A silver-haired male rushed on the stone path towards his destination, his arms swinging back and forth as he sprinted. A concerned look on his face persisted, his need to hurry sending air to ripple the fine material of his cape. Though the start of the winter season, the cold air likely to nip at any running individual's skin, the man's fur shawl kept him quite warm. Perhaps it was also the adrenaline plaguing him which helped him remain toasty. The same could not have been said for the guards panicking while following behind him as best as they could.

He ignored their worried shouts, focused on one thing. Gritting his teeth in order to help him bypass his own physical limits, the male moved faster, trying more than anything to get there in time. Bursting through the doors, he found female servants stopping him, giving worried expressions. And though he thought about pushing them aside, he was unable to fight his inner conflict, wondering what would be best for the safety of the woman inside the room.

"The queen is in labor, your majesty. There's immense pain and the physicians need all the space they can get."

"Please think of the queen, my king," another servant begged, giving a pleading expression, "She cannot bear to see you after the last time. Please wait patiently."

The man gave a pained look, clenching his fists while he stared at the ground. However, he understood the situation more than anyone else. Besides the queen, anyway. They had been blessed with a child before, but on the day of its birth, it died. Not able to breathe, it perished before her eyes, suffocating slowly. She was devastated, forced to watch as it struggled to get a single breath of oxygen, its arms waving around as it bawled silently. The lights in its small eyes broke her and for the longest while, she locked herself in the queen's palace. It was as if she was ashamed to face him.

He had to forcefully break down the doors of the palace and trap her in her arms for her to speak to him, and even then, she would only cry. Heartbroken at the loss of the baby she had carried with her for nearly a year, she wanted to die alongside it. It was only due to his insistent interference and strenuous measures that she was able to appreciate life once more. And though it was their duty as the rulers of an ancient kingdom, they were surprised when she was found to be pregnant once more.

He was so incredibly worried. Fearful not only for the repercussions it would have on her body and health but for her state of mind as well. Should the child not make it, she wouldn't have recovered. But if given the choice, the male would rather have had his queen survive than any of their potential offspring. A child would be a welcome addition, and he had always wanted to have an entire castle filled with them, but it wasn't worth nearly as much as her.

"Your majesty!" a healer panicked, bursting through the doors to the room, a large cry emitting from it, bringing tears to the male's eyes, "A son has been born!"

"And (Y/n)?! What of her?!"

"The queen has fallen unconscious, but the physicians insist it's purely phycological. In fact, the bleeding is perfectly normal. Please, come see her, your majesty!"

The male didn't need to be told twice. Moving as fast as he could through the entranceway, he gazed at the beautiful woman laid on the bed. She looked a mess, her face contorted in pain and sweat covering her skin. Still, she was the most beautiful woman he'd ever laid eyes on, and as he turned to look at the boy she had birthed being washed of any blood, he saw her looks had not skipped her son.

The boy had stunning golden hair - albeit very few strands of it - and silver eyes which hosted his tears. One of the nurses bowed to the king and presented the boy who had been dried and wrapped comfortably in a blemish-free wolf fur. He bawled relentlessly, but his father was relieved. Because it was a sign he was alive. His mother would have cried tears of joy when she looked at him. The only thing left was waiting for her to awaken so they could name the boy.

The king waited hours with his newly born prince in his arms, bouncing him and appeasing him perfectly well. The newborn was well-tempered, and once he realized his father was holding him, he resigned himself to small coos and murmurs. And at the sound of rushing amidst the chamber, the silver-haired young man stood to attention and moved inside the room, watching his queen crying and trying to struggle herself out of the bed.

"Please, tell me!" she sobbed, her bottom lip quivering pathetically, "What happened? Where's my child? Are they...Did I...kill another one?"

The (h/c) haired girl regressed and became unbearably silent, weeping quietly while pulling her knees to her chest, her tears cascading down her flawless cheeks. The young man watching felt his heart contract, and briskly walked across the floor, placing his hand on her wettened cheeks. She couldn't bear to look up at him, regressing further and giving a cry of grief and agony.

