So I thought I and posted this chapter a long time ago. Obviously I did not. So as an I'm sorry I put two chapters into one so it's really long! There are some pretty significant easter eggs in this chapter for another show or two I am fond of. The actions really going to amp up starting in the next few chapters to the climax. Sorry for the wait.
Let me know what you think!
Emma's eyes slowly opened as the feeling that she was being watched filled her. She rubbed her eyes and shifted in the bed as sunlight spilled through the window. As she glanced over her eyes caught someone sitting in the corner. Emma shot up, her hand flying to her chest in surprise as she stared at the woman watching her.
"You're finally up." The woman noted.
"Yes." Emma nodded. "I was tired."
"Clearly, its midday." The woman noted, standing up and pushing the curtains open. "I'm sorry to impose but I just had to see the girl Orrin brought in last night."
Emma rubbed her forehead, clearly stressed. "I needed a place to stay and he agreed to help me out. It was really very kind of him."
"Orrin?" The woman raised her eyebrows. "Kind?"
"Is that unusual?" Emma asked.
"In their family?" The woman nodded. "Very."
"You seem to know a lot about them." Emma noted.
"Well I should." The woman laughed. "I'm engaged to Rhys, his older brother."
"You are to be the next queen of Thrain." Realization dawned on Emma.
"And you are to be the next queen of Eirian." The woman agreed. "My name is Margaery. My father is a lord and one of Angharad's biggest supporters. That's how I got here. What about you?"
"How did you know who I am?" Emma asked.
"I was at your ball." Margaery explained. "Don't worry. Only those who were there know exactly who you are. But what I want to know is how Orrin managed to get you here. His father is most pleased."
"I needed some place to hide." Emma shrugged. "Orrin offered me a place to stay."
"But not clothing apparently." Margaery examined Emma's still wet riding pants and tunic. She picked up a dress from the chair and held it out to Emma. "I believe I can help you there. You look as if you would be my size."
"Thank you." Emma slipped out of bed and took the dress. Judging by the way Margaery was dressed she had chosen one of her more simple gowns to lend to Emma. It was clear to Emma that Margaery had no qualms about showing off her impressive figure. The dress was made of a blue grey fabric with brown stitching on the bodice. A neckline edged in brown draped fabric plunged almost to the end of her breastbone. Her long brown hair was left down except for the two delicate brown braids pulling her hair out of her face. A silver tiara wrapped around her forehead, the slivers of silver interwoven with each other into a simple but beautiful pattern.
"So." Emma allowed Margaery to help her get her dress on. "How is it living here? Being a pawn in Angharad's life size game of chess?"
"Is that how you see it?" Margaery laughed as she helped Emma into the dress made of heavy blue fabric embroidered with an elaborate design.
"That is how Orrin see's it." Emma answered, slipping her arms through the trumpet sleeves of the top layer of the dress.
"He would see it like that." Margaery nodded, fastening the two gold pieces holding the outer layer of the dress together. She shrugged slightly. "It's hard to explain. Women in my position must make the best of our circumstances. We cannot all be born an heir to a throne like you. But I was born to be a queen, and I will be queen some day. That is why I do this. I bide my time, doing as is expected of me until the time comes where I can do as I please."
"I guess that makes sense." Emma glanced at her reflection. "My word, could I show any more cleavage?"
"Seriously?" Margaery laughed, grabbing a long blue scarf from the chaise and tucking it under the outer layer of the dress, covering a little more of Emma's skin.
"At least it's warmer." Emma smiled. "It's pretty warm where I'm from."
"Eirian has its cold season." Margaery looked slightly confused.
Emma gave Margaery a doubtful look. "Altair. I know you know where I'm from."
"It's all Angharad talks about." Margaery smiled. "The elusive princess Emma who he has destined to be Orrin's bride. Of course he does not realize that not everyone can be a pawn in his game. He's not as in control as everyone believes him to be. Helena, now she's the one you have to be worried about."
