for lugal

[moonlitscholar]

When Briona found herself abruptly called back from her research travels, she immediately feared the worst. Was her father dying? Had someone attacked their small, peaceful kingdom?

Imagine her irritation, then to find that it was nothing so dire, but that her father had been called upon to fulfill a treaty. A treaty that granted the hand of an elven royal to some "Lord Idris." And since Briona was currently the only unwed elven royal in the family, well...

After a temper tantrum that will be written of in elven legend, she found herself abruptly packed up into a carriage with only one small bag of her things, shipped off to her husband's lands. She spent the entire ride in the carriage seething, snapping at her escorts, and then silently planning her escape. Her father seemed less concerned with keeping the treaty itself than with keeping his word, but Briona had made no promises to marry anyone. She decided she would play along until the time was right to make a break for her, and hope that her new husband was not as bad as she feared he would be.

When the carriage stopped, her stomach clenched with dread. The doors opened, and the elven escorts helped her down onto the path in front of her new "home."

"Presenting," said one of them in an official-sounding voice, "Princess Briona of the Southern Elves."

Comments

[lugal]

Idris was not a possessive man, but he had learned the hard way the value of keeping one's word. He also knew the value in having offspring that would mix his bloodline with that of the elves. At least, he would start with the elves and work through the other races and kingdoms of their world. It was good politics, and ensured his power when protracted conflict seemed out of the question.

His spies had already informed him of Briona's little tantrum back home and it actually amused him. What use would a weak and servile girl do him as a bride.

When she arrived at the palace, Idris was waiting at the head of the stairs leading up to the main entrance. Even without that elevation, he would have stood out, standing at just over 8 feet tall. His frame was broad and muscular, well-proportioned despite his height. In fact, it was maybe the only thing that set him apart as something inhuman. Taking the initiative, Idris walked down the stairs himself to meet Briona.

"At long last we meet, my lady. I have been quite eager for this." He held out his hand for hers. Or her bag, however she interpreted it.

[moonlitscholar]

Briona could possibly not look any more annoyed as she stared up (and up, and up) into the face of her... husband. Well. He was at least human-looking, though there was certainly something bizarre about that height.

She was sorely tempted to dump her bag into his hand or otherwise behave like a brat about it, but she was still supposed to be on her best behavior. If she started acting up immediately, Idris would certainly start keeping a closer eye on her from the get-go.

Instead she forced a smile and offered her hand. "My lord," she said evenly. "What a surprise it is to hear of our nuptials. It is a pleasure."