Requested by dominique_gvo

The footfalls of a single horse was the only sound, minus the woeful hoot of an owl nearby, in the chilly air. The horse, who was weary and in need of good rest and feed delivered labored breaths that stood out in the cold air.

The horses riders, both the Princess and Anthony looked far different than from the beginning of their escape. Anthony was worn, his shirt speckled with dried blood from the enemies he had slaughtered, his once youthful boyish smile replaced with a solemn frown that made him look far older than his years. The princess whose dress was in tatters around her feet looked nothing of the radiant creature she once was. Her hair was oily and matted with leaves and sticks and she was more distrustful of those around her unless they were of course her protector and their trusted steed.

All three had looked like they had been to hell and back, and in all honesty, they had. The horse lead them to a castle, the doors sealed for the night. Anthony dismounted and knocked on the surface of the door, waiting for a servant to answer. Not even a moment later a small boy dressed in the darkest black tunic and matching gloves peered around the door, his red eyes causing a bit of alarm.

The boy looked at Anthony from head to toe before his eyes drifted over to his horse and who he could have been the gentleman's wife if Alec was to guess.

"Good sir," Anthony started, "I and my companion have traveled far in the search of a king, a King Marcus of Volterra."

"What is your business with King Marcus?" The boy asked.

Anthony paused searching for the words needed without giving too much away. "Uh..."

"Do not take me for a fool," the boy growled, "if you desire to see the king you must tell me your business with him."

Anthony opened his mouth to retort, but was intercepted by his companion. "We are from île du Soleil, I am Fleur-"

"Princess Fleur?" The boy questioned quickly, his eyes huge.

Fleur nodded in response, "You know of me?"

"You're Master Marcus's goddaughter, of course we know of you," the boy explained, "I'm Alec, come in quickly, I'll send a servant to care for your horse."

Alec ushered the pair into the castle and towards a wing of the castle. As the trio walked they passed a servant girl who Alec gave the orders making her scurry away.

"Right this way princess," Alec directed towards two doors, "The kings are in there."

Anthony stopped in his tracks, "Kings?"

"Yes, as in three kings, surely your king told you of this."

Alec gave a bow and left the hall to attend to his own affairs, leaving the pair to reevaluate their actions. Without another moment of hesitation, Fleur entered, her back straight and her hands folded in front of herself.

The kings attention was torn from their books and towards the girl like looked like a peasant. Caius clucked his tongue and returned to his reading, unamused by what he assumed to be a late night snack for one of his fellow kings.

Aro was surprised, mostly since he didn't see a need for a snack but the girl held his curiosity. Marcus paid closer attention to her. He took note of despite how she looked rugged and wild, she held herself with a air of confidence that only a life of privilege could bring.

"I am Fleur, princess of Île du Soleil, and I have come to see Marcus."

Marcus tilted his head. "What is your business-"

"-my kingdom was overrun and my people slaughtered....including my mother and father....I was sent here to find King Marcus."

"I am Marcus," He announced, "I am sorry for your loss..."

Fleur went to Marcus's desk and kneeled by his side. Her eyes searched his, "Will you help me avenge my people? To reclaim my home?"

Marcus chuckled as he closed his book. "My dear, the fools that took your home will regret ever crossing you, but first we need an army."

"I have the funds," Fleur announced motioning for Anthony to come closer with the treasures.

Marcus waved the boy away. "My dear," he began, "you keep your money, I have an army that no kingdom can stand against."

Fleur smiled, "Then what are we waiting for? We must leave now!"

"You must learn battle strategy and fighting tactics first, no one will follow an incompetent leader into battle."

Marcus stood and gathered books from his shelves and handed them to the princess. "I suggest you begin studying."

Fleur stood with the books in her arms and a fire ignited in her eyes. She gave a bow and grabbed Anthony's hand and moved towards the doors.

- Flash forward 20 years -

Screams of dying men littered the the battlefield as blurs darted between amongst their ranks. Fleur had placed herself in the center of the battlefield Anthony by her side with his visor raised.

"It still is surprising how just a 100 vampires can render thousands of trained human soldiers to screaming children," Anthony mused, his golden eyes watching as Alec picked off an archer.

Fleur raised her visor, her armor covered in blood as well as the blade of her sword countering her eyes. "But it is fun to watch," she added, looking back at her companion.

"You officially have reclaimed your kingdom princess," the soldier explained, "what will you do now?"

"Rule as my parents did, with mercy and honor," she paused, "I might even look for a king to help me rule the lands for eternity."

She winked at the soldier who blushed. "Is that a marriage proposal my queen?"

Fleur smiled, "If you'll have me."

Anthony kissed his queens cheek, answering her question before he lowered his visor again and rushed off to fight another round of enemy knights. Fleur's eyes grew dark as she ripped her helmet from her head and flew back into the heat of battle, avenging those she had lost only two decades before.