Gilded Prison Ch. 3
Ibo sat across from the young princess; it was easily becoming his favorite part of his day. Over the last month, after they had breakfast in the Great Hall, she always found her way to his little hut. And just like every morning since they began sharing their stories, it always started with a nice hot cup of Chia tea.
Slowly bringing the cup to his lips, enjoying how she had prepared it for him. "Your Highness, as always, you've made a wonderful tea." He was enjoying how the hot liquid warmed his body.
Shaking her head, "Ibo, please, I have asked you a million times to call me Aiyana." It was a constant battle with them, but she refused to give in to the old man. She was just as stubborn if not more so than most people.
Snorting, "That will never happen, you are the daughter of a King, so that is your title." While he could appreciate that she wanted to be treated as though she was a regular person, it was a sign of respect. Smiling at the frown that graced her face. "Why do you fight so hard against it?" Curious about her apprehension.
Aiyana sighed, letting her eyes linger on the fire for a few minutes, smiling at the sound of the wood cracking. "Growing up, there was already a divide between me and the rest of the people of the valley." Turning back, she could see him watching her intently, "It took a long time for them to accept me as King T'Chaka's daughter. My title, at least in my eyes is just another way to separate me from the people."
Leaning forward, he placed his hand on her knee, perhaps that is what separated the Jabari from the rest of Wakanda, they did not care. Their only concern was making sure that each one of the villagers pulled their own weight. "Well, if an old man's opinion means anything, I think that you are worthy of your title. Not many people of the Golden Tribe would come up here, let alone stay for however long this takes."
Placing her hand on his, Aiyana could feel the sincerity of his words. "Thank you." Blinking away a tear, "Just to let you know, an old man's opinion means a lot."
Ibo laughed, "Good to hear, Princess." Glancing out his window, he could see M'Baku making his way down the hill, smiling at the sight. It appears the Chief has taken a special interest in her wellbeing, not that it was a bad thing. However, it was not likely that she wasn't already promised to another, the young lady was almost 25 years old, it was surprising that she wasn't already married.
Aiyana could see him smiling out the window, glancing over to what he was looking at, she found the impressive image of the Chief making his way towards his home. "It seems as though our time is up." Moving to stand, Aiyana grabbed her cloak wrapping it around her shoulders.
Hearing the knock at the door, Ibo scooted past her, touching her shoulder as he did so, "It would appear so." Opening the door, "Chief, you are early today." Opening the door, a bit wider so he could let the man enter is home.
Frowning at his observation, M'Baku just shrugged, he wasn't that early. "It is time to bring the Princess to the river." His eyes finding hers as he spoke. It never got old, seeing her dressed like a member of his Tribe. Even from that first morning, she embraced their simple leathers, it was almost surprising how she left behind her silk dresses.
Extending his hand, "Are you ready to fish, princess?" His voice light and teasing.
Chuffing a bit, Aiyana placed her hand in his, "Lead the way Great Gorilla." Looking over at Ibo, "Same time tomorrow my friend?"
Nodding, "I look forward to it," giving her a quick hug, "Tomorrow you will learn all about our great Chiefs." Opening the door, "Be safe." Not that the young lady had much to worry about, M'Baku wouldn't let anything happen to her on his watch.
Placing his hand in between her shoulder blades, M'Baku made sure that she did not trip as they descended towards the river. "Have you ever been fishing before, princess?" he asked her.
Tilting her head, Aiyana couldn't help but shake her head, "Between you and Ibo, I swear I may forget my name. Is it so hard to say?" she asked him, her voice teasing.
Laughing, "Is that not what you are? A princess?" Gently leading her down the path. Letting his eyes take in the landscape, making sure that no leopard was able to take them by surprise.
Glancing up, she could see that he was on high alert, that was a look she knew all too well, it was the same one her brother sported when they were near predators. "I guess so." Sighing, she wanted to be more than just that, but with how things were going in her life, perhaps that was all she would ever be. A princess frozen and stuck, no real chance for a future or family.
It wasn't until they reached the river did he speak again, not that he didn't enjoy talking with her. But he promised her father that he would protect her, and snow leopards were brutal animals that liked to take their prey unaware. "Does it offend you?" he asked her.
