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It had been two years since the four had left Arlond, if they tried hard enough they could forget that part of their lives. They did most days, caught up in the whirlwind of being a college student and young adult in New York. The bit of money they took to settle down long gone, they were forced to admit how out of touch they were with reality, back in Arlond things were a lot less expensive.
With this new prospect, the four women got jobs and really settled into their new lives.
Stacie had began working as an assistant in a science lab, finding she had a knack for all things biomedical. Aubrey went down the law road, helping the families of murder victims, in her book justice should always be served. Chloe decided to work at a dance studio, teaching kids how to dance. And lastly, Beca decided to become a defense instructor, after spending the better part of her life as a royal guard she figured she should use her acquired talents to help other.
So overall, it was safe to say the girls had planted roots, and moved on from the ‘Royal Life’ that they once knew.
That’s why now, as the four sat around in the living room of their small New York apartment, it came to much surprise when they received mail with a distinct Arlond posting stamp and seal. It had been addressed to Stacie and Beca, straight from King Conrad.
“I don’t even know how he knows where we are.” was the first thing said all morning after receiving the mail from the mailbox downstairs. It had come from Stacie who started to pace quickly around the room.
“We need to open it…right?” Beca wanted to be sure of herself, but she had a feeling if they opened it that the cozy little life they had made would be forcefully uprooted, for who knew how long.
“It’s up to you two, whatever you decide we’re with you.” Chloe reassured, gesturing between her and Aubrey, who was nodding. “Right, we’ve been gone almost three years, I’m surprised no mail has come before now.” Aubrey said. She pulled Stacie to sit down next to her on the couch and kissed her temple. “It’ll be ok. Just see what it says.” Aubrey gently prodded, handing her fiancé the letter.
Stacie looked at her with unsure eyes, taking it nonetheless.
“Dear, Anastasia,” Stacie began, taking a breath to brace herself.
“We understand your need to journey beyond home and find yourself. We have supported this journey for as long as we could, but it is time you return home now. As Arlond is going to war with a neighboring kingdom, and your mother has fallen ill. It is time you step up and take the responsibilities bestowed upon you at birth and the death of your brother. I do regret to inform you of all this in a letter, but please return home as soon as possible. And now I address, Rebeca. As your duties of a National Arlond Guard, and as Head Royal Guard, you are to assume position in battle for your kingdom. Me and my wife are forever grateful for the leaps and bounds you have crossed for our daughter, and for that your position has remained unfilled, in the hoped that you return and pridefully accept your role and duties. It is with a heavy heart that this letter find you, though when it does, may it be in good health. Forever ~ Jason Conrad King of Arlond.”
Once the letter had been read, the air filled with thick tension.
“Mom is sick?” that was the only thing Stacie could process at the moment, and even that made her want to jump off the nearest roof. “I’m so sorry Stace.” Aubrey wrapped her arms around Stacie in an attempt to comfort her, but Stacie shrugged them off, standing up and pacing the room once more.
Chloe looked over at Beca who’s face had gone pale and expressionless. “Are you ok Bec?” she asked, “I-” Beca’s head fell into her hands.
Neither woman knew how to comfort their significant other in this moment, they had just found out some very much life changing information in the last ten minutes.
“We have to go. If not for my kingdom being at war, for my mother. I can’t sit here knowing any day could be her last. As much as we like to pretend our past doesn’t exist, it does, and it’s caught up to us.” Stacie sniffle, her decision made.
“Fuck me!” Beca groaned, “if I don’t go back and at the very least get a plea from war I’ll be considered a state criminal. Fleeing war is treason, there’ll be a bounty on my head.” Beca explained, wishing young her made a lot of different decisions right about now.
“Then it’s settled, we go back.”
The four packed a suitcase each, bought the most readily available train tickets, and traveled back to the place they tried to forget.
Seeing it appear over the mountains was a surreal experience that gave them each chills. A five hour train ride did little to help prepare them. It was almost 11 at night when they reached the train station and got off.
“Hey Bec, before we go to Arlond, can we go to Darten? We can Stace and Bree a chance to catch up and fill in and I can handle some unfinished business back home.” Chloe suggested to Beca while Stacie and Aubrey hailed a cab. Beca easily nodded, “of course, no problem.” she agreed. She wasn’t-ok she wouldn’t admit it-deflecting from what she should be doing right now. But as she had things to handle, so did Chloe.
Two and a half years ago Beca randomly called Chloe telling her about the train tickets she had and Chloe blindly, albeit faithfully, took a step of an edge of a cliff, not knowing if she’d hit water or rocks. Thankfully they hit water and swam smoothly. But in the midst of all that, she up and left her family, her home, and her life. Not even taking time to tell her family much other than that she loved them and that she’d reach out.
