THE ANGLO-SAXONS HAD ALWAYS fascinated the Norse princess. Once upon a time, there were so many nations she could barely remember the names of them all in her history lessons ( it was really only seven ), and it had only become one within the last half century. One could easily see Idunna's confusion at the conflicts between the Saxons and the interconnected ones of Saxons and Norsemen. It would only be a matter of time until she actually encountered one, so one could understand her surprise when she had heard the accent of one saying something to her when she had not necessarily been paying attention in the Scottish gardens.
"Excuse me," Idunna would say. "I had not been paying attention," She said, waving her hand. "What did you say?"
"ADAM," IDUNNA WOULD PIPE up upon seeing the butler standing there for a moment longer than what she was used to. "You linger." It was more of a soft tone, curious, rather than accusatory. "Do you wish for something?" A bit of an odd turn of roles, but she had become curious. She closed the book that she was reading, setting it across her lap.
FREYJA HAD LEFT. UNDER the cover of darkness, she had decided that royalty was not what she wanted. Idunna had not known the true reasons, of course, but seeing her adopted sister now, in Scotland, was a shock. A mix of emotions would surge through her upon seeing the familiar face, but she did not let any of them show. A neutrality towards the situation would be what Idunna showed to the older woman.
They had spoken a few times since the inital shock of the situation had worn off, but of course under the pretenses that no one else should know. Idunna remained puzzled as to why, but she did not voice that part yet. "Freyja." She would say as she entered the room. The usual one where they met. "You have asked for me again?" She glanced around. It was nothing special, a simple room. Nothing suspicious.
"No need for formalities sister. For I am no Queen..." Agnes said as she approached her little sister.
"At least not yet." She added quietly with a smile as she hugged Idunna.
"Yes, Scotland is beautiful... but do be honest, it is no Sweden. For Scotland can get dreary at times. I suppose it's the English handing their dreary weather over to us." She joked.
"Come, sit. How has everything been back home?" She asked as she sat down.
IDUNNA RETURNED THE HUG, and while it was a surprise, it was a pleasant one. "Of course, sister." From how Agnes spoke, she wasn't sure that she was too enthused to be the Queen of Scotland- it wasn't as if Idunna would be jumping for joy if she was in the same position. "Scotland has a different beauty, though I am partial to the fjords of Sweden." She shrugged. "Things have been... well." That was one way to describe it. "Jian has not spoken of betrothals yet for me, so I think I am safe for now."
Location: A sitting room in the Scottish Palace in the early afternoon
When Hurrem arrived Roxelana didn't stand up, she didn't bow, she remained seated... eating grapes and gazing at her little sister in a condescending manner.
"Well well well... I didn't expect for you to show up after sending my servant to invite you for tea. How were your travels? Long and strenuous, were they not?" She said before smirking.
"Come, sit. Have some snacks and tea. Courtesy of his majesty The Emperor." She said smugly.
"So, have your people decided on whether or not to accept you as their Queen? I hear rumors even your husband is hesitant on accepting you completely as his wife." Roxelana mused as she shamelessly sized Hurrem up.
"I must admit it is good to see you again after so long, your majesty." She added, sarcastically.
HURREM DID NOT EXPECT her sister to feel happy for her. In Hurrem's eyes, Roxelana did not feel happy for anyone except herself, when her ego was made bigger and when her station was raised. "Sister.' Hurrem would respond. The Emperor was fond of her sister, but she wondered how long it would take for that ardor to fade, how long it would take their liege to see the snake that lied beneath an intelligent mind and a pretty face. "The travels were long, yes. As I am sure it was from Byzantium."
Hurrem sat down, but she did not pick anything up. She leaned back in her seat, looking her sister up and down. "I am not of them. I come from a nation that is not their own, it is only natural that they have reservations." She responded, cool and relaxed. As she had rehearsed herself to be in the company of Roxelana. It took all of her internal strength to take the bait that the woman so clearly laid out. "I am glad you are well, sister."
