So, I had to make this two years later because I wrote the original piece that long ago, besides I think this makes it more interesting.
As always, I don't own anything in this but the daughter character, sigh, but some day. For now though, I have to give props to Meagan Whalen Turner for giving the world this series. Thank you, we are eternally grateful.
A year passed, then two. And, as these things naturally go, I grew up. I was told more like my mother, like it was a compliment. I took that to mean more like her, physically, and I did look like her I suppose, my hair darkened, my face paled, and I kept my emotions strongly in check, at least where other people were concerned. I was also told, by some, that I became more like my father; I took that one as more stubborn, how that was possible gods only knew.
In truth, I just grew up. I lied more consistently; moved quietly, dealt with problems, and learned diplomacy. I also learned how to fight, how to shoot, archery and horseback riding. I became, in essence a queen. I did anything to distract me from the fact that I would soon have to marry, and it would have to be arranged. Not that I was against marriage it was just….when one has known a god, and spent time with him, how can any one mortal compare?
I suppose, if I really loved the man that had been chosen for me, it would be different. And in my way, I did love him. He was the son of Sounis and Eddis, they had taken their country back on a special term contract, and being my cousin, we were close. But he was a good two years younger than me, and still slightly immature, besides he'd always been as a brother to me.
The marriage itself however was specifically for the purpose of binding our countries even more solidly. I agreed with this, it was my idea, and at first I had been excited, but as the date drew closer, I was filled with dread. Thinking of it I smiled. It wasn't a nice smile.
Footsteps interrupted my thoughts. I doubt anyone but me would have heard them. But then, that was how it was supposed to be. He dropped down next to me, feet swinging over the edge of the parapet. I didn't turn to look at him, he didn't expect me too, all he did was place a hand on top of mine. I held on. Noisier footsteps came again, this time accompanied by the swish of a gown. My mother sat down on my other side. She held me to her.
I looked up at her, and smiled. We didn't speak, there was no need. My parents knew me so well, that they probably knew what I was thinking of. These were my favorite moments, when it was just the three of us, and no kingdom to rule, there was just this little family and our love for each other.
My mother must have seen something in my eyes, because she looked up at my father a question in hers. He nodded and let go of my hand, standing up he brushed the side of my face without the scar and kissed my mother's cheek. Then he walked off the edge of the roof. Neither my mother nor I reacted.
She turned to look at me then her eyes soft. I knew then why she had wanted to have this conversation alone. Her hand brushed the scar on my cheek, the one identical to – my father's. I refused to think of who it was truly modeled after. My scar however was small and located just under my eye, giving me the appearance of always grinning. Her thumb lingered on the scar. Then she sighed.
"I know what it's like to be forced into a marriage, Gen, and I don't want that to be what's happening here." She stopped for a moment, and looked out at the sky. Lips pressed together. Then she smiled and looked at me. "I also know what it's like to be in love. And, while it is slightly different in the situation" she said dryly. "I know that it's scary. I know that it's painful, and exhilarating, and I know that-"
"Mother, don't." I said cutting her off. She looked offended. I continued "I know that you are trying to help. But the thing is, I'm not in love with-" Damn I still couldn't even say his name. Nearly two years later and I his name hadn't passed my lips. "The point is I'm not in love with anyone." And I wasn't. "And this… forced marriage needs to happen. It isn't at all the same situation." She looked offended. I was tired. "I'm sorry it's just… I don't know. Sometimes I can't really believe this is happening. Sometimes I think, no, I hope that I can wake up and find that I'm dreaming that I'm back in the woods with him."
I looked up at her, at some point in this conversation she has pulled me into a hug, and I lost my anger. I'm speaking in a quiet voice.
'I-I don't exactly know how I feel about him. It's been two years, and even though I can't exactly remember the way he grins, or the precise ring of his laugh. I can't picture his face in my mind, or hear his voice, but I can't get him out of my head. How is that normal?" she just looks at me. "Oh I know, it's because he's, well him. But still, does it ever end?" my voice is bleak. She thinks for a moment before answering.
"I don't know. Your father is the better one to ask, he never cut off someone's hand and then fell in love with them." Her voice is bitter. "But I do know this, it's doesn't stop hurting it just turns into a different kind of hurt. A better hurt, and it's good because it reminds you that you still can feel something." She smiles at me and squeezes my hand. "At least, that's how it was for me." I look at her speechless, a rarity for me.
There is a shuffling off feet behind us, the queen's attendants coming to alert her to prepare for dinner. I look at my mother; she has a far off look in her eyes. She shakes herself and gives me a smile. Then she stands to leave. I won't be attending dinner tonight, or the next few nights, with my marriage so fast approaching, only a week or two away, the court was under the impression I was withdrawing to meditate on what life would be like, and to prepare myself for having to answer to another- like that was happening. I grabbed her arm before she could leave.
"He may not have cut someone's hand off and then fallen in love with them" I said meaning ever word. "But he did fall in love with the woman, who was not only the one person who could ever be beyond his reach. And this all happened after she cut off his hand." And with that I swung down off the roof.
I landed about ten feet down on a ledge that ran around the whole palace. It was only about twelve inches across, but that was more than enough for me. I ran until I reached a window. It opened up onto a hallway; from there I could drop down onto the rafters and run along them until I reached my rooms.
