A New King (Closed)

[carnor_jax]

The war had gone on for four weeks, neither side won or lost any ground. The only thing that changed was the number of dead on either side. The two Kings had elected to have the outcome decided by single combat. The younger King had eagerly agreed to the proposal, he knew his speed and strength would help him best the experience brought by his opponent.

The morning came and the appointed hour was set, King Peter stood in his silver polished armor, it sparkled in the light that filtered through the openings in the cloudy sky. His short brown hair waved in the light breeze, a smile on his face. He wasn't afraid of death, he had grown up with it, he had ascended the throne at the age of thirteen after his father had died of an illness. Since then other relatives, older relatives thought they would be better suited to sitting on the throne that the young boy. The first assassination attempt came a few months after he had taken the crown. He was out riding and a hidden archer had attempted to hit him, the shot struck him in the shoulder, and knocked him out of the saddle. The horse drug him most of the way back to the stable, he recovered quickly from his injuries and used everything at his disposal to find the culprit and exact his revenge.

Peter stood tall as his opponent rode towards him, he held his helmet in the crook of his arm, his sword was slung at his side. He tood a deep breath of the afternoon air, it wasn't to hot and it smelled like rain was coming.

The pleasantries were dispensed and the two locked in battle, the elder King gave Peter all he could handle, he was very skilled and cunning in the art of sword fighting. Peter was no slouch with the blade either and let the older man wear himself out attacking the younger man. When the moment was right Peter smashed his forearm into his opponents helmet, stunning the man, Peter placed a kick to the man's hip spinning him and sending him to the ground. The killing blow came swiftly, placed at the base of the neck, the part that the helmet had left exposed.

Peter looked up at the surrounding armies, he had won control over both of them. His word was now law in this newly conquered land. He had the generals and captains of the defeated army brougt to him, he had them disperse and sent the men back to their farms.

His men rode with him, they crested a hill and got their first sight of the capital. The body of the dead king was on a cart that was being pulled behind Peter. The rest of the column followed, the clopping of horse hoofs and the clank of armor preceded their arrival to the city.

Peter stopped at the gate "Open this gate in the name of your King" he ordered, this was all part of the ritual.

"We have no King, he is dead" came the reply.

Peter nodded "Yes now accept his body, mourn, and bury your dead" he said as he nodded to cart driver to take the body up to the gate. "In three days you will have a new king" he said, his voice booming against the city walls.

Peter turned and looked to one of his generals "Make camp" he ordered.

They spent a chilly night as the wind howled through the camp, it brought with it the mourning crys of the inhabitants of the city. Rumor had started the spread that Peter would take the princess as his wife to solidify his hold on this land.

Peter walked the land early the next morning, the fog was thick and the air was crisp as he walked through the wet grass. Knowing that this was his land now gave him satisfaction, he had succeed on the conquest he had sought. He looked up at the walls of the city, that was his city, he would soon sit on its throne. He reached out to touch the wall and winced, his forearm was still badly bruised from the fight

 

[shyvirginsub]

Princess Emma didn't want to believe it; she had begged for her father to stop this pointless war and to just make peace, but he had ignored her as he always did and now he was dead. She mourned with the rest of the citizens as they set his cold lifeless body upon the funeral pyre in order to let his soul rest in peace. At the age of five and twenty she had always felt that he would be there forever or at least long enough to see his youngest daughter married off. Now she wouldn't even have that for she was going to be forced to marry the enemy king. As the fire began to die she made her way back to her chambers not wanting the people to see her cry. She laid on her bed and sobbed. Being the youngest unwed daughter in the family meant all her sisters had already left after their marriages. Eventually she ended up crying herself to sleep.
A servant came to wake her up in the morning. Opening the curtains and preparing her Mistress' bath. Once done Emma picked out a Teal blue dress and let the maids dress her. Sighing to herself she looks in the mirror frowning at the figure reflected back. She always hated how big she was having constantly been criticized by relatives to be more like her sisters who were thin and graceful to a fault. She had always hated how men had leered at her generously sized cleavage at the parties she had been forced to attend. In her opinion her best features were her hazel eyes which turned slightly gold when happy dark green when mad or deep brown when sad she also loved her shoulder length brown hair she just loved to brush it till it was silky smooth. Placing her dainty golden circle shaped tiara upon her head she prepares herself for the day mentally. Not knowing if the strange man will even like her or not.
Shaking her head at her thoughts she collects herself and leaves her room snapping orders to the servants who await for her orders now that the king is dead. Emma instructs them to clean and prepare the castle for a wedding and sends someone off to get the royal seamstresses. It wouldn't do to go to a wedding without the gown after all.