Her eyes looked at the people using nets, swinging them wide to catch their fish, never in her life had she seen anything like it. She once asked her mother to let her go out with the fisherman, but that was completely shot down. Realizing that he asked her a question, Aiyana tore her eyes away and found his deep brown ones looking into her eyes.
"No, I'm not offended. It's just," pausing a moment, realizing that she was showing too much of her vulnerability and that was something her parents taught her to always maintain. But in her time with the Jabari, she was finding it easier to just express her feelings. "Sometimes, I just want to be Aiyana, no title, just plain old simple me."
M'Baku was taken back by her response, even after all this time together he was still surprised by her aloof nature about her status. Frowning a bit, it was confusing to him that someone of her status would fight so hard against a title. From his understandings from the City Dwellers, they seemed to enjoy moving up in their society, but she resisted.
"Why do you fight it?" He asked her.
Gripping the sides of her pants, resisting the urge to tell him to mind his damn business. "That is a deeply personal question." Hoping to move on from this topic. Taking a step backwards, Aiyana wanted to move on from such a conversation and just learn to fish.
M'Baku grabbed hold on her shoulder turning her around quickly, both of his hands gripping her shoulders. Staring into her eyes, pleased to see that she was stunned by his behavior, "That hasn't stopped you from answering before, why now?" Not understanding why, she was putting up walls and all it did was just piss him off.
Gasping, Aiyana could see it in his eyes, he was angry that she closed herself off. Anger filled her, no one understood, as much as they attempted to sympathize, they didn't know. Pushing his hands off her shoulders, she took several steps back, not liking how when he was close to her, she felt content.
"Do you have any idea what it is like? To know that you were only brought here out of feeling of guilt. To grow up in a culture that is hidden from the rest of the world, because of people that look like me. Or knowing that no matter what you do, you'll never truly be of Wakanda?" Blinking rapidly, she could feel tears threatening to run down her face.
Exhaling slowly, Aiyana was doing her best to keep from just crying, that was something she did alone, in her room. "You, Ibo, Ekon, all your council refer to me as the Princess of the Golden Tribe, but it's a fucking joke, I do not have their blood coursing through my veins. I am not a member of any tribe; I am just a girl that has taken up a mantle that should have gone to any other child in Wakanda."
Taking several steps back, Aiyana could see that the man in front of her was shaking, hanging her head it wasn't her intention to upset him so much. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said anything." Turning on her heels, Aiyana made her way to the closest person with a net, politely asking for instructions on how to properly cast the net.
M'Baku stared at the empty space that she just occupied his fists clenching, he was tempted to march down to the city and strangle anyone that upset her so deeply. Turning his head, he watched as she made her way into the water, her fingers gripping the net ever so tightly. It was only seeing her smile that soothed his desire to crack someone's fucking skull open.
Turning his body, he found himself watching as she kept trying to properly cast, ever so determined to figure it out. As he watched her try and fail, her words echoed in his head, she didn't feel like she belonged, and from what he was able to piece together after speaking with her over the last month, the villagers of the city only seemed to be kind out of obligation to their king. She felt that rejection in her soul.
Ekon watched as his Chief stared at the Princess, almost as though he was trying to figure her out. Pleased to see that M'Baku has finally taken an interest in a woman, perhaps this was a way for the bridge between the Jabari and the Valley Dwellers to finally unite. Rubbing his beard, it was a good match, he was a strong and fierce leader, and she was soft, kind, and more importantly hard working.
Taking a moment, he couldn't help but be pleased at the thought of her marrying into the Tribe, it was clear by anyone that interacted with her, she was well liked. Figuring there was no time like the present to see how his Chief felt of such a union, he made his way over to the man who stood stoically watching.
"My Chief how goes her lessons in fishing?" he asked him.
Without taking his eyes off her, smiling as her teeth began to chatter just a bit, but ever so stubbornly, she continued to toss that damn net. "She is determined." M'Baku could feel the man watching him, annoyed, he reluctantly pulled his attention from Aiyana. "What is it, Ekon?"
