Chapter 1- Stupid duty

Chapter 1 - Stupid duty

It was far too nice of an evening to have to be doing this, but there she was standing in front of the mirror, preparing herself for a ritual that could change her life forever. Dragging a brush through her long sleek brown hair, tutting as it tangles at the end. She Pulls a little harder out of frustration.

"stupid hair, stupid brush, stupid duty".

Taking a deep breath as that last word passed her lips, she knew this day was coming. She had known for as long as she could remember and yet she dreaded it, the feeling she had in the pit of her stomach made her feel ill, but she pushed the sensation aside as she forced the old-fashioned paddle hairbrush from root to tip one last time.

Having heard a lot about the King of their race, and how he used females like her for sport, before discarding them like no more than a bug on his windscreen, it disgusted her. Yet here she was waiting in her bedroom to be dressed by her chambermaid, for his pleasure. She felt like a china doll sitting on a dusty old shelf waiting for his attention. Giving up on her hair with a sigh she throws the long brown lengths over her shoulder before looking at herself long and hard in the glided mirror, that she had once loved as a child. She would have happily run away if only she could muster up the courage. Walking over to the bed her eyes locked on the floor beneath her feet, feeling the luxurious carpet as she curled her toes around the thick threads.

Enjoying the feeling as she walked. Reaching the bed Arwen placed the brush on the bedside table before taking a small gold key from the top drawer. Turning back around she walked over to a floor-length window. Pulling aside the long heavy drapes of velvet fabric covering the old panes of glass, her slender frame looked almost swamped as she used all her strength to pull one velvet curtain, and then the next. Opening her way to a pair of large glazed doors. Using the key in her hand, she unlocked the doors before pushing down on hard cold ornate brass handles.

As the doors opened wide her breath catches as the cold air hits her square in the chest. The sensation captivating her, drawing her forward as her feet moving of their own accord, as she feels her wolf stir within her conciseness. The wind whirling around her feet tugging at the hem of her long white nightgown. The night smelt sweet and calming despite the spring breeze. The scent of roses from her mother's well-tended gardens filled the space around her. Raising her gaze to the night's sky, the stars twinkling in unison as she mapped out the constellations in her mind. Taking a few steps forward towards her balcony's stone rail, placing her hands on the cold stone feeling goosebumps running wild as they work their way up her arms.

"How beautiful". Her wolf spoke in the recesses of her mind.

Arwen smiled peacefully to herself enjoying these last moments of her limited freedom. Life seems so cruel to have such beauty surrounding you only to have it all snatched away.

Smiling brightly Arwen made her way to the grey-haired lady who had now fully closed the doors of the chamber behind her. Bowing ever so slightly, she smiles sadly with an unease look crossing her face, that changed so quickly Arwen would have missed it if she had not known the older female so well. Moving towards the female, Arwen smiled, her bright green eyes making contact with the older female.

"My dear, it is time, should I help with you dress"?

Now it was Arwen's turn to smile sadly.

"If it would not be too much trouble, Clara". I find this night my hands do not wish to function to my command" raising a shaking hand the resolve she was once felt about her fate was beginning to disappear.

"Stay strong Arwen", her wolf interjected. "We will face this together".

If it had been down to her mother, Arwen would have been hidden behind lock and key until this day arrived, she felt almost as if she was a stranger in her own home, after all, she was no more to her parents than a key to not only the wealth they now had, but if she was also to his majesty's liking and became wed to his majesty. Her father believed the wealth and social status would reach heights no other could hope to achieve. Long ago her father had signed away the rights to his firstborn daughter without a second thought. She was not, however, the only one, along with many other females all she knew was that all the female children born on her birth date were to be sent to the Kings home when they came of age.

She did not know much other than that, but assumed they were all simply cattle being sent to please their families own selfish needs. The families of these poor females: because of the contract they signed, kept them wealthy and in a lifestyle, they had become accustomed to. They lived in the lap of luxury, thanks to a monthly sum paid to the families from the late Alpha King's treasurer.

Clara, wonderful caring Clara had always given her the option to make choices in her life, she never once forced anything upon her. Whether it was as simple as picking her clothing as a child, or taking a wander around the grounds of her families home when her parents had been away holidaying. Arwen's parents would often take trip's due to high society functions or vacationing away with her two twin brothers. However, tonight was out of both their hands, and didn't that just make her want to cry. There was no time for tears though as Clara finished helping her dress the time had come.....

"It's would be good to hear your voice Iris, you have been very quiet this evening"

"You will find out why in time, Arwen. I can not tell you what the future told's for us, but I can a sure you the moon goddess will only want what is the best for her children."

"I hope you are right, Iris. I truly do".

Clara with her dark grey hair and deep blue eyes. Who she loved dearly, had been more of a mother to her than her true mother had ever been. Her mother had always been so distant, she liked to believe it was due to her having to lose her only daughter, after all, why get too emotionally attached to someone you may never see again. That didn't stop her heart from breaking just a little bit more each time she and her mother came into contact. There was never any eye contact and never a kind word passed from mother to daughter.

It was much the same with her father, he was a kind enough man, generous and loving to his sons and wife and yet to her he really spoke, unless it was to correct her behaviour as a child. She had to remain the picture of perfection, from her looks, mannerisms, even to the way she spoke. After all, if she was not to his majesty's liking, he could easily take away all the riches her family had come so accustomed to. Arwen's brothers on the other hand were all the family she ever needed, they brightened her life in every way, they would sneak into her bed chambers of an evening when they were all much younger to play with her. They would tell silly stories, tell jokes and in more recent years sit together and watch television until the sun came up. These were the moments she would cherish no matter what the rest of her life held, these memories she would hold tight to her chest. she would do the duty placed upon her to keep her brothers well cared for.