OPEN STARTER.
location : courtyard.
open to anyone.
he looked like he was on a mission of sorts, one that involved going to see the english king. though truth be told he'd rather be doing anything but that, he'd grown bored of the kings games, the scheming, the errands but what choice did he have? it was that or he lost everything and he'd be publicly shamed. being earl had many perks, not enough attention to be noticed constantly, but enough power to get about when he wanted to, if he wanted to. it made sneaking off to see somebody that bit easier.
nathaniel was walking quickly through the courtyard when someone approached from behind him. he stopped and turned, brow already raised before he came face to face with them. " i'm in a rush, can it not wait? "
BROWN EYES NARROWED AT the man. Did the English neglect to teach their children manners? Or did it only apply to this man specifically? "You had dropped something," Hurrem said in her usual cool tone, a slightly clenched jaw and a furrowed brow not following long after. "I had simply wished to give it back." She held out the item to him. "Unless you do not wish for it back." Hurrem was not above slight annoyance. "You seem to be in a rush, sir. Forgive me."
Location: The halls of the Scottish Palace in the afternoon
She hated the thought of so many more people she couldn't trust being under one roof. In her mind, she had to now look over her own shoulder constantly.
She came across someone in the halls.
"Good afternoon. Are you finding your stay here well?" Agnes asked, swallowing down the bitter feeling of being surrounded everywhere she looked.
IDUNNA HAD NEVER KNOWN how to read Agnes. She loved her elder sister, of course, as she did with all of her siblings, but she was unsure of how Agnes felt of her. When Agnes had acknowledged her in the halls, Idunna gave the older woman a quick curtsy. She was a queen, after all. "Sister," She said in response. "Yes, I am. Scotland is quite beautiful, though different from Sweden." Idunna did not necessarily voice her true thoughts. She didn't want to say that she didn't want to be in Scotland, that she wished to return home. So instead, she said it was beautiful.
well tell me did she make you cry? make you break down? shatter your illusions of love?
hazal filiz kucukkose, 30, she / her, ciswoman — dear all nations, HURREM NARONG NÈE AYDIN has crossed the city borders to edinburgh to the sound of GOLD DUST WOMAN by FLEETWOOD MAC. the SECOND WIFE OF THE KING of THE KHMER EMPIRE is known to be FOR making peace. SHE reminds me of EMERALD GREEN JEWELS and IDYLLIC DREAMS CRUSHED BY ROSE PETALS. however did you know that SHE MARRIED THE KING OF THE KHMER EMPIRE OUT OF SPITE?
BASICS.
name: hurrem narong nee aydin
age: thirty
birthdate: november 18th
titles: queen of the khmer empire
sexuality: bisexual , biromantic
family: mother , father , roxelana aydin ( sister ) , king of the khmer tribe ( husband ) , prince and princesses of the khmer tribe ( sibling in laws )
BIOGRAPHY.
you were born after your sister. the second born, the second daughter. that would become a cruel, ironic theme theme in your life. roxelana was the eldest, the first priority. you were given an equal education, but it always seemed to come after your sister. this is where the resentment started. you knew that it was tradition, what was expected of her.
you don't remember whether your father indulged this rivalry or not. you don't care. you and your sister were sent to the byzantine court, to rub shoulders with some of the most powerful people in the empire. you found your niche, mostly of fellow women and a few powerful men who were close to the emperor. your true goal was the emperor.
but he did not take to you the way that he took the sister. first, you were upset. sad. then you were angry. this only fueled the bitter rivalry that the two of you had. your father, thankfully, had a better offer. the king of the khmer empire, who had recently lost his first wife. you did not go through with the marriage because it was a good alliance, but because it was spite. if roxelana could be a mistress, you could be a queen.
"Perhaps our efforts will be better combined," Anneke suggested. "If you would like to accompany me back towards the castle?" She was sure they could find their way back, eventually, the castle that loomed above them. Maybe they would even see something interesting things along the way. "I am Anneke, by the way."
"I WOULD BE DELIGTED." Idunna would say in response. The other woman's accent was unfamiliar to her. The norse woman could deduce that she was from mainland Europe from her appearance, though. "Princess Anneke of Frisia?" She asked, brows furrowed, trying to confirm the thoughts that she had. Idunna had done a bit of studying in her spare time. "Princess Idunna of Sweden." The brunette offered a small curtsy. "It is a pleasure to meet you, your grace."
"Idunna!" Dorothea called out to her sister-in-law, rising to her feet to join her. "Come," she said, reaching to take the brunette's arm to guide her to the table she had had set up. It had been too long since she had last checked in with the princess. "Join me for tea, please."
