Writing Prompt

It wasn’t the plan. It couldn’t be the plan. How could it _possibly _be the plan? How could it possibly _happen? _Mariel didn’t know. But it was happening, and there was nothing she could do to stop it. It was a risk; a stupid, ridiculous, dangerous risk. But it didn’t matter, really. She focused her thoughts back to the task at hand: her descent. It wasn’t like it was the first time someone had run away to be with their everything. Mariel pictured him as she picked her way down the trellis at the front of her house. Anyone could look out of their window and see her; but the city was asleep- and she was awake. Which meant, for now, she was safe from prying eyes. The mental image conjured instantly- dark green eyes perfectly contrasting with dark brown hair and sharp, pale cheekbones. She hit the ground. Felt the soft earth tremble slightly with the impact. She had read plenty of novels in school describing situations like hers as free fall. This wasn’t that. It was rock solid. Her dreams, her future, her destiny. Well, destiny was pushing it a little. She wasn’t _that _dramatic. It was tangible, something’s she felt like she could hold in her hands. And she actually could, if she managed to make it past the square and the guards stationed there. She reeled her thoughts back in, _again. _Although, Bone never really left her thoughts. He was always there. Which was why she was doing this. Why _he _was doing this. Mariel broke into a sprint, taking deep, even breaths through her nose and exhaling through her mouth. She could feel the burn working it’s way up her throat. She wasn’t a runner. After way too much physical activity for her taste— three minutes of jogging; maybe she was dramatic— she arrived at her biggest obsticale. The square. It was lightly lit with the warm glow of flames that spilled from the lampposts to the rocky cobble street below. Mariel had heard that some countries had created something called electricity, and while she didn’t know a whole lot about it, she knew that her country didn’t have it. A shame. But she didn’t need it anyway. None of her people did. Most of them were seeres. They could see perfectly well in the dark. She used her keen eyesight to spot the nearest patrol. They were on rotation, but Mariel didn’t pay enough attention to know when the rotations swapped out. There was a reason she wasn’t choosen to fight in the war. They could train her, sure, but her skills were better used elsewhere. This time of year, the sqaure was blooming with flowers; all different colors, shapes, and sizes. She was partial to the purple rangalas that tended to sprout in the middle of the square. They’re her mother’s favorite, and she had grown to love them, too. The smell- not so much. It was like inhaling rotten eggs and sulfur. To get to Bone on time, she would need to go through the square. Past the rangalas and the guards. Past her childhood. This was it. After she left, she’d never see Ranka again. Mariel started inching herself along the outer wall of the square, taking care to sink lower in an attempt to become the shadows. As she continued along the wall, leaving the alleyway she was camped in behind, she considered the idea that these guards could be seeres. There was no way to know, so she tracked their movements intently. They were turned away from her at the moment, looking up at the sky, possibly admiring the yellow dandals that wound their way up the cracks of the nearest stone wall. No, that was ridiculous; not everyone had time to admire flowers. They were just doing their job, keeping lookout. Mariel glanced around to check her progress, she was almost to the other side. Just a little further. She felt her weight rock. No, no, _no. _She could not risk failing at such a simple task. Run away from your family and everything you’ve ever known? Easy peasy. Except nothing was, apparently. She had tipped a little too much to the right, and now she was falling. The free fall was happening. She was definitely dramatic. As the concrete neared her face, or, rather, her face neared the concrete, she felt a fist at her back, grabbing her shirt in a bunch and tugging her with way more strength than she had into the safety of teh shadows. Mare turned to greet her stranger, perhaps with a thank you or a bolt out of there, when she saw his eyes. Bone. She couldn’t help it, her face split into a big grin. His eyes reflected her ridiculously happy expression. She could breathe again. Then her thoughts came back, and she tilted her head, her happiness converting into confusion. “What are you doing here?” She mouthed. His eyes twinkled. “Saving you,” he mouthed back. She punched his arm lightly. “Me? Needing saving? Never,” she breathed. He took her hand, fingers intertwining in hers, and tugged her slightly; motioning for the inching fest along the outskirts of the square to continue. He had just saved her, whether she wanted to admit it or not; but she didn’t care, she was ok with admitting her mistakes. That one of the things he loves about her. And it was something Mariel loved about Bone, too. The patrol had since moved on to another branching alley, leaving the dandals behind. She and Bone picked up the pace, and as they went, Mariel took the opportunity to study their intertwined hands; as she had done many times before. His were calloused from spending so much time in the forge of his city. They were tattooed along his fingers with bones, after his namesake. She had traced those tattoos too many times to count. Her light brown fingers tracing his pale long ones in the afternoon light. That was the only time they could slip away for long periods of time without notice. She looked back up to find that they had made it to the alley across from the one she started at. She would worry about how and why Bone had slipped into the city later, right now she had only one though. And, clearly Bone shared it; because as soon as they were behind the cover of some stacked crates, he whipped around and looped his arms around her waist, squeezing just the right amount. In response, her arms snaked around his neck, pulling them flush. He buried his face in her neck, inhaling deeply. She turned her cheek to rest on his shoulder. “I’ve missed you,” she murmered. “You need not have to ever again,” he whispered in response. “I love you,” she said. “I love you too,” he said, pulling back to examine her face, “more than you could ever know.” “Oh, I know,” she grinned. He grinned back, and lowered his mouth to hers. All of their problems flew away in that one kiss. Their warring people, their plan to run away, the things they would leave behind. It didn’t matter, because Mariel could live a lifetime fueled on this one moment. But she didn’t have to, because there would be many kore to come.

The kingdom of Thays sat in ruins.

Twenty years ago it was beautiful. I still remember the stories my parents told me as a child. A kingdom that welcomed all of the magical creatures. There would be various kinds of flowers blooming along the stone paths that the townspeople once walked. The sun was bright and cast a glow on the Golden castle that sat on top of the hill overlooking the town. In it was the royal family named Thay. The king and queen were gentle rulers that everyone loved. They listened to the people of the Kingdom and heard all of their cries, creating a sanctuary for the magical beings that the other rulers hunted down.

