Notes: Title taken from the August 3, 2005 prompt for the lj community 31_days.


In the beginning, a ghost appeared. The prince was stirred by the loss of a parent, drawn into a conflict of power greater than himself. And the throne was clutched at by bureaucrats and pretenders, and he had to unseat a false king. There was playacting and swordfighting, betrayal and desperation. He sent friends to their deaths, and enemies. He was so strong, and so weak. And all the while she who loved him sang, forgotten. And they tore themselves apart with madness.