Epilogue: 6 Months Ago...

Queen Diana paced in her throne room, a restless look about her. Anxiety was taking it's toll, leaving the woman who had been renowned for her heart of stone unrecognizable to those closest. It was for this reason that she decided to force everyone out of her throne room; at least until she could regain herself, but this was days ago now.

Her usually sleek, white up-do was forgotten on this day, her long hair completely down and uncombed. She had only changed her clothes in the last 3 days that her husband had left for battle, refusing to see any of her servants. The last thing she needed was people talking, and she had no patience left for them either way. Looking into the metal bowl of water, she seen her reflection and shook her head, touching the water- sending ripples across the bowl and disrupting the image.

It seemed like such a long time ago now, but years ago she had been considered the fairest maiden in Gideon, and arguably all 5 Kingdoms. Now, she admitted she had seen better days as she remembered the dewiness of her skin, and the length of her eyelashes when she had first came to Gideon as the daughter of a humble boat merchant. When the King laid eyes on her though, he said she was perfect, and he had to have her.

Have her he did; they were married 3 months later, even with councilors begging him not to. He was smitten by the beautiful, young woman, even though she was half his age, and she soon found that she loved him as well. The birth of their son, Henry, marked a new point in their marriage, drawing them unbelievably closer than ever before. From their union, 9 children were born, including their eldest son, the Prince. Over the course of her 17 years as Queen, she has made some enemies, and managed to access power beyond that of any other woman in the 5 kingdoms, earning her the nickname "Ice Queen" thanks to her gifts.

It goes without saying, that each person born in this world is given special gifts, endowed by our creator. When she had first been born, her family thought that she would have no gifts other than the ability to freeze small items. As she got older, she manifested this power into something deadly, with the ability to freeze tsunamis in their tracks. It was at this older age, now 17 years later, that a newer gift has manifested itself in her. A mind gift that shows her images of people she is focusing on, but not without causing her great pain.

This gift had come in handy in the most recent days, the battle for the city of Valentine in Skye had been dragging on. King Philip had been better prepared for an ambush upon his Capital than she had planned, and there had been no word for days about the outcome of the siege.

Fearing the worst, she focused her mind on her husband once more. Reeling over and moaning in pain when the familiar stabbing pain began inside her head. She slid to the floor, her eyes glazing over with the images she wished to see.

King Philip rode his horse across the battlefield, his large form appearing from out the mist in a matter of seconds. She looked to her left, and then to her right, seeing men fighting all around her; their swords clashing together. Even though she was not truly there, she couldn't help but duck around these people, looking around for her husband.

When she turned, and her eyes finally found him she stopped dead in her tracks at the sight, "Henry!" she screamed, wishing more than anything he could hear her.

It was not too late though, King Henry heard him coming and quickly removed his sword from the man he had just slain. Their swords clashing just as he raised it above him, they were quickly enthralled by a deadly duel, the horse growing unsteady in the midst of their ferocious display of skill.

'For a fat man, King Philip can fight,' she thought to herself, watching the scene unfold before her. Philip slid off his horse, his feet hitting the ground hard, but yet King Henry persisted with his jabs.

She watched intently as Philip swatted away Henry's sword, clearly on the defense. This was good for Henry, who was also in better shape than the tall, fat man, so he knew that eventually Philip's stamina would run out. Crowns gleaming up on their heads, some stopped their fighting and gathered around to see the King's fighting among themselves, seeing an end to other dying for no reason undoubtedly.

Henry had been right in his assumption, after a few minutes of swatting away his blows, a sweat began to form on Philips brow; his blocks became more sloppy as well. It was hard to watch, but Diana's heart felt like it would beat out of it's place in her chest if she didn't know as soon as possible what was taking place.

Finally, she watched as one of Henry's jabs finally penetrated Philips tunic, just under his arm. He screamed, but Henry took a step further and shoved it in deeper, pushing it to the left as much as he could. Philip grabbed the sword from his end, unsuccessfully removing it from himself. He looked into Henry's eyes, fear filling his face as Henry finally pulled it out of him.

King Philip took a few steps back, falling into the arms of his men, his crown sliding off of his head and into the mud. His soldiers did not care though, they fussed and screamed over their King, but within a few minutes he was dead. His eyes growing so heavy from desire to sleep, he bled out onto the dirt of the battlefield that day having not the will to fight death.

Diana looked back at Henry, a smile on her face, but he did not reciprocate her feelings clearly. Instead, he bore a look of misery that she had only seen on those being tortured. She studied him for a moment, everything moving in slow motion as she felt a moment of pity for her husband. After she had her fill of him, she pulled herself from the vision. Coming back to reality upon the cold marble floor.

There were many things afoot now; things she must prepare for before they were at her doorstep. Her husband would be returning home now, victorious, and we must plan our next step in taking Skye, making Gideon the largest and most powerful Kingdom in the world. Now that King Philip was dead there could be no doubt that the crown would fall to King Henry, who was a distant relation to the throne of Skye. Especially with no male heirs to take the title from him; King Philip had only a singular daughter.

In order to be sure that there was nobody else to take the throne from them, however, she would have to kill the Princess of Skye, Maud- which should be by all means an easy feat, as she is only 18 years old; and her inexperience would mean certain death. Then she, and Henry could rule both kingdoms- before hopefully, moving on to take over the rest of the world.