That was my parent's legacy. I stand here now, as Princess Amiria Thay, the daughter of King Dorian and Queen Maria Thay. I can't help but feel I've disrespected them. My kingdom was invaded and burned down. The place that once oozed quietude was now full of ruins and singed houses. The castle was long abandoned. My parents' grave alongside it.

I stood on the dark stone balcony that gave a gorgeous view of the Kingdom Alther and I appreciated it, but not enough to forget the tragedy it caused my people.

I was betrothed to the firstborn son of King Berdread long ago. I hated him at first. I found Prince Kingston to be very egotistical, lacking knowledge of his Kingdom's dark past, but over the past year, he has proved to be more than that. To be more than his father is.

"The Kingdom offers a beautiful sight," I hear him say before I feel him walk up from behind me and wrap an arm around my waist, pulling me back onto his chest. "It will never be as beautiful as my future queen though."

"You always aim to flatter me, don't you?"

"Should I not," He asked and raised a brow, peeking down at me.

"No," I laugh gently pushing back into him. "Keep doing it. I love it when you compliment me."

"I know you do."

His other arm wraps around my chest and his hand rubs my shoulder. The warm breath from his mouth felt gentle on my neck when he leaned down and kissed it. I never imagined being here. I couldn't see a future with him in the beginning, but he wrapped his hands around my heart and warmed it, causing it to soften for him. Our Kingdoms still war with each other, or at least what's left of mine. The townspeople who had escaped in the initial war are still fighting. While I do my part and try to create peace between us.

His father still rules with an iron hand, but he won't for much longer. Not if we have anything to do with it, because now I have the Prince of Alther on my side fighting with me.

The blood pounded in her ears like a drum, the ballad frantic and uncoordinated as dust scuffed under her boots in a background symphony. If she swallowed, she’d taste the blood of her swelling lip. Sharp as a thorn on her tongue, and as bitter as betrayal.

“Leave her alone— She didn’t,” Leviathan’s voice faltered, stuttering off into a choked gasp. Her throat constricted around the words, like prey in the maw of a beast. “She didn’t— She’s innocent!” She pleaded, red crescents boring into her palms from where she clutched her hands into fists.

Mother halted, her dress of mauve silk bunching around her white-knuckled grip, “You— You’ve brought shame upon us. Upon this family,” She whipped around, pupils shrunk and frenzied in— in anger. Her tone was sharp, each syllable another dagger in Leviathan’s heart, carving past the mortal flesh and deep into her soul.

“Brought shame upon _me. _Levvie I—“ Mother froze, eyes softening as salty pools gathered in her waterline like a mural submerged. And just as quickly as her hesitation began, harsh waves of electric, crimson fury bubbled back up. “Leave. To your chambers, wherever you wish, I care no longer. Just— I ask that you leave me be.”

Leviathan shrunk back, lip quivering. She halted. It felt as though she was yelling over the rapids, desperation muted in a cacophony of waves. “Mother, please. I am begging.” She dropped her gaze, mouth pressed into a thin line lest she wails like a newborn. “She did nothing.”

“Maybe not her.” Her mother’s— the queen’s— voice cut through her eardrums like the whip of a flying arrow, “but her very family. That same family that… How could you disregard what they have put us through? Put your own sister through.” Mother rasped, and Leviathan didn’t need to look up to know the tears had fallen. Her outer shell shed like the trees during red-leaf.

Leviathan clenched her jaw, hissing, “Im not disregarding Eqi. How— How dare you?” She jerked her head up, the scowl pulling at her expression evident in her voice, “I loved Eqi. And… I love Chirre. This is not a familial matter in the sense you think of it as.”

“It is, whether you’d like it to be or not,” Mother spat, the wind picking up at their feet and threatening to bring her sayings with it.

“Please, just this once, let me— Let me have this,” Leviathan cried, “Her loss is not to be forgotten. I have never forgotten, on the morrow I will remember. Each of the four seasons I will mourn, but—“ She blinked back the tears threatening to spill over, “—But I do not plan to mourn another. Not Chirre.”

Mother shook her head, “No.”

Leviathan paused.

“No. No, you— you will not mourn her. Because you have not loved her.” Mother’s lip curled around each word, strained and vacant of mercy.

“She will be sent past our walls, to the second most gate—“

“Mother, no—“

Her voice only grew, echoing through the vacant courtyard, “She will. She will be kept under watch until her damned family makes an effort—“

Leviathan’s brows furrowed, teeth grinding painfully. Blood dripped from her palms. She shouted, “They will not let her off easily, she may be banished, even, please mother. Don’t put her through this— don’t put me through this.”

Mother turned away on her heel, away from Leviathans fogging gaze. And yet, facing away, the wind carried her words to Leviathan like a bountied secret.

“We’ve been put through one too many tragedies as is, but this time,”

Dread pooled in Leviathan’s gut, breath hitching. Her face wet, eyes growing splotchy and red.

“I am doing what’s best. For you, for me.”

“For our family.”

Dusk was setting fast in the horizon: orange mixed in with red and yellow undertones. The cool winter breeze caressed my skin, and I shivered. "You're cold," he said and draped his arm around my wrist, bringing me closer to the warmth of his body. Almost immediately, my body relaxed into his, and I sighed. "I wish this day would never end," I whispered defeatingly, trying to fight back the tears that were forming in my eyes. He stared off into the distance, not uttering a word. There was nothing he could say that would change our fate. Tomorrow, when morning came, he would be sent off to join his father's army, farther than he had ever been, to a land so cold that nothing ever growed there. It was punishment befitting his transgression. He was already promised to someone else—a strategic marriage set in motion when he was only a babe. An alliance that would secure his father's kingdom for good but would doom him instead. We were both victims of the gruesome game of being born into royalty. You rarely got to choose happiness. This was no exception. As the sun slowly set, I breathed in his unique scent, trying to etch it into my memory forever. I wanted to foolishly believe that I would see him again someday, that he would find his way back to me. But that was foolish sentimentality. If he somehow managed to survive the war, he would be shipped off right to his wedding ceremony, and that would be the end of all childish hopes and dreams. When the last ray of sunlight dissolved into the night sky, I turned to him. "See those stars?" I asked him, pointing to a pair of stars shining brightly together. "When everything is said and done, when we have fulfilled our earthly duties and we can leave the trappings of our mortal bodies, I will wait for you there, and we will be together." Once more, he chose silence, but a squeeze of his arm told me everything I needed to know: he too would meet me there.

