The Curse of the Moon-realms

Chapter Three

Lucan smiled warmly; the intensity of both Kingdom’s enmity momentarily forgotten. “I have secretly read many ballads and songs that sing of Southern Moon-realm’s beauty. It seems it was all a myth but I beg to differ now that you are in front of me,”

In a flash, Aria recalled the orientation that had been given to them about the Northern Moon-realm; “a Kingdom to be ostracized, a Kingdom that bears a certain curse that may be set in motion if we mingle with them.” She thought.

“I beg to take my leave,” she said as she fought the roaring emotions that bubbled in her tummy. Hastily turning to leave the stall, Lucan stood in the way.

“Look, a friendship between us would not hold. I’ll be leaving for the Southern moon-realm after the Alver’s festival of light.” She finalized.

“Don’t be like our forefathers. This is Alver, a magical town where we can build a whole new world.” Silent at his antics, Aria slouched, her arms folded with her eyes rolling up and down

“Alright! Indulge me again, my beautiful lady. Since you would be attending the festival of light at the Alver’s square. I’ll wait for you at the mill. Please spare a little time for me before your return.”

Aria couldn't help but smile faintly as she walked past him. She had informed her family of her plans to spend one night at Alver for the festival but with the flustering of her heart, her plan was meant to change.

When the sun began to set, Aria and Lucan found themselves drawn together like magnets. They continued their conversation in the heart of Alver, under an old oak tree beside the Mill, they shared stories about their Kingdoms, their dreams and laughed and trusted, and the more they talked, the deeper their bond became. Love had crept into their hearts, maybe a love at first sight but definitely nothing short of Love.

Aria leaned closer, reflecting the candlelight. “I have never met anyone from Northern Moon-realm. I guess we all lived in closed fences never really veering for peace.”

Lucan, his voice full of sincerity, answered, “I have never met anyone from the southern Moon-realm as fair and beautiful as you, my lady, especially one who understands the heart of a Northern Lord and desires to grace it like you. Our Kingdoms may be in conflict, but perhaps we can be the bridge that connects them.”

But as the night wore on, their enchanting evening took an unexpected turn. As they discussed their origins in more detail, Lucan’s attention was drawn to Aria’s jewel with the Southern crest. His hand touched it and it dawned on him over and again that he had falling in love from the forbidden divide. A sense of betrayal washed over him and he saw the fear in Aria’s eyes as she revealed the crest of her necklace.

“Again, this is my identity, Lucan. I know our hearts are in sync but should we do this? Aria inquired in hush tones as she faced Lucan.

“My lady, we are victims of a conflict we do not know about. How is it fair for our fathers to eat sore grapes and our teeth are set of edge? Not possible, my Lady. I want us to dance to the rhythm of our hearts.” He passionately pleaded.

"Our ancestors' choices have shaped our world. But can we change our fate, Aria?" He looked at her with a deep determination in his eyes." Love can bridge indeed the deepest divides. We cannot let the sins of the past mandate our future."

“From the moment I saw you in the market, I have loved you and I desire that we love each other beyond the boundaries of our Kingdom.” He further added.

Despite their origins, the love they found was undeniable. In the midst of the excitement; with every stolen kiss and every laughter, whispered the promise of a hope and a future, they were willing to defy the precepts set by their kingdoms for love’s sake, they faced a choice: follow the path of their ancestors or challenge their kingdom and to hate and create a love that transcends boundaries.

Aria looked deep into Lucan’s eyes, her voice shaking but determined. “I believe in the possibility of a better future, where love overcomes the enmity between our Kingdoms”

With the words they embraced, their love was stronger than the kingdoms that defined their lives. They understood that their love could be a catalyst for change, a force that could change the fate of their countries. Alver, amidst birdsong and the smell of wild flowers, Aria and Lucan promised to write a new chapter in the history of the Moon-realms - one of love, peace and unity.

……

On the third night of their stay in Alver, their love blossomed amidst the beauty of Alver, and as the moon hung low in the sky, they found themselves in a secluded meadow, far from the prying eyes of their kingdom. Under a blanket of stars, they shared a moment of undeniable passion.

Their hands trembled with desire, their fingers intertwined as they lay on the bed of wildflowers. Aria's auburn hair fell like a waterfall of fire and her eyes shone with love and longing. Lucan looked into her eyes as his heart beat with pleasure. Their breaths were in perfect harmony as they pulled each other closer, surrendering to the magnetic pull between them.

“I have never felt love so deep,” Lucan whispered, his voice full of emotion. “Aria, you are my heart and my desire.”

Aria's fingers traced the contours of his face and her lips trembled at the unspoken words. “Lucan, you are my soul and my reflection. In your arms I found love I was lacked.”

Their heartfelt confessions met their lips in a passionate kiss, their love as timeless as the stars above. The world faded away, leaving only their love, intense, deep and all-encompassing as the passion of the night was sealed by the blood that dripped from consummated bed of wildflowers.

…..

While the moon danced in sync with the darkness of the cloud and the owls hoot back and forth the nooks and crannies of Alver, Aria slept and hr dreams, revealing glimpses of what the future held. As her mind steamed with the revelation of the future and the burden that she had to bear. She walked in an endless tunnel of darkness; her skin began to withered as another layer grew and shredded almost immediately. “What is happening to me? Can anyone hear me?” she cried out as she continued to wander in the huge tunnel.

Instantly, Furs budded all through her skin and the bones painfully moved and reformed. Within moments, Aria stood in the very image of the Guardian of the Forest. She transformed into a werewolf with her eyes beaming with a mystical and spiritually dense light and before her stood the very image of the one she had transformed into.

When the hedge breaks,

May their seeds forever be apart

Even if fate prevails,

and their voices howl,

May their form be in sync with the Guardian of the forest,

and their blood smears the chambers of the deep,

..…”

“Ahhrrrgh!” she screamed as she stood up from the bed of Wildflowers. “It was a dream!” she kept panting.

“A nightmare, my love?” Lucan woke up, concerned as her cuddled her. Unable to speak, Lucan patted her back to sleep.

……

As the sun kissed Alver the next morning, Ella, an attendant to Aria, and a loyal subject of the Southern Moon-realm discovered Aria's secret affair with the Northern Lord. Unable to bear the weight of knowledge that her kingdom considered treason, she reluctantly decided to send a secret message to the royal palace. She hoped to spare Aria the consequences, but loyalty to her country outweighed her compassion.

As the sun painted the horizon pink and gold, Aria awoke to the chirping of birds and the warmth of Lucan’s embrace. But her composure was shattered when Ella's message arrived with a messenger on horseback.

Aria read the letter, her face pale with panting,” Lucan, we have been discovered. Someone amongst my entourage knows about our affair and has reported to my Kingdom.”

Lucan's heart jumped, realizing the magnitude of the situation. “Aria, we have to go back. We have to go to your Kingdom together I mean. We will answer that together.”

“No way, my love. My people will kill you and another war might ensue between both Kingdoms.” She pleaded. “Let’s meet again in Alver during the festival of the full moon.” She continued pantingly. “Let’s meet again, my love.”

With heavy hearts they dressed and returned to Alver, their love entwined under the weight of impending doom. The meadow where their love had ignited seemed like a distant memory.