life as it is now (a prologue)

Epilogue

Life as it is Now

Such an arid life. Seline sat in her chair, rocking back and forth to a steady beat. How long had it been since the battle? One year? His sword still sat out in the courtyard, held strong by a statue of a familiar person. Coden.

The door swung open, letting in a rush of cool air. She brushed her blond locks out of her face, the wind picking them up. It was probably another suitor. They seemed to be coming on a regular basis. However, she was mistaken. A figure threw the hood of his cloak back, revealing a strong, tan face underneath. His face was tight and clenched, and his jet black hair fell slightly over his glowing brown eyes and pointed ears. His body shaped with perfection and precision, marking him as an elf. Alken.

Alken’s equally firm wife, Kira, popped up beside him, her arm wrapped tightly around his. Her brown hair fell down in waves down her back, and her blue eyes glittered in unison with Alken’s. A small smile always stayed on her lips, and she extended even more at the sight of Seline.

“Morning, Seline!!” He greeted jovially. “How are you today?”

Seline managed a weak smile in return. “The same,” She replied, her eyes seeming antiquated as she gave him a sad stare. Her eyes went back the window, holding their position on the statue.

Kira sighed. It was obvious to all of them Seline had never been the same ever since that time. The vivid images still stuck out in her mind. The flames had enveloped the room, destroying everything. Destroying the enemy. Destroying him.

She removed these copious thoughts. That was a year was ago. She tried to keep her mind on the current time.

“So…” Alken mingled, as if talking on a frivolous topic. “Have you found a suitable man yet?”

Kira punched him in the ribs, making him double over. She cast him a warning glance.

Seline actually laughed. “You know I could never replace him.” She criticized Alken. “And yet you persist on sending these men to me!”

Kira looked earnestly at her. “You can’t just sit her and mope about him all your life!”

“I don’t plan to.” Seline doggedly said. “I plan on fixing what happened.”

Suddenly, a cacophony of voices filled the air, calling Seline out.

Seline shook her head. “Looks like the men are here.”

She stood up, and slumped down the hall to the balcony. So many men came to adulate her, and she always turned them down. Such is the life of the most beautiful queen ever to exist in the land of Melle Sessa.

She put on the happiest face she could find within her, and walked out onto the balcony. She was welcomed with a roar of cheers and catcalls, some insulting, some hoping to catch her ear. She circumspect of this, and never took any words to heart. The men were only after what she had to offer now: her beauty and wealth. Such things were a great prize to any one man, or ten men, but none would be able to do so.

She pulled away from the balcony, ignoring the fake calls of remorse as she disappeared back into her room. She collapsed onto her bed, and let the tears flow. She never knew where they came from, yet they held her emotions daily, and she allowed it. She needed it, yearned for it. The depression was all the connection she had left to him. To the memories of him. To everything.

Her face now stained with red streaks, she fought slightly to stop. She let out one more silent tear, and then forced her body to cease. She controlled her breathing, and pulled herself to her feet. She wandered over to the window, and peered out again towards the statue. The tears wanted to come again, but she denied it. Her hand fell upon a bow, made of black oak, and carved delicately to only fit her hand. She lifted the bow into her arms, and slowly slung it over her shoulder.

She sighed and pulled it off.

“No more…” she whispered, and dropped back onto her bed. She stared at the ceiling for a timeless amount, until she felt her eyelids close, and she drifted away into a restless slumber.