“Yes, Daddy!” Annabeth answered, but of course, she would visit Ivan. And of course, she hated the fact that her father thought all Cornians were lunatics. She didn’t know many Cornians, but - well - at least Ivan wasn’t one, so: ‘My father is wrong, no matter what,’ she decided. Her heart was struck by Cupid: and she would willingly do anything for Ivan. She was going to save him. She took a look at Ivan in the newspaper. He was lying in the cell in the bed, staring at the camera. His eyes were just as crystal; only that they were dark blue like the space instead. He looked as if he didn’t care, setting his hands under his head, looking relaxed. However, he was grimacing slightly. For some reason, Annabeth could imagine what he must be thinking: probably ‘I hope Annabeth won’t read this’. If this is so, unlucky - she’s read it already.

At midnight, Annabeth pulled on pants and a T-shirt. She tied her hair into a ponytail. She stuffed a silver dagger into her bag as she sneaked outside. She closed the door carefully with a ‘_snap_’. Outside, the moon was bright, _shinning onto the road_. There were no sound except the owls hooting loudly. The wind was _cold and chilly_, making Annabeth _shiver and sneeze_. Quickly she pulled a jacket off the laundry rack and put it on. She knew she had no time.
She moved her feet silently as she ran across the grassland towards the entrance of the forest. She knew the whole village by heart. There was only one prison cell there - in the _centre of the forest_. She _shivered_ at the thought that she had to go into the forest in the middle of the night but urged herself on. She couldn’t believe the fact that she was now going to save a person from another country: it was like a novel. She had enjoyed reading them, but right now she was terrified. She finally understood why the characters’ teeth had all _‘clattered with fear’_, and sighed softly, _“Ah me!”_ Exactly what Juliet sighed on the balcony in _Romeo and Juliet_. She imagined how Romeo replied with _‘Speak! Speak, bright angel! Speak!’_, only that the face she imagined Romeo was _her handsome, beloved Ivan Casper_.

She went into the forest. It had rained, and the forest was damp and misty. The ground was wet and slippery. Raindrops trickled down leaves and fell onto her head with sounds of _‘plop’_, as if it was raining in slow motion. All forest animals were in their nests and burrows, a lucky thing, for she would _jump up in shock_ if a snake suddenly slithered in front of her.

After what seemed years full of fear and worry, Annabeth arrived at the prison. She hid in a bush at looked out. It was just a large cage, only that it was in the forest. She was utterly furious. What if it hadn’t rained? Insects and wild animals could enter the prison anytime they wanted, and the prisoner would be hurt. She suddenly remembered her father reading a newspaper when she was about _five_. When she had paid attention to what he was saying, he was reading aloud the words _‘…saves to time for execution. Just dump him or her in and wait for him or her to die…’_ She had asked her father what it was about at that moment. Her father replied _uncomfortably_, “It’s nothing, dear Bethy. Now run along to play with Chrissy - she’s waiting for you.” She was _innocent_, and she would have never imagined the truth, so she answered ‘Yes, Daddy’ at that moment and ran off to find her friend.
She thought of Chrissy - of how she told her of meeting Ivan, of him bringing her back to the village. Chrissy had been _stunned_ for a few seconds, then patted her on the back and whispered, _“Don’t worry, I’ll not tell anyone.”_ So Chrissy must have known that Ivan was the Cornians’ captain’s son! She must have noticed that Ivan’s surname was that of Captain Casper.

Annabeth took a deep breath and walked to the prison. _“Ivan,” she said softly_. She looked inside and suppressed a yell of shock as Ivan’s crystal blue eyes _glittered in the darkness_.
“Eh! What - what are you doing here?” Ivan whispered furiously, “Go! Go now, Annabeth! Before they catch you!”
“No, no, I can’t!” Annabeth cried, “I’ve come to save you - and you’re calling me to leave? No, I’d never. If you don’t let me save you, I’ll stay here until the guards come.”
_“Now, be reasonable, Annabeth,”_ Ivan lowered his voice and said gently, _“When the guards come, we’ll be in trouble. Go now, before you have no time!”_

_ “I’M NOT AFRAID OF IT!” Annabeth yelled, “AND SINCE YOU INSIST, I’LL MAKE THEM COME HERE RIGHT NOW AND GRANT YOUR WISH.” “Hush!” Ivan whispered. He sighed, “Since you insist, you… you may stay.”_ “Yay,” Annabeth cheered softly, “I’ll get the key… wait for me.” She walked to the back, where there was a chair for guards to sit. The key was on top of it. She took it out of the hook and walked back to Ivan. “The guards aren’t here. Guess they left because it was so cold,” Annabeth told him, smiling, “Pah! The lazybones.” She inserted the key and twisted it. There was a creaking sound, and the door opened: out came Ivan, as tall and bold as usual. “Thank you,” he muttered. “No prob,” Annaneth replied, “Let’s go.” The two walked through the forest, their shoes squelching through the mud. Ivan suddenly stopped: “Annabeth, how is your leg? Does it still hurt?” Annabeth managed a smile: “Yeah, sure it does.” Truth to be told, she had twisted her ankle when she tripped; and now that he mentioned it, she continued walking, but it got more painful, and she had to _limp as they walked. Ivan noticed this. “Does it still hurt?” he asked, stopping. “…No.” Annabeth replied after a short pause, but she was gritting her teeth as she said so. Ivan walked to her and kneeled down. “Get on,” he told her. “What? You’re insane,” she exclaimed, but then felt guilty: hadn’t her father said that all Cornians were lunatics? If so, she was agreeing with him. Ivan didn’t know what she was thinking. “Hop on,” he repeated, “If you do not, we are going to get caught. You are too slow now.” Annabeth had to agree with him. She sighed, “You’re the most crazy person I’ve ever met,” but she climbed onto his back. Ivan used his hands to make sure she wouldn’t fall and started running. He was fast, even though he had her on his back. Wind blew onto Annabeth’s face, and she suddenly felt like a cowboy. “Yeehaa,” _she said softly, but Ivan heard her. He chuckled and Annabeth blushed.