"My darling," he mumbled, kissing the corner of her eyes, "You've done such a wonderful job. I'm so very proud of you."

Confused, the (h/c) haired woman looked up before her eyes gave wind to more tears. But they were not of sadness. No, as the man presented the child wrapped in the wolf fur, a smile erupted on her lips, grateful tears cascading down. The male then propped his wife on the bed before cautiously placing their son in her arms. Finally, he saw the beautiful sight of the love of his life holding his child as if there was no tomorrow. He adored her more than life itself.

With the birth of the young prince - the first of the royal generation - a grand banquet was held. The king was eager to display the beautiful child his wife had given birth to as well as reward her for everything she had put up with to safely deliver him. Flowers were strung up along the banquet hall, countless gold and silver treasures displayed openly. It was beautiful, perfectly so.

As the king sat upon his shared throne, his wife resting her head on his shoulder, he chuckled at the way she looked longingly at her son. The boy was sleeping in the cradle just next to them, not five feet from her, but still, she gave an uncomfortable reaction to being away from him. Trying to ease her fears as individuals came up to present their gifts to the queen or the newborn prince, he engaged her in a sweet kiss, bringing her hand up to his cheek.

"I may get jealous," he frowned teasingly, pretending to wipe at a tear, "My wife no longer needs me. I've outlived my purpose."

"That's not it," (Y/n) gasped, nuzzling into the male's chest lovingly while holding tightly onto his hand, "It's just we finally have proof of our love for one another."

"Proof, you say? I quite like that. Shall we make another?"

"Teasing isn't nice, Vysha'n."

"You're blushing, my darling ~."

Chuckling at the way his wife hid her face from him by using his shoulders to bury into, the young man hugged her tightly, overjoyed. She was beautiful. So very beautiful. He couldn't help but smile when she held onto him nor could he have been more elated. Placing a quick kiss on the top of her head, stroking the woven metal crown sitting atop her head, he directed his attention to the gift-giving.

"Your majesty," a noble elf bowed, holding an intricately carved wooden box up to be admired, "To the newborn prince, I give this dark iron bow. I wish for him to grow into a brave young man and have the aim of a mul'shir!"

"Your royal highness," an esteemed general smiled, tilting forward at the hip, "To the young prince, I would like to present this protective charm. It's made from the bark of the great tree of wisdom, the leather of an ancient bear, and the blood of a phoenix. To him, I wish many long years of mercy and patience."

More and more elves came to present their gifts and offer their wishes for the young prince. Many gave priceless gifts or artifacts, some bringing stones of power. Their loyalty and hope in the boy was astounding, and the (h/c) haired elf blushed in pride. To see her son already so loved and protected overjoyed her, and in her love, she picked him up from the cradle to hold him securely in her motherly arms.

"Your excellencies, I would be honored to present a gift to the queen."

"No, allow me to show mine first, majesties!"

"I would be more grateful than anything if I could give mine!"

Embarrassed at the praise and gifts she was given, (Y/n) looked up at her husband as if he would tell her not to accept. That being said, he had already prepared to gift her the rarest and most elusive things the world had to offer. For the gift of a son, he had already gathered numerous presents for her specifically, waiting for her in their bed chambers. Though jealous of the attention she was given, wanting her to only receive his present, she was more than deserving of the offerings.

As such, he chuckled, encouraging her to accept. Gift after gift, she accepted, becoming more filled with embarrassment as time went on. Her cheeks glowed a faint pink, unused to being spoiled despite her husband's tendencies. Unwrapping a leaf-covered present, she showed the beautiful hairpin she'd been given to her son, the baby cooing with delight over its shiny nature. It was then that a high mage approached the monarchs, holding a jade box in his hands.

"Allow me to showcase my present, your majesties," the man bowed, receiving a dismissive go-ahead by the king while his wife cooed back at the young prince, "I bestow upon her royal highness this priceless woven brocade, said to have been weaved by the nymphs of the western ocean who placed ocean treasures such as the basilisk's scales in its fibers. And to the newborn prince, I wish...death."

