Authors Note: Hi everyone! Thanks for clicking on Long May She Reign. This is a story about honor, love, betrail, and triumph. This is a story about hard choices, and finding happiness.
I know it's not your typical storyline for a PP fanfic and it's very much an Au, but i hope you enjoy! (Bonus points for anyone who can tell me what this story is loosely based off of ;) ) Anyway, enjoy!
Chapter 1: For Griffniel
Hello, my name is Andrameda Rebecca Mitchell, Crown Princess of Griffniel.
And this is my story.
I am the oldest daughter of King Warren Harris Mitchell III and Queen Elizabeth Anna Mitchell. I have a younger sister named Emilia Elizabeth Mitchell, she prefers Emily though.
Growing up a Princess, especially the Crown Princess wasn't exactly easy but honestly I don't know any different.
It's always been my job to set an example, not just for Em, but for my entire kingdom. When my father was forced to declare the war 2 years ago with Beronbo it flipped our entire kingdom upside down. We lost many of our men, both young and old. Many of our women and children have been forced to carry much of the weight of the work, including my family. You see we aren't your typical monarchs. We work hard, along side our people. II's been that way since even before the war.
The war has continued this last 2 years and to be honest, I know that Griffniel can't continue this way. Our men are weak, our funds are low, and we are running out of food and life essentials. That is why my father is currently in a meeting with the king of Beronbo. They've been in there for hours. It's been mostly quiet but every once in a while you can hear the two councils and the kings arguing.
I'm sitting just outside the room, holding my little sisters hand, praying that we can come to a peaceful resolution.
"Beca, what happens if they don't agree?" Emily speaks up in a soft voice. She looked up to me with her brown eyes.
"We can't think like that, Em." I tell her, doing my best to keep the fear out of my voice. Of course that is a question I have been asking myself since the meeting was arranged three weeks ago. "Father will work something out. He has too."
I give her hand a reassuring squeeze, but honestly I'm unsure if that's more for her or myself.
We continue to sit in silence, waiting for something, anything to happen.
Just as I was about to go crazy from waiting the door to the large conference hall swings open. Both Emily and I rise to our feet and stand with as much grace and dignity as we can manage.
"I swear to you Mitchell, I will have your head!" A man yells as there's a huge commotion.
"Stand down, King Marcell, you are in my kingdom. Or have you forgotten your place?" My fathers voice rings out in anger. "If you wish to cease the peace talks then that is fine, but I would remind you that your kingdom is hurting just as much as my own."
The large group of men, dressed in the arms of the Beronbo Kingdom, rushed out, their king, red faced and fat, storming out in front of them.
King Marcell flips around at the words of my father.
"You are no king." He spits. "Your kingdom is rightfully mine, and soon it will be. Even if it must be ripped from your cold dead hands!"
He gave a sickly smile and turned his gaze to Emily and I.
"Ah Princess Andromada." He smirks. I did my best to stand tall and stare him down. I'm not afraid of this snake and I will not cower before him. "Enjoy that crown upon your head, because soon you will find your head to be the decoration for a stake."
At his words the knights of the Mitchell Order rush forward, along with my father.
"How dare you!" My father screams in rage. "Remove this scum from my home."
My father gave the order to the Knights of the Order and they all jumped into action immediately.
"Unhand me!" Marcell spat as the Captain of the Order moved forward, toward the King.
Soon all the Guards were standing their ground. I pulled Emily back against the wall and stood slightly in front of her, to stand as a barrier between her and the quickly unfolding conflict.
"MARCELL! I strongly advise you to leave. You stand outnumbered by my men and I will not hesitate to order them to protect my family at all cost." My Fathers booming voice sounded causing the shouts of anger to fall silent.
I studied Marcell and noticed that he seemed to be battling something out in his mind. He must have made his choice because with a swift motion of his hand, his men lowered their swords and fell back into formation. Our Order however remained ready for anything. They didn't relax until Marcell and his men were out of the castle.
My father turned to the Captain. "Have a group of your men follow the King and make sure they leave our lands."
"Yes, your Highness." The Captain bowed and motioned for a group of the men to follow him.
"Girls, are you okay?" Father rushed to us as soon as the Order was gone.
"Yes, Father. We are okay." I responded, I couldn't keep the fear out of my voice but I hoped that it wasn't noticeable to the others.
