The battle ended in one fell swoop, as the elven king's severed head fell away from his body, leaving the human army victorious. At least for the moment. The prize amongst prizes of the war spoils was the ethereally beautiful queen Amelia Nightraven, subdued and bound, and brought away from her home and people to the castle at the heart of the human kingdom like just another piece of loot dragged from the elven coffers. Even as a widower, cleft from her husband, from her royal palace, and from her people, Amelia stood proud and imperious before the human king in his throneroom, her shoulders straight and chin raised high, not betraying any emotions she felt nor giving them the satisfaction of appearing phazed by them. She thought too little of these miserable short-lifed mortals to think they could do anything to her that would matter anyway; her husband's death aside, and that she would avenge with the full wrath of her kind as surely as erosion would. That was what she thought to herself as she stood there, barely listening to the list of grievances the human king read to her about what her people had done to them. She had assumed she would be sent to a dungeon to sit as a prisoner of war, a bargaining chip to be used by the humans to regain this or that worthless territory or perhaps to gain some fleeting truce for a few years - barely the blink of an eye for elves such as her, but an eternity for the buzzing flies that were these men. And so she stood waiting patiently for her sentence to be read. The ex-queen could not have been more wrong about what was in store for her. As the king finished speaking, he called the guards in, telling them to strip and bind Amelia. Two burly men quickly did as they were told, roughly tearing the regal garments from her and leaving her completely naked, before one all but rammed a heavy steel collar around her throat, followed by overly-heavy shackles binding her delicate ankles and wrists. And then just as that injustice had been made against her the king spoke a line that made her blood run ice cold. "Guards, take this elf to prince. She is to be his plaything, to satisfy his needs in any way. Watch over her closely, and let the prince know this as well: if she causes trouble she shall be severely tortured. Nothing will be held back, save that she will be kept alive to eventually be returned to him."

The human prince's voice sounded almost innocent... but then again, even a child of seven would know better than to address an elf woman such as she with anything less than abject respect and awe. Her back stiffened in anger at the insolence, but outwardly she betrayed no emotion save for what was expected: haughty disdain. Her eyes flickered briefly over the boy's body before looking away, regarding him with the detachment usually reserved for an insect or lesser animal. "Your Majesty," she managed to force through gritted teeth, her regal bearing and imperious expression shining through even in this humiliating circumstance, "I trust you shall not waste my time with meaningless pleasantries? I have... business elsewhere." It was a thinly veiled insult, but Amelia knew better than to try anything more direct. Not yet, at least. For now

"I beg your pardon?" she snapped, looking at the boy again with narrowed eyes as her fury rose within her. "Your Highness, perhaps you should speak a little more clearly? I am but a lowly elf slave to be used and abused at your whim, so it is difficult for me to comprehend such complexities of speech."

Her words dripped with venomous sarcasm as she struggled against her bonds, trying to regain even the smallest amount of dignity in this most undignified situation. The weight of her breasts pulled at their restraints with every angry breath she took; Amelia had never imagined that they could feel so confining and so unnatural, but there was worse yet to come if she didn't play along for now.

Amelia's eyes widened in shock and horror at the mention of her daughter's name. Her breath caught in her throat as she stared at the boy before her, trying to discern whether this was some sort of cruel joke or if he truly knew about Aereinella. She had never told anyone outside their court of the child's existence; it was a closely guarded secret that she intended to keep until such time as she could return home and reclaim what had been stolen from her. Her heart hammered violently against her ribcage, fear for Aereinella's safety swamping her senses and making it difficult to think straight. She glanced quickly around the room, looking for any sign of her daughter, but saw none. Perhaps she had been moved to another chamber already... or worse, perhaps this was some twisted game that the humans were playing with her. "W-what do

Amelia felt her heart shrivel in horror at the sight of the amulet; it was unmistakable proof that Aereinella had been found somehow, and worse still, that she had likely been caught trying to escape from the human camp. The despair threatening to swallow her whole made it difficult for her to concentrate on anything else. "P-please," she managed to stammer through clenched teeth, a tear trickling down her cheek, "I'll do anything... just let me see my daughter..."

