The Queen's Wedding Bands

Describe a historically significant piece of jewelry in your world. What stories does it carry?

"Will you wear my ring?"
It was not an order, and the oddness of that made him pause. The Queen held out the band in her left hand, her posture upright and regal, but not haughty. Her long, delicate, bone-white fingers cradled it gently. The ring matched the one she wore.
The silver metal was as wide as his smallest finger, and adorned only by simple etching. The runes which covered its surface were ancient, their meaning long forgotten.
He knew that band by its reputation. The Queen gave it to every consort she chose and they were rarely seen after. It had been on the hands of thousands, perhaps millions, of men. People said that the runes were an ancient love curse which brainwashed the consort, turning him into a drone. A shiver ran down his spine as he looked into the Queen's eyes.
"Why do you ask?"
The corners of her eyes tilted up and he realized the Queen could smile. "Because you have a strong enough mind and sharp enough wit to ask that question. I can order any drone to perform duties as consort, but I prefer my daughters have fathers like you. It would defeat the purpose to try and compel you to accept this arrangement."
He considered that. If she wanted thinking consorts, the ring's curse might be overblown. "What is this arrangement, exactly?"
"That you will father my daughters, as long as you are able. That you will live in the palace and be available to me at my will. Your needs and whims, within reason, will be provided for. You will have the protection of the drone guard and armies, though you will have no political power."
"There are rumors about that ring."
"How do you think I prevent my consorts from becoming targets for our enemies?"
His brows raised as that information clicked into place. "May I ask what the runes say?"
Her voice softened, and his heart skipped as he realized she was sharing something precious with him. "They are marriage vows of a world long past, from the time of the first Queen. They don't translate perfectly, but in modern language: 'To Love, To Cherish, To Respect, To Support, To Honor, To Protect, As Long As You Both Shall Live'."
The silence stretched as he thought, and she stood patiently while he mulled. He did not love the Queen, at least not yet- perhaps he could in time. He did not know the Queen personally, though she knew him completely. She knew every Hiver down to their core... did that mean she saw him as particularly special? He also had some logistical questions about "As Long As You Both Shall Live," but he sensed now was not the time for them.
He stepped forward and reached out, his fingertips brushing hers as they both held the band.
"Yes, my Queen. I will wear your ring. I will be your consort."
She slipped the ancient band over his finger and it tightened gently into place until it lay flat against his black chitin. Almost to his surprise, it did not bite or burn him, and he felt nothing strange in his mind. It was simply a ring after all, an ancient symbol of love half-bloomed. He looked up into her smiling eyes and smiled back.

Item type

Jewelry / Valuable