୨⎯ Chapter 1⎯୧
"Marriages Arranged"

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THE GRAND HALL of Caralis, adorned with shimmering leaves and vines, fell silent as Queen Taneisha's voice echoed through the air.

"Liairse," she began, her eyes holding a mixture of command and something softer—perhaps regret. "You are to be wed to Legolas, son of King Thranduil."

The world seemed to tilt on its axis. I blinked, certain I had misheard. My twin brother, Khellan, stood frozen, his usual smirk replaced by wide-eyed shock. Beside him, my dearest friend Aine looked between the queen and me, her face a mirror of my own disbelief.

"I... I'm sorry, Mother, but I must have misheard you," I stammered, my voice barely above a whisper. "You want me to do what exactly?"

Queen Taneisha sighed, a flicker of impatience crossing her regal features. "You are to wed Legolas, my dear. You've met him several times; he is a fine suitor."

The weight of her words crashed over me like a tidal wave. Memories of the Elven prince flashed through my mind—polite smiles at formal dinners, brief exchanges during visits. But a husband? The very idea seemed absurd.

"That isn't the point," I implored, my voice gaining strength. "Why must I sacrifice my freedom? Surely there are other ways to unite our kingdoms."

My mother's gaze softened, but her resolve remained unshaken. "Liairse, you are the Princess of Faeries. Our alliances with the Elves are vital for the safety of Caralis. This marriage is not just a fine choice—it's necessary for the benefit of all our people."

I cast a desperate glance at Aine, silently pleading for support. She stepped forward, her loyalty to me warring with her respect for the queen. "Your Majesty," she began cautiously, "with all due respect, the Princess raises a valid concern. Might there not be another way to secure our alliance without forcing her into an unwanted marriage?"

Queen Taneisha regarded Aine with a measured gaze. "Aine, my dear, you have always been a voice of reason. However, the future of Caralis hangs in the balance. Sometimes, sacrifices must be made for the greater good."

A spark of desperation ignited within me. "Mother, please reconsider. There must be a way to forge unity without stifling my spirit." I glanced at my brother, an idea forming. "What of Khellan? Since he is the heir, could you not—"

"No," Khellan interjected sharply, his eyes fixed on the floor. The unspoken message was clear: he wanted no part in this.

My mother's expression softened as she descended from her throne, approaching me with measured steps. She took my hands in hers, her touch both comforting and constraining. "I'm sorry, Liairse," she said, her voice tinged with genuine regret. "You are my daughter, the Princess of Faeries. We did not choose Khellan because it was not suitable. There are... other plans for him. You must understand."

The finality in her tone crushed the last embers of hope within me. I felt the weight of centuries of tradition and duty pressing down upon my shoulders. With a heavy heart, I whispered, "Yes, Mother."

I turned away, my feet carrying me towards the exit before I could betray the tears threatening to spill. As I reached the threshold, my mother's voice called out once more. "Liairse." I paused but didn't turn. "This is what's best. In time, you will understand."

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As I entered the grand dining hall, the click of my heels against the marble floor echoed in the cavernous space. Aine followed silently, struggling to keep pace with my quick, angry strides.

"Ah, there's our sweet troll," Khellan called out as we entered. "How are you, sister?" A smirk played on his lips, a clear attempt to diffuse the tension lingering from earlier.

I shot him a withering look as I took my seat beside Aine. "Fine," I replied tersely. "And how fares your orc family? Well, I hope?"

Khellan's laughter rang out, but it did little to lighten my mood. Our mother's voice cut through the air like a blade. "Enough, you two. I won't endure your childish behavior at dinner. It's been a long day."

"You're telling me," I muttered, picking at the food before me without appetite.

The sudden opening of the dining room doors drew our attention. Servants entered, bearing platters of food I had grown to tolerate over the past two millennia. I thanked the young girl who served me, more out of habit than genuine gratitude.

We ate in tense silence until Aine, spoke up. "I hear you're to participate in this year's tournament, Khellan. Is that right?"

My brother looked up from his plate, hurriedly swallowing a mouthful of food. "Yes, that's right," he replied, a hint of pride creeping into his voice. "I was chosen as the next participant. I'll be facing a knight from our watch."

"How exciting that must be for you!" Aine's smile was bright, and Khellan returned it with equal warmth. I watched their exchange with a mixture of disgust and envy, fighting the urge to gag at their obvious mutual attraction.

