupa." the prophet handed off the baby girl to her parents who looked down at her with love and adoration. Her brother looked over with curiosity and gave a toothy grin at her chubby cheeks. She favored her mother's features, with her beautiful face and chocolate brown skin compared to her brother who was much darker like his father who had curly black hair.
"Look at her, isn't it wonderful Amai to know we both will live on. Me in my son.." Maliro wrapped his large arm around Chilufya's shoulders hugging him close. "And you in Lehana Amare."
Lehana Amare began wailing and fussing still refusing to cry. Her family laughed at her expanse while her mother moved her gold tunic to the side. Amai looked up to her husband with a mischievous smile. "Let's see if she will find the nip like our son." Maliro giggled shaking his head.
"Not even 6 days old and you're already playing tricks on her." Amai cradled Lehana Amare to her bosom giving the fussy baby a hint on where she would find what she wanted most at the moment.
She moved her small face around until her lips felt the protrusion of her mother's breast and latched on and began suckling for dear life. "Slow down little one less you choke from your own hunger in haste." Maliro stood from his throne and helped his wife up from hers, with a wave of his head the tribe was dismissed to attend to their daily activities. Conversation would always be about the new princess for the next few months.
Their son followed after his parents. The boy was tempted to step on his father's long cloak made from lion's fur but learned from last time after he got a solid wack in the head from his mother.
They walked past the open hallway to the balcony. Turning their daughter to view what belonged to the family. Her little eyes raked over the large crested waterfalls that poured white waters into the large rivers and bodies of water below. Then they showed her the forest and greenery of their land, passed it was a vast savanna that looked to never end.
Her little eyes tired out from all of the scenery trailed down to the village below were their subjects resided. Her home was embedded into a mountain which took thousands of years to carve and construct.
"Let's not overwhelm her my love." Maliro said softly to his wife. She was so spontaneous and brave and had everything of what made her a warrior but yet she choose to be both mother and protector.
Happy that he could finally be free of his tunic Chilufya ran to his room which he shared with his orphaned cousin Mapenze.
The lighter skinned bald boy was laying on the pile of furs atop the carved stoned bed throwing a ball up and down lazily.
"Mapenze I've finally been freed from the ceremony so we can play now." Chilufya changed into silken shorts. In their tribe males were usually topless while the females dressed according to their status among the people. It was also custom for all boys under the age of twelve to remain bald to ease their upkeep for the parents.
Mapenze got up and stretched. He refused to attend the ceremony claiming that he hated seeing the branding of infants. "I say we go to the rivers and see who can climb monster peak the highest." He suggested standing.
"Pshh we don't need to make a contest out of it since we already know who will win." with that the boys raced off past the king and queen. The parents didn't notice since they were busy coddling their daughter.
Later that night the playing boys returned home bruised, happy and worn out. "Time to sleep Chilufya and Mapenze."Amai's soft voice created sad looks upon their small faces.
"Mamma will Lehana Amare grow up to be a warrior or a healer...or a gather or-" Amai put a finger up her son's lips to stop his pre-rambling because she knew once he got started there was no stopping him.
"She will be whatever the ancestors see her fit to be." She explained removing his shorts along with Mapenze's.
Grabbing the basin the mother began washing the children taking care to be extra gentle over their scrapes and bruises.
After being washed they climbed into bed completely nude as usual. Amai kissed their heads, blew out the oil lamps and left quietly.
She took their shorts settling in her personal sitting area she started patching the holes in the damage silk.
Maliro walked in and smiled then came up from behind his wife and covered her eyes. She smiled knowing her husband's hands very well.
"Yes?" She asked carefully. She felt his bearded lips kiss her smooth neck lightly. Turning her head she sighed dreamily.
"Come my heart I wish to show you something I have made for our princess." his deep voice hummed through her chest.
She stood to follow but Maliro quickly protested. "No you have to keep your eyes shut..." After receiving a skeptic look he confirmed. "Do not worry my heart I will guide you."
Amai made a show of closing her eyes and allowed him to lead her to the entrance of a room located in their wing. He checked to see if her eyes were still closed by waving a hand in front of her face.
"I began working on this the moment I knew you were with child and I finished a few days ago." His voice held excitement and wonder.
She heard a wooden door open and stepped into the room. "Okay now open your eyes."
She did and gasped, before her was a beautiful nursery draped in deep royal blue and soft golds. There was crib at the center of the room encrusted with jewels and soft silks askew on its furred cushioning along with some wooden carved toys.
