Eirwen

Red

I watched as she fled, heading to the castle as she said she would. Her figure disappearing into the distance. "Eira" I thought. A welsh name meaning snow. It was no mystery why, I've never seen hair quite so light. It was blonde and turned white in the light. Two colors at once. My mind wanders as other aspects of her came to me, her light hazel eyes that seemed to glow when our eyes met, her...
"Red!" My thought was abruptly cut off when I heard a voice behind me. "Red!" It said again,"Red, where have you gone!" I rolled my eyes and hollered back.
"Stephan, I'm over here!" I could make out his lone figure walking,  no running toward me.
"You can't run off like that!" I rolled my eyes.
"Im fine. See." I say gesturing to myself, revealing....that I was completely fine.
"If I may," Stephan started."We are going to-"
"Be late yes yes I know. Lets go!" I said suddenly wanting to be anywhere but the bitter cold of outside. Stephan notice's  my discomfort and hands me a gold encrusted cloak with a buckle, and in the middle a single symbol a crest; an apple. stephan hurried me along back to the carriage and after we both we comfortably inside we made way for the palace, its shape standing firm and beautiful. it looked like time around it had been frozen, come to think of it this entire country seemed to be frozen in place. the icy air and snow that always seemed to fall. i used to visit this country when i was younger and i always remembered it being a sunny and tropical place that always seemed to be laughter in the wind. after the new queen was crowned and king Leopold died he seemed to take the sun and laughter with him leaving the country bare and cold. Stephan pulled me out of my thoughts a second later we had arrived at the castle and i couldn't help but be filled with a sense of dread; being so close made me realize just how dark and foreboding the castle actually was. for a second i imagined that the castle itself could be the root of the darkness of the kingdom. The door to my carriage opened and me and Stephan were escorted through the halls to a what I assumed to be the throne room.  It had a high ceiling that had a moral depicted on it. I found myself squinting to get a better look. I was brought back to the now with the sound of a trumpet and a as if on cue Stephan began to speak,"Your Majesty the Queen I present to you the esteemed 2nd prince of Enchanta." He gestured to me and I bowed low.
"It is an honor and a pleasure your majesty." I said, I straightened at her request. Her voice is high like a song but not irritating it was actually very beautiful.
" In the message i believe you stated that you have come to discuss trading and an alliance?" I nodded the said,
"Yes my father believes that this would be beneficial to us both. My kingdom could most definitely learn from you and how you've managed to keep your country afloat without any prior assistance." Her head tipped to the size giving her the illusion of looking like a conflicted child, making her look much younger. She pursed her lips before speaking again.
"You know I'm hearing a lot about you and how you'll benefit but not a word about me  and my country. A trade alliance goes both ways you know."
"Right of course we should discuss your gain-" She cut me off by saying,
"Yes we should, how about we discuss it over dinner tomorrow. I do tire of formalities." Her request took me aback but it wasnt unreasonable so I nodded.
"Yes that sounds like a great idea." She seemed satisfied with my answer.
"Great!" She exclaimed. "Ill have it all set up, along with rooms for the both of you here in my castle." Stephan and I had planned to stay at an inn in town but this offer seemed much more inviting. So I agreed and she called for someone to show us our rooms and I ng he brief period I saw a flash of movement out of the corner of my eye. I reflexively turned and saw only someone's retreating silhouette and white hair.