Kingdom of the Ancalagon

The bitter air pierced into the bed of scales on the Ancalagon, each breeze passing through turning warmer. The weather in this region was not substantial for flying, long turned frigid when the creatures were banished by the Queen of Shadows.

The Ancalagon’s wings spanned 20 feet in each direction, beating hard, fighting to keep his stocky frame suspended in the air. His long talons wrapped gently around a bundle about the size of a milk churn.

A small boy the creature found stumbling through the forgotten forest. A place no creature -human, dwarf, or otherwise should visit.

Where are you from child?

The Ancalagon continued flying with the Queen’s Kingdom coming into sight, pushing through the cold air with more force. Everything about the Kingdom rejected the Ancalagon…or any dragon.

Could this really be what's best for you? It has to be, it’s your only chance…our only chance.

The Anaclagon pushed his thoughts toward the child hanging in his talons, hoping the child would somehow remember this night over time. As he closed in on the Kingdom's gates, the Anaclagon dived down swooping just low enough for the child to land delicately on the Kingdom’s steps.

Don’t let the shadows overtake the greatness in your heart.

With the Ancalagon’s final words to the young child, he scored back up into the clouds. As he did, the sky rumbled like the sound of a volcano erupting. The Anaclagon flew as fast as he could, his wings beating hard as he no longer had fear of hurting the child albeit fear of getting to the outskirts of the Kingdom.

****

Queen Alara hung by her window, peering out onto her land, her kingdom. She watched the night like a hawk, unsettled by the sudden rise in temperature when a sudden gush of hot air pierced her porcelain skin. Queen Alara jumped back from the window, as she felt the floor rumble beneath her.

“RUBEN!” Queen Alara yelled out desperately.

A dwelf (half-dwarf, half-elf) with firey hair that cascaded around his shoulders and a long breaded beard to match appeared in the doorway of Queen Alara’s chamber. “Y-yes, my majesty.” Ruben puffed out as he staggered forward. Queen Alara startled by Ruben’s quick appearance did not seem to notice the bundle Ruben held. “I was on my way. It appears something…er…well…”

Queen Alara quickly snapped from her surprised state, “Ruben, does now seem like the time for your illicitness? I hardly think so. Away with the stutter and please for the love of the land, speak.”

Ruben stared at his feet, trying his best to not look directly into the Queen’s eyes. “Yes, of course. My apologies my majesty” Queen Alara cleared her throat gesturing for Ruben to continue. “Someone, well er something, left a child - a young boy, on the steps of the Kingdom.” Ruben held out the bundle for Queen Alara to see.

Queen Alara stepped forward, taking the child from Ruben discarding the blanket that was wrapped around him, “A child?”

“Yes, my majesty.” Ruben swallowed hard, “It appears he was dropped off by a…er a dragon, an a-a-Ancalagon.” This time Ruben did not dare move, his eyes glued to the hole in his leather shoe. Ruben knew dragons, especially Ancalagon’s - pitch black with bellies that glowed like coals on fire, were banished from entering the Kingdom many moons ago.

The slight pleasure from the child's sudden appearance quickly disappeared from Queen Alara, replaced by rage. Ruben could see her grip tighten on the boy's small frame as she turned to glare out the window. He could just barely see her reflection in the window, the moonlight highlighting the dark shadows that hung on her face, predominantly under her eyes and cheekbones.

“Did anyone else see?” she breathed out barely audible.

“My majesty?” Ruben stepped forward concerned with the sudden change in her demeanor.

Queen Alara spun around causing Ruben to jump back out of the abruptness of her movements, jolting his half-moon glasses off center.

“Did anyone else see - the dwarfs - elves? The half-breeds like you?” Queen Alara’s lip quivered in disgust as she spoke. “Of course, they’re only servants, which can be disposed of. The lords and ladies are of a different…concern.” She continued with a chuckle now pacing in front of the window, the child still in her grasp.

“No, no one else was around my majesty. I made certain to move s-swiftly.” Ruben stood stiffly.

