Quest for Life Prologue

It had been a year since the Battle of the Sunrise and in the peacetimes that followed the Kingdom was repaired and wounds slowly healed. Celebrations were not an uncommon sight in the weeks that followed and these became more numerous when the Vampire Queen and the Bubblegum Princess announced their betrothal.

It had been two months after the war was over. Marceline had laid in wait for the princess just outside the main hall where she was hosting a gathering of many different important people, each hailing from different corners of Ooo. The door had opened and all the guests had filed out. Marceline smiled knowingly. Princess Bubblegum was always the last to leave the hall and that suited her just fine. The princess left the hall, proverbial nose buried in a stack of papers. Marceline snuck up behind her, grabbing her around the middle and making her squeak in surprise, dropping the papers.

“Hey babe,” Marceline murmured, planting a kiss on her neck.

“Marceline, what are you doing?” asked the Princess. She stooped to pick up the scattered papers. Marceline hovered round in front of her, lying on her front a few inches above the ground with her head propped up in her hands.

“Just wondering if you wanted to go out with me tonight?” she said. She picked up one of the papers and held it out to the Princess, “Whaddya say?” The princess took the sheet of paper from Marceline. She looked over at the hovering vampire with a small smile on her face.

“Alright,” she said, “Where did you have in mind? A club perhaps or one of your wild nights out on the town?” Marceline laughed.

“No, nothing like that,” she replied, “Far more special.” The princess was now genuinely curious. She gathered together the remainder of the papers and stood up, setting them on the table in the hallway. Marceline took this as her signal and took hold of the young woman’s hand, tugging her along playfully towards the door. The princess followed her out of the palace. To her slight surprise they made a beeline for the southern wall of the kingdom. Marceline turned to face her.

“Ready for a little flight?” she asked mischievously. Princess Bubblegum nodded, stepping forwards and putting her arms around Marceline’s neck. She lifted the Princess in her arms before flying up over the kingdom walls. The moon had risen and hung above the landscape, making everything shine with a silvery glow. Princess Bubblegum looked down at the land below. It was a beautiful sight. Silver flowers poked out from the shadows cast by the candyfloss trees whose cottony leaves were also a shining silver. The river Engon ran swiftly below them, its water turned to quicksilver in the moonlight. Marceline came in to land next to a wooden fence. She got up onto the stile and turned to the princess, offering her, her hand and helping her up. Princess Bubblegum gazed into the vampire’s deep red eyes, smiling with her eyes half closed. Marceline led her through the tall grass beyond, a lush fragrance rising up from wherever they stepped. That fragrance bore a special new meaning for them forever after for one breath of it would transport them back to that magical night.

They reached the top of the slope where a gnarled old tree stood. Its leaves rustled in the faint breeze which ruffled the two monarchs’ hair. Marceline took out her penknife and, with Bonnibel’s help, carved their initials into the rough bark, encircled by a heart. The princess began to ask the Vampire Queen why she had brought her here but Marceline pressed her finger to her lips, smiling at the bubblegum princess. She was concealing something behind her back. Princess Bubblegum gasped in delight as Marceline sank down on one knee, bringing out the small velvet box from behind her back. She opened it and there, nestled in the satin, was the most beautiful ring she had ever seen. The gold was twisted into the shape of a rainicorn and where the horn would be sparkled a diamond.

“Bonnibel, ever since the day we met, my life has known no sorrow, only joy, would you do me the honour of becoming my wife?” she asked. She looked hopefully up at the young woman. Tears pricking the corners of her eyes, Princess Bubblegum nodded.

“Yes, Marceline, I will,” she smiled. Marceline smiled back, sliding the ring onto the Princess’ ring finger. As she got up Princess Bubblegum threw her arms around her, nearly knocking her to the ground. Marceline held her and kissed her lovingly, not wanting the moment to end.

Princess Bubblegum smiled, remembering that wonderful night as she gazed at the ring that sparkled on her finger. The following day she had showed it to Lady as they prepared to fly to Finn and Jake’s house.

“어디 보자,” said Lady, smiling at the young woman. Princess Bubblegum nodded and held out her hand so Lady could see the ring that glittered there.