 

[carnor_jax]

Peter took a leisurely morning, allowing himself to sleep in and enjoy a full breakfast. The relief showed on his face, they had completed most of what they had wanted. He had conquered this land, only one more thing stood in his way to make it official. He had his officials prepping their takeover of the administration of the kingdom, he would want to keep some of their officials to ease the transition. He knew that it would be hard for the general populace to adjust to a new ruler when one had sat on the throne for so long, but as always things change.

After he had finished his meal he had his administrators come in and start to brief him on the situation. He was pleased with their reports, everything was going according to plan. After they had finished he decided it was time for a ride, he had them pull his personal body guard together to accompany him.

He mounted his horse and started to ride towards the city, he sat straight up in the saddle knowing that all eyes would be on him. He wore a bland blue tunic with a brown leather coat. They road slowly, taking in the city as he went. He saw the castle up ahead and decided to pay the princess a visit. He smirked as he nodded to one of his guards of his intention.

 

[shyvirginsub]

It was two days till the wedding and Princess Emma was frustrated at herself. She had no reason to be feeling nervous about the upcoming wedding day but she was. Pacing back and forth from one side of the room to the other she goes through the list in her head. Funeral taken care of, wedding dress done with a surprise twist. All that was left to do was to reassure the people. Going to her locked chest she unlocks it and gets out her most prized possession her riding clothes. Her father had always hated it when she wore them so she always locked them up upon her return. Peeking outside her door she makes sure there aren't any servants around before stealthily making her way to the kitchen using some of the secret passageways to avoid being seen. The only one who sees her is the elderly woman who runs the kitchen she turns a blind eye knowing the princess needs her space. Making her way to the royal stables she gets her jet black mare Anaialiel out of her stable and jumps on bareback. Come on girl let's run. Signaling with her thighs to start.

 

[carnor_jax]

Peter slowed his column as they neared the castle, the imposing spire rose before him in a dark gray shape. He was impressed by it, whom ever had built it had done a good job, it was a formidable structure. The houses had thinned out and there was not much else between them and the castle other than open space. He watched as a figure emerged out of the castle riding a horse and coming towards them. Peter waited for the figure to get a little closer before he started to move towards it.

He smirked, from what he had heard the the princess she was a fuller figured woman. He pressed his heels into his horse to pick up the pace as he closed the distance between them. He knew that they would eventually meet, he hadn't intended on this being their first interaction, but it would be interesting.

He held up hand ordering his guards to stop as stay where they were as he continued on towards her. She had seen them and he was pretty sure she had figured out who they were by her reaction. They were getting closer now, he let the smile fade from his face as they got closer.

"Its good to finally meet you Princess" he said as he drew up next to her, he stopped his horse as his dark brown eyes took in her figure. "I do find it odd and little reckless for you to be out with out any protection" he said his tone holding steady.

"I'm sure this is a safe land" he said as a slight smile appeared on his lips "but you never know when you will run across someone who may intend to do you harm."

 

[shyvirginsub]

Princess Emma frowned as she saw a man riding up her eyes widening in surprise as she sees that it her soon to be husband. "Its good to finally meet you Princess" he said as he drew up next to her. She blushes as he looks over her voluptuous body; though when he goes on to say "I do find it odd and little reckless for you to be out with out any protection. I'm sure this is a safe land but you never know when you will run across someone who may intend to do you harm " she grits her teeth then looks up at him with feigned sweetness. "I'm never without protection my lord I have my dagger at my hip and excellent archers who watch from the trees. Raising her arm she holds up 2 fingers and an arrow lands directly in front of his horse.

 

[carnor_jax]

Peter raised an eye brow as the arrow landed close to him, he held up his hand steadying his guard "That is very good to see you have some idea of what your getting into" he said as he smiled at her. He did like that she was a full figured woman, it would be more fun to enjoy what she had to offer. He turned his horse to face the same direction she was heading. "So where are we going on our ride" he asked as he started to move on.

 

[shyvirginsub]

Princess Emma smirks for a moment before saying "my father never really helped raise me much and mother died when I was little. The guards took pity on me and taught me the basics on how to defend myself. When not being forced to learn etiquette and grace I would sneak away to ride Anaialiel's dam or play with the village children. I am fiercely loyal to my people and I won't turn my back on them in times of crisis. "

 

[carnor_jax]

Peter nodded "Well that is very good to hear" he said as he watched her. "I'm sure that will serve you well" he said as he watched her. "Having that bond with your people can be a very important thing" he continued "having them on your side will make ruling them all the easier" he said.

