Hi!

This is a drabble series that I started on tumblr and I thought I'd post it here as well.

The drabbes are not in order but will make sense eventually. Everything will fall into place.

Please give it a chance and let me know what you think of it.

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Happy reading! :)

Caroline walked around the large armory, her fingers trailing lightly on the shiny swords and shields. It seemed as if they had never seen a single drop of blood. She knew that was highly unlikely, seeing as they were made for a tyrant king. They sparkled like jewels when the sunlight hit them. She looked at her distorted reflection as she passed each piece of hand-crafted metal, loving the way the lines of her body bent and merged in her reflection. She picked up a long sword that caught her eye. The hilt of the sword was encrusted with thousands of tiny rubies, making it seem as if it were speckled with fresh blood. It gleamed in the sunlight that streamed into the room through the large windows. She held it up with both her hands. The blade was well crafted and sharp enough to cut through bone with ease. It certainly was fit for a king. It had the heir of royalty about it.

She turned suddenly when she heard footsteps coming toward the armory. She waited patiently for whoever it was. She knew no fear when she held the tyrant's sword in her hands. She was shocked when the tyrant himself walked through the doors a moment later. He took a moment to asses her. His face remained blank as always. She braced her shoulders and waited for him to lash out at her, knowing very well that that was what he would do. He had a reputation to uphold. His eyes landed on the majestic sword in her hands. He surprised her for the second time that day by smirking at her. The smirk turned into a smile and eventually into a hearty laugh.

She stood confused for a moment. She wondered whether this was his reaction to everything before he signed death sentences. She moved to place the sword back in its stand but he held up a hand to stop her. She froze in her spot as he moved towards her. He took the sword from her hands, the smile still on his face. She looked at him, unsure of what to do or say.

"Swords are fascinating things, aren't they?" he mused, running his fingers over the blade and the sparkling hilt. "It's intriguing how something so beautiful and magnificent can also do such horrible things." His smile hadn't faded from his face, but his eyes had a tinge of sadness in them. It disappeared instantly.

"Well," he said a moment later, his eyes devoid of sadness. "Pretty girls like you shouldn't be holding swords. You might cut yourself."

It was clear to Caroline that he enjoyed taunting her. "I know how to wield a sword, my lord. I certainly will not cut myself by accident." She was trying really hard to control her anger as it threatened to flare to new heights. She could never tolerate men who undermined women.

"Of course. My apologies, love. I should have known that the traitor would have taught his daughter how to fight." His smile was insufferable. She couldn't stand to look at him for another instant.

"I must be going," she said, curtsying halfheartedly and moving around the various cases of head-gears to reach the large, ornate door of the armory. He caught her hand as she was about to escape.

"Indulge my curiosity for a moment, Lady Caroline." He turned her around to face him. "Show me how well you can fight. I'd like to see what you can do with a sword."

"I'm afraid I cannot indulge you, my lord." She said. "There's somewhere I must be. "

"What if I make you a deal?" he said before she could slip away. "If you win, I will give you whatever you like. A large house in the country, maybe a palace, or…"

He paused for dramatic effect, taking in her expression as she shook her head and turned her head towards the window with disinterest.

"Maybe I'll give you that sword you were admiring."

That caught her attention. She whipped her head to look at him. She looked confused and interested.

"What are your conditions?" she asked, her voice so low he had barely heard it.

"If I win, you shall be my bride. We will wed in a lavish ceremony that is only fit for a king and you will not express your discomfort over the matter to anyone." His eyes bore into hers.

"I do not accept. Forgive me, your Majesty, but I don't play such games." She moved toward the door quickly, afraid of being held back again.

He chuckled to himself. "Are you so sure that you will lose, Lady Caroline? I was told you were fearless." He mocked her. He gracefully sauntered over to her as she stood frozen by the door.

"I never lose." Her pride got in the way, as always. She would have escaped if not for that.

He smiled at her. "I'll even let you use my sword." He indicated to the sword that she had been admiring. "Shall we begin?"

She picked up the sword with both hands on the hilt. He took a moment to admire her stance. She looked ethereal, to say the least. Her eyes hinted at no fear, her body as comfortable as always. She seemed confident. Too confident, Klaus thought.

He pulled out his sword from its sheath at his waist, held it up high and slowly walked towards her. She faced him confidently. He swung to the right. She blocked it with ease. He moved quickly and swung to the left at a different angle, she jumped out of the way in the nick of time.

The two fought for over an hour. He moved like a tiger, judging his opponent, observing them and then attacking when they least expected it. She flitted like a butterfly, gracefully dancing past his offences. She was swift, and powerful for a woman. Klaus destroyed several vases as they fought around a large, round table. He slashed his sword with such fury. His goal consumed him. He wanted her, and he would win her fair and square. She fought to prove her point. She could fight as well as any man and she needed to show him not to underestimate her.

He attacked once again, destroying a marble sculpture in the process. She danced away yet again, coming to rest when she reached the opposite end of the room from him.

He looked impressed. "You are far better than I expected, my love. Your father taught you well."

"I was taught by Sir Rudden." She informed him with pride.

"The leader of the king's guard." He mused. "You learnt from one of the best then."

"Indeed. I would suggest you concede, Your Majesty. You cannot beat me. I would not like to pierce your heart."

He lunged towards her, cornering her effectively. She deflected every one of his advances with ease. She slashed her sword and he caught it high above their heads. "I suggest you concede, my love. I didn't think it was right to attack a woman but now you are pushing you're limits. I'm losing my patience." He snarled. "I always get what I want. There's no point in fighting."

She pushed her sword into his with as much force as she could muster. He stumbled back a couple of steps. He turned around to face her but she was faster. She pointed her sword at the hilt of his and flicked her wrist. His sword clattered to the ground. She kicked it away with her foot and lifted her sword to his chin. "You're dead." She said with a smile.

She turned around and moved to the table to set her sword down. "I have no need for the sword, my lord. This victory is enough for me."

She turned around to see Klaus standing in front of her, his body pressed into hers. His hand reached out to grab hers trapping it between the table and his hips. He held a dagger in his other hand. He pressed it to her neck before she could react. She gasped and tried to break free but he was too strong for her.

"Never turn your back on your opponent unless he is dead." He whispered. " Didn't Sir Rudden ever teach you that?"

He smirked at her frightened face. His hand stroked her cheek heart soared when he noticed the faint blush that followed the path his hand had made. He picked up her hand and pressed a kiss onto her knuckles.

He turned away from her in an instant, dropping the dagger to the floor. He turned around and looked at her as he reached the door. She stood frozen by the round table, pale and afraid.

"We shall be married within a fortnight. I will have my guards watch your every move so don't even think about fleeing the kingdom. And if you do manage to run away, my love, I will hunt every person you hold dear as if they were animals."

He left the room and she collapsed onto the floor. Her heart pounded in her chest as she tried to wrap her mind around her fate and how drastically her fate had changed its course in the last hour.

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Next chapter will be up soon!

xx

Anna