AN: You know when I started writing this I thought "no one is going to read this but me" and I was okay with that. I needed an outlet to just get this story off of my chest, but then I got a notification that someone had actually followed it. Holy moley, thank you for humoring me.
Disclaimer: Not mine.
I was at the clinic. Lori and I were trying to decide where to go for lunch and I was joking with Doc about giving me a raise since I had to bathe two huskies that morning.
I thought of Gran, her tomatoes were almost ready to harvest and I was really excited. Fresh tomato and mayo sandwiches were my favorite. Kieran and I always liked to argue over who got the first tomato of the season.
I opened my eyes and sat up. I wasn't at the clinic, I was in my room at the castle of Denerim. I had been here for nearly a month. Grandmother had announced a week ago that I had returned and I had been pulled in every direction you could imagine since. She and Kieran had come up with a very elaborate story, they announced that I was a Mage and mother and father had taken me to a secluded part of Ostwick for private training. I learned that I would be the first Mage to ever hold a throne of Ferelden, the country was the most tolerant of mages that they had ever been; but Kieran worried for my safety because there were those that thought we were becoming like Tevinter by me taking the crown.
I had spent my days in the castle library. I learned of how grandmother and grandfather had stopped the Fifth Blight. I read about the oppression of the mages and the rebellion against the Templars starting in Kirkwall. I read of the Inquisitor and the Elder One. This world seemed to be in constant turmoil, and I grew more afraid of the responsibility placed upon my shoulders.
Nights were the hardest, at night I was plagued with nightmares. The most realistic nightmares I had ever had. Kieran had told me of the Fade during my training, he told me it was crucial to ignore the demons that would tempt me there. The demons were twisted creatures. They fed on my fears, they often wore the faces of mother and father. They told me of their disappointment and how I had failed them. Sometimes they looked like Gran. She had stayed behind to keep up appearances, and I was shocked to find out that she wasn't my grandmother at all, but a court Mage that had came with us to ensure that father could travel between worlds.
My entire life had been a lie. I sat up in bed and touched the crystal. It felt warm in my cold palm, Kieran said it chose me the night I was born, and then showed itself a week later. This tiny stone around my neck had turned my world upside down not once but twice.
I settled back down into the pillows and sighed, I willed myself to think of things that wouldn't bring nightmares into my mind. I longed for a good night's rest. Then my mind drifted to Parker, as it did more often than I would like to admit. I hadn't heard anything from the Grey Warden since I had been here, he was probably back to the Warden fortress in Amaranthine. Those weeks that I traveled with him had been some of the most trying times in my short life. He had tried to befriend me but I had pushed him away out of fear.
Kieran had lectured me for nearly an hour on how silly it was of me to agree to travel with Grey Wardens. He said they would have locked me up in a minute if they had caught a glimpse of the crystal. The Warden's main threat was the Blight, that was their purpose. They wanted to stop the Blight at all costs. My life was insignificant to them in the grand scheme of things.
It was hard to think of Parker harming anyone though. He had held me like I was a precious object after the darkspawn attack. He had made me feel safe, I shuddered to think of those beautiful eyes becoming hard and unfeeling.
I laid in my bed awake for another three hours. I watched the sun rise through the tall windows, the stained glass at the top turning my room shades of pink and blue. I knew it would only be a few minutes before a maid rushed into the room and began dressing me for the day.
Today was a crucial day, grandmother was officially presenting me to Ferelden as their heir. I was terrified. I had studied hard about Ferelden culture and also neighboring countries, but to converse with these people and make them think I belonged amongst them was a different story entirely. My stomach tied in knots, Kieran had told me to relax. He wouldn't leave my side, and for that I was grateful.
"Remember, don't let anyone make you feel inferior. You are royalty, Bretta, demand their respect." Grandmother was coaching me as a maid fixed my hair.
"I don't know how to demand respect, I've been invisible my entire life." She smiled and walked towards me and touched my face in a loving way. I had grown very attached to her in the month I had been here.
Her hands were rough from holding a bow, and she had scars that decorated her skin. She looked like a queen, sure, carried herself like one, but I knew she was a warrior. She was strong, no wonder she was so loved by her people.
"Beautiful things don't ask for attention." She said quietly. I blushed at her words.
"What if they see right through me?" I muttered.
"You are a Theirin, your father's blood runs through you. Take that strength and use it, you have been handed an incredible responsibility, and I know how heavy that can be on a person. Let those that love you help carry the burden." She pinched my chin and then turned to the maid.
"Gloria, could we maybe leave her hair down? Pull it half back, it will frame her face nicely." The woman nodded and began to do as she was asked. Grandmother winked at me and then left the room.
"Presenting to you, her royal highness, Bretta Elissa Therein, princess of Ferelden!" The man's voice boomed below me and I stepped out onto the balcony where Grandmother waited for me.
