Thread: Love Between Kingdoms (Viola + nladisha)

Prince Geoffry of Axelia knew what he had to do. Both his father and his older sister were counting on him to make this marriage work out. Geoffry had never met Princess Serenade of Elendor, but he had heard of her beauty. That at least made the upcoming marriage easier to stomach. Otherwise, he might just turn around and head straight back to Axelia. Then again, he would do a great disservice to his king, future queen, and the people of his realm. It would come at a time where Axelia was facing a threat far greater than thier petty feud with Elendor. Three hundred years ago, ships from a distant continent called Tierria arrived in Axelia bearing men and women possessing wealth and power far beyond anything Axelia and Elendor had combined. For a hundred years, Axelia traded with Tierria for riches and finished products Axelia couldn't produce itself. Axelia's power grew. Then, 200 years ago, the continent-wide kingdom ruling all Tierria, the Sunlit Realm, broke up in a bloody civil war. From the ashes, rose two great powers the former province of Marinia, where the Tierrian ships set sail from, and the ancient core of the Sunlit Realm, Sierria. The two powers fought a bitter rivalry, much like Axelia and Elendor. To compensate for the disruption of interstate trade brought about by the Sunlit Realm's division into feuding kingdoms, Marinia and Sierria demanded resources from Axelia on a scale it could not maintain. When Axelia couldn't deliver, Sierria and Marinia began showing an interest in Elendor. Both nations were powerful, and possessed weapons and technology that, if they fell into the hands of the power-hungry Elendorans, would upset the centuries old balance of power. The only option would be to sign a new treaty with Marinia or Sierria in exchange for weapons to keep thier position of power. Geoffry had seen those barbaric things, and had heard tales of what they could do in combat. He would never wish that sort of destruction on anyone, not even an Elendoran. He personally prefered the grace and class of a sword to the speed and deadly efficiency of a rifle. Now, more than ever, Axelia needed peace with Elendor, if for nothing else than to avoid the slaughter of thousands of Axelians. Are you nervous? asked his sister, patting his shoulder. A little, admitted Geoffry. It's hard to stomach the thought peace hinges on something as small as marriage. Afraid she won't like you? I've never met her, and you know better than I the lies the Elendorans say about our people. What if she believes them? I don't see what's not to like, laughed his sister. She reached up and ruffled her little brother's dark, chestnut colored hair. You're rather handsome. That was true. Geoffry was tall and well developed. He had evenly tanned skin, and a body toned by swordplay and archery. Still, he had youthful, boyish look to him, making him appear slightly younger than his 23 years. There were many girls in Axelia who would have killed to be his bride. His face flushed the way it did when he was a child. What are you trying to do, make me look like a slob with unkempt hair? If you two are finished being children again, I do believe it is time to meet with Elendor and his daughter, thier father interupted. Geoffry's cheeks flushed even more, especially when his mother and brother-in-law chuckled at his embarassment. For the gods' sakes, he was to be married! He needed to prepare himself to meet his bride, and he didn't want to give the impression of being an immature fool. He paused to regain his composure, grateful for the screen of the Axelian honor guards. When he was ready, he nodded at his father, who gave the guard captain the signal to continue on to the Elendoran throne room.