Warning: mild incestuous themes

1

Everyone bowed to the elves of Bethmoora. They were a kingdom greater than most. Maybe that's why my people, the dark elves of Harmonoptra, kept their distance from the silver haired clan. We were worshipers of the great white moon, Oceana. Many did not believe the great moon that shined over the realm was alive, but we believed. We knew she was the mother of ice and water who brought the harsh winters, testing us on our skills of survival.

My father and mother, Osyrus and Lucidia, the king and queen of Harmonoptra always praised Oceana and when they prayed to her for guidance and help, she answered.

My twin brother Gaius was born before me. My mother had fallen ill and he was lucky enough to be born healthy into this world. Deep brown skin with strands of blue hair. He was lucky, but when I was born, I was sick and was not long for this world. My father fled with me to the temple of Oceana and placed me on the stone alter. He begged Ocean to give me life. He did not care if I would be different from others or even had disabilities, for that he could live with. He just wanted me to live.

The moon goddess was proud that my father did not ask her give me skills of worth or have me be victorious in my future. So she gave me life. As I grew older, my hair was of a silver blue and not like the dark blue tint of Gaius. Father always told him to watch over me and for a time my brother and I were inseparable. But when Gai, my youngest brother was born, I couldn't be happier…

My brother and I just turned the human ages of ten, and my father had told me it would soon be time for me to marry. Gaius of course was not happy.

"The clan of Bethmoora is coming today. King Balor will present his oldest son, Nuada to us and then we will speak of an alliance between our two kingdoms." my father said. I shook my head not agreeing.

"Father it isn't fair! Should I not be allowed to choose my own husband?" I asked as my brother and I stood in the middle of the throne room looking up at our parents. My mother was so beautiful even as she held Gai in her arm. She let no wet nurse feed us. She held and tended to all three of us herself. She had long blue locks tied back into two long braids that collided into one and hung off her shoulder. She was draped in black and white robes. My father was just as beautiful, but viciousness hid behind that beauty. He had blue and black robes with his sword at his side. He sat with pride and honor.

"Gaia, we have spoken about this. We cannot afford to be on bad terms with the south. With this alliance, we will have more power. We have been out of the fold for too long. Many want our alliance, but I will not marry any of you off to those I deem unworthy." he explained firmly.

"The south raises fools and does not believe that the humans should be allowed to live… if they decide to go to war and annihilate them then they will expect us to go to war with them and execute the humans." Gaius stated. For our young age we were very intelligent, like most of the elf kind. Father scoffed.

"You believe too many rumors my son." My father chastised before looking at me. "You are touched by the goddess Oceana herself. You are the key to our kingdom. Anyone elf child you bring forth will be of great power and Bethmoora has proven themselves worthy of our alliance. We will speak no more on this." His eyes were hard and his voice was firm as I knew there would be no changing his mind. I winced at his words and looked down trying not to cry. I glanced up at mother. She smiled gently at me.

"Gaia, this is what we prepared you for. You will have a bright future ahead of you. We only want what's best for you, all three of you." she said looking at Gaius as well who just looked down frowning, silver blue eyes not showing their glare in the direction of our mother.

I bowed my head at my father and he dismissed us. Once I turned to corner of the grey halls, Gaius grabbed my forearm stopping us in the bright hallway.

"You cannot marry the elf." he said lowly. I shook my head in defeat.

"I have no choice in the matter." I said and he scoffed and shook his head.

"If only you were born a boy this wouldn't be happening." he muttered. I could hear how hurt he was and I curled my fingers with his and he looked at me with light childlike eyes.

"Maybe father will turn his attention to you, since you are his heir. Or maybe Gai will marry." I teased and he huffed.

"Yes maybe…" he said. We were almost identical. Gaius had his dark hair pulled up high with two long locks down his face and he wore blue and black robes like father. He had two swords sheathed in his back. He was just starting his training so he could be the best fighter in the kingdom. I would watch him train with the generals of father's army. He was good and fast. He learned quite fast and definitely knew how to outmaneuver a opponent. Father always expected truth from his generals and they always spoke highly of Gaius.

His eyes were firm and dark like our fathers. I had mother's features. My hair was pulled back high with half of it down and two long locks down my shoulders. My robe are blue and white and my sleeves were large like most of the young elven girls of nobility. My silver eyes were warmer. Gaius looked at me now.

"What do you think father meant when he spoke about rumors? Everyone in the south hates the humans." he said as we now walked hand in hand down the hall.

Our kingdom did not concern ourselves with the choices of the humans. Yes they had wars and killed many and were diseased, but they also had love and most of them cherished what they had. My father will not blame the majority of the human realm because of a minority group's decision to be horrid.

As other noblemen and guards passed us they bowed to us.

"I heard only the prince hates the humans and would see them all dead." I replied. Gaius nodded.

"It would leave the land open for new territory and trade routes." he said and now stopped taking hold of my shoulders. "Dear sister, if fate happens to show that you must marry, I would hope it is to an elf of power within our walls, not some silver haired elf." He sounded so disgusted. I wanted to share his disgust, but I could not bring myself to openly hate the Bethmoora elves, because I have never truly met them before. Our emotions tied to them was only based off of the things we have heard about them from others around the kingdom.

