The Prince and The Stablehand

Fight for him

Gasps fill the room and soon people started to whisper amongst themselves. "I'm sorry what?!" She yelled. "I can't do it... I don't love you." Her eyes widen as she grits her teeth. The room starts to chatter in shock. I walk over to my father and placed the ring in his hand. "If I had to choose I still choose him but you will not send him to his death for treason. He has be nothing but supportive, kind, and cares about me. He loves me for me and not my crown." My father tries to say something. "SILENCE FATHER!" I yelled and he surprisingly closed his mouth. "If I am to be forced to wed someone to become king then i denounce my crown. I refuse to become king if this is the path you force me to choose. I will take my leave and be out of this castle in the morning...." I said. "Shadow if I may my son. Before you do that." My mother said. "Everyone let me tell you a tale. Once there lived two kingdoms. One had a young prince who was ready to rule. The other a princess who was betrothed to another. On the night of the princes coronation the two met wondering through the ballroom. They fell instantly in love with each other and danced the rest of the night. The prince asked her to marry him but she sadly had to refuse because she was already engaged to another. Yet she fought for her true love and was finally freed from her engagement to wed the prince she had fallen in love with. That princess was me. The prince was my husband." She turns to my father. "My love I know you mean well by bringing our kingdoms together. But to bring unhappiness to our oldest son when his brothers have found love themselves to make it happen isn't how it's done anymore. There are other ways to bring the kingdoms together. I will not let you make our son marry one who makes him unhappy.... He will not rule with his heart if it is broken. Plus I have met his suitor and I will say he will bring new light to our people. He will give us a better understanding on how to help them. I say there is no one who comes close to him. Our son smiles when he mentions his name. He has treated our son like a person. There's no better match for our than him. They deserve to be together my husband. Just like you and me." She smiles and I see the guilt in my father's face realizing she was right. "You're right my queen..... Shadow forgive me for everything I have done....." he said with tears in his eyes. I nod in forgiveness. "WHAT?! YOU CANT BE SERIOUS!" Azula yelled. "I'm sorry my dear but the wedding is off.... Your majesties if we may discuss other plans to unite our kingdoms." "Of course" they said. "WHAT?!" Azula growled. I noticed my mother walking to knuckles and grabbed his hand leading him to me. Gasps and mutters stir up again. "Now I think the two of you are free to let your love blossom." She said taking my hand and brings it to his. I look into his eyes and our smiles return. My heart is swelling with happiness. "THE STABLEHAND?! YOU RATHER BE WITH A COMMONER THAN A PRINCESS?! LET ALONE A WOMAN?!" Azula yelled storming up to us. "Guards please escort the princess outside until she calms down please." I said not taking my eyes off of a Knuckles. "Yes sir!" They said and dragged her away. "So I guess no more sneaking out?" He whispered chuckling. "Nope because we are free to love where ever our hearts desire." I said smiling and kissed him. Everyone cheers even my father was happy.

1 year later

The thundering sounds of hooves striking the ground as they race through fields. "BEAT YA AGAIN SHADZ!" Knuckles smiled as I rode up. "You grabbed Sonic's horse didn't you?" "Maybe" he smirked giving me a wink. I laughed as we let our horses take a breather after racing. "Wanna head to the spot?" I asked. "Lead the way" he said and we rode to the secret spot. The horses head to the lake for some water while the two of us lay under the tree that has grown peaches. Knuckles plucks one off and washes it with some of his water he packed. I watch him pull out his pocket knife and laid back down cutting slices. "Want one?" He asked before eating anything. "Sure" he hands me a slice and makes one for himself slowing exposing the pit in the middle. "Wow I never thought peaches fresh of the tree would be so sweet." "Yeah my sister and I would go into our mom's garden and pick the apples, pears, whatever she grew and eat it. She would get so mad at us but did like how we enjoyed fruits and vegetables. Until like my brothers of course." He laughed. "Do you stay in touch with your brothers and sister?" "Well yeah but since we all live in different time zones it's kinda hard....especially since our parents passed." "Do you think they come to a wedding?" "Oh yeah but they're all married except for me of course." He said. "Well um...." I blush and sit up. "Have you thought about getting married?" "Someday I mean I'm ready to get married." He smiled eating the last slice. "Good because...." I pull out a dark silver band. "I wanted to see if you would like to marry me." I smiled seeing the surprise in his eyes. "Well Knux watta say? Will you marry me?"

"Yes"