fic: "Assembly, Care, & Feeding of a Queen's Court" by Tielan - rated R [Maria, ensemble]

[tielan]

FANDOM: Avengers
TITLE: Assembly, Care, & Feeding of a Queen's Court
RATING: R
CHARACTERS: Maria, Nick, Natasha, Clint, Phil, Jane, Rhodey, Tony, Pepper, Thor, Bruce, Darcy, Steve.
WORD COUNT: 36,180
WARNINGS: (highlight to see) There are two scenes involving unwanted sexual advances, both of which are averted.
DISCLAIMER: Not mine, making no money, I'm just having fun with them.
NOTES: Holy cow, it's done! Three months from inception to completion, and it's been a mad ride all the way. *hugs* I hope you enjoy it!

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: I have far too many people to thank for working with me on this and if I don't recall you, I'm so very sorry!

Firstly, to booklover81, mad_maudlin, grav_ity, mari4212, and wojelah who encouraged me when the idea of a Black Jewels fusion with Avengers first popped into my head. Then to the people who beta'd midway through the story – specifically allisnow, lar_laughs, and spoke. Then to all the people who encouraged me to keep writing. And then lizbet0 did an amazing job of going over the story with a fine-toothed comb and poking the sticky bits of it into shape so they were a little less oozy.

I have no words to adequately describe my joy in the artwork neptune47 and hiddencait made for this story - thanks so much to both of you!

Finally, I hope you enjoy the story, and there may be a sequel if I can find the time and energy to write it. Thank you!

The Hydra came out of nowhere. They moved through the Territory of SHIELD, killing the Queens of the Blood - the heart of the land - and destroying their courts. For twenty-five years, the land has lain locked in a cold, dark winter, waiting for a Queen to rise up and bring them into day. But when Warlord Prince Nick Fury answers the call of a trusted friend, he discovers a young Queen living alone in the forest, spirited and unbroken, surviving by her wits.

Maria Hill was brought up in a Queen's court, and learned the laws and protocols of the Blood at an early age. But she's been living solitary for the last three years and she likes it - she doesn't want a court, or to rule. She may not have a choice.

The Hydra are making their final push across the land, and if Maria cannot draw a strong court around her to fight them, none of them may survive the onslaught.



Story Masterpost | Art Masterpost