Elven Heartbound: The First and Second Seasons

Episode 1

An Heir and a Spare

“We can’t let them take her,” Mother says.

“We have no choice. This was the bargain we struck before she was born.” Father’s voice is tired, and he’s probably pinching the bridge of his nose and massaging his temples, as he tends to do.

“There must be a way to undo it. Another way to appease the elves.”

“There is no other way.”

Arisanna stands outside her father’s study, listening to her parents rehash the same argument they’ve had more times than she can count.

Gently, she pushes the door open and steps inside the familiar room that always smells of books. She’ll miss the comforting scent when she’s gone. Surely they have books in Lostariel.

“Arisanna,” Mother says. “It’s late. You should be in bed.”

“I heard you arguing again. You don’t have to fight this. It’s all right. Truly. I’m perfectly willing to play my part.”

Her parents exchange a concerned glance, and Father sighs. “You shouldn’t have to pay for our foolishness.”

“It saved our kingdom and ended a war. Gave us all a future we wouldn’t have had otherwise. I wouldn’t even exist if not for this deal you made. If this is the price I pay for that, I do so willingly.”

“Maybe they’ve forgotten,” Mother says. “We haven’t heard from them since Arisanna’s christening.”

Father leans his hand against the stone mantel over the crackling fire in the nearby hearth. “Elves never forget. They’ll come, just as they promised.”

In three days. On Arisanna’s twentieth birthday. That was the bargain her parents struck to end the war between their kingdoms. First, an heir for her childless parents. Her older brother, Rominy, was born less than a year after the treaty was signed. A gift of elven magic.

And second, a daughter. A wife for the elf prince to ensure continued peace between their kingdoms.

An heir and a spare.

She was the spare.

All her life, she’s known this was her future.

She’s studied elven customs. History. Language.

At least as much as her tutors could teach her themselves.

When the treaty was finalized, the border between their lands was closed.

Only twice has anyone ventured across the magical barrier separating the elf and human realms since then.

The first time was when her brother was born. The elf king sent a representative along with his young son to witness the monumental occasion. After fifteen years without a child of their own, the Queen of Nunia had borne her husband a son. An heir.

Then, two years later, the elf prince once again journeyed to the human Kingdom of Nunia to offer his parents’ blessing on the birth of a daughter. The spare. The one destined for the prince himself.

Now, the time for Arisanna’s parents to make good on their part of the bargain is almost here.

Father turns back toward Arisanna. “We should all get some sleep.”

“Your final fittings for your...trousseau are tomorrow.” Mother’s voice hitches.

Arisanna tried to convince her mother it made little sense to outfit her with new clothing that is unlikely to be in style in Lostariel, but Mother insisted.

She doesn’t want the elves to think Arisanna’s family doesn’t care for her as they should.

A lack of a proper wardrobe would reflect poorly on Nunia.

At least, that’s what Mother said.

Arisanna doubts her new elf family will care how many voluminous gowns she arrives with, but she humored her mother anyway. At least planning Arisanna’s trousseau gave Mother something to do other than pace the floor and wring her hands.

Arisanna’s heart hammers as she considers the lacy sleeping gowns that already lie carefully folded in her trunk. Fit for a bride. Hopefully, Prince Tharios won’t expect too much from her—at least not right away. She heats at the thought as the late night draws a yawn from her lips.

“To bed,” Father says again. “A good night’s sleep will do us all some good.”

As Arisanna makes her way to her chamber, her thoughts drift to the prince whose wife she has been fated to become since before her birth.

Tharios. Future king of the elven Kingdom of Lostariel.

He was only a child when their fathers struck this bargain.

He has dark hair like his mother and pointed ears like all elves.

And...that’s the extent of her knowledge. She can only hope he’s a kind man. Or, at the very least, that he’s not cruel. The elves of Lostariel are not known for cruelty. Neither is King Lorial. Hopefully, his son takes after him.

Arisanna’s maid helps her to bed, and she lies awake for a while, thinking of how much her life is about to change. As the fire crackles in the hearth, her eyelids grow heavy, and soon images of dark hair and pointed ears fill her dreams.

