Hello all! This is a story about the Girl Meets World characters, if they were living in medieval times, with castles, scandal, and war. Please remember that this is by no means a direct interpretation of the show, as I tried my hardest to portray the characters, and how they would act in this time period. Also, this is not a cheerful and happy-go-lucky story, there is quite a lot of darker themes including murder, some mild sexual content, and some language.
In general, just keep in mind that this is a darker twist on Girl Meets World.
Oh, and the story is told from Maya's perspective, as she is also the main character.
P.S. I am a hardcore Lucaya and Riarkle shipper. You will see this throughout the fanfiction. Don't worry if there's not a lot of Lucaya right away, I promise there will be more to come.
Please leave a review and tell me what you think! I love hearing feedback. Thank you so much for reading my story, enjoy! -HairTheColorOfWheat
It is so dreadfully hot where I currently stand, the sun beating down on my freckled shoulders. My hair is tied up in a headscarf and I am wearing the least amount of clothing that is socially acceptable, which results in a light summer petticoat, a loose cotton blouse, and an apron for holding the berries I will collect for paint. I stand in the wheat field and gaze upon the swaying crop, gently holding my hands above the tips as they tickle my fingers. Far behind me, the castle looms like a harrowing shadow; it constantly warns me to return to it's safe corridors. Turning swiftly and enjoying my skirt as it blows about me, I stare into the distance at the stony scene that is Greenwich Kingdom.
"Ahh, home…" I mutter under my breath, leaning my head back and embracing the sun's steamy radiation. I can nearly feel the sunburn coming on as the seconds pass, my fair skin feeling rather tight and my cheeks becoming rosy. Returning back to my typical slouching posture, I place my hands on my hips and head deeper into the field, away from the oppressive castle. Just then however, commotion calls me to shift my attention around once more.
"Maya!"
I turn around straightaway, my heart leaping out of my chest by such a fright. Standing in his tattered clothing, Lucas pants and nearly dry-heaves as he attempts to run to my side.
"Goodness gracious, Hopalong! What on earth are you doing out here?" I pause for a moment, examining his disheveled appearance as he makes his way towards me.
"...And why do you look so panicked?" I ask, anxious for his answer.
Lucas catches his breath and places a hand on my shoulder, I stare at his feverish blue eyes and suddenly get the sense that something has gone horribly wrong.
"I-It's Riley. She says she's had another premonition. A premonition- of- of war."
My eyes grow wide. Lucas continues to pant and appear dreadfully frightened, but I figure that the least I can do for him is stay calm.
"Lucas, you know those don't always come true." I take one of his hands in both of my own, giving them a comforting squeeze. "And besides, premonitions only show glimpses of the future. Perhaps Riley misinterpreted what she saw."
"Maya please, don't act so daft!"
"Oh?"
"You know Riley premonitions have always came true! She predicted her younger brother's birth! She predicted the drought three summers ago, she-"
"Woah woah, slow down here." I cut him off, beginning to walk towards the castle. He follows close behind. "Alright, so I apologize for how hastily I pushed away your fears. I'm sorry. Please, just- just start over. Tell me exactly how you came to have this information." I use my hands as I talk, turning my head to face him every so often. All the while, we trudge through the wheat field and begin our path into the bustling kingdom.
"It's alright, I do not blame you for trying to push aside my rather frightening suspicions. But anyways...I of course was not directly the first one to find out, as the King rarely lets me around Riley-"
"Huckleberry, you've gotta quit calling him The King."
"Maya! Quiet!" Lucas says in a harsh voice, grabbing the side of my arm. "If someone hears you disrespecting him, it'll be your head!"
"Oh hush. Riley's father is a good man. Yes, he rules the entire kingdom and has to be strict with the townspeople, but we are Riley's closest friends! You know, he told me once that I only had to call him Mr. Matthews. None of that 'your royal highness' nonsense."
Lucas is quiet for a moment, giving thought to my words.
"Oh well, continue. I'm sorry for dragging off topic so quickly. My attention span is that of a prairie dog these days."
Chuckling for a moment and giving me a soft jab in the side, he then shakes off the humorous moment and returns to the previous melancholy aura.
"As I was saying….Originally it was Farkle that received the news, after giving Riley her daily lesson and having a thorough discussion. He then came to tell me in private that Riley was experiencing nightmares and premonitions of war, and that she firmly believes hard times will be upon us all."
Lucas pauses and stops walking, grabbing my wrist. "She said it's coming soon, Maya." He stares into my eyes with an intensity I have never seen before, his hold on my wrist tight and urgent.
