Huntress (Steve Rogers AU) 18+

23

I am thrown down onto the floor in front of Joseph, Sarah - and as I look up - Steve. He looks broken, angered. Sarah's face is pale as she clearly knows that this will not end well. Joseph is sombre.

All eyes of the court are upon me, whispers being exchanged. Eyes judging and cold more so than usual. They have every reason to look at me like they do now.

My kind haven't been welcome here for years and years.

I kneel on the floor, looking up Joseph who now looks down upon me with a subtle glare. Inside he is probably kicking himself for allowing someone like me to slip though his defences so easily. To be near his son now knowing what I'm capable of.

And Steve? He just looks angry, betrayed.

I have betrayed his trust in me. Lied to him. He took me to his bed unaware that at any moment I could have simply killed him if I wished. He's blinded by betrayal and I do not blame him for it. I have no reason to. This was the risk that I undertook, and my mother was right.

It is to be the death of me.

"Well..." Joseph sighs. "This is certainly an interesting but sad turn of events".

My eyes flicker back up to him again. "I never came to this court to be what I am - I haven't killed in years and I'm not about to start. You have my word on that".

"So why did you come here? If not to bewitch our son? You were his guard". I note the 'were' that Joseph now says.
To him I'm as good as dead already. I have accepted it, made my peace that this would eventually happen to me at some point. I am more than ready to leave this world behind and finally sleep peacefully.

"I came to do the job that you so gracefully bestowed upon me". I tell him.

"Lies". Is all Joseph bites back.

By this point, swords are all drawn to me, Sam and Bucky being at the end of two of them.

"You came here to seduce our son into marrying you so as you could devour him and send his soul to your sea gods, or wherever they go!" His voice thunders.

"I did no such thing! I never once used any kind of power I possess on him because I love him!" The words are out of my mouth before I can stop them, and now as I look desperately to Steve, I can see his jaw is clenched.

He's conflicted, I can see it in his eyes - but he doesn't believe me. The main thought is there.

I have lost him.

Sarah's knuckles are white as her hands clench around the arms of the throne, as though she is trying to cling onto my life for me. She knows that in this situation, there is no reasoning with her husband. Not that there usually is anyway.

Joseph shakes his head. "Sirens are enchantresses of the sea, your job is to lure men to their deaths, and despite your declaration, what you did before for my son - for all I know it could be part of your plan to do the same to him - given that he is my heir. I will take no risks when it comes to the safety of my people, my own blood - and the current risk - or more like the threat - is you".

The words are spat out as cold as the room has turned. I feel all the more pathetic the longer I am knelt there before them all.

The saviour, now the betrayer.

Be the hunter, or be the hunted. I forgot myself and now am the hunted just like my sisters who faced this misfortune before me. I will not be cut down weeping and begging for my life. I'll simply welcome my fate like I would an old friend.

I am not afraid.

The sound of the doors to the hall crash open behind me and the heads of everyone in court turn and look in their direction. Calm and steady footsteps being the only sound made on the floor.

There are gasps. Whispers. Everyone's faces are in shock or terror as they look upon the visitor who has just entered.

"Let her go..."

The voice...I know it.

I look back and see the stranger from the cove now walking calmly towards where I am, dressed in an attire of royal blue and gold detailing. His handsome face looks just as determined as mine did earlier. Now he comes to stand next to me, the guards withdrawing their swords knowing that they would be easily defeated should they chose to try and cut me down.

I look up as he looks down at me. "Are you alright Hale?"

Only now do I realise just what this man is.

The word 'Eternal' now being whispered frantically amongst the courtiers. And they are terrified of him...

I can only nod at him before he looks to Joseph. "I think we can solve this issue without any blood being shed inside of these walls today". He announces before continuing. "I take Hale, and as a result your city is rid of a Siren and she can be left to live her life in the Eternal lands". It's not even a bargain. He has already made up his mind that this is what will happen - and no one will or can stop him. "Anyone dares cross the border into our realm will not be met with such kindness as I'm showing you today - so what will it be?"

I look to Sarah who mouths, "do it! Go!" to me with some desperation.

Like I would choose to stay here when there is a way to ensure my survival, even if it means falling into the hands of the Eternal ones.

Joseph looks the man up and down before finally nodding. "Get her out of my sight, you have my word that no one will come looking for her". He glances across to Steve whose expression I can't even read anymore. It's a mixture of emotions.

I feel hands under my arms and am helped to my feet. I snap the shackles apart as more gasps echo around the court. One of the Eternal's arms slides around my waist and pulls me close. "Hold on". He commands, and I do so, closing my eyes as I feel a whoosh of air coursing around me, then opening them to meet with the bright sunlight and the beauty of the ocean as he now sets us down onto some rocks under the most beautiful palace I have ever laid eyes on.

This is freedom, I can truly feel it for the first time ever...

"Thank you". I say to him. "I am in your debt".

He nods. "I saw what happened to you, and I knew I couldn't see another of you slaughtered for what you are".

I won't ask exactly how he saw, but then again he's an Eternal one. They see all that goes on. I know that much. "You know my name" I state.

"I've known it since we met" He now admits to me.

A light smile forms on my lips. So far everything that I have heard about the Eternal ones appears to not be true. Not unless this man is about to sacrifice me, although like before, I know that I can trust him. "So do I finally get to learn your name?"

He chuckles softly, salt spray from the oceans crashing waves hitting us as we stand upon the rocks.

"Ikaris".