AN: Sorry, I didn't realize I forgot to post this chapter on ff. I had it posted on A03 but not here. I'll be posting this and chapter 9 together. Sorry
Disclaimer: I do not own Armello
Amber had always liked the rain. When they were young, most children were often scared of thunderstorms and the sound of the heavy water hitting their windows. Not her, however. She often slept like a baby compared to her other siblings. Maybe it was because she had been born on a rainy evening, like today, that made her so calm in the face of such weather. Yet, she felt no comfort tonight, only worry. Looking at her large bedside, Amber found it hard to believe that there was a time that she slept without Thane by her side under the covers under his warm furry embrace. The past few nights had been one that had been alien to her for nearly twelve years: loneliness.
She still found it hard to believe that she had fallen in love with one of her best friends. The same wolf Amber met by chance during one of her usual ruin excavations resulted in them needing to run for their lives due to a trap. One that Thane set off, and she had to save his butt. He had followed her afterward out of a sense of duty to pay back the debt he owed, and Amber allowed him to get him to shut up about it. However, it quickly became apparent that there was a connection between them. They soon were adventuring together to achieve their goals: him to figure out the mystery of the Rot and her to continue helping her family rise to success.
Considering I am now the Queen of Armello, I've long achieved that goal, Amber thought with a smirk as she got up and walked towards the window to watch the rain. Oh, what I would give for Hargrave to see me now if not for the fact that he got hanged.
She scowled upon thinking of that rival of hers that had wanted revenge on the Valebriars for the humiliation of his family. Not that they didn't deserve it, for his family had almost ruined her own by rumors and false scandals of her family selling secrets to the other clans. Exposing their treachery and all the other dark secrets was one of the best moments in Amber's life, and she loved seeing the expression on that old bastard when he saw his legacy fall apart.
Naturally, he tried to get revenge…
***Thirteen Years Ago***
The bandana was removed from Amber's eyes, and she shook her head while trying to get her vision straight. Looking around, she saw she was in the forest and tied to a tree with an armed cloaked rabbit around her. Each of them bearing the symbol of the Proudclaw family. More than one of them was scowling at her while others were smirking with triumph. None more so than the one in the center walking towards her with a black powder cannon halberd.
Sneering, Amber spat on the ground before muttering his name in disgust. "Hargrave."
"That's Lord Hargrave to you, welp," The Proudclaw leader snarled before smacking her. "You really should show respect to your elders."
"I'd rather show respect to a worm before I give you any," Amber answered back before trying to struggle out of her ropes. "You really are a sore loser, you know that? You couldn't convince the entire clan to not side with the alliance, so you're just gonna have me killed?"
"Your actions are going to lead to the clan's death," Hargrave growled as he got in her face. "You wish to ally with wolves? Rats? Those bandits that have stolen from us? It's utter madness. How is what you accused my family of doing differently from what you are doing now?!"
"Because I wasn't selling secrets that got rabbits killed!" Amber shouted in disgust. "I'm also doing what I can to prevent our home from being ruined by the Rot! I've seen what it's capable of, Hargrave! It's not something you can barter, trade, or even outmaneuver! It's a nightmare of eldritch proportions, and if we do not unite to stop it, we will all suffer a fate worse than death!"
"The Rot is merely a disease, nothing more," Hargrave dismissed as he waved his hand. "Let it ruin the king and the other clans. So long as we are safe in our homes, we can outlive them and survive. However, just to be sure, I am providing a little insurance."
"What are you talking about?" Amber asked, getting a bad feeling.
"Oh, I might have spilled a little information to the king that his greatest threats are meeting in Dalebush Warren and that there should be an army coming here in a few days to wipe your friends out," Hargrave said, which made Amber gasp in horror. Smirking, he said, "Of course, you won't be around to see it happen."
"You sold us out to the king?! Are you insane?! Why?!" Amber shouted in both anger and terror.
"He promised that if his enemies were taken care of, then he would leave the rest of the warrens alone," Hargrave said as he closed his eyes. "It brings me no joy to do this, but sometimes you must make sacrifices for the greater good."
"You're a bigger old fool than I thought!" Amber shouted in disgust. "King Tau will never honor your agreement! His mind's been taken over by the Rot! He's mad!"
