Have a Heart

Name: Ellona Tornell
Age: 17
Race: human
Eye color: Silver blue
Hair color/Length: Blonde, chin length bob-cut
Skin color: lightly tanned
Personality: out-going and stubborn. Ellona is not your average princess. Rather than eddicut and poise, She learned how to defend and fight like a prince, training to become a hero.
Other: Princess. Was betrothed to a knight in training named Seirra, who was killed in a demon attack, protecting Ellona

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Training. It seemed to be the only thing that let her clear her mind. She felt so alone as the anniversary of Seirra's death neared. it had been almost two years and her 18th birthday was drawing near which only made it worse. By law, a princess had to marry by her 18th birthday and Seirra had been her betrothed.

The only options she had left were giving up her royal ties, sacrificing herself to their god, or an arranged marriage.

Ellona had no idea that her father had already made the choice for her

Name: Daniel Gale
Age: 19
Race: Human
Eye color: Green
Hair color/length: Short and brown
Skin color: Fair
Personality: Calm and calculating, at least on the surface
Other: Part of the royal Hero-class Gale family. One of the many sons of Bastion Gale, the head of the family.

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Daniel himself had been training when he received the news: he had been betrothed. It was due to happen eventually, but it still felt odd to the brunette. To think he had once been so excited about such a thing...it was merely business, that's all.

King Tornell was wise when he with held the information from Ellona. With only two months until her coming of age it was time for her to meet her new suitor. He called his children to the throne hall in their best clothes to await the arrival of the Gale hero.

Prince Gregory, only twelve years old, was seated to the right of the throne, engrossed in a book. He was dressed in his best silvery blue tunic with an old sapphire encrusted sword hilt hanging from a chain around his neck.

Ellona was to the king's left, dressed in the only dress she allowed anywhere near her room. It was a soft, simple auburn color with a purple trim. She looked more bored than the prince, and had been stripped of all her weapons (The king had requested it because he had predicted a temper tantrum) to allow her dress to hang more befitting to her small frame.

Daniel rode his way to the palace on a chestnut horse, accompanied by a couple of his uncles. Part of the Gale's strength was in their numbers. Still, their presence annoyed Daniel somewhat, as if he was still some emotional fledgling that needed to be watched every minute. Those days were over, mostly, but he was still being treated like an unruly child.

The king's most trusted knight, Kasey, strode into the hall. "The Gale's have arrived, your majesty." He stated.

King Tornell nodded. "Bring them in"

Kasey nodded and strode out to meet the Gales. He stood tall, a small reminder that this was his place and not theirs. "Welcome. The king has requested I bring you to the throne Hall for your audience." He stated

"Of course," said Daniel, he and his uncles bowing.

Kasey turned on the heel of his boot and made his way back to the hall. "The Gales, your majesty." Kasey stated, stepping to the side to present the group of heroes.

"Welcome" King Tornell nodded.

Prince Gregory glanced at them around his book and Princess Ellona didn't even try to look impressed. If anything she looked as if she'd be more impressed by an insect.

Daniel wasn't intimidated by the princess's attitude. It was typical for a princess to act stuck-up in situation like this, and in general. He and his uncles kneeled before the king.

"My name is Daniel Gale," the Hero said. "It is an honor to be here."

"I'm sure you say that in every kingdom." The king chuckled. "These are my children" He lifted his right hand. "Gregory." He then lifted his left hand. "And Ellona." He placed both his hands back on the throne. "I am sure you would like to get straight to the matter at hand"

Ellona rolled her eyes and muttered 'please' under her breath.

"If you don't mind," said Daniel. The words came out ruder than he had meant, and his uncles threw him warning glares. "...I know you are a busy man," he quickly added.

King Tornell chuckled. "Not at all, especially when it comes to my daughter."

Immediately Ellona's head swiveled to look at him with a confused frown. "What about me?" she asked, her voice surprisingly dainty despite the rumors about her.

"This is the man you're going to marry on your 18th birthday" The king stated simply.

If anyone had thought the air was tense before the kings statement, they now knew the true meaning of it. It felt as though a single sound would snap the tension like a cord.

"What" Ellona hissed

"You have to marry by your 18th birthday"

Ellona stood, trembling at her full height of five feet and three inches. "I will never marry" she hissed, turning on her heel and storming towards the door.

"Ah, Princess-" Kasey started, stepping forward as if to stop her.

Without slowing her pace, Ellona drew a knife from her sash and expertly threw it so it only grazed Kasey's face making him halt as she walked out the door.

"Something tells me you searched her poorly this morning." Prince Gregory remarked, closing his book.

The uncles frowned in disapproval. Daniel's expression remained serious, but he secretly admired her.

What an interesting fiance I have

"My apologies." King Tornell stated solemnly. "My late wife was a strong believer in dreams and aspiring to them. My daughter, as I'm sure you all know, wanted to be a hero so she was allowed to train in many combat arts and has not turned out quite as ...Dainty as other noble girls." He explained. "She may not like it now, but I know she'll warm to it eventually."

"May I be excused?" Gregory asked suddenly.

"Of course" The king nodded.

Gregory stood and left through the same door Ellona had exited.

"Would you like to be shown to your rooms? Or if you prefer, you may explore the castle. The only rooms here that are disallowed entry to are locked." The king stated.

"I would like to explore the castle," said Daniel. "If I'm going to be living here for a while then I should learn my way around."

King Tornell nodded with a small smile. "Very well then, if you hurry, you can catch up with my son and he can show you around a little bit." He turned to the other Gales. "And you?"

"You can show us to our rooms," they said, bowing.

Daniel went on ahead, seeing if he could track down the young prince.

The prince was only a short way ahead of Daniel. His book was tucked under his arm as he headed towards the stairs.

"Very well. Kasey?"

Kasey bowed slightly to the king. "This way." he directed

Daniel nodded and followed.

Gregory glanced over his shoulder, catching sight of Daniel and stopping. "Yes, can I help you?" He asked

"Can you show me around the castle?" asked Daniel.

"As long as you don't mind me changing first." Gregory stated.

"Go ahead," said Daniel.

Gregory nodded. "My room is in the tower if you would like to follow me" he stated. "Its a little bit of a walk though"

"I'm used to long walks," Daniel replied. He preferred horseback riding, but there were some places where horses couldn't go.

"Its up a long flight of stairs." Gregory replied. It was quiet for a moment before, "I feel kind of bad for you, getting betrothed to 'Lona. She hasn't been quite right since Seirra."