Hello friends, family, my two or three fans and everyone who may have happened upon little ol' me by pure happenstance!
I'm so excited to share with everyone a couple of brief updates before we hit our next edition of the Royal Archives. But first, to those of you who may be new here, I am keeping Royal Archives for my book, The Fae Chronicles. I have goals of creating a series, which will eventually become one massive hardback, complete with these archives, letters, recipes, artwork, maps and anything and everything else that pops into my head to build massive lore around one a story that is very important to me.
Now, onto my news! Finally, The Fae Chronicles is about to have its paperback release. It's been a long time in the works, but I've finally figured a few things out and as soon as the copy is officially approved, I'll be putting it up for sale.
My other news it that Closer, my Halloween release, is now thirty-two chapters long and getting near the finish line! I still have to go back and edit it, and get the cover made, but it's very close and I absolutely anticipate it being released just in time for one of my very favorite holidays! I hope that anyone who reads it connects with the characters, and that you laugh, cry and get thoroughly creeped out. I am super excited about its release, and I hope all of you are as well.
Now, onto the archives!
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The Royal Archives
Sixth Edition
The Crown of the Underworld
"A crown does not make a ruler. It merely gives everyone something to blame when things go wrong."
—King Rowan III
There has been a crown in the Underworld for as long as anyone can remember.
Who forged the first crown remains a matter of considerable debate.
The oldest surviving records claim it was created from a branch of the original Hawthorn Tree.
Other records insist it was fashioned from silver drawn from the deepest mines of Talumh.
A dramatic account claims the crown simply appeared one morning upon the King's Tree.
The Royal Archives have classified that account as "highly questionable, but entertaining."
Regardless of its origins, the crown represents something far more important than wealth or power.
It represents responsibility.
The King
The ruler of the Underworld is not technically the ruler of every Fae who lives within it.
Each realm maintains its own customs, leaders, and traditions.
The King's responsibility is to maintain the balance between them.
This sounds considerably easier than it is.
The five realms do not always agree.
In fact, they rarely do.
Disagreements between the realms have resulted in everything from diplomatic arguments to full-scale wars throughout Fae history.
The King's role is therefore less about commanding obedience and more about preventing five very different peoples from destroying one another.
It is a difficult job.
It is also one that cannot be inherited simply because someone has royal blood.
The Royal Line
Succession within the Underworld has never followed a simple rule of eldest child becoming ruler.
The next monarch must demonstrate an understanding of the Old Laws, the five realms, and the responsibilities of the crown.
They must also receive the recognition of the Royal Council.
Bloodline matters.
But bloodline alone has never been enough.
There have been princes and princesses throughout history who were passed over despite being perfectly eligible by birth.
There have also been unexpected heirs who rose to the throne when no one believed they would.
History favors the latter.
The Royal Council
The King does not rule alone.
Representatives from each realm serve upon the Royal Council, advising the crown on matters affecting their people.
The council has occasionally been described by historians as:
"Five people who strongly disagree about everything and somehow still keep the kingdom functioning."
The Archives have chosen not to identify the historian responsible for that description.
Mostly because they were correct.
The Council is responsible for matters of trade, territorial disputes, magical law, diplomacy, and the protection of the Underworld itself.
When the realms cannot agree, the final decision belongs to the crown.
This has historically made the King's seat one of the loneliest places in the kingdom.
The Crown and the King's Tree
Perhaps the strangest royal tradition concerns the King's Tree.
Before taking the throne, every monarch must stand beneath its branches.
The crown is placed upon their heads while the kingdom watches.
No spell is spoken.
No oath is required beyond those already established by the Old Laws.
The new ruler simply stands beneath the Hawthorn.
And wait.
For what?
The Archives cannot say.
There are no written instructions regarding what should happen.
Some kings have remained beneath the tree for only a few moments.
Others have stood there for hours.
One monarch reportedly refused to speak about the experience for the remainder of his life.
Another claimed the tree whispered his name.
The Archives have never determined which account is true.
Perhaps both are.
A Final Word About Crowns
Visitors often assume that those born into royalty must live easier lives.
The Archives would like to remind such visitors that crowns are heavy.
Not physically.
Though some are.
The weight comes from knowing that every decision affects thousands of lives.
A king may command armies.
A queen may possess extraordinary magic.
A royal family may live within a magnificent castle.
But none of that makes them immune to grief, fear, betrayal, or love.
The crown does not make its wearer less Fae.
It simply gives the rest of the kingdom a reason to watch them more closely.
And perhaps...
That is the greatest burden of all.
Until next time,
May the King's Tree light your path,
Joli G. Campbell
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