"But what if I'm next?" asks, Inga. Her voice cracking. Panic and anxiety frozen in her eyes. Tears saturating her swollen face.
"It's not going to be you. I promise. It's going to be some noble's daughter from the other side of the realm that we have never had the unfortunate opportunity to be aquatinted with." Eldrid smiles as she wipes the stray hairs plastered to Inga's wet face and tucks them behind her ear. She keeps a small smile across her face to try and calm her friend. There is much assurance in the way Eldrid holds her head high. She hopes to the gods that she is right about this. Please let us be spared.
"Liar. You can't promise me that, my dear Ellie. Selection is at random, I have as great of chance as any." She smiles back at the girl in front of her, although weak, it is better than nothing.
"I know. But I'll lie to you as long as it will make you feel better. These are dark days, and we need to grasp onto any sense of comfort we can. The truth is so much to bear, at the moment. Let us pretend things aren't so bleak, shall we?"
"No lies, please. We have an almighty prince sitting in that palace that has blanketed the realm with enough of them. The truth is a heavy burden but I'd carry that over being like him. Ellie, let's forget this life altogether. Tell me one of your stories and take me away from here."
Seriousness morphs her face as Ellie stands and begins to pull the curtains closed, "Inga, listen, I know you're scared but..."
"He eats them, Eldrid!"
Shocked, Eldrid turns to stare at the frantic girl. Unable to come up with anything to do other than to stand there.
"They say if you look into his eyes he will swallow your soul! That he'll consume you to where not even Hel herself can reach you. They say not even his own mother can stop him from his evil deeds. If you listen closely, right before dawn, you can almost hear her sobs ringing out throughout all of Asgard! Oh what suffering and torment echos through the halls of the palace. If you or I are selected..."
"Inga listen! Stop this!" Ellie runs and grabs her now sobbing friend's shoulders. "I will not let that happen to you! I swear it! You will not suffer this fate, that I can promise you. I will die before I ever allow them to take you, and you know I will always keep my word. Please, please don't worry yourself this way!"
Attempting to control herself while also fighting her fatigue, Inga breathes in deeply, "Please Ellie, a story? I...I don't want to think about this any longer."
With a small nod, Eldrid, (Ellie as she prefers to be called), begins her tale. As she speaks, she guides Inga down and tucks her into her own bed. Soothing her as she plaits her hair and tells a story filled with life and joy. It isn't long before Inga succumbs to the sleep her body so desperately needs. Ellie extinguishes the last of the candles before heading out to go back home. She hasn't left her friend's side until she falls asleep for weeks now, maybe months? Inga did the same for her when her mother passed when they were children. No one could comfort her like Inga. Now it was Ellie's hope to return that favor of driving away the demons. Even if it meant a lack of rest on her own part.
Eldrid, always mothering. Always making sure others feel safe. Never showing the immense fear growing inside. She makes a choice to stay strong for the sake of those around her. However, her resolve is beginning to break.
—
As Ellie begins to open her eyes, dread consumed her. The sun was up. She grabs the blanket and pulls it over her head, trying to not only block out the light, but the reality that the sun brings with it.
She's dead. She's dead. She's dead.
Her heart starts to pound in her ears. Would this be her last morning? It's all she could think as her handmaiden anxiously scurries about the room, gathering her garments for the upcoming Selection gathering.
The nausea swirling in her stomach was becoming her constant companion. As much as she carries an air of confidence, her insides are truly being trampled with fear.
"My lady, will this do for this morning's...festivities?" Katla, her handmaiden, pointing to the dress lying across her lounge. She too hasn't slept well by the look of the dark circles consuming her normally doe-like eyes.
In another time, in another moment, Ellie would have been thrilled over the frock. It's emerald green velvet bodice with tiny bits of gold embroidery all along the chest and the length of the arms are absolutely beautiful. The intricate laced backing always makes her curves more prominent, in turn making her feel regal and giving her a confidence boost. The full skirt that shimmers slightly in the sunlight makes a statement as she walks. This is a dress made for a...princess.
Ellie, cringed at the thought. This could be the last outfit she would ever wear. She had not been chosen for the last 57 days. Would this be her day?
As Katla begins cinching Ellie into her dress, she begins to hate it even more. The color. His color. In hopes to please the mad prince all Selection participants must comply to wear this particular shade of green.
As if a dress will spare my life.
Once Katla is done tying her up, Ellie notices how difficult it is to breathe. The bodice is so tight, her ribs begin to ache.
Maybe I'll pass out and the king will refuse to give an unconscious girl to his son.
Turning to face her handmaiden, she can see the tears trailing down her face.
"I'd take your place if I could, m'lady."
"Shhh, Katla. Don't say such things. I have made it this far. I just need to make it to tomorrow.. Who knows, maybe the prince will finally find favor with today's girl and this wretched Selection will be over."
Katla grabs one of Ellie's hands and squeezes it. Ellie pulls her into a hug. She fights the urge to cry with the young girl lest she lose any more oxygen and pass out too early.
"If it is me," she whispers into her ear, "please know how utterly thankful I am for you. And take care of Inga. She will not be strong if I am gone. " Pulling away and looking intensely into Katla's eyes, "Promise me, Katla. Swear on the gods you will take care of my friend."
"You have my word, Eldrid." Ellie didn't flinch at the informal address. She knew this was Katla's way of making her commitment known.
Before another word was said, Ellie turned and sat down to allow Katla to fix her hair. After what felt like hours, Ellie was able to look at her reflection.
A bride.
Each morning for the past 57 days, she has had to prepare herself as if it were her wedding day. Today was no different.
As a virgin daughter of Asgardian nobility, she could very well be chosen to be presented to the mad prince as his bride. Something that a time ago would have been a place of honor. But now...
She stared at herself in the mirror. She has her mother's eyes. Dark and vast like the night sky. Very unique, as light elves usually have light eyes. Her waist long sunset hair is pinned elegantly atop her head, with a gold magnolia hairpin to hold it into place. Against her pale skin, she looks as if she was ablaze. However, her fire burned out long ago.
Ellie tucks her hair behind her ears, exposing the tiny points she also inherited from her mother. If today is her time, she wants to prince to know exactly what he's getting. She begins to smooth the invisible wrinkles in the dress before being startled by a knock at the door.
It opens and she sees her father's reflection behind her. He looks much older now. The wear of this life becoming more visible on his face and within the slouch in his shoulders. He looked similar for the months after her mother had died. He's already begun mourning his only child, even if she stands before him alive and well. What she would do to see him smile again.
"It's time, my dear," holding out his hand, Ellie turns and places her hand in his. She makes no eye contact nor a sound, as she can not stand to see the broken man in front of her. Then turn to exit and all Ellie can hear and the uninhibited sobs of her handmaiden behind her.
She prays to the gods that today is not her day.
—
I'm so glad you made it to this point! My fiction writing is a little rusty, but I've been longing to jump back into it.
This is an Arabian Nights retelling, so consider this an AU when considering the movies.
Would love to get some feedback on how the story is coming! Reviews help me update quicker ;)