Soon the two arrived to the entrance to the forest. Just then guards surrounded them. “HALT!” the captain shouted, “STOP THEM!” the villagers, hearing the commotion, came out in their pyjamas, rubbing their eyes.
“BETHY!” Mrs Balony _screamed_. She ran towards Ivan and Annabeth. “ARE YOU ALRIGHT? THE BAD GUY’S MADE YOU HELP HIM, HAVEN’T HIM?”
“BACK OFF, MUM!” Annabeth yelled, getting off Ivan’s back, “IVAN’S NEVER DONE THAT. INSTEAD, HE HELPED ME BEFORE!”
“SO YOU’D HELP THE ENEMY, GIRL?” the captain _demanded_.
“No,” Annabeth smiled sadly, “I’m on my country’s side.”
“BUT THERE’S ONE THING TO REMIND YOU, DAD,” Annabeth _raised _her voice: “NOT ALL CORNIANS ARE BAD. AT LEAST IVAN ISN’T ANYWAY.”

Annabeth turned to the captain. She pulled her dagger from her bag. The dagger sparkled silver, glinting in the darkness. “I’ll never leave my country,” she told him, “And here’s my proof.”
She swung the dagger and thrust it into her heart. Bright red blood burst from her body, making the sliver dagger red with blood. Blood dripped from the dagger, falling into the ground. Annabeth fell with a large thud onto the ground, splattering everyone near her with her blood.
“ANNABETH! ANNABETH!” The villagers yelled in alarm.
“ANNABETH!” Ivan cried, “WHY - WHY - WHY HAVE YOU DONE THIS?”
Annabeth did not hear him. “What a tragedy…” She murmured, “Two people from warring kingdoms have fallen in love. Rather like Romeo and Juliet.” She put her hands onto Ivan. _“My love, give her a kiss. She looks so sweet.”_ She told him lovingly, quoting _the Taming of the Shrew_.
“Right. A kiss.” Ivan murmured, “It is _now or never_.” And he daintily gave her a kiss, feeling her lifeless soul slipping away. _Annabeth’s soul was taken away from Hermes, and so she closed her eyes, taking her last breath and left for the underworld._

__ _ _Ivan held her lifeless body without moving a muscle, staring straight at the forest where they had met. After a long time, he shook his head. “How can I ever repay you?” He asked her. She would never reply. He pulled the dagger from her body. “This decoration is ugly on you. It does not match,” he told her. He thrust it into his heart and fell down next to her. “Wait for me, Annabeth,” he said, “I am coming. Wait for me.” And he closed his eyes, smiling, waiting for Hermes to come and get him too. Chrissy told everyone what had happened, and everyone sighed.

A week later, the two kings of the kingdoms signed the Treaty of Two, which declares to never battle against each other again. _‘The war was a horrible incident for their people’_, they wrote, and they agreed that they should become allies for the fates of their people.
The villagers erected a statue, made of the silver dagger the two suicide with: and what was sculpted were Annabeth Balcony and Ivan Casper, hand in hand, smiling at each other. _‘May Annabeth Balony and Ivan Casper meet each other in the underworld’_, the sign under the sculpture says. They have not forgotten to sculpt Annabeth’s dress, nor have they forgotten Ivan’s crystal blue eyes, sparkling under the sun.

~ The End ~

“THE ISLAND OF ISLES ARE IN DANGER!” A woman sitting on the living room cried, “BETHY, AREN’T YOU CHECKING OUT THE NEWS? COME OUT, COME OUT!” The woman was about forty years old, with red frizzy hair and a fat tummy. She was sitting on a rug in the living room, watching the television. Her name was Mrs Balony. The presenter was saying, “Cornian soldiers are now attacking the Island of Isles. Here, you can see people living here escaping from there houses. We now announce the numbers: a family dead, five hurt-” A teenage girl walked out of the room and switched off the television. The television blackened with a ‘snap’. She was beautiful, with red hair like her mother, though it was smooth, which should be inherited from her father. She was wearing a long multi-coloured dress, which touched the ground. Unlike her mother, she was slim and tall. “Mum!” she said, narrowing her emerald eyes, “I know that, you don’t have to tell me. Don’t always yell; the neighbours complain.” “How did you know it? The news, I mean.” Mrs Balony asked, not looking bothered, lowering her voice. Still, it was louder than usual people. Mrs Balony had a loud booming voice. The girl grinned, showing her white, pearl-like teeth: “There’s a thing called a mobile phone.” “Ahh,” Mrs Balony sighed, “Alas, I do not like these things. Why use mobile phones, when talking face to face is enough?” “Mum’s too… Uh… Behind the times.” The girl said. “ANNABETH! COME AND PLA-AY!” A girl with braids called outside the window, putting hers hands next to her mouth. “COME-MING!” The teenage girl, Annabeth, yelled through the window. “Mum, I’ve gotta go, Chrissy’s waiting for me.” “Oh, right! Bye then, Bethy. Call me through your mobile phone when you’re coming back.” Mrs Balony replied and went into her bedroom, intending to have a nap. Annabeth covered her mouth as she giggled and left the house.

