"Beginnings"
Three -
King Z'aale Zarkon surveyed his captives impassively as he sat upon his high throne. His captives were the remnants of the Royal House of the planet T'aanyss. He noted with digust that most of them trembled with fear as they faced him - all except one.
She stood before him, unafraid of him, but afraid for her people. She was petite. Her long straight gold hair hung loose, down to her waist. Her face was serene, beautiful in it's stillness. Her long blue dress, though dirtied and torn looked regal upon her. She was beautiful, quite beautiful. Even in her present situation, her beauty radiated out to even himself. Zarkon was impressed by her bravery, even as he was incensed over it. She was supposed to weep, to cinge before him, but instead she stood like a queen before him - not like a slave should be at all. Perhaps if his presence did not stike fear into her, his words would.
He said in a loud voice, "Princess Elanoir, your people are now my slaves! You will all bow to my will or your planet will perish!" The princess lifted her chin. Zarkon noticed the fear in her eyes - not of him but for her people. She spoke. "All I ask for is that our planets live in peace, King Zarkon. Surely you understand this?" Zarkon was incredulous. She dared speak out to him? He was both intrigued and enraged at her. He said, "Woman, you DARE raise your voice to me?" She spoke again, a tremble in her voice. "Yes, I do! I am not afraid of you, Zarkon! I and my people will resist you! It won't matter if we are your slaves! In our hearts we will be free!"
Zarkon leaned back on his throne and surveyed the princess. She was different than the other women who had been before his throne. Oh, there were those who were as beautiful as she, but none dared to defy him thusly. How could such a spirit reside in such a fragile form? And yet, she was not fragile, he observed. She was petite, but she had strength and passion within her. Qualities that would be perfect in an heir, and not to mention in his chambers. He had not thought of marrying, at least not yet, for he was still conquering planets - but she - she was intriguing to him. He found himself attracted to her physically - very much so. He smiled. Yes, perhaps it was time he married.
He had the guards bring her up to him. She was forced to kneel before him and Zarkon caressed her cheek with his hand. He noticed the shiver of revulsion she tried to supress as he did so. He knew that Terran women found his touch to be cold at first, but they got used to him as this one would soon.
Zarkon said almost tenderly, "Princess Elanoir, you have impressed me with your courage.." Her violet eyes widened as he continued to caress her cheek. She said, "Then will you spare my people? My planet?" Zarkon said, "They're not yours anymore.." He saw her eyes flash hatred at him. He jerked her chin roughly and said, "However, I will spare them.." Her eyes lit up with hope. He continued, "I will spare them - if you marry me.." He saw her eyes widen with shock, then with revulsion. She snapped, "Marry you? No!" Zarkon smiled. He grasped her long hair in his and pulled it hard. He said, "It doesn't matter..Elanoir. It is your choice. Marry me and I will spare your people. If you refuse, I will see that they are destroyed one by one by my roebeasts and you will watch - after I have taken you anyway.." Tears appeared in her eyes and she whispered, "You are a monster.." Zarkon smirked, "I have been called many things, Elanoir. Your words do not affect me. Give your answer now!" She hung her head in shame. "A- all right, I will marry you - if you spare their lives and let them live in peace!" Zarkon lifted her chin and smiled, "Of course, my dear! I will do as I have said..." In front of all, he kissed her possesively and they were wed a short time later by a Court cleric. Of course, for Elanoir, her ordeal was just beginning..
Elanoir was in his chambers, awaiting her husband's arrival. She was frightened of what was to come. She never thought she would be wed to one such as he. She had always thought that she would be wed to someone who loved her and who she loved in return. Instead, she was married to a souless monster, who delighted in terrorizing people. The only thing that gave her comfort was that her people were spared from him. Her sacrifice would be worth it.
She fingered her gauzy lingerie and wondered why he even bothered to have her wear it. It left little to the imagination. She had never worn anything like this before and she felt uncomfortable in it. She shivered in fear and revulsion. How would she get through this evening? She shouldn't have agreed to this - this sham!
