Crow's Calling

Aellia stood in front of the full-length mirror, her long white hair cascading down her back in loose curls. She stared at her reflection, her amethyst eyes filled with a mixture of fear and uncertainty. Today was the day she had been dreading - her arranged wedding to the Elven Prince Belaadar, a man she hardly knew. As she adjusted the intricate beading on her wedding gown, Aellia's mind wandered to the days when she was a carefree young half-elf, playing in the forests of the elusive Spellcaster's Court with her mother, Vira; Queen of the Court. But now, as she prepared to leave her home and family behind, she couldn't help but feel a sense of sadness and longing. "Are you ready, dearest?" her mother's gentle voice broke through Aellia's thoughts. Aellia turned to face her mother, her eyes brimming with tears. "I-I don't know if I can do this, Mother," she whispered, her voice trembling. Vira placed a comforting hand on her daughter's shoulder. "I know this is not the life you had imagined for yourself, my dear. But as the future bride of the Elven Prince, it is your duty to marry Prince Belaadar and unite our two kingdoms... Even if it pains our hearts to do so." Aellia nodded, her heart heavy with the weight of her responsibilities. She had always known that her marriage would be arranged, as was the custom among the noble elves. But she never thought it would be to someone she had never even met. "Belaadar is a kind and honorable man, my dearest Crow. I am certain that once you get to know him, you will grow to love him," Vira reassured her daughter. Aellia looked at her mother with doubt in her eyes. How could she possibly love someone she had been forced to marry? But before she could voice her concerns, there was a knock on the door. "It's time, my Crow," Vira said, taking Aellia's hand and leading her towards the door. As they made their way to the grand hall where the wedding ceremony would take place, Aellia's mind raced with conflicting emotions. She couldn't deny the sense of duty and responsibility that came with being the future queen, but at the same time, she couldn't help but feel resentful towards her own mother for arranging her marriage without her consent. As they reached the grand hall, Aellia's eyes fell upon Prince Belaadar, waiting at the altar with a small smile on his face. He was tall and handsome, with piercing green eyes and golden hair that shone in the sunlight. Aellia couldn't deny that he was a good match for her, but she couldn't shake off the feeling of being trapped in a life she didn't choose. As the ceremony began, Aellia felt a sense of detachment as she recited her vows and exchanged rings with Prince Belaadar. It wasn't until he leaned in to kiss her that she felt caged, and that now the door was closed and locked. As the newly wedded couple stood together at the altar, Aellia felt a strange sense of disconnection from the events unfolding around her. The elaborate reception and festivities seemed to happen around her in a blur; she hardly noticed the colourful decorations, the cheerful faces of her well-wishers, or the delicious aromas of the feast. Her mind was elsewhere, grappling with the reality of her new situation. Beside her, Prince Belaadar exuded an air of contentment, blissfully unaware of the turmoil within Aellia's heart. He gracefully attended to his royal duties, engaging in conversations with guests and accepting their congratulations with grace. Meanwhile, Aellia felt like a caged bird, trapped within the confines of a life that had been chosen for her, a life that held little promise of happiness. As the sun set, casting a golden glow on the proceedings, Aellia's thoughts turned to the forest of her youth, the carefree days spent with her mother, the freedom she once knew. Silent tears rolled down her cheeks, unnoticed by the revelers around her. Would she ever find happiness in this arranged union? Only time would tell. ----------------------------------------- When at last, the seemingly happy couple were able to retire for the night, Aellia felt a sense of foreboding as if something momentous was about to happen. She stood at the balcony of her chambers, gazing at the starry night sky, feeling more alone than ever. The cool breeze did little to soothe her troubled spirits. Her thoughts, once again, wandered to her childhood haunts – the mysterious and magical forest that had been her sanctuary. How she missed the freedom and simplicity of those days, running wild and carefree, a sense of adventure always lurking around the next bend. Inside the opulent bedroom, Prince Belaadar prepared for the night ahead, his thoughts filled with anticipation. He was smitten by Aellia's beauty and grace, convinced that their union would bring about a new era of prosperity for their kingdoms. Unbeknownst to him, his new bride's heart was far away, lost in a world of nostalgia and longing. As Aellia continued to stand alone on the balcony, gazing up at the night sky, a sense of loneliness consumed her. The weight of her new responsibilities as a wife and future queen pressed heavily upon her shoulders. Her thoughts continued to drift to the past, to the forest that had been her playground, and the freedom she had cherished for so long. Below her, the castle bustled with the remaining guests, their laughter and conversations echoing through the gardens. She felt detached from it all, like she was observing a life that belonged to someone else. As the hours grew late, the revelries slowly came to an end, and the castle fell silent, leaving Aellia with her thoughts and a stranger's touch upon her skin. Unbeknownst to her, Prince Belaadar had been observing her from afar, his heart swelling with adoration and a sense of uncertainty. He saw her sadness as an omen to be heeded, but he was confident that his love and devotion would eventually win her over. Yet, Aellia's mind remained elsewhere, her spirit yearning for the life she had left behind. The night wrapped around her like a shroud, deepening the mystery of her melancholy. Aellia's heart ached the longer she stared into the night sky, the stars seeming to mock her with their distant, unattainable glow. The weight of her duties pressed down on her, a constant reminder of the life she had been dealt. Her thoughts, like a mischievous breeze, escaped to the enchanting forest of her youth, a place where she had once felt free and alive; and the gentle Night Elf she had met there long ago. Aellia remembered how they had played together for hours before her nanny had finally found them... Yet Aellia had always thought it odd that her nanny had been fearful of the Night Elf girl who had been playing with her... Almost as if her nanny had known something that Aellia did not. With each passing moment... With each passing memory; Aellia felt more estranged from the world around her, like an observer in a play whose script she had not been given. The castle fell into a peaceful slumber, the revelries of the day now a distant memory. Yet, amidst the quiet, Prince Belaadar's eyes remained fixed on his bride, his heart filled with an unknown emotion he couldn't suppress. He yearned to understand the depths of her sorrow, to unravel the mysteries of her soul. But Aellia stood alone, enveloped in a shroud of nostalgia, longing for a freedom that seemed forever lost. As the night stretched into eternity, a subtle shift occurred within Aellia. The sadness that had consumed her began to evolve into a newfound determination. She had always known her life would be one of duty and responsibility, but the magnitude of her sacrifice now became her strength. Gazing upon the majestic night sky, Aellia made a silent pledge to herself. She would embrace her role as queen, but on her own terms. Unknown to her, fate had bigger plans, and a magical breeze carried whispers of change in the air... And Belaadar remained watching from the shadows of the room... Waiting, for the time that she could hopefully give him her heart.