Reuben of Alistair

The sound of his sister’s voice immediately brought a smile to Reuben’s face. As she linked her arm with his, he slowed his pace, now not quite so desperate to look as if he had a destination in order to avoid mindless conversation. His free hand lifted to rest over hers for a moment before falling back to his side. 

For a moment, Reuben tried to conjure some sort of quip in reply to her words, but what came out was less a joke and more a contrite expression. While he still had fond memories of those first years spent with Gen and her family, he preferred not to think too much on his opinion of their relationship from those days. Yes, he had always seen her as a friend and an acceptable companion, but it had taken years before he’d started to realize how much more than that that she was to him.

“Ah, Gen, I was a foolish boy back then,” he said now, giving a shake of his head. “I wasn’t smart enough to realize how lucky I was. It’s a miracle that you even tolerated me until I came to my senses.”

Genevieve stopped walking when she heard his words. They were merely a foot away from their destination, but all thoughts of exploring the gardens had left her mind in that moment. 

She hadn’t been so naive in the beginning to think they would be happy together. Hopeful, yes, but not naive. She knew that there would’ve been a chance he never would have grown to love her. And their engagement was not something she could have broken even if she would have wanted to.

“Ah, Gen,” he sighed, glancing up at her, “I’m not quite certain that I deserve you. But I thank the heavens for putting us together.” 

Genevieve was fairly certain that today truly was the happiest day of her life. Even from the moment she woke up, it was different from every day that came before it ( though that was likely due to her mother immediately having her prepare. ) Yet despite her mother’s ramblings and orders ( or requests, as the woman put it ) it seemed that she was walking on air.

The festivities of the day had ended, and she truly had enjoyed herself. Though, of course, she doubted it would be possible to be anything less than joyful on her wedding day. She turned to her husband with a smile. Husband. She would be glad to say it for the rest of their lives. 

But no. He had known it was real as soon as she had taken his hand in hers, holding each other’s gaze as they were finally announced as husband and wife. He had barely allowed her to release his hand ever since that moment, but he knew that she had to converse with their guests, as did he, and so he had settled for keeping her in his sights at all times. 

When they were finally at each other’s sides once more and her words met his ears, he couldn’t stop the grin that spread over his face - nor did he want to. He reached for her hand, pulling her even closer until he could press a kiss to her lips, his free hand lifting to cup her cheek. 

“Oh, most certainly,” he agreed, attempting to shift his expression into something mockingly solemn though the thought of Lady Everette and the King having a contest of ambition made it nearly impossible. 

As Genevieve continued speaking, however, he let his smile return. He reached for her hand and brought it up to his lips for a moment before lowering it again, though he kept their fingers laced together. 

“And I will forever be grateful,” he agreed softly, so that the words were for her only rather than any passersby who could be within hearing range. 

Genevieve couldn’t help but chuckle at his solemn expression, knowing very well both of them found the situation humorous. She knew she would love to see a contest of ambitions between the two. 

She was glad to see his smile return and a blush rose to her cheeks as he kissed her hand. It wasn’t uncommon, but it was so gentle that it always seemed to surprise her. She truly was head over heels in love with the man beside her.

She chuckled, shaking her head softly. “I seem to recall you did not always feel that way.” Genevieve had certainly been much happier with their arrangement from the start, but she was just a girl - still a child in many ways. “There were times I swore you wanted me to just go off with someone else.” This made her laugh wholly, though she quickly calmed herself so as not to draw too much attention. 

Even now, as the noise began to die down, Reuben wasn’t sure what had happened. Everything had been quiet, pleasant; and then suddenly, it hadn’t been. His reflexes had kicked in, then, defending himself and whoever he came upon who needed the assistance against their attackers. 

Throughout it all, however, he had had one thing on his mind; his family, both by blood, and not. It didn’t take long for him to confirm that his father and sister were both safe, but Gen… Gen was nowhere to be found. Every person he came across had seen neither her nor her sister since before the attack had begun, and each passing moment sent another rush of panic through his veins. 

The voice behind him finally brought him out of the fog that his brain had begun to produce, his gaze falling to Cassemir as the other man headed in his direction. He moved to meet him across the floor, every muscle still tense in preparation of a fight. 

“My father and sister, yes,” he replied quickly, giving a sharp nod. “My fiance, however… Both she and her sister are nowhere to be found.” 

He paused for a moment, brow lowering to darken his gaze before he looked back up. “And yours?” 