Elanoir started to weep, hating herself for her tears. She knew it would do no good to cry - it wouldn't change anything. Oh, how she missed her world! The skies of aqua blue, the stars that brightened the night sky, the twin suns that shone brightly. And now - now she was in this gloomy place where the sun never shined. Even the palace was dark - dark in design and purpose. She felt panic at the thought of being intimate with her planet's conqueror. He had told her she was fortunate that he picked her, for she would be useless as a slave. Elanoir thought that she was still a slave, more so than anyone here. She bit her lip thinking about Ceyel - her bethrothed. He was dead now. He had defended her against the onslaught of the Doom soldiers. She wished she had died with him instead of being here - here in the pit of hell awaiting her husband's cold caress.She heard footsteps approach, and in a panic, she laid on the bed and pretended to be asleep. Perhaps it wasn't him but another slave. If she pretended to sleep perhaps whoever it was would leave her alone. The door opened and shut. She heard it lock. Elanoir repressed a shiver. She knew who it was, and yet she clung to her slim hope that he would leave. A few moments later, she felt cold hands upon her, and she could not repress a groan of revulsion as he kissed her. He heard him say, "Elanoir, wake up." Elanoir kept her eyes shut. Suddenly, she felt pain on the side of her face as he slapped her. Her eyes opened instantly and she gasped in pain. Her husband snarled, "The next time I give you an order, Elanoir, you will obey it!" Elanoir was both frightened and angry. She spat back, "Then kill me, Zarkon! I don't want to be married to a fiend like you!" She hoped this would get him angry enough to kill her. His alien face smiled down at her. He said, "Now why would I want to do that, Elanoir? You will bear me a son.." Elanoir said, "I won't, Zarkon!" He slapped her again and said, "You will, Elanoir! And, you will call me by my given name when we are alone.." He grinned evily and said, "You will say it often enough.." He kissed her again and Elanoir fought him. She raged at him and said, "You will never get pleasure from me!" Zarkon only hissed at her and said, "I will get whatever I want from you, Elanoir. You are my slave! The time for talk is over.." He got up, went into an ajoining room and brought back a bottle of wine and some glasses. Meanwhile, Elanoir got up off the bed and quickly searched for a weapon. There was nothing. Elanoir was angry. She knew he wouldn't keep his word. He would exploit her people and her planet. She was a fool to agree to this. She would fight him before he could touch her again. He came back in and calmly placed the wine and the glasses on a dresser. Seemingly not noticing Elanoir had left the bed, he poured the wine into the glasses and brought them over to where she was standing. Zarkon said, "Drink this, Elanoir - I will have no cold bride this night.." Elanoir's eyes flashed and she said, "Don't come near me!" Zarkon growled, "I will tolerate no more of this!" He set the wine glasses down on a table, and lunged at her. Elanoir screamed as he wrestled her to the floor. Zarkon pinned her down and said, "You will give in, Elanoir.." He kissed her neck slowly, ignoring her cry of revulsion. He whispered, "You have no choice - your people are mine..you are mine.." He turned and reached over for one of the wineglasses that he had placed the table. He said, "Drink this..." Elanoir wouldn't open her mouth. Zarkon pulled her hair savagely, causing her mouth to open. He quickly poured the wine though her mouth. Elanoir nearly gagged, choking as the liquid went down her throat. It burned as it went down, finally settling down in her stomach. She felt dizziness overtake her, although she did not faint. She wished she could. Zarkon touched her again, and this time he did not feel as cold. Elanoir's soul quailed within her. She was defeated. She would give in. Whatever he gave her made her compliant. He kissed her and again his kiss did not feel cold, although her revulsion was still there. Zarkon smiled and said, "Good.." He got up, took the other wineglass on the table and drained it quickly. He lifted her up and placed her on the bed. The fight was gone from her now. Her limbs felt heavy, weighted and yet she also tingled. She had no experience with alcohol or stimulants, so she didn't know what was happening to her. She closed her eyes as she felt his weight upon the bed. She felt his kisses again, and the jerk on her chin as he ordered, "You will open your eyes to me, Elanoir. You will not block me out.." She kept her eyes open and wished herself a million miles away from here. She let him do what he wanted with her, and afterwards he held her tightly. He was sleeping, for she could hear his soft snore. Elanoir wished she could just crawl away and die. He had appeared to be happy with her. That was the last thing she had wanted. She closed her eyes, feeling like the worst kind of whore.She had sacrificed herself for her planet, for all the good it did. It was over and done. Now she just wished he would leave. He got what he wanted.
She felt him stir beside her. She thought, ...good, maybe he will leave now. But instead, he kissed her on the side of her neck, which made her shiver. He abruptly flipped her over and kissed her possessively. Without saying anything, he told her exactly what he wanted. Elanoir had no choice but to give in.....