Arwen rests her head back on Klaude's chest, closing her eyes for a moment and letting the smell of the sea flood her senses and the warmth of the sun caress her face.

Today her and Klaude sail in a little lagoon in Ondina's Cove. Named after Arwen's ancestor, one of the rare powerful shadow queens. All the shadow queens are named and remembered. For all held power and all are so rare.

Arwen faintly regrets not staying in town yesterday when she and Klaude were spending time together in the gardens at Draven Mansion, picking some nightshade. If not to simply watch Cierra's walk of atonement and humiliation throughout Umbra. A punishment from Pele, as well as some of her assets being seized, for trying to rule Umbra independently still. Like when Cierra made Arwen kill that man, Jack Millner.

But Cierra specifically confined Arwen to the grounds, that are even more crowded now with the additional guards Pele sent to keep an eye on Cierra. The shadow matriarch didn't say where she was going when she departed yesterday but everyone knew. It must've been a strange surprise for Cierra to endure such treatment, a taste of her own medicine.

Then again, the Raduron is lucky that she even got to keep guardianship of Arwen, as the Havens were proposed by some of the Black Council as a viable alternative. But ultimately they decided it would be too much hassle with Beltane and the Ascension around the corner.

Arwen wishes that they had rescinded Cierra's guardianship, it would finally be an escape but she would miss Ebony and Darcia too much. But oh well, Arwen muses to herself as she concentrates on the present. There is no point thinking of potential outcomes, for today she can enjoy her time with Klaude - her time away from Draven Mansion and Cierra.

It is a nice surprise and they are both enjoying the sailing. Well Klaude is sailing, while Arwen rests her head on his shoulder. It is his second proper day back after going to Prynn to meet with Carina.

Arwen wonders what she is like for a moment but then dismissed the thought completely. Getting to know what her sister is like will build a relationship of sorts between them. That can't happen if Arwen wants to survive. She has never had a true reason to, but now she has Klaude, her happiness, she will try. She doesn't want to leave him. It's not that she doesn't want to be queen crowned, she would love to be. A good fair queen who governs her people well.

But with Cierra constantly looming and her insatiable hunger for power - that will never happen. Arwen will be doomed to either die or be a compromised queen crowned. And a comprised queen is no queen at all, merely a figurehead.

Unless she finds the strength to be brave against Cierra's terror and with Klaude's help, and perhaps Ebony, one day she might find the strength. But Cierra terrifies her, what she will do to Arwen it she does not get her coveted position as Head of Arwen's Black Council. She doesn't even want to think of the endless possibilities Cierra will surely come up with to punish Arwen. But today, she stops thinking about Cierra and tries to find joy in her surroundings.

The sea is beautiful today, calm and beautiful. Unusual. It isn't normally so placid. The only place the waves are high today is near the rocks rather than the whole cove. People would think this is one of Rolanth's ports for how temperamental the ocean and elements usually are.

Still, to be safe they sail in the calmest part, in the centre of Ondina's Cove. Named after one of the shadow queens of old.

Arwen savours this peace as she looks further on, to the unrelenting sea waves crashing against the nearby rocks and cliffs, staining them a foamy white. She wonders if Nalani's power compares to the might of the sea.

Her younger sister is famed for her gifts over fire after all. But rumour has it she can control multiple gifts to a degree. But the people aren't too surprised. Some remember tales from the times of Mirabella Mistbane, about the strength of her gifts. And they now compare even Nalani to Elo, the Fire Breather.

That's what Cierra's spies and the people report at any rate. But her people in Umbra aren't worried for they have faith in the Goddess because she sent a shadow queen for the first time in centuries - they think it must mean something special on the horizon for the future.

Still, Nalani having great strengths over the elements is daunting. For they are so wild and unpredictable.

It makes Arwen shudder, just to think that Nalani could batter her and Carina about in the waves like they are nothing than rag dolls is terrifying. Or perhaps not. Nalani is a Fire Queen after all - perhaps she intends to burn Arwen alive first.

Nalani isn't the only thing to fear though, as another thought pops up, one of her being devoured by the hungry jaws of Carina's giant snake or dying with convulsions and foam in her mouth. But what terrifies her the most is her own power and what she could do with it and what she could become. The shadow gift isn't like the other gifts.

Her power curls up inside of her, waiting in the darkness for the moment when she loses control and is weak. Then her power will seize her and take control of her.

