All I Would Do For Freedom

I stare at the body of the dead elf. He looks young, too young to fight on the battlefield. Too young to be separated from his parents and his family, his sisters and his brothers.

What had they done?

What have we done?

I blow out a breath, turning away from the elf. Something in me aches, seeing the blood covering the body of the young elf. It was reported that he had been taken down during a lengthy fight. One stab to the chest was all it took.

So much bloodshed. Too much bloodshed.

I straighten. That's what we are here for, though. To stop another war.

I shudder slightly, remembering the day I had learned my father was dead, at the age of seven. The elves had killed him, taking away my father and my childhood at the same time. Since that day, I had begun training with weapons, learning the techniques and strategies of war and battle. Hopefully, we won't be needing to use that today.

"Eva?" I turn around to see my older brother, Darius, the King of Zemira. "They have arrived."

I nod, stepping out of the tent and into the dry, dusty land. Zemira used to be a kingdom of fertility and grassland. Now, most of the land has been ravaged by disease and famine. Elves, which were once thought to be imaginary creatures have risen. And now, we must suffer the consequences of defying them. Of standing in the way of their conquest. Though what their conquest is, I couldn't say.

But no more. Whatever it takes, there would be no more bloodshed, I silently pledge.

Darius and I stride towards the tent where the elven king is waiting, tension radiating from both of us. While we are siblings, we haven't really been close since he became king. Another burden for him to carry.

Another thing the elves took away from me. My brother.

I pushed open the flaps of the tent, stepping inside. It was spacious for a tent, two elves already sitting at the table that they had brought.

Elves are rumored to be beautiful and cold, and it seemed that the rumors were true. Both elves had pale flawless skin and pointy ears. Their face showed absolutely no emotions to the point where it was intimidating.

Eldert, King of Avalon, has pale, silver-blue eyes that are ice cold, and as hard as diamonds. His gaze is unwavering as he stares at us, calculating. His raven black hair contrasts with his pale skin; he's undeniably handsome.

My attention turns toward the elf sitting next to him. Who's that? Perhaps a bodyguard? His back was stiff, his manner cold. He had greenish-blue eyes and dark brown hair that was carefully combed and neat. He is perhaps more handsome than the king.

We sit down, facing the elves and our guards silently take their places outside the tent.

"Greetings, King Eldert." Darius inclines his head slightly towards the king.

"Greetings. I believe we are here to discuss the terms of your surrender." King Eldert says dismissively. 

I grind my teeth. Out of the corner of my eyes, I see Darius's hands clench.

"We are here to discuss peace between our kingdoms, King Eldert. Zemira has no wish to shed more blood so needlessly."

"I consider peace and surrender to be the same thing in this particular situation," King Eldert sounds so bored and cold that it makes the small kindle of hope in my chest flicker and die out. Maybe he doesn't want peace.

Darius doesn't say anything, merely waits, and the silence continued until King Eldert speaks again. "We will agree to hold peace on one condition."

My hope sparks. "And what is that condition?" I ask.

King Eldert looks straight at me. "We will agree to peace. However, we would some proof that your offers are genuine. And we would like that proof to be your sister, Princess Eva."

"Excuse me?" Darius beats me to saying the same thing.

"We would like a marriage alliance between Zemira and Avalon. It will ensure lasting peace."

Both Darius and I are quiet, my mind whirling mercilessly. A marriage alliance was not in the options which we had planned for before we came to this meeting. But it would strengthen and ensure peace between my kingdom and theirs.

Zemira needs peace. We cannot afford more war. Already, the fighting has reduced our supply of food and wrecked our farmland. I grew up watching thousands of men and women march towards the battlefield. Only a few would return.

I will do anything to keep another child from growing up as I did. To keep another child starving and hungry as I was. To keep another child from losing a father or a brother as I did. 

I will do anything for my kingdom.

"And whom would I be married to?" I ask the king of elves frostily.

"My brother, Prince Zarek." King Eldert gestured to the elf sitting on his right. His brother. I hadn't known that King Eldert had a brother.

My gaze shifts to him. Prince Zarek stares back at me coolly, making me cringe inwardly at the thought of him being my future husband.

But a marriage would benefit Zemira greatly, assuming they were genuine in their offer. Assuming they don't hurt me the moment I step foot in their kingdom.

Darius is looking at me, waiting for my thoughts. That hurts a little, the fact that he was willing to consider marrying his younger sister to a stranger. Quickly pushing that emotion deep down, I met Prince Zarek's supercilious gaze.

"Very well. I consent to this marriage alliance." I said, making my words as biting as possible.

My future husband's mouth curled into a smile that almost made me regret my choice. "Good," Zarek says softly, though there is something intimidating in that one word.

Hopefully, this isn't a day I will regret for the rest of my life.