“Very well,” Queen Alara’s smirk returned, pleased with the news, “We will announce to the Kingdom the birth of my child and the late Kings tomorrow. Make the arrangements, Ruben.” Queen Alara’s eyes almost sparkled with the revelation of providing an heir to the throne, yet they still held the dull blackness like staring into the abyss of a black hole.

“My majesty, if I may?” Queen Alara nodded for Ruben to continue, “This boy is hardly a…er baby, he looks to be nearly 2 or 3 years old. How are we to say he’s…yours?”

“Are we to deny fate when it so clearly comes and knocks at our feet? With the King’s passing so recently and this…boy looking so, well malnourished,” Queen Alara stared down at the child grimacing at his appearance, “No one will question it. When this boy is presented to them as late King Talton’s heir, they will be too overjoyed to bother with questions. Of course, it will also stop those nasty rumors about me.” Queen Alara held a mischievous face almost smiling while speaking of the death of her husband.“Honestly Rueben, what other choice do I have?”

“The fates have certainly awarded you, my majesty.” Ruben slightly bowed his head, a notion of respect.

“You will watch over the boy of course.” Queen Alara handed the boy back to Ruben without a glance back as she headed toward her private room. “Teach him the ways of my Kingdom, to act like a Prince for we do not know what slum he may have come from.” Queen Alara’s dark shadow disappeared, leaving Ruben staring down at the mysterious boy.

“And where did you come from child?” Ruben whispered as hoisted the child further into his arms as best as he could so, his small frame could climb back down the stairway.

****

The next day, as promised, Queen Alara announced Prince Cas to the Kingdom, which was overjoyed with the news. As Queen Alara predicted, all were too overjoyed with the news to question the story they were fed.

Throughout the years, Queen Alara only “mothered” Cas during public events and outings. Ruben did as he was ordered and raised Cas, teaching him the ways of the current Kingdom and how to behave as a Prince.

Throughout the years, Cas approached Ruben with strange questions from the color of the clothes they had to wear to why elves' ears were different than his. Albeit, when Cas was about 13, he came to Ruben with a rather curious question.

“Ruben, I don’t mean to bother you albeit I wonder if you know anything of people hearing voices, in their dreams?” Cas’ eyes darted back and forth across the room before landing on Ruben’s face. To his surprise, he already had Ruben’s attention. Throughout the years, Cas had asked countless questions and made a number of comments, and yet only a few caused the old Dweelf to peer up over his half-moon glasses.

“V-voices? My apologies my prince,” Ruben collected himself and started again, ‘whose voice do you hear in your dreams? How frequent?”

“It’s nothing, really. Just sometimes a voice, almost like a…a memory appears. I can never quite make out what it’s saying and not a voice I've met…not that I have the pleasure of meeting many voices.” Cas focused on his lap, watching as he twirled his thumbs over each other. His face flushed red with the focus of his guardian.

Ruben studied the young prince and what he has just revealed. Ruben had long become suspicious of where the young prince came from.

That night, the child dropped on the steps of a shadow-ridden Kingdom…had I been mistaken about what dropped the boy off? This Kingdom would be such a peculiar place for an Anaclagon to choose to leave a child…unless…no, I had to be mistaken. Hardly possible. In my 100 years, I would recognize the breath of a dragon. Albeit, could the Anaclagon have left a message for the boy? Will the Anaclagons return? Appointing a King or Queen yet again for the Kingdom?

Breaking Ruben’s thoughts, Cas stirred uncomfortably in his seat while Ruben stared blankly at him, his gray eyes appearing more slanted than normal. “Uh Ruben, I think I’m just mistaken. I often get wrapped up in my dreams.” Cas let a smirk escape his face as he turned back to the books laid out in front of him.

“Have you told your mother, er Queen Alara?”

“No.”

“Very well.” Both Cas and Ruben dropped the subject, returning to their studies.

That next day, Ruben met him in the athenaeum as they did every day for the past 10 years albeit this time was different.

“Prince Cas, glad to see you managed to utilize your pocket watch.” Ruben walked to the table that Cas sat at, dropping a pile of books filled with proper protocols, the history of the Kingdom (or at least the parts that were approved by Queen Alara) past languages, and relics.

