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imjulia-andilikecats · 10 months

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Mareven Scrap Idea: Maven (Hunter) x Mare (Forest Nymph) Part 3

Warning: Light Gore (sorry, I wasn't able to include this sooner 😬)

Before the gentle sun could wake the sleeping residents of the Calore Manor.

Maven Calore made his way to the old cabin, armed with his standard hunting gear, two jars of honey and an apple that he swiped under the head chef's nose.

I wonder if she is still there. He though, as he took his first bite of his apple.

Although, he knew that he chained her writs and ankles on the sturdy walls of the old cabin. Any person will have a difficult time escaping those bonds, especially with a gun wound through the thigh. Only aquiring his keys would guarentee freedom, but a small voice in his head would always chastise him, reminding him that she is not human and he should be worried.

Once he saw the small wooden fence, he quickly jumped over it. Held up his rifle, as he walked around the shed, eyes scanning his surrounding, scouring for any signs of escape.

The door still intact, the windows tainted but not shattered and the grass undisturbed and plush from the cool, humid air. Good.

Maven entered the old cabin, grimacing at how loud it creaked. The sound, reminding him of the times he and his older brother would race each other to the door.

As he walked down the creaking floors of the old cabin, he could see bits of the wall cut open. He remembered Cal cutting off that peice to build a crooked chair, that earned him endless praise from their farher.

He kept on walking, seeing parts of the wall smears with paint and irregular shaped drawings.

When his young self wanted to be an artist, he would fill the walls with color, even paint his brother's poorly assembled furniture. Only to be told by his mother and father that he'll be wasting time, money and the Calore name for such a useless dream.

But he still kept painting, seeing a few defiant strokes of white, purple and red paint splattered in one corner. Bleeding out in furious movement, begging to be seen.

When he and Cal got older. They would still come here and play chess and talk about how they would take care of the Manor and travel the world.

The momery made him chuckle. Pathetic.

Cal never kept his end of that promise. The moment father's drinking started to become a nuisance to his health. His brother has completely forgotten this place and his promise.

Maven considered burning the cabin to the ground. Be rid of his rotten dreams and empty promises.

Luckily, he didn't, as he pushed open the door, peering through the gap, his eyes landing on his old bed, where he last left her, the little nymph.

Expecting her to be there, weakened from her wounds and still groaning in pain, but she was not.

Maven felt a sudden wave of panic, kicking the door, hard enough to swing violently open, the bronze handle slamming hard on the wall.

Holding his rifle close to his side, as he steps in the room.

Eyes looked frantically for her, his head almost hurting as he follows the chains slightly clanking against the headboard, leading him to her.

Just a few steps from his bed was the little nymph, hunched at a corner. The nymph too immersed on what she was doing to bother looking at him, even when he almost broke the hinges off the door.

"Ah." He breathed out. "There you are." Gripping the rifle on his side, reassuring him that he'll be safe from her.

He slowly walked towards her. Her continuing to ignore him. Her hands nowhere to be seen and her head hunched forward, almost pressed against the wall.

What on earth is that thing doing?

As he walked closer to her, he started to hear odd noises, like the sound of oranges slowly being taken apart.

Maven stopped from his tracks. He could clearly hear her teeth clamping down on something. The sound of snapping bones and tearing flesh.

It sent chills down his spine.

He help up his rifle, as he started to lose his temper. "Turn around." He said coldly.

Cocking his rifle, to emphasize his point. The familiar sound catching her attention, the nymph turned her head towards his.

Maven almost lost his meal when he saw her. Her large, brown eyes, wide with shock, as her lovely face was smears with blood and gore. A rubber-like tail hanging between her full lips.

The sight, reminded him of a predator caught enjoying its half-eaten meal.

The nymph simply slurped the rat's tail, her suprised expression turned to her familiar, wrathful face, as it landed on the barrel of his rifle. Wiping her mouth with the back of her hand, as she press her back hard against the wall. Trying to put in a few inches of distance from his and his rifle.

Maven could only stand still for a moment, quietly gawking at her.

Her actions never fail to remind him that she is not human but a nymph. A feral one at that.

Maven took a deep breath and lowered his rifle. Kneeling to her level, his face a perfect image of genuine concern.

"I see you've gotten hungry in my absense." He gave her his sheepish smile, acting embarassed at his poor treatment of her.