"Helena?" Emma thought for a moment as she pulled part of her hair back. "Angharad's wife right? I don't believe I've seen her before."
"Probably not." Margaery said. "She did not attend your ball. She sent me in her place to be the face of the future crown of Thrain. She preferred to stay here and manipulate people to do her will."
"She's that bad?" Emma asked.
"She's terrifying." Margaery laughed. "But she's my idol."
"Your idol?" Emma raised an eyebrow.
"Thrain is very different from Eirian Emma." Margaery explained. "To be a ruler here you must be both respected and feared. Love does not garner the respect here as it does in your kingdom."
"Well it sounds like you have an interesting game to play for the throne here." Emma mused.
"It takes a lot of manipulation and thinking." Margaery got a mischievous grin. "That's why women are better at it. We let the men think they are in charge but we make the real decisions." Emma laughed. She was thankful Margaery was taking her mind off of the situation at hand. "Come Emma. The family is waiting to see you. I would warn you not to disrespect Helena. She can be rather… severe."
"I'm used to severe women so I know." Emma allowed Margaery to lead her through the castle. The castle was massive and cold with little decoration or embellishment. "This place isn't too friendly is it?"
"Friendliness gives the illusion of weakness." Margaery informed her.
"Of course." Emma nodded. "Wouldn't want that."
The two girls were laughing as they entered the main hall but Margaery stopped suddenly. Emma looked up to see what had caught her attention and her eyes were immediately drawn to the stern and stoic woman standing in the front of the room. Margaery hadn't been exaggerating the extent of Helena's intimidation. She had a strong stature and steely grey eyes that bored into the soul, accentuated by harsh eyebrows. She wore a deep burgundy dress with elaborate but fine detailing and large trumpet sleeves. An elaborate metal belt wrapped around her waist. Her long wavy blonde hair fell to her stomach.
"Oh my word." Emma whispered.
"Be strong, but humble." Margaery warned. "It's the only way to gain her respect. She has to know you are as brilliant as she is to be on any sort of good terms with her."
"Queen Helena?" Emma curtsied slightly.
"Princess Emma." Helena eyed the girl with a calculating gaze. "I was surprised to hear you graced us with your presence early this morning."
"It was sudden." Emma explained. "I needed someplace to stay hidden and I believed that you would allow me refuge."
"Are you hiding from your parents?" Helena seemed interested.
"From my life." Emma sighed. "It is very complicated."
"Your problems are your own business." Helena held up her hand. "But their loss is our gain."
"Thank you." Emma smiled, "For your gracious hospitality."
"We hope your stay here can show you all Thrain has to offer you Emma. You are a lovely girl." Helena's complement was void of kindness. "We would love to welcome you into the fold."
"Thank you mother." Orrin spoke up, sounding embarrassed. "For your kind welcoming of Emma. But I think she might enjoy a tour of the castle and grounds."
"Oh yes." Emma nodded quickly. "That would be much appreciated. Thank you Helena for welcoming me."
"I look forward to seeing you again soon." Helena nodded as Emma curtsied before leaving with Orrin.
"Thank you for saving me." Emma said quietly as they walked.
"Truth be told I was saving myself as well." Orrin laughed.
"Your mother is…" Emma shook her head. "Something else."
"She is ambitious and cunning, politically keen and an incredible manipulator and leader." Orrin nodded. "Her saving grace is that she loves her children. She was stern and severe if we ever misbehaved but she does truly love us."
"If you misbehaved as a child?" Emma asked.
"I think the fear of what would happen was worse than any punishment she could ever inflict upon us." Orrin said honestly. "We were too terrified to misbehave."
"I can see why." Emma laughed.
"What about you?" Orrin asked. "In that training camp you grew up in I assume there were rules."
"Oh there were." Emma nodded. "And I broke them."
"Why am I not surprised?" Orrin looked amused. "No offense Emma but you do see like the type it might be dangerous to be friends with."
"I would like you to know that I passively participated in as many as I spearheaded." Emma defended herself. "And we rarely got caught."
