Oh my goodness! Okay, here it goes! I am not a horror/monster fan, but I fell in love with the family at the center of the Dracula Untold movie. To be honest, I have not seen the whole film, and as not will not be putting down every part of the movie. But those who have seen it know what happened, though I do hope to capture at least the gist of it.
I don't own Dracula Untold, only my OC Sarai. The story is strangely intriguing. But it breaks my heart how Vlad and Mirena's family was ripped apart. This movie was so well done, but there just no win-win in there. No matter what they chose to do, it was a hopeless situation! If Mehmed was planning an invasion of Europe, then that means that he was going to bring war to Transylvania whether he was paid his tribute or not. The only good that came out of the whole mess was that Vlad stopped the Ottoman invasion and saved his son. But at what a price!
Luke Evans was superb in the role. His versatility as an actor is amazing. I knew him first as the dastardly Gaston in Disney's new live-action film Beauty and the Beast. I was blown away at his role as a devoted, loving father and husband! He's got talent. Oh, and I love Mirena's character! I love her! She is a beautiful soul. Anyone can see how gorgeous she is, but her character far exceeds that. That's why I love her so much.
I got my title from beloved Mufasa's iconic line in The Lion King, one of my top favorite Disney movies, "Remember who you are!" I thought it was fitting for Vlad. It's gone through my mind a lot after I delved more into the movie's story.
I cannot promise how often I will update, as I have several other stories running too. I'm not planning for this to be as long as my BATB fanfic Brother Dear. But I hope you like it! Reviews would be helpful. This story is based solely on the movie Dracula Untold. But if I write other DU fanfics, I fully intend for them to be happier ones! I can't stand the hopeless heartbreak in the movie, so my others will be different. Have you read my first one? Hope you like it! Enjoy!
"In the year of our Lord, 1442, the Turkish sultan enslaved 1,000 Transylvanian boys to fill the ranks of his army. These child slaves were beaten without mercy, trained to kill without conscience, to crave the blood of all who defied the Turks. From among these boys, one grew into a warrior, so fierce that entire armies would retreat in terror at the mention of his name.
Vlad the Impaler, Son of the Dragon. Sickened by his monstrous acts, Vlad came to bury his past with the dead, and returned to Transylvania to rule in peace. His subjects called him Prince. I called him Father. But the world would come to know him as...Dracula."
Deep within the brick stone walls of Castle Dracula, Prince Vlad Tepes wearily stepped toward his son's bed chamber. It had been a draining, frightening, troubling day and his mind was still heavily weighed with two great, new, evil forces that threatened the innocence and peaceful reign of his country.
There was always the people's greatest fear of the Turks' returning invasion on the land. They were a lustfully fierce army who enjoyed spreading terror and cruelty on all they freely chose to impose on, Vlad himself a living testimony of their monstrous ways. But that was in the past. Yet, today his men had shown him a Turkish scout helmet by the river. Vlad knew this meant only one thing: the threat of an unwanted and massively bloody war! "...whatever they scout, they conquer." Vlad had told his men. "For the Turks to cross into my land unannounced is a sign of war."
But now the peaceful Prince was deeply disturbed about another evil force, possibly even more dangerous than the Turks themselves, if that was even possible! While searching Broken Tooth Mountain with his men to seek out the Turkish scouts seeking shelter, they'd ended up in a cave to discover crushed bone. Two of his men were killed by some fearsome, unearthly creature of darkness and Vlad had narrowly escaped with his own life! After consulting Brother Lucien, Vlad learned to his vivid mortal mind the disturbing history that the creature they'd encountered was a vampire, who'd once been mortal but had sought the powers of darkness, which resulted in him becoming a living being of wickedness...until one came along to set him free and would serve him as his equal. "The people of Transylvania live in enough fear of the Turks' return." Vlad had told the monk firmly. "Promise you will guard this secret, brother!"
As he reached his son's doorway, Vlad could hear the happy, innocent voices of his wife and son laughing as they played together. Vlad relished in their carefree manner, wishing he could do the same. He had no desire to dampen their happiness: they must NOT know about either of his problems! Their voices seemed to penetrate through his burdened mind and his heart warmed as he prepared to greet them. His family was his greatest treasure, and he would never trade them of their love for anything in the world!