Cassemir frowned at the mention of the two missing women. Just what had been the motive of these men? How many women had they taken? And where were they? “My family is well, but our governess is missing. My wife had just relieved her when this attack began.” And it took far too long. His arm came to - hopefully - comfort the younger man, though he was still tense himself. “We will find them. They can’t have gotten far, and I’m sure the king will have all the knights looking day and night.”

Reuben’s frown only deepened at the mention of yet another missing person - and Aphria’s best friend, at that. Was that the reason the governess had been taken, or were there others they had yet to know of just yet? 

He tried to take the older man’s comfort to heart, tried to allow it to give him hope, but it didn’t work quite as well as he knew it was meant to. Just because the king’s men would be looking, there were no promises that they would like what they found. At this point, he could only pray that the prisoners were being kept alive for some reason or another. 

Thankfully, he was pulled out of his quickly darkening thoughts by Cassemir’s question. It took only a moment of thought before he was shaking his head. 

Reuben tilted his head as he thought about her question, another chuckle escaping at the thought of Genevieve’s mother amongst the court as she surely already was at this moment. Why couldn’t he stop laughing whenever she was around him? Whenever he was alone, he could go days without laughing, without even smiling aside from the polite one that his standing required of him at times. But it seemed nearly impossible to act that way around Genevieve. 

“Perhaps not more impressive,” he replied finally. “Not always, at least. But certainly more ambitious.” 

Genevieve loved to hear his laugh, loved to see his smile. They were two things she hoped never stopped. “I think my mother is more ambitious than the king at times,” she agreed. She giggled before she spoke again. “I will thank my mother for it because of one thing, and one thing only.”

“Oh, most certainly,” he agreed, attempting to shift his expression into something mockingly solemn though the thought of Lady Everette and the King having a contest of ambition made it nearly impossible. 

As Genevieve continued speaking, however, he let his smile return. He reached for her hand and brought it up to his lips for a moment before lowering it again, though he kept their fingers laced together. 

The sounds of swords clashing together was still ringing through his ears as he ran through the palace. The only thought on the duke’s mind was seeing his family. He had to know they were safe. He was nearly certain that - once he’d finally found them - he would never let them go again. But let them go he did when he heard that their governess had not been found. In fact, she was nowhere to be found.

Cassemir ran through the halls searching for anyone he could to find a way to rescue the women. “My Lord!” He called out when he saw the man. He ran towards the lord as quickly as he could. “Is your family safe?”

Throughout it all, however, he had had one thing on his mind; his family, both by blood, and not. It didn’t take long for him to confirm that his father and sister were both safe, but Gen... Gen was nowhere to be found. Every person he came across had seen neither her nor her sister since before the attack had begun, and each passing moment sent another rush of panic through his veins. 

The voice behind him finally brought him out of the fog that his brain had begun to produce, his gaze falling to Cassemir as the other man headed in his direction. He moved to meet him across the floor, every muscle still tense in preparation of a fight. 

“My father and sister, yes,” he replied quickly, giving a sharp nod. “My fiance, however... Both she and her sister are nowhere to be found.” 

Reuben gave a huff of laughter at her words before nodding. 

“I’m not sure there’s anyone who could truly understand your mother,” he replied. “Her ideas far surpass most minds; at least within the courts.” 

Though he paid enough attention on their path to keep from plowing into anyone or anything, most of his attention was on Genevieve, taking in every feature as if he hadn’t seen her in years when it hadn’t been even half so long as that. It always seemed as if he couldn’t get enough of her smiles, the way her eyes sparkled in the sunlight, whenever they were first reunited - and even after long periods together, her features would suddenly catch him off guard as if he were seeing them for the first time all over again. 

“You believe my mother to have more impressive ideas than those at court?” Genevieve asked, the hint of disbelief in her tone. Perhaps it was true. Her mother could be a bit conniving at times, and it was usually to increase their status. 

Her fiancé’s attention did not go unnoticed, but Gen had little complaint. There were times when - after so long apart - all she wanted was simply to look at him. The way his smile seemed to bring one to her face, his bright blue eyes. Sometimes she swore she could drown in them. And her heart always seemed to skip a beat whenever he was so near to her, and she prayed that never ended. It was too wonderful a feeling to ever leave her.

Reuben gave a soft chuckle at her words; he could indeed imagine all of the work his future mother-in-law had been putting in to make sure her daughter was in the best position that she could be. 

