The Rebel Maiden-A Short Story

Chapter One-Rebel

They want me to bathe, I tell them no. The sticky blood will cling to my clothes, my hair still rustled by the wind, my hands worn by battle no longer able to touch fine silk. I will not become a lady. I will stay a warrior. No matter if it means my life. Killing the King is far more important than living the life of a prisoner, even though I would be treated like nobility. No as a Queen, the King's Queen. I know this is what they want. Having me at his right hand would be a powerful tool. I will not have my freedom taken away from me. Being a Queen doesn't change the fact that iron cuffs would bind my hands. So no I won't be used like this. Marrying the leader of the Rebels daughter would make the people drop their swords for my sake. For my father to lay down his weapon. I will be no lady in distress. I will kill the King myself, I will be my own hero.

"Leave me alone!" I snap at them but then request "I want to speak to the King."

They leave me alone, I'm too much to handle for them.

The servant's hand me over to the King's guards. They lead me to the King's throne room while I'm chained up like a dog. Since they won't let me walk out the front door I decide to study every part of the castle, the more my father knows about our enemies defensives the better. If only I could get out of this hell hole.

The hallway leading to the Throne room is simple yet elegant.

The color of the walls are made of tan stone easy to collect in the elves quarry.

Yes elves, my world is made up of fantastic creatures you've only heard of, but never laid your eyes upon. Elves unlike the tales are elegant graceful creatures. They are usually average height or very tall, they always have silk brown hair and misty green eyes. However as much as they are graceful they are hardworking. They are the craftsman of Mundi Vita, my world.

There are others dragons, mermaids, pegasus, centaurs, trolls,goblins, fairies, even the rare unicorn. All of these creatures aide my father in the rebellion, many have even become my friend.

Few tapestries line the hallway and iron candle holders make room for light. But as we reach the throne room it is far more grand.

Elaborate tapestries decorate the crisp red walls, while dreamy table settings on each table make the room feel magical. Scented candles fill the air, gathered from a Troll's home, their known for their decorating skills, probably captured during a raid. Paper lanterns filled with the blood of fairies make them float. Horns gathered from a minotaur's head cover the walls, complimenting the dragon skin carpet. I even see two unicorn horns decorating the tips of the King 's throne.

As I near Ayden the despised King of the land I wonder my fate. He is tall, muscular, built like the ultimate warrior. His hair is dark blond and his eye's are a dark green, the color of a deadly serpent. He wears a red tunic the color of blood, with black pants, and assorted jewels. Worst of all a crown covers his head,the crown of a former king. My brother's crown.

This is why every fiber of my being wants Ayden dead. His hands are stained with my brother's blood. To see him be killed with my sword would bring justice to my brother.

The guard forces me to the ground.

"Bow," the guard commands.

"No."

"I said bow!!!" He screams pointing a sword at my throat.

"I will not bow to a King whose hands are covered in blood."

The guard is about to kill me until Ayden raises his hand having spared my life, I hate him.

"Welcome to my kingdom!!!" He spreads his arms out wide like he's throwing some sort of parade.

"This isn't yours, it is ..... was my brother's..." I start but my voice drops off.

"True but he's dead now so guess who's the lucky winner!" he smiles sickly while walking down the hall towards me.

He bends down to my level and whispers in my ear "This is all yours."

This is one thing very few people know about. My brother and I were my father's only children, his only heir's. Traditionally if my brother ever died my father would have chosen a knight or a trusted young man as the next heir. He chose me.

A young woman as the heir.

I don't see why Ayden won't kill me, I'm sick of his games already.

"Yes, I am the next heir."

"Excellent!!!" he hisses "You'll be the perfect one."

"The one for what?" I ask but I think I already know the answer.

"To be my bride of course Jade, Queen Jade...has a nice ring to it does it not?" he taunts me.

"Why would you even want to marry me?"

"Jade you know as well as I do that a royal elf, especially one ruling over the entire kingdom has extraordinary abilities. These elves have great power over the land. They can decide whether or not the crops will grow or die. They can create breathtaking floods or life draining droughts. Although I've never seen what a royal half-elf could do."

"I'm not a elf, especially not a half one, that is unheard of even in Mundi Vita."

"True you don't very much look the part. With your long brown hair, those wide blue eyes, and your short height, but..."

He grabs me by my hair, and flips it uncovering my long pointed ears.

"For you we can make an exception, you are a half-elf."

Things just got interesting.