Reluctant Hearts (accepting different titles)

This is a redo of the original Reluctant Hearts. I’ve changed the names and expanded it a bit. I still need to work on the last half of 4 and redo 5 a bit, but e-mail me and review and let me know what you think about it so far. Sorry if any of you are rereading this story, nothing has changed dramatically, except for the names if you want to wait until later chapters.

Reluctant Hearts


Chapter One-Suspicion

A lone rider streaked across the lush green hills of Alberia, her luxurious hair streaming behind her like a golden-red flame. The morning mist clung to her lithe, muscular body, glittering like a thousand diamonds in the morning glow of the sun. She laughed joyously into the wind and spurred her horse on, reveling in the feeling of his muscles bunching beneath her strong thighs. Mornings like these always made the young princess forget her duties and the problems awaiting her only miles away.

As heir to the throne of Alberia Oriana had endured burdens that few young women should ever have to carry. The problems of a million people rested on her shoulders. Though her parents were still alive and ruling, some of their present duties had been turned over to Oriana to prepare her for the day that she would rule the largest kingdom in the known world.

As the only child born to King Henry and Queen Lilia, Oriana was, by default, their heir. Historically the throne had gone to the oldest male, but Queen Lilia had taken ill not long after Oriana’s birth and lost her ability to bear children. King Henry would not hear of taking another wife, or even a mistress, so it came to pass that Oriana would rule when King Henry died. At first the people of Alberia had strongly resisted the idea, but as word spread over the years, of her kindness and strength, they began to love and accept her as their future ruler.

From the time she could talk, Oriana had learned the arts of war, like any man, and had studied hard with her educational tutors. Her weaponry skills surpassed many of her father’s soldiers and her sharp intelligence was celebrated throughout the kingdom. Oriana was determined to show the people of Alberia just how great a woman could be.

As a result of her ambition and stubbornness when it came to an education and learning to fight, many other women had followed her example. There wasn’t any real reason why the women of the kingdom should be left defenseless and ignorant, despite the male dominated society that had all become quite used to. Many of the men in the country had violently opposed the move, insisting that it wasn’t a woman’s place to worry over politics and raising crops. However, as the practice became more common across the country, many husbands had been relieved when their wives could easily step into their place when they were required to go off to battle or to court.

Oriana’s own maids had even learned the basics of war craft and were very well read. Aria and Tessa had decided that to be worthy of serving their future queen, they needed to share much of her training. How else could they truly understand her needs when she went into battle or wanted to rant about politics? Often they had even sat at her side during long boring hours with the tutors her father had hired from far and wide. That had been one of the greatest favors to the young princess. Here tutors were often stuffy old men and the two girls had lightened the mood considerably in the past few years of Oriana’s education.

Even her mother’s maid, Tessa, had become a formidable warrior at thirty five. She almost always won archery contests with the local men and soldiers and was not opposed to rubbing it in their faces. She had the eye of a hawk and could hit nearly any target dead on. When the men asked how in the hell she could hit true with such appalling frequency, she’s simply snort and tell them after finding a tiny square on her embroidery, a huge circle wasn’t much of a challenge. Oriana often wondered if some of the men had asked their wives to teach them to embroider after that.

Women like Oriana and Tessa had quickly silenced castle soldiers on the worthiness of women on the practice field. As is necessary in many instances, Oriana had to prove her worth the hard way. Her men might respect her intelligence and her abilities on the practice field, but winning their respect when it came to leading them into battle took much more. Oriana smiled bitterly, remembering the day that she had truly proven herself to her men. She’d only been about 18 at the time, seven long years ago. The captain of her father’s guard had grudgingly trained her for years until he realized that she was a fast study and was eager to learn everything he knew. As a result he had made her work hard in private, honing her skills until she could wield a sword with deadly precision.

***
Everyone had gathered in the Great Hall for Oriana’s birthday that fateful evening. It was a merry scene, filled with laughter, food and gifts. One gift, from her father, was a lovely, wicked looking sword crafted from the finest steel in the kingdom. The blade was narrow and gleamed in the candle light of the hall. A gentle skim of her thumb told her that it was razor sharp. The hilt was fashioned from gold and a soft, white leather. She’d been admiring the fine gift and thanking her father when the atmosphere of the hall shifted.