"And the times you did get caught?" Orrin raised an eyebrow.
"I felt like I was in a slave labor camp." Emma said simply.
"It cannot have been that bad." Orrin chuckled.
"Talk to me when you've scrubbed an entire complex from floor to ceiling with a brush the size of your fingernail." Emma lamented.
"There is no way that really happened." Orrin said doubtfully.
"When you start a war they have to finish." Emma shrugged.
"No." Orrin looked stunned.
"I really wanted that dagger." Emma explained with a smile.
"All of that for a dagger?" Orrin asked.
"It was not just any dagger." Emma defended herself. "It is a rare make of a metal that is extraordinarily hard to come by. The cost is astronomical."
"You constantly surprise me." Orrin seemed amused. "And I thought my brother and I's misdeeds were bad."
"I told you a story." Emma said. "Now its your turn."
"Well." Orrin thought. "Amadaeo did cut off Margaery's hair once in the middle of the night."
"Isn't Amadaeo fourteen?" Emma asked.
"He committed that particular crime when he was seven." Orrin explained.
"Margaery was here seven years ago?" Emma seemed surprised.
"Rhys and Margaery have been betrothed since they were five." Orrin told her. "Once you have been betrothed you are raised together. Whoever is of lower position in society must leave their home. Thus when Margaery was betrothed to Rhys she moved here and has been here ever since. "
"What if both betrothed are of the same position?" Emma asked.
"Are you speaking of you and Chris?" Orrin asked.
"Well supposedly we were betrothed yet we were raised apart." Emma elaborated.
"Well things work differently in the sunshine and rainbows land you come from." Orrin teased. "Some of those who are betrothed remain with their loving families until it is time for them to be married."
"I do not come from the land of sunshine and rainbows." Emma said pointedly.
"It's better than here." Orrin countered.
"Well what if you and I had been betrothed?" Emma asked.
"That would have never happened." Orrin scoffed. "Your father would have never allowed it. But I suppose since your position is technically higher than mine I would have been sent to Eirian to seal the marriage. Though that may probably would have been much more ideal than being raised in this hell hole."
"It can't have been that bad." Emma said.
"Oh it was." Orrin assured her. "My parents are in an eternal power struggle with their enemies, their friends, and each other. We just hold on and try to weather the storm, and try not to come out of this as ass holes, which Rhys has already failed at."
"Harsh." Emma said.
"I believe life in a home like yours would have been much more appealing." Orrin said.
"I'm not so sure it would have been a fairytale." Emma glanced at the stone ground. "My parents are pretty messed up too. My mother loves my brother and thinks I'm a monster while my father idolizes me. Which now that I think about it would have been perfect. One parent to love the daughter, one parent to love the son. I wonder which one of us would have cracked from the pressure first?"
"Definitely your brother." Orrin said. "The kid is a pansy."
"Hey." Emma shoved him gently. "That's my little brother."
"I've known him longer than you." Orrin pointed out.
"You've known rumors." Emma countered. "He was kind of a jerk, but he's getting better."
"See your family is much better than mine." Orrin gestured to her. "You even care about your self-centered little brother."
"He's my brother, I'm supposed to care." Emma shrugged. "It's genetic. You expect me to believe you do not feel protective of Amadaeo?"
"The kid's on his own." Orrin said simply. "He succeeds or screws up on his own time."
"That can't be true." Emma said.
"Only a little true." Orrin gave a small grin. "I guess there's still hope for him. I still can't tell which parent he takes after. I'm not sure which one would be worse."
"I thought you said at least your mother cares for her children." Emma raised an eyebrow.
"At least my father is the devil you know." Orrin explained.
"No love for your parents?" Emma asked.
"That's rich coming from you." Orrin rolled his eyes.
"Touche." Emma laughed.
Orrin sighed. "I like to think that I took after neither of them but I wonder how long it is before the inevitable happens and I become just like them."
