Once Upon A Time
Chapter 9
so sorry I didn't update yesterday! My dad decided that we were in desperate need of some father-daughter bonding time so we drove to Iowa. I am updating this from my phone so you guys won't completely hate me when I get back home tomorrow!
Disclaimer: I do not own The Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare, or these first 13 chapters. You can than the author Bibee for that splendid work!
Previously on Once Upon a Time:
The older man, the King, steps forward. Silencing Jace with a wave of his hand. The grief is back in his eyes but now they are focused at me. His lips move slightly and I catch what he is saying, over and over like a chant.
Seraphina.
Clary P.O.V
"Your highness?" Jace says walking forward to stand beside the King, all the while giving me a look that only scrapes the frustration he must be feeling. "Uh, this is our companion-"
"Seraphina." The King finishes. He walks forward hope glistening in his eyes, yet to shed tears. "It is her, our princess. Returned." He sounds almost wistful as he moves closer to me where I am frozen on spot, completely ignoring Jace's protests and Alec's shell shocked expression, gazing down at Magnus's unmoving body. Oh god, Magnus. I hope he's alright.
"I, I'm not-" Before I can even finish the sentence his arms are around me, squeezing me in a bear hug with his face buried in my hair. "My little girl," He whispers, more to himself than to me. "She's come home."
"Little girl? But I-"
The sounds of battle, muffled by thick stone walls. A woman's eyes, looking down lovingly. A grey horse and a retreating castle in the distance. "Jocelyn, it is time."
It's him, it's really him. The voice, it's the same one that belongs to this man squeezing the life out of me as he cries quietly into my shoulder. He's my father. He's the King. And I'm...
"The lost princess." I whisper. My eyes meet Jace's, green meeting gold, and I can see something unravel in his eyes. "I'm the lost princess."
The King- my father -releases me and holds me by the shoulders. "You cannot comprehend how long I have been waiting for this moment." He says, his cheeks sparkling with the trail of tears.
My own eyes begin to burn as I look him up and down. His hair, which I imagine was once black, now has grey streaked through it and his dark eyes are warm and kind and lined with ancient lines that tell me he used to smile a lot. Used to. Despite his cheery eyes, his mouth is surrounded by creases that whisper of sadness and remorse and... Grief.
"Mother?" I ask, the simple word enough to make him look away.
"She's gone." He looks back into my eyes, his lingering on my hair and green irises. "You look so much like her." His voice cracks and I throw myself into his arms.
For years I have imagined what life might have been like with my family, but never did I imagine a journey such as this, of a life such as this. I feel as if the walls of this palace are welcoming me home after being away for such a long time. In my father's arms, I feel warm and safe, but I know that there will forever be a place in my heart for the mother I never knew.
"Not to destroy the mood or anything," Alec's voice cuts through the quiet and is almost harsh to my ears.
I turn away from my father and meet Alec's erratic gaze, his blue eyes incredibly bright in his pale face. The corners of his mouth are turned down at the corners with worry. "But can we help Magnus please. Like, now."
O~o~O
After my father, who I learnt was King Valentine, organizes a place in the infirmary- Yeah. This place has its own infirmary -he tries to send the boys away. "Thank you, Mr. Lightwood and Mr. Herondale. You have served your kingdom greatly. Thank you for returning our dear princess, Seraphina." He says.
The name sounds strange to me. Whereas the name Clary flows as easily as water through a stream. I can't imagine ever being called it from birth.
"You may leave now. Return to your homes and you will find your payment no later than tomorrow."
"But your Highness," Alec says, his brow furrowed. "What about Magnus? We can't just leave him here, please, let me stay with him in the infirmary."
I can't help but smile at this. It's as obvious as Simon and Isabelle. Alec likes Magnus and by the way Magnus was acting after meeting Alec, I'm sure the feeling is returned.
Valentine considers this for a moment. "Very well. You may stay until your friend awakens."
It was easier than I had first expected to convince father that Magnus had meant no harm to him or the Kingdom, but had simply helped me get into the castle.
"Mr. Herondale, you may leave." Valentine says, dismissing Jace with a small wave of his hand.
"But what about Cl-Seraphina." He corrects himself at the last moment. "Surely she would like some company."