That sends chills down her spine. Noticing her shivering, Klaude looks down at her in concern,

"You're shivering, are you cold Arwen?" He asks, stroking her shoulder soothingly, "you can have my jacket if you want."

"No, I am perfectly alright, my dress is warm enough," she says giving him a smile and he returns it.

Klaude bought her a loose white dress to wear for this day while he was in Prynn, where there are no prying eyes and no one to tell her otherwise. It is so nice to wear something that is not black. And quite thrilling to break a sacred rule, no matter how minor.

White is her favourite colour. A colour of goodness. For once she doesn't feel an ounce of the darkness that normally lurks. She hasn't felt it in a while. It is as though Klaude wipes away her darkness with a single touch or glance. He is what makes her good inside. Without him she honestly wouldn't have a reason to wake up in the morning.

She hates having to constantly wear her least favourite colour. Black makes her feel morbid everyday, wearing black is like she is counting down the days to her own funeral. She knows crimson is the colour of funerals on the island but Klaude has been telling her all about e mainland where black is the colour of funerals and death - she hasn't been able to shake that feeling since. Perhaps that is the Goddess' and the island's wicked sense of humour.

To reiterate that their days are numbered from the time they are born. The Goddess is cruel that way.

"You look beautiful in that dress that I bought you," Klaude says, smirking as he admires her in it, "I seem to have an impeccable fashion sense, it is one of my many many talents."

Arwen chuckles as she turns to face him, "I see that humility is one of those talents then?" She asks innocently and his sky blue eyes dance with mischief at her question.

His smirk grows impossibly bigger, causing Arwen to roll her eyes. "Of course it is Arwen, how could I serve you without my marvellous humility?" He asks.

"And how exactly do you serve your queen Lord Vale?" Arwen asks, entwining her fingers with his and they together perfectly like matching puzzle pieces.

He keeps smirking as he replies, "Well I am obviously a good sailor, marvellous company and a good drinking partner."

Arwen chuckles, "So many talents," she says, rolling her eyes slightly.

Klaude then puts his hand to his chin in a thinking poise before he clicks his fingers, "and of course I am an expert in all the sensual arts," he says, his eyes dancing with an unspoken message.

Arwen blushes as she looks away from him for a moment. Klaude's face goes serious for a moment as he checks the sail and then the smirk returns as he goes to stroke her shoulders again, his fingers brushing against the white material there as he says, "You know, if me being a suitor doesn't work out I could always get by as a dressmaker."

Arwen snorts as she looks back up at him, "May I remind you Klaude Vale that you bought the dress, you did not make it. Someone else, likely a humble and skilled woman made this dress and I bet that she is a hind sight more skilled then you. It shows that your only true talent is spending your money."

Klaude gasps in fake hurt, though his eyes sparkle with humour, "while that may be true, you have now wounded me Arwen, who knew that you could be such a fiery monster."

Monster.

Klaude was only joking but that word hit deeper than he intended it too. Monster. That word has always plagued her though she would never admit it.

Her smile fades a little bit as she bows her head. Klaude notices immediately and clasps her cheek and gently forces her face to meet his as he says,

"It was a joke Arwen."

"I know," she says and attempts to smile, though it does not reach her eyes.

Noticing this, Klaude beams at her, "In Valostra on the mainland our brides wear white," he says smiling at her with another unspoken message.

She smiles at this, "Well when the time comes, I would very much like to wear a white dress again."

Both of them danced around the question and subject and neither would say it directly. "I cannot wait for that blessed time," he says, "and the dress wasn't the only surprise."

Klaude then gets up slowly to retrieve something from the corner of the boat. Impatiently, Arwen gets up behind him, careful not to tip the boat as she follows him.

Klaude rummages around in his heap of possessions which he bought on board before he pulls something out. He hides it from her but not before Arwen sees a glimmer of silver. Perhaps jewellery. Klaude is truly a lavish spender. He puts it behind his back as he turns to face her. A smile dances on his face as he takes a step toward her,

"Close your eyes Arwen," he says, a calm order that is not really an order at all.

Arwen complies as she holds her hands out expectantly, waiting for her the cold light feeling of jewellery.

It does not come to her surprise.

Instead something cold, unfamiliar and heavier than any piece of jewellery is put onto her hands.

"Open your eyes," he says.

She obliges him as she opens her eyes and looks down.

