Before the four clans were united under the ruling family of DunBroch, there was a time when the land was even younger. The green hills rolled over the vast mountains as they had for the centuries before. The wind carried through the valleys as the water, clear and glistening, streamed over and around the many curves of the land. This is where the story begins.
"Rise and shine li'l one, it's mornin'."
Elinor groaned tossing the covers over her head. It was too early for anyone to be up. Yet somehow her mother, the great Queen Ailis, was wide awake and forcing her to do the same. It was annoying to say the least.
Her mother sighed after opening the curtains to let in the sunlight which happened to hit exactly where her face was hidden under the blankets. "Oh mercy, Eli. Get up lass, we have a lot to do today. Remember, you are a princess and a princess-"
"Always rises early," she finished sitting up with a look of boredom and slight frustration. "I know, I know. Is it really that bad to sleep in a wee bit though? It's barely mornin' an' ya already startin' the lesson..."
"It's never too early to start a lesson in bein' a princess m'dear. As Queen an' as your mother, it is my duty to teach you these things so when the time comes-"
"I'll be ready to rule alongside a sturdy king just as you do with a wee one or so of me own. How many times are ya gonna repeat these things to me? They're already drilled into me after all." She moved from the bed to her plain vanity and sat in the wooden chair as she started brushing her long brown hair. Her mother Ailis walked over smiling, taking the brush from her daughter who only pouted more.
"First of all, princesses never pout. Secondly," she began, "you know very well that I never do anything to hurt you now do I? An' before ya answer me with a 'yes' I'm telin' you how wrong of an answer that will always be." She placed the brush down gently and started braiding her hair into two large braids woven with gold string. "I do this so ya don' venture out not knowin' what to do. I love you an' this is the only way I know how to show you that I do, passing on lessons I've learned when I was as wee as you."
Elinor rolled her eyes in the mirror turning to face her. "Mum, I'm not that much of a 'wee one' anymore. I can make my own decisions. What if I don' wanna marry? What if I don' want a family of me own, then what?"
With a very heavy sigh, the queen clasped her hands together with grace and closed her eyes. "Fate is not something we are able to control. If ever given a chance to do so, it will never be in our full power to change it. Fate will always have the upper hand. If we truly believe in our hearts that we can change it, that change will come with a heavy price that we might not want to ever pay. Or even worse, be debted into." She smiled hugging her tightly, "You'll understand when you're older."
When she was older. Like that was going to change anything now. Elinor wrapped her arms around her mother with a silent nod though she didn't want to. Her fate was in her hands. Not her mother's or anyone else. It was hers to change and not change as she chose. What was the point of free will if she couldn't do that much?
They let go and, smiling, her mother left her to get dressed.
The young princess always had a thing for the color green. She adored the different shades and it was a plus since that was the main color of her clan. It was one of the few things that made her proud to be the princess. Her favorite dress was a bight, shimmery emerald green printed with dark olive swirls seeming to resemble vines. The sleeves were up to her wrists but were not as billowy as her mother's. Her sleeves hugged her arms nicely as did the skirt to her figure without clingy to her every movement. It was just perfect.
"Eli!"
She was nearing the throne room doors when the warm male voice hit her ears. She spun to see Fergus beaming one his carefree smiles in her direction. "Oi, what be the hurry lass? Ya speedin' like ya bein' chased by a bear!" he laughed. It was hearty and happy and one of the things she liked about the huggable brute. Not that anyone would know that.
She smiled and curtsied. "Good morning Sir Fergus. I'm a bit late for my lessons. A princess has to be punctual after all." Her smile tugged into a playful smirk, "Ya more than welcome to joinin' me. You'd make a lovely princess."
He laughed again and she laughed along with him. "With all do respect ya majesty I think ya be a better lass fr the job than I."
"Suit yourself then, your loss." She turned and opened the double doors with ease. She had a stride of a queen already. Chin up, shoulders back, hands either folded in front of you or on the arm of the king, and a small smile that gave the feel of both kindness and authority.
"You're late."
She bowed lowly into her curtsy. "Sorry mum, I was distracted in the hall is all."
Ailis raised a delicate light brown brow in a questioning glance but waved it off. "As long as it doesn' happen again tomorrow. Now, startin' where we left off. You enter the room, everyone bows respectfully then straighten with eyes trained on you and you alone. You are about to give a grand speech of welcome and..." she trailed off to see what she would do.
Elinor straightened and floated gracefully to where she was supposed to stand, keeping her body in the same manner as she walked in. With a deep breath she nods to both sides of the room before speaking. "M'lords an' ladies. We are here to celebra-"
"Enunciate Elinor, an' project. The entire room hall is filled an' everyone needs to hear you."
"This is beyond ridiculous sometimes," she muttered adjusting her feet.
"One does not mutter Elinor, especially princesses."
"Yes mother," she said in a clear voice not expecting her to have ears as sharp as a wildcat's. She started over and did what her mother said until the woman was satisfied. Then came the history, politics, arts, and her favorite part.
She nearly skipped to the stables to see her beautiful white and black speckled mare. Elinor had a love for riding out into the open. It was the part of the day she didn't have to be so 'princessy'. She saddled her beloved horse and climbed up with a huge grin. "Alrighty girl, ready?" Her horse neighed gleefully and before she knew, they were off at high speed. The wind felt amazing but not as much as it would if...
Elinor laughed releasing the reigns with one hand to release the intricate braids her mother took no time in making. Each and every strand whipped about her as if they had spent an eternity imprisoned. This was the taste of freedom. This was what sh wanted as her future. This was the path she would create for herself.