Cas peered down his long pointed nose at the pile Ruben discarded in from of him and shifted as gaze sidewise to meet Ruben’s eyes. “Haven't we done enough reading and transcribing? When will I learn to wield a sword or gallop my stead? Aren’t those all Kingly duties?” Cas turned his gaze from the pile of books to Ruben.

Ruben met the young Prince’s gaze letting his eyes burn into him, taken aback by how his amber eyes shown like a lump of fiery coal, set out more on the all-black apparel.

“Ah yes, they certainly are. Yet, you have many moons before you need to worry about such things. Your mother does not wish for you to focus on the physical King duties quite yet albeit the intellectual.” Ruben leaned forward leaning on the table pulling his half-moon glasses down from his face, allowing his grey slanted eyes to meet the Cas’ and pointed towards his head. “Being intellectually powerful at times is the only power one needs, even as a King.”

Ruben let his hand drop and turned toward the usual desk he sat at day in and day out as he watched over Prince Cas. “Going forward, You’ll be expected to do your studies alone. You’re at the age now where you do not need me watching you like a hawk or reading books to you. Another strong attribute is being independent.”

Cas’ face turned to a scroll, he didn't have much interaction with others and found himself often wishing to have a conversation, to speak. Ruben wasn’t the most pleasant, but he was the only one that seemed to want to be around, and who offered him conversation.

“Is it because of what I said yesterday?” Cas couldn't help but let the sadness come through his voice as he spoke.

“No,” Ruben took a deep breath before turning to face the Prince, “this is not a punishment. You are allowed to ask me questions whenever you wish. I will still be around, just won’t be the shadow over your shoulder.” Ruben started towards the door and hesitated slightly to whisper his last parting words, “I meant what I said, search deep in the books, widen your mind. You never know what you may find.” With that Ruben left.

Cas’ face turned with confusion and curiosity by the odd words left behind. Yet, he did as his guardian requested and turned his focus to the books for the next 6 years.

At almost 18, all he had learned was in books - history, and languages. Cas searched the books feverishly looking for something new, something more that Ruben could have been hinting towards. He often searched for words written on his late father Albeit, found none.

Until one evening a strange book appeared. Cas had been through every nook in the athenaeum and was unsure how he could have missed such a bright book - red leather and a bright yellow sun stitched into the cover and back.

Cas eagerly grabbed the book and retreated to the window to sit in the sun as he read.

Year 717 - Kingdom of the Ancalagon: Prior to Queen Alara’s ruling, we (the citizenry) referred to our beloved land as the Kingdom of the Ancalagon (Oldest know dragon, Identified by their black glistering scales and bright reddish-orange undersides, often referred to as coals burning on a fire). The Kingdom received its name after King Charles the 1st proclaimed he made his ruling decision based on the prophecies provided by the Ancalagon. He made this proclamation on his deathbed, giving the Kingdom its name. Before this, it was referred to as only the Kingdom. From that point forward, instead of the crown being passed down to the King’s heir, the Ancalagon provided prophecies to the person of their choosing, the Queen or King they felt worthy, to help them rule over the Kingdom and all the humans and creatures that resided within it.

In 762, the Late King Talton (the last King to have ruled before passing at the time of the writing of this book) was chosen by the Ancalagon, brought to the throne at the age of 17, the youngest man to be deemed King. King Talton married Alara Zuestly, a newcomer to our Kingdom, shortly after he took the throne in 763. While the wedded couple declared true love, many believe Alara weaseled her way into the Kings bed chamber, using witchcraft or her shadows (no proof of Alara’s ability to wield shadows albeit highly suspected) to get close and seduce the young Kings mind. Shortly after their marriage, in 765, the dragons become more and more sparse, eventually disappearing. The Ancalagon, the one responsible for choosing the ruler disappeared within weeks of the last dragon sighting.

While some believe the old Ancalagon went off towards the forgotten forest to die peacefully after the rest of his kind went extinct, others think (and much more likely) he was banished by the Queen herself as she was not able to hear the Ancalagon’s voice and was secluded from the details of the Kingdom. In fear of his kind going extinct, it is believed the Ancalagon fled to preserve the dragons in hopes of one day returning to the Kingdom.

