Woven Fates

“Welcome Fellow Kings”

The three Kings had decided to travel together with a light guard and their armies waiting in the distance. They knew if the need arose the armies would never arrive in time but they wanted a show of force.

They each took the fastest horse they had and were armed. As they rode towards the castle they would always consider Aldrich’s, they couldn’t help the anger that arose within them. They knew Hadley would feel it but none of them cared. This was an insult to them and their friends memory.

They reached the inner gate to the castle which was open and rode through. A vampire stepped towards them as they reached the steps to the castle.

“Your men can wait here, we will have the horses stabled”, he called out.

“No need, our men can guard the horses”, Robert replied, dismounting.

“As you wish”, the vampire smirked.

They walked up the steps and entered the large doors. The castle had already changed, it felt like death. It was cold and the little pieces added by generations of Aldrich's family had been removed.

“Welcome Fellow Kings”, Hadley walked through a door into the entrance hall with his arms outstretched.

“Will the Kings mother and father be joining us for dinner Hadley? Its been some time since I have seen them” Robert began.

Hadley looked at Robert, his eyes flashing black and red. “It’s King Hadley”, he hissed coldly, “And I rather doubt it, unless you would like their bodies brought in and seated”.

Anger surged through the 3 kings as they silently seethed.

“And your reason for killing them?” King Ailwyn asked.

“Aldrich stole my Beloved. If someone had stolen your queen would you have merely accepted it?” Hadley asked sharply.

“You can’t steal a true mate”, King Robert replied.

“Well, apparently you can”, Hadley looked at Robert dangerously.

It was obvious to the 3 kings that Hadley was not in a state to be reasonable and if they were to leave alive they would need to be restrained.

“Shall we eat?” Hadley asked leading them towards the dining hall. The Kings followed him into the hall and took a seat.

Hadley rang a small bell that sat on the table and vampires began bringing out food. Trays of meats, fruit, cheese and bread. They had little appetite and knowing that Aldrich and Ingrid had been poisoned they were reluctant to eat.

“Why did you request our presence tonight Hadley?” Jaime asked.

“It is KING HADLEY!” Hadley roared.

“He meant no disrespect, in each other’s presence we do not use formalities. We refer to each other by our first names. The four of us have done this for years.” Ailwyn tried to calm Hadley, failing miserably.

“The 4 of you?” Hadley asked.

“Yes, until Aldrich was killed there were 4 of us”, Jaime spat.

“Well as you can see there are still 4 of us”, Hadley smiled.

“Will Lord Anton be joining us? How is his son by the way, was it Bastian?” Jaime asked.

Hadley stood up, his hands flat on the table. “Do you think you are better than me? Because you are of a bloodline and inherited your title where I EARNED MINE!” Hadley roared.

“You killed a man dulled by poison, I'd hardly call that earned”, Jaime retorted, his face turning red.

Hadley smiled, sitting back down. “You seem to know a lot about the situation King Jaime. Who told you?” He asked solicitously.

“Witnesses who have fled your castle spoke of seeing black lines on the king and queens faces. Is that not poison?” Jaime asked.

“I do not wish to speak of this anymore. I brought you here to let you know you must return all of my people to me”, Hadley stated looking at the 3 kings.

“We have no vampires in our kingdom, nor would we welcome them.” Robert retorted.

“Not vampires King Robert, werewolves. I am told you are taking refugees from this kingdom. You will return them”. Hadley replied.

“I will do no such thing. In honour of my friend King Aldrich I will take every dam last werewolf in this world if that is what it takes.”

“You would let these filthy mutts live in your realm?” Hadley hissed.

“I would”, Robert replied putting down his knife and fork. He had not eaten a bite and did not trust Hadley to try.

“Do you have any idea how easy it was for me to take the castle,” Hadley threatened Robert quietly.

“Are you threatening me?” Robert blustered standing up and glaring at Hadley.