When he stepped inside the bedroom, he saw his ten-year-old son, Ingeras, scrambling on the floor in childish antics. His sandy curls bounced off his shoulders. He was becoming a young man, but he was still a little boy and Vlad wished he would stay that way forever. He shrieked as his mother, crawling out from underneath a tablecloth of all things, caught up to him and poked him in the side. Then Ingeras saw his father. "Papa!" He cried in delight and scampering to his feet, he anxiously ran to Vlad.
Vlad smiled warmly and caught his son up in his arms. "I missed you, Papa!" Ingeras announced, hugging Vlad's neck.
"And I you." Vlad told him. His wife looked on in surprise at first, then smiled and approached for her greeting. "My big soldier." Vlad said to Ingeras as he set him on the floor. Then came Mirena.
Mirena! Vlad would never get over what a priceless treasure his gorgeous wife was in his life. She was his light, his helper, his encouragement, his life-line, really. Without her, he would be lost. And if any greedy man in the world were to offer him genuine rubies in exchange for her, Vlad would gladly toss them back in his face and keep Mirena. Her worth was far above rubies! Just as her outer beauty was only a mirror of the wonderful heart that beat inside of her every day!
The queen of Transylvania was beautiful to behold, with her rose leaf complexion, her long golden hair, her sweet smile, and her dazzling blue eyes. Vlad would always count himself beyond lucky to have won the heart of such a beautiful woman. But there was so much more to her than outward beauty! So much more! Mirena was as brave as she was beautiful. She unconditionally loved her husband for the person he was inside, and how he selflessly served his people and those around him. She knew about his past, but she too had buried it and focused on the present and lived for the future. She was by Vlad's side through everything: sickness; joyful days; troubling, sleepless nights; his trips where they weren't sure when he would return; the grand welcome home he would always get when he returned; their moments of flirting and shamelessly making love; the times he was troubled about his past or some present kingdom dilemma...yes, Mirena was always there with him, to help him through it all. They had no secrets from each other. They were equals, they were...true soul mates. And Vlad dauntlessly cherished her for all of this!
And now here she was again. Mirena smiled widely and eagerly ran to her husband. He clasped her tightly in his arms as he spun her around, Mirena giggling happily. He set her on her feet, but she zealously looked up at him for more affection than that. "What?" She sputtered. "An embrace but no kiss?"
"Are we going to argue?" Vlad smiled down at her.
"With you always leaving, I need my fill." Mirena gave him the look and he gladly gave in, kissing her perfect lips. "Mmm." Mirena grinned, cocking her head. "Well, I guess that will do for now."
Vlad arched his eyebrows. "Oh? I could go further if you desire me to do so." He whispered smoothly.
"Shh!" Mirena scolded him. "Not in front of your son!"
"What about me?" Came a young, cheery, feminine voice from behind them. Vlad raised his head and grimaced as if he'd forgotten. He heard rushing footsteps running in his direction and then felt himself being gripped from behind in a hug by a pair of arms. Vlad turned his head and looked down at his daughter, Sarai. He still refused to accept that fact that she was now fourteen, and blossoming into a beautiful young lady. She was tall, and as lovely and generous as her mother, except with long brunette locks instead of blonde. She resembled Mirena's features in many ways, but she had her father's eyes. Vlad couldn't help but smile as he gazed her over. Fourteen or forty, she would always be his little princess.
Sarai waited for some acknowledgment of her presence. "You're back, Papa!" She exclaimed. "When did you return?"
"Just now." Vlad answered.
"And you didn't let me know?" Sarai scolded him.
"Even if I had, you probably wouldn't have noticed." Vlad said. He was playing with her. She loved to write stories, fairy tales and adventures. And when she became absorbed in it, she didn't seem to notice anything else.
"Yes I would!" Sarai retorted. "Will you dance with me tonight, Papa? Please?" She asked. Vlad sighed. He hated to disappoint her.
"Now, now. Your father just got home. Let him catch his breath." Mirena spoke up. She loved her children dearly, but the sooner they were settled in bed, the sooner she and her husband could have the rest of the night to themselves. "It's time for bed." Mirena announced.
"Awww!" Ingeras and Sarai both groaned. "Papa, Momma and I had a sword fight, but I won!" Ingeras told him proudly.
"I'm sure you did." Vlad nodded.
"Now that I have defeated the daring princess, I shall venture out on my next quest." Ingeras said dramatically.
