A/N: Hello! this is my first attempt at a Tortall fic, so please be kind! I didn't really want to write a fic about Tortall, but rather, a child ruler. I loved the idea of a strong ruler, using wits and brains to control a nation and do it well; and all of this, done by a little person! (I adore kids) Anyway, read and review and Comment! I love to hear from you!
Prologue:
There are many great monarchs in Tortallan history. However, the most remarkable is Queen Alexia I. She was known during her 73-year reign as 'The Child Queen', 'Tortallia', 'The Miracle Child', and 'Mithros' daughter'. She indeed brought sunshine and happiness to the Land of Tortall. The most remarkable fact, however, was that she came to the throne at the tender age of twelve. And ruled personally since the beginning of her reign; her father, King Roald VI's will specifically stated that she have no Regent rule through her. I will now tell you the story of the 'Child Queen', through her own point of view, as well as a few others.
Roald
My daughter, Alexia Adelaide Audrey Aurelia Conté was born on Midsummer Day. I was hoping, praying actually, for a male heir, but I was instead blessed with a smiling happy healthy baby girl. I wasn't too disappointed. My wife, Albinna (daughter of the Scanran Emperor) was only sixteen and I was twenty. My father, Jonathan, died that summer of a magical plague. My mother, the Dowager Queen had moved away to the Merritthian* palace near the coast of the Emerald Ocean.
Albinna was a sweet girl, a child still herself, with red hair unusual for Scanran, pale, almost see through skin and eyes so light a blue, they seemed white. She was sweet tempered, soft spoken, but a bit dumb. I didn't pick my bride. She was chosen for me by my father, and necessary for an alliance with Scanra. We had married when she was fourteen and I eighteen.
Over the next few years Alexia grew sweeter and smarter, but Albinna bitter and power hungry. I banished her from court after the birth of our second daughter, Antonia Aria Kalasin Anthea Conté. Alexia was one now, with skin as pale as her mother's, brilliant green eyes and a deep brown- auburn hair in wispy curls. She had a whole Court at the Merritthian palace where my mother oversaw her needs. Antonia joined her sister soon after her birth.
Two years later, another daughter was born to us, by the name of Alyssa Meria Amaya Thayet Conté. Alyssa joined her two sisters and my mother at their Merritthian Palace. By this time, I was desperate for a male heir, after three daughters. I know that women can rule, but the people of my land do not. They will rebel against a woman ruler. Albinna refuses to get pregnant, hoping that if I die without a male heir I would leave her to rule Tortall. But I refuse. Over the years, I have seen Albinna's true nature and it is anything but sweet tempered or stupid. She is selfish and will stop at nothing to get what she wants. If I die without a prince to inherit the throne, Alexia shall rule. So I must prepare her.
Alexia
Ever since I was four, I have taken lessons. When I was four I learned to read, and began to learn French, and Latin. My dearest nursemaid Loralie of Merton, was instructed to speak to me in all three languages. I learned to write and began to learn about the stars. When I was five, I began ballet lessons, music lessons, etiquette lessons, literature, history, Greek and Italian lessons. At six, mathematics and politics were added to my schedule. When I was seven, my father brought me to Court.
"Your Highness." I knelt before my father and kissed his hand.
"Rise, Alexia."
"As your Majesty Wishes." I rose, but kept my eyes lowered. He put his hand on my chin and titled it up, so that I looked into his eyes.
"Alexia, I have brought you to Court for a reason. I want you to learn of people's relationships here. I also have something very important to tell you."
"Yes, Your Highness."
"Father. Call me Father, please."
"Yes, Father."
"You may go."
I bowed and backed out (never turn your back on the King) of the chamber.
The next day my father summoned me again.
"Alexia, sweet, you know, that I am King and I rule Tortall." I nodded, confused. I knew he was King. Why was he telling me this? "And when I die, my oldest child will succeed me. Alexia, you are the oldest child." He paused, waiting for me to process this.
I nodded. I had figured this out long ago, when I began studying politics. "Yes?"
He raised his eyebrows. "You're fine with this?"
I chose my words carefully. "Well, I know that it if a enormous task, but I am being educated for it, and hopefully, Your Majesty will not die for a long long time."
He smiled, but it was an ironic, doubtful smile.
Roald
I did the unthinkable.
