For Love of Magic, For Magic of Love
By Mistress Dawnstar
Summary: Princess Anoira had everything a girl could want, a loving father, wealth, rank, andmagical talent, but even her father became a little too loving, she was forced to flee her kingdom and seek refuge as kitchen maid in a nearby kingdom.
A/N: As promised, here's a longer chapter.
Thanks to Angel of Despair and aureusangel for reviewing. I'm glad that you guys like the story.
As always, the review button is the writer's best friend. Please contribute. Criticism welcomed.
Ch. 1 – Be Careful What You Promise...
"Anoira, where are you?" The voice, belonging to a blond woman in her late thirties, sounded impatient and exasperated. "Where in the kingdom did that child wander off to?" She muttered under her breath as she turned down yet another garden path.
"Oh, one of these days, I'm going to sit her down and…" The rest of the sentence ended in such a long string of threats and imprecation that a listener, had there been any, would have been greatly impressed at the woman's creativity and distinctly worried for the hapless Anoira.
It was mid-afternoon. The golden sun shone gently over the luscious and well-cultivated palace gardens. It was the height of summer. The flowers were at the zenith of their loveliness. Busy bees buzzed contentedly around the opened blooms. However, the beauties of the gardens were lost of the woman, who charged down the path with firm purpose in her step.
She made a right turn, and passed a couple of blooming rose bushes. "Anoira, whe–. Oh, there you are." She stopped, placed her hands on her hips, and glared at the young occupant of a small stone bench, tucked and half-hidden behind the rosebushes.
"Well, your highness, what have you to say for yourself. I've been looking for you for hours."
The young woman glanced up and met the woman's scowling gray eyes with her calm green ones. Though barely past her eighteenth birthday, Anoira's beauty was already a wonder to behold. In addition to a pair of clear emerald eyes, she possessed a graceful figure, flawless skin, and delicate facial features. Add her thick mane of luscious black hair and it isn't surprising that she is considered one of the most eligible women in the realm. Her beauty rivals even that of her famous mother, who has been dead now for more than fifteen years, and whose exact likeness her daughter bears. "And now you've found me." She replied calmly.
"What are you doing?" The woman demanded, staring accusatorily at the small cloth bag held in Anoira's hands.
"Feeding the fairies." Anoira replied as she reached into the bag for another handful of breadcrumbs.
"You told the servants that you were involved in danger magical activity."
"And so I am. Fairies definitely qualify as magical and as for danger, have you ever been bitten by one? They may be small, but they're vicious when provoked and their bites always take twice the time to heal."
"Oh…" The woman threw up her hand in exasperation and glanced upwards as if looking for patience. "You're impossible."
The Princess ignored the gesture. "So what did you want me for, Lady Byntina?"
"Not me, your father. He wanted to speak with you. Said it was urgent." The lady replied shortly.
"Why didn't you send the servants to do the searching?"
"You as good as told them that you were practicing magic and you know how ordinary people are about magic. They like it because it's useful, but they'd as soon stay away when someone is practicing it."
"You don't have any trouble with it."
"You forget; I was your mother's closest friend when she was alive. I saw enough magic to if not get comfortable with it, at least to get used to it. Now, come on, you're already late."
"Very well." Anoira dusted off her hands and with a quick flick of her hands, sent the sack back to her bedroom. She stood up and stepped onto the path. The two women turned and headed towards the palace.
"Did father tell you what he wanted me for?" Anoira asked curiously.
"I don't know. He said it was of great importance to your future, so I suspect that he wants to discuss your marriage. About time, I'd say. Most girl your age are already mothers." Byntina replied, still sounding cross.
"Why, Byn. You aren't still angry with me, are you?" The princess asked in a teasing tone.
Byntina took one look at the younger woman's too innocent face and barely suppressed smile and capitulated. "Oh, bother, I never could stay angry at you for long. Oh, stop that, you tease. You're just like your mother." She smiled sadly at the memory. "She would have been proud of you. You are exactly like her; the same face, the same spirit, and the same talent."
"I've heard that she was a good woman."
"And so she was, the best woman and the best queen that we could have had. If it hadn't been for that fever…well, enough with this dwelling in the past." She straightened and gained a brisk and businesslike air. "Where were we? Oh, yes, your marriage."
"I don't want to be married or if I do, I want it to be a love match, like that of my parents. I refuse to be used as a political pawn and sold to the first suitor who has enough money, power, or influence to satisfy my father or his councilors." Anoira said with a hint of steel.