Elowyn pushes her mare, Starlight, to the front of the caravan of horses, and her father—her pera—glances at her as she approaches.

“Tharios said we’re almost there.” Elowyn peers along the path through the Wildthorne Woods ahead.

“Soon, my elfling.” The hint of a smile teases Pera’s face, but sadness lingers behind his eyes as well. “Where is your brother?”

“Which one? Tharios is with Mother and Viala near the back of the caravan. I don’t know where Cerian is.”

Pera sighs. “I hope he hasn’t fled.”

“He’ll be there when we reach the border. I’m sure of it.”

Cerian wouldn’t run on today of all days, would he? What would such a betrayal do to Mother?

“Tell Tharios I require his presence,” Pera says. “And your mother if she feels up to it. Her heart seems stronger today, and it would be best if we present a unified front as we enter Nunia.”

Elowyn nods and turns Starlight to make her way back to the rear.

“And if you see Cerian, tell him his place is here as well. I have no desire to track him down before we cross the barrier.”

“Understood.”

As their entourage of nobles and guards rides past Elowyn, she offers each one a smile.

Most smile in return, but she can’t miss the pity in their eyes.

Many disapproved of the treaty her parents negotiated with the human King of Nunia so many years ago.

It seems they would have preferred to make war until both their peoples were decimated rather than lower themselves to bind with the humans through marriage.

Elowyn, for one, is excited at the prospect. To learn more about these people who are so different from their own. Their technology and their customs.

Tharios claims they have machines that run along rails at high speed to transport goods and people great distances in short times. She doesn’t dare tell Cerian this, but she thrills at the thought that she might get to ride on such a thing soon herself.

From the corner of her eye, she spots her brother’s dappled gray horse through the trees, and she pulls up on her reins.

Cerian.

With a glance back at their caravan, Elowyn nudges Starlight toward Lightshorn. As she approaches the gelding, she frowns at the empty saddle and looks up.

“Cerian?”

He doesn’t respond, but he must be nearby.

“Pera desires your presence before we pass the barrier,” she says. “I know you’re there.”

Without warning, her dark-haired younger brother drops to the ground in front of her, landing in a crouch before straightening. “I’m aware of what’s expected of me.” His green eyes narrow, and Elowyn sighs.

“I understand that this is a struggle for you, but it’s the destiny of our family to join with the humans. Think of it as an adventure. A chance to learn.”

Cerian scoffs.

“At least try not to scare the princess off. We want their family to like us.” Elowyn’s mouth tilts up in a grin, and Cerian shakes his head.

“I don’t know how you can be so happy about this.”

“It’s a grand adventure! So much to see and learn and experience. How could I be anything but excited?”

“You and I obviously value different things.” The corner of his mouth ticks up as he looks at her.

“Perhaps. Now try to be polite. You owe that much to Pera.”

Cerian turns serious again and nods. “I’ll do my best. I know my duty to Lostariel and to our family.”

“That’s the spirit. I need to fetch Tharios. I’ll see you soon.”

As their party approaches the barrier, the royal family forms a line facing it, and Elowyn glances at Cerian where he sits tall in the saddle beside Tharios. At least Tharios seems content with their arrangement with the humans.

Mother smiles weakly between Pera and Elowyn as Pera draws Mother’s pale hand to his lips.

The magic required of her to make this day possible has left her weak.

Tharios says she used to fight alongside Pera, but it’s hard to imagine.

For all Elowyn’s life, she’s been frail.

Hopefully, this joining of their peoples will return her former strength to her.

One person’s magic was never meant to be split so much across such a great distance.

In fact, the closer they get to Nunia, the stronger Mother looks. Do the humans realize how much the elf queen sacrificed to give them children of their own?

Once the ceremony is complete, the magic of the heartbinding should become self-sustaining. Mother’s magic won’t be needed to keep the human hearts beating.

Turning toward the shimmering barrier of air and fire magic, Pera raises his hand, and a gap forms in the wall large enough for their family to pass through together.

Will the humans be waiting for them on the other side, as the human king promised so long ago?

Pera presses forward, and with a barely contained thrill of excitement, Elowyn nudges Starlight out of the gloom of the Wildthorne Woods into the bright plains of Nunia, where her future awaits.