Work Text:
“Please, father. You can’t be serious.”
“I’m sorry, little one. It’s the only way.”
Ochako looked at her father, incredulously. For as long as she could remember, her clan warred with the elves residing in the Nodnil mountains. Just two summers before, Ochako had tearily kissed her father on the cheek before he rode from the forest to meet the other clan in battle.
Now, he was trying to tell her that she would be wed to the Nodnil prince? The notion was absolutely absurd.
She followed her father as he exited the chamber and turned towards the throne room.
“At least tell me why this is to happen!” she called after him.
King Sota stopped in his tracks and turned towards his only daughter. It pained him to arrange such a match, but he had run out of all other options.
“You know we’ve been in conflict with the other clan for longer than most can remember.”
Ochako nodded her head slightly, her brown eyes focused on him.
“If we continue this pattern, soon both tribes will be extinct. I’m asking you to make this sacrifice for our people, Ochako. If there were any alternative, I would have exhausted it first. But, as I said before, this is the only way.”
With a final look of defiance, Ochako spun and fled.
For the next fortnight, she ran herself ragged, trying to find ways out of the arrangement. She explored alternative options and spoke with commanders in her father’s guard. The answers were always the same. Both clans were evenly matched, and an alliance between the two was the only way to move forward.
There were too many other threats from other races for the elves to continue fighting amongst themselves.
Even if she didn’t like the plan, it was her obligation to her people.
The following fortnight was spent wallowing in self-pity, as she learned more about her intended, Katsuki. He was ferocious on the battlefield and known for his abrasive, reckless style. The prince had somehow befriended a dragon, a feat that should have impressed her, and he rode the beast into battle.
He approached his enemies with a feral sort of approach that struck fear in the heart of even the bravest warriors.
Ochako couldn’t think there was a less suitable match for her in the entire realm.
Still, when the time arrived for her to make the journey, she put on her bravest face. She donned her most regal dress of silk as dark as the night sky and the simple silver circlet befitting a princess of the woodland realm. Then, Ochako set out to meet her betrothed.
Usually, she would have relished a trip outside of the forest, but the journey passed by in a blur. Before she knew it, Ochako and her father were standing in an antechamber, waiting to meet King Masaru and Prince Katsuki. Introductions were made, pleasant formalities were exchanged, and soon she and Katsuki were left alone to better acquaint themselves.
Ochako refused to be the first one to speak. Instead, she walked the perimeter of the room slowly, as if she were studying the details of the tapestries.
In truth, she was watching Katsuki out of the corner of her eye. He was wearing a long, gold tunic. His blond hair fell just past his shoulders and eyes as red as rubies glittered in the light of the fire. As much as Ochako hated to admit it, the prince was handsome. She felt the weight of his gaze on her as she slowly meandered through the room.
He was much less discrete about studying her, but that seemed to be his style.
“Do women of the woods not speak unless spoken to?”
The deep, gravelly voice sent a shiver down her spine, but she refused to let him see how he affected her. Instead, Ochako raised her chin and arched her brow haughtily. An impish grin spread across his face at her silent defiance.
“Maybe you’re just mute then,” he continued.
“I can speak, but I only choose to do so when it’s worth my time.”
“Are you saying I’m not worth your time, Princess?”
He prowled closer to her.
“I said nothing of the sort!”
“But, the implication was there.”
Ochako huffed and spun, so her back was to him. The way her heart was racing as he hovered over her shoulder was unbecoming for a woman of her status. She was trained in keeping a neutral expression and in controlling her emotions. Still, there was something about the prince that made her blood boil.
“It’s funny that you would come to my home as a guest, and chose to offend me. I guess they don’t teach manners down in your little forest, do they?”
He trailed a finger along her arm before she pulled away and faced him. Her eyes were bright with fury and the ancient magic that coursed through her veins crackled in the air around them.
“I’m hardly here by choice, my lord. Besides, it seems rather hypocritical for you to comment on my manners when you’ve done nothing but insult me.”
His smirk grew, and he drew closer so that she had to tilt her head to meet his eye. Even if he stood nearly a head taller than her, she refused to back down. Ochako folded her arms across her chest and glared at him.
“You think I wanted to be saddled with a round-faced wife? I’m meant to be a warrior! Now, my father wants me to begin to learn how to rule, with you by my side, apparently.” He snorted derisively and walked away. “I bet you wouldn’t know the pointy end of a knife, much less how to fight.”
Ochako bristled at his dismissal. “It’s not like you were the husband I imagined either.”
“Well, at least we can agree that this is a terrible arrangement. I’ll tell you what, Cheeks. After the bonding ceremony, you stay out of my way, and I’ll stay out of yours, deal?”
“I would love nothing more.”