"Silence!" Hargrave shouted as he smacked Amber again. "I know what I am doing. I was the one who made sure the Rabbit Clan prospered, and it was all to continue under my family's legacy until you ruined it! I have waited a long time for this moment, Amber. Say hello to your parents for me when you meet them in the afterlife."
Hargrave moved out of sight as a line of archers soon took his place. Amber gulped and closed her eyes while waiting for them to fire and take her life. The arrows flew, but before reaching their target, a green shield erupted between them and Amber, causing them to bounce off. Hargrave shouted in alarm before other arrows dug into each of his archers' necks. From the trees, bow in hand, River jumped in the air and continued to fire her bow at top speed at the Proudclaw men.
Amber opened her eyes and saw the wolf ranger as joy spread across her face. "River!"
"Amber," River said with a nod before blocking a sword strike from one of the Proundclaw soldiers and using her hidden dagger to slice open his neck. "Good thing we made it in time."
"We?" Amber asked as she turned to her left and saw Sana, her staff glowing, looking at her with a warm smile before she felt her bonds cut. Coming from the right, Mercutio flipped his dagger in hand before handing over Amber's umbrella sword to her.
"Think you dropped this," Mercutio said as he handed it over to the bunny, who took it with glee.
Soon, others came out of the woods with their weapons in hand as they engaged with the Proudclaw soldiers. There was Thane, leading the charge, as always, as he took each opponent down with one strong cut, while his lover, Scarlett, was there beside him with her own quick cuts and jabs before firing a spell here or there. Barnaby was bouncing around and pounding whoever he could with his giant hammer while using a few of the gadgets he had built with his armor. It still amazed everyone how such a young kid could create something so deadly. Twiss was throwing rocks and acorns at the Proudclaw soldiers as distractions so that Horace could cleave them with one blow each. A few scared soldiers tried to leave, only for one of the trees to seemingly come to life and knock them down with a strong blow courtesy of a tree guardian known as Ghor.
"Shall we get in on the action?" Mercutio asked with a slight bow.
"Yes, but Hargrave is mine," Amber demanded as she charged forward, her sword ready as she slightly opened it. "Sana! Give me a boost!"
Sana whispered a few words, and Amber felt her speed increase as everything blurred. The first two soldiers in her path were quickly cut down, and she jumped high into the air to cast a spell as soon as her lips could move as thunder appeared around her and slammed into a larger group. Amber saw another group of guards trying to get into her path, but a combined fire and ice spell from Scarlett and River gave her the needed opening. With a blade of righteous fury, she took down any of the remaining ones in her way before she saw Hargrave trying to flee the battle zone.
Growling, Amber used the last of the boost to catch up with Hargrave as he tried to run away, only to duck behind a tree as he turned around and fired his cannon at her. The giant gunshot tore a massive hole in a nearby tree, and Amber winced, thinking about how one hit could just end her like that. With her back against the tree she was at for cover, Amber shouted, "Give it up, Hargrave! You've lost!"
"Shut up! So long as I am alive, I will not rest until I have made Proudclaw the top clan again!" Hargrave shouted as he fired again, hitting the tree Amber was behind. She winced as the front of the tree splintered. "You are nothing but a traitor! Calling those barbarians your friends!"
"Those friends of mine have more honor and courage than you and your family ever had!" Amber shouted as she ran for another tree. She rolled to it just in time as another shot missed her.
"You would bow to a wolf of all creatures?! You know the history behind our people with his! How many of our families and clan mates were eaten by those monsters in the old days?! And you trust him to be our king?!" Hargrave shouted.
"Thane is more than worthy of being king!" Amber shouted. "I've known him for nearly three years and I'm proud to call him my friend and my liege. He will free us from King Tau's tyranny and lead Armello into a better future! I trust everything to him because I believe in him!"
"Tch, are you sure you just don't want to use him as a means to become queen yourself, bitch?!" Hargrave accused. "Tell me, how much of his cock was the price for betraying your people, you whore! You are just like your mother! A fucking slut!"