They didn’t even know she was a lesbian.
When she left she was actually engaged to a man name Chicago, Prince of Wellmint Kingdom. She didn’t even properly call of the engagement, so technically she still was. Again, unfinished business.
“You guys coming?” Stacie asked, holding the cab door open for the two, “no actually, we’re going to Darten for a few days. Good luck and call me if you need anything. We’ll be to Arlond soon, but there’s some things Chlo needs to wrap up.” Beca said, “oh, ok. See you soon?” Stacie half smiled half frowned, “of course!” Beca nodded, she hugged Stacie tightly, “love you dude. And please tell your dad I’m not fleeing, this isn’t an act of treason.” Beca said with a laugh. “I will! Love you too B.” Stacie sighed.
Stacie climbed into the cab and then they were off, Beca and Chloe hopping into another one. This was the first time Beca and Stacie would be apart for real for the first time in almost ten years, they knew it wasn’t goodbye, but it still left them with a weird feeling.
“You ok?” Chloe placed her hand on Beca’s thigh, Beca’s hand grabbing it easily. “I will be. How about you? You’re the one going home.” Beca pointed out. Chloe frowned, “I feel weird, out of place almost. I don’t know how they’re going to react knowing not only am I engaged to someone else, but that someone else is a woman.” Chloe said, “well if they have something bad to say I’ll make sure it doesn’t get past their two front teeth.” Beca promised, kissing the back of Chloe’s hand. Chloe laughed, shaking her head, “please do not beat my parents. Any words they have, I deserve. I did up and leave them after all.” Chloe shrugged, the guilt Beca knew Chloe harbored seeped into her voice.
“You didn’t do anything wrong Chlo, you were unhappy. You did something for you for once. You don’t deserve anything less than the moon and stars.” Beca said, her voice loving but stern.
“Thank you my love. I don’t know where I’d be without you.” Chloe laid her head on Beca’s shoulder, “and you’ll never have to know.” Beca vowed with all her heart.
They reached Darten around 3 in the morning, and the castle thirty minutes into the hour. After getting out of the cab, they walked up to the big steel gates, two guards posted outside of them. The one on the right lifted up his helmet, a look of shock and surprise adorning his features.
“If it isn’t Princess Chloe Beale!?” he exclaimed, getting the other guard’s attention, “my my! As I live and breath.” both guard kneeled on one knee, “please get up, I have no crown, and it’s merely a title.” Chloe sighed heavily, “apologies Princess, it’s just-you probably know how it seems.” the first guard said, standing up quickly. “Can you escort us inside Sir?” Chloe asked, “yes yes, right away!” he lead them both through the gates. “And who is this?” the guard turned to Beca.
“Madam Rebeca Mitchell of Arlond.” Beca introduced herself, “madam?” he looked at her with a surprised face, “yes sir, head royal guard actually.” Beca informed him. “Oh, so you know about the brewing war then?” he asked, his voice losing it’s previous enthusiasm.
“Not much actually, I just got back in town. Can you tell me about it?” Beca asked, they were just now walking through the castle courtyard, reaching the doors of the castle. “I’m only a post guard, the most I know is that Redmount and Wellmint have formed an alliance, and Arlond and Laurans have. Rumors of an invasion is in the air.” the guard explained.
“What about Darten? Where do we lie?” Chloe asked, “so far neutral, but we’ve received some offers from Wellmint to join them. That’s all I know though.” he told them. “Well thank you sir, and please stay safe.” Chloe smiled at him, “of course Princess.” he bowed his head curtly before leaving them to return to his post.
They were left outside the castle doors, two other guards waiting there. Chloe went up to one of them and he immediately recognized her. “Princess, welcome home.” he bowed, the other guard followed him. “Thank you sir. May you?” she gestured toward the door, “certainly, right away.” he moved to open the door, and soon enough the heavy metal door was being pushed opened.
The grand foyer looked exactly as Chloe remembered it to be, two giant staircases encased both sides of the house, leading up to a balcony like area. A long hallway that lead to a sitting area, and tons of open space. The house was bustling with movement, guards on the move, servants making themselves useful and all kinds of other people.
Both Chloe and Beca moved through the house going mostly undetected, reaching an office like area that Chloe knew her father held his most important meetings. The door was ajar and through the crack she could hear voices and make out a slim part of the back of someone. Not just anyone thought, her father.
“It sounds like they’re talking about the war.” Chloe whispered to Beca, “sounds serious. This is bad, really bad.” Beca sighed, “what do we do?” Chloe asked, “the only thing we can.”