IDUNNA'S LIPS WERE PUSHED into a small smile, one that did not reach her eyes. "Your Grace," She would respond. Muscles tensed slightly when Dorothea took her arm, but the princess quickly forced herself to relax. "Of course," Idunna said, smoothing her skirts under herself as she sat down. "What were you having? How have you been?" Her courtesies were polished enough for a princess, at least.
Anneke looked at her new home with uncertainty. She missed the sun but the expansive green was reminiscent of Frisia. It was hillier here by a lot and since she had been in the Kingdom of Scotland it appeared to always look like it was about to rain. Still, she remained hopeful that this new beginning would yield better results than the last.
At least this time her siblings and friends would all get to stay with her. Looking around her at the unfamiliar surroundings, she began to regret not asking one of them to accompany her. She glanced around praying for anyone she would recognize but found none. Finding the closest person, she approached them. “Pardon me, could you please point me to the quickest way back to the castle?”
THE SCOTS, THE PICTS, THE BRITONS, they all confused Idunna. She tried to equate them to the different tribes and clans from her homeland, but even then, they still called themselves dane or norsemen. There was an odd type of comradery, even if they had disputes between them. All of these new nations were so complex, confusing the princess when all she had to think of was her own nation. She prayed to Freyr that she would have some skills with diplomacy.
"Oh," She would say in response to the woman. "I apologize, but I do not know myself. I was trying to acquaintance myself with my surroundings, but I have seemed to lose my way as well."
matilda de angelis, ciswoman, she / her, 27 — dear all nations, IDUNNA SVENSDÓTTIR has crossed the city borders to edinburgh to the sound of SWAN UPON LEDA by HOZIER. the PRINCESS of SWEDEN is known to be IN FAVOR OF making peace. SHE reminds me of AN EMPTY’S BIRD NEST INHABITING BROKEN WINGS AND DREAMS HALF FORGOTTEN. however did you know that SHE DOESN’T BELIEVE HER BROTHER IS FIT TO RULE?
BASICS.
name: idunna svensdóttir
age: twenty seven
birthdate: february 14th
titles: princess of sweden
pronouns: she / her
sexuality: heterosexual , heteroromantic
family: jian svensson ( brother ) , dorothea hakkansdóttir ( sister in law ) , prince vicktor svensson ( brother ) , prince of sweden ( brother ) , princess of sweden ( sister ), queen mother ( mother )
BIOGRAPHY.
you were not born a princess. in fact, some now would even question if you were born a dane, despite the noble blood that ran through your veins from both sides of the family and the title that your brother took for you, gifted you.
your biological mother was the sister of the mother you’ve known all your life. your biological father was a jarl, his lands nestled in the mountains of sweden. he was feared, respected. you can only imagine the disappointment when you came out as a sickly little thing, your cries coming three minutes after you were born.
your father was never an involved man. you were a disappointment, from your sickly nature to the sex that you had been cursed with. you were a bargaining chip, a vessel for alliances that your father could make. he still wished for a boy, though. not enough praying could make his first child a male.
so your mother and father tried again. your mother was a woman prone to sickness, quite like you, so it wasn’t surprising when the babe tried to enter the world a month too soon. your mother was stricken with an infection, and two months after the birth of the boy your father so wanted, she was taken by hel. you were two years old.
your father seemed to spiral when your younger brother passed away. not when his wife of three years died, but when the son he had waited so long to have left him. you were sent to live with your aunt and uncle. you never hear from your father again.
your name changes from hansdóttir to svensdóttir after two years of no contact from your father. you didn’t necessarily notice the change, nor did you ask about your father. your new father, sven, had dreams of grandeur, one’s you did not pay attention to once upon a time, or until it affected your eldest brother.
after years of annoyance from the old king, he overthrew him. it happened in almost the blink of an eye with blood and steel, then before you knew it, you were princess idunna svensdottir, given a newfound respect that you never thought you would be given before. even now, you do not know how to feel about it. you would much rather shrink into yourself and find solace in your books and animals.
janainaart
areudirty
kianamaiart
turnnoffyourmind
snowghoul
vaporwave
romaincrisis
