Black Crystal Part 1 - The Origin

Chapter Forty Eight ~ Wedding Day

December 22nd, 1816.

Capitol City of Portland, Oregon Province.

Lenora woke up before the sun was out. It was in that moment of being alone, without being seen by anyone, that she allowed herself to cry. She felt as if Garen was gone. What if he didn't survive the search for his father? What if the military got to him when she mentioned his name to Nicholas? Her heart shattered to pieces. But after she allowed herself that moment to mourn, she stopped crying and looked out the window from her room with a stern expression.

Today's the day, she thought to herself. My eighteenth birthday, and a forced marriage. I'm going to kill him. Lenora turned in her bed and sat up, and her feet hit the floor. It was cold, but she didn't mind. She stood from her bed with determination. A dagger in a leather scabbard rested on her nightstand. In the silence of her room, her eyes slowly narrowed as she glanced at the dagger. I'm gonna kill his father, too. I'd crush their entire military if I could. Anything to end them.

The more she thought about it, Lenora started feeling more determined. Killing Nicholas and the Chancellor would result in ending a repeat of the War of 1806 before it could ever begin. A sharp pain seemed to pierce Lenora's heart. She quickly grasped her chest and fell to her knees. All other sounds were drowned out by an ear-piercing, high-pitched ringing, and even the low sound of her own heart beating.

"Lenora?" the familiar voice stopped the high-pitched ringing and the pain in her chest subsided. Lenora looked up and saw Maevis standing in her doorway. "Are you okay?" Lenora chuckled and stood back up as Maevis walked into her room.

"Just a little chest pain," Lenora replied. "Probably heartburn or something like that." They were both silent, and both of them had expressions of dismay. "Mom... I miss Garen."

"I know..." Maevis sighed almost mournfully, slowly and gently wrapping her arms around her daughter. "I know you do."

"Do you think this whole mess could've been avoided if he was here?" Lenora asked as she embraced her mother back. Maevis chuckled a little and kissed the top of Lenora's head.

"Maybe not avoided," she began, "but if Garen was here, maybe it would've ended messier. If Garen knew that jerk was trying to marry you, why, Garen would have killed him faster than you could call him over." Both Lenora and Maevis laughed a little, and when Maevis let go of Lenora, she noticed the dagger on the nightstand. "I see you're taking this matter into your own hands." Lenora nodded and grabbed the sheathed dagger, grabbing the velcro straps that hung from it and wrapped them firmly around her right calf.

"I wouldn't let it end any other way," she said quietly, starting to get changed into a beautiful white dress. "I've been brushing up on my acting abilities lately, anyway, mom. If I can deceive Nicholas enough to make him think I really want this, he won't see this dagger coming."

"Sweetie..." Maevis sighed, but she didn't know what to say. She knew that Lenora made her final decision. Once Lenora finished putting on her dress and boots, she put a shimmering tiara on and looked at Maevis.

"I'm ready now," she said. "Let's end it."