"When Lions Roared"
Chapter 3
"The Prince of Fire"
A/N- This is an author's note that will be removed in the future. This posting is to see if there is enough interest in seeing more. I hope that you enjoy it. Please review & follow if you do- MD17
Wyndemere Castle, Spoon Island, Kingdom of Port Charles
Alexis sat at the end of the long table, which served as a map of the Kingdom, listening as the lords sworn to her argued and debated the best course for the coming war. She was only half listening to them. She could only think of her father, who with his dying breath had allegedly changed her succession. She knew it was true, it couldn't be true. For nearly 30 years, Mikkos had maintained that she was his one and only heir. The convenience of her stepmother Helena being the only witness to this decision, made Alexis all that more sure that her father had never changed his mind, had never waivered in his decision to crown the Kingdom's first female monarch. She tried to continue listening as Lords Baldwin and Berlin argued back and forth about the best course of action. She listened as Lord Baldwin accused Lord Berlin of being a "Lord who commands from the safety of his castle."
"Enough!" Alexis yelled as he rose to her feet. "This bickering will stop this instant!" she commanded. "Julian, you've been far too quiet." Her husband was seated at the far end of the table.
"We've not enough lions, nor enough men," Julian observed.
"We need allies, if we are to win this conflict," Alexis agreed. As the debate continued, Ser Carlos, one of the Queen's sworn knights, noticed that some had entered the room.
"The Prince of Fire! Prince Valentin Cassadine, and his wife, the Lady Nina Cassadine!" he declared. Everyone in the room turned and stood as the couple made their way through the doorway.
"Brother," Alexis smiled. "It is good to see you hail and healthy."
"You as well, sister." Many in the room took note that he had not said "My Queen." Valentin walked closer and the two shared an embrace. "I was sorry to hear of our father, he was a great man, a wise King." Everyone watched as Valentin walked around the table. "Your allies I see, far to few to win a war for your father's throne."
"Yes," Alexis reluctantly agreed. "But we would also hope to have the support of Houses Quartermaine, Webber & Zacchara."
"Hope is the fool's ally," Valentin advised.
"House Quartermaine shares blood with my house, and all three of them have sworn oaths to me."
"As did House Corinthos, and House Spencer, if I remember."
"As did you, Prince Valentin," Alexis countered. "As did every sailor in the Royal Fleet which you command." Valentin didn't reply at first, he merely smiled at his wife.
"Our Father's realm, was one of justice and honor," he began. "We are bound by common blood, and common cause. This Corinthos treason cannot stand. You have the full support of our Navy and Army, and our House, my Queen," Valentin bowed, as did Nina.
"You honor me, brother," Alexis smiled.
"As a result of our most recent foray in the corners, we now control them. Combined with our naval strength, we now control all trade and travel out of the Kingdom," Valentine traced along with his hand on map. "A total blockade of the Kingdom will be in place within days, if not already."
"I shall ride on Aaliyah and patrol the border myself," spoke up Princess Molly, the youngest of Alexis' three daughters.
"Once the blockade is in place, we can lay siege to the Capitol and force Stavros' surrender," advised Lord Baldwin.
"Perhaps, but if we are to have enough swords to do so, we must first secure the support of Brownstone, the Quartermanse, and Castle Milan," she paused. "We must remind these lords of the oaths they swore, and the cost of breaking them," she added.
"I will prepare the messengers, my Queen," spoke one of Alexis' attendants.
"We should bare those messages," spoke up Prince Cameron, Alexis' eldest grandson. "Lions are faster than men, and they're more convincing."
"The Prince is right, my Queen," Valentin agreed. Alexis nodded.
"Very well, Prince Cameron will ride north to treat with his mother's brother, the Lord Quartermaine, then to Castle Milan to treat with Lord Johnny Zacchara," she paused, and looked over at her youngest son, Prince Andrew. "Prince Andrew shall ride, south to Brownstone to treat with Lord Steven Webber."