"Fuck you!" Amber shouted as she charged forward, blinded by rage. Hargrave grinned and aimed at her, but Amber was ready this time. The spell she would use would take a lot out of her, but she didn't care. Hargrave was not going to get away this time.
Whispering the words of magic, just as Hargrave fired, Amber teleported herself right behind him, appearing by his back in less than a split second. The old rabbit barely had time to react before Amber stabbed him in the lower gut and twisted it hard. He screamed in pain as Amber didn't stop and pulled out her blade to slice him twice in each arm, kick him down, and stab him in the shoulder, which pinned him to the ground. Hargrave continued to scream and curse, but Amber stood there, staring at him with rage as she spat on his face. "Don't ever call my mother a whore, you old fart."
The sounds of feet rushing towards her alerted her of presence, but she relaxed upon seeing her friends, Thane, River, and Scarlett, along with Elyssa and a company of the city guard. Elyssa quickly ordered the guards to take Hargrave into custody as Amber took her sword out of his shoulder (painfully for added pleasure) and allowed them to arrest the old rabbit, who was demanding that they let go of him. Everyone ignored the wounded rabbit as he was taken away.
Elyssa walked over to Amber and asked, "Are you hurt, Lady Amber?"
"No, Wardress, I'm fine," Amber replied before narrowing her eyes. "But we need to prepare the warren right away. Hargrave sold us out to the king, and he's sending a force to attack us."
"Dalebush will not fall. Not while I stand," Elyssa vowed as she turned in the direction Hargrave was being dragged away. "The Proudclaw family is finished. And it will start with Hargrave being hanged first thing tomorrow."
"Good," Amber said before she felt woozy and nearly fell off her feet were it not for Thane catching her. "S-Sorry…that last spell took a lot out of me."
"Well, let's get you home, Amber," Thane said with a warm smile as he carried her bridal style the way they came.
Amber chuckled before whispering, "Oh? What will Scarlett think of how you carry me, wolf-boy?"
"That I was thinking maybe you want to do a threesome?" Scarlett teased from behind the two, making them blush. "What? You're not curious?"
"Damn you, you vixen!" Both Thane and Amber shouted.
***Present***
"Mommy?" Amber turned her head and saw her youngest son, Eddard, poking his head out of her chamber door. He was in his silver pajamas and carrying around the stuff dog knight Sir Horace gave him as a birthday present last year. One of the King's Guard, a gray wolf, was beside him and sheepishly bowed his head.
"Sorry, your Majesty. He wanted to see you," The King's Guard said, rubbing the back of his head.
Ned rubbed his eyes and whimpered. "I had a bad dweam."
"Oh, my poor pup," Amber whispered as she walked over to her son, picked him up, and nuzzled him close to her chest. She nodded to the wolf to leave and leave her alone with her son. "It's okay. What did you dream about?"
"I saw Daddy," Ned whispered, sniffing. "Scawy birds were everywhere. He was fighting them. I tried to reach him…then I woke up…"
Thane? Scary birds? Does he mean…the Banes? Amber wondered as she sat down on her bed, rocking her child. A part of her wondered if this was an omen. Or maybe I'm just worried about my husband.
"Shh, your Daddy is going to be okay. He's the strongest warrior in all of Armello," Amber said as she looked at her child with warm and caring eyes. "Your father promised that he would come home, right?"
"Yeah?" Ned muttered.
"Then you just need to believe in him," Amber said, poking his nose, which made him giggle. "I've known your father for years, Ned. He always keeps his promises."
"Always?"
Smiling, Amber closed her eyes and thought of another memory.
***Eight Years Ago***
"I love you."
Amber's eyes went wide open as she felt her breath halt. She was sure her heart had stopped beating as well. The warm feeling of her husband's fur wrapped around her body had made her feel like she had been frozen in a cocoon of protection, and yet she felt like she had been struck in the heart by Thane's words. Slowly, she turned around and found herself staring face to face with the wolf who had become her best friend, king, and husband. A husband she only married for political purposes at first, but deep down, it was really becoming something more. Something she was afraid of pursuing because she knew a part of Thane longed for his original love. His Bandit Queen.
And yet, hearing those three words made her feel like dawn had already come despite it being midnight. "W-What did you say?"
