The Reluctant Princess

The kingdoms Mandela and Norine had been at war for several generations. Now it was time to end it.
"But I don't want to marry him father. I don't even know him let alone love him!" Merliah (Mer Lay Ah) said in distress.
Her father shook his head, "I'm sorry Merliah, but its for the good of the country. If we don't end this war soon we'll go into debt."
She sighed and looked down, "Yes father. I understand" She went back to her room and laied down on her bed and thought. She didn't want to marry someone she didn't love but she also didn't want to betray her country. "God being a princess is hard."

Meanwhile in the neighbouring Kingdom of Norine...

King Oberon was with his council after he had returned from the battle field and victory over Mandela.

"Congratulations your majesty, Mandela is yours." the councillors sucked up to him, knowing his temper is unpredictable, they just kissed his ass. "Yes, but it was because they war had taken a hard toll on their Kingdom." he sighed.

Then his Right-hand man and secretary, Angus Finnegan came to his side and whispered something to Oberon's ear, "Very well. Excuse me gentlemen, I have other business to attend to." they all stood as he left.

"Whats wrong Leah?" Her nursemaid said as she walked in.
Merliah sighed, "Father wants me to marry the king of the country were at war with."
"Well that shouldn't be to bad dear."
"But I don't know him Rena!"
She sighed, "Well your gonna meet him soon."
Her head perked up. "What?!"
"Your father told me to tell you that the king has set a meeting date."
She rolled her eyes, "Oh great."

Oberon was in his throne and was told the news of the Enemy King Adrian, suggested a treaty of peace in the form of marriage.

"He has a daughter old for me to marry?" he looked at Adrian's letter, "Merliah? Isn't this the daughter that fights like a man?" he questioned Finnegan.

"I believe so SIre, but it is also said she is a VERY talented young lady as well." he smiled, Oberone sighed, "Finnegan I want a wife who SUBMITS not act like she has the pants in the relationship." Finnegan rolled his eyes a little, "I doubt he would go against her father's wishes SIre." Oberon leaned into his hand, "We'll see won't we?"

A couple day's later

Rena quickly came to Meliah's room early in the morning. "Leah! Leah! Wake-up!"
"huh?" she said groggily.
"The King of Norine is going to be here soon. We have to get you ready." she quickly pulled Merliah out of bed and washed her ivory skin, brushed her silky blond hair. She pulled out the princess's best dress, and did her make up so her emerald green eyes stood out.

Oberon and his men had just arrived to the gates of the city and as the entered, they got hard and frightened stares from the people. Oberon didn't bother to look at them, he already knew they did not like him.

The got to the Palace and were greeted by King Adrian himself. Oberon pulled his black horse to a halt and hopped down from his steed to Adrian's height.

Adrain smiled, "It's good to finally meet you on good terms."

He nodded to him, "Indeed." he held his hand to him, "I finally get to meet you face to face." he smiled.

Adrian took it, "I hope you will have a nice stay while your here. If anyone gives you trouble just let me know." They walked into the throne room where Merliah was waiting, "And this is my daughter Merliah."

Oberon looked at the young lady and blinked. He turned to Adrian, "This is Merliah?"

Adrian nodded, "Yes, this is her. She's my eldest child."

He looked at her up and down, "Would be inappropriate to talk to her alone for one moment?" he asked Adrian.

He shook his head, "No that would be fine. I'll be right outside when your finished."

He nodded to him, "Thank you." Once Adrian was out of the room, Oberon looked at his 'bride to be'.

"I have questions for you." he crossed his arms.

"And what might those be?" She asked raising an eyebrow

"My first question is, How old are you?" he looked her up and down again.

"17, and you?" She asked.

"You're still a child!" he was stunned and he pinched to bridge of his nose. "I am 27 and a MAN. I am marrying a GIRL who still has the smell of mother's milk about her."

Her draw dropped, "Are you kidding me? I'm no meer girl. I have beaten you before! And I can do it a again."

"Big words from such a LITTLE girl." he chuckled, "Since WHEN did you and I meet on the battle field?" he smirked with his arms crossed.