“그것은,” she cried, “축하, 여동생 아름답다.”

“Thanks, Lady,” replied Princess Bubblegum, “We’d better go tell the boys.” She climbed onto Lady’s back and they soared out through the window and across the plains towards the treefort.

“결혼식은 언제 할거야?” asked Lady.

“We were thinking sometime in the summer,” she replied.

“그녀가 어떻게 제시 했는가?,” asked Lady.

“She surprised me after one of the spring gatherings,” replied the Princess, “And asked me out on a date. She took me up to the hill overlooking the River Engon, you know, the one with the old apricot tree and there she, she proposed to me. Oh Lady, I felt so happy I thought I might burst.”

“나는 공주, 당신을 위해 정말 행복 해요,” smiled Lady.

One night, as the princess lay in Marceline’s arms on the sofa, they heard the sound of hurried footsteps in the hallway. At first they paid no attention. Princess Bubblegum nestled in closer, burying her face in Marceline’s neck, letting out a contented sigh. Marceline smiled, stroking the princess’ hair. The hurried footsteps started up again, this time running back down the hallway.

“I wonder what’s going on,” Princess Bubblegum murmured drowsily.

“Dunno babe,” replied Marceline sleepily. She tucked herself down further into the cosy warmth of the sofa, holding the Princess close. She didn’t want to move, she was comfortable. The fire cast a warm glow on their faces and they drowsed peacefully.

This peace was too good to last for they heard the footsteps once more and this time the door opened. Peppermint Butler stood in the doorway, looking worried.

“Princess, a band of vampires are making their way towards the castle,” he cried. They were both wide awake immediately.

“How far?” asked Princess Bubblegum.

“About two leagues away,” replied Peppermint Butler, “And approaching fast. They’re riding some sort of winged shadow.”

“A wraith gryphon?” asked Marceline.

“I really don’t know, your majesty,” replied Peppermint Butler.

“Peppermint, drop the majesty bit,” chuckled Marceline, “You know I don’t do titles.”

“Yes, well, that’s hardly the point right now, is it?” replied Peppermint Butler, looking flustered.

“Alright, alright,” said Marceline, waving her hand dismissively, “We’d better go see what they want.”

They made their way out to the gatehouse where they stood on the parapet, watching the vampire’s approach. They were flying blue banners, a symbol of peace.

“Don’t let your guard down, Bonnie,” warned Marceline.
“Believe me, I won’t,” replied Princess Bubblegum.

The vampires landed in front of the main gates, their steeds pawing the ground and snorting, releasing puffs of smoke.

“What’s your business here?” Marceline shouted down to them.

“We came to speak with your majesties,” one of them called back up.

“And what would that be about?” asked Marceline.

“Your suspicion is justified, your majesties, but you have no need to fear us. We are not of the Coven of Sun Reachers. They,” spat the vampire, "Are a disgrace to our people. We come in peace. News of your wedding has reached even as far north as our domain and we would be honoured if we could witness the union of two great kingdoms in friendship and alliance. We only wish for an eternal peace to exist between us and we would swear allegiance to you both.” Marceline turned to face Princess Bubblegum.

“What do you think?” she asked. The princess thought for a moment.

“I think....I think we can trust them,” she said at length, “What do you think?”

“I think so too,” replied Marceline, “They would have attacked by now if they weren’t trustworthy.”

“You are most welcome,” Princess Bubblegum called down to them.

“We thank your majesties,” replied the vampire, “We wish you good fortune and happiness on the special day. We will depart now for sunrise fast approaches.”

“We wish you a safe journey,” Princess Bubblegum called after them. She turned back to face Marceline, “Well, what do you think of that?”

“I suppose I should have expected it really,” she replied.

“Huh? What do you mean?” asked Marceline.

“Well,” said Marceline as they left the gatehouse,” Hard to believe it may be at times, but I’m royalty too.” It was true. With Marceline’s carefree attitude and lack of a crown it was easy to forget that she too was in charge of a kingdom. “So when we get married our two kingdoms will unite as well,” she continued.

“Of course,” replied Princess Bubblegum, “I totally forgot.” Marceline chuckled.

“That’s not like you, Princess,” she said teasingly, “You feeling alright?”