I smiled at my brother's honesty and nodded.

"I wish things were different. But maybe father will see the young prince and deem him unworthy." I replied. He looked down and sighed and I just leaned forward and kissed his cheek before nuzzling my head into mine. "No matter what happens, we will always be together." Gaius nodded looking up at me now and leaning in and kissing my lips, a thing he always did, that gave me great comfort.

About an hour later, I was informed that the Bethmoora clan had arrived and we must prepare ourselves in the throne room.

I sat on a small throne beside my mother and Gaius sat on the opposite of father. Mother had a special dress prepared for me. It was a beautiful light blue dress with a silver belt around the middle. The hem of the dress had white waves dancing at the bottom as well as the sleeves. Gaius mimicked my father's calm yet intimidating facial expression as we waited for them.

The large doors opened and in came six soldiers. They parted in rows of three to either side and in came King Balor. He was tall and his crown caught the attention of everyone. His flesh was pale and his beard was long and wispy. His eyes were deep as if he were thinking. His robes slid across the clean floors and I just stared at how valiant he looked. Behind him were two young elves. I leaned forward a bit intrigued, because they too were twins. They had long white hair and gold eyes. Both had long white scars across either of their faces. It seemed identical. They had a strong bond that affected them both, I could tell. It was not like my brother and I.

"Lord Osyrus." King Balor, said raising his arms and my father smiled.

"Balor!" he boomed getting out of his throne and giving a light jog down the steps. The two embraced each other and my brother and I merely looked at each other with uncertainty. "It has been a long time since you cursed my halls with your presence."

Balor laughed.

"Why do you think I came here, so your bad luck would not spread over my kingdom." he joked. My mother smiled and King Balor looked at her.

"Lucidia you are looking even more beautiful than ever." he complimented. Mother bowed her head to him.

"And your spirit is still wild. Old age will not be taking you any time soon." she responded. This seemed to make King Balor's smile grow. Father laughed and now looked at the twins.

"And these must be Nuada and Nuala." he said. King Balor nodded and looked at his children. Their robes matched ours except they were red and black.

"Yes. My son is honored to wed your daughter. He grows stronger every day. Soon he will take my place and combine our kingdoms as should have happened many years ago." he said.

"I am the best." Nuada stated in a matter of fact tone. Gaius and I glanced at each other before looking forward some. He did seem very full of himself.

My father nodded smiling at him with pride.

"We will have to test that opinion out. My son also is very skilled and talented. Gaius, Gaia." he called. My brother and I stood in perfect unison, and moved down the steps standing beside our father. Gaius stared at Nuada with fierceness and Nuada just looked triumphant already as if he was above us. King Balor looked down at me.

"Ah yes, the elf touched by the so-called moon goddess." he said glancing up at my father. "You still worship nonliving deities?" My father nodded, his firm eyes unwavering.

"She was on the brink of death and was told she would never survive, but here she stands, proof Oceana exists." he told. "Which is why she must only marry someone of caliber."

King Balor nodded, not seeming convinced still.

"But of course. We have seen many battles together, it only fitting for us to ensure our survival and with this marriage we will. Nuada, Nuala say hello to the prince and princess." he said. Immediately our parents stepped back and in instinct the four of us stepped forward. I stood before the girl, Nuala who looked down shyly. I didn't know what to really think of her. She wasn't ugly or misshapen, but kept a close space beside her brother. She glanced up at me, her eyes larger than her brothers. I glanced at Gaius to see he and Nuada were huffing and puffing trying to size each other up. They glared at each other and looked one another up and down trying to puff their chests out some.

"Hello." Nuala said in a small tone and I looked at her looking her over now. She didn't seem vicious. Her voice was small and soft. I glanced back at my mother to see her nod at me, eyes flexing as if telling me to behave. I looked back at her and bowed at her.

"Hello." I replied.

"Excellent!" King Balor boomed stepped in front of his children now. Father did the same. "Now that the four know each other, we can prepare our terms for grooming them for marriage." My father nodded. Gaius just glared at Nuada and he glared back.

"Ageed. Each summer our children will spend time at each other's kingdoms getting to know each other and learning about our cultures, let them learn grow up and get used to each other so when the time comes everything falls into place." he explained glancing back at Mother who nodded in agreement. King Balor nodded smiling.

"Wonderful. We are all in agreement." he said placing his hands on his children's heads. Nuala smiled with love at her father and Nuada just grimaced to the floor glancing up at me now. His eyes were sharp and his features just the same. His lips were dark opposite his sisters warm and golden ones. Father place his hands on our backs now.

"We are. Now, the servants will show you to your chambers. A celebration is already in the making. You and your party are free to roam the kingdom. Your horses can share our stables and we will talk politics tonight." he said. Gaius and I looked at each other uncertain of this but we would not dare voice our opinions and go against our father.

Authors' Notes

So this is a re written story of my old Dance of Silver and Gold. I've been thinking about it for a minute and just gonna throw it out there. enjoy