I move to answer but Valentine cuts me off with his own. "She won't need any company. To celebrate her return, I will be hosting a ball. You won't be needed further. You may leave."
Jace bows to my father and with his jaw set and a polite, but completely fake, smile, before leaving the room with Alec. Outside the door they part ways.
Now I am alone with my father. I don't know what to think. What I'm supposed to do. Do I hug him, or give him some space? Do I trust him, or make him earn it? I just don't know. I've never had to worry about this kind of thing! What am I supposed to do?
Before I can even try one of my few tactics, his arms are around me again. He releases me and holds me by the shoulders, beaming from ear to ear. "My dearest daughter, I have waited too long for this." He claps his hands, the sound echoing in the large room, and calls for two people. No later, two women appear from a side door I hadn't noticed and pull me away and out of the room.
O~o~O
I've never had someone run a bath for me, but that's what happened when the two women led me into a rather ornate bathroom that was bedecked with more marble, bath salts, and oils than I thought even existed.
"My, my," The older of the two women tut at me. She has graying hair and kindly brown eyes that are framed by crow's feet. She has a grandmotherly feel about her and her hands are soft as she scrubs away at my cracked and filthy feet. "What have you been doing my dear, running through forests?"
"Yes." I reply.
They both laugh, though I'm not sure why.
The second woman, the younger one with dark auburn hair that makes mine look like an open fire, runs her fingers through my damp hair and begins to do it up. "The lost princess returned," She murmurs excitedly. "I never thought I would see that day."
They take me out of the bath and wrap a fluffy white towel around me, almost the exact same colour as my skin, and walk me out of the enormous bathroom and into a bigger, vaguely familiar, room.
The walls are a pale cream and are decorated with painting off green landscapes and the familiar streets of Idris. A bed, a child's bed, sits in the center of the room covered in lavish fabrics and stuffed animals.
"Welcome home Seraphina," The older woman says. "It's been a while since you've slept in your own bed, I would say."
Before I can comment, the two women sweep me away into another room. It is long and filled with row upon row of dresses of every colour imaginable. This room, that is larger than my tower was tall, is a wardrobe.
My father hadn't been joking when he'd said there would be a party.
As I'm waiting for Eleanor to return, I can hear them from the gates, carriages rattling down the stone paved streets towards the castle. There is even a party going on for those other than the rich citizens of neighboring kingdoms. I tried to spot Alec and Isabelle's house from my balcony window- yes, there is a balcony -but I couldn't.
A knock came from my door and the older woman, whose named I learned was Eleanor, enters and bows a little.
"Eleanor, you don't have to do that you know."
"It's a sign of respect, m'lady."
"I'm young enough to be your granddaughter, you don't have to call me m'lady either."
Eleanor smiles and her eyes crinkle. "Then what am I to call you, Seraphina?
"Clary, call me Clary."
Eleanor gives me a strange look before leading me towards the vanity table by the balcony. She sits me down and immediately starts to work on the frizzled up-do. She scrunches up her nose. "I though perhaps if Janus did your hair while it was still wet it would stay in place." He pulls out a few pins and my hair tumbles down around my shoulders in a wild clump. "Apparently not." She mutters.
She begins to re-do my hair and I look out the glass balcony door at the lights of the Kingdom. The moon is low in the sky and stars freckle the navy sky. I can see people dancing and walking through the streets with a skip in their steps and my stomach begins to churn a little at the thought that their happiness stems from me. Me.
How could all these people be celebrating my return when not one knows me? I do not know what Idris was like before I came here, but I imagine it is very different to what I am witnessing through this glass. Why am I the one to bring this light? Why me?
But I cannot deny the beauty of the city at night. Lights flicker in the warm colours of fire through every window and feasts rest at every corner.
"All done." Eleanor says, placing nimble hands on her hips triumphantly. "You'll be the pride of the ball, you will."
My red hair is twisted up into an elegant bun and a silver tiara rests on my head, its emeralds gleaming in the light. It matches the green of my dress beautifully, but it feels wrong. Too elaborate. "Eleanor, couldn't I just wear the dress I wore here?"