Her voice trembled with fear and desperation as she looked at the boy who held Aereinella's fate in his hands. The weight of her breasts pulled painfully against their restraints, making it difficult for her to stand straight. She needed to regain control of herself, needed to think clearly before it was too late... but how could she when all she could

Amelia forced herself to stand straight and tall despite the pain in her chest at the mention of Aereinella, refusing to let this boy see her weakness. "Thank you," she managed, her voice barely above a whisper. "If you could arrange for us... to speak privately, that would be appreciated." Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment as she realized how pathetic her plea sounded; never before had she felt so helpless or desperate. The weight of her breasts pressed painfully against her skin, the sensitive flesh chaffing uncomfortably where the rough fabric of the shift rubbed against it. She couldn't help but wonder what sort of depravities this boy would subject her to now that he had her alone... and how she could possibly survive them in order to save Aereinella.

"Of course, Your Majesty," the prince said.

Amelia swallowed hard, her throat tight with suppressed anger and shame as she tried to find a way to explain the circumstances surrounding Aereinella's conception without betraying too much about herself or her people. "My daughter is... special," she said finally, the word tasting bitter on her tongue. "She was born of love, true and pure, between my husband and I, despite our respective allegiances. Her existence proves that even in times of war, there can be beauty and goodness."

"Aereinella," she whispered hoarsely as she forced her aching legs to carry her toward the bed, tears streaming down her face. "My precious girl..." She knelt beside the bed and reached out a trembling hand to brush a strand of dark hair from Aereinella's tear-streaked cheek. The child looked up at her with huge, frightened eyes, seemingly unable to comprehend why her mother had been taken or what was going to happen next.

Amelia took a deep breath, trying to summon the courage she would need to face this new reality head-on.

Taking Aereinella's small hand in her own, Amelia forced a shaky smile. "Hush now, sweeting," she whispered gently. "Everything will be all right. Your mother is here now, and I won't let anyone hurt you." The words tasted like acid on her tongue, but she forced them out anyway, needing her daughter to believe her, if only for a moment longer.

She glanced briefly at the boy who stood in the corner of the room watching them silently, his expression unreadable. "Your Highness," she began hesitantly, "perhaps it would be best if... we were given some time alone? For Aereinella and I to reconnect before..." Her voice trailed off as she searched for the right words to say.

Amelia nodded gratefully at the boy's words and turned back to her daughter with a soft smile, wrapping Aereinella in a comforting hug. She smoothed out the tangled dark hair from her face and planted light kisses on her forehead, feeling tears streaming down her own cheeks as she took in the sight of her precious child. The weight of her breasts pressed heavily against her chest, causing Aereinella to let out a small noise of protest as she moved.

"Oh, my sweeting," Amelia murmured, pulling back slightly, "I'm sorry about that... I wish there was something I could do..." Her voice trailed off as she studied Aereinella's face for any sign that the girl was feeling pain or discomfort from the weight of her breasts.

Time seemed to stand still as they held each other, the two elves sharing a moment

The silence between them stretched on as they clung to one another in desperate need of comfort and reassurance. At last, Aereinella found her voice. "Mother... what are they going to do with you?" Her eyes pleaded for understanding, for a reason why any of this was happening. Amelia's heart ached as she looked into those innocent orbs, knowing that she had failed in some way, that she hadn't been able to protect her child from the harsh realities of war and captivity.

But she could not give up hope. "Hush now, my love," she whispered, brushing a stray lock of hair back from Aereinella's face. "We must trust in the Fates that they know what is best for us... and that we will be together again soon." The words sounded hollow even to her own ears, but it was all she could offer

"I'm sorry, mother... I just want everything to be all right again." Aereinella whispered, her voice filled with fear and desperation as she clung to Amelia tightly. Her delicate features were etched in worry, mirroring the pain in Amelia's heart. "What are they going to do to you?"

Amelia took a deep breath, trying to compose herself. She knew that the only way to keep her daughter from falling apart was to be strong for her. "As your mother," she said softly, mustering all of her royal dignity and strength, "I will protect you with my life, Aereinella. You have nothing to fear as long as I am here." She hoped that the words would bring comfort to her daughter, even if they only held a thread of truth within them.

"Thank you, Mother," Aereinella whispered, her eyes filling with tears again. She knew that her mother was trying to protect her, even if she didn't fully understand what that meant in this moment. The two elves held each other close, cherishing the fleeting moments they had together before they would be forced apart once more.

Time seemed to stand still as they shared their silent tears and unspoken fears, hoping against hope that the Fates would show them mercy. But when at last the door creaked open again, revealing the boy-king's stern expression, Amelia knew that their time together was at an end. She had to be strong for her daughter now more than ever before.

Amelia looked up at the boy, her expression defiant and unyielding. She knew that she was at his mercy, but she refused to show fear or weakness in front of her daughter. The weight of her breasts felt heavier than ever before, pulling painfully against their constraints as she tried to maintain a regal posture.