But let me start at the beginning. I have a powerful Gift. It was almost twice as strong as my father's and certainly as strong as Alanna's. It's a jade green. Alexia has inherited my strong Gift. Hers is deep purple. But anyway, it was not my strong Gift that made my tale unthinkable. It was how I used it.
Shortly after Alyssa's birth, I stumbled upon an old book in the Royal Library, full of divination spells. I had concluded by then that no male heir was to be born to me, so I was desperate to foresee my nation's fate. I completed the spell two weeks after I had decided to use it; it was complicated and took a long time. Immediately after its completion, I fell into a trance.
I won't bore you with the details. I saw Alexia crowned, at the age of twelve. I saw her reign, a seventy three year reign. I saw her become a powerful and kind monarch. And I also saw her make use of strange ideas, from another world. A world parallel to ours. A world called Earth. Apparently, I had found spells for viewing this parallel universe and Alexia had used its mistakes and triumphs to help her rule.
When I left the trance-like state, I realized what I had seen. I would die. I would die very shortly. I had nine years to live. Nine. Trust me, coming to face knowing when one's death will be is not a pleasant thing. It made me want to live out my days as well as I knew. But I was forgetting my obligations to my kingdom.
So I made up my mind to begin searching for the spell at once. The spell that would allow me to peek into that other world. I also needed to begin teaching Alexia the ways of a ruler. I approved extra lessons for her to take. I also assigned young Sarra Salmadin to teach her to use her Gift fully and develop her powers to their limit.
And by the time my Princess was seven, I had found the spells needed and was ready to let her know what I knew.
Antonia
Alexia and I have been called to court. His Majesty the King, my father, has spoken to me! He called for me yesterday, and spoke only to me! Not to me and Alexia. Just me. He said that he was concerned about my illness. I had recently gotten over a catarrh, and it had left me quite weak. If seems as if I am forever ill! I despise it!
Alexia
Wow. I am to be Queen in only five years! I am astonished, and to tell the truth, I am scared witless. I know a Princess shouldn't be scared, but I am. Father is considering sending me to Carthak or the Yamani Isles, to be educated for a couple of years. And he has decided to send me off to Pirate's Swoop for two months, to be educated in the martial arts by Lady Alanna and Baron George. Father thinks that I ought to be able to protect myself, in case of Tortall's many enemies attacks me.
After those two months, I am to return to court for four months, to learn the etiquette required of me. After that, I will leave for Tyra, stay there for a month or so, And travel to the Carthak for a year and a half, to receive my education in magic (as well as practical subjects). Then I will make debut in society in Scanra, Carthak, The Copper Isles, and the Yamani Isles. After that, I shall return to Corus and study some more martial arts, either with Alanna and George, or with the pages and squires. I am simply tired by planning the next three years! Wow! That is a lot of things I will have to do!
And I begin soon. In three days, I leave for Pirate's Swoop.
I must go speak to my father now.
Antonia
Alexia is so lucky. She is going to Pirate's Swoop, to learn self defense techniques for an entire two months! The she will study abroad for two years, whilst I am stuck in the Merritthian Palace with my four year old sister and my grandmother, and learn proper lady behavior. And I an forever coughing, wheezing, or sweating with fever. It seems as though illnesses cannot bear to pass me by. I am so tired. Grandmother is accompanying me and Alexia here at Court, and she is yelling for me to join her at the stables. I want to go see the horses.
Thayet
I cannot believe Roald's nerve! To view the future! Has Jonathan taught him nothing about magic and the future? You DO NOT meddle with the future or the past. It is horrible to know that I will lose him in a matter of five years. It is devastating. First Jon, now him. And I lost Kalasin to Carthaki Emperor.
My sweet girl Kally. She has two children now. Nine year old Jonathan and eight year old Lianna. Jasson is married to a Yamani Duchess, and has a daughter named Emmett. Little Liam was just married this year to the Tyran Princess Alerra.
I shall ask Roald if Antonia and I may accompany Alexia to Pirate's Swoop. I haven't seen Alanna and George since Jon's funeral. Besides, maybe the fresh sea air will be good for Antonia. The poor child is always sick.
Antonia
Father has agreed to allow me and Grandmother to go to Pirate's Swoop with Alexia! I must begin packing!
Alexia
Grandmother and Antonia will come with me to Pirate's swoop. Part of me despises this, wanting to be alone and independent. But another part of me is secretly glad that they'll be there. I suppose that, being Crown Princess, I will never be alone. There will always be people watching me, openly and not. So I must be careful of what I say and do.
