45The Arrangement
By Katie-lee Brady
FULL Summary: To join these two covens, they have arranged a marriage. But the selected couples do not wish to marry each other. As time goes by, she gets kidnapped by the enemy and is doing things she never thought possible. But as this happens secrets get revealed and true feelings are found. This adventure is a test of love and finding the truth – Serenity and Endymion story.
The story is much like that of Swan Princess until chapter 3, so please, do not think this story is going to be like the Swan Princess (which I totally don't own). It does have a mind of its own… I just used the Swan Princess for inspiration… okies doke… please enjoy… :)
Disclaimer: I DON'T OWN NOTHING! The only thing I own is the story line, but the characters were used, which I totally don't own! I also borrowed ideas from various movies, anime, books, and friends' ideas.
Genre: Action/Romance
Rating: M –may contain course language, and mild to extreme violence, and maybe some other stuff !
Chapter 1: Prologue
A/N – okay, if there is anything you don't understand or something please don't be afraid to ask me.
+-+-+-+-+- o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o -+-+-+-+-+
In a world of vampire's, Okami's and humans, a war raged on between them for many years.
Vampires and Okami's fighting over who are more superior, as they both had the same food source, while the humans fought both vampires and Okami's just to stay alive.
But among the vampires, there are two covens that are fighting - The Komachi clan, and The Shikami clan. After many years – centuries - of fighting, the king of the Shikami clan died, and his wife, Queen Uberta, came to King William of the Komachi clan and asked for a peace proposal. She did this because she never really liked the idea of war, especially since they were already in a war. She also wanted some kind peace amongst her people. At first the King was reluctant to her proposal, but after awhile, and much thought he accepted the proposal and they signed a treaty to propose peace amongst both clans and hopefully give some people hope.
+-+-+-+-+- o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o -+-+-+-+-+
Queen Uberta was of a gentle nature, though a bit wild at times. She had become a widow during the war when her coven fought with the Komachi clan. When her husband died she was quick to propose a treaty with the Komachi clan.
Uberta was a very tall woman with very dark brown hair and green emerald eyes. For a vampire, her skin was a nice pale colour, lighter then most.
Her marriage to the King was solely for the fact that he needed an heir and she was the only suitable mate. Together, before he died, they had one child. A son; a prince… Prince Endymion. Although he didn't care for them too much, he made sure his wife was properly cared for, and his son was given the best education, and everything he needed, and wanted.
+-+-+-+-+- o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o -+-+-+-+-+
King William on the other hand, who ruled a large and mighty kingdom, was considered hard to live with at times, but still had a soft side. But yet he was sad, because he was growing old and had no child to inherit the crown. Then happily one day a daughter was born, a princess and she was given the name Serenity. Unfortunately her mother died while giving birth to her, leaving her motherless, and leaving William wifeless.
For his age, William looked not an age over 30. He had short sandy brown hair and brown eyes. He was well built, tall and had a full, trimmed beard.
+-+-+-+-+- o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o -+-+-+-+-+
On Serenity's 1st birthday, Kings and Queens came from all around to offer gifts to the child, among them was the widowed Queen Uberta, and her son Prince Endymion, who was at the age 5. It was then, when William and Uberta happened upon the same idea, Endymion and Serenity would be bought together each winter in hope they would fall in love and join their kingdoms forever.
"William… I have just gotten a brilliant idea" Uberta said coming up to him to pay her respects.
"Well if it's about your son and my daughter, then I can gladly say I have a brilliant idea too" William said over Joyed.
"Aww, this is going to work out perfectly too... especially with the treaty… This can work in many ways" She said with a smirk, but yet joy running through her voice.
"What about the treaty?" William asked a bit concerned now, raising his brown at Uberta.
Uberta, with a spark in her eyes started to explain, "Well dear William, our treaty is just a piece of paper with a few words and when our children grow up they can turn against each other, and begin the war again. And plus, a piece of paper can be ripped, torn, shredded, burnt, and even possibly drowned! And if they marry, then our castle will be joined in another way, a way that's more… permanent" She said looking at her son, sounding very serious, for this was about him, and Serenity.
"Well Ubert… I will see you next winter then" he said, causing Uberta to swing her head back in Williams' direction.
"Why Winter?" She asked curious, yet unrelieved that he had just so easily betrothed his daughter hand in marriage to her son… I mean come on, it was her first birthday, and yet here they were preparing, and planning their future… disgraceful, but it was all in the name of peace, and war.
"During winter we are always inside to stay away from the harshest of cold. And this way the children can not run away from each other so easily…" he paused, "yeah sure there are nice sunny days in winter, but most of the time it snows anyways" he stated.