The nymph tilted her head, her hair falling, covering half her face. "I'm always hungry." She rasped. Her daek eyes, staring deeply at his face. An open threat.

Kneeling this close to her, he stared at her hair. Messy waves of warm brown, its color slowly fading to gray. The small white and lilac flowers, still intact on her head. Even the small, thin vines coiling around her limbs and clothing clung to her tightning, even though a few of them, were dried out. Such an odd ensemble colors on an even stanger creature. His gloved finger fidget for a moment. He wanted to move it all away, so he could see her defiant face.

His smiled widen, quiet pleased with himself for catching a chatty one.

"Since, I'm such a terrible host. Let me repay you." Plopping down one jar of honey before her muddy feet.

She stared at his offering then blinked.

For a moment, he thought that his brother was wholly wrong and creatures like her might obly eat meat, like him.

As soon as that thought took form. The nymph snatched it away with her blood-smeared hands, holding it up near her face.

She looked at it's color with delight. Her dark eyes, expanding at its amber hue. Her mouth hanging open in genuine awe.

He couldn't keep his eyes away from her face.

Her face freely contorts to whatever she feels, without any restraint of social etiquette or the judgememtal eyes of a Blonos. Such palpable emotions, it was almost contagious.

Without any instructions from him. She quickly and effortlessly opened the jar. Greedily gulped down the sickly sweet honey.

He could only watch in concerned amusement. She sure has an appetite. An expensive one.

Within seconds, the once heavy jar filled with honey, lay empty between the greedy nymph's hand. Her warm brown eyes, glazed in contentment. Her tongue licking the side of her mouth, savoring the molten gold that was left on her lips.

Maven too, felt strangley pleased. To think he was able to satisfy this snarling creature with just a jar of honey. He wondered what else can he do to conjure other emotions from her.

Once she was done licking her mouth and her fingers, her eyes quickly turned to him.

He knew what that look meant. She wants more.

The side of his mouth lifts.

Maven wasted no time stepping a few paces away from her. Raising his gloved hand between them.

"Oh, don't be hasty." Maven tuts, shaking his head disapprovingly.

The numph snarled at him. Tossing a few pieces of rat bone at his boots in protest. How cute.

"That one was your breakfast." He continued, his other hand reaching in his satchel, holding up the second jar in full display. "This one, you have to earn."

"What do you mean?" A genuine question from the nymph, her face looking annoyed then.... hopeful.

He felt triumphant at that moment. He has a nymph on her knees, waiting for his command.

"If you-" Maven stopped, as he stared at her. Noticing the gun wound he caused, slowly fading away. Leaving only a scar.

It was fully healed. What a sight.

"If I what?" She asked, her voice becoming louder and more desparate.

Maven blinked. Once. Twice.

Then looked back at her. He can't allow himself to be shaken by her.

"If you answer all of my questions." He raised the jar again. "You can have as many of this as you want."

The nymph stilled. Her eyes widening. She breathed deep. "You want to bargain with me?"

Maven paused.

Even if he was not as interested in managing the family business compared to his perfect brother.

He knew very well that striking a bargain with anyone is not a simple task. Striking one with a forest creature of all things, is a downright foolish decision.

But this knowledge, the things that he could discover from her. Too tempting to let pass.

Maven placed the jar a few feet towards her. The nymph seemingly more interested on him than the sweet syrup that miraculously healed her wound.

"Yes." He answered carefully. "But not now." He moved the jar closer to her.

Her took it, slowly sliding it towards her, but her eyes never left his face. Unsettling.

"Tomorrow." She said sternly. Sitting back with the honey on her lap.

Before the mountain could swallow the sinking sun. The young master returned. With him, he brought home two dead rabbits.

Handing the fatter one to the chef and burying the other in his favorite spot.

It was a few hours before supper. However, Maven didn't bother to bathe or even remove his hunter clothes.

He hastily walked down the hallway, passing each Calore portait who ever lived, each image presenting a familiar yer foreign face.

Maven pushed open the door. This time, a lot gentler than what he did in the cabin, but his older brother was nowhere to be seen.

Without wasting more time, he went to the second place he knew his brother might be in.

The library or Uncle Julian's bedroom, if he had the chance to name it correctly.

Maven stood before the large wooden doors of the Calore library, placing both his filthy gloved hands against the well-varnished oak and shoving as hard as he could.