A/N: Extra brownie points for anyone who figures out what ALL the names (other than the ones Tamora Pierce made up) mean!
Prologue:
There are many great monarchs in Tortallan history. However, the most remarkable is Queen Alexia I. She was known during her 73-year reign as 'The Child Queen', 'Tortallia', 'The Miracle Child', and 'Mithros' daughter'. She indeed brought sunshine and happiness to the Land of Tortall. The most remarkable fact, however, was that she came to the throne at the tender age of twelve. And ruled personally since the beginning of her reign; her father, King Roald VI's will specifically stated that she have no Regent rule through her. I will now tell you the story of the 'Child Queen', through her own point of view, as well as a few others.
Roald
My daughter, Alexia Adelaide Audrey Aurelia Conté was born on Midsummer Day. I was hoping, praying actually, for a male heir, but I was instead blessed with a smiling happy healthy baby girl. I wasn't too disappointed. My wife, Albinna (daughter of the Scanran Emperor) was only sixteen and I was twenty. My father, Jonathan, died that summer of a magical plague. My mother, the Dowager Queen had moved away to the Merritthian* palace near the coast of the Emerald Ocean.
Albinna was a sweet girl, a child still herself, with red hair unusual for Scanran, pale, almost see through skin and eyes so light a blue, they seemed white. She was sweet tempered, soft spoken, but a bit dumb. I didn't pick my bride. She was chosen for me by my father, and necessary for an alliance with Scanra. We had married when she was fourteen and I eighteen.
Over the next few years Alexia grew sweeter and smarter, but Albinna bitter and power hungry. I banished her from court after the birth of our second daughter, Antonia Aria Kalasin Anthea Conté. Alexia was one now, with skin as pale as her mother's, brilliant green eyes and a deep brown- auburn hair in wispy curls. She had a whole Court at the Merritthian palace where my mother oversaw her needs. Antonia joined her sister soon after her birth.
Two years later, another daughter was born to us, by the name of Alyssa Meria Amaya Thayet Conté. Alyssa joined her two sisters and my mother at their Merritthian Palace. By this time, I was desperate for a male heir, after three daughters. I know that women can rule, but the people of my land do not. They will rebel against a woman ruler. Albinna refuses to get pregnant, hoping that if I die without a male heir I would leave her to rule Tortall. But I refuse. Over the years, I have seen Albinna's true nature and it is anything but sweet tempered or stupid. She is selfish and will stop at nothing to get what she wants. If I die without a prince to inherit the throne, Alexia shall rule. So I must prepare her.
Alexia
Ever since I was four, I have taken lessons. When I was four I learned to read, and began to learn French, and Latin. My dearest nursemaid Loralie of Merton, was instructed to speak to me in all three languages. I learned to write and began to learn about the stars. When I was five, I began ballet lessons, music lessons, etiquette lessons, literature, history, Greek and Italian lessons. At six, mathematics and politics were added to my schedule. When I was seven, my father brought me to Court.
"Your Highness." I knelt before my father and kissed his hand.
"Rise, Alexia."
"As your Majesty Wishes." I rose, but kept my eyes lowered. He put his hand on my chin and titled it up, so that I looked into his eyes.
"Alexia, I have brought you to Court for a reason. I want you to learn of people's relationships here. I also have something very important to tell you."
"Yes, Your Highness."
"Father. Call me Father, please."
"Yes, Father."
"You may go."
I bowed and backed out (never turn your back on the King) of the chamber.
The next day my father summoned me again.
"Alexia, sweet, you know, that I am King and I rule Tortall." I nodded, confused. I knew he was King. Why was he telling me this? "And when I die, my oldest child will succeed me. Alexia, you are the oldest child." He paused, waiting for me to process this.
I nodded. I had figured this out long ago, when I began studying politics. "Yes?"
He raised his eyebrows. "You're fine with this?"
I chose my words carefully. "Well, I know that it if a enormous task, but I am being educated for it, and hopefully, Your Majesty will not die for a long long time."
He smiled, but it was an ironic, doubtful smile.
Roald
I did the unthinkable.
But let me start at the beginning. I have a powerful Gift. It was almost twice as strong as my father's and certainly as strong as Alanna's. It's a jade green. Alexia has inherited my strong Gift. Hers is deep purple. But anyway, it was not my strong Gift that made my tale unthinkable. It was how I used it.