Softly smiling, Thane put a paw on Amber's cheek and whispered, "I said I love you."
"T-Th-Thane, you…I…" Amber tried to say something, but she couldn't. How could she? This came out of nowhere. The two had an exhausting day at court and had to deal with taxes all week. She never expected him to outright say this in the middle of the night. Thane slowly got up and positioned himself above her as Amber lay there with red cheeks and held her breath.
"Look, I know this wasn't…what either of us was expecting when we married all those years ago," Thane admitted. "I had wanted Scarlett to be my queen before she disappeared, and when I took you as my queen, it was because I thought you were the best choice I could trust. Yet over the years…my heart has moved on."
"R-Really?" Amber asked as a small smile decorated her lips.
"Yes," Thane said, cupping her cheek and slowly kissing her lips. He was brief, but it coursed lighting through both of them. "Amber, I've fallen in love with you. I understand if you do not feel like that and-"
"I love you too," Amber said quickly. She got up and pressed her head against his chest while hugging him as tight as possible. He was surprised at first but soon hugged her back as the two embraced each other with shared hearts beating against one another. "I've fallen for you too. I just didn't say anything because I thought…well, with you missing Scarlett."
"Scarlett and I…it can't ever happen," Thane whispered with a heavy sigh. "She's gone, and I've accepted that. I honestly thought I couldn't be king without her."
He then took her by the chin and raised her head to gaze deep into her eyes with his own. She saw the intense storm behind those yellow eyes and felt like she got smitten all over again by his gaze. "But you were always there beside me. Not just when I was king but when I was traveling around Armello. You were always there. I couldn't do this without you. You've won my heart, Amber. And I want you to know that I love you. I promise this. Now until the end."
"Thane…" Amber whispered as she leaned forward and kissed him on the lips. The two locked their muzzles together as they slowly fell back in bed and let their passions play out before them…
***Present***
"Yes, he always does," Amber said, hugging her youngest child. "He always keeps his promises."
Ned smiled warmly at his mother before shyly holding his knight doll close to his face. "Can I sleep here?"
"Of course, Ned," Amber said before she turned to a nearby tapestry where two sets of feet could be seen at the bottom. "And you two, Snow and Riverfoot."
"How did you know?" Snow asked as he came out of the tapestry with his little sister behind him.
"I have my ways," Amber said with a chuckle. She patted the bed with her paw. "Come on, all of you."
The three children soon scrambled with her into bed, hugging their mother and nuzzling deep into her fur as Amber sighed before checking outside again. Thane…please keep your promise…come back to us.
Thane galloped his horse as fast as possible through the forest with what men he had with him. It took them not long to reach the borders of the Bandit Clan camp, but what he saw only worsened his fears. Once the guards saw Thane and his crew, they lowered their weapons, but Thane rushed right past them as he looked around with worry. The entire base looked like it had been assaulted on all sides as rows of dead feral lay everywhere, along with the bodies of camp residents. Those who had survived were helping each other or burning the bodies. A good portion of the homes they had built were burned or damaged while rows of the dead lay as their eyes were shut to never open again.
Thane cursed and wanted to kick himself for leaving not just himself but a company of his troops here to help out. His fears worsened when he didn't see a single hair of Scarlett or Rory.
"Thane!" He turned and saw Twiss, sweating and looking exhausted, rush over to him with gasping breath. "You okay?"
"Yeah, are you?" Thane asked as Twiss nodded. "How bad?"
"At least half of the camp is dead," Twiss cursed as she shook her head. "They came out of nowhere. We thought our illusions were enough, but we clearly underestimated Nazar."
"What about Scarlett? Rory?" Thane demanded, his fur slowly uncurling with the thought of either of them hurt. Twiss's regretful expression made him as Twiss closed her eyes and bit her lips. Tears dripped down her cheeks as Thane grabbed her and forced her to look at him. "What about Scarlett and Rory?!"
"...Scarlett is seriously injured…and Rory got taken away along with other prisoners…." Twiss whispered with despair as she lowered her head. "She was trying to protect him, but…Nazar came and…he hit her with something, I don't know what but…."
"...Twiss?" Thane whispered as despair crept into his heart."
"Thane…she's dying…"
