Into Darkness

One

Many would believe that the woman or couple who left a beautiful baby girl on steps of the castle gates should be prosecuted, harassed or anything vile luck be cast upon them. All but few believe this should be the way all parents whom abandon their children that way should be put on trial. When the child was found however, they knew she was a sweet soul, for she did not cry out for her mother, but simply watched the Watchmen whom found her.

Said young woman, Rhiannon, wandered the vast hallways of the palace with this touchy topic racing through her mind like chariot racers trying to gain the supreme title over all the others. No one really had conversations with her on the debate on the prosecution of abandoning children because, well, she was here because of it. exactly fifteen years before, she had been left by the gate of the castle in a woven basket.

Her time squandered on 'frivolous pastimes that hinder her finding a suitable husband' - as said by the Commander's wife - is usually her reading or even just walking around the city that she calls home. Rhiannon was not a shy young woman, but she did enjoy her time alone. After, it is the only time she is not able to mess up or have to speak with proper etiquette around Royals. A soft tinkling of a bell echoed through the hallway she was walking, the sound managing to pry her attention from the work on the ceiling.

A gentle sigh slipped from her lips, directing her energy into going to the dining room seemed too strenuous for her attitude at the moment. Even people in higher classes tend to be quite moody, or even lazy if they are truly out of sorts. The castle she resides in has an ancient feel, it stood against the change that came with the new ages, still powerful with the lingering power pulsing through the walls like blood through veins. Nearing the vast room of mirrors that was the dining hall, snippets of conversations could be heard by the young woman.

" ..... Haven't I told you already..."

".... That's despicable....."

" .... Missing someone..."

".... Is Rhiannon....."

Warped giggles erupted from behind the doors as Rhiannon pushed them open, an apologetic smile plastered on her face with a growing flush of shame coating her usually milky complexion. Her eyes landed on the eating Royal Family of Eire, and the two adults that governed the legendary army of the Kingdom. Her adoptive parents, Commander Ciaran Chulainn and his wife Second-in-Command Grainne Chulainn sat to the left of the King, and the Queen and the Prince to the right. Beside the Prince, was an unfamiliar woman, eyes light and cautious with hair the darkest shade of brown she had ever seen and skin sun kissed beautifully.

"Ah, there you are Rhia. Come, sit and eat," Father's voice was soft and seemingly welcoming, but Rhiannon saw the command clear as day in his cobalt blue eyes, "This is Cara O' Malley, our messenger from Eria who has come back from a trip to the Kingdoms further towards the Northern lands."

"A pleasure to meet you, Rhiannon" her voice was lightly coated with Eria's accent. She offered her hand in a kind gesture. What Rhiannon would do to finally leave to see the Northern Lands. Agh, the fabled lands that hold foreign beasts, across the Great Ocean of Sköll.

"Ree-ahn-non... Not rehee-anne-om" she corrected with a tight smile, taking the hand with a firm grip. 'If you have a weak hand-shake, no one will trust you. Firm and strong, Rhiannon' Ciaran's voice echoed in the back of her head and she could help a small smile creeping onto her naturally red tinted lips. The other woman's eye twitched slightly in agitation as she sat down next to her Mother.

"Why must you manage to insult every person you encounter?" Grainne sighed after the meal finished, pulling Rhiannon off to the side for her lecture, "We need you to be courteous, or how will you ever find a suitor?" Her eyes widened as a horrified snort escaped her lips, swiftly ripping her arm out of the Second-in-Command's grip.

"I am just about to come of age and already you plague my innocence with betrothal?" She whispered hastily, eyes blazing with barely restraint anger and shock at the abruptness of the topic. She could not hide the look of contempt in her eyes at that moment, for she had never agreed to ever, and mean ever get married.

"Well the Northern Princes seek a treaty between Eire and them, and wish to seal the agreement with a marriage" the sharp hasty manner spoke in meant she was being completely serious, "As the Princess is too young for either of the Princes', they wish to seek a lady of high stature and that is close to the Royal Family."

Feeling her body go slightly numb, her eyes narrowed at Grainne with pure anguish. "Mother, they are barbarians - that is why I had to meet that woman, she is their dog for sending such vial news!" She murmured softly, eyes slightly watering, "I am not in high spirits Mother, I take my leave" Rhiannon's voice was stoic as she quickly exited the room, letting the tears cascade down her cheeks like waterfalls.