"Orrin you can be whoever you want." Emma put her hand on his shoulder.
"That's a nice sentiment." Orrin cast his eyes downward. "But when your father has sold his soul to the devil you can only hold out hope for a good life for so long. I worry that eventually, despite all my resistance, I will end up just like him."
"You're not your father Orrin." Emma said supportively. "Your life isn't dictated by his decisions. You are a good person. You are one of the only people who has actually done things for me because you care, not because you have some self-serving motive."
"That is a nice thought." Orrin couldn't meet Emma's eyes. "But they are only words."
"We're not defined by who our parents are." Emma insisted. "If so we'd both have no hope."
"You'd have more hope than me." Orrin said flatly. "Your parents are beloved."
"My parents abandoned me." Emma pointed out.
"At least your parents don't see you for the alliances you might be able to give them." Orrin countered. "A real life pawn."
"No." Emma agreed. "They are just scared of me."
"Have you met yourself?" Orrin joked, lightening the mood. "You can be pretty terrifying at times. At least you're not currently brandishing a knife. It makes you less intimidating."
"Who says I don't have a knife on me?" Emma raised an eyebrow mischievously.
"No." Orrin stopped, shock written all over his face.
Emma grinned, looking back over her shoulder as she kept walking. "Something you should know about me? I'm never unarmed."
"So what do you think of our humble abode?" Orrin asked as the two finished their rounds around the castle.
"It's…" Emma searched for the words. "Dark."
Orrin laughed. "That it is. You are staying in one of the few rooms that has natural light. When your home is built into the side of a mountain you don't see the sun very often."
"Well it's a pretty brilliant defense strategy." Emma said. "This is a fortress. It would very difficult to successfully attack this place. You would have to be prepared to lose massive numbers in the process."
Orrin looked impressed. "Not many women understand war strategy. Not even Margaery or my mother, as much as she would like to think otherwise."
"What's the deal with Margaery anyway?" Emma asked. "She puts on a very kind front and all but… I don't know. There's just something about her."
"My mother rules with intimidation." Orrin nodded in understanding. "Margaery has taken another approach. She's kind and loving and lulls everyone into a false sense of security so they do exactly what she wants. It is brilliant actually."
"Is this how you get your enjoyment?" Emma asked. "Sitting back and watching your twisted family members play games with the lives of each other and your kingdom."
Orrin nodded slowly. "Pretty much. There's not a lot to do around here but there is always a lot of interesting, dramatic, and just plain horrible things going on."
"It sounds so pleasant here." Emma said with fake sincerity.
"You have no idea." Orrin agreed. "Why would you want to live in the land of sunshine and rainbows when you could live here amongst the lies and deceit."
"Would you stop calling it that?" Emma rolled her eyes.
"I'm just saying." Orrin shrugged. "I'd put my psycho, manipulative parents up against your beloved pair any day."
"What was it about the devil you know being better than the devil you don't?" Emma asked.
"Fair enough." Orrin held his hands up. "But I mean, come on. Your life wasn't all that bad. What about the time you had with them before all this happened. You always seemed happy then. You must, on some level, want to remember your life before, your life with them.
"I do remember it." Emma whispered.
"You do?" Orrin looked surprised.
"That's part of the reason I ran. I didn't just remember that night... I remembered all of it." Emma admitted. "That's what made it hurt more. I remembered the good times, the summer afternoons with my friends, my parents putting me to bed, hide and seek with my father. All the memories seem so happy and loving and it makes what happened so painful."
"Emma." Orrin said sadly. "I… I didn't know."
"It's ok." Emma assured him. "No one knows… I mean well except for my parents but I sort of screamed that at them so who knows if they actually caught it."
"You blew up at them?" Orrin asked.
"In a blaze of glory." Emma nodded "I mean I'm sure some guards were present but it was in the back waters of the castle basement in the middle of the night so who really knows."
"And you just left?" Orrin asked.
"Yes." Emma answered.
"And then went to Altair where that confrontation happened and then came here." Orrin finished.
