The Moon Prince's Bride

She just needed a break from the constant strain that royalty brought. Her current struggle was an arranged marriage; her parents decided that it was time they honored the pact they made with the opposing kingdom.

Their daughter and Rosington’s prince would marry for the peace of the two kingdoms.

What troubled Sage the most is the rumors she heard about her fiance. He was cold, indifferent, only cared for himself. Sage couldn’t fathom the idea of a spoiled prince, when everything she did was for the good of her kingdom. Her people, her parents, even the creatures in her land came before her.

She learned from example her parents were kind, and generous. There was no question her father would give the robes off his back for a family who was struggling. Or that her mother would give the greatest jewels she could find to help those who couldn’t eat.

Now it was Sage’s turn to step up; she was frightened of course there were significant differences between Rosington and Willow’s Hollow. The largest being that one was of the sun and the other of the moon.

Moon children were notorious for their less than favorable qualities but Sage liked to think that they were only rumors. She wanted to make her opinion by first meeting someone of moon descent.

She had a few days before the prince arrived to court her formally; she wanted to think lightly on it but she had this horrible feeling in the pit of her stomach that something wasn’t right. Or wasn’t going to be alright, rather.

Sage contemplated what would her life would be like; would she be living a life of lies? Was she going to have to pretend her relationship was great on the outside? Then suffer emotionally internally for the sake of her people?

She’d do it for them no question but it would still be unpleasant.

The young princess lounged against the grandmother tree; gently running her hand against the bark finding comfort in her nature.

“What should I do grandmother?”

A soft breeze billowed through her long, raven, hair, the leaves softly brushing her skin in reassurance. Sage patted the tree in gratitude. She would keep her chin up and do her best to get along with the stubborn prince.

“So this is where you’ve been hiding?”

Sage smiled happily at her dearest friend and bravest knight, “Not hiding Dakkos, just spending time with the grandmother.”

Sage admired Dakkos’ long dark brown hair and his lax civilian wardrobe of the lushest greens, she even loved the musical laugh he omitted.

“And what has she told you?”

“To be strong like her bark and as trusting as her forest.”

Dakkos joined in her front of the ancient tree, as Sage once did he ran his hand over the bark in a loving way.

“Grandmother’s knowledge is extensive but I’m afraid your parents are looking for you they would also like to help soothe your worries.”

“Ah they are still just as caring as when I was a babe.” Sage said thoughtfully, “Tell me my dearest friend do you think I have cause to fear?”

“I hear that the moon prince is not all wholesome he frequents the brothels and gambles his coins away, which indeed sounds very unsavory but I have also heard counts of the prince cherishing his animals so at least we know there is some elven in him…what do you fear the most?”

“You hear counts of him at brothels? I’ve heard how he treats the women at the brothels, with disdain he uses them as if they were worth nothing and were not created of their mother moon, I could never treat one of the women at Oriak’s in such a way. Our mother sought reason for their being, there is no reason to treat them so poorly.”

“Young one if that is your cause of fear then let it cease he will not be able to treat you in such a manner. I would never allow it to be so.”

Dakkos affectionately played with the princess’ long hair and while she reveled in his comfort something still didn’t feel quite right.

“Allowed is very different then should the moon prince should want to be kind. Wouldn’t you want to be kind Dakkos? Why would anyone choose to be cruel?”

“Moon children and Sun children are alike in some ways mostly in build and appearance, our minds,” Dakkos lightly placed a finger in the center of her forehead, “Are very much different I can not say why that it is our mothers chose different paths for us. I just know that they have; we must accept and embrace our differences.”

“But what if he does not accept and embrace my differences?”

“Then he is nothing more than a foolish boy unfit to rule a kingdom willing to create peace.”

Dakkos said it with such finality that Sage began to feel the tiniest bit better. Her friend would never fill her head with silly hopes, surely she would be okay as he long as he made the trip to the new kingdom with her.

“If Dakkos declares him a fool than a fool he shall be.” Sage laughed and stepped away from the Grandmother’s trunk, “I am ready to return shall we see if my parents are just as good at lifting my spirits as you?”

***

“My beautiful daughter,” the king exclaimed softly rising from his seat in the apothecary to hug her, “Did you enjoy your time with the elder nature?”

“I did Papa,” Sage replied with a smile, “Is mother Sun aiding you with your work?”

“As she always does,” he told her walking over to a table with many pots full of greenery and herbs, “She has taught me how to cure the latest illness plaguing the village north of our capital.”

“We shall heartily give our thanks.”

Khiasra gazed at his daughter with warm pride, “We will also give our thanks to you dear daughter for your bravery…”

“It is what’s best for everyone Papa.”

He shook his head, “I just wonder if the moon prince is as disagreeable as everyone says you know I’ve heard counts—”

“Don’t tell me you partake in the gossip mill Papa?” Sage giggled with a hand over her mouth.

“One hears things and gets curious my Sage.”

“What have you heard father?”

“That he cares none for his people who live honestly, he throws lavish parties until dawn and at a particularly decadent party he injured one of his helpers horribly.”

“What was the cause?”

“I don’t know those telling me the little anecdote did not either I suppose.”

“Oh Papa,” she sighed her anxiety making itself known through her tone, “Perhaps I will be able to show him the warmth of our people.”