"Why must it be this heavy." Maven hissed between each labored push. He wondered how his chicken-legged uncle could open this door, several times a day.

Once the doors were open wide enough for him to fit, he slid it between the gaps and almost lost his footing.

Maven gripped the handle, examining the spot on the floor where he almost slipped. His brows crumpled in confusion when he saw papers filled with scribbles written by Julian, all scattered on the floor.

"Mavey! You're back!" Maven jolted at his older brother's cheery voice. His head jerking towards its source.

At the center of the library, was his older brother surrounded with books, both old and new. Piled high around him, with only his stupid, beaming face visible from the mess.

A strange warmth bloomed in this chest, Maven didn't want to give it attention, as his mind had other things occupying it. Like bargaining with a very hungry and very feral nymph that he kept in his cabin.

Forcing himself to smile. "Brother." Stepping over a small pile of papers. "Did a mad dog had a lovely stroll around here and borrowed a few books?" Lifting a book that had its pages holding on its spine for dear life.

Cal looked at him and gave him a sheepish grin. "You wanted to know more about nymphs." A very thoughtful and very poor excuse to turn their family library into a pigsty.

Maven folded his arms and tut. "What would Julian think of this mess?" Tipping his head towards his older brother's clutter.

His brother waved his free hand, dismissing his statement. "Uncle Julian won't mind" His smile widden, looking more crooked and carefree. "He might even be happy that we still read his work."

"He'll allow it cause it's you." Maven mumbled under his breath.

Since they were just children, Uncle Julian made it very clear to Maven, that he only tolerated him because his perfect, lovable brother, who would always want him around. Even in his lessons. While Julian encouraged his older brother's talents and feed his curiosity, he got reprimanded for every mistake a five year old would naturally make.

"What did you say, Mavey?" Cal asked, plucking another book from his pile. Before waddling towards him, mindful of the papers and books littering the polished floor.

"Nothing. It's not important." Maven walked towards his brother. Glancing at the books on each hand.

Cal, still all smiles, began turning Julian's book at specific pages.

"Here." He pointed. The image of a group of female nymphs, dancing around a fire, hand in hand. Surrounded by foxes, birds, rabbits and odd looking creatures that are covered in vines. "Uncle Julian, always told us stories about the beautiful, mischievous and cruel beings that live in the forest."

Maven rolled his eyes. "He always told us that and yet, fills us with nothing but tragic love stories and weird nonsense."

His older brother frowed, clearly displeased and ready to defend his uncle.

Maven pushed on, lifting his gloved fingers to count each one. "One where a beautiful nymph fell for a humble baker but left because their offspings looked too much like their nymph mother and got chased out by the villagers with sticks and stones"

He raised another. "There was also one where a wood carver's daughter was courted by a dashing young nymph, only for her father to hack down the tree, where the nymph resides, killing it instantly."

Lowering his hands, as he tilts his head to the side. "While the other one, where a group of workers were cutting down trees. One of which stepped on a mound of soil, that apparently had a nymph living in it." Shaking his head, as he image the little nymph's lovely, snarling face. " The angered nymph cast a nasty curse on the mound destroyer and had his left foot inflate like a ball."

His older brother's brows were raised and his mouth slightly ajar. "You-" He coughed, clearning his throat. "You still remember those stories?" A small smile tugging at the side of his lips.

Of course, he remembers. The forced himself to remember.

The moment he learned that nymphs don't only eat honey and the little nymph looking a bit too eager to make a bargain with him. He knew, it would be foolish to be careless around that thing.

"As impressive as your memory is, Mavey." Cal peeled open another page. In it was an image of a nymph hiding at the top of a tree branch, a wicked grin plastered on its sharp features at it's watched in delight, as couple of men wondering in the forest, clearly lost. "Nymph's are mischievous and cruel, but-"

Turning a few more pages, another image, blurred but still decipherable. A group of elderly nymphs facing a group of travelers. Their leaders holding each other's hand, a vine surrounder their fingertips in a symbol of union and peace. "They are also wise and knowledgeable, they shared their knowledge with mankind." His brother finished, looking very proud of his discovery.

"And?" Is that all? Again!? Maven swiped away the book from his brother. Turning every page with such speed, it almost ripped away the pages. It only showed him notes and scribbles, and ink smears.

