Chapter Text
Madoc feels Jude’s tiny hand on his. She is dressed in a pink satin gown. Her hair done in horns. The little one is shaking, as a mortal child of nine, it is expected.
The high king of faerie has called for her after all. His hand squeezed little Jude’s. She gives him a thankful smile.
His mouth says nothing. He would not have been able to tell her everything was ok.
Would not have been able to comfort her with his words. Why make it worse?
The king was high up on his throne. Golden crown gleaming in the moonlight. Jude was trembling. Her hand holding his so hard, Madoc could feel blood dripping out.
But still he said nothing. His face stoic. But he gave her small hand a squeeze.
“Be strong.” He prayed. “Be strong.”
Jude shakes, as she releases Madoc’s hands. Madoc is more reluctant to let go.
There is a long silence. Madoc has not let go of Jude’s hand.
Eldred’s beady black eyes are icy as he looks at Madoc. He knows it is to invite death if he offends king. He knows he could lose his power if he offends the king.
He knows it would endanger his girls if he upsets the king. He knows all of this. But still he cannot bring himself to let go of Jude’s hand.
A long silence follows. The high king’s mouth sets in a thin line. “Dad.” Jude says.
It is mortal. It is only an insignificant mortal word. But to Madoc it means everything.he looks at her. She gives a small smile. “I’ll be ok.” She mouths. Madoc wishes he could believe her. But mortal can lie. He releases her hand though.
“Your majesty.” Jude curtsies. A beat passes and she looks up. The king is looking at her. Calculation in his eyes.
Madoc does not like the look of it. There is no lusts. If there was, dozens of soldiers would be upon Madoc. Be upon him for killing the king.
Eldred turns to Madoc. A smile on his face. “Congratulation Lord Madoc, for conquering the court of teeth!”
Madoc bows. “It was a great honor your king.” Not to mention a great ravishment that nourished his soul. Madoc closes his eyes as he hums in pleasure. His mouth in a smile. The memory of dipping his red cap In lady Nore’s and Lord Jared’s blood keeps the smile on his face. It was a fine succor indeed.
Madoc opens his eyes and sees the king nodding. With a raised hand, the king acknowledges a young boy standing beside him. Curly raven hair and beady ink black eyes look at him. The child holds his head up high, with the air of arrogance saved for royalty. His tail however swishes back and forth in agitation. Madoc recognizes the little prince. He is dressed in a ostentatious black doublet covered in feathers. Black booths encrusted with crystals complete the gaudy apparel. The prince looks at him with all the haughtiness a child could give. Madoc can’t help but be amused.
Jude however glares at the little prince. “You know my son Cardan.” Eldred signals for Cardan to come to him. The prince does.
“Come child.” He tells Jude. Jude hesitates looking at Madoc. He gives a gentle smile and nods. He cannot say it’s going to be ok. He is terrified for Jude. His heart Thumps, Thumps Thumps.
Jude takes step by step towards the king. The king takes Jude’s hand and puts it in Cardan’s hand. High king Eldred has a magnanimous smile on his face. “General Madoc as a reward for your services, Your ward, Lady Jude Duarte shall be betrothed to and shall eventually join My son Cardan greenbriar in matrimony.”
A raucous of roars eurupt on the court. Madoc’s ears are ringing. His body stiff. All he can think of is “marriage? marriage? She is too young.” Madoc knows the king had another motive for betrothing Jude to the young prince. Another reason to make a mortal a faerie princess, or queen. But he does not know. The room is spinning. He looks at Jude. Jude who is trembling. But she says nothing.
Madoc knows why. He cannot refuse. To do so would be an insult to the king. To spit in his face when he had been so generous. But Madoc cannot speak. He has lost his ability to do so.
It is Cardan who breaks the spell. “Marry a mortal? Me! I don’t want to!” He stomps his foot in arrogance. Jude’s face turns crimson. Her hands shake. Her lips quiver. She is throughly humiliated. For the first time in his life Madoc wants to wring a child’s neck. Prince Cardan’s to be more exact.
There is silence in the halls. A loud slap broke the silence. “You shall marry Lady Jude!” Eldred roars. He dips his head and whispers something to the loud prince. So quiet no one but the young boy can hear. His face turns to shock, to anger to relunctant acceptance. The boy looks at his daughter with contempt. Again Madoc wants to hurt the boy.
Eldred’s eyes turn to Madoc. “Does the betrothal appeal to you lord grand general.” Eldred’s voice is rich but adamant. Clear that the king has already decided on the matter. Had decided so for quite some time. The redcap’s stomach lunges. He knows he would vomit on the jewel encrusted floor if he was human. The king has an ulterior motive. Madoc is sure of this. But he can do nothing about it. So Madoc bows his head and says “It is a great honor my king.” For that was the truth. The king had bestowed him a great honor, an honor Madoc cannot refuse.
Eldred nods, and Jude runs to his arms. She is shaking. She is afraid. And Madoc takes her small hands in his and walks away. Madoc swears to himself he will find a way out of this for her. He will protect her.