"The news is already buzzing over here!" she said with her face alight with excitement. "With a passionate plea the youngest human princess asked to be swept away by the dashing prince!" she mock swooned. I turned beat red and moved to smack her. She giggled and settled down as she brought me a hot mug with a sweet liquid. Elvish tea was my favorite.
"Seriously though, no one knows what you said to the King, but he actually approved the union. There was a bet you see, whether or not he would actually go along with the deal with the humans. There lives are so fleeting it would be nothing..." she gave me an apologetic look but kept going. " but it would be seen as tedious. But something about the youngest princess caught the eye of the prince, and the dutiful father can deny his sons nothing." she winked. I shook my head and then told her all of what happened. Teera was the elf girl who had taught me about elvish culture first hand, and was the one who had taught me the language. We conversed in it easily and i asked her what her opinion of the situation was.
"Well, you won't be queen, so count your blessings. You struck the lottery my dear. He isn't the youngest, you will be more elevated in status than the younger brother and whoever he marries. But you won't have to really deal with much politics. An occasional court appearance, and you will technically be of the roayal family which means you shall be revered by all of the summer court." She said, her voice excited as is she were talking about the newest dress rather than my very near future.
"I can't imagine that sits well with the courtiers... having to respect a human." I said looking down, resisting the urge to gulp loudly. Teera cocked her head and looked at me. Her sharo blue eyes took in all of me, and nodded, apparently pleased with whatever she was looking for.
"Many are a bit flustered, although they wouldn't be so bold as to be angry. Going along with the whim of the king is their job. The common folk here are surprised but have no problem.Since common folk deal with the humans most often they are actually very open to the idea of a human being given a high rank in society. Your're going to be an elven princess..." She said, standing suddenly. She walked, it was more of a dance really, over to to a mirror which she opened to reveal a hidden compartment behind. giggling she took something out and returned to me. She had me close my eyes as she placed something on my head and ears. She then walked me, in the direction of the mirror, and allowed me to view myself.
I beautiful diadem of elegant and shimmering silver sat upon my hair. As beautiful as it was, my eyes were drawn to the jewelry on my hears.Intricate pieces of silver had been crafted to form elf ears. They had small details that i had to get closer to the mirror in otder to admire. At the thickest part of the ears was a small flower, a thorned vine about the size of a wire wrapped around the border of the ear and helped to form the tips. At the tip of ear ear was a small pale stone, i realized that it was slowly changing color. it was a tranquility diamond - a rare stone that reflects its wearer's emotions through colors. The beautiful pieces wrapped around the tips of my ears and formed cuffs. I was slightly embarrassed to see tears falling down my cheeks as i saw my reflection, a elf maiden.
There were cuffs worn by most of the female courtiers, but these had been modified to fir a human's ears. I looked at my friend and by the look on her face, she didn't need words to know my gratitude. She hugged me, and then to my shock bowed to me. Laughing i pulled her up and hugged her again.
"You have to come with me." I said, holding on to her hands. She laughed and shook her head.
"A common elf like myself? go to a highborn's estate? I don't know..." I shook my head jumping up and down a little.
"I'm bringing a guardian fae and you. I'll ask him to let you come with me... as... a wedding present!" I needed her to come with me. Someone to support me that i knew i could trust.
"If you really captivated him the way the rumours say, maybe you're right." She sighed, looking reluctantly hopeful. Teera was someone i had known since i was a child. She hadn't aged a day since i first met her, but my youth never seemed to bother her. I trusted her just as much as Hodgins and thus, i went with my instincts and decided to tell her about the other part.
"I won't be a princess..... " I started, causing her look at me with concern. "According to some... raven seer? I'm going to be a Queen." She stiffened and gripped my shoulders tightly, a reaction i didn't understand. Shoving down the fear in my voice i locked eyes with her.
"Thats not a joking matter. Raven seers are rare and not to be take lightly. Tell me everything." That night i told her all about Hodgins. My wild magic. the prophecy about me becoming the first Wilde Queen. She listened intently and when i finished she looked away, into the fire. After a long stratch of silence she smoke again.
"I'm coming with you." Locking her cool blue eyes with mine again, she looked fierce, like she would attack anything that made a move. "You are going to enter into a nagerous game, and i will not allow youto do it alone." Dropping to her knees, she said in a voice so serious it frightened me.
"I swear fealty to you, my Wilde Queen. May your chaotic reign bring your visions to life and may i serve you well. I revoke any loyalty to any former rulers. I live and serve you alone." Her words were heavy, and i could almost feel them wrap around me and settle. I felt a surge of pride, although i didn't understand why. My mouth moved of its own accord, but i went with it. Wild Magic knows what to do, even when i didn't.
"I accept you, rise my lady knight and serve me well." As the words left my lips i knew in an instant a spell had been cast and a pact forged. When Teera rose, i could see the same fierceness in her eyes, and i watched it slowly fade into the kind and soft face of the girl i knew before. I let out a breath and relaxed my shoulders when she smiled. I went to ask her, but she cut me off with a shake of her head.
"Later i will explain. For now all you need to know, is that when i was a small child, hundreds of years ago, a wilde raven prophetess told me that one day i would serve as a knight for one of the most powerful fae Queens the world has ever seen. She told me i would see this queen grow from child to woman and that i would aid in her ascension. I know in my heart of hearts its you." She nodded and that was the end of it. Somehow we were able to go back and talked of minor things.
That night, for the first time, she followed me home. I knew from that moment on, i would never be alone. The thought comforted me as i thought about the uncertain path that laid ahead.
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