The Shattered Realms: Hanalea ana'Raisa
This is fan fiction of what happens shortly before Flamecaster, revolving around the story of the Princess we only heard about...Hanalea ana'Raisa.
Chapter One
The Princess Heir
Sitting up as she opened her eyes Hanalea ran a hand through her platinum hair and turned to look out her bedroom window to see lightning flash across the sky, she felt the rumble of the thunder following along with it.
"Your Highness?" came a voice, and she knew without turning to look that it was her nurse, Maiden Magret Gray.
"I'm well Magret, thank you. I just can't sleep is all." Hanalea replied softly, keeping her emerald eyes on the storm outside her window as lightning struck again. Hanalea turned to look at Magret but she had already left the room, pulling the door to.
I've been dreaming about this for so long…why do I feel so nervous? Hanalea sighed as she swung her feet over the side of her bed and stepped up, stretching as she rose.
She walked over to the window sill, and sat by it to watch the storm closer, the raging storm matched her emotions at this moment and it helped relax her. The rain slamming against the window sounding like a slight growl of a wolf.
The wind began roaring, and it sounded for all the world like a howling wolf - Hanalea smiled at this sound as the Gray Wolf was her family legacy, she was the lineal hair to the Gray Wolf Throne, as she was the first daughter of Queen Raisa ana'Marianna, of the Fells.
She closed her eyes and rested her head against the glass, and it felt cool to her goldish-copper skin. Her pale, glittering hair hung loose around her shoulders to the middle of her back.
She awoke sometime later as her bedroom door banged open, and on reflex she came up like a lightning bolt, her hands groping for a sword that wasn't there. She caught herself when she realized she was still in her nightgown and this was the fallow season. She had been home for several weeks. Her cheeks flamed as her mother stood before her with a puzzled look upon her face.
"Your up already Hana?" Queen Raisa asked, surprise evident.
"I guess I fell asleep on the window sill mother," Hana said, meeting her mothers eyes. "I was watching the storm," she finished.
"I see. Well, I came to fetch you personally since today is the big day," Raisa smiled as she crossed the room to embrace her daughter. Hanalea embraced her mother, even though she felt like she was embracing a younger person since her mother only came to her chest.
"I'll leave you to get dressed. Meet me in my sitting room for breakfast and some last minute planning," she turned on heel and left, closing the door behind her.
As Hana came out of her room, she noticed a pair of leather breech and a boiled wool shirt was laid out for her along with her clan boots. She noticed Magret was busying setting up her dress for the evening on her form, her back to Hana.
Hana crossed the room, silent as any Demonai and hugged Magret from behind, scaring Magret half to death.
"Blood of the Queens! Yo - Your Highness?" Magret shouted in surprise when Hana hugged her.
"I just wanted to thank you for all your hard work you've done for me and the line, Magret. I truly do appreciate it." Hana said as she let go and took a step back.
"It's what I've dedicated my life for Your Highness. I'll serve until I day," Magret said with pride, tears coming to her eyes.
Hanalea nodded at this and went to get dressed, she shouldn't keep her mother, the queen waiting.
"I'm glad you are finally here Hanalea. I was wondering what songs you played at your party tonight, and introduction, not only to the marriage market but also proper crowning as Princess Heir." Raisa said as Hanalea entered the Queen's sitting room.
After several hours of back forth with Princess & Queen, daughter & mother, they finally had the final details worked out, when they were disturbed by a knock at the door.
"Come." Raisa said loudly, and her eyes brightened as in walked the High Wizard, Han sul'Alger - her husband his black and silver wizard stoles flowing behind him as he bowed his head.
"Just the two women I'm looking for," he chuckled as he kept his eyes on the Queen. "I went to say good morning and a happy birthday to you Hana. Magret let me know where you would be," he said and crossed the room to embrace her, Hana burying her face in his chest.
"I'm sorry, I'm late, Raisa." Han said as he pryed Hana off him and leaned over to kiss her.
"I hope you were meeting with the Lady Tyburn as you said," Rasia said, raising an eyebrow.
