Moonstruck

| Chapter XX |

About four Knights came in the cell, both Princesses glaring sharply. One, with long blonde hair announces, "It is time for the public gathering. Please do not resist, or we'll be forced to kill you."At this, two Knights, one with black and one with brown hair unlock their shackles, just to put them in new, mobile ones. Each Knight held their bounds and wrists (The extra Knight helping Taylanie walk) as they escorted the two captives out of the cell. Both Sam and Taylanie look at each other worriedly, but they don't struggle for the sake of their safety. Eventually, the sisters were led to a large room, crowded with people, where they were pushed to their knees.

Each and every row of chairs were filled to the brim with Knights, Maidens, Nurses and Servants, all of them chatting amongst themselves—maybe as to why they were gathered here. In the middle of the room was a stage, leveled a bit higher than the ground. That stage had four thrones on it. One sat the King, who looked dull and tired, but Sam didn't miss how his gaze burned through her sisters head. Beside him was his wife, who was also looking wickedly at her limping sister and Sam's patched up face. Taylanie didn't miss the opportunity to stick out her tongue at her. "Immature—" Sam thought, but as she gazed up at the Queen's now annoyed expression, she held back a smirk. "—But effective." After snickering at the peeved Queen, both Sam and Taylanie's expression dropped at the sight of Vianna's youngest Princess.

She wasn't seated, not at all. She was clinging to the railing, crying at the sight behold her. Sam thought she was crying at the sight of their injuries, but as her sight lowered to match Tanna's, she immediately started producing tears.

It was Ash.

Knight Ashburn, held at the neck of a guillotine. Limp. "ASH!" The princesses both shrieked. He flinched—alive—but he didn't look up. Taylanie immediately jumps into action, pulling at her bounds. "WAIT- ILL TELL YOU EVERYTHING I SWEAR!"

"Ah, Ah, Ah! Intruders are not to be tolerated, no matter how much you beg." The Queen singsonged, holding up her finger scoldingly. She makes her way down the steps, and walks up to the guillotine. Ash does nothing.

"Ladies and Gentlemen! We have just began a war with the Keljamt kingdom." Elyza Barked. The crowd gasps, chatter growing louder. Elyza quickly claps, quieting the room down. "Do not be alarmed. For we will win this war. Their land will be ours and we will reign victorious with no struggle or suffering." The crowd starts cheering, roaring with nationality pride. Sam can see Tanna beginning to shake. Elyza continues. "We have taken their princesses hostage," The crowds gaze shifts to them, and they both move uncomfortably. "—Meaning they will make no attempt to harm this castle. However," She pauses dramatically as she begins to circle the two Princesses.

"But recently. We've come to find an intruder trying to rescue them." She growls, practically slurring the word intruder as she holds her piercing glare. The crowd boo's, throwing loose items onto the front of the stage. Elyza smirks, looking up to her husband. "Let his execution be a symbol of our victory. Our future is clear and full of prosperity and greatness! Let us snatch the victory by its neck, beginning with this Knight here." The crowd roars and Sam could feel the sweat running down her arms and neck. Knights begin walking to the guillotine.

Taylanie pulls, pushes, screams. "STOP!!" Her voice cracks and gags around the knot in her throat, Tears and snot running down her face. The Knight holding her struggled to pull her back, nonetheless she still resisted. "PLEASE!!"

"For Victory!" She hollered. The Knights released the blade.

Sam closes her eyes, tears spilling.

Taylanie watches, screaming protests, making her throat raw.

Ash looks up one last time.