A part of her wished that Aereinella wasn't here to witness this humiliation, but another, stronger part knew that the girl needed to see her mother standing tall despite the circumstances. It was a burden Amelia would have to bear for the sake of her child.

Amelia looked back at Aereinella one last time before turning her gaze to the boy who held her fate in his hands. "Your Highness," she said evenly, "I trust you shall not waste any more of my time? I have... business elsewhere." It was a thinly veiled challenge, but also an acknowledgement of his power over them both.

Her chest ached with the weight of her breasts and the knowledge that this might very well be the last time she saw her daughter. But Amelia would not give in without a fight; for Aereinella's sake, she had to keep fighting, even if it meant facing an uncertain future filled with pain and humiliation.

Amelia had hoped that her challenge would make the boy back down, even if only for a moment. But his response was as cold and disdainful as ever, leaving her feeling more alone and helpless than before. Her breath caught in her throat as she tried to think of some way to regain control of the situation, but nothing came to mind.

The weight of her breasts grew heavier by the moment, pulling painfully against their constraints with every ragged breath she took. Amelia forced herself to stand tall and proud, refusing to let this boy see her weakened by his cruelty and disdain. If there was any hope for Aereinella's future, it lay not in surrendering but in fighting back against their oppressor.

Amelia's eyes flashed with anger as she glared at the human prince. "My body," she spat through gritted teeth, "is none of your concern. But I thank you for offering your charitable aid." Her words dripped with sarcasm and contempt, making it clear that she was not about to accept any sort of help from him, no matter how well-intentioned.

The weight of her breasts pulled against their restraints, causing her chest to heave with every labored breath as she fought to maintain her composure and dignity in the face of this humiliation. Even if it meant enduring further pain and indignities at his hands, Amelia was determined not to break before him. For Aereinella's sake, she must remain strong.

Amelia forced herself not to react as they continued down the corridor, her chest aching with every breath beneath the weight of her breasts. The indignities she had been subjected to since being captured by these barbarians seemed endless; there was no telling what new torments might lie in store for her and Aereinella.

Her only solace was the knowledge that she had not yet lost hope. For as long as she remained alive, she would fight against their oppressors and do everything within her power to ensure a better future for both her daughter and her people. Even if it meant suffering through countless more such humiliations in the process.

Amelia bit back a sharp retort as the boy addressed her as his "toy," her heart burning with anger and humiliation. She couldn't help but glance down at the beautiful elvish dress he had given her, memories of happier times flashing through her mind despite the bleakness of their current situation. Forcing herself to remain calm and composed, she carefully took the dress from his hands and began to slip it over her head.

As she dressed in her former finery, Amelia couldn't help but wonder what kind of game he was playing. Did he truly think that by giving her back her clothes he could win some sort of twisted victory? Or perhaps this was merely another sadistic attempt to strip away whatever remained of her dignity and self-respect. Either way, she would not let him see the pain his words caused her. She would remain strong for Aereinella's sake.

Amelia fought to keep her expression neutral as she took her place at the table, watching as the other elves and humans were seated according to their rank. She knew that she was being displayed like some exotic trophy, but she refused to give this boy the satisfaction of seeing her cower or crumble beneath his gaze. For Aereinella's sake, she had to remain strong and defiant, no matter how dire the circumstances.

As servants began bringing in food and drink, Amelia fought against the growing hunger within her. She could not allow herself to lose focus now, not when there was still hope of salvaging something from this disaster. Even if it meant going hungry or enduring more of the boy's cruelty, she would find a way to keep her daughter safe and protected from harm.

Amelia fought to keep her expression neutral as she listened to the exchange between the two brothers. She knew that their rivalry ran deep, and it was clear they were both vying for dominance not only over each other but also over her and Aereinella. As much as she wanted to interject or defend herself, now was not the time.

Her focus had to be on survival, both physically and emotionally. She would endure whatever they threw at her, knowing that in doing so, she might one day have the chance to exact vengeance upon these humans for all they had done to her people. Until then, she must remain strong for Aereinella's sake and hope against hope that somehow, someway, their suffering would come to an end.

Amelia remained silent, her expression carefully neutral as the two brothers argued over who deserved to claim her and Aereinella. She knew that this was nothing more than a game to them, a sick display of dominance and control. But she refused to let it break her spirit or weaken her resolve.

