Set It Free

*Title taken from the Lauren Aquilina song 'King'*

Characters: Morning Glory, Solandis, Titan, Thyme, Amethyst, Crystal

“I’m sure Solandis will understand.” Titan said, trying to comfort Morning Glory. “It’s not like you’re never going to see her again.” Morning scowled, upset that her mother hadn’t even considered how this whole arranged marriage thing would impact her life. Titan knew she had a girlfriend, and then she’d gone and done this.

“You’re making me break up with my girlfriend of two years for what, some random SilkWing?” Morning hissed, her scales a darker red than she’d ever been before. Titan sighed, rubbing her forehead. They’d been having this argument for a few days now, ever since Titan had received Queen Swallowtail’s approval and told Morning what she’d been doing.

“Glory, please, just go meet her. I know it’ll be hard to tell Solandis, but this is for the tribe.” Titan urged. Morning paused. Her mother had said ‘meet HER’. She’d assumed Titan had gotten Morning engaged to a prince, which was part of why she was so angry. But Titan had always been accepting of Morning being lesbian, so it made sense that she would do something like that.

“Who is it?” Morning asked, finally admitting defeat. Titan smiled lightly, and passed her a letter. Morning read it a few times, then looked up at her mother again. Princess Mourning. She sounded sweet from the letter she’d written, but that wasn’t total proof they’d get along. “And when do they want me to be there?”

“Thank you, sweetheart.” Titan said. “Swallowtail said sometime this month, and I’m sure you’ll need time to tell Solandis. I think next week will be the best choice.” Morning nodded slowly. She had a week to break Sol’s heart and figure out how to not hate her mother for it. Easy.

Morning stared down at the circlet in her talons. She couldn’t bring herself to wear it, though. It would always be her mother’s crown, not hers. She sighed, and carefully placed the circlet back on the shelf where she kept it. If the other queens found it weird that she wasn’t wearing a crown, then that was their problem.

“You should wear it. You look more confident.” Morning turned to her wife, smiling at Solandis. She’d tried to stay quiet, so Solandis wouldn’t be woken up, but apparently she didn’t have to do that. Sol was already awake, which wasn’t unusual. She had managed to walk up to Morning while she was focused, and tucked a wing around her.

“It’s still too painful, Lan.” Morning said, leaning into her hug. Solandis pulled her close, resting her head on Morning’s. Sol’s scales were soft purple and gold, and Morning grinned. Pride and excitement. “I don’t think I can do this. I’m not the right dragon to be queen.” Sol scoffed, hugging Morning tighter.

“Stop that. You’re not a failure, Morning. You’ll be a great queen.” Solandis said, and Morning sighed.

“How? I’m named after one of the most famous queens in our history, there’s no way I can live up to that.” There was a reason she went by Morning, and not her full name. Morning Glory. She didn’t feel like she was good enough, and she didn’t want to be compared to the ancient queen as soon as another dragon heard her name.

“Morning, look at me.” Sol said gently. “You’re not Queen Glory. And that’s a good thing. We need someone who can lead our tribe through peace, and that’s you. Just because you’re named after her doesn’t mean anyone is expecting you to be like her.” She reached around Morning, picking up the circlet. She settled it on Morning’s head, and stepped back to adjust it, smiling. “There. You look perfect.”

Morning sighed again, reaching up to take the circlet off, but Sol stopped her. “Morning, trust me. It looks good on you.” She urged.

“Alright, alright, you win. I’ll wear it.” Morning laughed. “I love you, and I’ll see you when I get back.” She hugged Solandis tightly, and left the platform, flying towards the tunnels. She would be fine, as long as she trusted herself. And Solandis, of course.

“I think Amethyst might be closer with Crystal than she claims.” Thyme said quietly, and Morning glanced over, following Thyme’s gaze to where Amethyst and Crystal were sitting and talking. The two of them were smiling and laughing, but it just looked like friendship to Morning. She gave her sister a confused look, and Thyme raised an eyebrow at her in return.

“I'm pretty sure you're making things up.” Morning said. “They were at Jade Mountain together, of course they'd want to catch up after years.” There wasn't much else for them to do, since the other queens hadn't arrived yet. Morning, Thyme, and Amethyst had been the second group to show up, and the CaveWings, as always, were early. Usually only Wolfe came to the meetings, but this time, one of the other groups sent someone.

“Wow, you're kind of oblivious. I'm surprised you ever managed to figure out Sol liked you.” Thyme teased, and Morning tried to hide the brief second of pain that gave her. She was still trying to get over her grief for her wife, but it was hard. Thyme must have noticed, because she tucked a wing around Morning. “Sorry.” Thyme said quietly. “I didn't think.”

“It's alright.” Morning said. Solandis had died years ago, and thinking about her hurt less than it used to. She glanced over at Amethyst and Crystal again, and she smiled. “Okay, no, you're definitely right.” She said, nudging Thyme. Crystal had flicked their tail over Amethyst’s, and the RainWing had gone pinker than usual. They looked happy together, which Morning liked. Amethyst had always seemed worried about something, even when she was young.

“She could do a lot worse.” Thyme pointed out, and Morning nodded. She didn’t know Crystal, but if their leader trusted them enough to send them in her place, Morning felt that was a good sign.