"That was the trajectory of last night." Emma confirmed.
"Aren't you worried your parents will be looking for you?" Orrin asked.
"That's why I'm here." Emma pointed out. "I thought we went over this last night… or this morning."
"I was really tired." Orrin explained. "I'm just trying to catch up."
"Well I did come in the middle of the night." Emma said.
"So if you don't mind me asking." Orrin glanced at Emma. "What exactly is your plan?"
"I don't know." Emma shrugged. "I really hadn't thought it through."
"I gathered as much." Orrin said.
"I just needed a place to go." Emma said. "I don't really know what I'm going to do."
"Are you going to go back to your parents?" Orrin asked.
"I don't really want to go back to some place where I'm not wanted." Emma said.
"It's not that bad." Orrin offered.
"You're not unwanted." Emma pointed out.
"Just ignored." Orrin shrugged. "But it's not that bad. You get to sit back and watch your sadistic family screw with each other."
"I don't think my family would do that." Emma said.
"Perfect you can stay here and watch my family." Orrin offered. "They're very entertaining."
"I'm sure your dad would love that." Emma rolled her eyes.
"He would love it." Orrin agreed with a laugh. "Well what about Altair? Would you go back there? You're not unwanted there."
"Yea just a means to some end." Emma said in disgust. "I'm not exactly sure what her purpose was but she only see's me as some trophy. She told me I'm magnificent because of what she made me, like I'm something to put on display."
"But aside from her the people there really care about you don't they?" Orrin asked.
"I would assume it's not just Serafine who wanted me as some trophy child." Emma shook her head. "But I mean the people I grew up with… they're my family. I miss them. If I could get past the way some people think of me I guess it could be a pretty good life."
"Well once you age out of that program won't you be free of her?" Orrin asked.
"I won't ever be free of the stigma that is my power." Emma shook her head. "That's what this really is all about. I'm shunned in one land because of it and I'm idolized in the other because it, something I never asked for. But I guess in a lot of ways I'm thankful for my time in Altair. The friendships and adventures gave me a life that I am so incredibly thankful for, but really the thing I'm most thankful for is that they taught me to embrace who I am. I was never scared or ashamed of what I could do, of what I was. I was always proud of it and that is something that made it all worth it. Even if I am a terrible person for what I did for them."
"Well if you are a terrible person you're in the right place." Orrin cracked a smile. "Come on, I know what will cheer you up."
"What is that?" Emma followed after Orrin.
"It's family time." Orrin gave air quotes. "I know my father would love to see you and you can see just how screwed up a family can be."
"It's kind of messed up that you enjoy this you know." Emma said.
"Well I suppose we can call it a product of my upbringing." Orrin shrugged as he navigated the halls and lead Emma into the private family living room.
"Emma." Helena's tone was a bit too happy giving it the air of being forced. "I am so pleased to see that you could join us this afternoon. And I see you managed to convince Orrin to join as well. That is quite the feat."
"It is quite a puzzle why I would not want to spend time with the loving and warm members of my family." Orrin said flatly.
"Believe what you want my son but love and family are the most important things to your father and I." Helena said.
"We put family first. Everything we do is what is best for our family, for you and your brothers." Angharad warned his son as he joined the group. He looked markedly different from what Emma had imagined. For some reason she had assumed the mountain king of the cold land of Thrain would have been burlier, larger than life in every way. But the king was tall and lean with a gray scuff and dark piercing eyes being his most dominating features. His dark hair and facial features were an older version of those she saw on Orrin. Angharad looked strong but was not necessarily physically imposing. His demeanor intimidated more than size ever could. Something about the man made Emma's hair stand on end.
"I assume acquiring as much power as possible is what is best for the family?" Orrin's challenge was somewhat disguised out of respect for his king.