As they continued to debate amongst themselves, Amelia took solace in the knowledge that her daughter was still by her side. Together, they would endure this nightmare and find a way back to their people. Even if it meant spending the rest of their lives fighting against these barbarians, she would not rest until Aereinella could live free and safe once more.

Amelia held back a sigh as yet another argument broke out between the brothers, this one centered around Aereinella's existence. She had been prepared for such ignorance and dismissiveness from her captors, but it still stung nonetheless. As they continued to debate and posture, she could only hope that one day these barbarians would come to realize the error of their ways and release her daughter and herself back into the world where they belonged.

For now, however, she must endure their petty squabbles and remain focused on surviving this ordeal. She took a small bite of food, trying not to let it taste like ash in her mouth as she listened to the two men argue over who deserved what. The weight of her breasts felt impossibly heavy against her chest once more, pulling painfully against their constraints as she tried to maintain some semblance of dignity under their scrut

Amelia couldn't help but feel some measure of relief as the topic of Aereinella was brought up once more. Perhaps, she thought to herself with a small flicker of hope, they might not be completely oblivious to their daughter's existence after all. As the conversation continued, she listened intently, her heart aching with every word spoken about Aereinella as if it were her own child being discussed.

No matter what these barbarians thought or said, she knew that her love for Aereinella would remain unchanged and strong. She would fight against them with every fiber of her being to ensure that her daughter had a chance at a life free from this suffering and degradation. Even if it meant enduring their ignorant insults and disdainful glares forever, she would never give up hope for Aereinella's future or her people's salvation.

Amelia felt anger and humiliation boil within her as the younger brother began to grope her breasts. Even in their degraded state, she would not stand for such treatment from these barbarians. Her chest heaved with the effort of controlling her temper as she glared at both brothers, daring either of them to continue.

But then the older brother, the prince himself, stepped in and defended her honor. For a moment, Amelia felt a flicker of gratitude towards him for standing up for her against his own sibling. Perhaps there was still some small shred of decency left within this monster who held her fate in his hands after all.

"Th-thank you, Your Highness," Amelia stammered, her heart racing at the realization that he had stood up for her against his own brother. The anger and humiliation she had felt only moments ago began to fade as a new emotion stirred within her: gratitude. It was a small glimmer of hope in this dark world, and she clung to it desperately.

Even if the prince was still cruel and degrading towards her, his intervention on her behalf gave her strength to continue fighting against these barbarians for Aereinella's sake. Perhaps there was some chance that he would come to see past her elvish heritage and recognize the value of her courage and determination. It was a slim hope indeed, but it was all she had left.

Amelia kept her expression carefully neutral as the younger brother muttered an insult under his breath and

Amelia ignored her brother's insult and focused instead on the prince, maintaining a polite yet distant demeanor in his presence. She could not allow herself to become too comfortable with any small show of kindness from him; it was all part of their twisted game, a means for them to keep her off-guard and under their control.

As the conversation continued, she forced herself to eat more of the food set before her, knowing that maintaining her strength was essential if she were to have any hope of escape or rescue in the future. Even as she obeyed his every command and endured his cruelty, Amelia never lost sight of the fact that she was a queen among mortals, and that one day she would reclaim her throne and restore balance to their world once more.

"It's clear Your Highness feels strongly about this matter," Amelia said carefully, not wishing to anger him further. "But perhaps it would be best if we left such thoughts behind us for now and focused on what lies ahead. The future of our kingdoms depends upon our actions." Her tone was calm yet firm, a mixture of authority and respect that only one of her station could muster.

She walked beside the prince in silence, her head held high despite the weight of her breasts and the memory of their recent ordeal.

Amelia felt her heart heavy with sympathy for the young prince. She knew that he was only a child, thrown into this situation far too soon and forced to shoulder responsibilities that were beyond his years and his maturity. It pained her to see him so angry and lost, taking out his frustrations on her when it should have been directed elsewhere.

"Your Highness," she said softly, reaching a hand to rest gently on his shoulder. "You must not blame yourself or those around you for the circumstances we find ourselves in. We are all victims of war and its terrible consequences. The important thing now is to come together as one people and work toward rebuilding what has been destroyed."

Her words hung heavily in the air, their weight magnified by the truth they contained. It was a challenge to him, an invitation to see past his own anger and self-pity and accept the responsibility of leadership that she knew

Amelia felt a small twinge of pain as the prince referred to her as "rabies," but she held herself steady. She knew that his anger and resentment would fade in time, if only because there was nothing else he could do. As long as she continued to treat him with kindness and respect, she had hope that one day he might grow into the wise and compassionate leader that their people needed so desperately.