About an hour later, Alexis met with her son and grandson on one of the parapets. "Neither of you are of the age that I would consider it appropriate for you to engage in combat. Nevertheless, if we are to win the coming conflict, our alliances must be assured," she told them.
"We shall not fail you mother, er… my Queen," Andrew bowed nervously.
"As we speak, Julian and Zander are massing our armies for a push on the Capital. It is vital that we have the support of other Houses if we are to succeed."
"Yes, my Queen," Cameron bowed his head.
"Johnny Zacchara, is closer to your age than he is to mine. Perhaps as young men, you might be able to find some common ground," Alexis advised her grandson. She then turned to Andrew. "Lord Steven is an eternally proud man," she paused. "He will be honored to host a Prince of the Realm, and his lion."
It was only a short boat ride to the mainland, which allowed Alexis to watch from the parapets as both young men mounted their lions. She was pulled from her thoughts as she heard footsteps approaching behind her. She smiled as her husband approached.
"My Queen," he dropped to one knee.
"Rise, my lord husband," Alexis smiled. As he did, he scabbard scraped against the ground. "Tell me, my brother wears Stanislaus' crown, and he wields Lion's Tooth, what is it that I have that makes me a worthy Queen?" she asked.
"The love of the people," he paused. "You wear your father's crown. Only Mikkos had the power to declare his successor, not anyone else."
"The rest of the House of the Lion doesn't seem to think so." Alexis closed her eyes, successfully holding back tears. "I don't even have Lion's Claw," she lamented.
"Prince Valentin does, and he sworn his allegiance to you." His voice grew more forceful. "As for the rest of them, then they are fools, who have chosen to ignore centuries of tradition."
"By refusing to bend the knee to a woman?"
"By refusing to obey the commands of their rightful monarch," he spoke firmly. "King Mikkos had ample opportunity to change his mind; he never did, no matter what lies the dowager Queen spins." Julian dropped back down to one knee, drawing his sword, Crimson. He put the blade into the ground, both hands on the hilt. "I, Julian of House Jerome, Lord of Crimson Hall, Prince Consort to Queen Natasha of House Cassadine, the first of her name, re-affirmed my allegiance to the Lion Queen, the one true Queen of the Realm. My sword is yours, in victory and defeat; from this day until my last. I shall offer you council, ride at your side, and defend your honor." He looked up at his wife. Alexis looked back. In that moment, their love had never been stronger.
"In the coming fight, I shall ride Bathsheba into battle," she advised her husband. "The men must see me leading, while my brother hides behind his walls." Julian didn't say anything, perhaps because despite his own wishes for his wife to be safe, he knew that as a leader, it was what she had to do. Alexis knew that her training was limited at best, but how could she sit behind while men fought for her right to rule the Kingdom?
"The Throne is yours by right, and we are all prepared to die to ensure it," Julian's voice was beginning to turn towards a twitch of anger. "Long live Natasha of House Cassadine, the first of her name, right Queen of the Realm," he repeated. Alexis nodded and signaled for him to rise. Julian replaced his blade in its scabbard.
"I've sent word for my sister to join us," Alexis advised him. "Leah is one of the largest lions in the realm. We need her support."
"She hasn't been seen in the realm for nearly 20 years. You found her?"
"I did, or rather, her namesake did."
"My Queen, the army awaits," he asked for leave. Alexis quickly turned around and pulled him close, their lips mashing together. They remained that way for a couple of minutes until they heard footsteps approaching. It was Ser Carlos.
"Forgive me, My Queen, My Prince," he bowed. "Prince Zander sends word that the army is assembled. Julian gave him a small nod.
"By your leave, my Queen," Julian bowed his head. Alexis nodded, and Julian bowed his head.
Alexis watched as her husband and Ser Carlos made the short boat trip to the mainland, where Julian & Zander would assume control of the army. She watched as Julian mounted his horse, drew his sword and looked back towards the island. Even though it wasn't quite possible, Alexis would have sworn that after she nodded, Julian nodded it reply, drew his sword, and ordered the army to march.
A/N- If you'd like to read more of this, please follow and review. I'm looking to see how much of a following this will garner.