"Oh Maliro it's beautiful!" Amai exclaimed hugging her husband tightly.
"So when little Lehana Amare is slightly older she can move into here and we won't have to worry about not hearing her cry since our room is right through here." He grabbed his wife's hand and led her into the nursery through a door that led to their bedroom chamber.
Amai turned and kissed her husband deeply. She couldn't have been happier. Amai and Maliro washed, undressed and after nursing Lehana Amare they put her between them swaddled and climbed into bed then retired preparing to face whatever tomorrow would bring.
The estate and its main house was in chaos as maids, slaves and servants ran to and fro, all with a common goal to tending to their mistress, Idunna, who was coming close with her ten hour labor. This was her third child and her husband Agnarr prayed and hoped for another healthy boy.
He was pacing in the parlor while his two children Hans and Ezra watched sitting on the lounge chair.
He was sweating and nervous when he looked to his children, he didn't want them to see him like this. "May!" He called walking to the door.
A young light skinned black woman walked in with her head bowed.
"Y-yes Master?" Her timid voice barely reached Ezra's ears.
"Take the children outside in the garden to play." He instructed facing the window.
"Yes Master." She answered then gestured for Hans and Ezra to follow her.
Leading them out into the garden the slave stood and watched carefully as Hans ran to his swing and Ezra dropped to the ground to play with the dirt.
"May!" Hans hollered.
"Yes young sir." She answered approaching the boy.
Copying his father Hans smacked the slave across the cheek hard. She was not surprised and not the least bit shocked. It was to be expected from a slave owner's son.
"You will do ya best to address me as master is that...understand?" May resisted the urge to correct his grammar mistake but if she learned one thing from the many scars she sported it was that you were to never correct your superiors then take responsibility for their mistakes.
"Yes master?"
Hans smiled and pointed beyond the white gate "Bring me a niger boy to play with I'm bored and my dumb younger brother is too little to do anything interesting."
"But si-...Master your father instructed me to watch you." May hoped her explanation was simple enough for a seven years old boy to understand.
"And if I tell my father that you directly disobeyed me?" Hans threatned but May just sighed shaking her head. "I'll go ask the Master and see what he has to say." with that she quickly made her way into the house again.
Infuriated Hans began to throw a tantrum and targeted Ezra who was peacefully building a mud house.
The ginger headed boy stomped over and kicked the house in a dilbrate rage while also hitting the three years old's finger with the tip of his black shoe accidentally.
Ezra clutched the finger tightly and began to cry in pain.
"Shush!" Hans yelled out kneeling in front of the toddler. "Be quiet now or I'll get in trouble!" He pleaded but his little brother did not relent. The toddler stood up and went to run to his daddy but Hans in fear quickly grabbed him and pulled him away from the house causing Ezra to cry even louder.
May came rushing out of the house with a new bruise upon her eye and grabbed Ezra from Hans' grip lifting the child up into her arms.
"What's wrong Ezzy?" She cooed softly. Ezra showed her the purple and swollen finger.
"Well let's go take care of that." She bounced Ezra up and down then looked over her shoulder. "Come along Hans!"
He huffed and began jumping up and done screaming. "DON'T TELL ME WHAT TO DO!"He shrieked.
Not fazed by the display of the angry spoiled child. May simply replied. "Do you want to stay out here by yourself?"
"Noooooo..." He whined trailing behind her.
After two more hours a maid finally alerted Agnarr of his baby's arrival.
Running into the room where his wife was He ordered the maid to summon his children.
He looked on to see his wife clutching a tiny pink blanket. Approaching and seeing the redhaired babe Agnarr's heart skipped a beat as his eyes gazed at his wife and daughter in love, his prayers for a boy long forgotten.
"Isn't she beautiful sweetheart. I named her Anna." His wife's musical voice awoke the baby girl whose turquoise eyes looked at her father for the first time.
"Where are the- oh there they are."He turned around to see his two sons standing in the doorway.
Walking over to them he picked up Ezra much to Hans' jealous dismay, huffing he followed his father.
Sitting Ezra on the bed he stared at his baby sister with wide eyes while his mother looked down at him with a tired grin.
"Ezra this is Anna." Agnarr explained softly.
"Anga." Ezra replied as best as a three years old could making Agnarr and Idunna chuckle. Hans felt his father push him closer to the baby he saw as completely boring unlike his younger sibling who deep down inside knew, despite her age, that a best friend and the love of her life had just been born