"I was, you can ask her when she briefs on certain developments," Han said, raising his hands as if to fend off the pressure of Rasia's gaze.
"We really should be discussing the party later tonight," Han said softly.
Rasia nodded and smiled and as a family they polished the final details of the party until Rasia was informed of the time.
"Hana, go get ready. I'll do the same." Raisa said softly, and hugged Hana. "High Wizard, I expect you'll be wearing something more appropriate then what you have on now," Raisa said with a slight knife in her voice, teasing her husband.
"There is nothing wrong with this outfit. Willow made it for your mother's funeral if you remember," Han said as he showed off the sleeves.
The memory was struck in Raisa's mind where she had seen his jacket before. The snakes swimming up the sides, and the Raven & Wolf facing each other on his wizard stoles, and the staff thrust through the Gray Wolf Crown.
"Isn't it a bit mournful to wear that to a party?" Raisa asked, her eyes & posture signaling disapproval.
"I know, but it should serve as a reminder even though we have suffered losses we still have a generation that will continue the line. Also, I like this jacket." Han replied without missing a beat.
Hana reached the door to the Queen's sitting room. "I love you papa & mama. I'll see you at the party!" Hana said as she closed the door behind her.
LATER THAT NIGHT…
Hanalea ana'Raisa stood motionlessly as the hairdressers were placing the finishing touches of her winged torch ringlet across the wavy length of her platinum hair, which stood in contrast to her copper skin.
Hana felt the pull on her hair and she resisted the urge to make a sound or react to it, so she bit her lip, almost to the point of drawing blood.
There came a knock on her door and Magret crossed the room and poked her head out then in a formal voice, "High Wizard, Han sul'Alger, consort to the Gray Wolf Queen," she cried and pulled the door open to admit him.
"I do believe you mirror your dear mother in every way." Han chuckled as he circled Hana, admiring her dress, which was a Tamaric spun satin, in the same color Raisa preferred - a dark emerald with black lace to accent it.
Hana's dress hung to her ankles, it was almost metallic with the light rippling off it in waves, with her high heels that she had a certain disdain for made walking a total chore, she much preferred her clan boots which allowed her a much better grip when she walked.
She took her father's arm and thus began her final moments before she would officially be naemed the Princess Heir of the Fells, where she would be asked the Three Questions and give the Three Answers as tradition demanded, although no longer bound by the Naeming, the work of her father, Raisa still adopted some of the procedures as traditions to be kept.
"Are you nervous Hana?" Han asked, as he escorted her down the hall to the reception area.
"I was nervous about going into battle before, I am nervous about this as well. How do I know if I'm ready for this?" she asked, fixing her eyes foward.
"That is a question for the Queen for sure, since she went through it herself. Although I guess you have to be ready whether you want to or not," Han said.
They paused as they were now in front of the entrance to the reception, Hana could hear a murmur of conversation rumbling beyond it and she knew it would become a roar when the door opened.
She took a deep breath, pulled her eyes forward and lifted her chin, and steeled herself for the experience about to come, "Ready," and her father pushed the door opened, and she heard the cheering of everyone awaiting them.
"Her Highness, Princess Heir - Hanalea ana'Raisa and High Wizard, Lord Alister!" went the proclaimer.
She approached her mother and she went down on her knees, a dizzying wave of emotions threatened to drown her until she heard her mother ask the first of the Three Questions which broke into her inner turmoil.
Giving the Three Answers flawlessly, the Queen, her mother, placed the Gray Wolf Tiara on her head, and cried in her usual way "Rise, Princess Heir Hanalea ana'Raisa!" her voice carrying in the hall, and she hugged her daughter as she rose.
"We are not done yet, we are still at war with the Hawk of Arden to the south, the monster king! To protect our Princess Heir, we are binding Simon to Hanalea as tradition dictates!"
Hanalea stood by her mother as Captain Byrne came forward with his eldest Simon, who looked remarkably familiar to Amon Byrne when he was young, except for the darker skin, and the gray/green fusion of his eyes.
That night ended, with not only a newely minted Princess Heir, but also a bound Captain to her as well.