Chapter 1: Not The Destiny I Wanted
The kingdom of Silverstone was filled with a high level of excitement as it was the day that their crowned prince would venture to the platform of destiny that overlooked the entire kingdom and would fire an arrow of pure silver into the sky intending it to land in the window of the destined bride whom would sit by the prince's side when he would finally be crowned king.
Prince Killian couldn't help but feel slightly nervous about the ceremony of the silver arrow but his brother, Robin gave him a comforting pat on the shoulder,
"Don't be worrying yourself, brother. My arrow landed at Regina's doorstep and Rumpy's landed at Belle's so I have no doubt that your arrow will land on Milah's doorstep" Robin reassured and Rumple glared towards his brother,
"You know I hate it when you call me that, Robin" he growled before standing and pulled his cloak on,
"Come on, we need to go and Killian still needs to write his message to his intended bride" Rumple reminded and Robin nodded, before giving Killian's shoulder another encouraging pat before leaving the room and Killian sighed, standing and went over to his desk, sitting down before picking up his quill and dipped it in ink.
The royal archer was not allowed to write their proposal to someone in particular due to the fact that the royal arrow could land at any maiden's doorstep thanks to the royal family's wizard but Killian didn't care much for tradition, especially when it came to his love for Princess Milah and he wrote:
'My Dearest Milah,
May this arrow travel and find you swiftly.
Come to the castle as soon as you are able. I cannot wait to have you by my side, my love.
Yours Killian'
Killian tied the message to the silver arrow before heading to the platform of destiny where his brothers were waiting for him and gave him an encouraging smile as their father, the king handed Killian the royal bow and Killian loaded the arrow and aimed towards the sky as tradition stated and he closed his eyes,
"Find my love" he whispered to the arrow's feathered tail before releasing his hold and the royal family watched with anticipation as the arrow soared into the sky before magically transforming into a shooting star and quickly vanished from sight.
Weeks passed by and the kingdom had started to gossip when no royal carriage had pulled up to the castle carrying Prince Killian's future bride but Killian himself spent most of his time pacing within his chamber as he had received a letter from his beloved Milah; a few weeks earlier, telling him that the arrow had not found its way to her doorstep,
"This is a disaster" he mumbled, putting his head in his hands and his brothers couldn't help but feel sorry for him,
"Don't worry, Killian... I'm sure father will simply overlook all this and send for Princess Milah" Rumple reasoned and Robin nodded in agreement,
"Yeah, you are the eldest so he's not going to let you become king without your queen" he added and it was then that a servant knocked on the door before entering the chamber,
"Apologies for the disturbance, my princes but your father requests your presence in the throne room immediately" the servant told them and Killian frowned,
"This can't be good" he groaned before following the servant and his brother's followed after him.
Killian and his brother's entered the throne room to find a young woman in a simple dress with a dull cloak around her shoulders but held the royal silver arrow in her hands and Killian felt his heart drop as the girl curtsied to him,
"Your highness, I believe that this arrow was intended for someone else so I thought it best to return it to you" the young woman explained and the king looked firmly at his son,
"This young woman was kind enough to travel all the way here, my son... Perhaps you should explain the meaning of the silver arrow to her" he growled and Killian knew his father was angry about the fact that he had penned his proposal to Princess Milah, specifically and when Killian couldn't bring himself to speak, his father offered a kind smile towards the young woman,
"As you are not from our kingdom; It does not surprise me that you are unaware of the tradition of the silver arrow, my dear... You see every member of the royal family has fired this very arrow into the sky when they come of age and the arrow is enchanted to find the one whom is destined to sit on the throne beside the heir" the king explained and Killian suddenly felt his blood boil,
"This is ridiculous father! It is obviously a mistake! The silver arrow is enchanted to find someone of royal blood and it is quite obvious due to the sight of this peasant that she is no princess!" Killian yelled and the woman looked at the ground in shame as Killian's father looked at him angrily,
"SILENCE!" he yelled, standing from his throne,
"You broke tradition first, my son... It is only fitting that we follow through with the tradition from here on out" the king said firmly,
"But Princess Milah..." Killian tried,
"Is not your chosen bride" he growled, turning away and offered an apologetic smile to the young woman as he took the silver arrow from her hands gently after she curtsied to him politely,
"What is your name, my dear?" he asked,
"I... My name is Rose, Your majesty" she answered timidly and the king nodded,
"Giving the circumstances... As King I have the power to delay the marriage so that yourself and my son may get to know one another..." the king explained,
"I am not marrying a common peasant girl!" Killian yelled angrily,
"Your majesty... I can't help but think that it is most likely no one knows that I found the prince's arrow... Perhaps... If you sent for Princess Milah then the Prince could still marry the woman he loves" Rose suggested gently and the king glared towards his son,
"Honorable enough that she brings back an arrow she could have easily sold and now she is kind enough to offer you a chance with the woman you wish the arrow had been found by... But because of your behavior... My decision stands" the king said firmly and Killian looked at him desperately,
"Father please..." he tried,
"Your mother and I never raised you like this Killian... My decision is final" he murmured in disappointment before looking towards his royal adviser,
"Take Miss Rose to the east wing. I am sure she will be comfortable there" he said and Rose curtsied gently,
"Thank you, your majesty" she bid before looking at Killian,
"I... I'm sorry I'm not who you wished for, your highness..." she murmured before curtsying and followed after the royal adviser and it didn't take long for Killian to storm off to his own chambers in anger.
Review if you would like chapter 2!
Kind Regards,
TheAuthor1996