Oh sure, I could have kept going around the palace but I wanted the rush of running over people's heads and them not knowing it, later tonight I would probably spy on the dancing from the same position, but that was a ways off. Before I swung my way into the window I gave my customary low whistle, to alert the guards that I was coming in, so that they wouldn't jump when I surprised them.
I was just about to go through the window; I actually had my foot through it when the curtains swung shut blocking me out. I stared at them in consternation. Then the low measured voice of the guard, Aris was his name, came through the fabric.
"So sorry your highness, but the ambassador is just passing through the hall here, shouldn't be more than a moment." I understood, the Mede ambassador, a man I truly despised, was passing. The guards, bless them, were making sure I didn't have to see him more than I had too. Good thing too, the last time I had dealt with the Median Ambassador he had been very- well let's just say friendly. I heard his greasy tones coming from the other side of the window.
"Ah, Guard. Looking alert as always I see."
"Yes sir." Aris responded without preamble. I smirked. I loved when the guards got one over the Ambassador but he was too stupid to notice. I could only assume he had said that because as he walked into view Aris was turning around from warning me.
"Good, good." God's I hated him. "But why is this window closed? It is such gorgeous day" It really wasn't. It was cold and wet. The exact reason my parents and I had met on the roof, no one else would be out there on a day like this. In fact, the only reason the window was open in the first place was because I had opened it to crawl out. "Let's just open it, I would love to see the sky." I heard his voice get closer and had just enough time to scamper up over the top sill before he opened it and stuck his head out.
Clutching the ivy I breathed a sigh of relief as he drew his head back inside. From the fact that I heard Aris ask if he had been looking for something I inferred that he had had a disappointed look on his face. He didn't respond. I heard a door open and then close.
"It's alright now Highness. He's is gone." I dropped down to the sill and hopped inside.
"Thank you Aris," I said. Looking around I saw that the other guard he had been posted with was nowhere to be seen. I assumed he had gone to fetch Costis, my personal guard. "You are truly a blessing" I continued, kissing him on the cheek. He blushed; I laughed and skipped up on to the railing.
"Well my fine guard. I'm off." I bowed, and, with a wave of my hand I jumped backwards off the railing. I landed about twelve feet down, on a wooden beam. I hear Aris catch his breath, even though he has lived through me and my father doing this countless times. I laughed again. "No need to worry Aris, I'm still alive" He sighed.
"Highness, my job, no, my life would be so much easier if you just walked around like a normal person."
I laughed again and went on my way. Getting back I had time to think about my conversation with my mother, that didn't mean I did however.
The door to my rooms was open. I could hear the guards posted outside my inner chamber talking and laughing. That ended the moment I stepped in. I closed the door behind me as I walked in.
"At ease boys" I said passing through them to the desk just outside the door leading to the room I slept in, checking it to see if I had any pressing matters to attend to. Nope, just a note from my fiancé wanting to see me. I made a mental note to burn that one. "The leeches?" I asked referring to my attendants.
"Nowhere to be seen."I turned around to see the guards back at ease. So long as they could stop someone from killing me in my sleep I didn't much care how they behaved, provided it wasn't vulgar. Costis was the guard who had answered me. He was standing in the door way to my bedroom. I smiled.
"Costis, how wonderful to see you again. Come we need to talk." And with that, I swept into my inner chambers. He followed.
In the other room he had been all attention and professionalism, now with just the two of us and behind closed doors, he relaxed. I pointed to a chair; he collapsed into it, throwing his sword down on my desk and removing his breast plate. We both knew that at worst case scenario I could kill anyone who really wanted to harm me before he unsheathed his sword. Sometimes I wondered why I even had guards.
Turning my back to him and heading towards the screen that hid my bath. It was hot, gods bless those attendants, it seemed they were good for something after all. I could hear him relax on the other side. I quickly bathed and washed.
Coming around, wrapped in a robe and clean I sat down opposite him. He spoke first.
"Ari" he said , using my first name, or rather the short of my first name Ariadne, I didn't look at him. My parents called me Gen because that was my middle name. Ariadne Irene Gen. Yeah, most holy, peace and thief, wonderful names. People who were close to me used Gen, it was just the way things were. I looked up at him. He was concerned. Costis had always been like an uncle to me.
"Ari, it's two weeks away, you can't shut yourself out like this. It isn't healthy." And with that inspiring piece of advice he walked out the door and I was left on my own to stare at a wall and wonder what in hell was happening.
Two weeks later I was woken up by someone sitting on the bed next to me. I assumed that it was my father. With a sleepy "Go away" I rolled over and went back to sleep.
"Gen, c'mon, Gen please" the voice was familiar, but I couldn't place it. I knew it had to be a skilled thief`, to get all the way to my bed and not wake me up. And, since it wasn't my father that only left one choice. I froze.
"Gen I know your angry and you have every right to be, just please let me explain, I couldn't let you get married tomorrow without seeing you. Please, just hear me out." That made me angry.
"What could you possibly say to me that you think I would want to hear at this point?"
"I'm sorry." I whirled around and sat up. He was sitting on the edge on the bed with his back to me. He had sounded so sincere when he said that. He had obviously gotten better at lying. He heard me sit up and turned. And, in a moment, I found myself face to face with the god of thieves for the first time in two years.
It took everything I had not to slap him.
Does it end there? Nope, but this scene does, so you will have to wait till next time, hopefully it will be up soon, no promises though.
Ps. If you could please give me feedback on what you thought, or if you have any ideas, it would be great.