A Queen shall rise, but always at a Price

I have hated the rain since I can remember. To me it signaled the worst day of my life.

The tiniest reminder of the lives taken, and those that were undoubtly spared by ignorance of enemies. And looking outside this glass to the fallen rain across my kingdom I can't help but feel dreadful fear. Something more to come, not yet surfaced.

"Where is my child?" I hear as I sigh looking down the corridor and seeing the worn face of my uncle.

"I am here! My king" I alert him as he laughs, walking closer to me. Slowly, wearily checking the space before him.

"Right here, uncle" I reassure him as I move closer to him, placing his hand in mine and looking up to him.

Deep in my heart I knew that he would not be able to rule much longer. To the people outside these gates he was a treasured hero that seemed to have not one, single weakness. But in reality I saw the truth. The man that raised me starting to deteriorate over the stress of the title. From the last battle his eyes seemed healed, but his sight was gone.

"You must help, my dearest Evania! Soon the title would be yours!" he excitedly announces.

"Not without a husband" I correct him as he falls back, stopping in his tracks and looking at me with a face that worn thousands of disagreements.

"You will rule this country when I'm gone, the people will look to you and see a powerful Queen" He consoles me "And without a King if I can help it!" he pats me on the back as I lead him to his throne. "Bring in the counsel!" Uncle Randel order the knight as he nods and I sit in the throne next to him.

"The counsel, King Randel" The knight announces as the counsel men sit around the throne room, filling the table.

Though a few seconds of respect through the form of silence I looked to my uncle.

"What are we here to discuss on such short notice, your highness?" Ask a counsel man as my uncle looks to me. "You said the matter was urgent my king" He reminds me uncle as he looks to me.

"What is this truly about?" I ask him as winks to me.

"It is a truly urgent matter, Halbert" My uncle remarks as he stands up from his throne. "I am resigning from my place as King and ruler of Opehla" He states as I gasp in shock.

"You cannot, your highness!" Panic coursing through the counsels eyes at the announcement of my uncle.

"You cannot force me to occupy a position I have no interest in keeping" He challenges as his eyes divert to me. I know he can't see me, but holding out his hands to me and pulling me closer to him. "But this shall be our new Queen, Queen Evania Anah of Opehla!" He announces and not even myself could believe it.

*******Three Years Later*******

"We ask you again my Queen, when will we see movement on this?" A counsel men ask me as I sit there on my throne.

"War is a unlikely solution, I will not risk my men" I respond as angst spreads quickly across the room.

"Just like women to think with there emotions and not with logic!" I hear a counsel men complain as I swallow my pride.

"We will wait. Wars cause famine, injury and tension. Opehla happily lacks those things, its what makes us stronger. Let's not mistake that for power" I warn as I stand. "Until next week" I politely excuse myself, walking out of the throne room and through the twisted corridors of the castle.

I ignored this comment and rushed to my uncle's room.

"How is his condition, Meredith?" I ask the doctor as her lips form a frown.

"It's truly a wonder that he has survived as long as he has" She says, "I will not lie to you Evania the chances of him surviving this are slim to none" she guesses as tears fill my eyes and I nod to her prognosis.

"I understand" I tell her, "Will you excuse us" I ask of her as she nods and scurries away.

"My-" He spits out as he can't finish his sentence, as he sits up and coughs into the handkerchief in his right hand. And barely holding myself together I sit on the side of the bed. "My daughter, you've always been like a daughter to me" he smiles, I want to believe he is not in pain but I know he is, I can see it.

"You will be better in no time" I soothe my uncle and I can see the blatant protest on his face.

"You know better than that, Evania. I did not raise a naive girl" His truth sets in. "Cry, there is no one here my dear" the urges and breaks the last barriers, my tears are finally shed.

"How will I live without you uncle?" I ask him as silence sweeps the room.

"I don't know" he finally breaks the silence. "I hope that when I leave this world you will be safe, keep our people safe. But to do that you must become a Queen" the final, last wish revealed.

"I could never" I disagree but his hands grip mine, keeping me close to him.

"A kingdom can only avoid war for so long. A skilled and caring leader fights with her people, through fear and darkness. You are no fool Evania, Opehla can only stay peaceful for so long." He preaches, "Don't let your fears control you, then they will determine you" his words come out bittersweet.

"I will have to marry" I admit to him as he smiles and I can see it. The borrowed time fading from his vision.

"Do what you must to protect our people" He request as his hand loosens on mine and I bring my eyes to his face.

"Uncle?" I call to him as his eyes are blank and his skin turns cold. "UNCLE!" I wail through my tears as Meredith sprints past me and to my uncle.

"He's gone, my dear" She regretfully announces as I can't believe it. "I am so-" she starts as I cut her off.

"BRING HIM BACK!" I command her as she stares at me. "BRING HIM BACK!" I repeat, pushing past her as I grab my uncles face in my hands. "COME BACK!" I yell to him "DON'T LEAVE ME LIKE THIS, I'M NOT READY" I admit to him as I continue, holding my uncles face despite the droplets of blood remaining from his mouth splattered on my hand. "What am I going to do without you?" I ask aloud as tears run rapid through my face. "Come back to me, dad!" I beg as my hand rest on my uncles dead body, secretly hoping to feel his heartbeat and the vibration running through his body again.