The Self-Exciled Prince (Legends of Kolora)

When I first met my husband, I was driving down the road in the dark while raining (yeah, real original meet-cute.). I was shocked when I saw a hooded figure and swerved to avoid hitting him, and then. Well, I don't remember, but I woke up in my busted car with a hooded figure looking at it as if he had never seen one. I then took out my phone, wincing at the pain from trying to move my arms and back. Once that was done, I dialed 911, and after shedding some tears, I managed to get an ambulance sent to me. The entire time, the hooded figure walked around until he noticed me and then opened my door. He pulled me out and laid me on his knees and began saying things I didn't understand, and his hand glowed. Soon, the bleeding began to stop, but I was still covered in blood. Shortly after that, the paramedics came and checked me out. They noticed the wounds were healed, but I was covered in my own blood. "This doesn't look good. She might have internal bleeding or something. Alright, let's get her back," said the lead paramedic. They tried to lift me up, but once I was on my feet, I felt fine. "Wait, I don't need to. I..." I looked around, but the hooded figure was gone. "Miss, you've probably sustained a painful head injury. We just need to double-check to confirm. Then you can call AAA, and then call a family member, and you'll be home safe and sound," said the head paramedic. "But I'm..." I tried to look around for the hooded figure, but couldn't. I was then tested for a concussion. I didn't have one. After that, I called a tow truck.

Over the next couple of days, I had to find a rental car, I had to call the insurance company, and I had to do other boring adulting stuff. Then I met the hooded figure again. Outside my window. Hiding in a bush. Yeah. Again, very typical in romcoms. Anyway, somehow he managed to find where I lived, and we quickly realized that we didn't speak the same language. But we found a way to communicate through hand gestures and broken phrases. I proceeded to take care of the mysterious man for days, then weeks, then months. While I went to work, I had him study and even clean my house. Reverse genders, am I right? Yeah, that was stupid. Anyway, after several weeks, we began to speak to each other. His name was Kamolin, and he came from a land far away. He talked about how he was given a divine blessing but couldn't bear it, so he left his brother in charge. He also knew his brother was a better leader, so it also helped make his decision easier.

Over time, we came to fall in love with each other. I made him get his citizenship, I learned his native language, and a year later, we married. It was wonderful. My family loved his innocence, to the annoyance of my older brother, of course. Shortly after, things got crazier.

So, one day, while I was at home, a stranger came to my door. "Do you know of a Kamolin?" he asked. "Yes," I replied. "Oh, you speak my language?" he asked. "Bits and pieces," I answered. "Oh, good. Then this makes things easier. I have to warn you that things in our homeland are not going well, and I need to speak to him." He said as his calm demeanor turned to nervousness. "May I come in?" he asked. "Yes. Come. You can have..." I forgot the word for seat, so I just pointed at the coach, and the man sat and relaxed, like he had been traveling for a long time and hadn't rested in a while. Minutes later, my husband came in from running errands. He looked at the man and ran to hug him. The two greeted each other and began talking to each other. I managed to decipher some of the conversation, but some of the words I didn't understand. But after some talking, Kamolin told me the following. "My brother has been killed, and my country needs me. Which means I have to tell you things that I've been hiding from you ever since we've been together. I am a prince of Welkamo. I was born with magic powers and was raised to rule the land after my father passed. After an accident where I nearly lost control of my magic, I fled my world. Where I found you," he said, staring lovingly into my eyes. "So what are we going to do?" I asked. "We? I am going to take my throne back; however, since you seem eager to join me. I guess I can't convince you to not come with me until things die down, can I?" he asked with a grin. "You are right. Especially since this makes me your...what's the word for queen?" I asked. He laughed, "That is right. However, I can't just whisk away into my-" a magic blast hit the walls and sent me and Kamolin back. "Bounty Hunters!" yelled my husband's friend. I was never told his name. Or had forgotten at that point. Anyway, my husband and his friend quickly used their magic to take out the enemies. I got hurt again. Kamolin healed me. Again, for the thousandth time. After that, Kamolin had me and his friend wear the bounty hunter's clothes and gear, and even bind him so sell the idea that he had been found. The garments weren't the most comfortable, but then again, I usually wear hoodies and sweat pants, not leather and thick wool.

