ROLEPLAY HQ - golden-rings

Trigger warnings: Sexual content, arranged marriage, potential violence outside of the relationship, more may be added

The kingdom of Stonemarch was a hearty one, during the winter the land tended to be covered in a blanket of snow, and most of the lakes tended to freeze over. During summer those same lands thaw out creating new life. Winter was a time of hardship for the humans; it was a time when the crops died out and the frail died. The winter wasn’t liked by many, not much food was harvested in winter instead the common people had to rely mostly on savings. Excess was grown during the warmer seasons to last over winter. The nobles and the fortunate were less dampened as they were able to afford more luxuries, and their clothes tended to be warmer. Their houses tended to be built to be warmer. Yes, to the human's Winter was a cruel season. But if humans had anything it was their fortitude, they could not use magic that the elves had, they lacked the brutish strength and durability that the Orcs had and they lacked the prodigious craftsmanship that Dwarves had honed. Yet the humans survived. The land of Stonemarch lacked magical energy or at least its magical energy was faint. Too weak to be used by any creature unless it was done through dark, horrific means. For the most part, humans didn’t need it, the creatures of Stonemarch learned to survive. Humans banded together and fought together. They fought through the cold to get supplies; they build castled kingdoms to survive together. What was once a small settlement was turned into a village, which became a town. Before finally the kingdom of Stonemarch was built. The human race became one of the strongest, not through the ability to use magic, not through mechanical marvels but instead through unity. Their past isn’t without its skeletons, however.

11:10

The last king, King Chester's father of the current king Larson and grandfather of prince Veir and Chester was a man obsessed with increasing power. The king responsible for unifying the human nations through force was obsessed with increasing their borders. The land next to Stonemarch was the land of the elves, and the two lands were separated by tall mountains that made travel difficult but the king didn’t care. It took years, decades by the time that a large enough path in the mountains was dug out the king was already an old man, but he was stubborn and obsessed. He led a small army through the tunnel and attacked, anyone they could find, wanting to claim the magical lands for the kingdom of Stonemarch. But the aged king underestimated the elves and the other creatures that defended their magical home. Elves fought with the elements, they fought with large animals that they had bonded. Beasts the humans that survived the attack called them. Not that many of the human soldiers had survived the battle, the king himself fell to a large fireball leading a young, vengeful prince to take the mantle of the bloodied crown. Vengeful from loss the new king launched his war with the elves' casualties on both sides were heavy as the war lasted decades. Neither side was able to gain any traction. In the elven kingdom full of magic, the elves were powerful casters but outside of that kingdom, in Stonemarch where magic was thin and, weak elves had no more power than the humans that had lived their entire life without magic.

11:10

And through battle it was quickly learned that the bodies of humans were stronger than the elves, they weren’t as quick or as dextrous but they were stronger and able to take more damage. Their weapons were more powerful as well. The strongest elf from their nation would go from throwing lightning and fireballs as easy as breathing to being unable to even make light from magic to illuminate the dark. Decades had passed and the king had grown weary of war, his heated drive for revenge had chilled becoming sorrow and guilt. The fires of his youth dulled with the greyness of his hair. Did his drive for revenge condemn his children to a fate of war? No, the king will create peace, to him no price was too high, or at least that’s what he thought.

Chester, named after his warmongering grandfather that had put them all in this mess, to begin with, fought the urge to run his hands through his sandy blonde hair. Those that knew him well would have been able to tell that he was nervous as he stood at the altar waiting for his bride. A woman that he had never met before now, a woman that he wasn’t marrying because he loved her but instead because it was the only way that peace could be assured. Or at least that was what his father had explained to him. Their union symbolized the joining of the elves and the humans, they would be expected to be happy together. To raise a family together. His clothes felt too tight, he was dressed in fancy robes while everyone else was dressed in a suit as was customary for royal weddings. He just wished that he didn’t stick out like a sore thumb. He didn’t know what to say when he did meet the woman, he didn’t know what to do. His clothes were finely made tailored to fit him perfectly but they felt too tight as if they were a size too small. He stood at a tall height his blond hair framing his hair and at his belt rested a blade. The longsword was an ornate looking one, it was clear that it was one built for its looks as it was customary for a member of the royal court to carry a sword.

@Ditz 🫧

Aurora, a name from the legends of her people surrounding the Northern Lights, found herself wanting to take out her hair. She’d never liked the confinement of having it up. The princess never particularly cared for marriage, or rather, the idea of it, but this wasn’t her choice. She had been rather nonchalant about it, ever since her father told her she’d be leaving the day before the wedding. Now, she stood atop the palace stairs, at the entrance, in an outfit she hated. It was too poofy, and her figure drowned in the vast pool of tulle; the dress much more modest than she would’ve anticipated. Though, Aurora was told it was so she’d blend in with the humans, but she knew she wouldn’t, despite the clothing and heavily caked makeup.

