----CHAPTER ONE----
A bird chirped, as Princess Ireland, sat at her vanity table, at about 7:30 in the morning. A beautiful sun rise was playing out, just outside her balcony. She brushed her straight, blonde hair carefully, very careful, so she didn't get any spilt ends, as a princess needs to set a perfect example. Suddenly there was a knock on the door, standing there was her mother, the queen. Ireland had her mother's blonde hair, and personality, and dimples, but that was it. She did not look like her father either. No one in her family knew where Ireland got her beautiful blue eyes from. Ireland smiled, and straightened up. "Hello Mother" Even though Ireland tried to sound mature with her mother she didn't need that. With her family, she could truly be herself. Her mother smiled at her. Queen Isabella was wearing a gorgeous, dark green coloured gown. As she walked across Ireland's huge bedroom, her heels clicked against the floor. Isabella stood above her daughter, and put both of her hands on her shoulders.
"Look at you" She said. "You're all grown up...my little girl...turning sixteen tonight..." Queen Isabella sniffled. Ireland smiled at her mother. "I'll always be your little girl, mama" She said. Her mother smiled, and planted a kiss on her cheek. "Go take a bath before your ball. I'll bring you up some breakfast, then your father and I have a surprise for you." Isabella told her. Ireland tilted her head to the side, with a confused look on her face. The Queen laughed, and patted her cheek affectionately. "You did that all the time as a child..." She then trailed off, and a look of realization dawned on her face.
Overall, she looked quite upset. "Mama? Are you ok?" Ireland asked, standing up. "Hmm, what?" She asked distracted. "Oh, yes sweetie, I'm doing just fine" She gave her daughter a hug, and when they pulled apart, Ireland noticed a sad smile was on her mother's face. "Everything's going to be okay" The queen whispered, reassuringly, but it sounded like she was reassuring herself. However, before Ireland got to ask her, the Queen turned on her heel, and walked away. Ireland frowned, but shook it off, and continued to brush her hair.
--*--
Wearing a eggplant coloured gown, Ireland walked through the castle, as she walked past her father's study, a memory came upon her.
It was a cold winter night, and there was an ice-storm outside. Wind rattled the windows, and the snow, and the ice fell to the ground. The fire roared in King Alexander's study. Suddenly there was knock on the door. Alexander, took off his reading glasses, and put down the document he was working on. "Come in" He said. A eight-year-old girl came in. She was wearing pajamas, and cuddling a teddy bear. The King smiled. "Hi sweetie" Ireland hid her face, behind the teddy bear and walkedtowards her father. "I'm scared" She told him. He simply smiled, and pulled her into his lap. "Don't worry" He replied. "I'll always be here to protect you"
Ireland smiled to herself, and walked past the study. Fingering the diamond necklace, that rested on her neck (it was what her grandmother left for her before she died) and entered the kitchen. Ireland noticed when she walked in that her mother had poured something into one of the cups of tea she was preparing. Ireland frowned. She remembered the bottle from many times during her childhood.
"Mother?" She asked. The Queen quickly spun around. "Why are you putting medicine in my tea?" Ireland pointed to the cups, behind Isabella's back. Her mother turned her head a bit to look at the cups, and then looked back at her daughter. "I'm sure you're nervous about the ball tonight" The Queen said smoothly. She held up a tiny, ruby red bottle. "This is just in case" Isabella then picked up the tea cup and handed it to her daughter. "Drink, dear" She said, before exiting the room. Ireland stared quizzically at the back of her mother's head, then shook her head. She brought the teacup toher lips, and drank.
--*--
As day turned to night, Princess Ireland stood in her bedroom. She looked at herself in the mirror and took a deep breath. It took sixteen years of training for this day. Tonight, everyone would see how mature she'd gotten. They would take her seriously, and then when the time comes...They would be glad to have her as their Queen. She was the heir of the throne after all. If she messed this up, the kingdom would no longer have royal blood to it. Just a royal name. She took another breath and puther tiara in place.
