War Dove (Closed to Firmhanded_Daddy and Marine)

[marine_biochild]

The two kingdoms had been at war for the last three solstices. Rohesia was the second daughter to the king, Berolt. Her sister, Avilina, having previously been promised to her now husband was living in the next kingdom over. The war seemed as if it would never end for their kingdom. Many had forgotten what had sparked such a bloodthirsty time. It was late in the evening when her father came to the door, her mother having already retired to her bedchamber, wishing to speak. The news he brought was not welcome, nor comforting as he sat at her bedside.

"Roh, my dear. I have word from our enemy. They are tired my darling just as we are. The fighting, it must come to an end, the war must finish but there must be an agreement. An arrangement if you will."

The pit that seemed to grow in her stomach forced her to bide her breath. She could sense what was coming. Knew that she was of age, had been for plenty of time now per the norm.

"There shall be a wedding soon. It shall be yours."

It was the last night she would remember of peaceful times in her castle.


Four Months Later

Rohesia stood at the long mirror before her. Her chemise was smoothed and her dark black kirtle straight against her slim body. It took some straightening and patience but soon she stood, her braided hair wrapped elegantly and her dark green dressing gown tightly tied. She was the pinnacle of elegance and the stride of beauty as she took her first steps towards the hall. Although she was graceful her features held little emotion. She had spent the last four months preparing for this day. The day she would meet the man who would become her husband.

Her stomach clenched, the taste of bile stinging her nose. She had never wanted to marry. She had been promised an easy life. A life without worry. Her mother was pregnant again, with a child they swore would be a boy. The heir to the thrown giving her, as the middle child, a life without hardship.

"Things change my dear Roh. The future is never promised and promises are never forever.

Her fathers words rang in her ears from that fateful night. This marriage was to unite the two kingdoms, to bring peace in a time of war. She knew that it was the right thing to do. Knew lives would be saved, but she couldn't quite help asking about her own life. Who was this man who would soon own her. Who would become her life. Would he expect an heir? Love or affection? She could only hope he was kind hearted, and not as old as her father. Images of an old unkempt mongrel seemed to stick her mind, causing her to pause in the long passage. She had to trust her father not to doom her to a life of misery. Her sister was happy and she had been given away.

A deep breath and a face of courage was all she had as she stepped into the large dining hall. It was time to meet her betrothed. She only hoped the gods would keep her.

 

[Firmhanded_Daddy]

The war had been long and bloody on both sides. It had claimed far too many lives including the lives of the eldest of the three brothers of the K’nair line. Donald K’nair had stepped up to take his brothers place when his brother had died, but he felt completely unprepared to be heir to the throne. His brother Connell had been the expert warrior, tactician, diplomat. Peace had even been on the table at one point before until the late prince was killed on the way to one of the peace talks. That was when the war fires heated up again.

Donald picked up the sword for his fallen brother and led the armies of Farlaeh on a quest for revenge. As the death toll rose, and the hard winter came his blood cooled and he started to see the foolishness of his actions; no amount of slaughter would be enough to bring his brother back. When his parents began talking peace, he was open to the idea. However when his father mentioned the word marriage things did not go over well; his irate voice boomed from his chest and could be clearly heard echoing through the great hall. “You want me to wed one of the his daughters?!?!? Have you forgotten the last time we tried to make peace with them?”

He practically spat the words. By the stricken look on his Mother’s face, she had not. He instantly regretted his outburst. “Mother forgi-“

He never saw the backhand coming, but he did see the world turning upside down, and the stars and streaks of color. His father was on in years, but he was still one of the strongest men in the land. He was well known for wielding a great two handed maul that with a single swing could crush a man in full plate. With one hand he had sent his son sprawling and left him on the floor, barely conscious. Connell had been more like you father. Donald mused as he struggled to remain conscious. He spat blood from his mouth and started to slowly rise to his feet.

He used his tongue to check to see if he had all his teeth. Remarkably all still accounted for. He met his Father’s gaze and inclined his head. “I deserved that. I apologize. I was out of line. I will do what must be done to secure peace if it can be done.

******************************

Four months had passed and now he was standing in a great hall. There was a large fuss being had as he refused to remove his weapons. The master at arms was as politely, but firmly as possible informing him that he could not meet with the Princess while armed. He, with no veil of politeness told the master at arms that he could take the sword off of his corpse. He would not surrender his weapon. If he wished, he could peace tie the weapon. He would surrender the weapon to the Princess, and only her.

There was much discussion, a few arguments among the footmen and men, one soldier even went so far as to even half draw a weapon before there was a hissed warning from the master at arms. Finally it was agreed that the sword would be peace tied.

With this done, the Prince surrendered his long bladed dagger and was allowed to enter the castle. He was given a small room to wash the signs of travel and to change out of his armor and into more suitable attire.

His short black hair fell loosely as he rinsed the journey from his body. He let out a heavy sigh and offered a prayer to the Gods. He had no idea who this woman was that he was meeting, what she looked like, her temperament; he knew nothing. He stared into his reflection in the water, his green eyes glittering back at him. He had no choice here; this must be done. Drying himself with the towel provided he changed into a light blue tunic and dark slacks.