"Oh, I'm sure it won't come to that. Your father does dote upon you. I'm sure he'll let you have your pick of suitors. Surely you can find at least one that you'd like."
"That's just it. I don't want men paraded in front of me like livestock and being forced to pick out one like a farmer at market. Love is something that must be allow to take its own course, and not forced."
Byntina sighed, "I'm sorry, Anoira, but you're loyal. That means sacrificing love for duty. That's how it has always been done. Your parent were an exception."
Anoira shook her head stubbornly, but said nothing. After a few moments of silence, she said, "You know who really needs to be married – father. I've read history; it's not healthy for a country to be without a queen for so long. I know he still misses mother, but he's still eligible, one of the most eligible bachelors in the ten kingdoms since ours is so prosperous. If you want to talk duty, isn't it his duty to marry and provide this kingdom with both queen and alliance."
The older woman sighed again, "It's not that easy. He may be eligible, but it is difficult to find a woman of sufficient rank that fills the requirements. You know that by law, at least one of the rulers of the realm has to have the mage talent. Since he does not, his spouse must possess it. While there are a few sorceresses that might suit, he has raised other objections."
"You mean what he says about never marrying a woman who does not look exactly like mother. I think it's a crazy idea."
"Anoira! He is still your father! Show some respect."
"But it's true. Everybody knows it. I can't believe mother would have asked it of him, if she's as good as everyone says she is."
"Well, she was delirious with fever and it is possible that she wasn't entirely lucid at the time."
"Well, I can forgive that, but father is the fool for going along with it."
"He did promise her upon her death bed and that's not a promise that he can break easily, even if he didn't love her as well as he does. Men in love are often fools. Anyway, here we are." Lady Byntina paused in front of the pair of huge doors that led into the main throne room. "Ready?"
Anoira nodded.
"Announce us." The lady ordered the footman standing beside the closed doors.
The man, moving with all the dignities of his training and his office, solemnly opened up the great doors, marched up the carpeted aisle to within five paces of the throne, dropped onto one knee and cried, "Her Royal Highness, Lady Anoira le Sfonleria, Princess and Heir of Reneli and Her Grace, Lady Byntina le Austebyn, Duchess of Donedra."
Dark-haired King Dwendyn of Reneli, seating upon his golden throne at the head of the hall nodded. "Show them in." Though in his early forties, he still cut an impressive figure. His hair was only lightly silvered and his dark blue eyes sparkled with an inner fire. A small, half-smile played on his lips as he watched the two women enter the hall.
The two ladies stopped in front of the throne and curtsied deeply and murmured respectfully, "Your Majesty." They straightened and faced the King. Lady Byntina's eyes were fixed expectantly upon the King's face, but Anoira's eyes wandered to examine the physiognomies of the two men who stood beside the throne – the King's chief advisors. She was reassured by the sour expression on their faces. Had the King agreed to arrange a marriage for her, like they've clamored for, they would have been happy. So whatever it was her father wanted, at least it wasn't that. Anoira's attention darted back to her father just in time to hear him begin to speak.
"Do you know why we've summoned you, Anoira?" He asked.
"No, your majesty." She replied evenly.
"We wish to announce some happy news that we think will be greatly to the benefit of our kingdom."
"Indeed."
"Yes, our kingdom has been for too long without a queen. Though we will always remember our beloved queen, we have decided that it is our duty to wed again."
Anoira smiled for the first time since entering the room. "That is happy news indeed! Who is the lucky woman?"
The King smirked. "She stands before us."
An perplexed expression crossed Anoira's face. Lady Byntina? She had no magical gift, which clearly disqualified her. Did someone come in behind them? She turned her head around to check. Nope, nobody. But that only left…oh, dear god.
"Indeed." She said flatly. "I don't believe I comprehend you. Do enlighten me."
"We have chosen you to be our happy bride and future queen. Our wedding will take place two month from today."
Anoira shot an incredulous glance at the advisor on the King's left side, a man by the name of Lord Corven whom she has always liked as well as respected. Lord Corven replied with a tired and resigned shrug. It was obvious that she'd get no help there.
"Father," She said, forcing herself to stay calm and stressing the word. "Have you forgotten something? I'm your daughter. I don't qualify."
"That is immaterial." The King replied coolly. "You are a sorceress, which fulfils the legal requirement and the picture of our beloved deceased queen, which fulfils our requirement. Indeed you are the only woman that we could ever marry. Our kingdom needs a queen."