After that, the three of us packed some supplies and made our way to where Kamolin and his friend entered my world. It was in the middle of the woods, which were already in the middle of nowhere, because Alabama. So, once we got there, Kamolin and his friend started to set up camp. "At any time, they'll send more. Once they come through, they'll see that I'm captured and let us in," said Kamolin. "Why? Can't you make a portal from here?" I asked. "No, because this world only has spiritual magic, not arcane or nature," said Kamolin. "Right, but isn't spiritual the most powerful?" I asked. "Yes, but there is not enough in this world to open up a portal from this side. It's a one-way gate," answered Kamolin. His friend just sat on a log and started to laugh at me. "You chose an interesting bride, my lord," he said. "Can you not call me that until I'm official, please?" asked Kamolin. "But you are, you're not some long lost prince, you're one who self-exiled," said his friend. "Kamrow! You know, I didn't want to hurt anyone else. I didn't want to lose control again. I thought I was making everyone happy that way," said my frustrated husband. "But it didn't. Your family was saddened, your people felt abandoned, and your kingdom became much weaker. If anything, you made our enemies happier. Not us," said Kamrow. "I...I didn't know that. I thought I would be forgotten," said Kamolin. "You are such an idiot, my lord," said Kamrow. Kamolin stared him down. He stopped himself from saying something but instead took a deep breath. "Yeah. I've been an idiot all my life. The only smart decision I ever made was marrying her," he said as he pointed at me with his thumb. "Aww," I said and then nervously giggled. Then the portal sparked to life, and a couple more bounty hunters came in. "Ah, the prince has been captured, and with few casualties. Now let's take him back. The king will want to speak with him," said one of them. They didn't seem to suspect that we were playing a trick.

Going through a portal is a weird experience, but I don't have a lot of time to explain. Just that my body felt weightless and my guts just sloshed around. I nearly puked when we exited. Anyway, the building we were in was like a cathedral. Tall, open, very detailed artwork covered the walls. Massive stained glass windows flooded the room with light. The three of us were surrounded by people covered in tattoos of various colors. They looked like kung fu monks with elemental powers. "Who are these people?" I asked "Elemental sorcerers from the Silver Mountains," whispered Kamrow back. "They're usually peaceful, but relations between us and them broke down when Prince Kamolin's disappearance was blamed on them. They claimed innocence, but reason died and violence followed," whispered Kamrow. "Oh, so that's why you called my husband an idiot," I said. Kamrow just laughed.

We were then taken to this large throne room, where a man covered in white tattoos sat on a large wooden throne, and a woman covered in blue tattoos sat beside him. The seats seemed to be built into the wall and had vine-like reliefs extending from the throne in various directions. "The self-exiled prince. Home at last," said the man. He stood up and walked to Kamolin. He then looked at Kamrow and me. "You're not from this world, are you?" he asked me. "Why do you say that?" I asked, acting offended. The man laughed. He then grabbed me and took my scarf off, which I was using as a disguise. "Your eyes. Your breath. Your soul," he said, laughing. Kamrow was then thrust into the air by some air magic and floated. "A good plan, prince, but I told the adventurers that you would be hard to take down," said the man. "You're a foreigner, you have no right to rule the kingdom of Welkamo," said Kamolin. "Nor did your father. He let his grief take over, and your brother wanted a scapegoat; thus, they blamed me and my people. War was the only way to get rid of them and prevent their grief from taking more lives," said the man. The man then ordered me and Kamrow to be imprisoned.

Much later, I was taken by guards into another room. The white tattoo man was there. Candles were lit while on top of a simple chair and table setup. "So, outworlder, why did the exiled prince choose you? Your soul is nothing special. There's nothing about it that is abnormal, other than the lack of magic. Then again, such a soul can become undetectable to beings like us. Yet because of that, I knew you were a fake. Now your turn. Talk," said the man. "I'm Abagail Johnson. I work in logistics and marketing for a tech company." I said very nervously and with my heart beating so fast it felt like it was going to shoot out of my chest. "I'm sorry, what did you say? You can speak my language, can't you?" asked the man. "Yes, but only bits and pieces," I said in his. "Interesting. So you've been taught by Kamolin. Then tell me. Why did Kamolin choose you?" he asked. "Because we loved each other," I answered. "Oh, don't give that love at first sight nonsense. What set you apart from everyone else?" he asked. "I almost hit him with my car, and he healed me. But that was two, no. Three years ago." I answered. "Now that's what I'm looking for. Thank you. Now was that so hard? Guards take her away," he ordered as he leaned back into his seat, smiling. I was taken back to my prison.

Days later, I was broken out of prison by Kamolin, who was leading a gang of rebels. "Who are all these people?" I asked. "My people. My servants and warriors are loyal to me and my country. Now take this," he said as he handed me a spear. "You do realize I suck at fighting with a spear, right?" I said, staring at it. "I did try to teach you, didn't I?" Kamolin said. "Fine," I said, giving up. As we charged the throne room, green-skinned men were attacking the tattoo people. "Are those orcs?" I asked. "Half-orcs. They're powerful allies always looking to fight powerful enemies," said Kamolin. We proceeded to fight lots and lots of sorcerers and took back my husband's throne. Peace was reestablished between the Kingdom of Welkamo and the Silver Mountain Monks. Castle life is a learning curve, but I'm adapting. Sure, it's hecktick and formal, but it's my new life now.

I am the Queen Abagail of Welkamo, mother of Karmail. Wife of King Kamolin. I am a former outworlder who was forced to leave their world for another. I have found my soulmate. I have found my new purpose in life. I have found, for better or for worse, something only thought possible in a dream.