"Now" he said as he stopped his horse "We need to return to the castle, there are some administrative details we need to attend to" he sad as he looked at her.

 

[shyvirginsub]

" I do believe that we have two more days till the wedding thus any changes to the kingdom can wait till then", princess Emma replies as he tries to turn her back to the castle. "I've never ruled over my people I've worked side by side with them even if it means getting dirty that's why the people are loyal to me more than they were to my father. Now if you'll excuse me I must tend to my people while they are still mine" so saying she turns her horse and gallops back towards the village.

 

[carnor_jax]

Peter watches as she moves away from him, he raised an eye brow. He was surprised that she was so dismissive of him that is something that he would most certainly remember to correct her on. He headed to the castle and worked with his administrators to take over. He placed all of his people in the positions that he needed them in. The staff was converted to his, and he had the flags replaced with his colors.

He had the things removed from the kings chambers and replaced with his own items, the other things were placed in storage. He was having dinner served to him in the great hall when he saw Emma walking into the room. He looked up and motioned for her to have a seat "Wont you join me" he asked.

 

[shyvirginsub]

*He probably thinks I'm rude now* she thinks to herself. She couldn't help what she had said to him he wasn't even giving her a chance to get used to him. He came galloping up as if she should be glad to see him and then had the gall to look at her as if he was undressing her with his eyes. That sort of thing always made her uncomfortable. She dreaded going back for she knew he would be waiting. Eventually it became dark and she headed back. She wasn't happy to find he had replaced the castle staff now she'd never get any alone time. As she spots some of her father's things being removed she loses her temper. Heading towards the dining hall she spies him eating dinner. "Won't you join me", he asks. "Like hell I will it hasn't even been three days like it's supposed to be and you've already removed my father's things changed the flag and completely replaced what staff I had left with people who are only loyal to you. I will not be talking to you till day after tomorrow when you are supposed to be taking over. Apparently a king's word isn't worth much anymore.", she responds. Turning around she stalks back towards her room thankful for the meal one of the village women had pressed upon her. Emma didn't think she could stand another moment in his presence without wanting to strike at the man. His arrogance astounded her. Locking the door behind her she also blocks off the secret passages to her room as well as covering the spy holes. Falling back onto the bed she wonders what will become of her. There's practically nothing left for her to hold on to and she can't hide in the village. They were innocent. Slowly she drifts off to sleep.

 

[carnor_jax]

Peter smiled as she stormed off, good, he thought as he let her go. It would be so much more fun to keep her off balance this way. He went to her room after he had attended to his maters for the evening. Finding her doors locked he called one of his armed men "Chop it down" he said as he stood back.

He watched as the wooden door was made quick work of, strolling into the room he smiled "I just wanted to bid you good evening and sleep well" he said as he moved to where she was in the bed.

He sat down on the edge of the bed "Your actions earlier were totally out of line, and I assume that in time you will want to apologize for them" he said as he watched her face. He held up a hand to stop her from talking "You will find that I can be a reasonable man but I do expect my subjects to obey me and that includes you" he said coldly.

"I will let your insolence pass this one time" he said "but don't expect that to happen again" he said as he stood up.

"Now sleep well princess" he said as he headed for the splintered door.

 

[shyvirginsub]

As he leaves she mutters to herself, no wonder everyone wants him dead he's dam tyrant! He's lucky he didn't come any closer or try to lay a hand on me. "as she pulls a small dagger from under her pillow. If he kept this up she might just leave without telling anyone ; she'd grabbed a few days worth of food from the kitchen a when her father had left just in case. None of her people knew and if she dissappeared they would blame the new king Peter and they would never follow him they would leave the kingdom

 

[carnor_jax]

Peter smiled as he left her room, he was going to enjoy this. He thought as he made his way to his chambers and went to sleep. He woke up early and had breakfast before he started to attend to his duties. He went about the running of the kingdom, getting his people in places where they could run things the way that he wanted them run.

After he had finished with what he felt needed to be done he went down from the court yard to the garden, he wanted some time to himself. There he found Emma. "Good morning princess" he said as he walked over to her. "How was your sleep" he asked.

 

[shyvirginsub]

"It was fine until you chopped down my door and woke me up by tearing it down. God forbid you knock on the door like a normal person; the people may be your subjects but I'm not, and just because I'm a woman doesn't mean I'm inferior either. Thanks to that stunt you pulled I had to make other sleeping arrangements. (she didn't tell him she had taken a secret passage to the stables. She'd made do in the hayloft. Her father hadn't even known she slept there on occasion when he was in one of his moods. His beatings of her as a child had made sure she had safe hiding spots.) So you'll need to forgive me for being grumpy. I was needed early this morning for a final fitting for the dam wedding dress for day after tomorrow. As well as to check on a couple of things", she snaps.