Aurora, a name from the legends of her people surrounding the Northern Lights, found herself wanting to take out her hair. She’d never liked the confinement of having it up, and, frankly, it was hurting her head. The pins, adorned with fine jewels, were digging into her skull, or so it felt. The young princess never particularly cared for marriage, or rather, the idea of it, but this wasn’t her choice. This was about unity and bringing the people of the kingdoms together. She had been rather nonchalant about it all, ever since her father told her she’d be leaving the day before the wedding. Now, she stood atop the palace stairs, at the entrance, in an outfit she hated. It was too poofy, and her figure drowned in the vast pool of tulle; the dress much more modest than she would’ve anticipated. The white ball gown weighed down on her, her breasts seemingly squeezed against the higher collar. Though, Aurora was told it was so she’d blend in with the humans, but she knew she wouldn’t, despite the clothing and heavily caked makeup. Her face felt heavier than it should’ve, the makeup sitting uncomfortably. She was all dolled up, but it wasn’t her.

14:29

That’s what it was supposed to be))

When he saw her at the top of the palace stairs, he couldn’t help but think that she was beautiful, she looked out of place yes but he didn’t think it was because she was an elf. Unless maybe elves dressed like that but he doubted it. He had seen those styles of clothing more on other humans and honestly, he wasn’t a massive fan. Of course, she pulled it off well but she didn’t seem to like it. It felt as if she was just wearing it to please them and besides as he looked at her, he found himself thinking that she would probably would look nice with her hair down and less makeup. He didn’t choose her for his wife, he knew that but he had told himself that he would do his best to make their marriage real and he wanted to play with his wife's hair without worrying about getting stabbed. He was supposed to wait at the bottom but if he had to guess she wasn’t used to wearing her shoes either, he had never seen elves in heels after all. Walking up the stairs he held one of his hands out to her when he reached the top wanting to help support her not caring what anyone was whispering. “You look beautiful but I’m hoping that you don’t normally dress up like this.” He whispered to her careful to try and keep others from hearing. @Ditz 🫧

Letting out a slight chuckle, Aurora shook her head. “Never. I can’t wait to get undressed; these heels are making my feet hurt.” She whispered back. The Elven woman took a moment to look the prince in front of her up and down, taking in the sight of his sheer beauty. “You’re pretty.” She says, as if it was a fact that everyone knew. Aurora meant handsome, but she was currently unable to remember the word that humans used to describe attractive men. Her delicate fingers brushed a long, dark curl from her face, tucking it behind her ear. “I’m Aurora.” The petite woman looked up at her husband to be, her grey eyes meeting his. In her opinion, the blonde man in front of her looked utterly nervous. She put her hand in his, intertwining their fingers. Her hands were always cold, and as her palm met his, she smiled to herself, enjoying the warmth emitted from his own hand. The people below them whispered and gossiped amongst themselves, their remarks not as quiet as one should be when gossiping. Aurora, however, was entirely unbothered by it. In her mind, these people had status, yes, but not nearly as great as her own. @Spider-Jack

“Well, if you need any help getting undressed, I am your future husband.” He whispered to her playfully his eyes quickly checking her up and down as well as she checked him out now that he could get a better look at her. A guy less comfortable with his masculinity would probably get annoyed about being called pretty. Him he simply smiled back at her watching her tuck her hair behind her ear. “Thank you, you look very beautiful yourself.” He told her softly smiling back at her when she told him her name doing his best to make himself seem more confident than he felt. His hand gave hers a gentle squeeze before he stepped in closer to her carefully pulling her hand to his face. Her hands did feel cold but they also felt soft, his lips gently pressing against her knuckles “I’m Chester, it’s lovely to meet you, Aurora.” He told her before he stepped in closer to her, so close that his hot breath brushing against her neck. “I know that neither of us have really chose each other, but I promise that if you are willing, I will do everything in my power to make this a real marriage.” He whispered to her. When he was done talking, he carefully led her down the steps, the hand that wasn’t on hers gently brushing against her hips as she walking in front of him, that way if she fell, he could catch her. @Ditz 🫧

Her face turning red, although undetected due to the thick layer of foundation, Aurora smiled. “Let’s get married, Your Majesty.” She grinned playfully. The palace, in preparation for the wedding, was lovely. Covered in lavish decor, and expensive gifts from lords and ladies of both kingdoms. “I wonder who bought the most expensive gift.” The raven haired bride muttered absentmindedly. People stood around them, looking at the young couple. The Duke of Stonemarch approached, bowing cordially before them. Aurora looked up at Chester, her eyebrows furrowed, as she signaled towards the bowing, as if to question about the gesture. People in Litha, the elven kingdom, touched foreheads as a sign of respect and greeting. Though, elves were more of a tight knit community. They were all very physically affectionate. “Prince, princess, congratulations on your marriage.” He said, standing to look at them. “Please, allow me to introduce myself through Lithian customs.” Aurora said, stepping closer upon seeing the Duke nod. Aurora stood on her toes, pressing her forehead to his. The Duke seemed almost taken aback, flustered even, but smiled nonetheless. “Thank you, princess.”