"I'm afraid it will have to be in your sleep then. Come on." Mirena told her son, taking his hand and pulling him to his feet.
"Oh, I'll become a hero. Just wait and see!" Ingeras cheered.
"You'll give yourself bad dreams, you know." Vlad chuckled heartily.
"What? I'm not afraid of anything." Ingeras said confidently.
"Such modesty. I wonder where he gets it from." Mirena said sarcastically, flashing her husband a smirk as she tucked her son into bed.
"I have a new adventure for my story, Papa." Sarai told him.
"Oh. That's good." Vlad replied lightly. Mirena came back to him and Sarai reluctantly backed away. Vlad kissed Mirena again. "Oh. I missed you." He whispered and hung his head.
"Something troubles you. What is it?" Mirena asked with concern at his dejection. Her husband gazed lovingly at her, soaking up every fiber.
"Only the impossible depth of your beauty." He wooed. We'll talk later. He thought. Right now I just want to put all that aside. "Puts the rest of the world to shame." He said aloud and pulled her into himself. Mirena grinned and laughed. Ingeras smiled and Sarai bit her lip, trying not to laugh at the pair.
"Ah, ha, ha. Ignore your father, children." Mirena said. "Flattery is a cheap distraction from truth." Vlad's jaw dropped.
"Ah, she knows all my tricks." He shook his head in mock disappointment.
"They're doing it again." Sarai whispered sarcastically, leaning toward her brother.
"How come they get to have fun, but we always have to go to bed?" Ingeras moaned.
"I don't know. But it's not fair." Sarai said, loud enough to be heard.
"We're only children. They're grownups." Ingeras puffed his lip. "They get to do whatever they want."
"Yes. So there's nothing we can do about it." Sarai sighed in resignation.
Mirena freed herself from her husband's grasp and looked up at him. "You're a terrible liar. It's one of your most endearing qualities." She said flirtatiously. "You're just in time for bed." She left him to bid her son goodnight. Ingeras kissed her on the cheek. Vlad came over and flopped onto his son's bed. Ingeras snickered and cuddled on him. Vlad chuckled and held him close. "Say goodnight to your brother, Sarai." Mirena told her daughter.
"But I want to see Papa." Sarai argued.
"He'll come in to see you before he comes to bed. He'll tuck you in." Mirena insisted. "Now."
"Oh, all right." Sarai sighed, jealous that her brother got to have quality time with Vlad first. "'Night." She told Ingeras.
"Goodnight." Ingeras smiled widely, glad that he got special Papa time first!
"I'll see you in a while." Vlad promised his daughter.
"I'll be counting the minutes." Sarai warned him and sluggishly made her way to the door.
"Can we go riding tomorrow, Papa?" Ingeras asked.
"Of course we can." Vlad said.
"You most certainly cannot!" Mirena argued.
"Why not?" Vlad asked with a pout.
"Because tomorrow is the day of our risen Lord."
"Oh. Of course." Vlad gulped in embarrassment. How could he have forgotten such an important celebration?
"Uh, that's Easter." Mirena told him. "Come, Sarai." Sarai followed her mother out, leaving the two men alone.
Vlad looked down at his son, wide-eyed. "What was I thinking?" He asked in a shocked tone of voice. Ingeras only laughed and his father kissed his head. "So, what did you do today, besides conquering kingdoms?"
By the time Vlad had left his son-which had been hard to do, with Ingeras begging him to stay longer several times-and came into his daughter's room, she was clothed for bed. But she was lounging on her little sofa, writing on blank sheets of paper with her sharp quill pen. Vlad shook his head, grinning and tugged on one of her chocolate locks. "Writing again, I see?" He asked.
"Oh, yes." Sarai replied. "This is my most exciting adventure yet."
"Hmm. Well, I'm afraid it will have to be postponed until tomorrow night."
Sarai frowned. "Oh, but my new hero has just arrived at a very important landmark." She protested. Vlad smiled and gently took the paper out of her hands.
"Well then, you'll have all night to dream about what comes next." He told her.
"I already know what happens next." Sarai corrected him.
"It's time for bed." He said in an unbending tone. Sarai let out a heavy sigh and walked with him to her bed. She climbed in and he sat on the edge. "So, is the hero named after me?" Vlad asked.
"Of course not." Sarai shook her head, as if it was supposed to be obvious.
