Got your heart in a headlock.
Got your heart in a headlock.
Another flower is placed into Marlene's mess of blonde curls, feeling as the sun washes over her face from where she's lying in the meadow.
Cracking her eyes open and smiling at the sight, it only growing once she gets one in return.
"What? Is there something on my face?" Dorcas laughs and Marlene thinks she could listen to it forever.
Tilting her head more upwards from where it's resting in Dorcas' lap, Marlene just hums
"No, just you."
"Sap"
"You love it"
"I do" Dorcas smiles.
They've been married for over a year now and Marlene's never been happier, her kingdom is thriving and its heart is right in front of her.
Meeting Dorcas was truly the most spectacular memory she has, knowing she was chosen, that she was the one the other looked at and decided to spend their life with makes a warm feeling bloom in her chest.
Dorcas was, and is, the most beautiful woman Marlene's ever known. Perfectly carved from marble, encrusted with the finest silvers Slytherin had to offer.
Marlene and her met at the yule ball, in which all rulers, warriors, and those high up enough would attend in hopes of finding their match. Whether that be for love or business. There's even myths of gods attending simply just to observe
Though this ball was important, for it was when the true, sole beauty would decide his match.
Regulus Black.
Spoken of by many, known by all. The most extraordinarily gorgeous man to live. High in wealth, status, and beauty. A jewel that was wanted by all. To place in their gold and keep chained around their wrists.
Not Marlene of course, though she must say when she saw him she understood the rumours and fawning. She too entranced by the star.
High cheek bones covered by fair skin and stormy, piercing eyes, perfectly coiled curls hanging over them.
One look at James and she knew who was going home with Regulus that night.
She had helped him, pushed him forward to speak with the other boy.
Quite content with just people watching and the occasional flirting. She didn't see much point to finding someone as she knew she could rule on her own. With the finest warriors in her army and Athena by her side, her kingdom would do well.
That was until Dorcas Meadowes walked in.
Lips parting as the other caught the attention of many, understandably so.
With a swallow she pushed her self off of the wall, walked over, and offered her hand for a dance.
Never has she ever once regretted that decision.
Thrilled by the memory as she lays in peace now, having flowers thread through her hair by careful hands.
"Someone is coming today." Dorcas hums, hands stilling and Marlene frowns.
Dorcas tends to know, well, everything. Marlene doesn't really know how, or where it comes from but it's helpful and she knows it would never be used against her. When she once questioned Dorcas' sources she just got a frown and a "Don't you trust me?" in response.
"Who?" Marlene asks, indulging.
"An old friend. Just know, your choice is your choice and i will support you through it." There's a sad edge to her voice that Marlene wants to wipe away, wants to bury so far down it will never see the light of day again.
It's vague, the answer she got, and confusing. Which leads to worrying.
"Elaborate?"
Dorcas just purses her lips and goes to stand, Marlene sitting up and watching as she does. Taking the hand offered but not walking back just yet.
"They'll be here soon." Is all she gets before Dorcas turns and begins to walk back in the direction of their castle. Marlene tilting her head with a crease settled between her brows before following.
Dorcas was right, they had guests. Glancing out of the palace walls as a familiar herd of ships arrive at her beaches, walking closer and squinting. Just making out the familiar red and golds of the flag on the largest, grandest, ship.
The flag of Gryffindor.
James.
A smile stretched across her face, rushing past the servant who was just about to alert her of the sudden arrival and through the palace halls.
Dorcas was already waiting for her, dressed in the darkest of greens that brought out her eyes just so, with a hand held out. Marlene took her arm in her own and they walked out, guards and servants following behind, to greet them.
It's been so long since she'd seen James, and while the excitement is overwhelming there's also a sinking feeling. Anxiety churning through out her, a rare feeling.
Pushing through it and keeping the smile on her face even as a windswept James exits the ship. When she notices the look on his face, the bags beneath his eyes.
It only falters when James hugs her as a greeting and it feels as though his emotions run through her. Taking the breath out of her as she wraps her arms back around him. Barely noticing as Dorcas slips away.
She pulls back just enough to get a good look at him, smile becoming ever so strained.
"You alright, Ja? I know i'm wonderful and all but this is a bit much." She laughs but there isn't much to it, sarcasm falling flat as there's no reaction. No playful banter back, no howling laughs.
"He's gone, Marlene" James says, voice thick and hoarse, and Marlene understands now.
Realising the absence of the star, the gap, the empty space beside James.
She nods and immediately ushers him inside, away from watching eyes. Word has probably already ran but oh well.
Settling him down on one of the lush sofas, having tea made for him. Once sat with a cup in hand, she speaks.
"When did it happen?" Marlene asks, speaking as though this is a business deal. It's easier, and James seems somewhat grateful for it.
"A few days ago." He says, running a finger on the rim of the mug before taking a sip.
She nods, mirroring his actions and taking a sip of her own. Letting the warmth settle on her tongue for a moment before swallowing.
"Any leads?"
"We know who took him and where he is." James swallows,
"Tom riddle, a leader of this army called the Deathly Hallows."