"Of course not! You must look your best to present yourself to the court and that dashing young fellow waiting for you."
"Dashing young fellow?" My heart picks up pace and images of gold flash across my mind.
"Oh yes, absolutely gorgeous he is, all dressed up. You'll fall to bits when you see him."
"I'm sure I will." I reply, trying to conceal the smile that is stretching across my face.
"Now," Eleanor says, helping me up from the seat with my heavy dress. "Let's get you downstairs.
O~o~O
My heart is pounding. I can't do this, I can't do this- "I can't do this." I whisper to Eleanor, who is waiting behind the gilded double doors to, assuming on the chatter coming from inside, the ballroom. "I can't. I-I don't know what to do. Eleanor, please-"
"Dear, calm down," She shushes, placing a cold hand on my cheek. "There is no need to worry. Your father will introduce you, and then I will open the doors and you walk down the stairs. That is all. You'll be fine." She shoots me a warm smile and I can feel some confidence slipping back inside me.
"Thank you." I whisper.
"My pleasure. Now get ready, your father will be introducing you soon."
I nod and press my ear up to the door. The only voice audible is my fathers, it seems everyone else has been hushed to a silence.
"Of course, all of you know of the reason for our Kingdom wide celebration." The muffled voice says. "And that is because something, amazing, has happened. The return of our beloved princess, who I would like introduce to you now. Ladies and gentlemen of the court of Idris, I give to you, my daughter, Seraphina Fairchild."
Applauds erupt as Eleanor pushes open the doors and suddenly I am engulfed in light and sound. Cheers and claps, both polite and rather wild, are everywhere. And are coming from the strangely dressed people at the bottom of the staircase.
I pick up the hem of the gown and start my descent down, the steps cold against my feet. I had begged Eleanor to let me out of those torturous contraptions she put on my feet, and finally she had let in. My heart is beating in my throat, seemingly trying to burst out my mouth for a quick hello. Finally, I reach the bottom of the staircase and someone I hadn't noticed holds a pale hand for me to take as the music starts.
He has a head of pale hair, almost white, and dark eyes. His features are sharp and angular and he holds himself with an air of pride which I am not sure I like. But I shouldn't judge, I don't know him. "M'lady," He says, bowing low and coming up again to kiss my gloved hand.
There it is again, m'lady.
"Uh, hello." I reply, attempting to smile at him, but I have a small suspicion it came out more of a grimace. "I'm-"
"Seraphina, I know." He cuts in. "I am Jonathan, Jonathan Morgenstern. May I escort the lady to a dance?"
"I don't know," I say, looking around the room. "Which lady would you like?"
He laughs and it's a nice laugh. It reminds me of summer, of light filtering through the trees, Jace's smile...
I can't help but duck my head as my cheeks start to flame an aggressive pink for reasons I can't really tell you. Because I don't know.
"Very nice." He says, his dark eyes shifting between my eyes and my mouth.
My hand flies to my mouth my eyes shoot wide. "Please tell me there isn't something in my teeth."
He laughs again and takes me to the floor where multitudes of people are swirling to the violin music that filters softly through the room. "You are funny. I like that."
I trip over the hem of my dress and press my hands into his chest to steady myself and his chuckles travel through his body and into my hands, sending shivers down my spine.
"I see I have a bit of work to do, what about we start with a simple waltz?"
"Uh, Okay."
"Lovely."
O~o~O
There was nothing simple about that waltz. Thank god I could get out of that room, a minute longer and I would've passed out from the heat or broken a leg. The cold stone of the balcony is cold under my feet and a cool breeze pushes strands of my hair away from my face. The moon is shining in the sky like a beacon, with people dancing and running through the streets and through the golden light.
Golden...
I can't help but think of Jace. It seems like I'm missing something, I could feel it the moment he left that chamber, and my chest is aching with a need to talk with him.
Maybe he's down there on the streets. Maybe he's enjoying himself, enjoying the party. He might be dancing with a girl in the streets. She might be beautiful and tall and willowy like Isabelle.
My heart lurches in my chest at the thought.
Like I said up top, I will update again tomorrow!
Leave me a review and I'll love you forever? No? Okay :(
Love,
ByTheAngel99