In her hands lie a pretty silver dagger with a creamy white crystal the size of a chicken's egg embedded in the hilt. It is beautiful and intricately detailed with markings and symbols carved on the blade. Arwen wonders what they mean. She holds it properly and weighs it in her hands.

It is light and well balanced. A fine weapon for both a warrior and a queen. Perhaps she should've been a war gifted queen instead. Maybe she would have an easier time coping with the brutality of the triplets cycle if she was a warrior like Queen Halia.

"I thought it was a suitable weapon for Fennbirn's famous shadow queen," he says, giving her a small smile as they both look at the blade. It surprises her that he can actually pronounce the island's name properly and it impresses her considering he is a Valostran.

"Thank you," She says, glancing at the blade in awe, "but why Klaude?"

"Well, with Beltane in a matter of days and your Ascension Year approaching I want you to have this to protect yourself," Klaude says, "I will always protect you but if for some reason you find yourself alone, I would like you to have some way to defend yourself."

Tears start to prick in Arwen's eyes, "No one has ever done something so nice for me," she says hugging him, careful not to impale him or herself on the blade. No one has ever given her a real gift at all actually, except from Ebony on a few occasions. Even if the gift is a knife, she is grateful because it came from him and he thought of her.

Klaude laughs saying, "If I knew that all it took to gain a woman's favour was to buy her a weapon then I would've donated all my swords off long ago."

Arwen smiles, as she half cries and half smiles as she lets go of Klaude and they pull apart from their hug.

"What's its name?" She asks, quietly, looking at the strange symbols that is perhaps an old language. Probably the old Valostran language, they used to have an ancient dialect or that's what a book in her library tells her anyhow.

Klaude shrugs casually, smiling down at her, "whatever you want it to be."

Arwen studies it for a second before saying, "Orenmir," it comes out as barely a whisper but Klaude hears it none the less.

He nods slowly, his smile increasing, "its name is as enchanting as you are."

Arwen shakes her head, a small rueful smile on her face, "I am not enchanting."

He only kisses her cheek, leaving a warm caress on her skin. Then he pulls away and looks at her with such wonder in his blue eyes then shakes his head in return,

"One day you will see you as I see you," Klaude says, caressing her cheek with this thumb lovingly but Arwen lowers her eyes, a little crestfallen as she reflects on herself.

"I see myself everyday clearly in the glass of the mirror at Draven Mansion and all I see is a broken weak girl, Cierra's puppet," Arwen says, her voice breaking at the end as she lowers her head in sadness. She repeats Cierra's own words that she has been told on multiple occasions. Weak. That's Cierra's favourite word to call her. She's said it so much that Arwen honestly believes her.

Klaude only shakes his head, tilting her head back to face his own gently with his hand and speaks softly, "your mirror must be broken then, because what you have just said is absolute ludicrous and it won't do, not at all."

Then his hand leaves her face, and both of his hands reach hers, entwining them as they fit together seamlessly.

"You want to know what I see?" Klaude asks, still a warm smile on his face as he looks at her with his familiar expression of warmth and even awe at times.

It is how he has always looked at her, but usually Arwen has been to blind to notice it.To truly notice how in love he is with her.

"Alright," Arwen agrees, sadness slowly leaving her eyes as she looks up at him again, a smile already forming as their eyes meet and lock.

"I see a girl, nearly a woman who has yet to see the strength she holds, I see an optimist who dreams of creating a better world, I see a pure soul, beautiful on the inside and out," Klaude says, his voice lowering, looking deep into her eyes, that are like depthless glittering pools of obsidian as he clasps her hands tighter in his own, "You are full of so much light and you will make a wonderful queen crowned."

"I appreciate your kind words Klaude but I'm shadow by birth, we are not famed for our light," Arwen says quietly, "I am the epitome of darkness after all."

Klaude only shrugs, a smirk forming as he tilts his head slightly, "well that depends on your perception of darkness doesn't it dearest one."

"I'm not going to win this one am I?" Arwen sighs shaking her head at his stubbornness though she secretly admires it. Not that she's tell him that.

She does loves Klaude but he will not change the way she sees herself. He is the light, not her. She will never be. But that's why she needs him and craves him so desperately. She needs his light. She needs him. Before he arrived she was barely living, barely existing, trapped in that house of monsters on this island of monsters. But now, she has reason to live and exist, reason to fight and win the Ascension; now she couldn't image a life without him in it.