Before he could say another word, Ochako walked briskly towards the door and slammed it on her way out. It took her several hours of wandering through the mountain before she found the guest chambers, but she was too proud to ask for help.
They weren’t set to marry until the full moon shone above. Their fathers tried to use the time before the wedding to push the two together, but Katsuki was just as stubborn as she was. When an activity was scheduled for only the two of them, they took turns coming up with excuses for why they couldn’t meet.
Over dinners, when the kings tried to pull them into the conversation, Ochako and Katsuki refused to engage.The ceremony still took place, even though it was clear to everyone that there was no love lost between them.
When an elder from each tribe performed the binding, a brilliant, white light shone brightly around them that hadn’t been seen in several ages. Most bonds produced a soft blue light or a pale green one. Every now and then, a couple produced a glowing yellow light. The colors were a symbol of the strength of the bond itself, and the blinding light that emitted from their bond only meant one thing.
They were soulmates.
That knowledge did nothing to endear Ochako to her new husband. Maybe they were lovers in a previous life, or the fates preordained them to be the perfect match. Still, she thought he was rude, cocksure, and self-absorbed. Just as they agreed, Ochako and Katsuki maintained a steady distance between them, other than in situations that required their mutual attendance.
When it was announced that orcs had attacked one of the villages at the base of the mountain, Ochako hardly thought twice about it. Her father would be sending warriors to join the counterattack. From all that she heard, her husband was more than capable of handling the rest. His prowess in battle should make easy work of a rogue pack of orcs.
Then, days passed with no news.
The first messenger to arrive was covered in blood, sweat, and soot. He shakily informed her that the initial attack was little more than a diversion. The elvish forces were now completely surrounded. Ochako maintained perfect poise throughout the entire conversation.
With King Masaru, Prince Katsuki, and her own father all called on to fight, it was up to her to stay strong for their people.
However, the idea that she might lose Katsuki before they even had a chance to actually know each other shook her to the core. She had made little effort to bridge the chasm between them, assuming that they had an eternity before them to connect. Their people weren’t granted immortality, but their lives stretched on many ages.
Ochako never imagined the chance to learn to love her soulmate would be taken from her prematurely.
The following days were filled with grim news from the battlefront, and the chances of victory dwindled with every passing hour. On the fourth day, Ochako knew it was time to take matters into her own hands. She contacted their allies, requesting aid, and prepared herself for battle. She mounted her white steed, the same horse that traveled with her from the forest, and rode to join the fray.
Her father fought alongside one of the kings she called upon from a nearby realm. King Masaru was holding off a multitude of orcs, with her prince at his back. When Katsuki saw her, he gestured towards the injured dragon at the edge of the field. Several elves surrounded the beast, trying to heal him, but none had magic like Ochako.
She was so focused on her task that the screech of the dragon made her jump. Ochako looked towards his face to see if she hurt him but staggered back as a sharp pain shot through her chest. Without turning, she knew. Katsuki was injured.
With a final pulse of magic to restore the beast to full health, Ochako raced back towards the battle. Alongside their allies, the dragon’s return to the field turned the tides as Ochako found King Masaru holding Katsuki tightly to his chest. Collapsing on the ground beside them, she pulled Katsuki into her arms. When she draped her body around his as a shield, her magic thrummed as it met his.
Their bond was fueled by their proximity and pulsed around them. She didn’t even have to focus on channeling her healing powers. It was if her soul recognized his, and in the process, knew exactly what he needed.
When his eyes fluttered open, Ochako gave a cry of relief.
“What were you thinking?”
Her tears dripped down her cheeks to land on his face.
“An ugly creature was headed straight for your father. I had to cut him off.”
Ochako began to sob harder as she held him to her chest.
“You foolish, foolish prince. You would risk your life for a man you’re not even related to?”
“He’s your father, Cheeks. I couldn’t let him die, knowing how deeply it would hurt you.”
She pinched her eyes closed and rested her forehead against his.
“Losing you would hurt me even more.”
“That’s not true.”
He coughed, and she frantically scanned his face and chest, looking for signs of further injury. All she saw was a tired, bloodied man. Yet, no bruises or cuts marked his skin. Their magic had healed him entirely. She felt nothing but relief and gratitude as she drank in his sharp, rugged features.
Had her feelings towards him finally shifted?
No, they hadn’t changed at all. Ochako could finally admit that she was always drawn to him, but was too stubborn to admit it. Her soul knew his, from the moment they met.
“Yes, it is. You know as well as I do what the white light of our bond meant.”
“Soulmates.” His voice was soft, tired.
“Exactly. That means you’re not allowed to leave me like that.”
“S’that so?”
Ochako hummed in agreement and glanced around to find their battle was theirs. They would be okay.
Now, all that was left was to get her prince home.