To go further, some believe, to hide her secrets of what was done to the dragons and to diminish any chance of the dragons' return, Queen Alara cursed the King resulting in his death.

In 767, King Talton passed and Queen Alara took the throne with no heirs (and no Ancalagon to choose the next ruler). Many in the Kingdom fled in fear of the Queen of Shadows as she became known, others staying in hopes of one day seeing the Ancalagon again. It was believed that Queen Alara was barren (a sign of evilness, to be cursed when found in royalty), until 770, when Queen Alara presented Prince Castiel to the Kingdom at the age of 2 (exact age unknown - assumed to be 2-3 years old.

Cas dropped the book in shock at reading his own name, of reading something with such a different narrative than he had all these years. Hungary for more knowledge, Cas continued reading.

Queen Alara claimed the child as her own and the late King Taltons. She begged for forgiveness (or so she claimed) for keeping the child from the Kingdom. Albeit, after the King's death she claimed she wanted to know if her child was in good health. After Queen Alara’s proclamation, some started to believe Queen Alara’s lies about what happened with the dragon - the Ancalagon, and the late King Talton’s death. Prince Cas stood as proof that the Queen wasn't riddled with darkness and could bear a child, a sign of innocence and good intentions.

In 784…

Cas hastily flipped to the next page and so on until he reached the end of the book.

“Why are they all blank!” Cas jumped from the window he sat in and tossed through the rest of the books in the athenaeum, knowing that no other book like this one would be in the pile. Cas began pacing the room out of frustration to finally, after all these years, find some information on his father and of the old Kingdom

“784…that’s this year so, there is no other information until this year is documented? How can this be? Who wrote this book?” Cas desperately searched the leather cover and backing of the book for the stitching of a name and found none. Only the unique color identifying the peculiar book.

Cas went to bed that night, tangled in his thoughts. He couldn’t believe what he learned that day and questioned what he believed himself - the tales he was told all his life or the story he read just today? That night, in his dreams the mystery voice returned albeit this time it was clear:

Your heart knows what to believe, remember.

That next morning Cas ran to the athenaeum, eager to read through the red sun book again or perhaps find another book full of old tales. As he rounded the stairs he found Queen Alara seated at Ruben’s desk.

“Mother…” Cas gasped in surprise.

“I see all these years of reading and writing has done nothing for your vocabulary or manners for that matter albeit, will make this easier.” Queen Alara glanced up, her dark empty eyes glaring into Cas.

Cas stood still, his posture going rigid in the presence of Queen Alara. All the things he learned about her raced through his mind; Did she banish the dragons - ridding of the Ancalagon? Killing the King…my father? Are they even my parents or is that a lie too?

Cas suddenly jerked towards the window where he left the book. Fear raced through him wondering if Queen Alara found the book, doubting it was allowed in the Kingdom. With no book in sight, Cas turned slightly back to the woman who claimed to be his mother.

“Looking for something my dear?” Her one eyebrow quirked upwards.

“No, mother. I thought I left my, er, my glasses. I must have left them in my chamber.” Cas forced a weak smile.

“Glasses? You don’t wear glasses, do you? No matter,” Queen Alare motioned her hand as though she was wiping the conversation from the air, “As you know you will be 18 soon, which is when you would be taking the throne as King. Yet, since you are behind in your studies and have much left to learn, I will make the motion to postpone your kingship.”

Cas’ brow furrowed with anger. Much to learn? Behind? I’ve been pushing to learn more yet I’ve been stuck in here day after day.

“Mother, I…”

Queen Alara rose from where she sat and crossed the room to Cas, “Hush my young boy. This is nothing to worry your small mind about. The decision has been made.” Queen Alara turned her head as she took in Cas. “I suppose we also have an image to work on too, you’re quite short for a King. Not to mention that nose is certainly not what princesses’ dreams are. Well, we now have the time needed”

Queen Alara briefly touched Cas’ face and a chill erupted through him. An evil look shined through every inch of her face as she took her last look at him. She turned to leave, her black gown flowing behind her. Or is that her shadow? Cas wondered, still taken aback by her news.

