Entranced (Brides of the Kindred Fanfiction 2) - On HIATUS

Chapter 30: Fanadyr

Andi:

"The Royal Sword Fanadyr?"

My eyes went to the rusty sword that Krei showed me the next day.

We were just finished a few meetings regarding a few of the nobles who had joined our side to fight.

My mate suddenly pulled me to our room, where he had been hiding the sword. It was concealed by a musty cloth and it was once a magnificent blade, the hilt and handle fashioned after the Fanadyr.

Then a memory of my father and I flashed through my mind the moment my fingers touched it.

My father, King Gyre.

The warrior king. Benevolent during times of peace yet ruthless during times of war.

When I just came back from the academy as a young woman. He invited me to his study.

And he showed me the family heirloom. The Royal Sword Fanadyr.

"Daughter, do you see this? This is Fanadyr. A sword passed on to kings that sat on the throne. Do you know why past rulers keeps it by their side?" He let me touch the metal which felt warm to the touch.

"No, Father. Tell me." I asked and he chuckled before whispering the reason to me.

After that I hugged him and had to leave his study because my Uncle suddenly appeared to talk to him.

Their voices sounded muffled behind closed doors but I heard my father yell so I hastened my steps to leave.

"....Andi?" Krei's hand on my arm made me blinked as his worried expression deepened. "What happened? Your eyes glazed over..".

"... I remember something from way back. An-anyway, back to the sword. How...were you able to recognize that this was my father's sword?"

"Because he designated me as his " mouthpiece", someone who was tasked to carry any secrets that would be passed on to his heir. The King somehow knew what was going on with us and placed his faith in me. He told me the locations of this sword because it is the royal item that will recognize your right to rule."

"And did he say anything more?"

"He also says that the sword will achieve its true form once you are ready to be queen... That was it.”

I slid a hand on the blade and suddenly the sword glowed purple and turned into vapors where it dissipated into my hand.

Which felt a bit tingly at first.

" It accepted you. King Gyre was also able to absorb the sword's unique essence and make it reappear when he wishes it. You are truly his heir."

"Hmmm...how do you bring it back?" I wiggled my right hand and he chuckled.

"Simply recall it's shape when it was solid and it will appear."

I did just that and the rusty sword floated in front of me and I took it. How odd that it felt light when it looked heavy when Krei was holding it.

"Fanadyr becomes the weight its bearer can tolerate. As they said in the legends. It is a powerful Norvadian magick sword."

I swung it a couple of times feeling a sense of comraderie as it goes where I want it to go. I have had self defense lessons using knives but a sword requires a different set of skills.

"Krei. You said that you are father's mouthpiece. Did....he say anything about any other reason my Uncle betrayed him? I already heard about how he fought over my mom with father but....I cannot help but wonder...why he finally snapped." I asked as I made the sword vanish.

"....It was over the Queen and your future." Krei answered. "You see, The Norvadians are a proudly traditional race and they are also attuned to their magic abilities. When you were born; you were not only gifted with a high magickal ability but you were also intelligent like your mother. But this planet's society has always been patriarchal so many are worried for the succession. If you had been born a male; there would have been no problems."

"Ah...yes. Father had wondered about that too. Since they never conceived another child. The Court was whispering about what to do..."

"Your Uncle saw it as a chance to try his hand at reclaiming the Queen by requesting that she be " relegated". You will remained the first princess but your mother would be set aside so that King Gyre can remarry a younger woman who can birth him a son."

I knew of the Relegation Practice. It was one of those antiquated traditions I hated the most. Relegating first wives if they have not given birth to any sons all so that their husbands can remarry for an heir.

It was one of the practices my father hated because he loved mother so much.

"He never agreed to it. Even when your Uncle subtly coaxed several of the nobles to pressure him. His love to the Queen was so strong that the last time your uncle tried to convince him to set you aside. He left his study with a fist sized bruise on his face and broken nose."

I felt saddened by it all. Uncle Kloan's jealousy blinded him to the point that he would hurt everyone in the process.

Then anger bloomed in my heart.

What he did was not love. Love is not selfish nor does it hurt other people. What he felt for my mother was an unhealthy obsession.

And that affected us all.

"Thank you. For telling me this. I...I need to hear that. It makes my decisions a lot easier." I looked at him as he opened his arms to me for a hug.

And I went to him as I nuzzled his jaw.

"The floor plans of the Royal Palace will be  reviewed by the Resistance leaders tonight. I can go in your place if you are too tired?"

I shook my head.

"No. It is time that I "woman up" and be the leader the people of Norvadia need me to be. I was not there for them those whole time but all that will change." She looked at me with glittering eyes. "House Norvak has never produced a Queen. I will be the first female  to rule over this planet and I will change things around here."

"I will be with you every step of the way, my fierce sweet sharana." He embraced me tight. "The real battle will start now."

I shivered at that thought.