Shortly after Alyssa's birth, I stumbled upon an old book in the Royal Library, full of divination spells. I had concluded by then that no male heir was to be born to me, so I was desperate to foresee my nation's fate. I completed the spell two weeks after I had decided to use it; it was complicated and took a long time. Immediately after its completion, I fell into a trance.
I won't bore you with the details. I saw Alexia crowned, at the age of twelve. I saw her reign, a seventy three year reign. I saw her become a powerful and kind monarch. And I also saw her make use of strange ideas, from another world. A world parallel to ours. A world called Earth. Apparently, I had found spells for viewing this parallel universe and Alexia had used its mistakes and triumphs to help her rule.
When I left the trance-like state, I realized what I had seen. I would die. I would die very shortly. I had nine years to live. Nine. Trust me, coming to face knowing when one's death will be is not a pleasant thing. It made me want to live out my days as well as I knew. But I was forgetting my obligations to my kingdom.
So I made up my mind to begin searching for the spell at once. The spell that would allow me to peek into that other world. I also needed to begin teaching Alexia the ways of a ruler. I approved extra lessons for her to take. I also assigned young Sarra Salmadin to teach her to use her Gift fully and develop her powers to their limit.
And by the time my Princess was seven, I had found the spells needed and was ready to let her know what I knew.
Antonia
Alexia and I have been called to court. His Majesty the King, my father, has spoken to me! He called for me yesterday, and spoke only to me! Not to me and Alexia. Just me. He said that he was concerned about my illness. I had recently gotten over a catarrh, and it had left me quite weak. If seems as if I am forever ill! I despise it!
Alexia
Wow. I am to be Queen in only five years! I am astonished, and to tell the truth, I am scared witless. I know a Princess shouldn't be scared, but I am. Father is considering sending me to Carthak or the Yamani Isles, to be educated for a couple of years. And he has decided to send me off to Pirate's Swoop for two months, to be educated in the martial arts by Lady Alanna and Baron George. Father thinks that I ought to be able to protect myself, in case of Tortall's many enemies attacks me.
After those two months, I am to return to court for four months, to learn the etiquette required of me. After that, I will leave for Tyra, stay there for a month or so, And travel to the Carthak for a year and a half, to receive my education in magic (as well as practical subjects). Then I will make debut in society in Scanra, Carthak, The Copper Isles, and the Yamani Isles. After that, I shall return to Corus and study some more martial arts, either with Alanna and George, or with the pages and squires. I am simply tired by planning the next three years! Wow! That is a lot of things I will have to do!
And I begin soon. In three days, I leave for Pirate's Swoop.
I must go speak to my father now.
Antonia
Alexia is so lucky. She is going to Pirate's Swoop, to learn self defense techniques for an entire two months! The she will study abroad for two years, whilst I am stuck in the Merritthian Palace with my four year old sister and my grandmother, and learn proper lady behavior. And I an forever coughing, wheezing, or sweating with fever. It seems as though illnesses cannot bear to pass me by. I am so tired. Grandmother is accompanying me and Alexia here at Court, and she is yelling for me to join her at the stables. I want to go see the horses.
Thayet
I cannot believe Roald's nerve! To view the future! Has Jonathan taught him nothing about magic and the future? You DO NOT meddle with the future or the past. It is horrible to know that I will lose him in a matter of five years. It is devastating. First Jon, now him. And I lost Kalasin to Carthaki Emperor.
My sweet girl Kally. She has two children now. Nine year old Jonathan and eight year old Lianna. Jasson is married to a Yamani Duchess, and has a daughter named Emmett. Little Liam was just married this year to the Tyran Princess Alerra.
I shall ask Roald if Antonia and I may accompany Alexia to Pirate's Swoop. I haven't seen Alanna and George since Jon's funeral. Besides, maybe the fresh sea air will be good for Antonia. The poor child is always sick.
Antonia
Father has agreed to allow me and Grandmother to go to Pirate's Swoop with Alexia! I must begin packing!
Alexia
Grandmother and Antonia will come with me to Pirate's swoop. Part of me despises this, wanting to be alone and independent. But another part of me is secretly glad that they'll be there. I suppose that, being Crown Princess, I will never be alone. There will always be people watching me, openly and not. So I must be careful of what I say and do.
A/N: Extra brownie points for anyone who figures out what ALL the names (other than the ones Tamora Pierce made up) mean!