“Ruben, you're a bit late, no? He is aware, resume the studies as we have been.” Queen Alara continued down the stairway, away from the athenaeum.

“Y-yes my majesty.” Ruben responded as he arrived in the doorway, barely meeting Cas’ eyes.

“You knew albeit no warning! I know you long abandoned me and I’m not your favorite task you have yet, I still considered you a fair man, Ruben.” Cas stood in front of Ruben peering down at him, even though he was only a few feet taller.

“Shh, this is not the time for yelling, my Prince.” Ruben held his finger to his mouth as he peered back out the doorway. Once he was satisfied that no one was around, he pulled Cas towards the window he often sat. “Did she find it?”

Cas stared at Ruben with confusion. “Well, my boy? Are you now wordless?”

“Found what Ruben?”

“My grace! The book, of course.” Cas stared blankly at Ruben. Ruben began shuffling through the books and papers on his desk. “Ah, here we are. I must say I never knew you one to be lost for words.” Ruben smiled kindly.

Cas continued to stare at Ruben, full of confusion as questions boiled up in his mind, “You know about the book? How? When did you move it?”

Ruben was taken aback and stared intently at Cas. “Of course, I knew about the book. Who do you think laid it out for you to find? My grace, who do you think wrote it?”

“You…you wrote it! All these years, having me read and learn about the Kingdom when it was all just fabricated to Alara’s liking? And now, letting her delay me becoming King? Stopping me from learning anything outside of literature? Ruben, if you had so much knowledge, if you weren’t in Alara’s pocket, why, all these years?”

Ruben walked to Cas and took his hand gently. “My Prince, there will be time to hash out the details, but for now, just know I want nothing more than to see you as King. Everything I’ve done throughout the years was to protect you from Alara. If she saw you becoming strong or outside of this athenaeum, who knows what she would do? Long ago, Alara became suspicious of where you came from, of who brought you to the Kingdom. I was not lying when I told you knowledge is sometimes the most powerful thing.” Ruben’s eyes glistened, cheeks rosy as he spoke to Cas. Ruben wiped his eyes and reached for his sun-shaped glasses.“I’d say it’s time to bring some color back to this Kingdom, eh?”

Cas stared down at the black clothes that covered him and everyone in the Kingdom from the servants - dwarfs, to the scholars - elves, and the commoners, lords, and ladies. “How?”

Pointing to Case, Ruben spoke. “You. Many moons ago, you told me about a voice that called out to you. Have you tried calling out to it?”

“You know about the voice? How much have you neglected to tell me? Lied to me about?”

“In your heart my Prince, you know you can trust me.” Ruben pushed his finger into Cas’ chest.“I had to wait until you were ready, till when you were older. To have knowledge is powerful, yet knowing when that knowledge is needed is key. Alas knowing too much can be a danger. I walked with Alara all these years, keeping my thoughts far from me in her vicinity, waiting. When you appeared on the steps, I knew the reign of the Shadow Queen would end.”

“What do you expect me to do? I can’t fight her, I…I don’t know how.” Cas stared sheepishly at his feet.

Ruben let out a hoarse laugh. “That’s what your lesson has been all these years. You don’t need to fight, My Prince. You just need your heart and what is up here.” Ruben put his hand to his head, “The rest will come.”

Cas shifted uncomfortably, unsure of what to do next. “So, I just call out to this…this voice?”

“Just keep the voice in your head, welcome it in, and yes, call out to it. Albeit, you will need to be outside of the Kingdom walls.”

Cas and Ruben briskly made their way out of the athenaeum and down the spiral staircase towards the Kingdom's door. Cas did all he could to hold the excitement of being allowed outside the walls, to feel the fresh air from more than a breeze through the window.

Yet, he couldn’t help feeling nervous about the fact he was about to meet a dragon - an Ancalagon. To read about one is one thing, to know it may be the voice that has been speaking to you and maybe face to face with it in a few short moments was another. Still, Cas couldn't help but wish he had a sword...

As the pair rounded the corner towards the door, they found Queen Alara waiting in front of the Kingdom's doors.

