Queen Titania
2219 Words
Lucia was miserable, and it felt like it made the entire castle miserable too.
Caterina did her best to try and cheer her best friend up. They went to plays, spent more time in the city, languished in the garden and relished the last few warm days of summer before the harvest began in earnest.
However, everything they did just reminded Lucia of the fact that her days were numbered. With every curtain call, Lucia wondered how many plays she had left in Elaria’s grand theatres. Every moment in the garden was a reminder that winter was fast approaching and she would likely never feel it’s brisk bite again, living in the tropical land of Ainaokala.
Even her birthday – which was normally a very joyous occasion – filled her with dread. Lucia’s birthday came at the very last day of summer, and it signalled the beginning of the harvest, which was a short but very happy time in Elaria filled with feasts, festivals, and hard work in preparation for the winter. Elaria would never be able to participate in them again.
A couple of days before her birthday, the guests began to arrive.
The first to arrive was the fairy queen herself, Titania.
All of the young monarchs or rulers-to-be were around the same age, but Titania was the oldest of them by a couple of years. She ruled the homeland of the Fae, Tir Na nØg. The realm was the second-largest on the continent, taking up the north-eastern coast as well as most of the mountains and grassy forests. It was a mysterious place, filled with enchanted forests and strange magic that were unknown to most. Tir Na nØg was unique in many ways, but the most notable was its ruler.
Titania had always been tough and no-nonsense with a major sweet tooth. Her parents had always kept to themselves, but never minded her interaction with the other royal children. The other rulers dealt quietly, wondering which of their children would end up with Titania. Tir Na nØg was mysterious, and the mystery gave an already powerful kingdom even more power.
So when Titania’s parents were lost at sea, the other rulers wondered what would happen next. Surely the young Titania would ask for help, make a deal to have someone more experienced run her kingdom.
Instead, Titania was crowned Queen of the Fae and ruled completely by herself. Apparently, Tir Na nØg had never seen such health and prosperity.
Three days before the celebration and Lucia’s condemnation, Queen Titania arrived with a select number of her court, riding in carriages made of living wood and moss, pulled by golden and silver horses.
Titania stepped out, her emerald armor glinting in the sunlight, her long red hair tied in a high ponytail, two thick strands held by olden bands hanging down by her sharp face. Her skin was as pale as moonlight, her eyes drops of sunlight, silvery antlers growing out of her forehead adorned with flowers and jewels, her long, thin ears stretching out to the top of her head. Her shimmery green wings flickered and stretched, likely cramped by the long journey.
Lucia and King Jude were there to greet her, both bowing respectfully.
“Queen Titania,” Jude greeted, “It’s been far too long. I trust your journey was a safe one?”
“As safe as it always is,” Titania said, before turning to Lucia and smiling, “Hello, Princess. And how are you faring?”
Lucia forced a smile, “I’ve been well, thank you. Shall I show you to your rooms?”
“I would like nothing more. I shall see you at dinner, Jude.”
The king nodded at the two women as they began their ascent up the castle steps, servants already beginning to unload the gifts and baggage from the living carriages.
It wasn’t until they were by themselves in a long corridor that Titania spoke.
“Something is on your mind, Lucia.”
Lucia sighed, “You’ve always been very perceptive.”
“Yes, well, I’ve gotten very good at detecting lies. What’s wrong with you, my friend?”
“I’m sure you know that I’m getting married to Prince Nakoa in a few days.”
“Oh, yes, I received your father’s letter. Congratulations are in order, yes?”
“No. I don’t want to marry him.”
“Then why are you marrying him?”
Lucia chuckled bitterly, “Because my father says I have to. It’s a deal to tie our two kingdoms together, like Iqaluit and Waipahu. All of the arrangements have already been made, and after the wedding, I’ll be leaving with Nakoa.”
“I do not understand,” Titania admitted, “You say that your father told you to, but if you don’t want to, why are you doing it? You can simply not attend the wedding, or tell him to marry King Keahilani, if he’s so inclined on a marriage sealing the deal.”
“It’s complicated. He’s not just my father, but also my king.”
“But you are the future queen of Elaria, are you not?”
“Future is the key word, there. I have no real power yet.”
“Then rebel!”
“Like I said, it’s complicated,” Lucia sighed deeply, “If I were to say no, it would be a great slight against the entire kingdom of Ainaokala, not to mention Keahilani and Nakoa. Besides, if I said no, my father would make my life miserable.”
“Any more miserable than an unhappy marriage?”
“Most likely.”
“I still do not understand.”
Lucia frowned at her friend’s angry tone, “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean –”
“No, I am not mad at you. I am furious at your father. He has no right to determine your future in such a way, and neither do Keahilani nor Nakoa. They are being quite selfish, and I expected better of them. I see now that you are bound by social rules, expectations, and the power of your father. But I am not bound by such things.”
“I know, I wish I could have your power.”
“Many people do. Perhaps I can use it to speak with him, convince him to call the wedding off.”
“I would be eternally grateful if you could,” Lucia admitted, “but I highly doubt it. My father is stubborn.”
“Well, so am I.”
Lucia smiled, and for a moment, she felt rather hopeful.
