Medieval AU.
In the dimming candle light a stage coach pulled up to the palace gates. The horses were hardly a shadow in the raw early hours of the morning. The gate's keepers opened the heavy iron doors with a welcoming creaking sound that filled the silent night. Queen Hazelle looked out as the horses lurched forward. Extensive gardens spread out from the drive on either side. She reached out a hand to her son.
"We are here." He blinked and stretched, waking up from the long journey.
"Ah, good." He said and leaned forward to look out at the grounds. They trotted around a circle drive and were met by lanterns and warm smiles from servants and a few guards. The marble stairway was intimidating to Prince Gale. He even sent her an uneasy glance.
"We are just visiting." She reminded him. The door opened and someone offered their white gloved hand to the Queen, she nodded respectfully and reached out. Her dark purple skirts brushed against the ground and someone scrambled out to take them in hand. The Prince ignored the hands and welcoming smiles and pounded his black shoes up the stairs with his mother.
"Your chambers are this way, Your Highness." A young maid said as she carried sheets behind them. The Prince looked in every open room, memorizing and glowering at the expensive furniture and china that could be seen in each.
"The King will meet you in the morning, Milady." The maid smiled at the visiting Queen.
"Very well." She said as the guards opened her door for her. The Prince looked on as the doors closed.
"You're just down the hall." The Prince set a long stride as he walked up to the two heavy doors at the end of the hallway.
"Breakfast is in the conservatory if you're interested, Sir. Someone will be here to take you." He nodded and dismissed her.
"They must be seen together." The King paced in front of the visiting Queen.
"All in good time." Queen Hazelle said softly.
"How to get them together?" The King ran his hand over his growing beard.
"That's an easy question to answer. The difficult question is will they like each other?" The King pulled back his cape and sat back in a chair.
"I am sad to say my daughter is quite stubborn." He looked over at the Queen.
"My son is that way as well, probably more so."
"We have our work cut out for ourselves." The King sighed.
"We both agree they are the perfect pair for the kingdoms."
"By far." The King said, "Aye, your son and kingdom will be a powerful ally."
"Once we sort out capital affairs."
"Of course." He nodded. "What is the plan then?" He leaned forward, bracing his hand on the armrest.
"A sparring contest."
"Good morning." A cheerful maid smiled and led him out into the hall. The Prince raised an eyebrow. "I'm supposed to take you to the conservatory. For breakfast."
"I think I can find it on my own." The Prince brushed by her.
"Do you think so, Sir?" She asked.
"Easily." He said and left her at the top of the stairs. His tall leather boots made no sound on the floor and it was easy for the Prince to explore the extensive castle. There was a large cream door that was open in the slightest. Music poured out beautifully. He stopped and glanced in through the crack.
A grand piano was being played. The musician was a small blonde. Her fingers danced over the keys expertly and her dress displaced as she moved to the reach the farther keys. Gale moved to open the door further to see more of girl. Her bangs were pinned back by a sparkling pin but the rest of the hair was curling down to the middle of her back.
The girl was humming under her breath as she watched the sheet music in front of her. He walked in quietly and leaned against the wall, memorizing her in the state she was in. She ended the song and sighed, losing her perfect posture for a second. "You play very well." He remarked.
She jumped and turned, "you frightened me!" She cried out and stood, creating distance between them. "Who are you and what are you doing here?" She grabbed a fire poker from the holder and held it straight out at him, warningly.
"I am Prince Gale Hawthorne from the Twelfth Kingdom." She relaxed.
"Of course you are." She sighed and put the poker away. She smoothed out her champagne pink skirts. "Sorry about the..." She gestured at the poker.
"Understood." He laughed, "good that you go straight to defending yourself." He smiled. "That could have skewered my heart." She blushed and tucked a piece of her hair behind her ear.
"Yes, good thing it did not." He walked over taking her arm.
"May I accompany you to breakfast?" She smiled.
"Of course."
"You should try the sparring grounds." The King said to the young Prince.
"Should I?" He smiled, "and what test is this?"
"Oh, not a test." The King said, and shook his head, "just offering you something to do."
"You should go." His mother nodded. Gale glanced out the windows of the library. "Will you?" His mother pressed.
"I could not pass up the offer." Gale nodded and stood. "If you excuse me." He nodded to his mother and the King.
Gale pulled on his armor and looked towards the field. Someone was already attacking a dummy with full combat skills. He snapped on his helmet and picked up his sword.
"Care to hit something living?" He asked the knight in front of him. They didn't answer, but did attack within the moment. "Whoa!" Gale cried and ducked, lashing out at the man in front of him. He glanced up to see the King watching from the balcony above. He was tripped up by the opponent. The sword was lingering over his heart.
"That could have skewered your heart as well." He froze, remembering that voice from earlier.
"You..." He murmured. His opponent dropped her sword and removed her helmet. Long blonde hair tumbled over her shoulders. She smiled brightly, her blue eyes glinting in the reflection of his armor.
"You are not the best Prince." She said, looking over him and getting to her feet. She offered him a hand.
"And you can say that to me?" He grumbled and took her hand, getting to his own feet.
"A Princess just beat you, are you not embarrassed?"
"A Princess...?" He murmured, confused. "Oh no." He groaned.
"You do not know who I am..." She giggled, "and the match got better!" She cried.
"I am so sorry, Your Highness." He apologized.
"For?" She smiled. "No need for a apology- you can make it up by walking me to my chambers. MM and please do call me Madge. Your Highness and Princess are starting to be a bore."
"It would be an honor... Madge."