“Hi Chrissy!” Annabeth waved her hands as she ran towards Chrissy.
Chrissy was a girl with pigtails. She was wearing a green skirt. Seeing Annabeth, she ran towards her. Both girls were _panting heavily_ as Chrissy replied, “Hello Annabeth! Whatcha doin’ just now?”
“My mum’s always so loud,” Annabeth moaned, “We were scolded by our neighbours for like, ten times already. I don’t understand why she’s always so noisy. And, the problem is, it’s _me_ who opens the door every time, and so it’s _me _who gets scolded every time when the truth is, the one who’s noisy is _my mum_.”
_“Aww, poor you…”_ Chrissy patted Annabeth’s back, smiling gently: “You’ve gotta _bear_ with it, ya know? You’ve gotta _bear_ with it.”
“Yeah…” Annabeth sighed. She _straightened_ up: “Chrissy, let’s play hide-and-seek in the forest.” Though they were both teenage girls, they _still_ loved it.
“All right!” Chrissy grinned: “You’re it!”
The girls walked towards the forest, chatting on the way. The forest was a stunning place of shadows, with gentle wind blowing. Birds chirped as foxes ran amidst the grass and owls booted at night. It was a magnificent place, and it was perfect for hide-and-seek. Few people went in; only travellers and villagers strolled around inside occasionally.
“Ready?” Chrissy asked, “I’ll count to a hundred and go and find you.”
“Ready,” Annabeth replied, her face _determined_. “Remember you only have five minutes to find me! I’ll set my timer. Don’t forget to set yours.”
_“Fine,” _Chrissy snickered, _“You scared I’m gonna win?”_
“You bet.” Annabeth stuck her tongue at Chrissy, made a face and rushed in. After a few seconds, she could still hear Chrissy counting ‘five… six…’ and she couldn’t hear her anymore as she ran deeper into the forest. Only the sounds of birds chirping and grass rustling could be heard.

Running and running, Annabeth didn’t dare to huff and puff loudly in case Chrissy heard her. She pulled out her timer: four and a half minutes to go. Suddenly, she _tripped herself over_ and fell down with a ‘bang’.
“Oww.” she groaned and whimpered. She pulled up her dress. Her right leg was bleeding: she had hit her leg against a rock when she fell. She heaved herself against a tree trunk and sat there. ‘What should I do?’ she thought, ‘Should I call Chrissy or walk towards the village?’ She patted the mud and sand off herself.
Slowly, the blood stopped spilling. Just then, she heard _hooves clattering_ on the ground, slow and steady, going to her direction. “Who can it be?” She asked herself. It couldn’t be Chrissy; she didn’t have a horse. ‘Don’t tell me this person, whoever he is, is a Cornian,’ she thought desperately, ‘Cornians are _cruel_. They _killed people and stole from houses_.’
The mysterious person appeared. It was a teenager, a boy wearing a traditional costume from her village, riding a horse. He looked brave and bold, with brown curly hair, only the costume made him look strange. His eyes were crystal blue like the lake; or was it like the sea? There was a mole under his left eye. He looked tall, sitting on the horse, looking at her.
“Are you alright?” he asked. He gave her his right hand hesitantly. Annabeth slowly grasped hold of it. His hand was smooth and warm. She pulled his hand and slowly got up. “Thank you.” she nodded to him and limped as she took a few steps.
The teenager grasped hold of her shoulder just as she _stumbled_. “You cannot walk,” he told her, frowning, “Hop on my horse and let us go.”
He gently picked her up and put her at the back of the horse: “Hold tight to my shoulders; it is going to be a bumpy ride.” Annabeth noticed that his English was weird, like he was _unfamiliar_ with it.
_The ride was not bumpy at all._ The boy made his horse _trot slowly_, so as to not make Annabeth feel pain.
“Thanks,” Annabeth told him. “Do not mention it.” The teenager murmured.
“I’m happy knowing that you’re a good guy,” Annabeth said happily, “Don’t you know the Cornians are attacking? Dear traveller, why have you come?”
The teenager gasped ‘huh’ quietly. Annabeth didn’t notice and continued, “You must be a traveller. Your English’s a bit strange, but it’s good enough. At least I understand you. For your outfit, it’s… it’s from, like, a few hundred years. It looks nice, but I rarely see people wearing this anymore.”
The teenager widened his eyes: “Oh, thank you. I never knew.” Annabeth said, “I could lend you dad’s clothes. I think you’re tall enough to wear them.”
_“…Thank you.”_ the teenager replied after a pause.
“You’re welcome,” Annabeth told him. “I don’t really know what’s happening right now; only my dad tells me that the Cornians are horrible.”
The teenager thought for a while. “…Why?” He _shrugged_: “Just, you know, _curious because I am asking_.”
_“Asking because I am curious,” _Annabeth corrected him, “Well… Dad says that Cornian soldiers steal from homes. They murder and set fires… that kinda stuff. These are bad. Bad guys do them.”
_“So Cornians are bad guys?”_ the teenager _asked softly_. Annabeth nodded _vigorously_: “Bad. BAD.”
The teenager _fell silent_. Annabeth didn’t want to disturb him, and the two travelled through the forest in silence. After a while, the teenager spoke. _“You… You live in that village?”_ he asked, pointing at the road towards the village. His voice was rather hoarse.
“Yeah.” Annabeth answered, “My friends and family live there as well.”
The two felt awkward. The teenager didn’t speak until they arrived at the path towards the village: “What is your name?”
“I’m Annabeth. Annabeth Balony.” Annabeth answered. _“Well… I am… I am Ivan. Ivan Casper.”_ The teenager, Ivan, mumbled in reply.
“Nice meeting you, Ivan.” Annabeth smiled.
Ivan looked away and said offhandedly, “Annabeth. Nice… nice name.”
“Thanks,” Annabeth answered. She noticed Ivan’s ears were _red_.
“I cannot go into the village with you,” Ivan told her, “This is where we say goodbye.”
“I’ve got to get you your clothes,” Annabeth said, her eyes _wide with surprise_, “You should wait here.”
Ivan shook his head hard: “No, no, no, I… I should not use them.” He lowered Annabeth onto the ground. “Be careful,” he told her, “Walk slowly and do not trip. Do not fall down again.” He turned his horse, “Thank you, Annabeth. Be careful. Goodbye. Do not mention me to anyone.” He patted his horse. The horse neighed loudly and galloped away, the sounds of its hooves getting smaller and smaller.
Annabeth watched Ivan and his horse leave. She tilted her head, wondering why Ivan couldn’t go into the village and walked back home. Her heart was _beating madly_; she could feel it. She couldn’t help but keep on thinking of him: how he put her onto his horse; how he said he couldn’t borrow her dad’s clothes.
Ivan’s heart was _beating madly _as well. He could feel it too.

