Downfall by Bella G.

Princess Esme stands aboard a massive ship, only feet away from the two-headed dragon that was their kingdom's seal and figurehead. The breeze blows against her causing her to shiver. Dark storm clouds rumble in the sky. For a brief moment the chaotic waves are illuminated by a blinding flash of lightning.

The waves crash against the shore causing the wooden ship to tilt hard to the left. Princess Esme's hands grip the railing as she waits for the ship to even out again.

It was now her 18th celebration of life.

Her parents had spent the past few months working endlessly to find Princess Esme the best match possible. This perfect match seemed to be Prince Xavier of the Valgo Isles. They'd met a few times through their years at court, traveling to other lands and so on. Other than those few greetings, they were strangers. However, with this Union came a powerful alliance with the Valgo Fleet, 500 ships and 50,000 crew members.

It would be unwise to choose some other suitor.

So here she stood, black hair being fiercely blown by the salty sea air. Her brown eyes continue to stare out at the sea.

Princess Esme was unbothered by this, more concerned of her current state: sailing alone thousands of miles from her homeland to wed her future husband. As was custom, her parents would follow the following day once the Princess docked. It was a security measure to be certain if one member of the royal family was lost, it wasn't all. Princess Esme rarely sailed alone, preferring to ride on dragon back but for this occasion, her dragon, a midnight blue beast named Annyth, soared overhead. Although she could not see her in the darkness, she heard the sounds of her wings flapping every so often and this at least gave her peace.

Princess Esme's POV:

I feel the nerves eat away at me as the kingdom comes into view.

A long stone pathway followed by a gated fence.

Behind the gate, a large stone castle looms in the shadows.

I'll see it better in the daylight.

I watch as the ship is docked and the guards start to exit, forming a single file line facing away from the ship towards the other family of royals waiting for me. My future family. As I carefully make my way down off the wooden plank of the ship, I see the guards of Valgo Isles lined up behind King Ronan, Queen Kara and Prince Xavier. I feel my stomach doing small flips. They are surrounded by a fleet of knights, illuminated by torches staked into the ground or held by servants.

I haven't seen Prince Xavier in many years.

What if he's not as I remember?

I make my way over to the royals.

I feel a pang of sadness.

Three days ago I was flying free on Annyth, now I was standing in front of the man I would be trapped with forever.

The man I would bear children to.

King Ronan, a tall man with brown hair and dark eyes, smiles at me. I curtsy to the King and Queen who in turn bow or curtsy.

"Welcome back to the Valgo Isles, Princess Esme." King Ronan says

"It is so nice to see you again darling." Queen Kara tells me

She wears her sand colored hair in complex braids.

Her green eyes sparkle like jewels

"Thank you, Your Majesties. I look forward to seeing how it has changed since I last visited." I say to them

I find that I had been fidgeting with my hands so I quickly put them at my sides, urging myself to relax.

I turn my attention to Prince Xavier.

He shares his father's height, build and hair.

His eyes however are match his mothers, sparkling like green jewels.

"It is a pleasure to see you again to know that we will soon wed." I tell him

He smiles, stepping forward.

"I would be honored to give you, my future bride, a tour of the castle." Prince Xavier says

Queen Kara walks over, placing a hand on her son's shoulder.

I wish again in silence that my parents were in my company.

"All in good time dear. She has been at sea for quite some time. Perhaps I should show her to her chambers first."

In only a few days this will be my home forever.

Prince Xavier, at hearing this, casts his head downward, his face flushed, embarrassed. I smile back, nervous.

"I shall see you later then." Prince Xavier says

"I should hope so." I say

He grins.

With that I follow Queen Kara up the pathway and into the castle.

To the left of us, sun beams in through the window, shining on the stone walls and tiles. A candle chandelier hangs up on the ceiling followed by another every few stretches, lighting the way. We make our way through the castle, the nobles pausing their conversations or tasks to bow or curtsy to their Queen as she passes by. She explains each room or wing as we pass.

Pointing to the left, she tells me that this is the main meeting area for council meetings for royals outside the public eye.

After a moment, a realization dawns on me and I stop walking.

A few steps later, Queen Kara realizes and turns back around.

She scans my face intently.

"What is it darling?"

"Forgive me, Queen Kara but what of my dragon?"

She stares at me, eyes furrowing in confusion.

"Whatever do you mean?"

"When I marry your son I shall move in here. I was raised with Annyth bonded to me. I-"

She smiles, placing a hand upon my shoulder.

"Have no fear young dragon rider. A place will be made in the caves for your dragon. What is its name?"

"Annyth."

Together we continue our stroll.

She moves abound like she'd lived here her entire life.

Like she was born to be a ruler.

This will be my future soon enough.

I have always had mixed feelings about my place as a royal. Every day I went about my duties. Even as a young child I was learning multiple languages and how to write. I was to learn as much as I could. My favorite activity was dragon riding of course.

Nothing has ever made me feel more alive.

"To the right here is the Armory full of our weapons. The room right before it is the Knight's Quarters. This hall here is your wing. These first two rooms, right and left are for your ladies for when they arrive here tomorrow. Your parents will be in this room here." Queen Kara explains and gestures to each room as we continue walking down the hallway

A young woman makes her way over to us, curtsying to her Queen. Immediately Queen Kara turns all of her attention to the young woman. I can tell from the light blue dress she wears that she is a lady in waiting to the Queen.

Queen Kara thanks her before she turns her attention back to me.

"Lady Eleanor has arrived early, Princess Esme." She tells me

"Should I get her settled before I -" I trail off

To be honest I am at a loss on how to act yet.

These people are not yet sworn to me.

The few who have traveled with me: my Knightsman and my ladies. They would be the only people from my kingdom.

When the current King passed, Prince Xavier would become King. I would become Queen. Until then I had no role.

"It is quite alright dear. Take your time and get settled. I will have a guard bring her." Queen Kara says

With this she exits, leaving me alone standing in front of my door. Well, not entirely alone. My Knightsman who had protected me since I was a young child, also accompanies me. Sworn to guard me until the end of his days, Caerel was one of the best swordsmen in the kingdom. Excellent at combat.

I say goodnight to Caerel.

Bowing he wishes me a restful sleep.

"Prince Xavier will be by to escort me around the castle." I tell him

With that I open the door to my new bed chambers.

The room is quite simple, not yet decorated.

A bed with a canopy to the left.

The covers and curtains are black, the covers a lighter shade.

I look down at my floor length red dress.

Unlike other dresses, my own was one solid color with lace sleeves. The back was laced, closed with ribbon. The only color I'd ever worn.

The color of my kingdom.

To the right is a large closet.

There hangs a floor length long dress.

There are long flowing sleeves with a black front lace up. The middle of the chest is white. The backing of the dress is also dark blue. I stare at the beautiful gown. It causes me to begin thinking about the future wedding as well as what came after. In the few moments I'd spent so far with the future heir, he is a nice man.

What will our lives look like together?

How will I spend my days here?

Will he be a good husband?

I hear the distant sound of dragons roaring in the sky.

I feel a wave of relief at this.

I'd always felt more bonded to dragons than humans.

I was one of ten children.

A chess piece to be used to barter with.

Someone to provide heirs.

This was all we were destined to be if we were unlucky to be born daughters. I however, always hoped to be worthy of more.