#or he needs to prove himself so Bra’aka will be more approved by his Queen too

[tryingtimi]

“Make me love myself so that I might love you.”

Devoted to None But One

Since I’m living my Cronyln era right now, I couldn’t help myself. Rip everything else I’m doing in the meantime (like drawings and, you know, work).

Context: The group goes to draar land where there is a tradition that one needs to prove themself to the Queen somehow to stay on her lands. Its not necessarily a canon thing, and not this simple, but yeah. Bra’aka vouched for Cronyl anyway.

CHARACTER EXPLORATION | DYNAMIC EXPLORATION | FLUFF IG | WC: 681

Avelyn had been kneading her sleeve into a ball, she was aware of that. However, she couldn’t stop.

“Show me,” the draar Queen ordered. “Where does your faith lies, small one? Where would you pledge your loyalty to, what would be your last wish for your divine? Show me, and I will take you all as mine.”

Every eye in the room turned to Cronyl as one, waiting. Lines of warriors, shieldmaidens, advisors. Their own group, with Bra’aka on the front. Avelyn was crumbling under their expectant eyes on Cronyl’s behalf.

And not in vain.

Her throat turned sore from the dryness, and she couldn’t swallow from the wet lump it formed there. The worry of how things will turn around.

Because they have seen every present warrior pledge their loyalty to Her Majesty. They descended to one knee and assured her of their faith. Of faith in their Gods, who chose Her to be their voice. They all have witnessed it, and so Avelyn could only stop herself from blinking or breathing rapidly.

The Queen knew what she was doing. She knew, who she needed to address her challenge.

Cronyl had no faith, no religion. He would be loyal to whatever seems right to him, but he’s not believing. He does not pray, nor worship. He’s devoted to none…

Oh dear God above the heavens!

There was a moment of silence and pure stillness when he descended onto one knee without hesitation — right towards Avelyn.

Gasps filled the quiet, and she would have joined them if she wouldn’t be stunned to stone. Her legs were rooted into the ground, her chest vibrating from a sudden thunder. He bowed his head just enough, so he could still look at her from under his lashes.

And those ever-intense eyes had made it clear; whatever he was about to do or say, it will be everything.

He spoke on the tongue she couldn’t nearly understand. In the native tongue of this land, on the language of the draar. Yet, the powerful tone of his words, accompanied by the gentle rhythm of his sentence, well, those softened her heart from shock into hope. Wouldn’t she battled with her emotions about the very man who was kneeling before her, she shouldn’t have been on the edge of tears, perhaps.

“Rise up, honourable one,” the Queen ordered in the common tongue. Her melodic voice brought Avelyn back to the present and reminded her they were among a crowd.

Cronyl lingered his gaze at her soul for a moment longer, before he did as he was told.

She was finally able to drag her eyes away and escape by turning to the Queen instead. Who was smiling a little.

“Bra’aka Suthbrog, your companion is accepted. You may all stay here as one of ours.” She gestured towards their group from her seat. “Welcome.”

A belly trembling, one accord laugh came out through Bra’aka’s mouth as he nodded. Then, the crowd began cheerfully conversing, some shouting for nak’oro juice, some suggesting they all move to the drinking house. The air of strangers shattered into pieces, and at least one local approached Avelyn’s companions. They treated them as long-seen friends and even Cronyl got caught by Bra’aka’s son, Xorrum to join the gathering.

Avelyn looked after him, then at the place he stood before. And only then, she became painfully aware of her heated face.

What had just happened?

She followed the crowd flowing out from the room, barely noticing Bra’aka’s presence beside her. Yet he did not go anywhere, as if guarding her side.

“Make me love myself so that I might love you,” he murmured suddenly. Avelyn looked up at him, her heart still thundering in her chest like the drums that began singing outside.

“What does that mean?”

“I have not the faintest idea,” Bra’aka said with a knowing smile on his face, “but that is what he had told you, little gold.”