Now, Anoira had been born and bred a princess and she knew there were several things that princesses are not allowed to do in public: (a.) scream like a banshee, (b.) gag, (c.) call the king a senile old codger, and (d.) make a scene in public.
As much as she would have like to do any or all of the above, she restrained herself with great effort and said through clenched teeth. "Father, may I speak to you in private?"
"We can think of nothing that you'd have to say that couldn't be said in public." He replied, with that same self-satisfied smirk.
If he thinks he can make me go tamely along with the idea just by doing that, Anoira thought grimly, he's got another thing coming. She glanced around her and decided that two advisors, one duchess, eight guardsmen, and two footmen did not construe as public.
She took a deep breath and let fly a truly un-princess-like shriek, "Are you crazy! I'm your da-ugh-ter. You idiot! What you are suggesting is in-cest. I can't believe you would even suggest such an idea. What will court say? What will the other nine kingdom do? This folly of yours will destroy us! I won't and never will agree to such a imbecile idea."
"I do not require your agreement, only your obedience. A dutiful daughter will marry where her father tell her." King Dwendyn's eyes glittered dangerously as anger forced him to drop the loyal "we".
"And a dutiful father will never consider incest. The only way I'd attend that wedding is chained and drugged."
"That could be arranged."
Anoira's eyes narrowed dangerously. "The first guard who tries to touch me gets turned into a toad."
"You can't turn my entire army into toads. Sooner or later, you will have exhausted your powers."
"Just watch me."
Duchess Byntina cleared her throat nervously; up until now, she'd been too shocked to do more than just listen, but now with father and daughter ready to declare all out war upon each other, she felt she had to intercede. "Your majesty, her highness is right. Such a move would reflect badly upon us not only in the eyes of the other kingdoms, but also in the eyes of your own subjects."
"The ladies talk sense." Lord Corven urged. "The Princess is well loved by the people and so was her mother. You could provoke an uprising this way."
"Silence!" The King roared. "This is my kingdom. I will have my way." He glowered down at Anoira from his raised throne. "What can I offer you to accept me?"
"Nothing."
"Nonsense," he sneered, "Everyone has a price. All that remains is to find yours. What do you want? Power? Gold? A luxurious wardrobe? All that and more will be yours if you become my queen."
"All that and more will be mine when you die. All the same, I think I'll wait." Anoira replied coolly, knowing that she sounded heartless and not caring.
"Surely there is something. One way or another, you will become mine."
"There is nothing, except…" She hesitated, suddenly struck by a brilliant idea. "Except," she replied with greater confidence. "Three dresses: one as golden as the sun, one as silver as the moon, one as dark as the night sky and studded with the stars. In addition, I require a cloak made from the furs of all the beasts of the land, a mask made with the feathers of all the birds of the sky, and a belt studded with scales from all the fishes in the sea. Then, and only then will I marry you." She smirked triumphantly, knowing that her demands were improbable at the very least, if not completely impossible. She could tell from the approving expressions on the faces of the two advisors and Lady Byntina that they thought so too.
She glanced her father, fully expecting him to admit defeat, but she had a surprise coming.
"Do you mean a piece of fur from every single beast on the land or just one from every type of beast?" He asked, wearing a thoughtful frown on his face.
Anoira stared in shock. "You're not actually serious."
"I've never been more so in my life. After all, a good lover must indulge the whims of his beloved, however outrageous they may be. Answer the question." He replied in silken tones.
"It doesn't matter. It's impossible either way."
"You're a sorceress, my dear. You of all people should know that there is no such things as impossibilities."
"If you think you can use magic, you can give up right now." Anoira said derisively. "There few mages in the kingdom with that kind of power, and the ones who do will never help you, not once I've had a chance to speak with them."
"We'll just see about that. So do we have a deal?"
"We do."
"Good, but first I want a guarantee that you will honor your pledge."
"Fine, get one of your clerks to write up a contract and I'll sign it."
"Do you think me a fool? Never mind, I know that you do, but do you honestly believe that I'd let you off with a promise that flimsy? With your powers, it would be too easy for you to steal it and destroy it. No, I want something more. I want you to swear upon your magic."
Anoira's eyes widened in shock. An oath upon his or her magic is the most binding promise a mage can give. If the mage broke that promise, he or she will lose his or her magic. "I…"
"What's the matter, my dear? I thought you were confident that I can't fulfil your request."
"And I am. Very well, I swear upon my magic that if you fulfil all of my requests exactly, I will marry you."
"Good, good."
Anoira felt her palm go sweaty. She didn't like that smile on her father's face at all.