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Radnor
Day of the Ball

I watched as our people walked into the hall. Others laughing, and dancing.

Cole's mother sat on a throne next to The King. Her face void of all emotions. I think it was surprising to us all that she was actually sitting on a throne of her own, and that too next to him.

Normally she stood next to him, because as my Grandfather always said, a Queen is lower than a King, not equal.

But here she sat.

The old throne replaced with two grand thrones.

The council did not look too happy about it either, but it seemed my father didn't care.

I look around the room, to see if River had arrived yet and she had not.

"Well don't you both look dashing." Cole says coming up to us.
"And you have hair! For a second I thought you didn't have any under that hood."

Radnor's Outfit
His hair is in a one.

You know when you were completely embarrassed and now you're trying to act brave so that others don't think you're completely embarrassed?

That's Cole.

He has been on a rampage, trying to prove that he is superior, since his beautiful defeat.

Choosing to ignore him, I continue watching at the door for River and her family to arrive.

"When my father announces that I will be King today, I will make my own little announcement. And when I marry her, I'll make sure I ruin her so badly she'll never think to look at another man."

I go to reach for him, but Gor holds my hand back.

"You're lucky he stopped you Radnor. Because I could have you executed for harming your King."  He laughs again, walking away from us.

"He'll get what's coming for him soon." Gor says and I tightly fold my fists to my side. I needed to calm down before I go over there and give him what he deserves myself.

Chatter slowly ceases around the room, and I look to the door when I see my girl walking in.

Yes...my girl.

Her mother and Brother to her sides. The same group of people from before behind them. I believe they are friends of the family.

I couldn't help the overwhelming infatuation I felt for her. She is just so beautiful.

Wonda's Outfit

Max outfit

River Outfit

My father stands from his throne, the council standing as well. He signals to the musicians and they stop playing music.

"Welcome River Somet and family. I am very delighted that you accepted my request."

She doesn't say anything.
"The first woman to join the northern games. I am very impressed. Indeed I am." He says, and she still doesn't speak.

"Now that all our warriors are present. We will now knight them." He announces, everyone in the room gasping in shock.

He was making her a warrior? I thought he invited her because he wanted her here when he made me King.

"So this is what he has been up too." Gor says next to me.

"You didn't know either?"

"He has been oddly quiet since that day I picked him up from your house. I had no idea he had a throne made for her majesty, far less that he was going to make her a warrior."

One drop at a time.

"But your majesty she is a Woman!!" The council begins to shout.

He turns to them.
"It has also come to my attention, that you all had interfered with the games. An act that is punishable by law." Their eyes widen.
"Arrest them."

Guards ran up to them and I couldn't help but feel content to see them in the opposite end for the first time.

I look to my father, a new sort of confidence to him. He was starting to be brave.

Maybe that time in my mother's room, away from the manipulating voices all around him, was just what he needed to remember all she had told him and see clearly.

"Father-"

"SILENCE!!" He shouts they all shut up.

"Like all men in this Kingdom, we were taught that women are under us. That they are our property. We can treat them cruelly, hit them, beat them, even take their dignity and they would have no right to speak up.

My father was the most cruel, and I was raised to be just like him. When I married Queen Victoria, she was the first woman to really make me see and realized that the treatment I gave to her was wrong. But before anything could happen, my father had me choose. Get raid of her or he will.

For years I knew of the suffering of my Kingdom. I knew of the treatment that women received, and I did nothing. I silently watched. I was a coward. Pressured by the demands of a dead King, I was torn between doing what is right and pleasing the wishes of my father." I look towards the people, some crying. Fathers holding their daughters tightly.

For the first time, a King was being sincere with his people.

"The ways of the North are not ideal, and it is time for it to change." He says, and I feel my chest tighten at his words.
"I am sorry for failing you as your King." He says, bowing to them.

--
River

Mom held tightly unto my arm, tears running down her face.

Is the sun finally starting to shine on the North?

"As you know I am at age where the throne should be passed down."

Please no.

"And I was going to hand it over to him." He says but instead of looking towards Cole, he looks in...

Radnor's direction.

My eyes narrow in confusion.

"Why is he looking at him?" Max asks and the people begin to whisper around us.

"My son..." My jaw literally touches the floor.

Impossible.

The council and Cole all looked to them in shock.

"Father wh-what. Why are you looking at him?"

"Radnor Issac is my son, and Crown Prince of The North."

"Well I'll be..." Rider says and Eric agrees.
"Man of Mystery is the King's secret son."

"No no no!!" Cole shouts and a guard grabs unto his arm.
"Let me go you imbecile!!"

