"There's Atlas," Weiss said, pointing to the immense castle in the distance.

Ruby stared in wonder. The white towers of the castle soared above the ground, casting long shadows on the plains in front of them as the sun slowly dipped into the horizon behind the fortress. Banners fluttered in the breeze at the top of each tower, and, at the very top level of the fortress was a tree whose leaves had clearly just started to fall in preparation for the coming winter.

"Wow," Ruby muttered. "It's incredible."

Weiss sighed. "From here, yes. But when you get inside the gates, it is a much different story. Come, let's go. I would like to be inside the walls before nightfall."

Weiss and Ruby walked across the open plains and approached the front gates.

"Halt!" The guard at the top of the wall yelled. "Who approaches the gates of Atlas?"

"Princess Schnee, first in line to the Frozen Throne of the Kingdom of Vale," Weiss called, "Lady of Beacon Keep, and ambassador for the King. With me is Ruby Rose, Lady-Guardian to me, commander of Vale's army, steward of Beacon Keep and third in line to the Frozen Throne of Vale."

"Very well, you may pass," the guard replied, and the gate slowly opened, revealing the city itself.

On the other side of the gate stood a group of four guards wearing heavy plate armor that gleamed almost as much as the castle itself appeared to, and each held a large tower shield and a shimmering sword with a long, wavy edge.

"Princess Schnee, if you will follow us, we will lead you to your guest room in the keep," one of the guards said.

The four soldiers led Ruby and Weiss through the streets. All around them, Ruby saw people who clearly needed food lining the streets, begging for someone to give them something to eat. A young girl who could not have been more than eight years old ran up to Ruby and tugged lightly on her cloak

"Excuse me, my Lady," the girl said with a voice that was barely above a whisper. "Do you have any food?"

"Off with you," one of the guards grunted with annoyance.

The girl started to walk off dejectedly, but Ruby quickly ran after her. "Here," she said, handing the girl a pouch full of coins with a smile. "That should help you out."

"Thank you so much!" the girl said, wrapping Ruby a tight hug.

"You're welcome," Ruby replied, gently returning the hug.

"Come, Lady-Guardian," Weiss said, placing a hand on Ruby's shoulder. "We need to get to the Keep.


"This will be your room for the duration of your stay," one of the guards said as he opened the door for Ruby and Weiss.

"We don't get separate rooms?" Ruby asked.

"Unfortunately, King Ironwood is hosting a number of diplomats from Mistral for the next week, and they already have all of the other rooms," he replied.

"So, a handful of bureaucrats from Mistral have more priority than Vale's royalty?" Weiss demanded angrily.

"I would watch your tongue, Princess," the guard sneered. "You're not in Vale, and you will do as King Ironwood says."

With that, the guards walked away, leaving Ruby and Weiss alone in the hall. Weiss sighed and walked into the room, sitting down on her bed and removing her boots as she did so.

"Sorry, Princess," Ruby said as she followed Weiss into the room and sat down on her own bed.

"It's not your fault," Weiss muttered. "Though father will hear about this when we return. If we return."

Weiss and Ruby sat in silence for several minutes before Ruby spoke up again. "Princess?" she asked. "Earlier, when you were naming my titles, you said I was third in line to the throne. Why?"

"Because you are," Weiss said simply. "In the even the royal family is left with no heirs, or if the current ruler dies before the next in line comes of age, it falls to the Lord- or Lady-Guardian to rule the Kingdom when the current ruler passes."

"So, you mean... I could be the Queen of Vale?" Ruby asked, paling slightly.

The Princess nodded. "It's unlikely, but entirely possible."

"Oh," Ruby said simply. "That's... Not really what I was expecting from being your guardian."

"Don't worry about it," Weiss replied with a shrug. "How could you have known? It's not like I ever went out of my way to try to help you with learning your duties."

"You don't have to do that, you know," Ruby said as she started to remove her armor. "I imagine you've been busy, so-"

"So, I still should have found time to help you adjust to your role," Weiss said, before letting out a deep sigh. "I suppose I should go ahead and get some sleep. I'll see you tomorrow, Ruby."

"As you wish, Princess," Ruby said.


Weiss slowly sat up and stretched looked around the room. When her eyes finally rested on the door, she saw Ruby already dutifully standing in her full armor and cloak at the entrance to the room.

"Good morning, Princess," Ruby said as she walked over to the Princess. "Did you sleep well?"

"Well, enough," Weiss replied, slowly standing.

"That's good. A messenger came a little while ago," Ruby said. "He said that the King would like to speak with us about the coming duel. A group of guards are outside waiting to escort us to the King."

"Why didn't you wake me?" Weiss asked.

"We didn't need to leave immediately," Ruby said. "Plus, you seemed exhausted from our trip here, so I figured you needed some rest."

"Well, thank you," Weiss said with a smile. "Come on, I'll go ahead and get dressed and then we can go to the King."


"Princess Schnee, thank you for coming on such short notice," King Ironwood said, his voice booming through the massive throne room.

"Please, spare me the pleasantries, your Majesty," Weiss replied. "We both know why I'm here."

"Indeed," King Ironwood said. "The Schnee Family has been accused of funding attacks on farmland belonging to the Fall family How do you respond to these accusations?"

"The Schnee family staunchly denies these accusations," Weiss replied firmly. "Indeed, our spymaster has provided information that points to the Fall family funding these attacks in an effort to begin a war between Vale and Atlas to expand their present claim of land."

King Ironwood turned to a woman standing in the shadows of the room. "Lady Cinder Fall," he called, "how do you respond to the Schnee family?

"We resent these accusations," the woman said, sounding bored. "We would not stand to profit in any significant way from such a political maneuver."

"Very well," King Ironwood replied. "As the wounded party in this matter, how do you wish this trial to proceed, Lady Fall?"

"The Falls demand a trial by combat," Lady Fall replied.

"And will you have a champion?"

"Indeed," Lady fall replied. "My son, Ember Fall, shall serve as my champion."

An immense brute of a man stepped into the light, wearing a set of black and red, plate armor that looked like it might have been nearly as heavy as he was, and he was a giant, carrying a sword that was bigger than Weiss, and he had an evil gleam in his amber eyes.

"And you, Weiss Schnee, will you have a champion?" King Ironwood asked.

Weiss opened her mouth to respond, but was swiftly cut off by Ruby grabbing her shoulder.

"Weiss wait," she said, "Please let me be your champion."

"Ruby you don't have to do that," Weiss said.

"Weiss, please let me do it," Ruby pled.

"But there is no way you'll be able to defeat him!"

"Weiss, that man killed my mother!" she said.

The Princess stood there, unable to believe what she had just heard. "Really?"

"Yes," Ruby replied nodding with tears beginning to forming her eyes. "Please, let me try, Weiss."

"Very well," Weiss replied.

"Thank you," Ruby said, before stepping forward. "I, Ruby Rose, Lady-Guardian to Princess Schnee, commander of Vale's Army, Steward of Beacon Keep, and third in line to the Frozen Throne of Vale, will champion Princess Schnee."

"Then it is settled," King Ironwood replied. "The duel will be tomorrow at midday tomorrow. If you fail to attend, you will be found guilty. Good luck, to both duelists."


A/N: That's chapter seven! Up next, Ruby dueling for Weiss! Can anyone guess who Cinder's son is based off of? Well, anyway, interesting fact: this story is now the second most followed story I have, behind A Lone White Rose! Thanks for reading! Next on the list is chapter seven of The Path We Walk, where we get to see the forces that the Beacon Company has, followed by chapter 16 of Flight of a Rose! See you all then!