Few sought audience with the Queen these days. And those that did simply came to futilely beg. But this girl was different.
"A young girl requests an audience with you, my Queen," her guard had announced. "She brings a proposition, its nature she refuses to divulge to anyone except you."
Her curiosity piqued, the aureate Queen signaled with an elegantly lifted finger for the guard to escort the girl into her court.
Now as Ravenna sprawled over her gold-encrusted throne, she glared at the young girl sauntering between two guards towards her. The girl's dark robes were tattered and dirtied from traveling and her young face was muddied and weathered from the road. Ravenna couldn't help but recognize that the girl wasn't much older than Snow had been when the Queen took the thrown.
However, unlike Snow, the girl's skin was tanned and unusually scarred and worn for a child of her age. Her long hair fell in tangled raven waves over her shoulders, and her cracked lips curved dangerously in a slight grin. But the girl's eyes most captivated Ravenna. Determination and wisdom beyond the child's years gleamed in the pale green eyes as the girl fearlessly held the Queen's gaze. Through the dirt and scars Ravenna could see that this child would grow to be a great beauty, one that could charm nations and bring men to their knees. Perhaps even one that may threaten the Queen.
"Though she be but a child, be wary, my Queen," Finn whispered in Ravenna's ear as he stood beside her. "Strange stories about this one circle the kingdom."
As the child reached the throne, she gazed up at the magnificent display: the lavishly died fabrics draping the wall, the opulent gold decorating the throne, and the frightful Queen, commanding all.
"Kneel, child," one guard barked.
Ravenna observed curiously as the child glanced sidelong at the speaker, her grin stretching to reveal a neat set of pearls.
"Of course," she whispered, returning her gaze back to the Queen as she sunk to the floor.
"Child, what is your name?" the Queen crooned.
"Faolin, my Queen," the girl replied.
"Hm, little wolf," Ravenna hummed. "How fitting for the hunger I see in your eyes."
At this the girl grinned again, not an innocent, childish grin but the grin of one tainted by secrets and darkness. Ravenna had seen many strange people in her life, but this child threatened to push the Queen over that careful border between curious and unsettled.
"I'm told you have a proposition for me," Ravenna continued. "Tell me: what does a child have to offer a queen?"
A chuckle bubbled in the girl's throat.
"Eternal life," she answered.
At this the Queen's playful intrigue shifted to hostile concern.
"All, out!" she ordered as she gripped the arms of her throne.
When Finn and the midnight-clad guards had scuttled away, the Queen locked icy gazes with the girl.
"Speak, now," Ravenna ordered in low terseness.
The girl's visage revealed her twisted pleasure in the turmoil.
"I know that you must harvest life to sustain your own, your Grace," Faolin began. "Your magic cannot give you power alone; it must be fed."
As the child spoke, Ravenna sat in shock. This girl's womanhood had yet to even begin sprouting; she was so young, yet she spoke with the words and knowledge of a woman.
"How do you know this?" Ravenna breathed.
"Though I may appear young, I have lived many years," Faolin responded. "But, alas, I am cursed, and I am nearing death's door. I do not age as you do. Nor as any other human does. Instead of growing older with time, the changing of the seasons grants me increasing youth."
Disbelief first struck the Queen. But then she considered that no other explanation could account for the strange child before her.
"My proposition to you is this: let me work beside you, adding to your own my knowledge of many decades and lands. And in return I shall give you my youth. Take my years and turn back my time, while garnering lifeforce for yourself. I will grow older, and you will stay young. And when time grants me youth once again, you may harvest my years again. The cycle may continue endlessly."
The proposal seemed too good to be true. Ravenna could continue harvesting the lives of various girls throughout her kingdom, but with Faolin always in her court, resources may be reserved. And given the surprise the girl had held thus far, there was no limit to what other knowledge she may contain.
"I know you must be withholding something to this proposition, girl," the Queen rasped suspiciously.
