Crimson Throne

Not a Chapter (Short Story)

Hey y'all!

This isn't a chapter because I haven't had the time since school started, but I am in a creative writing class and we had to write short stories. Of course, I had to write mine on my favorite characters, so here's a short story that takes place from the time Avalon is twelve (with flashbacks to when she was ten) to the second chapter of Crimson Throne. I hope you all enjoy it!

It's also called "Death of an Heir".

It had only been one year, six months, and twelve days since the death of Dawson. Of course, it had only been two weeks since the death of the second born son. It could have never been known Dannamore would be left without an heir. It wasn't something the gods could predict or even the King. How the King would be frightful in times like these. The newest family, barely introduced into the aristocracy, now left without an heir. Poor Avalon, a girl who was barely twelve, now left alone with only grieving parents. Duke and Duchess alone without a male heir.

Nicholas.

Nicholas was called to every night by his younger sister, consoled by her nurse. Eventually the nurse stopped coming, unable to console the youngest child of Duke and Duchess. Stop crying, Duke and Duchess would tell her. She wouldn't stop crying until her twentieth birthday.

She was now thirteen. In the older generations of her country, she would be married around this happy time. Duke and Duchess had married barely at the age of fourteen, Dawson being born only nine months later. One day you'll be the lady of a great house, Duchess would tell her daughter. Of course, they ignored the obvious problem of Nicholas' death; there was no one to be the Lord of Dannamore. Who would inherit Duke's title?

Everyday Avalon would pull herself out of bed, slip into fine silks, play the part, then return to her chambers. Smile, they would say. She didn't know how to smile anymore, not really. When was the last time the corners of her lips curved up? Avalon didn't know. Duke and Duchess didn't know. Nurse didn't know. Nicholas knew.

They walked along the shore every morning before their parents were awoken by milling about servants. It was a simple task. Avalon collected shells with her brother a few paces behind her, keeping watch for anyone who could place harm on her. For now, on the shore, with her shells, Avalon smiled. Her smile would only falter when Nicholas would say, We have to go back inside now. Avalon would hesitate in the waves crashing against the shore before following her brother back towards their home.

Nicholas was to be wed in the morning, outside among the flowers of the castle's garden. She was a plain girl. Why did all noblewomen have to be plain? Maybe it was from bad breeding or the stock of Lyier wasn't what it used to be as Duke would have it. Avalon liked Nicholas' fiance. She reminded her of herself, but one would be the Lady of Dannamore while the other wouldn't. Their wedding would be the event of the year, even the Royal Family would make the journey across the sea.

Avalon waded out into the Bay of Lovers as she waited for a glimpse of the Crown Prince's boat. He was her friend, maybe even her only friend outside of her brothers and new sister-in-law. How many months had it been since they'd last seen one another? Four. It had been four months since she played king and queen with her friend.

Finally, they made port.

You look dumb, Jacques told her.

In her finest silks, Avalon did feel dumb. The Crown Prince needed no impressing, but Duchess had insisted upon it. Her daughter would not make a mockery of the family name.

Avalon turned fifteen during the hot summer months. Fives years since her brother's wedding, two years since his death, and still no heir had been produced. Jacques wrote her letters, but she never responded. How long had it been since they played king and queen? She didn't know anymore. In another six years, he'd be king. What a glorious day when their childhood game wouldn't be a game of fantasy anymore.