She doesn't care if that makes her obsessed or foolish that a queen such as she relies on a mainlander man so desperately but she will cling to him. Until she is dead. And hopefully that won't be for a long while and she can have thousands of days with Klaude when she is queen crowned and he is her king consort. She can't wait for their perfect future, a happy needing for her. For once

"No," Klaude replies, chuckling as Arwen lets his hands go and picks up the sword from beside her.

He watches her carefully wrap the bejewelled weapon safely in blankets. It would not do for it to be damaged or for it to manage possibly impaling one of them.

As soon as she turns back around, Klaude pulls her to him and starts kissing her. His hands go to her face, caressing her gently her as they kiss. The boat starts rocking but they don't notice or care.

As they move backwards, Klaude trips and falls straight into into the water. Arwen gasps as she immediately scans the foamy white circle where Klaude went under. He emerges a second later and he looks so comical that Arwen starts laughing. Soon her laughter becomes uncontrollable as she clutches her stomach, still laughing uncontrollably. It feels good to laugh.

Klaude tries to scowl at her but his eyes dance with laughter and a hint of a smile tugs at his mouth as he starts swimming back to the boat.

Chuckles still escaping her, Arwen leans over the bait and offers Klaude her hand. He clasps her hand, smiling in gratitude before he pulls her in.

It is such a shock to her, as she hits the water, immediately tasting salt and feeling the cold of the sea bit her skin.

Her fancy bun immediately unties as her black hair sparkles around her, the thick tendrils staining the water black for a moment. Everything goes in slow motion under the water, as bubble rise slowly and darkness swirls around her.

Snapping out of it, she emerges and tastes the sweet salvation of air. Gasping for breath she looks around to see Klaude laughing at her but his smile falls as he notices her panicking and sinking.

"Can't swim!" Arwen splutters, desperately throwing her arms and legs around in the water trying to stay afloat. Cierra would've never let her. She would've said it was beneath a queen, too like an elemental or a naturalist.

Soon Arwen feels arms around her, keeping her up and she hears his voice murmuring soothing words behind her.

"Are you okay?," Klaude asks, his eyes looking over her in worry, checking for any injuries even though there are none. Arwen nods once but he continues to look at her in worry, "Are you sure?"

She nods again slowly, still dazed, "don't worry Klaude, I'm just a bit out of sorts."

"I am so sorry Arwen," Klaude says, guilt and regret laced in his tone, "I assumed you could swim."

Arwen gives him a small smile and then laughs suddenly, "it's fine, at least we can say we've had an interesting day and looking back it's a little funny."

"Funny?" Klaude splutters incredulously, still checking to see if she is okay, "you could've drowned and it would've been my fault, I promised myself that I would never hurt you and I nearly did by being an idiot-"

She kisses him and cuts his speech off, his lips immediately go into sync with hers as he savours the softness of her lips again and again. He nearly forgets to keep them both afloat as he becomes drunk on the taste and feel of her. He could die of the feeling he gets when he is with her, when he touches her. It's different. So much different to all those past dalliances of his on the mainland with Valostran girls. None of them compare to Arwen.

After a while of stillness, she pulls away and rests her forehead against his and whispers, "do not worry, I am fine and untouched by any danger. And I wouldn't have drowned, not with you here and besides, the Goddess would never let a queen die before it's time."

Klaude nods slowly again before finally asking, "shall I teach you the basics? So that you may never fear the water again."

"Alright, teach me," she whispers, giving him a quick kiss as she wraps her arms around his shoulders and he continues to hold her up, her anchor to the sweet salvation of air.

Neither of them say anything for a moment as they tread water, both of them feeling quite serene in amongst the peaceful waters. But eventually Klaude does start to teach Arwen. "If you just want to float in water you do this," he says, demonstrating as he leans back into the water. Arwen tries to tread water as she watches Klaude lay there as if he is on a bed, the sea keeping him afloat.

He closes his eyes for a second and looks so much younger for just a moment before he opens his eyes and comes off of his back to face Arwen.

"Can you try?" He asks, putting his arms back to support her. She nods, ignoring her fears as she gradually lets go of Klaude and lets herself fall backwards into the foamy sea. Arwen slowly lets her head go back and then her arms and legs follow. Surprisingly, she stays up and she allows herself to close her eyes and imagine that she is sleeping.

Blushing, Klaude allows himself one admiring glance of her peaceful beautiful face and her figure, evident as the water causes the dress to stick tight to her, before he looks away.

