Melody POV
Pearl stuck around for a while, longer than normal. After finishing the harvest, the trio walked around for a bit before stopping in to drop off the crops at a small farmhouse by the lake. There weren't many places Pearl hadn't been to in L'Manburg, but this was one. It was quite pretty, with vines and lamps hanging outside. There were flowers littered around in small pots in front, and Pearl could tell they were specially taken care of.
Will walked straight up to the door, opening it and shouted through the doorway. "Niki! We've got the crops."
There were footsteps inside the house and Pearl leaned forward, curious to see who lived here. Coming around the corner was a woman with pink hair wearing a battered old, brown trench coat. She smiled warmly at Will, going in to hug him. He obliged, and then Niki turned to the other two girls.
"Hi Mel." She smiled again before eyeing up Pearl. Pearl knew she looked out of place, with dirt all over her nice clothes. She self-consciously adjusted the tiara on her head under the woman's gaze.
"Who's this?" It wasn't said maliciously or angrily, but Pearl still felt pressured.
"This is Pearl, Eret's daughter." Mel replied, looking between the two.
Niki's gaze immediately softened and she smiled a sad smile. "You're Eret's kid?"
"I am." replied Pearl, trying to stand up a little straighter.
Niki lunged forwards and pulled her into a hug. Pearl immediately fell into the embrace.
"It is very nice to meet you, Pearl." Niki said quietly. "Tell Eret I miss him please."
Pearl pulled out of the hug. "You know Eret?"
"I did. We were friends... in another life." She said, turning to grab the sacks of potatoes, carrots and wheat. She took the bags into the kitchen, laying them against the wall. She started the kettle.
"Would you kids like anything to drink?"
"Sure." Will said, sitting down. Melody and Pearl followed suit.
"What happened between you and Eret?" Pearl persisted.
"It's not a nice story, trust me."
"Maybe I already know it. This area has had plenty of bad blood and I've heard it all."
"It was from the first L'Manburg vs DreamSMP war. And the first betrayal."
"You two were friends in L'Manburg." Pearl said softly, after putting the pieces together. "Before he became King."
"He told you?"
"It's important to know how the Kingship was earned, especially if I'm supposed to become the next ruler."
"You're meant to become the ruler?" Pearl nodded. "Be careful. The post comes with more enemies than friends." Niki said solemnly.
"I'm sorry you lost him as a friend."
Niki shrugged. "I've lost plenty. And besides, the walls have cut us off from everyone outside L'Manburg anyways." Niki said bitterly. The kettle started whistling.
"You were friends with people from the SMP?" Asked Melody, a strange look on her face.
"Oh, yeah. I mean we were all friends. Only the people in power," She looked to Melody and Will, "your parents, were in conflict. The rest of us were friends, until the walls went up. Then, suddenly just because I lived in a certain area, I couldn't see them ever again."
"I never knew..." Said Will, standing up to make the tea. He knew his way around the kitchen very well.
"They don't like telling people about the times when we lived in peace."
Pearl felt awful. She was the only one in this room who could ever leave. She was the one who got to see everyone in both countries. Looking at Niki, living alone in a boxed-in country after losing her friends, Pearl had never felt more self-centered.
"I'm so sorry, Niki." She said solemnly. But, Niki just let out a soft laugh and laid a hand on Pearl's cheek.
"You weren't there, darling. This isn't your fault." She turned to Will and Melody. "Yours either. I hope you all remember that you aren't your parents. You can fix their mistakes." At this point she was looking at Will, as if reminding him of prior conversations.
"I don't know how." He whispered.
Niki smiled and held his hand. "That's okay. You'll figure it out with time, I know you will."
He nodded.
"Now," Niki said, her previous serious look gone, "I know you kids don't want to sit around listening to a sad, lonely woman-"
"Nonsense, Niki, you know we love your talks." Melody interrupted.
Niki smiled and continued. "You guys should be out enjoying the sunshine. Don't let me pull your spirits down." The group got up from the table and started making their way to the door. "Besides, I'm sure Pearl here will need to go back soon and you shouldn't waste your time together. Don't take your friendships for granted." She said lightly.
Melody looked at her two friends. "We won't. Thanks Niki."
"You both know I'm always available, don't be a stranger now." She turned to Pearl.
Melody waved and walked down the steps, but Will went in for the hug. Niki patted his hair and smiled. He said goodbye and joined Melody at the bottom of the stairs. Pearl went to leave as well but Niki grabbed her arm.
"Wait, Pearl could you stay for a moment longer." Pearl nodded and Niki rushed back to the kitchen. The two outside gave her questioning looks, but Pearl just shrugged.
Niki returned with a pen, paper and an envelope.
"I don't know if you're allowed to do this, but could you deliver a message for me?"
"Yeah, sure. Eret always says that we're the main correspondence, so why not."
"Thank you so much. One second." Niki barely hesitated as she grabbed the pen and started furiously writing. Soon enough she filled half a page, folded it up and stuffed it in the envelope.
"Do you know Puffy?" Niki asked. Pearl smiled.
"Yes, I know Puffy very well."
"Okay, perfect. If you could get this to her, I'll be forever grateful."
"Of course. I'm very glad to have met you, Niki." Pearl said.
"You as well. Good luck Pearl."
Pearl left the house with that, the envelope shoved in her back pocket. She didn't know what she would need luck for, but she did know the road ahead was not clear for her. Good things didn't happen to rulers.
YOU ARE READING
The Walls of L'Manburg (AU)
FanfictionIt's been 25 years since Dream put the L'Manburg walls up. In this reality, Tubbo never exiled Tommy, and now L'Manburg lives confined in those walls. This is the story of a child born in the walls, who falls for someone she can never have.