"No?" Vlad pouted, pretending to be offended.
"That wouldn't be very original." Sarai teased, crossing her arms.
"Oh, I see." Vlad grumbled.
"Don't tell anyone else, but you were inspiration of what he does!" Sarai whispered.
"Really?" Vlad's eyebrows piqued.
"Oh, yes." Sarai went on to tell him about her tale. He nodded and listened.
"Well, if his horse got ran off and got lost in unfamiliar territory, why didn't he just call on his men and they search together?" He asked at one point.
"Papa!" Sarai moaned, rolling her eyes. "Then the story would be over. The plot would be entirely disarmed, and I would have nowhere to go with it." She sighed dramatically.
"My apologies." Vlad said playfully. "It's just that if I was Sir Daniel, that's how I would've done it."
"That's why it's a story. You see, he's a very curious person. The unknown intrigues him, and by him tracking the horse himself, he starts noticing strange things. And he doesn't know that it's going to lead him to the undiscovered secret underground." Sarai explained.
"Oh." Vlad bit his lip. "Well, forgive me for criticizing your wild imagination! You really enjoy this, don't you?"
"Yes, I do! It's exciting to put these things down into words when they dance around in my mind. It's also my escape when things are dim and sad around here."
"I never thought of it that way. I'm glad you have that to take your mind off your troubles." Vlad's voice trailed off and he stared off into space.
Sarai looked at him curiously. She could tell he was lost in his thoughts. "What do you do for an escape, Papa?"
"Hmm? What did you say?"
"What do you do for an escape?"
"This." Vlad said thoughtfully, gazing deep into her eyes. "Ingeras, you, your mother...you all, you are my escape." He grasped her small hand.
"We are?" Sarai asked softly.
"And you always will be. Now, it's time for bed." Vlad rose to his feet.
"Will you dance with me tomorrow? At least once?" Sarai begged.
"My dear, I shall dance with you all evening if you wish. Of course, we must make an exception if your mother decides to cut in! I can't ever refuse a dance with her." Vlad smiled wistfully.
"Well, at least before I have to go to bed, this time?" Sarai looked at him longingly.
"You have my word." Vlad nodded. He leaned down and gently kissed her face. Then he stroked her chin. "Goodnight, my princess." He cooed.
"Goodnight, Papa. I'm so glad you're home." Sarai smiled.
"So am I!" Vlad agreed.
Mirena was in her nightgown when her husband finally arrived! He exhaled as he closed the door. Mirena rushed to him. "I thought you would never come." She chuckled.
"Sorry." Vlad smiled sheepishly. "I'm afraid I was unavoidably detained."
"Of course." Mirena looked down then kissed him.
"It's just so hard to walk away when they want me to be with them." Vlad said.
"I understand that feeling."
"They're both growing so fast." Vlad remarked dismally. "It seems that every time I return, they're a little more grown up than I thought. It makes me feel like I'm missing parts of their lives."
"Did you see the way they were competing for your attention?" Mirena cocked her head.
"Yes. I hope it's not because I am being negligent." Vlad hung his head.
"Oh, no, no!" Mirena corrected him. "Not ever. They just want to be around you because they know you love them so much. And so do I." Vlad grunted, smiling and suddenly enclosed her face in a kiss. "What happened today?"
"While on a patrol, as we were searching, we were attacked. Nicolae and Andrei were killed! I didn't get a good look at what came at us, but it was enough that I do not want to go back there!" Vlad declared.
Mirena was sitting at her vanity, brushing her luscious hair. "So, what attacked you? Wolves?" She asked.
"I suppose." Vlad said doubtfully. "All I know is I lost two good men today."
Mirena sat beside him, wiping his brow. "There's something more." She commented.
Vlad sighed heavily. "I was the same age as Ingeras when I was sent to live with the Turks. To fight for them. If I never saw another, it would be too soon!"
"You're home now." Mirena said encouragingly. "For almost as many years as you were gone."
Vlad brought her hand to his lips and softly stroked her gentle face. "I just want peace. That's all." He said sadly.
Mirena leaned in closer to him. "The past is in the past." Mirena told him determinedly, her eyes flaming with passion. "That part of your life is gone. Just remember who you are. Always remember who you truly are. The man I see inside you now. The man I love. The man I will always love."
Sarai's writing is not a major part of the story at all. I just wanted to throw it in there.