"Perceptive indeed, my Queen," Faolin replied. "Yes, my one request is this: when you take my life, I would ask that you balance my age to the strong, healthy prime of life, much like the age which you maintain yourself. I don't revel in living as a child, nor do I relish the prospect of old age once more."
Ah, now Ravenna understood. The child's idea was equally as rewarding for Faolin as it was for Ravenna.
"And if I don't oblige your request?" the Queen pressed curiously.
"Then I will be old and decrepit and of no use to you for many years," the girl replied smartly. "If there comes a time when you need more life than I have to offer, I can easily gather girls for you or you can send out your guards as you have done before."
This child, this woman, was powerful and cunning. And not only this but she possessed the potential for dangerous beauty. Faolin posed a threat to Ravenna unlike any she had encountered thus far. She could dispose of her now, or she could keep her close by. The girl would depend on Ravenna to sustain her life, and so the Queen simply needed to always ensure that Faolin's demand for those services was present, a demand which time alone would create. But as Ravenna intended to keep this woman close, Faolin would learn much about the Queen, much that is hidden to the rest of the world. Ravenna couldn't risk betrayal at the hands of this threat that stood before her in a child's form. Faolin needed to understand Ravenna's power. Faolin must recognize Ravenna's authority.
"Come here, child," Ravenna hummed, holding out a gold-draped wrist to the girl. Faolin took the Queen's hand as she mounted the steps to the throne, coming to stand next to Ravenna.
As the Queen held Faolin's hand, Ravenna snaked her other jeweled hand to gently grip Faolin's small jaw, tilting it from side to side.
"You seem to know much," Ravenna breathed, surveying the girl's face. "And so I'm sure you know that I've killed entire villages: men, women, and children. I will not hesitate to end you."
The Queen's grip tightened on Faolin's cheeks as Ravenna's nails dug into the girl's skin.
"If what you say is true, then you are no child at all, which makes it that much more meaningless for me to dispose of you. If you dare betray me in any way, not only will you die, but you will die a slow, tormented death, remembered by none, and mourned by none. I will obliterate you and every part of your legacy on this earth. I have before, and I will not hesitate to do it once more. Never forget this."
With unsettling pale eyes, Faolin met Ravenna's gaze carefully from the angle into which Ravenna had forced her face.
"Yes, my Queen," she replied quietly, sinister knowledge radiating from her green eyes.
For a moment the Queen and the child locked eyes, each assessing the other silently. And finally Ravenna released Faolin's slim jaw and covered the child's hand with her palm.
"I will accept your proposal, Faolin," Ravenna whispered. "But never forget what I have told you today. Never forget who rules these lands."
Faolin nodded silently, her gentle grin still resting on her lips.
"Guards!" Ravenna called, and immediately the men clambered back into the court. "Take Faolin to the maids and have them properly bathe and clothe her. She will be the newest member of our court."
As Ravenna urged Faolin towards the guards, Finn approached the throne. Waiting until the guards had left he said in a low voice, "My Queen, what have you brought into our house?"
"Finn, she will remain entirely dependent on me and will serve as a convenient source to ease my pain," Ravenna replied. "Time will tell us of what she is capable."
"She is dangerous, sister," Finn rasped angrily.
"Exactly why I am keeping her by my side," the Queen responded. "If she looks at me the wrong way, I will end her at no cost to myself."
Finn's icy gaze relayed his worry and indignation.
"Do not be jealous, brother," Ravenna teased cruelly. "It's rather pathetic."
Finn's jaw ground against his teeth.
"Queen, you know all I want is your happiness and safety," Finn growled through gritted teeth. "I have no doubt in your judgement and certainly not your power, but if this child, this thing, creates trouble, I will remove it."
"You will do no such thing!" Ravenna raised her voice deliberately, her patience wearing thin.
Finn bowed his head slowly, avoiding her fiery gaze.
"Trust me, brother," the Queen breathed calmly, rising from her throne to place a gentle palm against his pale cheek. "I will provide for you, no matter what. We made a promise to each other and I intend to keep it. Fear not."
"Never, my Queen," Finn replied quietly, submissively leaning his head into her hand as he covered it with his own.