Stand in The Flame

Chapter One

Flames. Nothing but flames. That was all Aenwyn saw when she looked out the window of the clan palace. It was back. The dragon had come back again, slaughtered her people, and drenched the villages in flames.

She ran to the council room, knowing her father and other clan leaders would be there with the elders. The blonde woman slammed through the heavy wooden doors, panting. "It's back, Father! The dragon...it—"

"Hold, Aenwyn. I know." Her father was tall, a dark haired elf that had hard green eyes and strong features. Anywhere he went, his body language demanded respect and he got it. That's why he was king. "We are discussing how to deal with it. The leaders believe if we sacrifice someone to the gods, it will leave us be."

Aenwyn paused, her brows coming together in confusion. "But...Father, there hasn't been a sacrifice in centuries. We aren't some kind of savages!" She said, getting looks of disapproval for raising her voice. "You wouldn't dare do that to a villager, it's heinous!"

"Not a villager. Someone who has been raised a noble. " One of the elders spoke up, eyeing the elven princess with pure hatred. He's hated her since she was born, as she was not the daughter of the late queen.

Her father had a lover, many years ago, and she was the product of his affair. Her mother died just after the birth, and Aenwyn never met her. The queen took her with open arms though, training her and loving her along with her own son as any mother would. Even if looking at Aenwyn was basically looking at the woman her husband betrayed her for. The blonde princess was the spitting image of her mother, at least that's what the queen always told her. But she was a bastard child, and the noblemen and council leaders refused to treat her like anything but that. The king himself hardly recognized her as his child. Her brother, the queen's son, was always the favored child. True royalty and nobleman. She could never compare. Never be as good.

"Who then, Father? Who are you going to slaughter to fix this?" Aenwyn snapped, practically stomping up to the king. There was something in his eyes, something that gave her the answer and it broke her heart. "Me...?" Her voice was no longer loud and powerful, but soft and almost inaudible.

"You are a princess. It is your duty to help your people." The King said, his voice strong and unmoved. "In one week, at dusk. You will come to the courtyard. Our warriors will bring you to the sunstone, and that will be your resting place." He laid a hand on the young blonde's shoulder, his green eyes as sharp and piercing as always, "I truly am sorry my child, but this is to save the villages. The people. You're the one that will save them from a horrid death."

Aenwyn swallowed thickly, staring up at the man she had always called father. He was right. They had to do something. It seemed this was it. "Yes, Father. I will perform my duty." She whispered, brushing his hand away and walking out of the council room. She could feel all eyes on her, watching her leave. The elven princess kept a straight face until she was alone in her chambers, she couldn't help but collapse on the carpet covered stone.

"For my people."