Maven was furious, he wanted to throttle his brother or better yet, feed him to his little feral nymph.

Before that, he must yell at his brother. Turning his glaring eyes at him, it only met with warmth and excitement on his part.

Cal was already watching him, both hands on his hips, confident with the knowledge he possess. "With all the books, I have read since this morning."

Gesturing at the books piles on the table and floor. "I have a theory."

"A theory?" Maven's head started to ache again, another question that will only be answered with another unpleasent encounter with the nymph.

"I think, judging buy those images and the stories Uncle Julian told us." Picking a few notes covered in his awful writing. "Nymphs and mankind have once lived together or had frequent interactions with each other."

Maven frowned. "Are you implying that our ancestors might have mated with forest people and built a community together?"

His brother snorts, taking his sarcastic remark as his attempt at humor. "Exactly!" Taking his comments in stride.

His older brother, started moving both his hands, as to better convey his theory.

"You see, when humans and nymphs meet each other. They might have disliked one another, but as each side has no desire nor resources for war, they made an agreement."

"Then one of them betrayed the other and both sides never reconciled." Maven said flatly and openly rolled his eyes at how underwhelming the theory was.

Cal nodded gravely. "Ending the terms they held over eavh other." Taking the book from Maven and turning it back again to the image of the elderly nymphs and humans.

One calloused finger tapping on their tethered hands. "Severing the bargain that they made."

Maven's brow shot up from his head. That's it! Tell me more about that.

Keeping his composure. "What about their bargain?" Crossing his arms tightly against his chest. Keeping his fingers from scratching his thigh from anticipation.

"Not much." For once, his brother couldn't look him in the eye. He would normally be elated that his proud, perfect brother had nothing to answer, but it made him feel disappointed instead.

His older brother coughed loudly, earning his attention. "But anyone who would bargain with such beings are either truly dumb or unimaginably desparate."

Fortunately, I'm neither.

Maven only hummed in agreement. Still underwhelmed that he wasted his time again.

He almost jumped from his place when he felt a warm hand clamp on his shoulder. "I might not have bargained with a nymph before, however, I have made some agreements with other lords."

His brother's amber eyes glow like fire from candle light. "You set your terms first, take away as much cards as you could from them." His voice sounding much older and more reassured. "And then everything else falls into place."

Maven only noded. It was has been a long time since he actually listened and dissected his brother's words. Letting his theories and senseless rambling repeat itself in his mind.

Once again, he found himself facing the door at the end of the hallway, that door that kept the little nymph from his older brother and family.

Equipeted with his brother's knowledge and his wit, Maven steadily opened the door.

The nymph sat at the foot of his bed, her legs pressed against her chest. Her face resting on her knees, as she turned towards his direction, just a few feet from where he stood.

Even obscured and distant, he felt her warm browns eyes on him. Waiting.

He was about to step into his old room. When his eyes widen, as he noticed the empty honey jar at floor, inches from her still muddy feet. Along with the chains that were supposed to bind her to the walls.

Maven looked at her again. Her wrist and ankles were bare and free, no sign of a struggle or a dislocated finger.

The nymph,l unaffected with his surprise. Only sat motionless on her spot, her skin seemingly glowing bringter, more flowers blooming on her head, even the vines that wrapped around her looking strikingly green and alive. Eerily beautiful.

Wordless, the nymph extended her right hand to him.

Maven Calore took a deep breath and reached for the nymph's hand. Their fingers intertwining, as they began their bargain.

Note: Ooohhhh!!! Sorry this took FOREVER. Life was lifing me right now 😑 (not in a fun way).

Note Note: @lilyharvord I have finished part 3, somehow. Also, thank you for liking this scarp idea and being patient with me. 🥲 You da best.

Note Note Note: Please enjoy! 😆

#red queen #mare barrow #glass sword #war storm #king's cage #cal calore #maven calore #old meme #random #tiberias vii calore #mareven scrap idea #maven x mare #mareven #maven hunter x mare nymph fic #yeah #cal aint that good at giving advice but he is trying very hard #also...yeah mare is feral #i love her so much

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zinniax · 2 years

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I’ve been reading the red queen series and I’m conflicted on every romantic relationship Mare has with these men(boys?)