"I can do this" Ireland whispered. "For the sake of my people." Ireland brushed off any dust that may have been on her large, blue gown. Suddenly she started feeling faint, and sick. As if she was about to throw up. Her vision began to get blurry. Ireland tried to walk forward, but then she almost fell. She shut her eyes tight and then opened them again. That didn't work. She could see a shape above her. "Oh my..." the person said. It was her mother. Ireland tried to reach out to her, but unfortunately that was the last of her energy, and she fainted.
--*--
Queen Isabella grinned, looking over her daughter. She gently lifted the unconscious girl up, and lifted her on the bed. Hearing the fall, the King rushed in. "What happened?" he asked. "It happened, Alexander. It finally happened!" She said happily. Looking at his daughter, then back at his wife, Alexander realized what happened. "You mean..." The Queen gave an excited nod. "Yes, it happened. Our daughter is finally safe."
--*--
When Ireland awoke, it was night. The moon was high up and her mother sat beside her, stroking her hair. Ireland yawned and sat up. "What happened mother?" Her mother hushed her. "Lay down, my sweet. You fainted, that's all" Her mother informed her. Ireland frowned. "But...what about my ball?" She asked. Queen Isabella gave her a small smile. ¨It has been moved to next friday. For now rest, and tomorrow we will have a special birthday lunch for you¨ Ireland nodded and began to fall asleep."Goodnight mother" she mumbled, falling asleep. The Queen gave her a sweet smile. "Goodnight, my sweet"
--*--
Ireland awoke to the sound of knocking at her door. "Ireland?" The voice asked. "Are you awake?" Ireland yawned. Even though Ireland was exhausted and the voice was muffled she could recognize it anywhere.
"Yes, I am awake, I'll be down in a minute, Sebastian." Ireland quickly got out of bed and rushed into her bathroom, took a quick shower and dressed quickly. She took a minute to straighten herself out and look out her balconey window. Little dots of light danced across the horizon, the sun was just beginning to rise. The Princess quietly tip-toed out of her bedroom. The halls were decorated with portarits of her family. At the end of the hall was a picture of Ireland as a small child standing happily with her parents.
Ireland smiled at the distant memory and continued to walk on. At the bottom of the staircase her long-time best friend stood. "M'lady" He said jokily and bowed. "Sebastian" Ireland played along, extending her hand and nodding.He kissed her hand and then gave her a quirky smile. "Okay, joke's over. I have something to show you."
--*--
"A little further.." He said, dragging Ireland into the backyard of the castle. "Are we there yet?" Ireland asked, peeking through her hands. She saw they were following a path that looked quite familiar but she couldn't pinpoint where it led too. Sebastian put his hand over top of Ireland's. "Psh, don't look!" He told her. Ireland giggled in repsonse. Suddenly Sebastian stopped walking and came behind her. He gently guided her to a stone bench and sat her down. "Okay. Now you can look!"
Ireland opened her eyes and saw the most beautiful sight. They were near an edge of a cliff, and past the cliff was a waterfall and just above that the sun began to rise.
"We use to come here as kids, Bash..." Ireland said trailing off. Sebastian nodded. "With Nadia.." Ireland frowned. She remembered Nadia. Her, Sebastian and Nadia always played together as kids. But one day when they were all thirteen she stopped coming. She remembered how the dark-skinned girl and her used to have all sorts of sleepovers and movie nights. "Anyway" Sebastian said sitting next to her. "I just found this spot yesterday and I wanted to show it to you" Ireland sighed. "You are so lucky being able to do what you want all the time" Most times Ireland thought of what it would be like to be normal. To go to school with kids her age. To come home to a nice quaint cottage that she was actually allowed to leave without supervision. The brunette boy shruged. "Better enjoy it while it lasts, speaking of which you better get back to the castle before your parents or anyone for that matter finds out." He told her. Ireland groaned but stood up anyway.
"Have you found any information on Nadia?" She asked. Sebastian looked sadened and he tried to hide it. "Not really." He said trailing off. They walked the rest in complete and utter silence.