“I have a brother. He is soft and weak. He will marry your daughter, the feisty one,” Hadley began dismissively.

“You will not decide who will marry my daughter,” Robert was fighting to stay calm.

“HOW DARE YOU!” Jaime roared across the table.

“I have a rather large army. Enough to divide and send to each of your kingdoms at once. The only 2 races capable of turning humans are the werewolves and the vampires and werewolves can only turn their mates. Imagine the size of an army I could build….” Hadley laughed as he sat back in his seat.

Robert paled as he looked at the other kings for assistance.

“So you are threatening us”, Jaime stated looking across the table. “Then let’s be clear. We will give refuge to all who seek it. You will not set foot in our kingdoms uninvited, any sighting of you within our realms will be seen as an act of war”.

“You will not enter our kingdoms through portals or any other means unless invited”. Ailwyn continued.

“Yes, yes. Now its my turn. My brother Bastian will marry the princess Amelia. You will not allow for any of your people to mate with the werewolves. I am aware many have crossed borders to seek out their mate or true love. It stops now. If I find couples of different species, I will have them killed. Are we clear? Its an abomination and one I won’t abide”, Hadley sat and watched the kings for their reactions.

“You would insist on Robert’s daughter marrying your brother when they are of different species but not allow it for others? Our Gods worked together to create this world and allowed us to find our mates from each other’s realms. Who are you to go against the will of our Gods?” Ailwyn asked quietly.

“Vampires don’t have Gods, so I guess that puts me in charge…” Hadley laughed at them. “Werewolves will be allowed to live as slaves. That is all they are to be. Don’t let me hear of free werewolves in your realms. I took Aldrich, I’m sure none of you would prove to be a challenge.” He waved his hand dismissively as the Kings walked towards the door.

“We must arrange a meeting for the betrothed couple Robert”, Hadley said as they walked out the door.

Robert mounted his horse and began toward his realm at a full gallop, Ailwyn and Jaime right behind him. As they reached their armies they stopped and came together.

“What the hell was that?” Jaime asked angrily.

“Utter madness!” Robert responded.

“Robert, I don’t know that we have much choice..” Ailwyn began.

“Dam you Ailwyn, it is not your daughter he is forcing to marry his brother!” Robert yelled.

“Maybe meet young Bastian Robert. He is a child, perhaps he can be moulded into something better than that monster. I have met his aunt, she seems to be trying to raise him to be better”, Jaime began.

“Have them brought to me Jaime, use a portal”, Robert ended the conversation as he rode away.

Robert arrived at his home, leaving his horse in the marshalling yard as he ran up the stairs to the door. It was opened for him the minute he reached it and he ran into the arms of his waiting wife. He was shaking from the adrenaline and as she held him he gave out a great sob.

“What is it Love?” Queen Lydia asked him worried.

Robert looked at her. He felt sick and angry and was struggling to form words.

“That animal is insisting our Amelia marry his brother”, he began.

The queen gasped. “No, absolutely not!”, she began.

“I don’t think we have a choice Lydia”, he whispered. “He is too strong, his army out numbers ours”.

“NO! I will not allow it!” the queen shook her head angrily.

“That’s my choice mother, is it not?” a voice came from the stairs.

“Amelia no, I will not let you sacrifice yourself like that. He would turn you into one of them.” The Queen shook her head.

Amelia descended the stairs and stood beside her mother.

“He is but a boy of 6 or 7 years according to Jaime. It will be 10 years at least before you can marry. We will have 10 years to destroy that monster,” Robert held Amelia’s hand as he spoke to her. He was so incredibly proud of his oldest daughter; she had shown a strength and willingness to do what is best for the kingdom she would inherit from a very young age and for the last 50 years she had been actively involved in its running.

“Jaime is organising a meeting. The boy lives with his aunt after the death of Anton and the child’s mother. Maybe we can help them be better,” Robert spoke quietly, his eyes on Amelia.

