The Long Game | Chapter One
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works
Hi guys! I wanted to come here and post the full first two Chapters of my first ever publicly posted fan fiction! This started off just as a little passion project for myself from my childhood love of Aphmau and the ACU but I never really lost that love for the worlds and characters, and I thought I would share the story I write this time!
It might not be perfect, but I am having such fun writing it! This is going to be a long fic and have a bit written so far!
Id love to know your thoughts as the story unfolds, I genuinely love writing and am trying to grow as a writer and storyteller!
Again, Thank you! ❤️
The Ro'meave family estate was never one particularly know for excitable qualities, despite its two youngest members only being the mere ages of eight and six years. Though this morning brought a new flurry of life into a normally dreadfully dull palace, as word moved fast from the head of the Household Lord Garte to the staff who scurried around the house in preparation for the new dowager princess to arrive.
The oldest Ro'meave child was beaming with excitement as he ran through the halls in his new armor his father had gotten him only weeks before after expressing his longing to train to be a knight when he grew old enough to begin training.
As he ran through the halls he began to hear the whispers of the house staff who had all been a flurry of hushed words and excited smiles to each other
"Oh I hear she is quite the little thing-" one women said as she wiped down a shelf
"-Oh I know. I heard that she was born so small due to issues of the Lady of Falcon claw. They were sure the Princess would even make it her first few hours if life when she was born. People says she was sickley to-" another shattered back
"-Oh the poor baby. I could never do what they are doing with the poor girl. Give up my child and send her off somewhere to never see her again. Especially this young!-" another women spoke
"-well I assume her lady hadn't much a choice. She has already given his lordship a son, that is all he cares for much like any of the lord's. A princess is nothing good but for alliances." An elderly women spoke
Garroth's eyes widened. Someone was coming? A princess? Good thing he was wearing his armor than! He must go to ask his mother for confirmation, he was never quite sure with the gossip floating around his large home, so straight to his mom he would always go.
"Momma!" Garroth shouted running down the hallway towards his mothers quarters. His parents had never stayed within the same bed chambers. A rule, or perhaps an agreement long before his own time.
"Momma!" He ran up to her door nearly running into the door. His gloved hand came to knock on the door 3 times.
Only moments later the door opened and his mother came into view from the now opening in the door wearing a long white draping gown, her jet black hair falling down past her shoulders as her green eyes look down at her young son.
"Hello Garroth-"
She kneeled down pushing the door open more
"How are you doing today?" She asked her bright eyed son
"Hi Momma! I am good! I heard something though." Garroth told her
"Oh? Is that so? What ever did you hear?" She asked gently
His metal covered feet twisted slightly back and forth
"Well….I am unsure if it to be true, as the ladies who help keep the home clean….you know the nice ones-?"Garroth started looking at his mother for confirmation that she knows what and who he is talking about.
Zianna smiled and nodded
"Yes Garroth, I do. Go on."
"Oh! Okay, good! Well, I heard them talking! They said a Princess was coming! Coming Here! To our home! And I don't know if it is to be true! But, I thought it was a good thing I was wearing my new armor right? To protect the princess! Ive never met a real princess before! Is it true momma?" Garroth rambled excitedly
Zianna's eyes widen, but her small son was none the wiser looking up at her in childish wonder.
"You are right Garroth. There is a young princess coming to live with us." She smiled just enough to keep him from worry
"Really! Why? Where is she coming from? Who is she? The nice ladies outside said she was tiny? Is she like……a baby?" Garroth jump around until his last words where he cocked his head to the side looking to his mother with confusion waiting for an answer
Zianna put her arms out for Garroth to walk into.
Garroth pursed his lips but walked into his mother's arms and was picked up and placed on her hips as she closed the door behind them.
"Momma?" Garroth asked
Zianna sat onto her bed and placed Garroth down.
"Her name is Princess Amara. She is five years old-" Zianna began but is interrupted
"Only five years old! Mama she is younger than Zane!" He said cheerfully
"Only by a few months Garroth. She will turn 6 here with us."
"So…..she is only a little bit smaller than Zane?"
Zianna nods
"Where is….Princess Amara from?" Garroth asked
"Hm. She is from a village called Falcon Claw in the Lycan territories."
"She's a wolf?!" Garroth exclaimed
"Oh no, Garroth. Her ancestors were, yes, but she is most definitely not." Zianna told her son's
"Oh..good. I am not sure father would like getting hair all over the house." Garroth told her
Zianna only hummed.
"Are her Mother and Father coming to stay with us as well?" Garroth's eyes lit up at the idea of more potential friends around their hollow home
"No, Garroth." Zianna shook her head
"Huh?" Garroth's smile quickly dropped
Seeing her son's sudden change in mood came with the knowledge that Garroth now wanted to know more than a child his age should have to bear the knowledge of, but her son was smart, and Oh so kind. She knew the questions weather she answered them now, or in 5 weeks, would come all the same.
"B-but…..she is only five. That is only the number fingers on one of my hands Momma."
Zianna just looked sadly down at him
"She is but a baby…..why is she coming without her Mom and Dad? Do they not love her-?"
That is when Zianna needed to interrupt. Her hands coming to the sides of the small boys face
"You are right Garroth, about a many things, but, do not ever question the love a mother has for her children. Less a mother who is not here to defend choices not made by her own hands." She told him
"But-…..if her mom loves her so, why is she coming here alone?" Garroth asked gently, a small quiver in his voice
"Because sometimes Mom's who love their children very very much, have no choice. Her father and your father felt it best she come here without them…without her mother." Zianna told him
"But why? Why is she to come here? Who is to care for her?" Garroth asked
Zianna sighed softly
"Her father and Your father came to an agreement. A treaty to bind our two kingdoms through marriage-"
"Marriage?" Garroth asked
Zianna nodded
"Amara is betrothed to your brother, Zane. She is being sent here, to grow up alongside your brother and on the day after her 16th birthday she will be Wed to your brother." Zianna told him gently
"T-to Zane?"
Zianna nodded
"Just as one day you will be married to the daughter of the Lord of Scaleswind. You remember Nicole."
"I-….Yes, I do but-" Garroth stuttered as he grappled with the idea of anyone being married to his younger brother.
"It is no different Garroth-"
"But to Zane?! He-……but he is so…-" Garroth tried to find the words
"Now dont make jest of your brother. He will grow one day and will be a good man." Zianna spoke, mostly in hopes that her words would be right.
Garroth just looked at his mom like she spoke a foreign language.
"But Garroth-"
He looked up at his mother seeing a seriousness settle over her face.
"She is going to need someone very brave to help her get used to being here. To being without her parents-"
Her eyes searched her son's
"Someone just like you, to protect her. Do you think you can do that?" Zianna asked him
Garroth's back straightened and he sat there silent for a moment longer.
He then curtly nodded his head once
"Good. She will be most appreciative to have a brave knight like you to protect her." Zianna smiled
Garroth jumped off the bed, his metal armor clattering as it collides with the floor.
"Knight Garroth at the Princess's service!" He exclaimed holding up his sword
Zianna could only laugh gently at her son's antics
