Disclaimer: I do not own any of the amazing ideas of Graceling or the books or settings that are mentioned. However I did make up most of the characters. But not all of them
Hey you guys. This is my very first Graceling fanfic. Frist let me tell you that I haven't read Fire yet. BUT I am going too soon. Second, I will only write if I get comments. I don't care if two hundred people read my story but if I don't get comments I will not write. I don't want to be mean but if I get no comments I think that no one likes it and I have self pity. Third, This takes place a few years after Graceling in Wester and King Birn has just been mysterious killed and a new king has arose and his king is not very fond of Gracelings. So, please comment good things because I need the self confidence. Without further to do…the first chapter of Acceptance.
When you are accepted into society it means that everyone around knows your there for a reason. And the only reason people look at you spitefully is because of what you did, not who you are. But when you are born like me, you are not accepted, and all you long for is acceptance.
My name is Leonora Morgan Drake and I am Graced.
I live in Wester, west of Middluns, south of Nander and north of Sunder. I was always known as a Tardi Studente, or in other words, a late bloomer. For example, I spent the first four years of my life in the loving arms of my mother, father, and five siblings. However, it was in late April when my eyes faded. My right eye turned deep read, like the color of dried blood, and my left eye turned black. That's it, pure black, so that you can hardly see my pupil.
The morning my parents saw me my mother nearly fainted. Hearing the screams from outside, my older sister, Lira, came rushing in to see what the matter was. With shaky hands she held up her hand mirror and reveled to me my reflection. At first I didn't believe that it was I looking back at myself. I laughed, thinking it was a cruel joke, pulled by one of my brothers. Nonetheless my family's expression didn't cease. Soon tears streamed down my face and Lira wrapped me into a tight hug, telling me that everything was going to be okay. But nothing would ever be okay again. Ever.
My parents initial plan was to put me on bed rest, in hopes that they could claim that I came down with a serious illness. Since my father was a doctor, it worked for a while. Weeks went by and all I did was sit in bed, hoping that no outsider would come to check on me.
You see, after King Birn's mysterious death a new king came to rule, King Ekain. Supposedly he was Kind Birn's nephew and the closest heir to the throne. Now, it was ruled by the king that whenever a Graced child was discovered that they had to be brought straight to him. Not following this rule could be punished by death for the entire family and anyone who brought in a Graceling from a family who disobeyed the rule was greatly rewarded.
To avoid this as much as possible one of King Ekain's men came to inspect each family at least once every two months. By the beginning of May my parents knew that their time was limited and they had to think up of a better plan. They decided that in an attempt to save me my eldest brother, Reus, would attempt to take me across the water into Lienid territory, where I would be safe.
That night I filled my backpack with anything that could fit into such a small space. My books, my blanket, my doll, and everything else a five-year-old thought she would need. Luckliy Reus was older and wiser then me and pack everything we would really need, with some help from the family of course.
The next night was a time of sorrow and despair. I had to say good bye to my best friends, my family. From Lira, the second eldest, strong and courageous, too the twins Griffin and Ophelia who were never separated and the most adventurous. And then too little Addie who was the closest in age to me, full of energy and enthusiasm.
Lastly I said goodbye to my parents. I had never seen my father cry besides that moment. And at that moment, I cracked. I flung myself into my father's firm arms and cried and cried. Finally I let go of my father and faced my mother. She knelt down to my level and intertwined her hands to mine. Her eyes were red and puffy from crying, her hands cold and shaky. She didn't say anything but to me that one gesture was enough. Once she released my hands in their place she left a gold necklace. On it was a heart shaped charm. Engraved into it was "Remember you always belong somewhere".
Reus and I exchanged one last sorrowful goodbye and we left, aware that we may never see them again.
The trip was long and dreadful. Cold winds whipped through the night sky and our only light source was the stars plastered above us. Even the moon was not to be seen tonight. Farther ahead of us Reus and I could see a light shining, like from a lantern. Unsure if we should continue ahead we stopped and waited. We waited for something to happen, but we didn't know what.
The light started heading towards us at an alarming pace, which was a signal for us to get out of there as soon as possible. Since I was to slow to run , Reus picked me up and carried me on his shoulder. It was then that it all happened to fast. An arrow was shot and then blood was coming out of Reus' shoulder. As soon as we hit the ground three men surrounded us, all dressed in Wester colors, a sign that they were sent by the king.
For a while they simply stared. One held up the lantern to inspect what just happened. I laid ther motionless letting the salty tears fall down my face. I clung to Reus as he laid there clutching his shoulder and whimpering in pain. I didn't know what to do. I looked up at the three men's faces. All Graced. The man with the arrows had one blue and one green eye, Graced with archery was my guess. He had sandy brown hair that was perfectly cut and he had high cheek bones. The man in the middle was holding the lantern. He had one gold eye and one emerald eye. A long silver scar ran across his right emerald eye and down his chin. He looked young, maybe 19 or 20, and had long messy brunette hair. The third man was partly hidden in the shadows with one red eye and one purple eye. He had clean shaven black hair and I could make out a small stubble on his chin.
After what felt like hours the black haired man scooped me up over his shoulder and they started walking away. Away from my dieing brother. Away from my life, my family, my everything. I hung on to the necklace that my mother gave me and swore that I would never forget that day, and that I would never forget that someone turned my family in. Someone who I trusted, I just knew it. So I vowed to never trust another living soul again. Ever.
Acceptance.
SOOOOOOO….how did you guys like it? IF you have a bad comment I guess that you can comment it but I would wish you didn't . anyway I am hoping for 4 comments before I write the next chapter. That's right FOUR. That's it. SO if you really like it so far please comment. Pretty please .
P.S: Sorry if I got any detail wrong from the book, if you could please just roll with it or if it is that big of a deal I will change it for you. Oh and sorry of any typos I am writing this and 12:23am so I am pretty tired. Anyways Please Comment.
Peace. Love. Dusty.
(O_0)
If you read this please comment: Any names you would like me to use…..any graces you would like me to use…any stories you would like me to read….anything else you want me to know…Nice weather we are having.