It started with a low hum of confusion and shifted into a cry of panic. Oriana looked up started as a young woman screamed near the doors to the great hall. She could only stare in confusion at first, not registering that the woman was splattered with blood. Suddenly men were swarming into the hall and her father’s men were yanking their swords free of their scabbards. She didn’t even think about her actions as she echoed the shouted war cries and jumped into the fray.

She was only dimly aware of her father dragging her mother away screaming for her baby as Oriana engaged her first enemy. The man had to be about thirty, though it was hard to tell for sure under the Hillman garb around his face and head. She felt a momentary pang of fear at facing a seasoned soldier, which passed the moment she realized her skills were far superior to his. He realized it at the same moment, but fought on, despite the hint of desperation that laced every move from that moment on. In the end he died with her sword slicing cleanly into his chest.

Oriana didn’t have time to grasp the reality of killing her first man as another, clearly more skilled, man made his way to her, slicing down several of Oriana’s soldiers in the process. To her horror two more men seemed to be making their way towards her as well. Suddenly she realized that she was their target, she was the reason they were all here. Why else where three Hillmen so intent on getting to her? The Hillmen had long been enemies of her people and what better way to cripple the kingdom then to kill the sole heir? Swallowing a scream she prepared herself to take on not one, but three well seasoned Hillmen. There was no where to run after all and she was severely hampered by the heavy silk gown her mother had coaxed her into.

The first man reached her and grinned maliciously. “What now little princess?” he said in the thick accent of his people.

“I kill you,” she spat out, not appreciating his arrogance one bit. Little princess, indeed. She lifted her lip in a snarl, “That’s a promise.”

He laughed and attacked her with skill that tested every lesson she’d ever taken from her father’s captain, Kaun. The heavy material of the gown was weighing her down and making her sweat profusely. The sweat running down her forehead was a deadly problem. If it got in her eyes she’d be in very serious trouble. The big soldier grinned, sensing her panic and pressed her harder. Just as she began to feel a thread of desperation, Fate graced her with a miracle. The large man slipped on a pool of blood and in that brief, grisly instant she struck forward. Time stopped as they looked at each other in disbelief. He coughed and fell to his knees, “A little girl,” he gurgled, and then slid sideways off her blade.

She turned away from him wiping her forehead quickly, looking for the two men that had been stalking her as well. Both were engaged again, giving her a moment to assess the situation. She grabbed the skirts of her gown and sliced away the heavy layers, leaving her in only the top of the gown and her undergarments. Modesty was the least of her worries at the moment after all. Glancing around the room she saw that her men seemed to outnumber the Hillmen and were gradually pushing them back. She rejoined the fray with a cry, fighting with all that she had left until the Hillmen were all either dead, too injured to move, or running through the court yard.

It had been a solid victory, though they had lost twenty men and three maids that day. That was the day that the men had seen their princess shine in battle. Covered in blood, some her own, and dressed in tattered silk bodice and puffy underwear, she’d defended her kingdom and the freedom of her people. In the end they’d all cheered for her and carried her on their shoulders next to her equally bloodied father.

***
Oriana sighed and shook herself out of her revere and reined in her horse. She looked towards the horizon, where the sun had already risen. The castle would be awake, and servants would be bustling about soon, making ready for another day.

She knew her maids, Aria and Indra, would be coming to find her soon for an early breakfast with her parents in their room. She needed to meet with her father to discuss her duties while her father was away for a few weeks. He was leaving tomorrow to travel to the southern kingdom on their border, Treston. The two kingdoms had been at peace for quite some time and she imagined he was simply traveling there to make an official offer of peace.

She sighed again and turned her horse back towards the castle. As she rode she began to wonder why her father was actually going to Treston. Why couldn’t they just send a courtier with a treaty? That’s how it was usually done. She paused again, frowning. Really there was no political need for him there. King Edward would understand the use of a courtier or even a simple riding messenger in these times of strife with the Hillmen. Perhaps her father simply wanted to renew old ties with King Edward and Queen Isabella. From what she knew of her father’s relationship with the Treston King they’d met when Edward had taken his thrown and had developed a friendly relationship.

Of course there was also the fact that Treston was a bit more warlike then Alberia. Perhaps her father sought a treaty with them, for their strengths in battle. The Hillmen in the western mountains were becoming an increasing problem. Oriana knew that Treston had be fighting the Hillmen for years now, and seemed to be pushing them back very slowly. She sighed, deciding she should just ask him when she went to breakfast that morning.