"It give you and your brother's the best possible advantages in this life." Angharad's firm voice had a finality, signaling the end of the debate. He turned to smile at Emma. "My dear I was overjoyed by the news that you had chosen to join us here at Rohal. I do apologize I could not attend the ball held in your honor. I am blessed that I have the honor of seeing you now. Your beauty has been undersold my dear. You are as stunning as your mother and as striking as your father."
Helena seemed to bristle slightly at the comment. Angharad, noticing this, took her hand and kissed it. "You, my dear, are still the most beautiful creature I have ever laid eyes on. I am just appreciating how lucky our sons are to be joined by such lovely women."
"The difference being Rhys and Margaery are engaged and Emma and I are simply friends." Orrin pointed out.
"Of course." Angharad nodded. "That is not what I meant to imply. Emma, why don't you have a seat?"
"Emma, come sit with my friends and I." Margaery motioned to the opening near her.
"Don't worry she only attempts to dig her claws into you figuratively." Orrin whispered.
Emma gave him a disapproving look before taking the seat on the chaise lounge Margaery had offered her. A few girls who looked to be around Margaery's age sat around chatting and laughing with one another.
"Emma, this is Aylee, Emilia, and Leena." Margaery introduced the three girls. "They are my ladies-in-waiting. They came with me from Ambrose so I would not be alone here at Rohal."
"It must be nice to have a piece of home." Emma smiled at the girls who all nodded, acknowledging her presence.
"It does make the transition easier." Margaery agreed. "That is the reason you brought Daniel with you to Talharain is it not?"
"I think his intentions were more to keep watch over me but, I suppose it did make the transition a little easier." Emma agreed. Emma noticed another girl sitting with the group. She was younger and her beauty nearly equaled Margaery. She sat quietly, observing the others in the room.
Margaery seemed to notice Emma's fixation on the girl. "Emma this is Jeyne."
"Jeyne." Emma nodded in recognition. "You are…"
"Amadeo's future bride." Jeyne said quietly. "That's all I am here."
"I'm sure that's not true." Emma said.
"I am here because of the wealth my family can provide the crown." Jeyne said simply. "My hope is Amadeo and I can may one day find love as we rule as Lord and Lady of the southern region."
"That is about as outspoken as Jeyne has ever been." Margaery looked at Emma. "She tends to be the quietest of the ladies at court."
"I find it is in my best interest to sit back and observe the daily proceedings of court." Jeyne replied.
"She's catching on quickly." Margaery grinned.
"So Emma." One of Margaery's ladies in waiting, Aylee, spoke up. "Blonde hair, fair skin, brilliant green eyes. You cannot be from our land."
"Based solely on appearance?" Emma raised an eyebrow. "Helena's features are similar to mine."
"Helena's family is not from Thrain." Aylee countered. "Or at least they were not originally. Her marriage to Angharad technically brought them into the fold however they remain semi autonomous in their decision making. They are a very powerful house."
"The obsession with power this kingdom has is not something I really understand." Emma shook her head.
"Well what do people where you are from focus on?" Emilia asked.
"Raising children, teaching them to hone their skills and find their place in society." Emma explained. "We place our focus on making sure people are free to live their lives safely and happily."
"That sounds…" Leena searched for the correct word. "Dull."
"I've found my life has a lot of adventure in it." Emma shrugged.
"You still have not answered the question as to where you are from." Aylee noticed Emma's evasion.
"Aylee that is enough." Margaery said pointedly.
"So she is the girl your future father in law is so fascinated with." Aylee turned a displeased face to Margaery, but did not argue with her superior.
"If you knew that why are you badgering the poor girl?" Margaery asked.
"Poor girl?" Aylee raised her eyebrows. "She is a princess from a wealthy kingdom who has the king and the prince of the most powerful kingdom in the realm vying for her allegiance and her hand respectively."
"Jealousy of her post does not wear well on you." Margaery warned.
"Just because your wear a tiara on your head does not make you a princess." Aylee snapped. "Even if you will gain the title upon your marriage to Rhys it does not give you the same position as princess Emma."
"Aylee." Emilia hissed.