"He cannot be King!! I am to be King!! I challenge him for the throne!!"

"And I revoke your challenge." The King says.
"You should worry more about the countless of accusations made against you, that will be held in trial."

His body freezes and he stares at his father in disbelief.
"But I am your son."

"And that is why I do this." He states.
"I will not be passing down the throne. I should be the one to make the change. I shouldn't rely on others to do it for me."

--
One week Later.

Mom and the village decided to throw a celebration for me becoming a warrior.

I watched as they all danced around on the dance floor of the in. Mom and Mr. Mack together, Max and Cassidy.

I couldn't be happier.

It took everything for me to persuade her to let me wear a pants, but I loss that fight.

Her outfit

I still haven't seen Radnor and I guess it's expected seeing as he is now Crown Prince.

Wow. A Prince.

I never expected that.

I get up from my chair, going towards the door when I bump into someone.

"Oh sorry- Ms. Willow." I say pleasantly surprised.

"Hello dear. Congratulations on become a warrior. A dream come true huh?" I smile, nodding.

"Your father would be proud." I tilt my head slightly at the woman and she smiles.

"What are you Ms. Willow?" She chuckles.

"I'm just here to help." She replies.
"You know, this is the start of a new Dawn for the North. One I'm sure will be known throughout generations to come as the greatest historical reign." She gently holds my face.
"Take care my dear."

"You're leaving?"

"I'm needed down South."

"Ah." I nod.
How did she even get into the North?

"You're greatest strength is your mind River. You believe you can do it, so it will be." Was the last thing she says before she disappears out the doors.

"You better not be trying to run off to the forest River." I turn around, sheepishly smiling at mom.

"I'll be right outside the door." She deadpans me.

"Right outside the door River. I will check." I laugh.

"Yes Ma'am." I make my way out the door, just as a man looks to come in.

I look up to him.
"Oh I'm sorry sir." I say, standing to the side for him to come in first, but he doesn't.

"You can come in first." He chuckles.
My face scrunches up in confusion at the familiar sound, yet...

I cover my mouth, staring up at the man in shock.

"I wondered when you would recognize me."

How I envision Radnor

"Oh my gosh."

"Care for a walk?" He asks, stretching out his hand to me. I subconsciously nod my head, accepting his hand.

"River!" I hear Max call but Mom holds him back.

He leads me out the door and we walk through the somewhat busy road. This is the most people I have seen this late out.

I couldn't stop glancing at him. Was he always this handsome?

"Should I have them paint a portrait of me for you?" My face drops and I roll my eyes walking ahead of him.

I feel his arms wrap around my body, stopping me from moving. His deep chuckle in my ear, causing a shiver to run through my body.

He turns me around to face him, and it only increased his beauty.

"A Prince?" He steps away, grabbing my hand and we continue to walk.

"Does that deter our previous agreement?" He asks, looking down at me.

"Are you going to lock me up in the castle and never let me room free?" He laughs a hearty laugh and I felt very fond of the sound.

"Why would I lock you up. You have duties, Warrior River." I smile brightly.

"Can you believe it? The King knighted me." I point at myself.
"I still can't fathom the entire thing that transpired." I tell him.

"Is it true that Cole will be imprisoned?"

"Yes. He has been stripped of all his titles and will be sentenced to life according of the ruling of the new council."

"I heard the King appointed a woman on the council." He hums.

"He said he wanted a woman's voice of reason on team."

"He'll be the known as the greatest King."

"But he allowed many horrific things before." He states.

"But he chose to change them instead of leaving them as is. It's not only about how you start Radnor, but how you finish." He stops walking, pulling me to him.

"My mother told him the exact same words."

"Oh! Really?" He nods.

"And what of the council?" I ask, I wanted to know. I've heard a lot of rumors that they were all to be imprisoned as well.

"They will be executed." I gasp in horror.

"Executed?"

He nods.
"There seems to be a lot more under those sleeves of theirs. Crimes that cannot be forgiven."

Oh wow.

We enter the forest line, and the loud sound of a howl pierce through the air.

Shadow and his pack frequently visit our neck of the woods. Mostly staying on the safer side, which is near the cave.

"My father spoke with each family and they all agreed to their punishment. Not a single soul stood in support of their father."

"Oh my."

"I spoke to one of the sons and he said he has seen and heard his mother cry enough." My heart begins to hurt, and tears come to my eyes.

"So many people have been hurting Radnor." He wipes away the tears that fell from my eyes.

"We can't erase the memory of pain, but we can remove the cause. He's really trying to change things."

