Thread: The Weight of the Crown (JellyFish & Greeneyed23)

Aretha had been laying in a soft bed of mossy plants, staring into the stary sky. She traced the twinkling lights of the stars while picking at the soft petals of a middlemist camellia. The bright pink hues of the flower that darkened to a deep scarlet reminded her of a sunset evening. Heavy lidded, she felt herself about to sink into sleep when she heard her mother's voice call out to her. At first she thought herself dreaming, but the voice only go louder. She sat up, looking around the garden. Spotting the brightly decorated gown of the Queen, she flinched hesitantly looking to her own clothing. Not only had she come outside in her sleeping robes but she found sticks and leaves that clung to her stubbornly. She got up, hurriedly brushing away whatever she could and dashed over to where her mother stood. H-hello, mother. Beautiful evening isn't it? The queen gasped in shock, a hand flying to her opened mouth. Aretha! What on earth have you done to yourself? Frantically, Nila tried to pick the pieces of leaves from her daughter's hair. To go off and do this to yourself! And we have a guest approaching! The queen shook her head, crinkles forming on her brow. A sign that she was displeased. Aretha hung her head, looking to the ground where her mother's turquoise dress flowed. I apologize. I simply wanted some fresh air but I was too brazen in my ideas. My darling child, you make me worry so... Nila briskly turned away from the girl, heading to the opened gates of the garden's door. The lights of the castle caused Aretha to become dizzy, since she accustomed herself to the blackened sky. She held her head for a moment, her hand scratching against the sharp twigs. Then it struck her. What guest? Nila continued to move, the servants skittering about like frightened children as they prepared the palace. Did you not hear the bell? It still chimes. A Souled has arrived and is now wondering the kingdom. Everyone is getting ready to greet our guest while you are out stargazing. Aretha stifled a cry of protest but held her tounge. Her mother was right, and she was in the wrong. Instead she focused her attention on the bells. They were indeed chiming, why hadn't she taken notice before? They sung a strange melody, a choir of thousands of small bells, breezing through the air. But she heard a darker ring interrupted the harmony. It banged as if a drum keeping a steady beat. She shivered, somehow the tune was no longer beautiful but a forewarning of the future with it's moody lullaby. A Souled? Why would one come here? Do you know why the stranger comes now? Are the dragons declaring war upon us? Her mother flicked her hand, softly murmuring. I don't know why, dear one. For all we now it's a hoax, but we must take caution. A servant opened the door of Aretha's bed chambers allowing the two women to enter. But Nila grasped Aretha's hand, squeezing tightly. Aretha, I beg of you. Don't do anything foolish and stay away from the Souled. You have been taught to keep away from such things and people. You've had lessons in simply keeping to yourself and making no eye contact. Don't allow yourself to forget, my little wanderer. Nila cupped her daughter's head placing a kiss in her debris filled hair and quickly took leave. Aretha stood in the door of her room, confused and fearful. Her mother had spoken her worries and now they imprinted horrid ideas in her mind. But she wasn't able to dwell on those thoughts as Ellen took her and swung her around. Child! First you trick me to going to sleep, then you disappear, and when the Dragon Bell rings you don't even have the sense to come running! Of all ignorant things to do... The old woman sat Aretha down in a chair, muttering to herself of the foolishness of girls. Aretha paid no mind as she looked into the mirror in front of her. Her reflection showed a wild child, a girl with no upbringing, a girl with no polital standing. Yes, she looked much like her mother but they had one very simple but noticable difference. Nila had the brightestblue eyes she had ever seen on a woman while she had simple brown orbs. She frowned before answering her maid. I never heard the bell and I don't understand why I must care. The Souled has no interest in the King's children just the King himself. She clenched her eyes when a hard object made contact with her head. She glowered at Ellen the weapon of her choice in hand. A wooden brush. Excuse my abuse, mi'lady but I think your common sense needed to be knocked back into place. With that, Ellen said no more simply brushed through the tangled strands of waved hair. Aretha clenched her teeth, her head being yanked back more than once and she thought her head would be ripped off at any second. Ellen ignored Aretha's whimpers and pulled out the plants. Soon enough Aretha was dressed in a ivory green dress. Made from taffeta, the dress behaved in a way quite similar to silk, in it's soft, luxurious glow that shimmered slightly in the light. The bodice and front of the skirt featured decorative, floral-patterned embroidery that is lined by black-frilled trim. With wide, full-length sleeves that were designed to hang off the wrists, the sleeves also had black-frilled trim around the forearm, while the interior of the sleeve echoed the floral pattern displayed on the front of the dress. Aretha spun while Ellen nodded, admiring her work. Suddenly a servant burst through the doors and pulled Aretha out without warning. Mi'lady! You must hurry, we have no time to lose! And so he pushed her down the lite halls, speaking in paniced words. Halfway to where her family waited, she shoved the servant off unable to stand his insufferable ramblings. I can manage myself, thank you. Stiffly, she walked to the closed court room. She remembered that it was rarely ever used much less thought about by the royal family. It was distanced away from the main court, the dark and morbid themes sure to scare off any sane person. Sucking in a breath, she pulled open the door only a crack to allow herself to slip inside. She saw her father already sitting down in his throne and her mother by his side. But much to her regret, all of her siblings had managed to be there, six lined on the bottom steps of the throne below their father and five below their mother. With an empty spot waiting just for her. She rushed over to her assianged place, closest to where the queen sat and Aretha quietly stepped into place. With hands clasped, she cursed herself for taking her time.