 

[carnor_jax]

Peter smiled at her attitude, it was going to be so much fun to break her of that. "I'm sure it was all a misunderstanding" he said with a laugh "I wasn't expecting any doors to be locked to the new ruler" he said as he stood next to her. "Perhaps you would have learned that little lesson had you joined me for dinner instead of running off" he said as he walked around the garden. "So how did your fitting go" he asked "I hope that you think that the dress is appropriate for our ceremony" he said.

He stands next to her "And I am sure that your attitude with shift in time" he said "at least I hope so for your peoples sake". "I grow weary of it" he said as he started to walk around again. "I realize all that you have been through and am trying to be accommodating" he said as he walked over to the exit. "Have a nice day princess" he said as he headed back to the castle.

 

[shyvirginsub]

Emma is confused as he starts out with a sorta kinda apology only to have him make it look like her fault. He keeps going never giving her a chance to speak he asks about the dress fitting and if it would be appropriate. She smiles in her mind at that one it would be appropriate for her and her people and the time of mourning so it was a black and red dress.
"And I am sure that your attitude with shift in time" he said "at least I hope so for your peoples sake". "I grow weary of it" she starts from her thoughts at the implied threat against her people. "I realize all that you have been through and am trying to be accommodating"he continues as he walked over to the exit * I sincerely doubt it* she thinks. "Have a nice day princess" he said as he headed back to the castle. Confused, angry, and sad she walks towards the armoury grabbing her bow and quiver stalking back out she pulls her archers gloves on. Setting her eyes on the targets.
" Just" THWAK! "Who" THWAK "Does" THWAK "he" THWAK "think" THWAK "He" THWAK "Is! God dammit. THWAK THWAK THWAK. She hates him so much but why does she like it when he takes control. She keeps shooting trying to work out her feelings. She has tonight and tomorrow night then she will be forced to marry that brute.

 

[carnor_jax]

The next day passed quickly, Peter had to attend to the business of transitioning the country over to his administration and to his people. He spent most of his day meeting with his advisers and some of the local administrators who were willing to retain their positions under a new ruler. This left him no time for other things that he would like to be doing. He had not seen Princess Emma in a day, he was sure that she was much happier that way but he had enjoyed teasing her so. He knew that she was getting prepared for the wedding the following day.

He had met with the tailors and had his outfit fitted to his liking and knew that they had all of the proper people to be at the ceremony. He went to bed early that night knowing that things would begin early the next day.

He awoke and got ready, there would be a steady stream of people that he had to see today. It was a festive occasion and you could feel the excitement in the air.

The day passed an the time for the ceremony came. He entered the great hall and made his way to the front and waited for the princess to enter.

 

[shyvirginsub]

Princess Emma had spent the previous day cloistered with the married and widowed women of the village. She listened as they all recounted their first times, all of them painful. Though supposedly it got better and not as painful the next time. Emma felt herself blushing as they described some things quite graphically. It was her duty to in the marriage bed to take her husband's seed etc etc. They kept going on and on so Emma stood up and excused herself saying simply, "Ladies I'm sorry but I must take my leave it is beginning to get dark and I must get up first thing in the morning to be married after all" her tone a bit angry at the end. She rides back to the castle tears in the corner of her eyes. She just hadn't been able to handle all of the forced happiness from them. She didn't sleep easily that night. Tossing and turning in her nightmares.

All too soon it was time to get up. Her handmaiden pulling open the curtains blocking out the sun, forcing a groan of unhappiness from Emma's throat. Sitting up she rubbed the sleep out of her eyes. Sighing sadly she follows the girl to the bathroom taking care of her personal business she climbs into the tub letting her body and hair be washed. Getting out she is dried off and made to lay on the bed. She knew what that meant. The dreaded wax session, biting the pillow as the hair on her legs and arms are removed. After her session she was rubbed down with lotion and scented oils. Finally she is ready for her dress. A corset is wrapped around her waist and chest displaying her breasts more prominently. The dress is slipped on her body and buttoned up the back. Emma smiled at her image in the mirror as she was made to sit back down as her hair was brushed into luxurious waves that fell to the middle of her back. She knew he would be surprised since she wasn't wearing white. It was mainly red with bits of black lace. It was meant to signify her sacrifice for the people and the state of mourning she was in. A bit of make up and she is ready.

It was time. Standing up she leaves her room and slowly descends the great hall staircase, her head held high. She glared at Prince Peter as she makes her way down. Letting him know silently that he may have won her country but he hadn't won her.