Aideen's Answer

-Chapter Sixteen-

   "Mitchell!" Aideen screamed out. She stood up and ran to the gate. The guards held her back, but she caught a glimpse of the back of the man in black.

  She suddenly glimpsed a flash of red through the trees! What was that?

  There it was again!

  Then she realized it was a knight! 

  Her hand went to her throat.

  Kevin?

  The Knight lept through the trees and tackled the kidnapper! They hit the ground with a loud 'thud' that echoed through the forest. They began to shuffle in the dirt, rolling around amidst the leaves. The gate guards rushed out to help with a yell. The kidnapper saw this and struggled violently to get away, but the knight held him fast.

Suddenly, the man drew a dagger! Aideen could see the blade glint in the sunlight right before he plunger it into the knight!

  Aideen bit back a scream as she watched him fall.

  With one last look toward the gate the kidnapper lept upon his horse and fled. The guards gave chase, but Aideen was quite sure it would not help. 

  "He is gone," She thought with a sigh of relief. "But where is Mitchell? And the Knight?!"

  She dashed toward the forest and was nearing the fallen knight who was surrounded by his comrades, when she heard a voice. 

  "Aideen?'

  "Mitchell!" She looked around anxiously but could not see him. "Mitch, where are you?"

  "Here I am. Right here," He answered as he emerged from his hiding place, a spot covered in foliage. "Is he gone?"

  "Oh Mitch!" Aideen choked out. She opened her arms and her brother rushed into her embrace. They slid to the ground together.

  "I thought I was going to lose you," She whispered into his hair as she held him close. "But yes. That vile man is gone."

  "I was so scared Aideen! Why was he trying to take me away?" Mitchell asked as he clung to her. " 

  "I do not know, I wish I did," Aideen answered.

  "Who was the knight? The one who saved me?"

  The Knight! Aideen could still see the dagger glimmering in the sunlight. She shivered.

  What if it was Kevin?

  'No!' she pushed the thought away and stood up, then helped Mitchell to his feet.

  "I am not sure who that brave knight was but we shall go find out." She told him as she took his hand.

  Mitchell nodded vigorously and walked beside her. His eyes, however, were centered on the trees.

  Aideens heart lurched as she watched him. What would this do to her brother? Would his innocent trust be shattered?

  She forced her mind to the task at hand.

  Calling one of the guards over to stand with Mitchell, she hurried to the circle of guards.

  Her heart hammered in her chest as she pushed through the men.

  "Please be alright Kevin, please be okay." She thought furiously.

  At last she reached the unconscious knight. Her eyes widened when she realized who it was.

  She bit back a cry as she slid to the ground beside him. 

  "Eric! Oh, Eric, what have you done?"  She cried out as she looked at her precious cousin.

  The bloody dagger still protruded from his shoulder, and his eyes were closed as if in sleep.

  Winten, on of the older guards, laid a hand on her shoulder.

  "We was just gettin' ready to carry him to the healer m'lady. It looks worse than it is. Only reason he's unconscious is because he hit his head on a rock after that 'Man'," He spit on the ground. "Sorry Princess." he muttered. "Anyways after the attacker got him with a knife."

  Aideen nodded, though her eyes stayed on Eric.

  "Please take him." She said as she stood up. "He need medical attention immediately."

  The guards nodded and rushed forward to lift their comrade.

  Aideen winced at their less-than-gentle way of carrying him, but she knew they were doing their best.

  She walked ahead of them back to her brother and put her arm around him. They watched as the guards approached. 

  "Who was it Aideen?" Mitchell asked fearfully.

  "Mitch it was-" She began just as the guards came upon them. 

  "Eric?" Mitchell asked, wide-eyed when he saw his cousin.

  Erics eyes opened and the guards stopped. He smiled at them.

  "Hello there, Prince. I would bow but that might be rather difficult at the moment." He said weakly.

  Mitchell laughed, but there were tears in his eyes. "Why Eric? Why did you do that? You risked your life and even got hurt!" His tears spilled over his cheeks.

  "Hey, now champ! You make it sound like I could have died - that creep had nothing on me." Eric smiled at him. "Besides, we are family and family is worth more than gold, Mitchell. A life without family is not worth living. Remember that." 

  Mitchell nodded and Aideen motioned for the guards to continue. They did and she and Mitchell followed closely.

  "Will he be alright, Aideen?"

"Mitchell, this Eric we are discussing! It would take more than a single man to truly hurt him!"

  Mitchell smiled and was silent, allowing Aideen time to mull over what her cousin had said.

  A life without family is not worth living. 

  Did he really believe that?

                                                *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 Sigh, what a hero ;)

 I just want to say thanks to all my readers and supporters! Especially my best friend! Without her, I wouldn't have gotten a stomach ache off jelly beans as I wrote this ;) (and she is also my biggest cheerleader! ;))

Have a wonderful and blessed, Easter friends!!     As always, please vote/comment/follow! It makes writers like me and heros like Eric VERY happy!!!!!!!!!!! :D

                                   Love Always,

                                           Mrs Unger ;)