Fic: Rainbow’s Freedom (Paradise Arc) (20/37)
Title: Rainbow’s Freedom (Paradise Arc) (20/37)
Author: BradyGirl
Pairings/Characters: (this chapter): Roy, Ollie/Dinah, Melody
Series Notes: In the 23rd century, Earth is a technologically-advanced society that practices the ancient institution of slavery. As Bruce and Clark continue to juggle being lovers as well as Master and slave, Bruce continues his Abolitionist work, and a shocking Family Secret is revealed. Meanwhile, the Queen Family welcomes a new member, and Steve and Hal meet their Destinies, although neither one realizes it yet. The entire series can be found here.
Genres: Drama, AU
Rating: (this chapter): G
Warnings: None
Spoilers: None
Summary: Roy is welcomed to Queens’ Castle.
Date Of Completion (First Draft): June 15, 2008
Date Of Posting: April 18, 2009
Disclaimer: I don’t own ‘em, DC does, more’s the pity.
Word Count: 865
Feedback welcome and appreciated.
Upon the hill
The castle shone,
Drawing in
The boy alone.
In peasant rags
He carried bow
To seek his fortune,
Reap and sow.
He would serve
The Queen and King,
A brave heart
Would he bring.
No more would he
Search and roam,
He had found
His shining home.
Selina Queen
"Castle Of The Queen"
2006 C.E.
XX
QUEENS’ CASTLE
Roy tried to hide his shock at the grandeur of Queens’ Castle. The large mansion had been built centuries ago, white pillars framing the large double doors of the entrance, white shutters a pleasing contrast to the brick walls.
The grounds were impeccably maintained as befit a grand estate: trees of oak, elm and maple were interspersed with blue spruce and evergreen. The flowers created a riot of color under the late winter sky.
Roy clutched his bow, a quiver of arrows on his back, the only possessions he had that were worth keeping. A small carryall contained a few shabby shirts and pairs of pants, underwear, a comb, and toothbrush.
“Welcome to Queens’ Castle,” Ollie said jovially, pride in the sweep of his arm. Dinah smiled and Roy felt a little less anxious.
The door opened and a stately, silver-haired butler said, “Welcome home, Master Oliver, Mistress Dinah.”
“Thank you, William.”
Inside the massive foyer decorated with suits of armor and an enormous crystal chandelier, waited a young girl that Roy guessed to be about his age, maybe a little younger. Her hair was dark blond and her brown eyes were warm and welcoming. Her slave bracelets sparkled in the sunlight streaming in through the windows.
“This is Melody, Squire to Mistress Dinah and myself,” Ollie explained. “You will now also serve us in that capacity. Melody, this is Roy. Show him to his room, please.”
Melody nodded and Roy followed her up the grand staircase and down an endless hall.
“This is your room.”
Roy walked into a good-sized room with a large bed, dresser, rocking chair and nightstand. The walls were painted light-blue, the curtains a deep sapphire hue. Everything was fresh and clean, a far cry from his last accommodations.
“Thanks, um, Melody.”
“Just ask if you have any questions or need anything. I’m right next door. Mistress Dinah asked that you unpack and dress in the clothes from the closet. You’ll have a proper shopping expedition soon.”
“Thanks.”
“I’ll come for you in a half hour.”
After Melody left, Roy set his bag on the bed and sat down next to it, still clutching his bow.
His head was whirling. So much had happened in the last twenty-four hours!
And so much had happened since the destruction of the reservation, and Brave Bow…
He swallowed and wondered how his new life would play out.
& & & & & &
Roy met the staff in the kitchen, Cook immediately declaring he needed fattening up, and he enjoyed a delicious lunch of salmon, broccoli, and whipped potatoes, and then he was given a tour of the mansion with Melody explaining his duties.
“Master Oliver and Mistress Dinah are patient and fair but do require obedience and slaves who pay attention.”
“Are they good Masters?”
“The best.” Melody’s eyes were shadowed. “I know the opposite.”
Roy didn’t ask further but filed the information away.
“You’ll get plenty of exercise and even free time after finishing your duties. Can you read?”
“Yes.”
“Good. The library is open to all slaves. You can borrow my own books, too, if you want.”
Roy was pleased to hear that. “Computer access?”
“You’ll receive your own login and password, known only to you and the Master and Mistress.”
This all sounds too good to be true.
& & & & & &
As the days passed, Roy learned more about his new owners. They were well-respected by the slaves, some of whom had been with the family since birth or for many years.
He saw Ollie and Dinah for brief periods, then was detailed to serve them tea and scones one afternoon in the solarium.
“So, Roy, are you settling in?” asked Ollie.
“Yes, Master.”
“Good.”
Dinah asked, “Have you any questions?”
“No, Mistress.”
“Well, feel free to ask us or any member of the staff.” Dinah sipped her tea. “Oh, and we’ll be shopping for your wardrobe tomorrow.”
& & & & & &
The shopping expedition went well, Dinah easy to be around. At lunch she asked, “Where did you get that magnificent bow and arrow?”
Roy’s expression grew somber. “My first owner was Brave Bow. I was raised on the Navajo reservation in Arizona. He gave them to me.”
When he said nothing further, Dinah asked, “So you’re skilled in archery?”
“I do all right,” Roy answered sullenly.
Dinah seemed unoffended. She sipped her tea, a thoughtful look on her face.
& & & & & &
“Show me what you’ve got, kid.”
Roy drew back the bow, then let the arrow fly toward the round practice target.
Bulls-eye!
“Impressive.”
Roy felt happiness sing through him. Archery was good. There was a symmetry and cleanness about it in a life both precarious and harsh.