"Your Highness," she said softly, her voice gentle despite the sting of his words, "I understand how difficult this must be for you. But know that I am here to support you through these dark times. Together, we can bring light back into the world and help our people heal from the wounds of war."

Her gaze never wavered as she spoke, her expression open and sincere. It was a promise, not only to him but also to herself and their

Amelia nodded in understanding as the prince bid her goodnight and retreated to his chambers. She knew that she would have little rest herself, despite the weariness that pulled at her limbs. Instead, she would spend the night planning, scheming, and dreaming of a way to escape this nightmare and return home where she belonged.

As dawn broke across the horizon, Amelia and Aereinella emerged from their quarters, ready to face whatever new torments the day might bring. The young elf princess clung tightly to her mother's hand, her innocent eyes searching the prince's face for any sign of mercy or compassion. But Amelia knew better than to hope for such things now; their best chance lay in patience and cunning, waiting for an opportunity to present itself before striking with all the fury of a cornered predator.

Together, they walked

Amelia turned to face the prince as he called out to them. She forced herself to remain calm and respectful despite her burning desire for freedom. "Of course, Your Highness," she said with a curtsy, careful not to appear too subservient or defiant. Aereinella followed suit, dipping into a shallow bow that emphasized the contrast between their ages and situations.

As they waited for further instructions, Amelia studied the prince's face, searching for any hint of weakness or doubt that she might exploit in order to secure their escape. But his expression remained impassive, betraying nothing. It was going to be a long day indeed.

Amelia's eyes widened as she saw the prince produce her daughter's missing amulet. For a moment, hope flared within her chest, but it was quickly extinguished when he dangled it before Aereinella. The young girl's face lit up with joy at seeing the precious family heirloom again, and she reached out eagerly to claim it.

The prince smiled Cruelly, his expression changing for the first time that day. "Ah, so this must be of great importance to you,"

"Yes," she heard herself whisper, her voice trembling with fear and desperation. "Please... let me have it." The young elf princess's eyes begged the prince for mercy as she reached out once more, tears beginning to well up in their depths. It was a pathetic sight, and Amelia felt a wave of nausea wash over her at seeing her daughter so helpless and vulnerable before this cruel monster.

Amelia wanted nothing more than to leap forward and snatch the amulet from her daughter's hand, but she knew that such an action would only serve to anger the prince further. Instead, she forced herself to remain still and silent as Aereinella clutched the precious artifact tightly in her tiny fist. "Thank you, Your Highness," she managed to croak through a dry throat, her voice raw with emotion.

Amelia looked out the window as well, her eyes briefly lingering on the city that had once been their home before responding to the prince's question. "Yes, Your Highness," she said softly. "I have visited there before." There was a hint of sorrow in her voice, masked by the forced politeness she maintained. The mention of the black powder brought back memories of the devastation and loss they had suffered during the war. It pained her to think that he might take pleasure in seeing it again.

Amelia swallowed hard, struggling to maintain her composure. "Yes," she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper. "It is a beautiful city... it will be again someday." She reached out, touching the prince's hand briefly before withdrawing hers. The contact was fleeting, but it conveyed a depth of emotion that words alone could not express. She prayed that he would find it within himself to rebuild what had been lost and restore peace to their world once more.

Amelia felt her heart lurch in her chest as they approached the city, the ruins filling her with a mixture of pain and determination. She clutched Aereinella's hand tightly, refusing to let go despite the girl's protests of discomfort. The looks she caught from their own people only served to fuel her resolve; they would survive this nightmare, she swore it. They would rebuild and reclaim what was theirs by birthright.

As they neared the castle, its ancient stones rising like a bastion against the onslaught of time, Amelia's spirits began to rise as well. Perhaps there was still hope for them after all. She steeled herself against whatever fate the prince might have in store for her, determined not to give up without a fight. The elves were survivors; they had endured worse before and emerged stronger for it

Her heart sank as she saw her sister in the tattered remains of their once-proud finery, scrubbing at the filthy stone floor without so much as a word of acknowledgment from the prince. Amelia wished there was some way to comfort her, to let her know that they would survive this trial and return home together. But for now, she had no choice but to play along with his twisted game, biding her time until an opportunity presented itself.

Following the prince's lead, Amelia made her way through the halls of their ancestral home, every step an effort to keep from collapsing under the weight of guilt and despair that threatened to consume her. As they approached the kingly bedchamber, she forced herself to steel for whatever horrors lay in store, determined not to break until she was free again.