Flash Fiction Friday: Week #13

Amy C over at Romance Book Wyrm and Dottie over at Tink's Place
have come up with the idea for a Monday Morning Flash Fiction challenge. Each Monday a new picture prompt will be posted and if you choose to participate - you post your story on Friday.

And here is the thirteenth picture prompt:

 

 

 

My story:

 

Family Ties
By Michelle Greathouse

Fiona slipped away from the hustle and bustle that was going on in the bridal wing of the catacombs - she just needed a minute to herself.  Why the bride needed an entire wing was unfathomable.  Maybe it was to house the hundreds of beings frantically working to make sure this wedding went off without a hitch.

A wedding that was not wanted by either the bride or groom.  

The Good King Karner Blue and the Good King Monarch had long held animosity towards each other and their kingdoms.  War and mayhem have found both kingdoms alternately on the losing end and finally, after years of strife - the two finally managed to kill one another - sending both kingdoms into a tailspin.  Until the Queens took over.  

After a six month mourning period the Queens came together and decided they were sick and tired of war - and realized that their kingdoms could accomplish so much more if united.

What would be the quickest and surest way of uniting the kingdoms?  

Marriage.

It never dawned on either Queen to inquire wether or not the respective bride or groom wanted to marry.  It never even occurred to them to care.  

The Lady Queen Karner Blue said marry - so it was assumed and expected, that her daughter would marry.  

The Lady Queen Monarch said marry - and it was her sons duty to marry.   

But sitting here, beside the calm waters of the Lake of Dreams, Fiona despaired at the coming nuptials.  It was not as if she had never seen Prince Eoin - he was fair of face and strong in stature, a warrior of renown and a fae of intellect - but a stranger for all of that.

Fiona was a level headed being.  In her mind, she knew that this was the quickest way to unite the kingdoms and bring peace to the land.  But in her heart, Fiona wanted love.  To have someone put her first, her desires and needs and well being above any and everything else - to one day have a family of her own to care for.

An exclamation of “There you are my Lady.”  Brought Fiona’s head up to find Maddie wringing her hands.  “Your Lady Mother has sent me to find you.  It is time to put on your gown.”

With a last look at the Lake, Fiona straightened her spine, flared her wings and followed Maddie inside.  

“Where have you been?  We have less than an hour before the ceremony begins.”  The Queen, sitting on a high backed blue chair inquired when Fiona walked through the door.
 
With a sigh Fiona stopped in the middle of the room as attendants rushed forward with her gown.  “I needed a moment Mother.  Just a moment.”

The Queen rose from her seat and made her way slowly across the huge expanse of blue carpeting.  Coming up beside her daughter she waved the attendants away and took Fiona’s hand.  

“I know this is not what you had in mind when you thought of your wedding day.  We all want to marry for love - but most of us do not have that luxury.  I met your father the day we married and in time, I grew to love him.  I pray the same thing happens for you.”

Fiona embraced her mother and with a firm resolve began dressing for her wedding.

The End
Word Count: 569




Okay, honest opinions needed here.   LOL  I don't feel like this one is my best.  I'm not sure if it is because the picture is pretty and I couldn't go with my usual action/violence - or if I'm just having an off week.  :)

What do you think?

M