Resisting the urge to smile, "You are almost 32 years old." Turning his attention towards the Princess, "Perhaps, you should start considering finding a wife." Hoping that he got his subtlety.
M'Baku followed his line of sight, his eyes taking in the most beautiful sight, finally she had caught a few fish, and a huge smile graced her delicate face. Laughing as she hugged the young warrior that was helping her cast the net.
Sighing, he knew what Ekon was hinting at, hell it was something that he found himself thinking about when he was alone in his chambers, but even if he wanted such a union. He knew that he could not have her, nor would she want him. Perhaps if things were different, or he didn't know that she felt so trapped in her life, he could pursue such things, but he didn't want to be another person forcing her to do something that she didn't want to do.
Rubbing the back of his neck, "No, the Princess has obligations to her people. She can not stay in the mountains forever." Sparing a look down at the man, seeing him ready to argue, "Drop the matter, Ekon, do you not think that her father has already selected someone more suited to her?"
Ekon held his tongue, perhaps the young Chief was right, as the daughter of a King, he would ensure that she married well into one of the 4 Tribes. "I apologize. It is hard not see her here."
M'Baku could only nod, every day that she was here, was a day closer to her having to leave for her home. And that was a day he was dreading, but that was something he wasn't going to burden her with. However, Ekon was right, perhaps once she was safely back home, he would consult with his sister, and find a suitable wife that he could try to be happy with.
Aiyana found herself staring out the windows of the Great Hall, it was becoming one of her favorite places to just sit and watch the snow fall. Wrapping herself a bit tighter with the cloak, her eyes tracked big fluffy pieces as they slowly drifted down to the ground. It was the first time in a great many years that she felt like she was home, here she was just a person, no expectations of anything other than pulling her own weight.
Looking down, she could just see the lights of the city, Aiyana felt as though she was in a different world up here, and perhaps in some ways she was. She knew that in less than a month she would be heading back down the mountain, which was a depressing thought. She wished that she could figure out a way to stay, but after she and Ibo finished there was no legitimate reason for her to stay.
Feeling her wrist vibrate, looking down she could see her Kimoyo Beads glowing red. Smiling at the distraction from her thoughts, Aiyana pushed the button, pleased to see the image of her sister staring back at her.
"Shuri, on time as always."
Rolling her eyes, "I told you; I will not miss a call, I do not know why you still doubt me." Plopping herself on her bed, Shuri could see the snow-capped mountains behind her, while it wasn't something that she would enjoy, she could see the beauty. "Baba took brother with him to the Sokovian Accords in Vienna." Frustrated that he didn't ask her to go along with them.
Aiyana couldn't help but smile a bit, "Shuri, it is his job to handle business that effects Wakanda, and brother needs to join him, for he will be King soon." But she could understand her frustrations, it wasn't fun being kept on the sidelines.
Shuri snorted, "Perhaps that is true," sighing, while it was upsetting that she couldn't go, the conversation that her father had with her before he left was far more distressing. "Baba said when he got back it was time for me to start looking for a husband." She wasn't ready to get married, nor did she want to be forced into it.
Biting her cheek, Aiyana could feel her heart clenching a bit, while she wouldn't want to be forced to marry, it would have been nice having men want to. From the time Shuri was 15, all the tribe leaders and families were presenting their eligible sons. Shuri was able to convince their parents to hold off for a few years so that she could really get more accomplished, but it seems as though they were tired of waiting for one of their kids to have babies.
Hanging her head, Aiyana plastered on a fake smile, "Shuri, it couldn't hurt to at least meet with some of them, who knows you might find someone you could love." It worked for their parents, even T'Challa found someone he loved deeply, so it wasn't out of the realm of possibilities for Shuri.
Hissing, "It is not fair, Baba doesn't bother you about marriage or anything, why can't he just let me be?" It was the one thing about her sister that she was always jealous of, no one ever bothered her.
Biting her cheek, Aiyana had to contain her scream, "Shuri, you know at the end of the day, Baba would never force you to marry someone, so don't freak out. Just meet his choices and see. OK?"