“I will meet with them father”, Amelia smiled at her parents before returning to her suite upstairs.

“She is a wonderful daughter”, Lydia murmured.

“Indeed she is”, Robert replied.

The following night a portal appeared in the marshalling yard outside the castle. Guards moved forward as Jaime and Ailwyn stepped through, followed by Bastian and his aunt. Jaime had gone straight to their home before returning to his own to arrange this meeting. The boy had been upset but his aunt had spoken to him and they had agreed to the meeting.

Robert and Lydia walked down the stairs to the yard to welcome them and bring them inside. Bastian looked around wide eyed. It was a very different environment to the one he had grown up in.

“Otis, perhaps you could entertain the boy with some magic?” Robert smiled as he saw Otis and Lola in the library. Otis nodded and beckoned for the boy to join them.

“Please”, Lydia said informally, pointing towards a lounging area. Bastian’s aunt took a seat.

“I am Lydia and this is Robert”, the queen began.

“Your Majesties”, the woman bowed her head.

“Please, let’s not be so formal”, Lydia smiled.

“I am Meg”, Bastian’s aunt smiled back.

“Its very nice to meet you”, Lydia began, “And young Bastian. How old is the boy?”

“He is only 7 years”. Meg answered.

“Well, we have 10 years to plan a wedding then”, Lydia smiled.

“Or kill Hadley”, Meg said looking from one to the other. “Surely you can not accept this match. Your daughter and a vampire?”

“No, but we seem to have little choice in the matter. Hadley has made clear his plans if the wedding does not happen”. Robert replied.

“Bastian is a good boy; his mother did not hunt to feed on human blood and neither does he. His mother was a beautiful soul who changed Lord Anton. I have much hope for him”.

It was then Robert realised Meg was human.

“How have you lived amongst the vampires and not been turned?” Robert asked suddenly.

“I feed Bastian, so I was allowed to stay human”, Meg whispered. “I’m fortunate in that Bastian is very protective of me so he keeps the other vampires away,” she smiled.

“The boy is strong?” Robert asked.

“He was born of 2 vampires; he was not turned like my sister.” A tear fell down Megs cheek as she spoke of her sister, “She and Anton fell in love and he turned her during their mating. He terrified me in the beginning, but my sister tamed him. They were trying to help Hadley but he is very dark. Anton tried everything but there is no helping that monster. He could kill Bastian and think nothing of it”.

“We will accept the betrothal and you will be free to spend time with us here. We will open portals at designated times for you to come through.” Lydia smiled at Meg, “We will do our best to protect you both”.

“Thankyou,” Meg smiled.

“I will leave you ladies to talk, I must go visit with the Kings,” Robert smiled as he stood up and walked toward the door.

Robert walked down the steps and out into the marshalling yard where Ailwyn and Jaime stood talking to some of the refugees.

“Robert, we were just talking to Jordan, son of George. He would like to stay and help with his kind”, Ailwyn called out.

“How many amongst you are Warriors?” Jaime asked.

“No warriors amongst us Sir, they all seemed to have fought and died. We have heard some news of some making their way into the human world but have received no confirmation. My father will send word when he knows more.” Jordan replied.

“You are of Alpha blood and able to take charge. It will be difficult my friend, your kind have endured something none amongst us have before”, Robert began, “But you will have our support. You must know we have met with Hadley tonight. Word is not good. He has demanded werewolves be kept as slaves. No mating between our kinds can occur. We know not his strength at this time, but he claims he can take all three of our kingdoms simultaneously. Given the way your own kingdom fell we can not take the chance. You will neither be shackled nor used as a slave but you must give that appearance. There can be no show of strength around any vampires.”

“We have received news he is slaughtering ranked werewolves and their families and those in mixed relationships. If our kind are to survive we must do as you ask,” Jordan bowed his head.

“And so it shall be,” Jaime nodded his head.