"You would do well to remember your position Aylee." Margaery said, her tone severe. "My father's house still rules over yours. Besides, princess is not a title I concern myself with."
"Only queen." Jeyne spoke up, closing her book and walking over to the wall to exchange it for another one.
"And it a title she shall have." Rhys walked over to his betrothed, taking her hand and kissing it. "Emma, I apologize I could not introduce myself to you at your ball but I am pleased to have the chance now. Your beauty up close is as striking as it is from afar."
"Thank you." Emma gave a slight nod to the crown prince. "I am pleased to make your acquaintance as well."
"I know my family is most pleased to have you here with us." Rhys said. "Regardless of the reasons behind it."
"Well I owe you all my gratitude for extending safe haven to me." Emma said. "It is in my best interest to get to know the future royals of this land if I am to one day be queen I suppose."
"We could be allies." Rhys offered.
"That is a possibility." Emma refused to let her discomfort show.
"My dear you may soon have another woman of beauty and brilliance to call your sister." Rhys put his hand on Margaery's shoulder.
"Let's not get to far ahead of ourselves." Orrin said uncomfortably.
"You must fight for what you want brother." Rhys said with a tone of disapproval.
"What I want or what you and father want?" Orrin asked.
Emma could feel the uncomfortable tension in the air between the two brothers. She wondered if this kind of fighting was as common as it had been today. Luckily Angharad broke the uncomfortable staring of the two brothers.
"Orrin, Rhys, as entertaining as this has been we have business to attend to. Our enemy's trial has concluded and his sentence is to be carried out in the great hall."
"Is that really necessary?" Orrin asked.
"The people must know the consequences of these sort of actions." Angharad's comment was a veiled reprimand to his son.
"Yes but must we give him the honor of having his death in our great hall?" Orrin took a different approach.
"The message is what is important, not the man." Angharad responded.
"And what is that message?" Orrin asked.
"Our power is not to be challenged. These people swore fealty to us and they will honor that or risk death." Angharad's eyes warned Orrin not to argue with him further. "Rhys as the heir to the crown you must be present. Orrin this will be your responsibility as well. In fact, Margaery, Amadeo, Jeyne, Emma, you should all be present. It will be an unfortunate part of all of your future lives. It is important for you to familiarize yourselves with this kind of measure."
"My dear, Jeyne is only a girl of twelve." Helena spoke up. "She is still too fragile to witness something like this."
"If I am not mistaken, under your father's care you were present at executions as young as ten." Angharad countered.
"Jeyne and I are very different individuals." Helena pointed out.
"Of course." Angharad nodded. "Jeyne should be kept from the proceedings. Emma, are you comfortable witnessing this? It was uncomfortable for Margaery the first time but she quickly adjusted. However, I do not want to pressure you into something you are not comfortable with."
"I will be fine." Emma assured him. "This will not be the first execution I have witnessed."
Angharad looked impressed. "Very well my dear. I am pleased to know the future ruler of our neighboring kingdom is aware of some of the less pleasant responsibilities of a ruler. Well then, we must proceed to the great hall."
"It is rare he asks someone else what they want." Orrin whispered. "It is typically whatever he desires while everyone else is expected to follow."
"Yes well I'm sure he is aware he cannot control me." Emma replied quietly.
"He wants something from you as well." Orrin pointed out. "That puts you in the rare position of influence and even power over my father."
"I will cherish this moment always." Emma mocked.
"You should." Orrin said seriously. "It does not happen often."
"I would continue to joke about this but your father terrifies me." Emma glanced at the rulers of Thrain. They walked side by side, both looking intimidating.
"As well as your mother."
"My mother terrifies you?" Orrin looked amused. "I thought nothing did."
"I said few things do." Emma corrected. "She, is one of those few."
"Huh." Orrin shrugged. "This is just daily life for me."
Emma examined the people that walked in front of her before looking to Orrin. "I think I'm starting to under stand how you got this way."
So this was actually too long - decided to just post two chapters.