"Fine, but I will wait until you come home, if I have to do this, I want you by my side so we can make fun of them together." She knew doing so with her mama would get her into trouble, at least with Aiyana it would make this antiquated ritual bearable.
Shaking her head, "You are impossible." Seeing movement, her eyes spotted M'Baku's sister, her face set into a frown. "Shuri, I have to go, I have an early morning. I love you, brat."
Shuri missed her sister, but she knew that she'd be home soon enough. "Fine, go. Play in the snow. I love you too. Goodnight."
Disconnecting the transmission, Aiyana found Zaba making her way over to her, and the look that she was sporting was enough to make her edgy. Standing up, she found the woman only a foot away from her, vibrating in anger. "What happened?" she asked her. Hoping that everyone in the village was safe, but fear took over, what if M'Baku was hurt?
Zaba could not believe that that either girl spoke so blatantly against the idea of marriage. She did not know the sister; she did think that over the last few weeks that she grew to know Aiyana. Angry that she grossly misjudged her character but perhaps there was light at the end of this dark tunnel, her brother didn't he to worry himself about her any longer.
Stopping just a foot from her, "What happened, you have the nerve to ask me such a thing?" Stepping an inch closer, "Do you have no regard for traditions? Laughing at the idea of marriage? You should be so grateful to have many suitors."
Blinking rapidly, Aiyana could feel the anger rise in her body, clenching her teeth, "You have no idea what you are talking about." Taking a step closer, almost itching to slap the ever-loving shit out of her, but no matter how hurt or angry she was, she would never do anything to bring war to Wakanda.
Folding her arms over her chest, "Than please explain it to me," her eyes staring into her cold blue ones, "Do you have so many suitors that you just string them along until you're bored?" She asked, trying to get a better idea of who she was, if anything to save her brother from making a fool of himself.
Aiyana took a step back, her heart beating wildly in her chest, "I HAVE NO SUITORS!" Tears started to slide down her face, ashamed that twice in one day she cried in front of someone. Hanging her head, "I have no suitors." She whispered.
Looking Zaba in her eyes, she was unable to stop herself from falling back into the memory, and the words just vomited out.
MEMORY FLASHBACK
Aiyana found herself using one of the many secret entrances to stay hidden in the throne room, normally she wouldn't dare to spy on a meeting between the Tribe Leaders and her parents, but this was a discussion about her future. And while she trusted them to make sure that she married a nice boy, she was 16 and wanted to know everything about the young man that they would select for her.
T'Chaka looked to his wife, he could see that she was anxious to have this meeting, but it was high time that they started the process for Aiyana. Glancing over at each of the tribe leaders, he could see some apprehension about the topic, but he was the first King in a century to have a daughter let alone two.
"Aiyana is now 16, she is far from ready to be married, but it is time to start helping her select a husband." He said, making sure to keep eye contact with each of them as he spoke. "So, tell me, who in your family or families that you know would be a good suitor for her?"
Isaach looked around the room, he could see each one of the elders looking to him to answer such a question. For it was his niece that was intended to T'Challa when it was time, so he was unofficially the expert in dealing with such matters with their King.
Clearing his throat, a part of him was afraid to speak the truth, but he wouldn't be doing the King any favors nor the girl if he didn't speak up.
"I'm sorry to say my King, but many years ago, when she was but a child, we all knew that when this day would come, we would not allow such an arrangement to be made." Flinching a bit as he heard the King inhale.
T'Chaka leaned forward, taken back by the words that left his mouth. But a quick cursory glance around the room, he could see the 3 remaining leaders nodding in agreement. "What is so wrong with my daughter that you would not want her marrying one of your men?" He asked the room.
M'Kathu could feel for the King, no one wanted to hear that his daughter was not to be married, but even he who cared for the girl, would not force any of this Border Tribe members to marry her if they did not wish it so.
"She is a fine girl, kind and smart." He started, "But we have heard our children speak of her, they like her well enough, but they have all said in one way or another, she is not of Wakandan blood, and they do not want children that are only half."
Ramonda gripped his shoulders, she could see that he was about to grab one of the men by their throats, and while she could understand that sentiment, no one, including their children be the reason for civil unrest between the Tribes.