Marlene's heard of them, even Athena subtly warning her of them. They're known for being ruthless, for having gallons and gallons of blood on their hands. For being accountable of the deaths of too many. For business, for leverage, simply for pleasure. Riddles army is one you don't want to come across.
Marlene never truly feared them, her trust carefully placed in her own people. In herself. But now, they have something important. Something wanted by too many. They have the star, the beauty, and they know how much people are willing to give for it.
To have Regulus Black in your pocket not only gives you the pride of doing so, but also useful connections, dangerous in the wrong hands.
A reason why she's glad James had met Regulus before someone else had, not only for the happiness of James, but also for the fact that she knew he wasn't simply using Regulus. That he truly loved the other for what he was, as a person and not just an idea.
That's evident now, as she watches him pick at the skin around his nails, occasionally glancing beside him only to realise the person he's looking for isn't there.
It's sad.
And this isn't just pity, it's sympathy. Fear, almost, because she knows that if it was Dorcas ripped away from her, she'd be the same. Most likely worse, the trail of blood that would follow her to get her love back. It makes her admire James' calm, it also terrifies her about why he's here.
There's an inkling, an obvious, that she's ignoring in hopes of it not being true. Of him honestly just being here for support, for a fresh set of eyes. She knows that's stupid, that she's wrong.
"Marlene," James starts and she knows where it's going, that it's an inevitable.
"No." Marlene responds quickly and almost looks away at the way James reels back.
"Please" He pleads, eyes saying the words he isn't.
They speak silently, an entire conversation without uttering a single word.
I need your help.
I can't.
But, Marlene, what if it was Dorcas?
I can't leave her James.
She looks away after that, shame bubbling up in her throat. She's meant to be a warrior, meant to fight any battle come her way. What would her mother think? What would Athena think?
She closes her eyes and taking a breath through her nose, slowly letting it out before opening them again and letting them settle on James who was already looking at her.
She knows he knows the answer he'll get, is just choosing not to dwell on it.
"There will be rooms set for you and your men, you'll be escorted to them." Marlene states and stands.
James nods and stands too, hesitating for a moment on her before leaving the room. Not without stopping at the door and looking over his shoulder,
"You know i would, for you." He says and leaves.
It's a low blow, a true one but still.
He would though, if this was ever the other way round. If Marlene ever ended up in this predicament. She knows he'd drop everything and help her, that's why choosing to stay is so difficult.
The guilt would engulf her, swallow her whole. But the thought of leaving Dorcas behind for gods knows how long doesn't exactly feel any better.
"You know any choice you make will be respected, Marls." Dorcas softly repeats, perched on the edge of the bed with one leg crossed over the other. Eyes trailing Marlene who's currently pacing from one end of the room to the other.
"Wouldn't you rather me stay?" Marlene stops, turning her head towards the others way and raising her brows.
"Yes, i'd want nothing more. But is that the right choice or the selfish one?" Dorcas starts,
"I know you'll make it back and i'll wait for you." She promises.
Marlene swallows, sitting beside her with a huff.
She already knows what decisions been made, what's expected of her, what's right. She already knows that she'll be on the ocean in less than a week, that her love will slip further and further from her reach. Her heart aches at the thought.
It's awful, being so codependent on another, yet awfully great. Thrilling yet infuriating. It complicates things, makes decisions like this harder.
Yet it gives her something to come back to. It's what reminds her she has to make it through the battle, that her life means something to someone.
That she has someone to live for.
Regulus is that person for James and Marlene would do anything to get that person back, so it's fair he's doing the same.
It would also only be fair for her to help with that, and in turn get the same if this ever comes to her. If she ever needed his support, his aid.
Delicate hands help her undress, help wash away the grit and stress. She lets herself get lost in them, in the soft touches and caresses.
Wraps her arms around her love and memorises the smell of her hair, the curve of her back, the quiet breaths, the way she responds to her touch.
"I will come back. I will come back to you, i promise." Marlene says, it coming out quiet and closer to a prayer than a promise.
"I know, and i will wait for you." She gets in response, feeling as Dorcas burrows further into the hold. As they mould into one and other.
And they sleep, breaths mixing and limbs tangling in a perfect weave.
Forming the finest of her army, bidding her goodbyes to her elders before turning to Dorcas.
Doubt pulls at her mind, urging her to simply fall into the others arms and never leave. Dorcas understands, because she always does, bringing her hands up to cradle Marlene's face.
Thumb brushing over the skin beneath, eyes tracking across her face as though committing it to memory and Marlene does the same. She knows it's already in her memory, that it'll come to her in her dreams. Even when apart, a part of Dorcas lives within her.
"I will wait for you." Dorcas echoes,
"I will come back for you." Marlene responds without missing a beat, voice firm.
Because she will, she'll fight in this war, because even if unstated, this will become a war. It's obvious, Riddles army won't go without a fight. She'll fight and she'll win, she'll win because she has to.
Because she has her love to come back to and nothing in the entire vast expanse of the ocean can stop her.