"Is that why you came out here so quickly?" I ask, staring down at his hand- that is still gripping me tightly. Noting my gaze has shifted to his advances, he lets go and rakes back his hair with his hands. Appearing flustered for a moment, Lucas then sighs and nods his head.
"I just assumed you'd want to know first. Riley is your best friend."
"That is true."
"And besides, you should be getting back to the castle soon anyways. The other servants and maids are beginning to prepare dinner."
Lucas then stops on the cobblestone street, our pathway is now busy with noisy people and merchants, everyone making a living on the streets of Greenwich Kingdom. A pack of soldiers pass by, their armor clanking loudly as their boots hit against the hard ground. Lucas watches them and zones out for a moment, snapping back into reality with a quick and hurried statement.
"Oh, goodness-I forgot, the soldiers are going through drills tonight! I have to go!"
I don't manage to say goodbye before he takes off into the crowd, his form soon disappearing from my line of sight. Lucas was never late for meetings with his fellow soldiers, ever since he joined their forces nearly a year ago. Even if it meant skipping a visit to the lovely little market with me, (which I do know he enjoys very much) never once would he abandon his duties to our kingdom.
I of course, have my own duties as well. As Lucas mentioned earlier, being present while the maids and servants prepare to serve dinner is one of my obligations. Since turning sixteen a year ago, Riley took me in from my impoverished home and made me her personal servant. That of course sounds awful, but it's only my formal title. In all truthfulness, I am more of a guest in the castle; with the occasional chore or two. But it means a roof over my head and a warm hearth each night, so I have no complaints.
XXXXXXX
"I'm here, I'm here...No need for the complaining."
I force myself into the castle's kitchen, which is packed nearly shoulder-to-shoulder with cooks, maids, and servants. Everyone has their individual job to prepare a grand meal for the royal family, and it was this time of day that the kitchen was the most annoying and bothersome to be near. Pots and pans are tossed through the air as maids already begin the dishes, servants arrange plates in decorative fashions and hold them up high, exiting the noisy commotion with the trays on their shoulders. And of course, cooks speak in foreign tongues and argue over whether there is enough oregano or thyme in the stew. I stand amidst it all, my hands on my hips and taking in the true ridiculous notion of an entire team- just to prepare food for four people. Adding to the pure misery, the windows in the kitchen refuse to stay shut, letting in the sweltering summer air. I can deal with loud arguments over how dough rises or falls, I can deal with maids leaving bruises on my legs because they so often disapprove of my actions. But the heat, I can't deal with the heat...
"Goodness, I hate summer." I say to myself, wiping the sweat from my forehead as I start to work. A servant near the serving trays beckons me, asking for help carrying the food out to the grand dining hall. I do as she asks and lift the massive tray onto my shoulder, balancing myself tactfully and taking steady steps out the doors of the dreaded kitchen.
In order to enter the dining hall, one must first pass through a long corridor; which is lined with grand paintings of the Matthews bloodline. Their painted faces glow down at me and I feel surprisingly proud to be serving such a family, as oppose to the neighboring kingdom's horrible and treacherous family, consisting of a mother and father, along with their spoiled son. All kingdoms that surrounded Greenwich reeked of an unmistakable jealousy, a jealousy of our people, our crops, our buildings, and of course our lovely princess- Riley Matthews.
As I enter the grand hall, I expect to see my dear friend sitting in her place at the end of the table. Instead her seat is vacant, her plate is not even set. The rest of the Matthews dined cheerfully and exchanged happy glances with me, giving their sincere thanks as I offer to refill their wine glasses. I suddenly take note of why all the extra preparation was necessary today, Prince Joshua sits proudly and decorated at one side of the mahogany dining table.
No wonder the maids look so nervous in the kitchen. I certainly would not want to spill soup on his lap.
I drift off for a moment, not noticing that Mr. Matthews is addressing me from across the room. A nearby maid slaps me across the face and whispers harshly "look alive!" and I do so straightaway. My face stings with the heated pain from the slap, but I make no comment about her disgraceful and painful action. Instead I hastily make my way to the King's side, answering his call with a charming "Yes, Mr. Matthews?"
He gives me a little finger wave and smiles, as I then stand beside his chair and lean my ear close to where he's speaking. He whispers softly and is sure that no one can hear:
"Do me a favor and retrieve Riley, will you? She's been in her room for most of the day. I do know that she's had another premonition, but that's no excuse for a princess not to attend dinner with her cousin, now is it?"
I look at him and crinkle my nose, shaking my head and replying "You are right sir, it certainly isn't." Standing up straight and bowing my head to him, I then swiftly exit the room. Receiving a combination of envious and curious glances from onlookers, I ignore their stares and continue my way towards Riley's quarters.