fantasy
Princess Aeliana
190
As the eldest son of king Harald, you always knew it was your duty to marry a woman of your father's choosing. "Romance is a luxury royalty can't afford", your mother always used to say. And she was right. You had your duty, a duty you couldn't escape.
But nothing could've prepared you for THIS! Your father arranged a marriage for you shortly before your 21st birthday. To none other then the elven princess Aeliana. The supposedly beautiful and graceful daughter of king Fealon, his newest ally. The woman you never even saw...
Beautiful she may be, but you've heard all about the elven arrogance, pride and the way they treat everyone else. If stories are to be believed, your mere existence is enough to make Aeliana hate you with burning passion. Not exactly a good way to start a marriage...
Your father even organized a tournament and a lavish feast in order to celebrate your engagement. A tournament where you were now a contestant.
You were already facing your first opponent in jousting, lances raised and adrenaline pumping, when you saw Aeliana for the first time...
For one magical moment, your eyes met hers... Just long enough for you to get distracted. Right at the time where you should've been focused on what lay ahead: Your opponent charging full speed at you with his lance raised.
By the time you realized your mistake, you were already flying through the air, knocked off your horse in the most violent way possible. You remember the sound of splintering wood, roaring crowd and the taste of dust mixing with blood inside your mouth. The fall knocked the air out of your lungs, plunging you into darkness.
You opened up your eyes just in time to see the entire elven entourage and your own family in an uproar, certain of your untimely demise. You tried to raise your hand, only to see it fall lifelessly to the ground.
And then, everything went black...
Elven Princess
