The Princess and Her Whipping Boy

No Return

Cronan did not even stir when he heard the loud clanking of keys, then the grating of metal as the key twisted open the rusted lock. He did not care to see who had come. Archer, Silas, Rosalina or a guard, Cronan did not have the energy to speak with anyone. Despite the pain that racked his entire body, it was his heart that hurt the most.

Rosalina who had stood up to her father in the past and begged for mercy, had for the first time, delivered him to be punished. Yes, she had struck him before or created situations that ended in punishment, but she had always begged for mercy upon him and comforted him after. She had never before left him in the dark alone, hurt and suffering.

He flinched as a hand was laid gently upon his arm and someone murmured comfortingly in a soft voice. The voice seemed disembodied and distant. As Cronan opened his eyes to see the visitor's face, the world suddenly dipped and blurred. A sharp pang stabbed through his head, and he curled up, his hands pressed tightly against his temples. The murmuring voice continued on. And slowly, the pain faded and Cronan's head began to clear.

Opening his eyes carefully, Cronan saw to his surprise it was Silas kneeling by his side. The young lord smiled sorrowfully.

"I wish I could have brought hope for you in this time, my friend." Silas shifted, sitting back on his heels. "But instead I bring grave news. The queen has lost all sanity. We need to bring her home."

"I need to bring her home," Cronan shot back in an exhausted voice. "That is why you are here, is it not?" Seeing Silas's startled and guilty face, he laughed mirthlessly. "Once again, you are in trouble and so you come to me for help. To do what you are all afraid of. Isn't it too late for that now? Aren't we finished?"

"The city will burn!" Silas's voice was desperate now, as he leaned forward. "Please, Cronan, for everyone's sake, we need you."

"Where was this desperation when it was my city that was going to burn down? No one cared then."

"I did," Silas fumbled in the dark to take Cronan's hand, but Cronan quickly drew it away, not welcoming the touch.

"Did you really, Silas? Or was it out of guilt for your ancestors? Or perhaps you feared what Rosalina would do next?"

Silas stared at him in silence for a long moment. Then slowly, he shuffled back. Placing his crossed hands to his forehead, he bowed low until his fingers rested against the cell floor. Cronan started back, staring down at him in confusion.

Silas spoke, his voice muffled and low. " Forgive me, Cronan. Forgive me for all the agony I have put you through. Every step pained my heart, as I knew I walked a path where you would be the one to suffer."

"Then why?" asked Cronan. The tears of betrayal finally glimmered in his eyes. "Why would you do it?"

"I saw it as I had been raised." Silas sat back on his heels once more. His eyes did not meet Cronan's as they grew distant. "Ever since I was but a small child, I knew I was being sacrificed to save my country. King Warrick feared for his daughter and my father feared for the people. And so in union, they decided I should be the sacrifice. I would bend to Rosalina's rule, be her husband, and satisfy the people. Everything I ever learned was in preparation for this. It was my fate, a fate I could not run from.
And so when the time came, I thought nothing of sacrificing you, Cronan. Rosalina had to push you away. You had to be hurt in order for Rosalina to break. For it is only when she is broken that she will listen to me. It was cruel. It was wrong. And I do not expect you to forgive me. I ask just for one thing. Bring Rosalina back to me, and I promise you, this will be the very end."

Cronan sat in silence, his fingers running restlessly against his thin bruised arms. "How can I trust you after all this?" He asked after a moment. "Can I really believe this is the end?"

Silas nodded. "Yes, Cronan. I give my solemn word. The council will not dare ask the Queen to march upon Dune again. And I will never allow any harm to befall her."

"But what about me?"

Silas raised his eyes and finally met the young slave's gaze. It almost made him shudder. The small timid boy looked almost lifeless and empty. There was none of that silent determination of the past. Cronan was exhausted. And it was not such a tiredness that he could just sleep away. It was a tiredness that one desires to sleep forever and never awaken. Silas felt nauseous, the guilt churning his stomach.

"I will fix everything, Cronan. Please, before it is too late."

*     *     *     *     *

Rosalina knelt close to the ground, her body huddled over. Her throat was raw from the screams that had eventually been drowned out by the raging winds. She was dimply aware of the frightened wailing of the villagers hiding in their homes. The dragons still swept low, their hot breath like clouds in the rain. As Rosalina's thoughts darkened against the trembling people who hid away, the dragons sucked up her emotions like leeches. They dived down again, their great talons clawing at several of the rooftops.

Rosalina watched them numbly. Something within her wanted to smile at the destruction and chaos. A chilling shudder ran down her spine. In that moment, it was if the veil was ripped and Rosalina stared into the dark abyss before her. The whispering in her mind grew louder as the shadowy wraiths surrounded her, crowding her in. Rosalina screamed, striking out at them as she tried to scramble away. But they followed her, wrapping around her body as if they were attempting to smother her. Her voice rose, as her arms flailed wildly. The disembodied whispering was deafening in her ears.

But through it all, like a ray of light piercing through the darkened clouds, a soft voice drowned out all other sound.

"I am here, Rosalina. I am here."

Rosalina squeezed her eyes shut, trembling violently as she fell back. A pair of arms caught her, holding her tightly, as she sobbed in fear.

"Hush now. It is okay. I won't leave you. I am here." They caressed her tangled locks, their forehead resting against hers, as they gently rocked her back and forth. "You are safe."

Rosalina relaxed back into their hold, her head snuggled under their chin. "I knew you would come, Cronan. You always came."

The arms about her seemed to stiffen, but it was for but a brief moment.

"Come," the voice murmured softly once more. "Let us go back."

They rose to their feet, holding her close to their chest as they walked slowly back to the palace.

Rosalina let out a weary sigh. The town had become silent, as the dragons withdrew and headed home, no longer feeling the negative emotions of anger and pain. A tiredness settled over the queen, and her head rested against her bearer's shoulder. As her eyes grew heavy, she struggled to glance up at the young man's face. Her vision was blurred, but she made out the sharp face and long black braid. Her brow furrowed with confusion, before she slipped into a deep sleep.