“Is there somewhere you two are off to? I thought I was clear Castiel’s lessons were to continue…in the athenaeum. There was no mention of knight training or any other training that requires the outdoors. Or have I been mistaken, Ruben?” Alara stared daggers into Ruben.

“My Majesty,” Ruben bowed slightly, “I only wanted to show Prince Cas come of the herbs and flowers we studied in the books.”

Cas watched Alara closely, trying to gauge if she believed her once faithful servant. As Alara’s face twisted into an evil smirk, Cas knew she long lost faith in the dwelf she kept so close. She has been waiting, waiting to make her move on them, both.

“Ruben, do you make me a fool? Think I don’t know about your secret stories and books you keep? Of the lies, you have been spreading? I thought you were a scholar!” Alara broke out into a laugh that seemed to echo off the hallow, empty walls, chilling to the bone.

“M-my majesty, of course not. Albeit, I think - I think you are mistaken. I have done n-nothing but support you.” Ruben seemed to be cowering further into himself, backing away from Queen Alara.

“Enough Ruben! You are nothing more than a piece of slum that weaseled his way into the Kingdom, a half-breed.” Alara took a step closer to Ruben with each word, watching as he stumbled backward.

“Your the only one that weaseled their way into this Kingdom, destroying it nonetheless.” Cas stood proudly now just outside the Kingdom's door. As Alara was busy preying on Ruben as a cat would a rat, Cas slid out the door. Already out of the wall of the Kingdom, he felt stronger, braver, and more sure of himself. Following Ruben’s guidance, he tried to think of the voice that whispered to him in his dreams, Cas opened his mind and his heart to welcome the Ancalagon. He could only hope Ruben was right.

Alare spun towards Cas, rage boiling off of her as her black gown circled around her like a black cloud. “Manners my boy. Speaking that way will get you no further than your dear friend.”

“Ruben has done more for this Kingdom than you ever will!” Cas refused to break eye contact with the shadow Queen. Suddenly, the voice from his dreams whispered to only him, Hello my old friend.

Cas’ face broke out in a wide grin. “You must think us a fool, Mother. Albeit, that is not what I should call you. You nothing more than an evil vile shadow. While I am the rightful King, chosen by the Ancalagon. Yet, you already knew that didn't you?”

Alara flew towards Cas, hands outstretched reaching for him as though she was going to pull him from the air around them. Cas stepped backward, trying to think of what to do next. Words were not going to be enough when an evil shadow wanted to consume you. Sure could use those sword lessons right about now.

As Cas was preparing for the worst, he felt a burst of hot air coat his entire body.

One does not need a sword, King. The Ancalagon spoke to Cas, erupting from the sky and hurtling towards the Kingdom. Before Cas could comprehend what was happening, the Ancalagon collided with Alara sending a cloud of blackness and red twirling into the air, propelling back toward the sky.

Cas and Ruben stared in disbelief up at the sky, shielding their eyes to try and get a better look. They turned toward each other, faces agape.

Within the next few weeks, the Kingdom seemed to brighten - the walls inside and out, the grass, flowers, and trees, their clothing turned from black to shades of red and orange. Animals appeared - birds chirping and singing, squirrels and deer jumping and running. The people came out of the Kingdom and even the surrounding houses in the village seemed to populate folks of all kinds - elves, dwarfs, mix-breeds, and humans of all ranks.

The Ancalagon returned as well after dragging Alara far aware, back to the shadows where she came from. All was restored within the Kingdom of the Ancalagon.

Cas spent most of his time outside, avoiding the athenaeum where he spent so much of his time cooped up. He still enjoyed reading and writing albeit he was enjoying finding new hobbies.

“The animals sure to do flock to you my King as they do in the tale of Snowhite. Perhaps she is your true love.” Ruben teased Cas as they walked around the land.

“Snowhite? As in the ludicrous child’s tale? Don’t tell me you believe in such stories?” Cas laughed at the thought.

Ruben stopped abruptly, “After learning all you have, don’t tell me you dismiss such tales so quickly?”

Cas sheepishly shuffled his feet as he shrugged his shoulders. “I suppose not."