Usually whenever someone takes the throne, it's usually a more joyous occasion only for the people who enjoy a good party that comes with the coronation. Yet in order for someone to ascend the throne, the previous ruler must pass away or meet an untimely death. Alura had no aspirations to take the throne not only because there were two brothers ahead of her in the line of succession, but because she loved her father and brothers enough to never want to attain power at all. Her father would always tease his only daughter, saying that one day she might be queen if she wasn't too careful, but Alura would always brush it off as playful pestering on the old man's part. He had four children, three of them strong men that would make fine kings should he ever need one to take his place. Whenever she prayed before bed, the young princess would always ask the gods to give good health to her parents and her brothers. She was unwilling to even entertain the idea of taking the throne for herself, and never hesitated to let anyone who asked know how she felt about the subject.

     In another sign of rebellion to her father and the throne, Alura took up archery, and trained under one of the finest hunters in the kingdom. While she was supposed to be attending classes of etiquette and dance classes with the other young ladies of status, Alura was out in the forest hunting deer and clearing the land of wolves with her mentor. Her teacher was an old friend of the King, a childhood buddy who know that his highness would never punish him for teaching one of his kids how to use a bow, and serve the land and the kingdom in a more practical way. She always wore a cloth mask over her face whenever she left the palace to hunt, so that no one would realize she was gone, and return in time for dinner. She had paid off the instructors to lie about her absence, but it was only a matter of time before her real activities would be discovered. It happened one day when her mentor fell and hurt his leg. Even with Alura's help, it took them twice as long to return to the palace and her absence was finally noticed. 

     She had considered staying with her mentor that night, but he insisted she face the music and not risk him being charged with kidnapping a princess. She was unable to change, and was still wearing her hunter's gear when presenting herself at the palace gates, claiming to know the location of the missing daughter of the King. The Royal guards led her to the throne room where her father and mother were worried sick about her disappearance.

     "Who is this masked person?" the king demanded, "Why is he here?"

     "This hunter," the guard replied, "Claims to know something about Alura."

     "Does he?" The king said, looking at the hunter. "What do you know, hunter?"

     "That your daughter is safe, father." Alura said, removing her mask and pulling back her hood to reveal herself to everyone in the court. 

     "Alura!" The king called out when he realized who was standing before him. "What are you doing in that outfit?"

     "Hunting, your majesty." Alura answered, trying not to sound to snark about it.

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     "I don't understand," her mother said, slightly shocked as well. "How long has this been going on, young lady?"

     "Almost six months," Alura answered, "I've been doing quite well out there."

     "This is Merrick's doing no doubt," the King said, pointing to her bow. "I recognize that bow. It used to be mine when I used to shoot with him."

     "He was following orders," Alura said, defending her mentor. "He knew that if he refused to train me, I would only find someone else to teach me. Merrick knew that if I learned from someone else of lesser skill, that could put me in danger so he took me as his apprentice."

     "That sounds like something Merrick would say," The king grumbled, "And you've been hunting with him outside the gates?"

     "Yes, father." She confirmed, "We've been gathering meats and furs for the kingdom for a while now. I'm just doing what I can to contribute to the crown."

     "Leave it to Merrick to make his deception beneficial to the crown and its people," The king said, as he knew there was nothing he could do. It wasn't like she was being bratty and doing nothing around the castle.

     Alura was gathering food and quality furs for the people, and helping build up a good supply for the coming winter with the rest of the hunters. Their duty was to keep the people and the crown well fed when the snow came. When people learned what she was up to, many couldn't help to see it as honorable, something similar to the respect one of her brother was given for joining the Royal Guard.

     Alura was sent to her room to give her parents time to think about what had been going on under their noses for over half a year, while the king also summoned Merrick to the palace to explain himself. The king was on the balcony, overlooking the kingdom when he old friend hobbled out there to join him.

     "Are you alright?" The king asked, noticing his wound.

     "I am, your highness," Merrick said, "But I am sure that's not why I'm here."

     "You know why you're here," The king replied, "Alura admitted to everything."

     "I make no excuses," Merrick said, rather defiantly. "Your daughter was determined to learn how to use a bow and the hunter's way. If she was going to take that path regardless of what any of us had to say about it, the least I could do was make sure she was trained properly."

     "She said that too," The king informed him, "And that was probably the wisest thing to do."

     "She is very skilled with that bow, your majesty." Merrick said, "Even better than you were."

     "And what will she do if she becomes queen?" the old man asked his friend.

     "Then she'll be a good queen," Merrick said confidently, "One who wouldn't hesitate to pick up and bow and defend her people if she needed to."

     The king chuckled at the thought. "Even better than me?"

     "With more training she might even be better than I, your grace." Merrick informed her.

     "I see," the king said, as he had a lot to think about. "Thank you for taking care of her."

     "It was my pleasure," Merrick said with a bow, "But I think she wants to continue her training, and it would be more helpful and safer if she could do it with your blessing."

     "I'll think about it," The King replied.

     Merrick knew his friend enough to know he wanted time alone to ponder it, so he gave the ruler a respectful bow and left the balcony. He did his best to help the young girl and now it was in the hands of the man who loved her most, and he would have to rule on it very soon.