--*--
Ireland paced nervously in her bedroom. Even though her parents only invited a few neighbouring kingdoms for the lunch, Ireland was still nervous. She took a deep breath and crouched to the floor, reaching for a box under her bed. She hadn't looked in that box since she found out Nadia was missing. She sat on the bed, the box sitting on her lap. She sucked in her breath and mentally laughed at her fears. 'Its just a box' she thought 'I'm silly to fear it'
She decided to study the box first. It was a normal-sized box and was made with fabric white lace and beads. It wasn't the box that scared her, it was what laid inside of it. Memories that once brought her joy now gave her great sorrow. She let out a breath she didn't notice she was holding and quickly --as if she was ripping off a band-aid-- she opened the box.
In it were photographs, dolls, notes, drawings and a single tiny crown. Ireland let out a shaky laugh as she picked up the simple crown. She remembered that she would promise Nadia that when she became queen she would make Nadia a princess. She remembered how her and Nadia would dress up in ball gowns and the Queen's shoes. How the golden tiara rested upon Nadia's dark curly hair. A single tear slid down her cheek but she didn't move to wipe it away. She continued to look through the box.
At the bottom of it lay a storybook. Ireland always loved books. The powers they had. How you can be snuggled up by the fireplace yet feel like you're on an adventure. But this book was special. Nadia and Ireland would read it together every day to the point they practically had it memorized. The book told stories of how the world used to be overrun with monsters. Vampires and werewolves and demons. Trolls and goblins and witches. Until the rebel tribes were created. Ordinary people trained to protect the world. The work was dangerous and most got killed young but they were too selfless to care. She remembered how her and Nadia would tell each other how the wished they could find that level of selflessness and bravery one day.
Ireland was sucked away from her thoughts by a knock at her door. She placed the book and tiara back in the box. "Come in" She called as she placed the box back. Her mother stood at the door. "Its time for lunch darling." Ireland turned to her mother and gave a slight nod before hopping off the bed to join her.
The lunch was uneventful. Everyone chatted politely with little jokes thrown in here and there. One kingdom didn't show up though and left four seats empty. "I heard that kingdom got overthrown and that the King and Queen are dead." whispered the boy beside her. Ireland seriously doubted that. What could possibly urge someone to overthrow a kingdom? And how? It must be impossible to even enter the castle. The princess thought about the boys words hours into the night. Is that possible? Could someone overthrow her kingdom? Eventually she let sleep take over.
--*--
In Ireland's dream she was sitting on her mother's throne. The Queen's crown rested on her hair and she appeared to be writing something when all of a sudden someone burst in. "Your majesty"the servant said quickily, giving her a bow. "They're coming." Ireland stood up quickly and ran to join the servant. "Get everyone in the castle." She yelled. "Secure the gates!"
The scene changed. She was in a forest wearing her hunting clothes, sword-fighting with someone. Small battles were fought everywhere beside her. Her opponent let their guard down and gave Ireland the upper hand. She hit the sword out of his hand and pressed her sword up against his throat. "Where is she" Ireland hissed. The man gasped for air and scrunched his face up in concentration. "Why don't you come with me and find out." He shot back. Suddenly Ireland felt a pain in her side. She looked to see that the man stabbed her with a hunter's knife while she held him down. Ireland staggered back shocked. The last thing she saw was the man's face grinning above her. Then everything went black.
The scene changed again. A guard was leading her through a dungeon. He threw her into a cell and locked the door. "Here you go. Queen" He spat. Dream-Ireland looked at her surrondings. She was a prisoner. In her own castle. A cough drew her out of her thoughts. Laying not to far from her was a girl. She was dark skinned and had black curly hair to match. Her brown eyes haunted Ireland's dreams always. "Nadia" She let out, rushing to her side. "I found you. I promised you that I would find you." Nadia let out a noise as if she was being strangled. Ireland looked down and saw that her shirt was stained with fresh blood.