He now carried the weapon in his hand, not mounted on a sword belt, but just as if it were an item to be presented rather than wielded. He followed the directions he had been given and that was when he found himself standing in a large dinning hall, staring across from a beautiful red headed woman. He was taken aback at first. He stared at her for a moment, not quite sure to make of her, he had not expected her to be so…stunning. Then he took a step forward. Unlike his father he was not a brute of a man. He was six feet all, but he was more lean muscle than his father and elder brother. He still had the same square jaw and deep set, mysterious looking eyes all the K’nair men had.

After recovering from his initial shock he closed the distance between them slowly; his deep, rich voice carrying well in the dining hall. “Are you Princess Rohesia? I have something for you. It is not really a gift… more of an offering. Whenever a K’nair Prince goes to war a special blade is forged. That blade is wielded until there are no more men left to pick it up, or there is peace. When there is peace we make it a gift to he or she that was once our enemy. This blade once belonged to my older brother. He was the first man to speak the words peace. It is only fitting that his spirit be here when that peace is sealed. May there be no more need for swords.”

The final words were almost intoned as if part of some sort of ceremony, then he dropped to both of his knees and placed the blade and scabbard in both palms flat out in front of him extended to her, waiting for her to accept the blade.

 

[marine_biochild]

She need only wait a few breaths before a tall, dark hair gentleman came walking in. He did not look like a soldier, nor did he look like a prince in the simple tunic and slacks. His face was strong featured, straight jaw and damp hair but what fixated her was his piercing green eyes. A stark contrast to his hair and calm appearance. There was strength in them as he came to a stop before her. She wondered how many he had killed of her own people. Taking not of the blade in his hand she became slightly uneasy. Knowing full well the master of arms should have removed any weapons from his person she fought the urge to step back when he stepped closer.

Speaking her name she gave a small nod of acknowledgement before he began his short speech. Taken aback by his words she stood motionless as he bent before her. She had been bowed to before, but never in such a manner. Gathering herself she slowly took the blade. It was heavy in her hands, the hilt adorned but well weathered with use. She ran a thumb over the sheath her words mulling on the tip of her tongue. Finally she looked back to him she spoke very slowly for the first time, picking her words carefully.

"Prince Donald I assume. I will accept this offering of peace and I think you from the bottom of my heart that you agree to ending this war. It is a beautiful gesture and while we speak and keep accords this sword shall be our safe reminder of the sacrifice has been for our people as a whole." Feeling as though she had done his offering justice she took another breath, feeling as though she needed to steady herself. "Please... we are equals here....as we are to soon share a life together I must ask that this be the last time you bow to me." Reaching out she touched his arm gently to urge him to his feet.

As he stood she couldn't deny that he was a striking man, nor was he to old for her. She had to admit to herself that some of her worst fears had been calmed. "Come, let us sit and talk. I would like to gain some knowledge about the man who has been promised my hand." She tried to hide the trembling of her voice. What was one to say in such a meeting? Her mother had told her to be herself but what was that when in the presence of such a man? The only men she had met were her fathers comrades who were like uncles to her and the men who seemed to bow at her feet before going of to die in a war they didn't ask for.

Lost in thought she could feel his eyes on her, those piercing green eyes that made her want to hesitate. placing the sword on the long table before them she rest her hands on the cool oak. "Donald I ask your forgiveness, this is not a common place occurrence for me. Although my sister was promised away as well I was but a wee thing all those years ago. For I am at a loss for words." She turned then, resting her backside against the edge of the table while her hands folded before her, her fingers just visible past her long sleeves as they tangled between each other.

The war had been long, and although she knew it was to be over she couldn't help seeing the enemy before her, no matter how handsome or calm he was. She had been conditioned to see him as such. Deep down she knew he wouldn't hurt her, he couldn't for that would spell another war between their kingdoms but she also knew that many would not be happy with this marriage. There would be backlash, anger and hate from the joining. Joining....her cheeks flushed at the thought. They would be expected to consummate said marriage. To truly become one. Swallowing the nervous lump in her throat she tried to seem at ease.

"Please, tell me of your ventures and your wants. What is it that I should know about you and your family. I know only what is trickled back from our men."

 

[Firmhanded_Daddy]

He was holding his breath. This ceremony had been performed many times in the K’nair history. Most often it was accepted with grace, but on that rare occasion the blade was used to kill the Prince whom offered peace. Would she choose hatred over peace again? He did not think this woman capable from looking into her eyes, but there had been so much pain between their people anything was possible.

When she took the blade and spoke, he felt a rush of relief, and inwardly he offered a prayer of thanks to his brother’s departed soul. No more need for swords.

“Thank you.”

It was all he could manage to say. There was too much emotion tangled up for him to say anymore and it was too plain in his voice and on his face. There was no anger there, only relief and gratitude. Somewhat in something she had said, she touched a chord in his heart.

He rose as she urged him to and he collected himself. As she continued to talk he could tell that she too was a bundle of emotions. He was a trained soldier, and as such was taught how to read people. He could sense the barely restrained tremble in her voice, and see the tension in her posture.