He wrapped both Emily and I into his arms and kissed us each on our heads.
"Andromeda, please come with me. Emilia, return to your quarters." My father ordered after looking over us both.
"Yes My King." I answer.
Emily gave a small curtsy before leaving us.
Father and I walked through the conference hall and into his personal study. He rummaged around the room in silence for a few minutes. Not being sure what to do I stood, watching him as he worked to find whatever he was looking for.
After a few minutes he stood straight, with a small wooden box in hand. He motioned for me to sit down and so did he.
"Andromeda," He began. "The kingdom is no longer safe for you and Emilia to be here." He explained.
"Papa," I began but didn't know what to say so I stopped.
"My sweet daughter, please listen to me carefully." He looked up at me, his bright blue eyes shinning with tears. This caught me off guard, I can only think of one other time I'd seen my father cry and that was at my mothers death bed.
"As long as their is a Mitchell alive, this kingdom shall be ours. But in order for me to make sure that remains true, I must send you and your sister somewhere safe. Somewhere where no one will think to look for you." I gasped as the realization hit me. He was sending us away? "In this box is all the information you and Emilia will need to begin a new life. When it is safe for you to return and take your place as Queen, you will know."
"No, Father please." I begin to protest, the tears begin to fill my own eyes. "I can't leave, I must stand with our people."
"We don't have a choice." He looked down at his hands. "I have already lost your mother, I can't lose you and your sister."
He sniffed and then cleared his throat. He sat straight and turned to me, this time he wasn't Warren, my father, he was the King Warren III of Griffniel. "Princess Andromeda Rebecca Mitchell, as your King this is an order that I must give you."
My heart sank at these words. I couldn't fight him on this. Not as my King. "We have to think of what's best for our people. This, keeping you safe is the best thing for this kingdom. Because you will be their hope. You will be their light. And the reason they stand. You will be their Queen."
'Pull yourself together.' I tell myself. 'I am The Crown Princess, and now I must act as such.'
"My King, if this is your wish, I will do as you ask." I say, sitting straighter and raising my head a little higher. "I will protect Emilia and I will stand for our Kingdom, for Griffniel."
"For Griffniel." He repeated. He sighed and handed me the box. "Protect this box and tell no one of where you are going. It's vital that very few know what's happening. I will have Captain Welch go with you to this new country. He will help you blend in to this new home and he will stay with you until you can all return home."
"As you wish." I say and take the box.
"Beca." His voice was softer now. "Please, stay safe."
He pulled me into a hug and kissed my head.
"I love you Papa." I say through the tears that have formed.
"I love you more then you will ever know." He explains through his own tears.
XXforgriffnielXX
The next 12 hours go by in a blur. Emily and I packed a bag each for our trip. Explaining everything to her was hard, but in the end she understood the importance of why we must leave.
Now we stand just outside the back entrance of the Castle, with Captain Welch and Father.
"Girls, I will see you again." Father promised. "Emily, do as your sister says. She is still your Future Queen. Be smart my beautiful girl."
He pulled her into his arms as she burst into tears for the hundereth time tonight.
After their tearful goodbye, he motioned for Welch to walk to the side with Emily, giving me and him some privacy.
"Papa." I say a little more defeated then I meant to sound.
"Beca, I don't know what's going to happen, but you will ascend the Throne after me. I know you will do Griffniel the justice she deserves. Your mother would be so proud of you." His voice broke at the end.
I promised myself earlier that I would leave with my head held high. "I hope to make you both proud."
"You have, you do everyday." He told me. "Goodbye my daughter. Til we meet again."
He pulled me into his arms and whispered in my ear. "Wether it be on this side of life or the other."
"I love you." I say as I sink into his arms.
Once we releace our hug, I reach my hands up to the crown atop my head, and remove it.
"Keep it safe for me, Papa." I say. The Crown I wore daily was the Crown my mother wore when she was Princess, before they ascended the Throne.
"I will protect it with my life." He promised.
"For Griffniel." I whisper as I look around the only home I've ever known.
"For Griffniel." He repeats.
The words hang in the air as I take my place beside Emily. Without looking back, we left the castle, and walked into the darkness, and the uncertainty.
I have to repeat to myself, 'For Griffniel. We are doing this for Griffniel.'