A Forgotten Destiny (Merlin)

Chapter Twenty-Five: I Am Happy

Laughter and cheers filled the air as the Malkos people enjoyed yet another feast. This one was in Queen Rani's honour, the news of her recovery and pregnancy spread fast amongst the kingdom, everyone was overjoyed at the prospect of a new prince or princess.

But some news was disturbing the King, news that made him watch the secret glances between the Princess and a certain knight. They were brief looks and always done very secretively but they were there none the less. The guard hadn't said much but he suggested hints of less than pure intentions on Caden's behalf towards the Princess.

The night continued and the celebrations went on, there was music and dancing. James and Rani waltzed happily around the room, the king nodded to his knights as they too danced with lovely ladies in ball gowns, even Alec was dancing. Arron and Max too had found women to flirt with now that Caden was rejecting every single lady that went up to him, although no one understood why he had such a change in heart.

"This is amazing, Thank you." Rani spoke, as she cuddled into the King's chest as they moved side to side on the dance floor.

James sighed, "I'm sorry I wasn't here when you fell ill."

The Queen smiled up to her husband "You're here now, that's all that matters."

The Raven haired knight sat alone at the big table which was now empty as all the knights were dancing and otherwise occupied. Caden had just turned down yet another offer to dance, his gaze was set elsewhere, to a young lady who danced away with a visiting knight. King James had introduced the new knight and Princess and told the her to dance with him, she had obliged but this only left Caden feeling jealous as he watched the two be in such close proximity of one another.

"Come on Caden, Lady Hilda is a beautiful woman, there's no need to start being picky now." Alec patted Caden on his back before taking an empty seat beside him.

"I just didn't feel like dancing that's all." The Raven shrugged as he took a drink from his chalice, his eyes not moving from the Princess who still danced with the other knight.

Alec, of course, was talking about the fact that Caden had rejected probably the fifth women tonight.

Alec let his gaze follow Caden's to the Princess, "Ah, I see what this is about."

"What?" The Raven turned to look at the older knight.

"You and Princess Isobel."
Alec had told Caden to stop seeing the girl, he was proud that the young boy had listened to him, he himself knew how hard it was to avoid temptations.

"I'm not... we're not..." Caden stuttered as he tried to assure his friend of the lies he now lived.

"Look I know it's hard to want something you cannot have but you're doing the right thing by staying away from her, she'll only disrupt the good things you've got going on here." Alec said sympathetically.

"Yeah for the better..." Caden trailed off quietly before taking another sip out of his cup.

The lady Alec had been dancing with came back to the older knight asking to dance again, with a smile and chuckle Alec stood and accepted. Before leaving he patted his brother on the shoulder,
"Don't worry, it'll get easier."

~~~

A little while passed and finally Isobel had managed to pry herself away from the knight with the excuse that she needed to go get a drink. The knight being - well a knight - offered to go and get it for her, leaving the Princess unattended as she moved off the dance floor and to the side of the room leaning against the wall.