Back at home, Annabeth called, “Mum, I’m back!”
Mrs Balony walked out, putting her hands on her hips and _scowling_: “WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?” she demanded, “CHRISSY COULDN’T FIND YOU.”
Annabeth gave a _sheepish smile_: “Well she couldn’t find me. I… I thought I would lose if I appeared, so I continued hiding.”
Mrs Balony said, “Pah! Hades curse you.” And walked away, mumbling to herself, _“Hades curse you! Hiding, really!”_

_ _At night, Annabeth finished supper. “Mum, Dad, I’m full.” she stood up, pushing her chair to the table. Annabeth’s dad, Mr Balony, smiled: “That’s a dear, Bethy.” He grinned: “Guess what! Our country had caught a captain’s son, a Cornian.” Annabeth grinned as well. “Oooh! Yay, Dad! Is that son of the captain important?” “Very,” Mr Balony chuckled, “The captain’s the one leading his army.” He handed Annabeth his newspaper. “Read it, that’s a dear,” he told her. Annabeth was grinning as she read it aloud, _“Joy to us home country, for the enemy’s captain’s son, a teenage named Ivan-” _She gasped and stopped reading. Her heart was pounding as she read the name ‘Ivan Casper’. “Him!” Annabeth gasped. Mr Balony looked at her. “Yes?” he asked, staring at her. “He… he’s so young! How could he!” Annabeth stuttered. Luckily, her father didn’t overthink. He couldn't imagine that Annabeth had known Ivan, or that she had fallen in love with him. “Yes, that’s right,” Mr Balony nodded, “The younger he is, the more dangerous he is. It’s fortunate that our side has captured him.” Annabeth, hearing his words, wanted to hit him in the face. How dare he speak like that of Ivan! Annabeth had never thought that Ivan was a Cornian, but now - the clothing, the words Ivan said - they made sense. That’s why he wore traditional clothes - he didn’t know that these were not the clothing they now wore. That’s why he spoke English strangely - he had just learnt it! Tourists and travellers would have known that they never wore that clothing nowadays. Annabeth took a deep breath. She knew that she would never be able to forget Ivan, no matter where he had come from. She knew it. Trying to keep her voice steady, she asked her father pleasingly, “Daddy! Where’s that horrid spy now?” ‘Forgive me, Ivan,’ she said silently. “You’re interested?” Mr Balony asked, clearly satisfied that his daughter was interested in the news, “He’s in jail, definitely. He was found near us - almost the other side of the forest, in fact - so I think he’s in the jail near us.” His gaze turned stern. “Don’t go see him, Bethy,” he chided, “He’s a lunatic - all Cornians are.”