She shook herself out of her brooding as a voice called out to her. She looked up and smiled as a tall young man raced across the castle grounds towards her waving from the back of his horse. Isaac was a reckless young man of eighteen, who had become one of Oriana’s dear friends recently. His youthful exuberance and cheerful personality had drawn her to him the moment he moved to the castle.

He had been sent by his father, a border lord, who felt that his son was in need of some hardening. Since King Henry’s men regularly patrolled and had small skirmishes with bandits and Hillmen, Lord Jeston believed the castle was a perfect place for young Isaac. “Oriana! Good morning!” he cried happily as he rode up next to her. “I was just coming to get you for breakfast. Aria and Indra were looking for you a while ago and sent me out.”

“Isaac, you actually left Indra’s side long enough to find me?” she teased. Oriana knew very well that Isaac was absolutely smitten with her youngest maid, Indra. As far as she knew he hadn’t actually said anything to Indra yet, so Oriana wasn’t surprised when he blushed and hushed her. Of course there wasn’t anyone around to hear anyway.

“Oriana, quiet, please…” he paused and coughed sheepishly, “I mean please don’t say anything to her, Your Highness. I wish to keep it to myself for the time being. I thought to approach her father during the summer festival. I want his approval of course.”

“Issac, your father is a border lord, and Indra’s father is a merchant. How could he possibly refuse such a good match for his daughter? Besides I know Jacob personally. He’s a very nice man and I’m sure you’ll get along splendidly. Trust me.”

He shrugged, blushing and turned his horse and began to trot back towards the castle. “Are you coming home now Your Highness?” he asked turning around in his saddle.

“Yes Isaac, I am,” she responded with a laugh, shaking her head. What was it like to be in love like that? She’d always wanted to marry for love, what girl didn’t? Despite that little fancy, Oriana knew that her marriage could only be one of convenience. She might get lucky and like her husband, maybe even love him like her mother loved her father, but he wouldn’t be a man of her choosing. Her father and the lords of the kingdom would very likely find a second son of another country’s ruling family and that would be that.

She caught up to Isaac and rode quietly for a while, thinking. Her conversation with Isaac and worries about marriage had stirred up another thought. Oriana knew only a few things about the Treston family, one of which was that they had a son that was only a few years older then her; about 30 she thought. They had a son that had yet to marry. With a sinking feeling Oriana swore she heard wedding bells in the soft morning breeze.

* * *
Oriana smiled at her still youthful looking father and mother then sat down at their private breakfast table in her parents’ chambers. “Good morning,” she said placing her napkin in her lap, and then looked pointedly up at her father. “I recall that you’re going to Treston tomorrow. Is it a trip for pleasure or business, if I might ask?”

“A combination, of course. Why do you ask my dear? I know it is for a few weeks but I think you’ll be fine.” King Henry shifted uncomfortably in his chair. He had a sneaking feeling the Oriana knew his plans, by the way she watched him with her sharp green eyes. Since she had learned to talk those green eyes and her sharp wit had been very proficient at digging anything out of him that she wanted. If that didn’t work, crying always had, or at least it had when she was five.

“Oh well, it’s probably just a coincidence, but you and I were recently discussing the fact that I remain unmarried and it just so happens that King Edward of Treston has a son only a few years older then myself. I think his name is Damon. He also remains unmarried. Can you see what I’m getting at here Father?” she stared at him pointedly, in a way that she knew bore holes through anyone she used it on. “I would hate to think that you would knowingly plan my wedding behind my back, when being honest is so much more pleasant.”

“Don’t be silly my dear,” Queen Lilia said glancing briefly at her husband. “Your father would never do such a thing, would you dear?” Lilia looked at her husband in a way that told Oriana they were most definitely up to something. Lilia flicked her blue gaze back to her daughter and her lips firmed, “Even if he did, you know it would only be in the best interest of you and the country. When the time comes we know that you’ll accept it gracefully my dear.”

Oriana had a feeling that within the month she would be a blushing bride or something to that effect. The fact that her father and his riding party disappeared late that night, without saying farewell confirmed her suspicions.

