Work Text:
Schwing
The blades of the swords met in the field. "Mother, that's not fair."
"Swordplay isn't fair Primavera." She knocked aside Primavera's practice blade with her heavy greatsword. Fluttering back a pace to reposition. "I've told you before, swordsmanship is an art, yes; but it's not fair play. Unlike me any adversary you meet on a field with the blade will be trying to kill you."
"But you can fly." She whined just a little bit. In the undignified way she complains at moms code when it doesn't work, the way she only does when alone with family.
Gloxinia sheathed her sword, motioning to Primavera to do the same. "I can fly, a lot of adversaries you may face can also fly. Flying while wielding a weapon is a hard skill, it means your opponent trained longer and harder than you think they did. It also means that they might have a story as to why they endured such hardships to fly with the blade."
"Why did you do it? Mom keeps saying it was an accident of some kind. But always says it's not her story to tell, which is shocking cause mom loves telling stories."
Gloxinia softly smiled, "Because I was determined to protect your mom. From the first time I saw her I was determined to protect that gentle smile on her face. The wonder in her eyes at our lands, it was a joy I wanted to always see. But to see it I knew it had to be protected from the bad in the world."
"When was that? How long have you known mom?"
"Sword up Prima. Don't drag the scabbard on the ground." Gloxinia quickly disciplined, her teaching mode still active even as she gets the far off look of a story to tell.
"Your mom was just a young thing then. Later I learned it was only her 3rd day in the wilds, having been whisked away from the mortal world by the Prince of Frost-"
"By grandad?"
"Yes by Grandad."
---
Gloxinia hadn't really wanted to go to the party. Her ankle was bothering her that day. The constant dull pain more searing from her determined sparing last night despite her parents say so.
But her parents had to work, so to the party where she could be monitored she went. She had taken to wearing a training sword then, tucked into the belt of her pants. Standing out against her cleanly pressed suit. It drew a few eyes, but she has long been a part of the background scene of such parties that the attention was quickly turned elsewhere by the fae mingling about.
This party was being held for the Winter court apparently, though Gloxinia didn't understand why the Summer Queen bothered. The Prince of Frost never showed up to any party she hosted for him. There were crudely shaped snowflakes hanging from some of the trees, their attempted sharp angles ruined from the swoops and bends of the petals and leaves they were carved from.
Finding a quiet tree to stand beside, Gloxinia leaned her weight off her bad foot. Waiting to be told she can go home, or at least for one of the lower court members to get drunk enough that something interesting happens.
She wasn't expecting the sudden chill, the drop in temperature that had the grand doors to the hall frost over as they were pushed open. The fae in the room held their breaths, the band stopping their playing as heads turned to stare.
The Prince of Frost had dared to appear, his massive height leaving him towering over even the tallest among the summer fae. His glacier blue and white robe left him a sight to behold among the pinks, reds, and greens among the summer court. His booming voice would have silenced the hall if it had not already done so of its own accord.
"I thank you, your majesty, for hosting such a wondrous occasion for us. I present to you all Nessa, the first Princess Royal of the winter courts." He stepped to the side, revealing the human girl lingering in his shadow.
She was dressed in the colors of the winter court, a deep blue ball gown with a white bow tied around her waist and pinning up her hair. Even standing tall she was easily a head or 2 shorter than the average summer court fae. She waved sheepishly at the crowd, looking up at the Prince for a bit of guidance on the situation.
The Summer Queen broke the staring, regaining her command of the room. "Frost, I am very glad you and your heir could make it. It is always my honor to celebrate all good things across our seasons. May you find the party merry and the food to your delight." With a clap of her hands the music resumed. Leaving those uncaring to return to their drinks and dances.
Gloxinia however skirted the edge of the room, eyes locked tight on the new Princess. The poor dear looked ready to run, occasionally glancing towards the great door or to the Prince for comfort. But he had taken his place beside the Queen's throne, carefully flanked by Gloxinia's parents on either side. Leaving her alone to deal with the crowds of curious fae.
Fluttering to weave her way through the crowd, Gloxinia moved to interject the group of fae starting to question the new Princess why she was unprotected in such a crowded room. "Your ladyship, I am sorry to interrupt. But may I be the first among the summer court to ask you for a dance?"
She hesitated, the way all clever humans do. Picking apart the words of the fae to see what threats lie beneath.
"Just for the one dance, your ladyship. I ask for nothing further, and request no repayment in return."
The Princess nodded carefully, taking Gloxinias outreached hand. The others were forced to back away, unspoken rules of hospitality making them give away.
Gloxinia led the Princess to a safer space on the edge of the party, gently leading her without stepping foot on the ground, being mindful of her injury now. Not wanting to be embarrassed before the Princess.
As no questions came in the Princess's way, she found her tongue to speak her own. "Why? Why pull me away from them and not seek repayment for your deed?"