One was expected to rival the other. That was fact and final, a necessary key to keep the troubles of generations ablaze. Decades of destruction and ruin plague the valley that lies in between the two kingdoms, so close they almost touch, and yet still so distinctly different it was as if they were worlds apart. I met him many times before I knew who he was. The first was when I was ten. Father was in a way worse mood then normal, pushing to continue my swordsmanship and combat lessons four hours after the time I was supposed to stop. He didn’t care that I was young or more on the smaller size for my age or even how I felt. He only cared for shaping me into the warrior capable of overcoming the other kingdom. My body was battered and bruised, so sore it hurt with every little twinge of rotation from my joints. I snuck out of my room that night and walked to the lakeside west of the castle, close to the valley between the kingdoms. I lay in the soft grass, limbs splayed out over the ground. The stars lit the sky in an array of shining brightness. The moon’s glow sent light across the lake causing a reaction that almost looked as if the water was illuminated. He was there. I remember it well, the first time I laid my eyes on him. It was right as clouds covered the moon and stars, resulting in the sky losing the painting it once displayed. He stood by the waters edge, softly swaying as if he was one with the small breeze that sent the broken leaves of fall to dance in the air. I remained where I was, simply frozen laying in the grass. I like to believe he just felt that I was there. He spoke to me for the first time still facing the water. It was rather random, but I remember it often. “Does the reflection of the lake allow for the sky to see the beauty it gives to everything else?” He spoke softly, almost in a whisper. I stared at his back, not moving. He turned to face me, still shifting back and forth with the wind. His blond hair framing a picture of his boyish face, still soft without the sharp, handsome features he gained as he got older. That’s when I noticed his eyes for the first time. It was too dark from the clouds covering the moon to tell the color of his eyes, which I later found to be a husky golden blue that suited him perfectly, but they shone as glowingly as the stars once were in the sky. He looked bright and radiant, even if it was dark from the night. I didn’t think when I answered him, if you could call what I spoke an answer.
“You look as bright as the sun.” He smiled. The second time I met him was when I was fourteen. Yet again, it was at the lake. A great weeping willow grew twisted at the waters shore, half leaning over the water. I used to sit at the base of the tree and stare across the glass surface of the lake. I had done it many times before but he was never there. Until that day at dusk. I had taken my usual position at roots of the tree when I heard his voice from above, “Rather a pretty view, huh?” I startled. I turned my head upwards, and there he was, perched on a low branch of the willow. He was looking at me as he spoke. Although I assumed that it was the sunset over the lake at dusk that he was talking about, I couldn’t help but feel as if he was talking to me, the way his eyes never left me as he spoke. In one solid movement he leaped from the willow, gracefully landing on the ground without a single sound. He was taller than he used to be, but not as tall as he would be. Although he still had a boyish look to his face, he did look older. He leaned down over me, hands behind his back, small smile on his face. “Hello.” he said, blocking the lake from my view. “Pleasure seeing you here again.” I glance up at him, “You remember me?” He leaned further down, hair falling before his face as he looked at me through golden locks. “Of course, a little thing like you, how could I forget?” His eyes twinkled as he shrugged. He stood upright, stretching slightly before he plopped down next to me at the base of the tree. We sat like that in silence for awhile, simply staring out across the water. “You know,” he says, “ this isn’t exactly the safest place to be. What are you doing here?” I scoff lightly, “I could ask you the same thing.” He huffs a small laugh, no sound escaping his lips. His eyes sparkle with amusement. He stretches his legs out before him, turning back to where the water ripples slightly across the glass surface. It pushed back and forth against the shore near our feet. After awhile of sitting in silence, I turn to him, “What’s your name?” He shifts as if uncomfortable. It takes some time before he answers, “I can’t say. My name is something I’m not allowed to share with others.” He frowns slightly, still looking out at the view. I turn my head facing in his direction, “That’s fine. I can’t say mine either under the same circumstances.” He meets my gaze, his striking blue eyes finding mine. He’s smiling again. He smirks crookedly. “Give me a nickname?” he asks. I send him a glare but I don’t refuse. I turn back to the water staring at the vast way the water glistens long and wide, the opposite shore far and blurring, almost unrecognizable. The sun sets far on the sky, not quite passed below the horizon on the far end of the lake. A great array of colors spread and bloom across the sky, the sun’s painting of colors and awe on a blue canvas. Light brightens the lake in a colorful hue. The dusk allows for day and night to mix slightly, shadows and light dancing together, causing a beautiful display as the sun dips even lower. The sunsets at the lake were always a wondrous sight to see. I glanced back at him. He continued to look out at the sky. The rays of sun cast shadows and warm light onto his body. His hair looked golden and glowed slightly like a halo. He eyes looked like they held the stars again, sparkling and bright. “Ray.” I say. He turns toward me. “Ray?” he asks, a questioning look on his face. “Like a ray of sunshine.” I explain, slightly embarrassed with the explanation. I focus my eyes away from him, waiting for an answer. It doesn’t come. I wouldn’t say I became impatient but i faced toward him again, needing a reaction of some kind. It caught me off guard. He was smiling widely. A real smile. The kind that causes the eyes to krinkle shut. Dimples formed on his cheeks as he smiled wider, if that was possible. I hadn’t noticed that before until now. They suited him. It was almost blinding. My face felt hot. A laugh bubbles out of him, this time audible. It was radiant and bright just like the rest of him. His eyes twinkle again, “You’d be surprised to know how close that is to my true name.” I flush again, “Well, are you going to give me a nickname?” Ray’s eyes dance with amusement, “Oh, I already have.” I raise my eyebrows at him, and I know he knew exactly what I was asking. All he did was laugh again. “You know,” he says. “I can’t help but feel as if i’ve known you for years. I can’t explain it.” “Like a connection.” I state. “I get what you mean.” And I did know what he meant. It felt as if my body was pulsing every time he was near. I felt it sitting at the lakeside with him in that moment and I had felt it the first time I met him four years prior. I just couldn’t make sense of it. We sat there for a long time, until the stars made their way above us, spreading out along the skyline. Ray rose and reached out to help me up. I hesitated slightly before grabbing his hand, tingles shooting through every place where his fingers and palm touched. “I have to go.” Ray said softly. I nodded, “Okay.” He turned to go, pausing slightly before continuing on his way. I called after him, “Will I see you again?” “Of course, Nyx.” He turned and started walking backwards. “Nyx as in night.” I laugh, “That pretty close to my name too, you know.” He smiles broadly, “That’s what I was aiming for.” I watched as he left before going and continuing back to the castle. It was true though. We saw each other multiple times after that, almost every night at the lake beneath the tree. We grew closer. Then we slowly became more than friends. He was like my everything. Ray was my everything. By the time I turned eighteen, we had almost been together for three years. I knew he was from the other kingdom, but I really believed that it didn’t matter. But he still didn’t know I was a royal. One night he didn’t show up at the lake. I thought it was nothing, it happened sometimes. But this wasn’t like that. Ray didn’t show for a week. I knew something was wrong. On the eighth day, Father came and told me we were preparing for another war. I knew I was expected to fight. I was the heir to our kingdoms throne. From the day I was born I was trained to protect it. So that’s what I did. I marched in the frontlines with Father to the valley between the Kingdoms. Across the valley the other Kingdom approached. Their King in the frontlines with the heir to his throne at his side. All I was hoping in the moment was for Ray to be okay. We began to move forward, Father and I on our horses and the other King and his heir on theirs. We meet in the middle. My stomach sank. I knew I was going to duel the other heir. The other heir was taller and stronger than me, not to mention probably weighed twice as much as me. Father and the other King exchanged angry words, hostile and provoking. Before I knew it I was off my horse and stepping up to the Prince, in position to fight, my sword held high. “State your names!” Father and the other King boomed. “Start the duel!” The Prince points his sword to the sky, “Helios of the Kingdom Vukaro!” His confidence radiates off him in waves. The guys name literally mean sun. I then point my sword to the sky, “Selene of the Kingdom Aethera!” “Remove your helmets!” the King of Vukaro hollers. We remove our helmets and all I see is golden hair and striking eyes and Ray. All and only Ray. He drops his sword and rushes forward, his Father and mine yelling. I drop my sword too, but mostly out of shock. Ray, or Helios, and I think the name suits him, crashes into me. He hugs me, pulling me closer to him, burying his face in my hair. I grab his armer and pull him close to me. He kisses me softly, “I love you forever, whether Nyx or Selene.” he states against my mouth, “Not even our kingdoms will keep us apart.”
I smile wide, and in that moment all I see is him.