Instead of sitting across the table from her he made a bold decision, he sat in the chair next to her. Letting out a slow, deep breath he placed both hands flat on the table and looked at them for a moment as if trying to gather his thoughts

“Let us start simple and be honest with each other. I have a feeling neither of us was ready for this, nor wanted this. Until a year and a half ago I wasn’t even the direct heir to the throne. I was expecting to serve in diplomatic and military roles for my brother until he was murdered coming here for peace talks. This is not an accusation or an attempt to cast guilt Rohesia, I am trying to explain my position. I went from preparing to be a military advisor and a diplomat to being the heir apparent and the general while mourning my brother. Now I must forgive the kingdom responsible and marry you to seal a peace agreement he should have settled almost 2 years ago.”

He paused and looked up from the table and turned in his chair to look directly into her eyes.

“And your circumstances I am certain are no better. I know you have no wish to marry me. I represent every atrocity committed upon your people, and yet you are expected to surrender yourself to me, to love honor and obey me, for us to produce an heir together. The idea must make you sick.”

He very slowly and gently reached out and took her hands in his, keeping her eyes. “Right now what we want does not matter. We must establish peace at any cost. It is my hope in time you will come to care for me and I you, but from this moment on I will do anything to maintain the peace including give my life for yours. Make no mistake, we are not safe, not even here in your own castle. It would be a simple thing to have someone take my life, or yours and fan the flames of war once again.”

 

[marine_biochild]

His voice was gentle, almost reassuring as he spoke to her. Taking a seat beside her she listened intently as he told her of his brother, of the way the war had shaped his life. She could remember her fathers words. The future is never promised. She wondered what the future would hold for them. In time would they truly come to care for each other? Could they learn to love? In that moment she couldn't gasp at such an idea. Couldn't see a path to love between them even if it was there. Her own heart was clouded with self doubt and anger. Anger for the future forced upon her, anger for the war she herself had to end by ridding herself of the happiness she had been promised. Her fathers voice was heard again. Promises aren't forever.

"The idea must make you sick."

His own voice broke through her thoughts, feeling his warm fingers clasp around hers. His gaze kept hers, those green eyes that seemed so piercing a few breaths ago now held an almost pleading look to them. She noted that the look was not becoming. It didn't fit such a striking gaze. She found she couldn't stare into them, fearing they would pierce her soul if she did. Letting her gaze drop she watched their hands. She had never thought about the odd thing it was to hold hands but as they did she wandered if she would ever truly get used to such a thing. Her mind was swimming, forcing itself on different paths in the hopes of ignoring the man and the issues before her.

A deep breath seemed to ground her, forcing her back into the here and now. He spoke about their safety. Of the dangers such a marriage would bring. She couldn't only agree with his fears. Turning her hands in his she took hold her green iris' meeting his. "Before this war... I was to have an easy life, a worry free life. My mother is laden with child making me the middle. They have prayed to the gods, and the gods have heard. There shall be an heir to the family, a baby boy that will take my place on the thrown. My eldest sister has been given to a neighboring kingdom, the wife of a prince who shall soon take the thrown. She has come to care for him deeply. I, don't remember much of the union. I was only a child but I do remember the fear she seemed to have on that day. The doubts she used to speak of." Her fingers twitched in his grasped, tightening slowly.

"We....will be guarded but even then we can not trust the guards. Peace will die with us if such a things happens. I can't allow more of our men to die. I can't watch any more widows crying for their lost husbands. We shall keep our kingdoms together in peace if it is the last thing we do." With a nod she could feel her heart squeeze. This was for her people.

 

[Firmhanded_Daddy]

He could see the battle raging within her written plainly upon her face. She did not want this, but she did not want war. She knew that the only answer to prevent war was to give herself as payment. Just as he had come to terms with this fact, she was coming to terms with it. He felt her fingers wrapping around his hands and listened to her words of affirmation.

He leaned back against the chair with relief. He looked as if the chair itself was the only thing holding him up at the moment. He had been worried that she would reject the union, reject him and burn the world to cinder. Now they were resolved to seek peace together, they were conspirators for hope. They were targets for every knife in the dark. He did not release her hands, instead he lightly tightened his grip with a nod of his head.

“Together we will make this work. We have to make this work. I am sorry that this war, and that I am stealing what was promised to you away. I hope that in the years to come what I offer you in return will make the promises I replace them with much more treasured things. My father may be the most feared warrior in the realms, but if I mistreated my wife? Well you will understand when you meet my mother. She is a fierce woman who would not stand for that.”

He broke the serious tone with a warm chuckle.

“I suppose I should tell you of my home, seeing as you will one day rule it by my side. My family for one are known for being fierce and passionate. Our land seems to mirror that as the climate has both extremes. In the summer the temperatures soar to sweltering highs, in the winter the snows are so terrible that they can sometimes bury the draw bridge with drifts.”

He smiled at her a little crookedly. “Your people have always had an advantage in better steel, and numbers. My people have made up the difference in pure toughness and will. Once the hatred dies away, when our peoples can call upon one another for aid we will have one of the most devastating armies in all the realm. It will be a deterrent for anyone to attack us.”