“Oh, I’m certain she is,” he agreed, doing his best to look at her sympathetically, though the expression was mostly ruined by the smile that remained on his lips. He made sure that while, to anyone who saw them, it would seem as if he was leading her, that that was not the case. Rather, they were walking side by side, leading each other instead of one taking control of the other. They both knew where they were going, and there was no reason to hurry. “I am even more certain that you’ve been taking it with as much grace as always, though.” 

Genevieve was glad that he understood - or at least knew her mother well enough to understand. Her mother was intense in many ways, but Gen knew that she only wanted best for her children. ( That had been the woman’s motivation for her betrothal, after all. ) Life had an odd way of working itself out.

“I’m not sure there’s anyone who could truly understand your mother,” he replied. “Her ideas far surpass most minds; at least within the courts.” 

The moment he spotted Genevieve walking towards him, the small half-smile Reuben had settled into as he was bounced from conversation to conversation grew into a genuine grin. He moved in her direction until they were face to face, his hand immediately reaching to take hers. 

“Believe me, there would be never be any convincing necessary when you’re coming to my rescue,” he said, keeping his voice low enough for only her to hear. As he finished, he moved to press his lips softly to the back of her hand before offering his arm. “I’ve missed you, Gen. How have you been?” 

Genevieve was glad that he seemed just as happy to see her as she was him. A slight laugh escaped her lips at his words, and she shook her head gently. “I will always come to your rescue, Reuben.” That much would forever remain true. She took his arm and began the walk towards the gardens.

Genevieve had had a bit of time since arriving at the palace to herself. Much of that time had been spent learning where it was she would be staying for the time being - however long it took the King to find his successor. She had not been entirely alone, though, as she’d met a few new people and caught up with some whom she had not seen in quite some time.

A smile came to her face as she saw her fiancé walking down the hall. Her pace picked up a bit, though still as graceful as always, to meet him. “I don’t suppose I could convince you to walk through the gardens with me, could I?” she began, her tone gentle. “I believe it is the one place I have yet to explore.”

The moment he spotted Genevieve walking towards him, the small half-smile Reuben had settled into as he was bounced from conversation to conversation grew into a genuine grin. He moved in her direction until they were face to face, his hand immediately reaching to take hers. 

                                                  The Druid 

“A jack of all trades nature magician, they are often a “worshiper” of nature.” 

Introducing Reuben, the 32 year old Lord of House Alistair. He is a Warlock and bears a striking resemblance to Richard Madden. Sorry, he’s taken.

Biography: 

Reuben grew up in a house of magic between himself, his younger sister, and his mother. He has always been happy in his home, though he disagrees with his father’s methods more often than not. Despite their differences, he has always tried to get along with his father and he knows that his father is proud of what Reuben does to help the kingdom. When it comes to his sister, Reuben has always been protective of her, despite her own magical abilities that even he admits make her more than capable of taking care of herself, however, after the death of their mother, the protectiveness only grew. He knows that she wishes he would marry, that he would focus all of his attention on The Peacemaker, but he can’t bring himself to leave his sister to her own devices regardless.

He doesn’t remember when, exactly, he became aware of his magic. It seemed to be something that he has always had, a part of him just like the freckles that appear on his arms when he’s spent too long in the sun. He does, however, distinctly remember the talk his parents had with him, explaining how he had to be careful of using his abilities in public. He also remembers the pride he felt that he was allowed to be included when they had had to explain the same to his sister.

He and the Peacemaker have been engaged since he was 16, and at first, he found that he did not have a particular opinion on the matter aside from slight indignation that he would not be able to choose whether he even wanted to marry or not. However, as time went on, he quickly grew fond of the younger girl and they became fast friends. Once they reached an age that their parents deemed acceptable for the two of them to travel together, they set out to various places around the kingdom, wherever her kindness and his magic were best suited to help. He’s known for a long time of the Peacemaker’s feelings for him, but while he’s always enjoyed her presence, it wasn’t until a few years ago that he began to match her feelings. Now, he cannot imagine a life without her by his side and hopes that, unlike his father, he will never have to experience it.

Personality: 

+ Loyal, Knowledgeable, Honest 

- Impulsive, Strong-willed, Blunt 

Relationships: 

The Peacemaker (Fiancee): The two have been betrothed since young childhood and have grown up working together keeping peace throughout the kingdom.