Long Live Our Queens

A L'Arachel and Eirika Fanfiction

By Nagone

Chapter One: Betrothed

Summary: Duty isn't always easy to do.

Genre: Romance, Drama

Rated: M

Warnings: Anatomically Correct Lesbian Sex, Kissing, Yuri in later chapters

Author's Note: Initially, I planned this as a one shot, but I decided to make it a multi-chapter story. I hope you all will enjoy both these characters through my eyes.

Prompt "An Unconventional Marriage" taken from Dreamwidth's Yuri Challenge List

Slam!

"You want me to what?!" Eirika slammed her fists on the table, rattling the candelabras and platters and sending a splatter of mashed potatoes across to land on Ephraim's dinner coat. He exhaled, long and slow, slumping in the high-backed chair.

"Calm down," Ephraim said, taking a long gulp from the goblet before him. It was a relief: the win was as sweet as summer, and the alcohol helped ease his growing headache.

"Calm down?" Eirika said, hands waving about, hair mused from its reserved ringlets. "Calm down?! You mean to tell me that I should remain calm when you tell me I am to marry that… that ninny?!"

Ephraim rolled his eyes. "Come now sister, she's no ninny. She's just… a bit-"

"Ignorant? Selfish?" Eirika crossed her eyes, huffing loudly. "Shall I continue?"

"Sister."

Eirika relaxed in her chair, trying hard to calm down. It was unusual for her to lose her temper: after all, she was the cool, kind, careful pair to Ephraim's hot-headed, militant mind. Yet with her brother's news, her normally demure demeanor had fled her, leaving her feeling both hollow and incredibly enraged. "Fine," she managed, chewing her bottom lip.

"Now, you must understand why I ask this of you. It's important that we establish as many alliances as possible," Ephraim paused, sharp eyes waiting for Eirika's next outburst. She remained quiet though, and reached for her cutlery, slowly cutting into the well-marbled steak before her. She quickly shoved a piece of it into her mouth, and set to chewing slowly. "If Tana and I had not already set to establishing a bond between our Renais and Frelia-"

"You mean marrying for love and leaving me to do both our duties?"

Ephraim ignored her statement and continued. "-I would not ask this of you. You know that, right?" Once more, he waited.

Eirika rolled her eyes, lips pinched tight. "I suppose. Yet, you had to choose her, of all people? Not Joshua or, or even Innes or-"

"Now sister, you know you can no longer marry him, despite your wants and desires. Besides, there's no point with Tana and I wedding by the end of the quarter. We need not strength our bond further with Frelia. Now, we look to Rausten. It's growing stronger by the day, and with our country still in transition, it's become necessary."

Eirika nodded, eyes cast down. "Still, brother, it's-"

Suddenly, a horn sounded, filling the dinning chamber with a loud, brassy tone. Eirika looked up, eyes wide. "Brother?"

Ephriam turned his head. "Enter!" He stood, motioning for his sister to rise.

Slowly, the doors swung open, creaking slightly. "Announcing the Gem of Rausten and the Betrothed of Queen Eirika, Princess L'Arachel!"

Swiftly, a series of young girls suited in pure white with gold accents swept in, tossing flowers into the air. The petals landed on the ground, creating a pathway that Eirika realized, all too late, was leading to her.

Behind them was L'Arachel, clad in a pure white dress. It clung to her body, showing off her gentle curves and sufficient busy. Her hair, the dainty color of fresh celery, was pulled up into a modest bun with tendrils of hair falling in loose ringlets to kiss her shoulders. Her cheeks were lightly rouged, giving her a healthy pink and the skin she showed was dusted with glitter, giving her an even more youthful appearance. In her gloved hands were Ivaldi and Latona, the sacred treasures of her homeland.

"Oh Gods," Eirika muttered.

Within moments, L'Arachel was before Eirika, face unusually serious. "Good evening, Queen Eirika," she whispered, tucking her form into a deep curtsy. She held it for a moment. "Or shall I say betrothed?"

Eirika motioned. "R-Rise," she cleared her throat. "Be seated." She motioned and the doors shut. Servants poured in, remaking the table quickly and filling a plate for their new guest. Eirika settled back into her seat across from both her brother and their mutual guest.

"Now-" Eprhiam paused.

"I'm breaking this nonsense off, L'Arachel," Eirika said.

L'Arachel's eyes narrowed and she jerked back as if slapped. "Is that how you're going to greet me after I've travelled from my homeland all the way here?!"

"Yes, it is. You and I both know that this… betrothal is nothing more than a political ploy that is unnecessary," Eirika punctuated her point with a long sip from her own goblet.

"Look, I'm no more enchanted with having to suddenly take up a wife, but even I am able to put aside my selfishness long enough to-"

"Selfishness?" Eirika hissed. She clenched her goblet hard. "How is it selfish for me to not want to marry you?"

"Look, I am no more surprised than you are, but this will not work if you're going to continue being so cold to me then we won't even make it to dawn tomorrow. Now, if you'd please stop behaving like a child, I-"

Eirika's hand flew up, and forward, and in a suddenly rush, her red wine flew from the cup and onto L'Arachel's dress. Instantly, the liquid took to the fabric, a permanent stain already forming.

"Sister!" Ephriam jerked to his feet, hands slamming down on the table. Both Eirika and L'Arachel jerked at the loud noise. A serving girl dropped her tray, sending the deserts to the floor. "Now, I think that we should see our guest to her rooms. You've soured dinner enough."

"But-" Eirika felt her cheeks flush with color. "Are you truly going to side with her, brother?" Her voice dropped to a low whisper, anger still rolling about her tone.

Ephriam said nothing in response.

L'Arachel jerked up, dress stained with red wine. She sniffled and quickly regained her composure, hands crossed in front of her. "I think that's splendid. I'll have one of the castle maids show me my quarters." Quickly, she turned, and her retinue of girls returned, flocking around her, yet suddenly, as if remembering something, she stopped and turned, eyes locking with Eirika's. "Eirika, perhaps you should realize that this is not farce for me. I do intend to marry you, whether for some form of love or kinship or for my country. I will do my duty." L'Arachel turned once more, and in that moment, she was truly Rausten's next leader.

Back straight and stance solid, L'Arachel spoke one last thing before departing the hall. "However, will you be able to do yours?" Her voice rang out loud, echoing about the halls, leaving Eirika in its wake.