“I do not doubt it my darling girl no one could resist your light since the day you were born.”

Sage played with an herb leaf between her fingers almost feeling the plant hum in contentment. She still felt unrest but she wasn’t sure if it were fear of her future husband’s temperament or the fear of marriage itself. She had always been a wandering spirit and the thought of possibly being chained up and bound was rather frightening.

“Papa what if he treats me like I am no better than the soil?”

“It would disgrace our kingdom and cause the peace you created to crumble.”

The king’s matter-of-fact conclusion did nothing to assuage the young elven’s fear so she fell silent. Her responsibility grew within those last fifteen seconds. Her parents, at least her Papa, expected of her to reign in the unruly prince and turn him into a man fit to rule. She knew her parents’ confidence in her skills was quite great, which gave her all the more reason to worry.

What if the prince in question would not be tamed? Would her parents deem her a failure? And her people pity her? Those who knew of the match already frowned the frowns of sorrow for their princess. Whom they feared they were going to lose forever.

“Do not worry my daughter with Dakkos and your ladies in waiting as your travel companions there shan’t be even a coach driver putting one foot in front of yours.”

Sage let out a sigh, “That’s what I’m afraid of I don’t want the moon kin to think that I’m unwilling to acclimate to their way of life…”

“Child be still,” her father chided with a loving laugh, “Let us meet the prince in our home and become acquainted with his lifestyle first and we shall only fear if the boy proves to be as capricious as the rumors claim.”

“As you wish Papa.”

Sage offered her father and king a truly radiant smile despite her unchanged worries. She would at least give him the courtesy of that. He tried his best to soothe her fears and in that alone she found some comfort.

***

Sage was found being fitted for her wedding gown in her modest dressing room. She revered the colors of the dress with confusion, a traditional wedding dress was furnished of greens and golds, not black and silver. She turned to her most trusted lady.

“Jastra,” the princess began, “Am I to attend a requiem service first?”

The elder woman answered her with a chuckle, “No princess, these are the traditional colors of a Moon bride’s dress.”

“It’s like we’re opposite sides of a coin; us and them I mean.”

Jastra nodded in agreement while she pinned the hem of the previously mentioned gown.

“They are a strange lot but at least they were proper and fashioned you a pretty dress, try to remember Miss that you are marrying into their customs...this is but one of the many changes to come.”

Sage sighed and let out a squeak of pain when poked too hard with a pin, “I hope that they will be understanding of my clumsy footing.”

“Never you mind about that,” Jastra said with a smile as she pulled the Princess’ long hair behind her shoulder, “You’re a swift learner you will make a fine moon bride.”

“Now look at yourself,” the old theatrical woman exclaimed, “How beautiful you are!”

She swallowed a sigh, she felt very uncomfortable she had always been a proud daughter of mother Sun. Looking at herself now in this dark frock she felt as if her identity was being stripped from her.

“I hate it…” she mumbled, “I look nothing like myself.”

Jastra put a light hand on her Mistress’ shoulder, “Everything will be alright Sage.”

Before the princess could mutter a word of protest the door to her room opened; revealing her beautiful mother in her casual dress garb. She looked over her daughter with a smile, but it never reached the corners of her lips.

“I see the Queen of the Moon folk refused my request of adding some color to your gown.”

“Mother does it not look as if I’m going to a requiem?”

Esta nodded her head, “But at least you’d be the prettiest girl in attendance…”

“Mamma,” Sage cried, “I do not wish to look as one of the fallen.”

“My dear it is not that bad I have heard that your dress has been handmade by the finest dressmakers in Rosington at least they acknowledge our rank…”

Esta came to stand in front of her daughter her hand beneath her chin in thought, “Yes I do think we can make this work.”

Sage watched her Queen and mother remove her luscious daisies from their vase beside the window, she weaved them together by their stems rather quickly. She placed them on her daughter’s head and clasped her hands together loudly.

“Much better if I’m not mistaken…”

“Such an improvement my Lady.”

“See nothing our flowers can’t fix daughter.”

The princess sighed as she looked over her reflection once more, it was such morbid attire she didn’t know what to make of it. Were these the clothes she would have to wear daily?

“But everyone has said he’s disagreeable what if he does not allow me to keep our flowers?”

“I have heard that as well my child but I’ve heard he loves the nature of his land so let us hope he will accept ours.”

“Let’s get her out of this so we can begin tailoring right away Jastra,” her mother said ignoring her daughter’s concerned face, “We’re expecting the royal family late tonight and I want us all to enjoy our last few hours of blessed daylight in peace.”

“Yes ma’am.”

The princess gasped, tonight? She thought she had two more days to accept her fate.

“Mother wait!” Sage called to her mother disregarding her lady-in-waiting’s protests, “What do you mean tonight? Papa told me they weren’t expected for three days yesterday evening.”

“The King and Queen are anxious to meet you my darling girl your skills of growth and healing are quite talked about despite the differences between our kingdoms. Afterall our bodies are the same. A healer to us is a healer to them.”

“Does their son come too Mother?”

“Of course and his name is Aibek my child, you must greet him properly when he arrives.”

“Yes Mamma.”

The Queen smiled and placed a kiss on her child’s cheek, “Your courage will come through it always does.”