Gloxinia offered the young Princess a smile. "Though most fae are full of lies and trickery. My parents raised me to be kind. As a guardian in training, next to protect our Queen, it is only right I ensure the other royal members of our court are looked after as well."
A well timed spin away gave Nessa a moment to calm the red she felt in her cheeks. Still not quite used to being referred to as royalty, not used to someone offering her safety.
"You need not ask why generous hands may be extended towards you. Though human you are the child of the fae now, so within the lines of our cultures you are safe from all but the most extreme of tricks. Those who dare to pull such deeds will surely find the end of a blade, a flower in their heart, or a dark dungeon to spend the rest of their days."
As the song wound to an end, Gloxinia gave the new Princess a deep bow. "Until our paths cross next your ladyship. I do believe others wish for a dance from our crown princess."
Nessa matched the depth of her bow with a curtsey. Putting on a strong faced smile before turning to the other fae who wished to greet and get to know the new member of the court.
Gloxinia lost track of the Princess for a while after that. Sticking to the sidelines of the party meant missing the big events happening in the middle of the dance floor. It however meant she was the only one to notice when the Princess Royal slipped from the room into the gardens beyond.
Gloxinia caught the eye of Amaranth, the royal gardener, and shook her head. Moving instead to intercept the Princess herself. Deciding it would be best for the older fae to not chase the young girl off further.
She found her hiding under the willow tree. The soft blues of her gown standing out among the purple flowers blooming from its branches. Careful to make some noise as she approached, Gloxinia took a quiet seat beside her. “It’s a lot isn’t it? Parties in the Wilds can go on for days sometimes, I don’t think they always remember mortals don’t have the same stamina that we do.”
Nessa ruffled a bit at the fae’s approach, clearly weary of the social expectations and had just been hoping for a bit of peace for a few seconds.
“Though the garden is pretty, you are likely to be found here. Would you like somewhere quieter to retreat to? I can send a servant to fetch you some tea and snacks. Let you take a nap before returning to the party.” Gloxinia extended the offer, knowing she would stand guard to ensure the young lady wasn’t disturbed. Her parents would be proud of her for that, protecting the new Princess.
A weary nod came from the girl. “I’m alright, just needed a breather for a moment.”
“A proper rest, it is then.” Gloxinia stood offering a hand to her. “I will let the Prince of Frost know where you are residing so he will not worry. There is never harm in taking a break.”
Hesitantly Nessa took her hand, letting the purple haired fae lead her through the halls of the Summer Court. Deep into the branches of the overgrown tree, to a sitting room built for silence. A few chairs sat scattered around a tea table, a chaise lounge tucked comfortably between some bookshelves. The light in the room was soft, carefully filtered by covered lanterns. “Take a rest here. I will have refreshments brought and his majesty informed of your location.”
Backing from the room, Gloxinia found the closest servant to stand guard for a moment as she sought the Prince and refreshments. By the time she returned Nessa had fallen asleep curled up tightly on the chaise. So tea and biscuits were left on the tea table, and Gloxinia excused the servant to keep watch herself.
She lost track of the time the girl spent resting. But eventually the door behind her back was slowly opened. Nessa looked a bit rumpled in her gown but otherwise more put together. “Hello, you ladyship. I hope your rest was pleasant, and the tea was to your liking.”
“The tea was nice, and the rest was clearly more needed than I imagined. Thank you…” Nessa trailed off, realizing she never got the name of the night who protected her all ‘night’ long.
“Gloxinia. You may call me Gloxinia, your ladyship. It was my honor to help you in this time of need.” Gloxinia took another bow.
“Thank you Gloxinia!” Her face lit with a bright smile. So beautiful that Gloxinia swears she felt her heart skip a beat.
“Of course. It was my pleasure. May I escort you back to the party?”
“You may.” Nessa giggled a little, the lightness in her tone easy to toss up to a good nights rest.
---
“I went home after the party, and told my parents I wanted to join the winter court. They called me crazy for the first few weeks. Told me I couldn’t easily do such a thing, changing courts was not only dangerous but it was considered blasphemous at the time.”
“But it didn’t stop you?” Primavera asked.
Gloxinia chuckled. “Of course it didn’t. I worked even harder to become one of the best swordsmen the Summer Court ever had. I became a damn good messenger to ensure I was always the one selected to brave the harshness of winter, just so I could have a chance to see her glowing face.”
“See who’s glowing face?” Nessa stepped out the back of the house onto the training field. Cocking her head curiously at her girls.
“Yours of course my lady. Prima was asking about how we met. So I told her about the party. You know the one.”
Nessa smiled brightly. “The one where I spent most of the time thinking you were trying to steal my name, and the rest of it wondering why you kept staring at me?”
“That's the one, my lady. The one where you smiled at me still half asleep and completely stole my heart and breath away.” Gloxinia fluttered over to Nessa. Pulling her in for a kiss.
Leaving Primavera to make the grossed out noises kids always do when seeing their parents show affection to each other.