Time stops for a moment as Arwen feels absolute bliss. She has never felt so at peace as she does now. She feels the warmth of the sun, caressing her skin slowly and it blocks out the cold of the water, only leaving a refreshing sensation as she lets the ocean carry her carefully. For a moment she leaves life behind, she leaves her body as an overwhelming sense of euphoria and tranquility takes over every fibre of her being.

Then the shout comes, "Arwen watch out!" Which sends her crashing back abruptly into the harsh reality.

The shadow queen only has time to open her eyes before the first wave hits.

The gush of water is the only sound she hears and salt is the only thing she tastes as she swallows half of the sea and the unnaturally strong current pushes her down, down, down.

Arwen uses whatever strength she has to make it to the surface and as soon as she gets there she sees a gigantic wave that is entirely unnatural because of its size and it is a random wave in the middle of the lagoon.

As Arwen takes a large breath she faintly hears Klaude's shouts before the next wave hits. So again she goes underwater but this time she doesn't swallow any sea water and keeps her mouth closed to preserve that one little bit of air that she saved.

When she comes up again she notices how dangerously close they are to the jagged rocks that are aligned at the bottom of the cliff. They sit there, silent beckoning beasts as the current pulls both Arwen and Klaude towards their outstretched claws.

Colossal waves of blue and foamy white keep crashing down on them both as if elementals are controlling them or perhaps the Goddess just wants her to die.

Perhaps the Goddess wants the elemental, Queen Nalani, to win. Even so, drowning was not how Arwen pictured dying. And not this soon before even the Ascension.

She is not prepared for this and as she goes under water again a fear settles in, she does not want to die. Not now. Not like this.

That fear brings her mind back to Klaude, where is he in all of this catastrophe?

When she tastes air again, she knows she only has seconds before the next wave hits and she frantically looks around for Klaude. Arwen sees nothing expect endless stretches of blue and white until she spots a mop of blonde floating in the water and the dark leather of his jacket. Fear courses through her. Not fear for herself but fear for him, she has never felt his kind of fear before.

Another wave crashes into her and she rises once more. Arwen looks to Klaude again and sees that he is practically on top of the rocks and that while blue and white surrounds him, so does red.

He is not moving.

The fear is soon replaced by anger.Then rage. Rage that is fiery hot but then becomes icy cold rage that makes her very bones shudder as she lets out a shout.

Suddenly she is overcome with a surge of strength as the waves stop for a second and something keeps her afloat. It is as if someone stopped time for a moment, giving her strength and time to fight back and find a solution.

Arwen goes to the forbidden place inside of her, the one where the monster sleeps, waiting for her to awaken it. She brushes against it and it stirs, swirling with shadows and reeking of death.

Have you come to play with me at last? The question scares her, more than she'd like to admit. But she silently replies. Yes, I have come to use your power.

It swirls around a bit, contemplating it. It is different, it's the most powerful version of her gift, but it is also the darkest. Only strong shadows have this but most choose to embrace the darkness. That's why shadows, the powerful ones anyway, can usually cruel or even emotionless at times. Such power takes a toll and most (like Cierra for example) let it. She doesn't let it. Not usually.

Alright, the darkness agrees.

She feels her whole body shudder, her veins turning black as she unleashes the monster inside of her. And the whole strength of her shadow gift comes to light. A blast of shadow magic erupts from Arwen and everything around her shudders as a wave of black sweeps over everything in sight.

The rocks seem to shrink back, the cliffs shudder and the sea calms for just a moment as if the magic somehow shocked it. But then the waves rise again and almost recoil as the wave of shadow diminishes and sinks into the water.

Using its strength, Arwen's shadows swirl in her wet palms, ready for her to command. She commands it silently.The shadows almost leak from her palms into the water, swirling around like ink.

Arwen pushes them on and the tendrils of black spread around the whole lagoon and poison the water, causing the waves to recoil again in disgust and fear. As the black touches the waves, they cease to exist as they instantly drop back into the water. The seas soon go calm as the darkness spreads, polluting the entire lagoon.

Lying in a sea of black, Arwen loosens a breath as everything stills and the the black retreats back and back into Arwen's palms and the sea turns blue and clean again.

Arwen turns her head to Klaude and her shadows come again and wrap around Klaude like a rope, pulling him towards her.

She holds him tight and tries to swim the small distance toward the rocks. Every stroke she makes, her extra strength depleted but as she reaches the rock, her strength vanishes.