"And the people see that. We really do." He softly caresses my face, looking deep into my eyes.

"I am adamant about my former proposal River." I look down, at his chest.

"You can have anyone as your wife Prince Radnor." He lifts me chin.

"Well I remember clearly stating I wanted no one else." He steps away from me getting down unto one knee.

"What are you doing?" I asked confused.

Her pulls out a small box, opening it up to me, revealing a two rings.
"Why do you have rings? What are you doing?"

Rings were normal jewelry in the north. Why would he give me a ring?

"I heard from the other Kingdoms, that a man gives a woman a ring of engagement. That married couples wear rings on their finger to show that they are wedded." He explains.
"I've already asked your mother and brother for your hand, and she said she will support your decision."

I hear footsteps heading to us and the two walk forward with smiles on their faces. Mr. Mack, Cassidy, Rider, Eric and the King and his wife. As will as General Gor and his wife watching us.

I hear the call of an eagle and Exodus flies pass us and lands on a tree, just as red and yellow eyes walk out from behind me.

"Hi guys." I wave and they bark.
"How did you even get them to come?"

"I have a feeling animals understand us, because I told him to come here and well...he's here."

"Radnor."

"I know we have not gotten to know each other well. But my heart already belongs to you. I desire for no one else to be my wife, and in future my Queen." I look down to the man in front of me, tears continually blurring my vision.

Who does this?

The man is suppose to just give flowers to the parents and they were the ones that agreed. We had no say in whom we marry, but he's asking me.

Actually asking me.

Not forcing my mother to her knees, forcing me against my will. Wanting to damage and hurt me.

He looked up to me with what I could only cipher as admiration and kid me not, love.

But how can he love me? Why would he?

"You are brave. Exceptional. And the most beautiful woman I have ever met." He says standing back up, cupping my face.
"I love you River Somet. Will you marry me?" He says, placing the rings in the middle of us.

Flashback

"Papa what kind of man will you accept to marry me?" I ask and he almost trips over his foot.

I hold unto my stomach laughing. Do you know how funny it is to see a giant nearly fall.

"Oh so you find this funny?!" He says running after me.

"Papa!! No I'm sorry!!" I yell as he picks me up and throws me over his shoulder.
"Let me go you monster!!" I shout hitting his back.

He holds my legs up and I dangle in the air. Using my hand I hit his butt hard.

He pulls me forward, letting me down on the ground.
"Did you just hit my butt?" He asks amused.

"It was in hitting view." He chuckles.

"Why are you asking about marriage. You're only 15."

"I heard some girls talking about it when I was cleaning the yard."

"Hmm. Well you don't have to worry because no one is worthy of my baby girl." He taps my cheek.

"Papa!" I whine, hitting his chest.

I do want to get married one day. Maybe after I become a warrior. Gasp! Next thing I get to choose my own husband.

"Okay okay! I'll accept a man.." he kneels in front of me.
"Who is just like me."

"Hmm." I mean I get that. I'll like a man like Papa as well.

"If he's like me, or at least you see me in him, he'll be a protector. He wouldn't treat you like you're less than him and he would treasure you like you are his world.

He won't let the norm dictate his actions but would have a mindset of his own and believe in you and in your dreams. He'll treat you kindly, and want to hear your opinions. He'll truly care for you, and you won't be his property."

End of flashback

For the short time I've known Radnor, he has shown some qualities. He asked my mother for my hand, and now is asking me.

"Baby girl?"

"Huh?" He smiles

"You zoned out for a while." My mouth makes an O shape and I look down to the rings.

"Marry me River." I look back up him, a big smile coming unto my lips.

"Yes." I nod my head and he leans down kissing me. I hear the cheers of our families around us. The pack howling and Exodus doing her own whistle sounds.

He steps away, taking out the ring and putting it on my finger.
"How did you know my size?"

"Lucky guess." I put on his for him and he pulls me to him again. My hands on his chest.

"River Issac."

"Got a nice ring to it." I say and he laughs.

Our families start coming over to us, congratulating us.

The King pulls me to him and I hug him back, a little shocked but polite either way.

"Welcome to the family River." The Queen says. Her voice was so soft and sweet.

"Thank you your majesty."

I look to Shadow and he howls. I walk over to him and they all gather around me.
"Thanks guys."

The cubs were so much bigger now.
"Papa would be proud wouldn't he boy? You an Alpha. I, a warrior and soon to be Princess. Who would of thought."

I look behind me, everyone watching me with smiles on their faces. I look back to him, holding his face.
"Who would of thought."

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The End