Before anyone could react, the man summoned a bow and launched an arrow meant to hit the young child. Its velocity was far too fast for even the king to stop it, and within an instant, only the (h/c) haired woman stood before it and her baby. It must have been maternal instincts that allowed her to sacrifice herself for him. She gripped tightly onto her son, tucking the boy to her chest to protect him. Blood spilled to the ground, the woman crying out in pain.

Immediately, the king instructed healers to pull the arrow from the woman's thigh. She cried with immense pain, continuing to hold tightly onto her only child, uncertain if the danger had passed. The woman didn't even watch as the royal drew his sword and beheaded the assaulter. Instead, as she heard his cry of pain, she covered her baby's ears, trying to relieve him from the tense atmosphere.

"A healer! Who here is a healer?!" the king shouted, scanning the area for anyone that could assist, "Anyone will do! Nobles, servants, guards?!"

Healing was a rare talent possessed by the elven kind, and though they were all gifted in magic, that was the hardest to hone. It wasn't a type of magic to be taken lightly, having horrible effects if one misstepped. However, the male was in dire need of even a basic healer. His queen was suffering on behalf of his lax protection and the royal healers would not arrive in time to stop significant blood loss. That was when a low-ranking guard raised his hand.

"Your majesty, I have the gift of healing!" he called, rushing to the king before bowing only to be pulled up by the collar.

"Can you stop the bleeding?!"

"I may not be as skilled as you are used to but I will certainly try my hardest, sir! Anything for the king and queen!"

"Do it successfully and I'll have you promoted to king's guard."

Pushing the guard to his wife's side, the silver-haired male paced back and forth as he waited for the professional healers. The guard was able to ease the pain first and foremost, something that was well worth merit. He was also able to help the bleeding subside enough to help the queen maintain consciousness, but it only worked against her. She held a tight grip on her child - not enough to hurt him - but enough to prevent maids or servants from trying to take her precious baby. She wouldn't even let her king touch him.

However, the professional healers were able to get there in time to where it wasn't a problem. Still, the repercussions were there. She was so overprotective of their baby, so much so that she refused to leave their bed chambers with him. Paranoid and fearful for his life, the silver-haired male completely understood, wanting to find out who was behind such a plot. Regicide - attempted or otherwise - was no laughing matter. Unfortunately, the mastermind was never found.

. . .

"Mother," a young boy smiled purely, weaving flower crowns together with one of his two favorite people in the world, "I love you."

"I love you more, Xan'e."

"No, mother. I insist. I love you the most!"

The queen giggled playfully as her son gave her a frustrated pout, drawing circles in the snow under his boots. The boy sat in his mother's lap, watching the way she expertly weaved together different fibers to create a bracelet. It fascinated him, and though he had attempted to follow what she was doing, the most he could do was a flower crown, specifically those of daffodils. Still, he was pleased to see she had put aside her tiara adorned with numerous kingdom treasures to wear his creation that was dusted with the lightest coating of snow.

"Are you excited for the winter hunt?" the woman questioned, tucking a strand of the boy's long hair behind his ear, "This will be your first time participating."

"I'm ready! I've been practicing with my bow all day long for the past three months! I'll catch the biggest thing in the forest!"

"Well, that's impossible," the boy's father chuckled, the snow crunching under his feet as he moved away from the tents and towards them, "I've already promised your mother that I'll be bringing her back the skin and fur of the great beast of this forest. It'll keep you nice and warm once it's made into a dress for you."

"Th-Then I'll catch the softest rabbit! Then mother can have warm gloves!"

The male's father rubbed his head, proud to see him wanting to provide for the most important woman in their life. He took joy in seeing (Y/n) happy as well, giving her a peck on the cheek. His son joined in as well, giving his mother two kisses for every one his father gave her. Should any other male do such a thing to his queen, the silver-haired male would have been infuriated, but seeing the boy he and his wife had lovingly created and raised do it was a lovely sight. That didn't mean he didn't feel envy, however.

