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Post by Elric of Melnibone on Nov 26, 2010 22:43:57 GMT -5
Some had said Elric's people and the Elves had shared blood. The architecture certainly showed some similarity, as did the unearthly beauty of even the common peasants. Such an old and magnificant race, reduced to serving humans.
Good. Elric liked humans.
When he'd first entered the area, he'd wondered how long he could stay. Civilized nations never took kindly to raiders or kinslayers, and the Meniboneans had made enemies everywhere they went. He'd half expected to encouter a royal assassin under his bed.
Instead, he'd recieved a summons from the Queen. Something about a job. An alliance.
A daughter.
It wouldn't hurt to ask about the job, anyway.
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Princess Eva
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Post by Princess Eva on Nov 28, 2010 18:33:39 GMT -5
Eva stepped out into the gardens hesitantly- even the knowledge that her parents' spies were all over to make sure she wasn't hurt didn't make her any less nervous. And there was no getting around the humiliation, either- the only thing worse than being a runaway was being a failed runaway.
They'd dressed her well for the occasion of meeting her possible future husband, as if she were a princess anyone would be happy to marry. She was supposed to flirt with the man, give him a reason to want to ally with Lorien, and secure for her mother the assistance of Elric and, by extension, the Chaos Gods.
"Um. Hi."
Something told her she wasn't cut out for this work.
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Post by Elric of Melnibone on Nov 29, 2010 10:19:33 GMT -5
Elric looked her up and down. She wasn't bad looking; a bit awkward, but that could be charming in its own way.
"So you're the bribe. Or perhaps bait would be the right word."
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Princess Eva
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Post by Princess Eva on Nov 29, 2010 13:28:10 GMT -5
Eva was on the verge of replying with an obscenity when she reflected that he was probably right.
"I'm the Princess, anyway. And I am supposed to charm you into working for my parents and allying with us."
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Post by Elric of Melnibone on Nov 29, 2010 13:41:38 GMT -5
"And what's in it for you? Why should you want to marry a kinslayer?"
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Princess Eva
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Post by Princess Eva on Nov 29, 2010 13:46:02 GMT -5
"I guess because there aren't many options for me right now."
She didn't tell him that her mother had openly suggested ways of taking lovers so that an unpleasant husband wouldn't notice or question paternity, nor that her father had hinted that she should poison Elric if he grew abusive, reminding her of her chemistry lessons.
"I'll admit, the whole kinslayer thing does seem a little...um, strange. I'm not entirely sure what happened."
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Post by Elric of Melnibone on Dec 1, 2010 11:43:33 GMT -5
Elric laughed harshly. Well, why not tell her? See if she was so intent on snaring him after she'd learned the truth.
"I was usurped, girl. By a man who wanted my throne and my bride. I gave everything I had to Chaos in order to save her, only for Chaos itself to take her life. All the rest of my kin were slaughtered or enslaved by my comrades in arms."
Elric almost smiled at the blank look on Eva's face.
"By the way, the man so intent on ravishing my bride was her brother. Melnibone had strange customs."
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Princess Eva
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Post by Princess Eva on Dec 1, 2010 12:04:55 GMT -5
"That's...I'm not going to lie, that's the most horrible thing I've ever heard."
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Post by Elric of Melnibone on Dec 1, 2010 23:11:45 GMT -5
For some reason, Elric almost regretted his bold admission. He couldn't say why, but it was as if he'd admitted to some sort of vulnerability.
"If it's safety you want in a husband, look elsewhere. If it's love, I would be unsatisfactory- I could never love another like Cymoril."
Still, there was no reason to frighten the girl away completely. She was pleasant enough company and rather pretty, and an alliance was an alliance.
"I can offer travel if you have a sense of adventure, and enough gold to keep you moderately comfortable. I suppose I'm not a bad catch if there aren't many options."
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Princess Eva
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Post by Princess Eva on Dec 2, 2010 11:16:19 GMT -5
"I- I really don't know. You scare me a little- more than a little- but I can't say I'm totally uninterested. And I don't think my parents would hook me up with someone they thought might hurt me."
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Post by Elric of Melnibone on Dec 2, 2010 13:18:33 GMT -5
Elric reached out and brushed a strand of hair from Eva's face. He wasn't sure whether he intended the gesture to be threatening or gentle.
"And what would I get from you?"
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Princess Eva
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Post by Princess Eva on Dec 3, 2010 13:16:25 GMT -5
Eva teetered on her toes for a moment, unsure of whether or not to take a step back.
"Um. I wouldn't ask that you spend much money on me, as long as you take me with you when we travel. And..."
She tried to remember what sort of things were supposed to be good selling points for a bride.
"I've done a few stupid things, but I like to think I'm generally intelligent. I know English, Elvish and Latin, and I can read a few Dwarf phrases."
She took a deep breath.
"And I don't know how to put this, but if we marry...that is. Uh. Well, I think you're pretty good looking. And if we marry, I wouldn't restrict your...your access. Or lie back and think of Lorien. I think- I think we could have fun? Or at least, I wouldn't mind trying."
Her face was bright red by now.
"I guess you know I'm not a virgin, though."
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Post by Elric of Melnibone on Dec 3, 2010 13:18:22 GMT -5
Elric couldn't help smiling.
"Neither am I."
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Princess Eva
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But oh, what beautiful things I'll wear...%\1\%
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Post by Princess Eva on Dec 3, 2010 13:19:22 GMT -5
"People seem to expect it more of girls."
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Post by Elric of Melnibone on Dec 3, 2010 13:20:38 GMT -5
"I am many bad things, but not a hypocrite."
He gently kissed Eva's hand.
"I must speak with your parents now. I will keep what you've said in mind."
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