I put on my best smile and waved at the people cheering below us. They were throwing flowers towards the balcony and clapping, some even cried, the relief of the Theirin line continuing showing on their faces.
Grandmother hooked her arm through mine and waved as well. She was a pro at this, not a hair was out of place on her regal head and the people adored her. She smiled kindly at them as she waved and I wondered how I shared blood with such a force.
We stayed upon the balcony for a few moments more and then we went back inside the castle. The ball would be officially starting in an hour, lords and ladies from far and wide were coming to offer their congratulations to me and grandmother. Hands pulled at me as they tried to rid me of the constricting gold gown and place me into a beautiful silk pink one for the ball.
I had gotten a greater understanding of why mother loved old things so much. Everything here, down to the hair brushes was like a piece of art. I had never been a girlie girl, I liked getting my hands dirty, but it was hard not to enjoy the fine clothing I got to wear.
I looked at myself in the mirror as the ladies maids bustled around me making sure everything was perfect. You could see the gold chain of the crystal on my collar bones and I wondered if I should take it off. My stomach clenched at the thought. It seemed that the longer I wore it, the greater my attachment grew. The thought scared me.
"Are you alright, my lady? You've gone pale." Ginny, a blonde elf asked me kindly.
"Yes Ginny, I'm fine, but might I have a moment alone?" I said.
She nodded and shooed all of the girls out of my rooms, I let out a large breath and sat in a chair in front of my vanity. I opened one of the jewelry boxes, there sat a beautiful opal and rose gold necklace and matching earrings. A gift from an Orlesian noble. I touched the necklace and lifted it from the box with a sigh. I reached behind me to unclasp the crystal and replace it with the other. It wouldn't do to have the prophecy exposed in the middle of a ball. I placed the crystal in the box and then stuffed it in a drawer of the vanity.
To the eyes of the people I suppose I looked the part of a princess. With my hair pulled back and the makeup that had been carefully applied I showed the beauty of my mother. I felt like a scared little girl on the inside. I wanted to scream, all of these people were counting on my decisions to lead them. Three months ago I couldn't even decide if I wanted to go to college or not.
"You look beautiful, little dove, just like your mother." It was Kieran.
He held out his hand to me and I took it. He pulled me to my feet and I hugged him tightly.
"Knock em' dead." He whispered into my hair.
The ball was in full swing. I sat on an elaborate throne beside grandmother. I smiled at I watched the men twirl the women. It was something out of a fairy tale. I had greeted so many people that I thought I might lose my voice from all of the talking. Many of them kissed my hands and offered gifts. One Antivan Lord even offered his son's hand in marriage. I had blushed furiously at this and Grandmother had diplomatically said we would keep that in mind when I was ready to marry.
"You should eat, Bee, sometimes it's hard to remember with all of the festivities." Keiran bent to whisper in my ear.
I agreed with him and said I would go to the kitchens. It would be nice to slip away from everything for a moment and I was starving now that I had thought about it. I told grandmother where I was going and then I got up and left for the kitchen.
Chef made me a plate once I got there and I thanked him before digging in. The food was delicious, and I realized I hadn't eaten anything at all the entire day. I finished the meal quickly and then stood to head back to the ballroom.
"Evening, Princess." Came a velvet voice unexpectedly from the corner when I exited the kitchen. I gasped loudly and held my hand to my chest in shock.
"Parker." I said and found a smile coming to my face as my heartbeat went back to normal.
He pushed off from the wall he was leaning against and returned my smile.
"I have been wanting to talk to you all night but couldn't find the right time." He admitted.
I touched my hair nervously and sighed. "It has been quite the busy evening" I agreed.
"A busy month for you. Oh! I'm forgetting myself, your highness." He said dramatically and bowed at the waist.
I laughed, "Please don't, I've had enough of that to last a lifetime already."
He stood up straight and cocked his head slightly with a curious grin. "Why didn't you tell me who you were?" His tone was serious and guilt at my lies came flooding to the front of my mind.
"I guess I didn't know how. This life… Is new to me. I'm not sure who to trust." It was the absolute truth and it felt good to not lie to him.
"You can trust me, Princess" Parker said and I believed him, and I think he believed himself too, but he still didn't know everything. He didn't know about the crystal.
"I apologize, for lying to you, you volunteered to help me and I feel as if I betrayed that kindness." I said meekly.
"You're forgiven, but on one condition…" He had a mischievous smirk on his face.
"What condition?"
"You ditch the ball and take a walk with me." He said and offered his arm like a true gentleman. I smiled and I so wanted to, but grandmother would be wondering where I was.
Just then an elven servant walked by and I stopped him, "Could you please tell her majesty that I have fallen ill and will retire to my room for the remainder of the evening?"
The servant looked at me and then at Parker, he narrowed his eyes at the Warden but then turned to me and sighed. "Yes, Princess." He said reluctantly. I smiled and thanked him, then I took Parker's arm and we left the hallway.
A/N: Parker makes me swoon. See you guys next time.