Let’s start with Kilorn (he deserves the world) but anyway we could tell that their relationship was based off familiarity right off the bat. She loves him and he loves her. That’s her home. She’s even said her heart basically belongs to him and cal. (Not to forget Shade) and even though she’s said he’s “like family” it’s obviously more then that. She has pictured her life with him or a “what would be”-home in stilts, green eyed children who they love and a happy marriage. Thought went into that, I don’t look at my best friend thinking oh I could picture us having children someday and have no possible romantic relationship feeling. I think she does love him in a romantic way but never let herself get past the familiarity of his presence, she could’ve in another life but she didn’t want to(if she didn’t have too) side note: He deserves more then the Cameron pairing( I’m sorry but it was rushed and have no deep meaning which I want him to have- I needed him to build a deep relationship outside of mare) I just loved their relationship how even when he was upset or mad that love never faded nor them having each others backs. Plus I love the bickering!! and I can even picture him teaching mares kids how to get under her skin😜

Second,brother #1-Cal. ok his character aside it’s was the picture perfect meeting rich young man, poor girl, tried to give her a better life *heart eyes* he’s a classic “good boy that can be bad” loyal, a solider, protector, leader, charming,witty we heard this story before. She bonds with him because he’s easy to talk to, he puts her at ease in a way a substitute kilorn while she was at the palace. Obviously they went through murder of the king,bone cage,being wanted,war together which ultimately brought them together because they were really the only people that knew the truth and was there during that dark time. Meaning they found eachother in the dark time and that eventually turned into love. “I’m cold” “Ik Farley told me”cuddled eo bc they both needed someone in this dark time and they are both outsiders. They had eachother when they both felt alone😭❤️ Which don’t get me wrong I love them together I think it was a natural pairing. He saw the street kid turned royal turned warrior and she saw the royal/ warrior turn into a “street kid” ( like how she was previously) and it’s very picture perfect, with a few hardships along the way but they were always meant to be endgame which I don’t hate. Side note: I love how all these men boys fall in love with her first yass queen

Now with brother #2- Maven. Ok first off Ik he’s a villain, he’s evil, but he’s every bad boy trope loves the good girl but with out him being redeemed😭😂 I loved him and mares relationship😬 I think throughout the series, it always goes back to the way she sees him and yes it’s not always good but she thinks of the person she fell in love with. Even after everything when cal says something along the lines of do you see him or me and shes torn even though she says him, this boy has haunted her throughout the series and she still sees him in everything and honestly that’s the worse punishment she could have but their is something more. This series gave a lot to interpret the baseline is both Mare and Cal love Maven and continue to love him and in a way that love for him brought them together. But the way her feeling and mind which get blurred together when it comes to Maven (urg they could’ve been beautiful)Don’t get me wrong maven hunted her, hurt her, imprisoned her, humiliated her. He’s a bad guy but one thing that has always been the same throughout the series is his love for her, however deep and misconstrued it is that’s something that needed to be explored more. (Visa versa) The way he’s written you can’t automatically hate him, I mean you can and do but there’s this thing in the back of my mind much like mare saying Ik but what about the shy, forgotten maven we all fell in love with. Red queen shy maven is his true self, the evil maven is his mothers manipulation. end- he’s remained loved both by mare and cal(especially cal) you can’t fault that. Also I loved the way he understood her and the way she understood him. Throughout the series it was the understanding, with cal it was the forever love(brothers). The understanding between them were the letters and when he was even imprisoned and said “oh no wonder Mare did this” it was something unusual it was different than the understanding her and Cal/Kilorn have. In a way it was they have the same mind, Maven was just someone she could turn into if she didn’t have her families love and multiple people supporting her. He only had cal and it wasn’t enough. Point of this is he wasn’t really a villain he was a boy who loved and loved dark and deeply and is a complex character you can’t really hate.

Mare’s romantic feelings was a wild ride. Her self awareness was refreshing. She a morally grey character and also the ball of sunshine or (electricity?) and her love life reflects that and in a way essential to her character. Mavan the toxic love, Kilorn the childhood pure love, and Cal the natural found love. Even with her own family members she loves them but can easily be pushed away. I think the only person she loved truly maybe not have trusted but could always count on is Shade.

#red queen #red queen series #glass sword #king cage #mare barrow #kilorn warren #cal calore #maven calore #maven x mare #mare x maven #mare x kilorn #kilorn x mare #mare x cal #cal x mare

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