Stepping slightly forward, her eyes taking in the woman of the Elders, "You have heard this not only from your family but others as well?" Hoping that perhaps it was a male thing, but seeing them both nod, Ramonda couldn't help but feel her heart break for Aiyana.
Enumi looked at her Queen then to the King, "All the families that I have spoken to about this over the years have all said the same thing. While she is kind, she is not truly a member of the Golden Tribe nor any tribe of Wakanda, they feel her blood would make their future children weak."
Taking ahold of his wife's hand, if only to keep himself from jumping out off his throne and tossing one if not all the leaders out the fucking window. Feeling her firmly squeeze his hand, told him all he needed to know, even as King he could not force someone to marry. That was not how things were done in Wakanda, and he did not want to rule as a tyrant over his peaceful nation.
T'Chaka slowly stood, his hand never leaving his wife's, too afraid of what he might do if he did let go of her. Keeping his voice as level as he could, he let his eyes pass over the leaders a final time. "Thank you for your honesty." Breathing slowly, he did not want this meeting to be spread across the city, "Go back to your homes, but please, for my daughter's sake, do not discuss this, it will be traumatic enough to explain to her that she is not to be married, I do not want her to be mocked further."
Ramonda waited until the doors shut to the throne room, her hand covering her mouth, "We should tell her soon. It will be more painful to wait." Feeling a small tear, she carefully wiped it away, "She deserves so much more than this." She muttered to herself.
Without another word, T'Chaka kissed his wife's forehead, "I need to run, I will find her when I get back, and we will tell her." He never once lied to her, he wasn't about to start now.
Watching her husband leave, Ramonda shook her head, "Fools, all of them fools." Straightening her spine, she made her way out of the throne room, going to find something to take her mind off of what just transpired.
With big tears in her eyes, Aiyana crawled out of her hiding place, slowly making her way towards the throne, her heart breaking with each step. By the time she was in front of the damn thing, she was somewhere between despair and just plain anger.
Dropping to her knees, she wrapped her arms around herself, doing everything she could to keep herself from screaming out in pain, but the pressure was too much. Scrambling to her feet, Aiyana ran as far and as fast as she could, not stopping until she made it to her spot off the river.
Falling forward, she couldn't hold back her tears or the scream that escaped her, in that moment she knew that her father bringing her here was a mistake. He should have left her at some orphanage, or perhaps done the honorable thing and killed her too.
Curling up against the rocks, Aiyana let her eyes drift to the mountain above her, wishing for just one moment, she could run and hide up there, perhaps being able to live alone would be best. Then she could live her life quietly, with no one to make her feel as though she wasn't enough.
END MEMORY
It wasn't until she felt arms around her did Aiyana realize that she was curled up in the corner her body shaking from reliving that horrible moment in her life. Looking up, she could see the look in Zaba's face, "Please, do not think less of my sister, she doesn't know, neither does my brother."
Pulling her into her arms, Zaba slowly rocked her back and forth, "I am so sorry, I didn't know." Feeling like such an idiot for assuming that she was so flippant about marriage.
Aiyana kept her head on her shoulders, being comforted by her petting her hair, "Only the Elders of the Tribes, and my parents know. No one else needs to know my shame."
Gripping her shoulders tightly, "You have nothing to feel shame for, it is their weak-minded views, that is what those people should be ashamed of." Zaba could not believe that she lived this life day in and day out knowing that she was just stuck. But as that thought crossed her mind, realization hit her, "Is that why you wanted to go to Oxford and not Wakanda University? To meet someone?"
Pulling her knees to her chin, Aiyana kept her eyes closed, almost ashamed to answer, "Not all of it, but a small part of me wanted to experience a fraction of what I've seen with my parents, and even with my brother." Blinking away some tears, using her sleeve to wipe the tears away, she could see that Zaba was watching her intently.
Exhaling slowly, Aiyana needed to get a grip on herself, it was completely unbecoming to lose her shit so openly. Coughing a bit, trying her best to regain her composure, Aiyana gave her a small smile, "I beg of you, please do not tell this to anyone." It was embarrassing enough to know that Zaba knew, she didn't think she could bare seeing the pity in M'Baku's eyes if he found out.