She smirked, "When you called me and in quote, "Your a little vixen who needs to learn her place in society.' And that was after I kicked your butt."

"You must have been wearing a battle helmut. I would have recognised your face. I don't forget easily." he slightly boasted, his smirked not faltering.

"Besides, MY army still won."

"What ever. I still kicked your butt. And if I wasn't needed more in the healers tent. I would have gladly done it again."

He rolled his eyes, "Believe what you want GIRL. That doesn't change the reality right now. It would see you and I are are about to take the step into the bonds of HOLY MATRIMONY." he smirked a toothy grin.

"Which means I win either way."

She wanted to tell him to go screw himself, but she knew that would make her father upset. She sighed, "Fine what ever. Just cuase were gonna be married doesn't mean I have to be nice."

"You better think twice before trying and SNEAK attacks on your future husband GIRL, or you might make ME think twice about this treaty." he warned her with a stern look.

She frowned, "Hey! Who said I was gonna kill you? If I was you'd already be dead right now. Oh and by the way, DON'T call me girl."

He chuckled, "What are you going to DO about it, GIRL?" he chuckled again.

She wanted to punch him so badly, "Well I could poison you, kill you right now, decapitate you..." She listed off a lot of things she could do.

"OH so scared." he mocked. "I could do the VERY same to you. But right now. I am sick of this war and wants some peace and quite. Don't you want that for YOUR people too?" he asked her.

"Yes but it's kinda hard to when your being forced to marry an oaf." She said.

He frowned, "You DARE call me an OAF!? I am far from an OAF, you little brat."

"And I am no brat."

"You so are if you dare insult me like one." He turned his back, "We're done for now."

She headed back to her room. "So how was it?" Adrian asked when Oberon stepped out of the room.

"She is still quite young Adrian. But I will agree to the marriage. But may I ask you tell her to refrain from calling me and 'oaf' while I stay in your palace. Excuse me, I am quite tired now." he pardoned himself.

Adrian nodded, "Please excuse her. This is very sudden for her. She just found out a couple days ago."

He nodded. "Very well."


After the first meeting, Oberon went to his given chambers. He was trying to rest up from the long three day journey from Norine. Waking up early was not his favourite thing to do.

Meanwhile Merliah was in her room, "Grr, I can't believe him. He was so rude. Maybe if he'd been a little nice I'd be nice back, but no just plain rude. And he is a GUEST!"

In OBERON'S chamber he was speaking with Finnegan.

"You should have heard her Angus! She called me an OAF! OF ALL THINGS AN OAF!!" he shouted as he sat in a seat, befuddled and annoyed.

"Well Oberon, I would believe THAT only happens if YOU yourself were not being a gentleman." he poured a goblet of water for him.

"She's a brat Angus, that's all she get's from me, if she calls ME names." he growled.

Rena sighed, "How about you go to the stables and blow off some steam. Maybe go out of a ride."
Meliah sighed also, "Yeah I guess that would be good."

Finnegan sighed, "Oberon, maybe you should get some fresh air. It will do you some good."

Oberon looked at his adviser and grumbled, "Fine. I feel like taking taking a ride anyway." he got up and left his room.

At the stables...

Merliah had put on a shorter dress with some wool leggings and a cloak. She smiled at the stable hand, "Hello, how is my Star doing?"
"Very well Princess."
She laughed a bit, "Well no doubt since she is in good hands."

The Merliah spotted a large black stallion in one of the pens. He was munching on some oats and cut up apple.

She went up to it, "Hello there." She smiled and pet it's nose. "Aren't you a cutie."

The stallion snorted and blinked his bright black eyes at her as she patted his nose. He whinnied and nudged her shoulder.

She giggled, "What is it?"

He sniffed her shirt and then her hands. He leaned over the pen's door and sniffed her pocket.

"What? Do you want this?" She pulled out a sugar cube

He ate the sugar right out of her hand, grunting as he did. He was a very well kept horse and well excised, but he also looked like he was built for riding into battle.