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Upon Earth's Opening

Chapter 14: A Forced Agreement

by Ivy

Chapter 14 : A Forced Agreement

Caen was exhilarated. She had just attended her coming-of-age ceremony, and planned on spending the night feasting and celebrating with her fellows. Her adoptive sister Arwen looked on jealously, knowing that in a few years she could be the one dancing, the one with flowers weaved in her hair. Caen took her sister by the hand and said with a smile,

“Come now, your day isn’t far off!”

“Yes, I know. But that is a whole fifteen years away!” Arwen whined. Caen squeezed her hand and twirled around with her sister.

“But imagine what can happen in fifteen years! I could be married in fifteen years!” Caen squealed and danced around, all woes or painful memories forgotten in that moment of happiness. In the distance, the sun was setting and torches were being lit for the dance out on the lawn near the lake. Already, in the fiery light Caen and Arwen saw that people were dancing out on the lawn, celebrating the coming-of-age of a new generation.

“You could be married in two if you wanted,” Arwen said. “You are even more beautiful than usual tonight, sister!”

“I will never be as beautiful as you,” Caen smiled down at her sister. How glad she was that night that she could celebrate with the family that had welcomed her with open arms. She would never forget that day, when her father murdered her mother… but no; no sad thoughts tonight. She would not dwell on that.

Caen took her sister’s hand and they dashed down the lawn, dresses flying out behind them in the wind. Once they had reached the crowd of people, Arwen was immediately asked to dance by a handsome elf in the group Caen had come of age with that night. Arwen beamed at Caen, who winked back at her and motioned for her to go and have fun.

Caen did not have much time alone before someone asked her to dance. She accepted, smiling blushingly. But as the man walked her into the dance, Caen looked up into the man’s face and paused.

“Have I met you before, sir?” she asked, puzzled. She felt as if she had known this person from another lifetime. It was quite possible. Or perhaps he was from the village, but no… his clothes were much too fine for that.

“Once or twice, Lady Caen,” the man answered offhandedly. This statement unsettled Caen. She couldn’t wait for this dance to be over and she could find a less unnerving partner. “You dance very well. You have grown up to be a very beautiful lady,” the man said smoothly. With all propriety, Caen answered,

“Thank you, my lord.”

The rest of the dance passed with uncomfortable gazes between the man and Caen, and when the dance ended, Caen curtsied and bade the man goodnight, but he took her arm in his and said, “Will you walk with me, Lady Caen?”

Caen agreed, though she had a better mind to decline. He led her away from the party until all they could see were the lights.

“Sir, I do not think it is a good idea for me to be away for this long. My sister will miss me, I-” The man clamped his hand over Caen’s mouth and she let out a muffled scream.

“Be quiet, Caen,” he said maliciously. “You will listen to what I have to say.” All of his suave manners were gone and his eyes glinted in the moonlight. Green eyes; much like her own. Suddenly, Caen realized how she knew this elf.

She bit his hand and screamed, “You!” before trying to get away. The man was too fast for her, and he grabbed her arm, ripping her dress and bruising her skin.

“Yes, me,” he hissed.

“I want nothing to do with you, Father,” she whimpered. “You abandoned me and I want to stay with my family,” she pleaded. Her childhood fear of her father was not gone, though the nightmares had long since faded.

“Oh you’ll get to stay with your family, I will not take you away from them… but if you do not obey, I’ll take them away from you,” he threatened.

“Wh-What do you mean?” Caen asked, fearfully.

“I mean that I’ll kill them if you don’t obey me,” Caen’s father replied in a malicious whisper.

“No! You wouldn’t!” Caen screamed in terror, trying to get away from him again.1

“Just do what I ask and they’ll stay safe,” he warned.

Caen could see no other option. “I will, my Lord,” she whispered. “Just please, do not hurt my family.”

“Very good, very good. I will come for you when I have need of you. Tell no one.” And with the last word, Caen’s father disappeared into the night. Caen sunk to the ground, crying. She was afraid, so afraid, and didn’t know what to do. Turning to face the party, Caen found she had no desire to go back to dance and pretend like there was nothing wrong. She held her father to his word… he would kill her family if she told them. So she went back to her room and she tried to sleep… even if she couldn’t.

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Chapter name
A Forced Agreement
Created
19 Aug 2008
Last Edited
19 Aug 2008
Hits
435
Words
892