Zaba couldn't help but frown, "You have nothing to be ashamed of, it is their ignorance not yours."
Taking ahold of her hand, "Do you know what would be worse than everyone knowing, it would be the look of pity in their eyes. Please Zaba, tell no one." Not caring that she was begging.
Threading her hand with hers, "Fine, I will not tell a soul, not even my husband." Bringing her hand to her lips, "You can always stay here. We love you just as you are." Meaning that with every fiber of her being.
Aiyana smiled at her, "I would love nothing more, but I do not think my father would allow it." She was certain that he would outwardly object to such an idea.
Standing up Zaba pulled Aiyana to her feet, gently leading her towards her old room. Linking her arms with hers, her heart breaking for the woman. Glancing down, she could see that her face was now set as though she did not have an emotional moment, her training as a princess seemed to serve her well in such situations.
"Can I ask you one more personal question?" She asked, more curious than ever about the woman next to her.
Shrugging, normally Aiyana would keep her thoughts to herself, but it did feel good to be able to share her true feelings with someone. "Of course. You are the only person that it seems that I can truly confide in."
Stopping at her door, unaware that her brother happened to be making his way to his chambers and standing in the shadows.
"You mentioned that you wanted to experience something like your family, love I am assuming." Seeing her nod, "Even as a teen girl, no boy expressed their desire for you?" While they did not want to marry her, there was no way a man didn't at least want to lay with her.
Aiyana leaned against the doorframe, not surprised by her question, smiling a bit. "Desire wasn't the problem," sighing, "after finding out that none of the Tribe Leaders wanted their sons to marry me, I outwardly refused to lay with a man. What would be the point, I was good enough to fuck but not enough to bring home to their family?"
Running her fingers through her hair, Aiyana just shrugged, "I don't think about it much anymore, after almost 10 years, I made peace with the fact that I am not getting married or having children."
Zaba hissed, "Aiyana you could fall in love, and have a beautiful family." She promised her that she wouldn't tell her brother, but if she opened herself up to him, she knew that M'Baku would marry her in a heartbeat.
Shaking her head, Aiyana placed a hand on her shoulder, "Zaba, I've already told you, the 4 Tribes have said that they do not want me bringing half-breed children into this world." Kissing her cheek, "My only hope is that my sister and brother marry well and give me lots of nieces and nephews to love and play with."
Opening her door, Aiyana was emotionally spent, never in her life had she had the opportunity to just vent herself to anyone. T'Challa would be on a warpath, Shuri would make a spectacle, and all for what, it wasn't worth it. At least with Zaba, she finally just had a friend. "You need to stop worrying, I gave up a long time ago, there is no need for you to worry about me, OK? All I ask, just keep your promise, never tell a soul. I need one person I can cry to Zaba."
Pulling her into a hug Zaba squeezed her tightly, "I promise, not a soul." Kissing her cheek, Zaba looked into her glacier blue eyes, "I do not know anything about these Tribal Elders, except that they are fools. It is their sons that are not worthy of you."
Stepping back, she knew if she didn't get home to her husband, she was liable for doing something stupid. "Then I say goodnight, and after Ibo tomorrow, I will teach you how to build a boat."
Rolling her eyes, "I look forward to it, goodnight Zaba." Making her way into her room, Aiyana quickly flung herself to the bed, knowing that a soon as the sun broke over the ridge, she would need to get started on her day.
M'Baku refused to move from his spot, his eyes staring daggers at her door, how could anyone say that she was not worthy of marriage? But what really angered him was that she had already given up, in her eyes no one would want her, so why bother.
"Hanuman hear me now, for when the Old King of Wakanda is to step down, I will march my people down to Warrior Falls, and win her hand."
Turning on his heels, practically slamming the door to his chambers, he didn't care what he had to do, but Aiyana was to be his, even if that meant beating her brother in combat to do so. Falling into bed, M'Baku at least had some hope, she wasn't promised, so that meant she could choose him. Closing his eyes, he let his mind wander to the young woman that entranced him from the moment she lowered her scarf.
*Wakandan in Italic*