It was common knowledge that they desired each other, but witnessing it firsthand was truly nauseating. Besides, they could long for each other all they wanted, but unless Aine suddenly sprouted a royal lineage, my mother would never allow such a union.

Aine had come to us years ago when her father, a noble of Caralis, had succumbed to illness. With her mother also ill and nowhere else to turn, she had pleaded with the queen to take her in—as anything, even a servant. Somehow, she had managed to convince my mother, and she had been by my side ever since. She had retained her title of Lady, which afforded her the privilege of dining with us like a royal.

My mother's voice cut through my musings. "There is a more serious matter I'd like to discuss with you all."

We all snapped to attention, even Khellan and Aine breaking from their longing gazes. "A letter arrived this morning from Imladris," the queen continued. "Lord Elrond has called for an important council meeting. While it's always a pleasure to hear from him, I'm afraid I cannot attend."

She paused, her gaze sweeping over each of us before settling on me. "Liairse, you will attend in my absence. Lady Aine will accompany you." Her eyes shifted to my brother. "Khellan, my dear, you must remain here to fulfill other royal duties."

Our eyes widened in surprise. Khellan was the first to recover, his voice laced with indignation. "A council meeting? Mother, you can't be serious—"

"Oh, don't fret, dear," the queen interrupted smoothly. "There will be plenty for you to do while they're away. We have guests arriving from Rivendell, and several noble ladies from Caralis have proposals for you to consider." Her smile held a hint of mischief. "Perhaps we shall find you a suitable wife in their absence."

I couldn't help but glance at Aine, noting how her shoulders sagged at our mother's words. Of course—that was why she wanted Aine to accompany me. It was a cunningly kind cruelty, sparing Aine the pain of watching Khellan's courtships while simultaneously reminding her of her place.

"May I be excused, Your Grace?" Aine's voice was barely above a whisper, her eyes suspiciously bright. "I've finished my meal."

The queen's smile never wavered. "Of course, dear. Liairse, if you're also finished, perhaps you can assist Lady Aine in preparing for your journey. You'll depart on the morrow."

I stood, my chair scraping against the floor with more force than necessary. "Of course, Your Majesty," I replied, my voice dripping with cold formality. "Goodnight."

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Back in my chambers, Aine wordlessly began gathering bags from my wardrobe. I flopped onto my bed with an exaggerated sigh. "Well, what a delightful day this has been," I declared, my voice thick with sarcasm. "First, I learn I'm to be wed to a tree man, and now we must travel for days to attend some council meeting. Fae knows if I'll survive a week without a proper bath."

Aine remained silent, packing dresses and necessities into my traveling chest. I noticed her discreet attempts to wipe away stray tears, and my heart clenched. "Aine..." I said softly, sitting up to face her.

"It's fine, Li," she insisted, her voice wavering slightly. "I knew it was going to happen. I just... I didn't expect it tonight, that's all."

I rose from the bed and enveloped her in a tight embrace. She stiffened for a moment before melting into the hug, soft sobs escaping her as I rubbed soothing circles on her back. "It's okay, Aine," I whispered. "You're going to be okay."

After a few moments, she pulled back, taking a deep breath and squaring her shoulders. She wiped her tears and resumed her packing with renewed determination. "Although I'll never understand why you fancy my lout of a brother," I said gently, "I am truly sorry, Aine. What Mother did tonight was cruel, especially in front of you."

"It's alright, Li," she replied, her voice steadier now. "We all knew it would happen eventually. I'll be fine, trust me."

I smiled sadly, knowing her strength came at a great personal cost. "Well, who knows?" I said, attempting to lighten the mood. "Perhaps we'll find you a dashing suitor at this ridiculous council meeting. At least then some good would come of it."

Aine's soft laughter was music to my ears. "Let's focus on finishing up so we can get some rest," she said, placing the final dress into the chest and closing it with a decisive click. "We have a long journey ahead of us."

"Indeed we do," I agreed, settling back onto my bed. "Though I must say, I'm rather looking forward to a break from Mother's matchmaking schemes."

Aine's smile held a hint of her usual mischief. "Oh? And here I thought you were eager to reunite with your beloved Legolas."

I grabbed a pillow and hurled it at her, both of us dissolving into giggles.

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