Emelia Raske

The journey between kingdoms was quite long- Longer if you add in the fact that his people traveled by carriage and not the odd things that humans called “Cars” which could go quite fast so he was told. Long days had passed since he had originally departed from his castle and he was staring to feel as if he was going to go crazy.

The elf rested his chin in the palm of his hand as he stared out the carriage window, watching the scenery go by. It was obvious that he was far from his own country, but he hadn’t a clue just how far he was from his destination. Closing his eyes, he let out a small sigh.

The discussion of a treaty between the humans and elves had been familiar to him, the recent king was trying to make allies in his people after the centuries of his kind being mistreated by the humans and it had been up for discussion for many years now, as his father had the right to be wary, after all he outlived these humans by hundreds of years.

But to be told by his own father that he, the youngest son, would be sent off to live with the humans and marry one was quite hard to hear. Kai would do anything to keep his people safe, he always put the needs of the elves before his own.. But he was to marry someone who could be his daughter’s daughter’s daughter. It was odd to think about and even harder to imagine, after all, he had never seen a  human before in his entire life.

Upon hearing a knock to the carriage door, Kai opened his eyes and straightened up before the door had been opened, alerting him that they had arrived. Feeling a bit surprised that they were closer than he expected, he emerged from the inside. Stepping onto solid ground, the elf glanced around briefly. It was… Plain to him, compared to how bright and rich his own kingdom was this looked completely and utterly dull.

It wasn’t like the humans palace actually looked run down or anything, it was just how vastly different the elves had their cities from the humans had Kai feeling a bit more judgmental than he hoped to be when he arrived.

Taking a deep breath, he closed his eyes for a moment before opening them back as he exhaled. There was no smell of the forest nearby, he wondered how large this city even was, but he would keep his questions to himself since he was to live here for who knows how long. He chose to keep the thought of outliving his bride far in the back of his head.

Offering a warm smile to those who came to escort him and the few hands that traveled with him, he followed the human servants inside the main door. Before he was to actually be shown where he was to rest in, he had to go to the throne room to meet not only the king.. But the girl he was to marry.

To be honest, Kai wished he could actually rest before he was to meet anybody.

As he finally entered the throne room, his gaze immediately went towards the young looking female inside. She most certainly did not look as if she was a servant, so he assumed she was his bride, not only that, but the more he walked in the room, the more he realized just how short she was.

It wasn’t like he was a giant, but she had to have been the shortest adult he had ever seen in his entire life. But he knew better to let that surprise show on his face..Perhaps a little too well, as his warm expression had quickly faded to a very blank one when he stopped. 

The Princess's words were hostile. But why wouldn't they be? The rest of her life had been sold for a treaty. Though Emelia understood the necessity of that treaty, her role still upset her. For years she had begged to have more of a voice; to help strategize and make decisions. She was now being given the opportunity to help her people, but it was not how she wanted.

Was that all she was good for? Becoming a wife? Bearing children?

Her mother, The Queen, chose not to respond to her daughter's words. Instead, she gave her a quick tap with the hairbrush. A warning. 

"There. Perfect," her mother states after pinning one last piece of uncooperative hair.

Emelia, then, took in her own appearance. Green eyes searched their own face before coming to rest on a reflection of themselves.

'You could run,' her reflection seemed to say.

Nobody would expect it. If she was quick, she could make her escape in the night. She could be long gone before anyone knew to look. But would she be able to live with herself? Is she betrayed her family, her people, would she be able to sleep at night?

"They've arrived, my lady," a voice called from outside the door, pushing her thoughts back until a later time.

This was it.

Her father and brothers were already in the throne room when the two women finally entered. Felix, the second Raske child, gave her a sympathetic look when their eyes met.

Arild, her eldest brother, didn't look at her at all.

Standing there, waiting for her future husband to walk through the door, Emelia could feel her nerves rising. Of course, she would never show it. No. Instead, she stood proudly; chin up and brow raised. 

Though she wasn't sure what she expected, what came through that door was not it. He was unlike anyone she had ever seen before. Not to say he was ugly or frightening, in fact, he was quite attractive. But his expression was almost cold, or was she imagining that? It was just-

"Welcome!" Her father's voice boomed, jolting her out of her thoughts. "I take it your journey went well?"

God, she was glad their roles weren't reversed. Emelia couldn't imagine going alone to stand before his family. She felt bad for him but did not show it. Instead, she studied him. The way he moved. The way he spoke.

"I am King Amund. My wife, Katherine. My oldest son, Arild. My second son, Felix." Each family member bowed when addressed, and Emelia anxiously prepared herself for her turn. "And, of course, my daughter, Emelia."

Her eyes, for the first time, meet his and she hesitates before bowing.