Tensions had always been high between the two kingdoms.
Queen Blake's land, a warm, bountiful place with good harvests and the happiest of citizens.
And King Negan's land, a far harder regime, but with the best, most ruthless of armies and known for its manufacture of weapons and armour that could not be rivalled.
And it was no surprise that the two families had been as the cusp of war for centuries, both pushing back their borders as much as possible but neither gaining much ground on the other as the years passed by.
But today all that would change, for the death of King Negan's wife only last year had heralded a short truce from Queen Blake for a time, who despite enjoying their game of war for the first few years of her reign, had seen a sadness in King Negan of late, via his monthly script, sent by messenger.
Normally these letters were used by both rulers to brag about how well they were doing, how many of the opposition they had killed, and how someday one of them would rule over the other. King Negan's letters were usually the more arrogant of two...that was until the loss of his queen, where his words had lost their spark somewhat, and Blake had seen a new side of him.
Things from that moment on had changed. No more lives were sacrificed at the border and for almost fourteen months there was no death, no war, and things for both lands had become better than before. Now even whispers of trade had been discussed by the council elders.
And today, after years of having no more contact than letters sealed with wax once a month, was the day that the two would meet.
It had all been set up….planned for weeks. Their meeting, in a neutral space on the border between the two lands.
An old castle, warm and luxurious where discussions could be made….truces lengthened and agreed upon.
Today was the day where the lives of many would become either far better, of far, far worse depending on the outcome.
Preparations at the castle had been ongoing for the past few days, and on the morning of the meeting, pages and servants rushed to and fro to get everything just perfect.
King Negan arrived in the grand hall first, and having bathed and changed into a fresh set of robes wanting to feel fresh from his long ride, he ran a hand down his bearded chin, walking through the lengthy room, in which a long polished wood table sat in the very centre, about twenty chairs around it in total.
"She here yet?" Negan asked his second in command and general of his army Simon of Erndal.
Simon gave a nod. "Yes my King," he uttered in a firm tone. She arrived several hours ago. By last accounts she was bathing. I hear she soaks in milk and rose petals every morning."
Negan snorted.
He had no time for that sort of nonsense. He knew of course that Queen Blake was a little younger than he was ,but even so….the desperation for youth and beauty from people of her land astounded him.
He had of course heard that she was beautiful. Seen her face carved into marble. But artists often had the greatest ability to exaggerate things, and he half expected her to look more like a mule than a thoroughbred.
But Negan had barely made it to the end of the table, still awaiting the rest of his people, the ones here to help his negotiate this truce in full….
...when the doors to the end of the hall were thrown open and in walked two smartly dressed pages in golden robes.
But it was not the sight of them that made King Negan's lips curve up into a grin….
...but the glow that emanated from the spectacle of a woman behind, in a golden crown and huge embellished golden dress, walking the full length of the room towards him, her lips painted the colour of pink roses and and her hair soft, pushed back from her face like a halo of light.
She was unlike anything King Negan had ever seen before and he blinked several times taking her in as she strode confidently towards him.
There was no announcement of her arrival, no more than two pages and a lady-in-waiting in her party, and King Negan appreciated the risk she was taking coming into the room with him not even armed.
Even he had a sword at his belt that he wouldn't think twice to use if needed. Although he half suspected she probably had a dagger hidden somewhere upon her person.
She stopped suddenly, a foot or two away from him, and from here Negan drank in her perfume.
She smelled like honey and the ripest of fruits that made his mouth water with hunger and want. Fruit like that did not grow in his kingdom but he had heard tales of the juicy bounty that grew on trees and groves in her land, a warm place full of sun and light and the best, most full-bodied wines.
"King Negan…" she promptly purred out, her chin raised defiantly.
And Negan couldn't help but widen his grin, as he reached out and took her soft fingers between his calloused ones and brought her hand up to his bearded mouth, bowing his head and pressing a firm kiss to her smooth knuckles.
"My Queen…" he growled out, staring up at her, his knowing almond eyes meeting with her gorgeous green ones.
I'm kinda living for this AU (Based on Blake Lively's amazing outfit for the Met Gala/and JDM in the Evony commercial)
Was that ok? You guys want more?