"You're too late." Ireland felt tears running down her cheeks but she didn't make any move to wipe them away. "No" She whispered. "No, please don't leave me." Ireland went to caress her face, but Nadia flinched and pulled away. "I waited. Every day. Hoping you would find me. You failed me Ireland. You could've saved me if you were just prepared." Nadia said with a glare. Ireland felt a sob rushing to her throat but she held her ground. "I'm sorry Nadia. I'm sorry. I love you. I-I didn't mean to. I didn't want to. Please don't die on me." Ireland replied in a rush. "You promised me you'd make me a princess. Find me a prince and happiness. But here you are Queen and here I am dying in you're arms instead. You don't love me." Nadia's breath started to slow and her hand started to go limp. "You failed me." She let out. Ireland sat there crying. Clinging on to Nadia and apologizing to the air. The princess woke with a start.
--*--
After that the week seemed to fly by. Before she knew it, it was friday again and time for her ball. Only an hour before the ball began Ireland was found paceing in bedroom. Sure she's been to balls but this one was important. It showed that she was ready to rule the kingdom and be a good ruler too. There was a knock at her door. Ireland straightened up, and in her most regal voice said "Come in." The Queen entered the room. "Its time" She said with a excited smile. Ireland gave her mother a nod and began to walk out of the room when she felt a hand on her arm."Before you leave...here." Isabella placed her family ring on Ireland's finger. "I want you to have this" Ireland gaped at her mother. She looked as if she was trying to find the words to say. "B-but Mother...this ring..." "Was passed on from my mother to me, so now I pass it on to you" The Queen finished for her. Ireland beamed at her. "Thank you mother" And with that, the two woman exited the room and began to walk down to the ballroom.
--*--
"Without further ado, I give you, the guest of honor, Princess Ireland!" Ireland looked down at her gown to check for anymore wrinkles and then seeing there wasn't any, she took a deep breath as the grand double doors to the ballroom opened. This isn't going to be so hard. She told herself. I've been to many balls before. But a part of her knew that this one was different. Something would happen tonight. She could tell. Ireland just didn't know what. She put on a smile, kept her posture and walked on, pushing those thoughts aside.
Ireland walked down the steps one hand on the rail, the other one waving gracefully at the crowd. The princess scanned the room looking for her mother and scanning the guests. There were many, many guests. So many most of the ballroom was covered with people, and that's saying something.
However, one guest stuck out like a sore thumb. All the men were wearing suits. All the women were wearing ball gowns. Except for one. She was about average size and was very pretty. She had long brown slightly curled hair and was wearing a nice, bright pink dress, which went a bit past her knee. Just by looking at her, you could tell she was uncomfortable. Ireland frowned a bit. Who was this girl? Mentally shaking her head, Ireland put a smile back on her face and kept walking down the stairs. "Hello everyone. Welcome to my ball." She said smoothly. Very good, she thought. Nice and simple. Now keep going. "Thank you all for coming." Ireland said, smiling brightly."Now without further ado, let the ball begin!" Suddenly the ball room lit up with neon coloured lights, and a song began to play. Everyone grabbed a parnter and somehow walzted to the fast song, except that one girl; she looked shocked, as if she had never been to a ball before. Then the guy next to her took her hand, and began to spin her around. She started laughing, and the guy was laughing too. Ireland smiled, then walked onto the dance floor, to greet some guests.
--*--
"Umm...Princess Ireland?" Ireland turned around as she felt a tap on her shoulder. It was the girl. The one wearing the short dress. She studied her she had tanned skin, that was a brownish colour. Her hazel eyes were filled with concern and worry. Ireland wondered why. She tucked a stray blonde piece of hair behind her ear and decided to answer "Yes?" She asked. "I just wanted to wish you a happy birthday, my name's Kate by the way" Kate replied. Kate looked very uncomfortable, and she kept looking around as if she was expecting someone. Kate put a piece of hair behind her ear. "Erm...listen.."
Suddenly there was a crash from above. Ireland looked up to see two big men, dressed in black, climbing down a rope into the castle. Kate cursed and Ireland was scandalized. "Excuse me?" She asked. Kate didn't answer. Instead she grabbed Ireland's hand and started to drag her through the crowd. "Eric!" Kate called to the boy she was dancing with before. "Hold them off for as long as you can!" The boy saluted her. "SIR YES SIR!" Kate rolled her eyes but didn't stop running. They ran and sidestepped through the crowd until they were out of the ballroom. Kate seemed to know where they were going and the quickest route to getting there. Ireland wondered how. Most castles have the same layout she thought perhaps she's been in one before. Soon enough, they were out of the castle.