* * *
Prince Damon of Treston was losing, something that he hated more then anything. After all he was a prince. Not that he threw that particular reminder around that often. He strained as his opponent’s sword pressed ever closer to his muscular body. “Surrender,” his opponent grunted through clenched teeth. Damon simply grunted and strained to press the sword away. To his relief the strength of his opponent slackened slightly giving him an opening. With a fierce shove he pushed the sword away and rolled to his feet panting. “I thought you had me that time,” he said wiping the sweat from his eyes.

His opponent grinned and shrugged, rising to his feet, “I did, but then I got distracted by a voluptuous maid who was carrying in some laundry over there,” Samuel said waving his sword vaguely towards the garden. He turned and smiled appreciatively at the young blond maid who was picking up a piece of clothing she’d dropped, giving them what Damon thought was an excellent view of her rear end through her lighter summer dress. “She must be new. I’d better go introduce myself,” Samuel said with mock seriousness. He trotted off with a wave and a cocky grin.

Damon shook his head and grinned back. Samuel was a favorite among the servants, both the men and the women. The men appreciated his superior strength and easygoing manner and the women greatly appreciated his gentleness and ardor bed. Samuel always had been quite open about his appetite for the fairer sex and was comfortable flirting with them. As a result most of the women in the castle could attest to his skill. Not that Damon, himself, didn’t have a small following. However, being heir to a thrown limited how many bed partners one could really take on. Bastards weren’t an option in Damon’s case.

He watched as Samuel bowed to the new young maid, who blushed prettily and giggled uncertainly. He leaned in closely and began whispering in her ear. Damon laughed as her eyes grew round and her blush deepened. With a squeak she finally turned and fled with her basket. Samuel turned and shrugged at Damon, before calmly following the pretty little maid into the castle.

Damon shook his head, admiring his large friend’s open and honest view on life and people. He had been Damon’s friend since they were children, though he viewed Samuel as more of a brother then anything. Samuel’s father was one of Treston’s border lords, but being the fifth son, Samuel hadn’t really had a place to assume in his home. His father had sent him, at an early age, to the castle to eventually become a soldier and it hadn’t taken long for two very mischievous boys to find each other. The two had been inseparable for the past twenty years, except for when women were involved. With the current loss of his sparring partner, he decided to go find his father.

The king of Alberia was due tomorrow and Damon was a little curious why the aging king was making the long trip here. He supposed it was to ask for help with the Hillmen, who were starting to harass Alberia a bit more frequently as of late. Of course the king could be here simply as a nice gesture of peace, which had long existed between the two kingdoms. Really it wasn’t necessary for him to travel so far to stay on good terms with Damon’s father, but if King Henry thought it best, then let him come. Damon wondered if King Henry would be bringing his family as well.

Damon remembered hearing the stories of King Henry’s female heir, a concept that seemed strange to Damon. Most of the women he knew where rather meek and soft except for maybe his sister Katherine. Before the death of her husband, she had been a force to be reckoned with. Sadly, reports told him that she had become rather listless and quiet since the death of her husband, Brach, a little over a month ago. His mother and the twins had gone to stay with her and bring her home as soon as she was willing to travel.

His youngest sister Georgiana, the elder twin, certainly wouldn’t make a good ruler, nor would her younger twin brother, Benjamin, for that matter, he thought. Both of them were far too spoiled and young to take on such a role any time soon. Damon supposed that both he and Katherine had grown up expecting to either rule a kingdom or marry into it. Georgiana and Benjamin would likely marry for love, or at least marry into lower level ruling families. Damon had tossed around the idea of marrying his youngest sister off to the prince of a small neighboring kingdom, bit that was still some years off yet. With a sigh he turned his thoughts back to that of the young Princess Oriana.

He had heard that Princess Oriana was fiercely intelligent and well schooled in the arts of fighting. That concept also seemed alien to him. His own sisters were fairly well educated, but stuck to their sewing and household duties. A woman who could match a man in battle seemed wrong to him somehow, yet he wasn’t opposed to new experiences. Maybe she’d teach his sisters a thing or two. He smiled softly, thinking maybe she’d teach him a thing or two as well.

As an afterthought he remembered that she had yet to marry. Wasn’t she around 24 or 25 by now? Shouldn’t she be looking seriously for a husband at this point? She wouldn’t be able to wait much longer to bear children after all. He stopped walking suddenly and stared at the ground in horror. Damon started to get a sick, creeping feeling that the reason Alberia’s king was coming had everything to do with Oriana and, even worse, himself.