When he practiced archery, it felt right.
Ollie smiled.
Author: BradyGirl
Pairings/Characters: (this chapter): Roy, Ollie/Dinah, Melody
Series Notes: In the 23rd century, Earth is a technologically-advanced society that practices the ancient institution of slavery. As Bruce and Clark continue to juggle being lovers as well as Master and slave, Bruce continues his Abolitionist work, and a shocking Family Secret is revealed. Meanwhile, the Queen Family welcomes a new member, and Steve and Hal meet their Destinies, although neither one realizes it yet. The entire series can be found here.
Genres: Drama, AU
Rating: (this chapter): G
Warnings: None
Spoilers: None
Summary: Roy is welcomed to Queens’ Castle.
Date Of Completion (First Draft): June 15, 2008
Date Of Posting: April 18, 2009
Disclaimer: I don’t own ‘em, DC does, more’s the pity.
Word Count: 865
Feedback welcome and appreciated.
Upon the hill
The castle shone,
Drawing in
The boy alone.
In peasant rags
He carried bow
To seek his fortune,
Reap and sow.
He would serve
The Queen and King,
A brave heart
Would he bring.
No more would he
Search and roam,
He had found
His shining home.
Selina Queen
"Castle Of The Queen"
2006 C.E.
XX
QUEENS’ CASTLE
Roy tried to hide his shock at the grandeur of Queens’ Castle. The large mansion had been built centuries ago, white pillars framing the large double doors of the entrance, white shutters a pleasing contrast to the brick walls.
The grounds were impeccably maintained as befit a grand estate: trees of oak, elm and maple were interspersed with blue spruce and evergreen. The flowers created a riot of color under the late winter sky.
Roy clutched his bow, a quiver of arrows on his back, the only possessions he had that were worth keeping. A small carryall contained a few shabby shirts and pairs of pants, underwear, a comb, and toothbrush.
“Welcome to Queens’ Castle,” Ollie said jovially, pride in the sweep of his arm. Dinah smiled and Roy felt a little less anxious.
The door opened and a stately, silver-haired butler said, “Welcome home, Master Oliver, Mistress Dinah.”
“Thank you, William.”
Inside the massive foyer decorated with suits of armor and an enormous crystal chandelier, waited a young girl that Roy guessed to be about his age, maybe a little younger. Her hair was dark blond and her brown eyes were warm and welcoming. Her slave bracelets sparkled in the sunlight streaming in through the windows.
“This is Melody, Squire to Mistress Dinah and myself,” Ollie explained. “You will now also serve us in that capacity. Melody, this is Roy. Show him to his room, please.”
Melody nodded and Roy followed her up the grand staircase and down an endless hall.
“This is your room.”
Roy walked into a good-sized room with a large bed, dresser, rocking chair and nightstand. The walls were painted light-blue, the curtains a deep sapphire hue. Everything was fresh and clean, a far cry from his last accommodations.
“Thanks, um, Melody.”
“Just ask if you have any questions or need anything. I’m right next door. Mistress Dinah asked that you unpack and dress in the clothes from the closet. You’ll have a proper shopping expedition soon.”
“Thanks.”
“I’ll come for you in a half hour.”
After Melody left, Roy set his bag on the bed and sat down next to it, still clutching his bow.
His head was whirling. So much had happened in the last twenty-four hours!
And so much had happened since the destruction of the reservation, and Brave Bow…
He swallowed and wondered how his new life would play out.
& & & & & &
Roy met the staff in the kitchen, Cook immediately declaring he needed fattening up, and he enjoyed a delicious lunch of salmon, broccoli, and whipped potatoes, and then he was given a tour of the mansion with Melody explaining his duties.
“Master Oliver and Mistress Dinah are patient and fair but do require obedience and slaves who pay attention.”
“Are they good Masters?”
“The best.” Melody’s eyes were shadowed. “I know the opposite.”
Roy didn’t ask further but filed the information away.
“You’ll get plenty of exercise and even free time after finishing your duties. Can you read?”
“Yes.”
“Good. The library is open to all slaves. You can borrow my own books, too, if you want.”
Roy was pleased to hear that. “Computer access?”
“You’ll receive your own login and password, known only to you and the Master and Mistress.”
This all sounds too good to be true.
& & & & & &
As the days passed, Roy learned more about his new owners. They were well-respected by the slaves, some of whom had been with the family since birth or for many years.
He saw Ollie and Dinah for brief periods, then was detailed to serve them tea and scones one afternoon in the solarium.
“So, Roy, are you settling in?” asked Ollie.
“Yes, Master.”
“Good.”
Dinah asked, “Have you any questions?”
“No, Mistress.”
“Well, feel free to ask us or any member of the staff.” Dinah sipped her tea. “Oh, and we’ll be shopping for your wardrobe tomorrow.”
& & & & & &
The shopping expedition went well, Dinah easy to be around. At lunch she asked, “Where did you get that magnificent bow and arrow?”
Roy’s expression grew somber. “My first owner was Brave Bow. I was raised on the Navajo reservation in Arizona. He gave them to me.”
When he said nothing further, Dinah asked, “So you’re skilled in archery?”
“I do all right,” Roy answered sullenly.
Dinah seemed unoffended. She sipped her tea, a thoughtful look on her face.
& & & & & &
“Show me what you’ve got, kid.”
Roy drew back the bow, then let the arrow fly toward the round practice target.
Bulls-eye!
“Impressive.”
Roy felt happiness sing through him. Archery was good. There was a symmetry and cleanness about it in a life both precarious and harsh.
When he practiced archery, it felt right.
Ollie smiled.