"Argh!" yelled Kate in frustration. She kicked off her heels, and kept tugging on Ireland's arm, bringing her into the forest that was just behind the castle. "Where are we going?" The princess asked. Her kidnapper didn't answer. Irelands' stubbornness took the better of her. She stopped where she was. "I am Princess Ireland you have taken me from my household, and I demand to know where we are going!" Kate sighed, and sat on a log. "We'll stop here, for now." Ireland mentally patted herself on the back, before cleaning off part of the log, and sitting down also.
"I'm sure you know all about Vampires, and Werewolves, and Witches, Wizards, and Warlocks, right? I mean they don't keep everything from the royals..." Ireland nodded. She knew about them of course. That was almost all her and Nadia would talk about. "Good. Well the Vampires and Werewolves attacked the villages, they attacked your people. Long, long ago. A man named Connor started this thing called rebel tribes. Ordinary people, join in to protect other people." Ireland wondered if she should stop her. Saying she already knew all this. She decided she better not, her parents never told her about this kind of stuff so she probably shouldn't know. Suddenly there was a rustling in the bushes in front of them.
A guy came out, it was Eric, from the ball. Ireland took this time to actually look at him. He had black hair, which was all over the place, and chocolate brown eyes. He wasn't muscular, or very scrawny, but somewhat in the middle. He was actually very good-looking. Nadia probably would've dubbed this guy "cute". "Eric!" Kate cried, as she ran to hug him. He grinned. "Miss me, Katiekat?" He asked. Kate slapped him on the shoulder. "Oh why do I even try with you?" Eric simply grinned, and continued to walk on.
"When we get to the tribe area, you can sleep, then talk to William in the morning. He'll explain everything." Kate said looking at Ireland. Ireland nodded, and hiked up her skirt, careful not to get it too dirty, and followed Kate. Not so long later they reached a large clearing with four buildings. A large cabin, a small shack, one that looked like a normal sized store, and the last was simply a pavilion. Kate looked at Eric. "Take her to the cabin and show her a room. She needs to rest. I'm going to get out of this stupid thing." She said pointing to her dress. Eric smiled. "I wouldn't expect anything less" Then he turned to Ireland. "Come on, its time to show you my home."
--*--
Eric took her to the cabin. It was quite large though nothing compared to her castle. It looked kind of old and like one of those cabins you would find at those summer camps she read about. Eric opened the door for her and she entered. It was cozy and warm and for some reason Ireland immediately felt at home. Eric led her down a hallway and showed her one of the rooms.
"Here." He said "This is one of the spare rooms. Across from you is Bonnie and just down the hall there is Kate." Ireland nodded as Eric left. She looked at the room. It was a decent size (though nothing compared to her room) and had a older smell to it.
The bed had a floral print comforter and across from it was a dresser with a mirror. Ireland studied herself in front of the mirror. Lifting her hands up she took the tiara off her head and placed it on the dresser. She decided to take off all her jewelery. First a heavy necklace she wore around her neck. Then the earrings that matched. She decided to take her hair down as it was pinned up in a fancy bun. Ireland placed all the pins and elastics on the dresser too. She then moved to her wrist. She took off one of her bracelets then moved to take off the other one. It was one Nadia and Sebastian gave her for her birthday one year.
She smiled slightly then decided to keep it on. Ireland decided to check the drawers for any kind of nightgowns. Luckily she found a nice light purple one. She took off her ball gown and put on the night gown. It was a bit big but she was fine with it. Crawling into bed, she began to play with the ring on her finger. Ireland suddenly grew worried. What about her parents? What have happened to them? She let out a sob and curled up into a ball. Crying herself to sleep, she wished she had her mother to comfort her as she cried.
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So here we are. You've finally met our main character Ireland and I'm sure you all remember Eric from his little one-word from the prologue. And mentions of Bonnie of course. Next chapter you meet everyone else (well about).
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~Cookie0891