The young man stole the woman from the boy, holding her in her arms admiringly. Like he had held her when they were first married, she reacted with shame, her cheeks pink, but perhaps it was due to the snow and nippy air. Unlike then, she actually stared into his eyes and placed her arms over his neck, hugging him close as he supported her effortlessly. He smirked with victory before placing her back on her feet, placing a kiss on the back of her hand.

"Your majesty, the hunt is about to begin!"

Excited, the young prince rushed to gather the bow his father had hand-carved for him. He was then handed a quiver by the servants, and rushed to stand with his royal guards while watching as his father saddled upon his glowing white stag. It was a majestic deer, its antlers gold and its eyes sharp; just the perfect mount for a king. Guards gathered behind him with their own stags, but none of them were as stunning as his. Still, it wasn't a competition of who had the best mount, but who could catch the rarest beasts.

Peering down at the woman he sought to heighten with his feats, the king smiled wide, caressing her cheek. She held tightly onto his hand with great love, the male chuckling at her eagerness to touch him. He wondered how she would react when he brought her the beast's skin. No doubt she would reward him with a hug at the very least. Perhaps, as the one in charge of the feast that would be held when the hunters returned, she would also prepare a special dish for him. He hummed at the thought, tilting his head just slightly to the side.

"I'll be back before sundown, so don't miss me too much," he chuckled, placing his hand under her chin and stroking her lips slowly, "But if you do, you won't hear me complaining, my darling."

"You always tease. I hope you can back up your words."

"Oh, don't you worry, (Y/n). I'm not all talk and no action. In fact, when I bring you back the great beast's fur, I'll show you how much action I can take."

Blushing brightly, the elven queen pulled away and averted her eyes, not knowing what to say. However, his confidence was quite attractive, and she could not deny she wanted his intimate embrace once more. Another child would have been welcome as well, not that she was at all dissatisfied with her lovely boy. As she looked at him getting in the right mind space for his first hunt, she smiled wide, pressing a kiss to his head as the king and his entourage set out on their own expedition.

Though smaller and much safer, Xan'e would be treated like a man. He would be responsible for anything that happened in the forest, and though it worried her greatly, her concern for his safety ever-present, she could not take away the look of joy on his face. He wanted to bring pride to both of his beloved parents so very much. To take it away would have been akin to a crime. So she waited patiently for him to return, ensuring the preparations of the grand feast would go off splendidly.

Her close friends and ladies in waiting were there to help her, eager to set the festivities off. The hunt was one of the most majestic events of the year, highly anticipated by all ages. Decorations for the hunters' arrivals were being placed meticulously while food was being prepared. And while they were waiting for the hunters to return with their catches to truly start the evening off, the area was nonetheless buzzing with excitement.

"Mother! Mother!" the young prince blushed, rushing out of the forest with joy, guards walking behind him with proud smiles, "Look at what I caught!"

The boy held up a beautiful black rabbit with soft fur and long ears. He eagerly presented it to her, receiving a pat on the head and a kiss on the cheek. Delighted to have impressed his mother with his very first catch, he beamed wide, hoping his father would have the same reaction to it. However, it was not in the cards for either of them. The instant the young boy returned, a loud horn's cry was heard and foreign soldiers invaded the area, surrounding it completely.

Protectively, the (h/c) haired woman held her son close, tucking him into her to assure his safety. That being said, whether or not she had attempted to shield him, he was still forced to watch as his people were slaughtered. Women and men alike tried to run, but none of them were able to match up to the intense manpower of the enemy. Most, if not all, of their warriors and hunters were already in the forest, finding beasts and other prey. And though a few highly skilled and trained royal guards were there to guard their king's family, their stamina ran low, being killed by mere foot soldiers.

"Capture the queen!" a shout called, soldiers rushing to cage in the woman as well as her son who was sniffling quietly, hoping if they couldn't hear him, they wouldn't hurt him.

(Y/n) held tighter onto her child as the foreign men tried to pull them apart. She cried and