The Mountains Blade

Chapter Two

Chapter Two- Normalcy

Normal wasn't a word in Elwyn's vocabulary, but today she wondered about it.

Arthur, her lifelong sword instructor did not have the patience for her lack of focus. Her ears rang as he slammed his sword down on hers. She barely had time to block, her eyes focusing back on her opponent. Arthur was an older man, well into his forties, or so he appeared. Like her father, he was one of the fallen. The sandy blonde haired boy that had occupied her thoughts vanished as she bared her teeth. She growled and pushed against her commander. Arthurs arms flexed, his large muscles pushing against the fabric of his button down. 

They were both coated in sweat, Elwyn's hair sticking to her sharp cheekbones. She slide her blade against his and spun around. She angled to hold the metal against his throat but her anger caused her attention to diverted. Arthur slid his leg under hers, slamming his steele boot hard enough against her ankle that she almost cried out. Almost. 

Elwyn caught her fall with the end of her blade digging into the training mat. She fought back a hiss and knew that her eyes were watering. She swiped her sweat and eyes before standing back before her commander. 

"Focus, Girl. In battle-" Arthur raised the tip of her blade to the middle of her throat. "There is no room for error, you will die."

Elwyn clamped her jaw shut, gripping her blade tightly. "Yes, sir Arthur." She clipped. 

Arthur eyed her, sheathing his blade, marking the end to the four hour training. It was already lunch time. "Wash up, you have a council meeting to sit in this afternoon." 

Elwyn faltered in putting her blade away. "This afternoon?" She asked dumbly. She was supposed to see Max this afternoon.

Arthur glared at her, brown eyes assessing her. "Unless you have somewhere else to be." He warned rubbing a damp towel over his bald head. 

Elwyn straightened. Sacrifices had to be made as the next queens chosen warrior. She had to put the kingdom first. "Of course not." She said, strolling out of the training room. 

The warrior slowed her pace outside the door to watch her mother and sister across the hall. Her mother and sister were strikingly similar in appearance, opposite of her. Hope Greywater sat in the schooling room, the door slightly propped open, likely an accident. Her long Lucious red curls were pulled into a fine brain, lying over her delicate Gold dress. She was saying something to her sister, pointing to a page in a book. Her sister listened intensely, Identical green eyes hanging on her mothers every word. 

Avelina Greywater was stunning, a beautiful princess in waiting. She had green moss colored eyes and snow kissed skin. Her hair was fox red, lips plump and jaw carved into a heart shape. The soon to be queen wore a dark green dress, that billowed around the golden chair she say upon. 

Elwyn's heart clenched in her chest and Arthur pushed past her roughly, closing the door. Not before her sister and mother saw her. 

"Leave the royals alone, girl." Elwyn clamped her mouth shut to keep from saying anything. She only turned to leave and walk back in the direction of her chambers. "You will never be your sister." Her commanders voice reminded her. 

Elwyn didn't turn to let him see her expression. 

~

That afternoon the council meeting was held in a room opposite of the throne room. Despite being raised a warrior, here she was forced to put on the façade that she was anything but. This had been a strategy her mother had come up with. "Better to make them think you are a naïve girl who just likes pretty things." She had said. 

And so like the good daughter and warrior she was, Elwyn wore pink. She absolutely despised the outfit she wore. It was puffy and bright, everything seeming to scream how idiotically oblivious she was. Elwyn scratched at the fabric that hid multiple blades and weapons. The dress was silk and had a train, her hair tied into a half up with ribbon. Elwyn gritted her teeth as the officials in the room looked at her as if she was a child. She may have merely been a adult woman but she could easily kill each and every person in that room. 

A servant pulled out a chair for Elwyn beside her sister. Avelina had changed as well, her attire queenly. Avelina looked as if she was going to laugh at Elwyn's dress. A grin tugged at the youngest sisters lips as she sat beside the heir. "If you laugh, I will too and then mother will destroy us both." She hissed under her breath, not concealing her smile. Avelina pressed a delicate hand against her mouth, her jeweled hand sparkling, her ring finger stark against the finery. In the little time since Elwyn had seen her sister, Avelina had changed into Gold. 

Her red hair was pinned back, golden pins making a crown like shape. She wasn't allowed to wear a crown until coronation, a sort of tradition or right of passage. But that didn't stop her maid from fashioning a make shift one with pure gold. Of course, Avelina's dress matched, it was long and hugged her slender figure. Her skin was soft, not a single scar littering the tender flesh. Elwyn rubbed her foot against her sore ankle as she took in her sisters beauty. 

"Are you okay?" Her sister asked, eyes gleaming with concern. 

Elwyn blinked, not realizing that she had been staring. She smiled. "Of course, yes, sorry." She laughed. Avelina frowned but before she could investigate further their father walked in, signaling the beginning of the meeting. The two sisters watched the king step in. He was a warrior king, he wore black pants with a fine blue button up. His dark hair was brushed back and his gray eyes met Elwyn's first. He smiled at her and Elwyn smiled too. 

He was everything that she aspired to be. A warrior to the bone, blade strapped at his side, muscled figure filling out every curve and crevice of his centuries old body. Elwyn knew like her, his clothing hid more than it seemed, metal and blade waiting to meet flesh. 

"We have much to talk about." Her father said as he sat at the end of the wooden council table. Arthur stepped in behind her father, face emotionless. He stood at the entrance, closer to their father than any other guard. 

The members of the council waited patiently as their father spoke.