"Ohh, well then it's settled, we shall see you next winter" she said as she left to enjoy the rest of the party.
But unknown to all was another plan, that of the evil enchanter Okami Prince Diamond, Serenity's birth was of little concern to him, for he was preparing to take Williams kingdom by means of the forbidden arts. On the eve of his assault King William lunched an attacked and Diamonds powers were plunged. To spite calls for his death, the enchanter was only banished. He was only banished because, even though he was an Okami, prince none the less, he was suppose to be the Kings ally towards the humans, but yet he betrayed the king to over through his reign and take control over half the vampire population so his kind would have more power and win this war between them and the vampires. But he failed miserably, due to King Williams immediate actions.
"I'm not fished with you yet Willie, Someday I'll get my power back, and when I do, everything you own, everything you love… will be mine…." Diamond said as he walked off into the wilderness changing his appearance into the rabid wolf he was.
People feared King William too kind. But in time the threat was forgotten and all hope turned to that not too soon distant winter when Endymion and Serenity would meet.
0o0o0 ...That Winter… 0o0o0
The agreement King William and Queen Uberta had arranged for the kids to have winter together, was that he would travel to her coven with his daughter, while the Queen stayed with her son, since he was the people's Prince and was going to be their Leader in the war and needed to stay to practice his fighting techniques. And if they started this while they were young, then they would get used to it quicker.
The night air was fresh, signifying the beginning of winter, and the end of autumn. But it was also on this night, that King William had arrived to the Queen's castle riding his horse with his daughter in his lap, while the Queen and her son were waiting at the castle gates for them to arrive. When he did arrive, he climbed down from the horse and both the King and Queen spoke their hellos.
"Dear Uberta, as Lovely as ever" William Said as Uberta looked down to her son, "And who might this strapping boy be?" He said looking to his daughter then back to Uberta, "Young prince Endymion no doubt" he said winking at Uberta. Endymion was 9; he had short black ebony hair and dark, midnight blue eyes, while he wore a cute little black tuxedo for the King and Princesses arrival.
"Welcome to our fair kingdom dear King William and to you young princess" Uberta said as the King lifted his daughter off the horse and on to the ground, pushing her to walk towards Prince Endymion to greet, just like Uberta pushed her son towards Serenity as well. Serenity had shoulder length blond hair that shone silver in the moonlight. She was 5, 4 years younger then Prince Endymion, she had light blue sapphire eyes. She was wearing a little pink dress and headband with her hair out.
"Hello Princess Serenity, I'm very pleased to meet you" Endymion said while looking at her with a disgraced look, then down at the ground.
"Pleased to meet you Prince Endymion" Serenity said while curtsying, but as she did, Endymion ran off, but was pushed to go back to giver her a kiss on her hand. He had an awful look upon his face, as did she, both knowing what their parents were trying to do. As the children went back to their parents they mutter underneath their breath;
'I can't believe I'm stuck with her all winter, I bet she doesn't even know how to wrestle, hunt or box!' Endymion thought,
'He looks conceded when it's on 'oh bummer', if I get lucky I'll get sick!' Serenity thought,
But as they got to their parents, they were once again pushed towards each other, again.
"So happy you could come" Endymion said waving his right hand towards her about to bow,
"So happy to be here" She said sarcastically as she curtsied again, as both turned, and both muttered underneath their breath, 'This is not my idea of fun!'
After a few days, it appeared the children were playing, but really they were fighting, not liking each other one bit. But to their parents, they were getting along quiet well.
"The children seem to be getting along quiet nicely" The Queen said walking into the library with King William.
"We'll join our land if this arrangement clicks" The king said looking at Uberta in what-if kind of look.
"Oh dear William, that's my point, precisely" Uberta said not taking his look into consideration.
"It's such good parenting" King William said while walking out side with Uberta.
"And politics" She added. Then they stopped "So happy we agree" She said with a huge smile, placing her right hand out in front of her.
"I think we've got a deal" He said extending his hand to shake Uberta's hand.
Then they both said to one another, "This is my idea, of a match" looking at each other with pleasing smiles on their faces, while the children ran around them playing with wooden swords around them, trying to hurt each other.
This was practically how every winter turned out, but as time went by, it seemed as if their stay were longer and longer, even though it was the same amount of time, each and every winter.
+-+-+-+-+- o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o -+-+-+-+-+
Created on: 25th May 2007 – 11:13pm
Edited on: 6th December 2007 – 5:10pm
A/N: Okami, according to my friend means wolf in Japanese, so instead of calling ware wolfs ware wolfs, I have called them Okami's. Since I wanted some sort of difference to mine then everyone else's… but hey, this is my story, lol.
Hope you all enjoy this story, Katie :)