“So where is Caterina?” Titania asked, “How is she doing?”
“She’s been spending most of her time in the archives and the library,” Lucia explained, “After it became clear that my spirits couldn’t be lifted, she decided to begin searching for loopholes. I doubt she’ll be able to find anything, but I appreciate her efforts.”
“I see. Will she be going with you to Ainaokala?”
“Yes, if everything happens as Father planned. She actually offered to come with me.”
“Caterina is incredibly kind and loyal.”
“She’s also read every book in Elaria, and she’s been dying to get her hands on some Draconic literature.”
The two women laughed before arriving at a large bedchamber, which Lucia opened for Titania.
“I always forget how lovely your guest rooms are,” Titania admitted as she looked around the expansive chamber, filled with colourful moving tapestries, lush furniture, and flowers at the windows.
“Tir Na nØg’s rooms are grand as well,” Lucia said, recalling the white stone walls carved so delicately, moss as a warm carpet for the feet.
“Mm, they are, but I find Elaria to be so...colourful.”
“Well, I would hardly call Tir Na nØg dull.”
“No, that’s not what I meant. My home is quite vibrant, but everything is green. We’re not called the Emerald Coast for nothing. But you have such a wide variety of flora here, it is quite lovely.”
“Well, thank you. I’ll let you settle in, and I’ll see you for dinner!”
“Thank you.”
Lucia nodded as she left, heading back to her own rooms.
Titania was no-nonsense, partially because fairies couldn’t lie, so they didn’t really tolerate lies or complicated social cues from others. This made the Fae a refreshing presence in any royal court, and Lucia was always happy to spend time with her old friend. Titania could always be trusted to tell it as it was, as well as be sure to carry a sweet treat or two in her pockets.
They ate dinner in the gardens, since the dining hall was still being prepared for the big celebration.
It was just Lucia, Jude, and Titania. Caterina was still doing research down in the archives and Lucia had promised to bring her dinner. The other Faerie court members that had accompanied Titania meandered throughout the grounds as well as visited local restaurants, museums, and theatres.
The dinner was...quiet, just the sounds of eating and polite pleasantries. Though, it was tense. It was clear that Titania wanted to say something, if her pursed lips and tight shoulders were anything to go by. It was once they’d finished the gelato that Titania set her spoon down perhaps a bit more forcefully than was really needed.
“You have no right to decide who Lucia marries,” Titania finally said, fixing King Jude with her cold, hard stare.
“Queen Titania –” Jude warned, but she didn’t let him finish.
“Princess Lucia is an adult who can make decisions on her own. I am very well aware that it is not typical of Ainaokala nor Elaria to arrange the marriages of their future rulers. I understand your worries about a crisis of succession in the future, but there are ways around it.”
“This isn’t your place to speak.”
Titania raised an eyebrow, “I am Queen, am I not? I am also Lucia’s dear friend, so I believe that makes it my place. Why are you marrying Lucia off to Nakoa? What precedence is there for this?”
“It creates a much stronger tie between our kingdoms,” Jude explained, though his jaw was clenched, “As well as ensuring an heir for both of us, as Keahilani and I are growing older and it will not be long before our children succeed us.”
“But how does a marriage guarantee an heir?” Titania challenged, “How are we supposed to know if Lucia and Nakoa can even have children? Why do we assume they have that luxury? What happens if no heir is produced?”
“It’s not polite to discuss such matters, Queen Titania.”
“You have just said a large part of why these two are getting married is because you want to make sure they have an heir. If Lucia and Nakoa are unable to have children together, what then?”
“We shall cross that bridge when we come to it, Queen Titania.”
“Hmm. The same way you waited to cross the bridge of telling Lucia until a week before the wedding?” Then she glanced at Lucia, “Was that...correct? Pardon me, my people are not familiar with this expression.”
“No, no, you got it,” Lucia assured, watching with delight.
“Ah, wonderful, thank you. Anyways, I believe it might be poor planning that led to this marriage.”
“Keahilani was the one who originally propositioned me,” King Jude sighed, “He’s...paranoid about another crisis of succession, especially after their close call so many years ago. At least Nakoa and Lucia will have time to worry about succession – Keahilani and I plan to rule for a very long time.”
“Plans are often disrupted.”
“Which is why we are trying to prepare our children should we fail.”
Titania sighed as she stood, “You can use logic as much as you’d like, King Jude, but the fact of the matter is that you are taking a crucial moment from Lucia, ripping a decision from her that will affect her for her entire life. If her marriage is an unhappy one, then that only bodes poorly for her health and wellbeing. Thank you for dinner. The gelato was delightful.”
Titania bowed politely before walking away, her cloak fluttering in the moonlight. After a moment, Lucia followed.
Once they were far enough away from the dining table, Lucia spoke.
“Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me just yet,” Titania said bitterly, “I will only accept it once you are able to make your own decisions. I will not stand for this, but I understand that I do not hold any power over King Jude nor what he decides to do.”
“I know, but I appreciate it nonetheless.” Lucia smiled and bumped her shoulder against Titania’s lightly, “It’s nice to know that you and Caterina have my back.”
Titania smiled back, “Of course. That’s what friends are for.”
- Writer