Down under you won't find any gold - any white, any hope,. But up in the sky you won't find any mold any grit, any dignity.

I was born in sky a kingdom of beauty clean white ivory and gold.belle! My father was the general and advisors to the king before he saw the king was a terrible man who had no qualms with cutting off a whole town of workers and soldiers to save his precious castle from raiders which myfather could not stand for so he took to down town and he braved the men and killed those raiders with minimal lost of live. The same could not be said about the structures and farms and even shops. He took my mother and I and created a democracy and small self functioning town.

Plot kings son and her meet unknowingly when she saves his life from these raiding pirates she thought she was just saving some wealthy man’s son who was from the upper Kingdom. She has always thought less of the upper kingdom, but she downright hated and would seethe to even hear his name, Killian James The prince of sky kingdom. But she could not le+ some boy die because he just needed an escape from the weight of "taking on the family name and business " and didn't know of the dangers of down town could she? What happens when they meet again? .

I use all my strength to push out all of the power I can. This is what I’ve been training for my whole life.

The fire overpowers and I think I’m gonna win, until water comes back.

“Just give up,” I hear the voice that I have been training against my whole life against.

“Ha, you first,” I start walking sideways in the big circle and spat out a bit of fire towards him.

I heard him hiss. Then laugh.

“Alright,” he said putting his hands down which ends the strain against my fire. He steps aside quickly. “I forfeit,”

“What?” I choose not to give into hope. I of my hands down as well putting out the stream of fire.

“I forfeit, you win,” he said with a sigh. The mist from our battle raining down on us. I hit him with a confused look.

His hands were shaking. I have no idea what I did to make him this nervous.

“Join me, you being the princess of fire, me being the prince of water. We would be unstoppable, join me Elizabeth,”

I laugh out loud.

He shoots me a glare.

“You’re serious,” I say with laughter still in my voice, out of all the ways this battle was supposed to end, this was not on my mind.

“I am assuming that is a no, well I thought might as well give it a chance,”

“Yes,” I say shocked with myself. He stared at me shocked as well.

We stare at each other.

All of our lives we have been fighting, he would win some, I would win others.

I hate to admit it but we are the most powerful together.

“For political reasons,” I say quickly.

“For political reasons,” he said grinning.

Lelo stood quickly, hearing the window creaking. Heart quickening, he glanced around his chambers. The walls were a faint light, yet dull fern green, even if it is a bit faded by now. His bed was his reprise from the world.. most days. The fur blankets and velvet pillows kept him warm year round, no matter how cold it got in Marici. There. Between his silky soft green curtains.. Here he was.. The Prince of Coloria.. here like every possible night he could risk. Lelo slowly stepped over to the glass, signaling for the other one to move back before pushing it open.

“ Lelo-! My friend, I’m for my lateness. Father was holding court late last night, and I fell asleep. “ Alexander chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. He was clearly sorry, shown by his expression. Alexander’s beautiful (midday) blue eyes were fixed on him.. That alone the other prince (Lelo) was not worthy of.

“ No worries Alex. It is not a big deal. I’m just glad you are here. “ Lelo couldn’t help the smile that filled his face as he pat him on the head. Alexander blinked silently before chuckling.

“ Heh- stop it~ “ The other prince grinned, not meaning a word he said. “ It is my job to pat you, child. “

“ Hey-! I’m not a child- and you know it-! “ Lelo pouted gently.

“ Really? You’re short enough to be one~ “

“ I’m not short! You’re just tall. “

“ Same difference. “ Alex grinned, draping an arm over the window sill- of which he just crawled over. A soft thump or two filled the scilence before Lelo could, a small box had fallen out of Alex’s pocket.

“ Ah- “ Alex reached down to pick it up. Yet Lelo, the shorter of the two, got to it first.

“ What is this- “ Lelo turned it in his small hands.

“ Hey-!! Give that back- “ Alex reached out for it- but not before Lelo opened the box. A small silver band, embroidered with precious stones- Jades, Emerald- and some other green gem the other prince forgot the name of; they all could be seen on the outer edges of the ring.. It was clear Alex wanted to propose to someone.. but why would he bring the ring here-? Unless..

“ I-I promise- it isn’t- “

“ Oh but I think it is.. “ A soft smile formed on the Marician’s face as he drew nearer to the flustered Colorian. As lips met lips, Alex’s eye widened, before slowly shutting. After the kiss drew to a close, the taller one’s voice finally worked.

“ Is that a- “

“ Well, it isn’t a no. “ Lelo chuckled, wrapping his arms around the taller one’s neck.

“ I- I love you.. “

“ Love you too, my colorful prince “

“ Hey-! “

“ What~ is it not hilarious that your kingdom’s name literally means full of color? “

“ Your’s means goddess of light or something- “

Lelo scoffed, “ How Ironic.. “

“ Yeah- Say.. Father would love to have you over for dinner- if you want-? “

“ You- sure-?? I mean- your father and mine hate each other- “

“ Doesn’t mean he will hate you. He loves almost everything. And everyone at that- “

“ I.. suppose I could join you.. “

“ Good “ Alex grinned before adding, “ Not like I was going to let you say no anyways. “

“ Then why- “

“ Because why not “ Alex chuckled, shrugging. Lelo smiled as well, placing a kiss to his cheek.

“ Oh how sweet of you~ “ The one in green grinned, placing the ring on his own finger.

“ How sweet indeed “ Alex’s hands went to his waist, laughing before pressing their lips together.