"Falling"

Please, Help Him

The ride back to Josh's camp seemed longer, no matter how fast Bella pushed her horse to go. Whatever deal Jensen made with her father, was worth a lot to her father, since there was no way in hell he would just let her go after he accused her of treason.

Her mind is still racing when she gets to the camp, leaving her horse with one of the soldiers and rushing to Josh's war tent. She needs to deliver that letter fast and find out what is going on.

She bursts through the flaps of the tent, Josh going over a few reports with Jared and two other captains, and looking over at her in surprise when he hears her, calling out her name.

Bella tells him that something's wrong, before recounting all that has happened to him and handing him the letter she was charged with delivering, her hand shaking.

Josh takes the letter from her and opens it, immediately recognizing his brother's handwriting. He skims through the letter quickly, crumbling it in his hand when he is done, with an emotion in his eyes that Bella can't quite place.

-"This letter is from your Commander. He is sacrificing himself for the safety of our Kingdom, effectively ending the war. King Williams will be executing him come morning. Relay this information to your men and wait for further orders." - The three men look shocked but nod to Josh and leave.

-"What can we do to stop this?" - Bella can barely hold back her tears.

-"Bella... I lied. Jensen didn't do this for the Kingdom."

-"What're you saying?"

-"He did it for you. He is sacrificing himself for you, to keep you safe."

-"There's got to be something we can do."

-"I gave him my word, Bella." - He whispers.

-"I don't understand. Josh?" - She sees him letting out a sigh, before speaking again.

-"Before he left, Jensen came to see me. He asked me to promise him that no matter what happened to him, that I would look after you and keep you safe. He wanted to be sure that you would always have a home with us, even if he was no longer here. I gave him my word that no harm will ever come to you, Bella." - He can see the tears in her eyes and it breaks his heart seeing her like that. -"The letter he sent is filled with coded sentences that we have in place in case something like this ever happened, letting me know that there is nothing to be done."

-"Show me." - For the next couple of minutes, Josh shows her the sentences and explains to her what they really mean. -"It doesn't matter. We need to help him and not leave him for dead."

-"I have been trying everything I can to get Jensen back, but your father refuses to even talk to me unless it is for me to surrender to him. You know I can't do that, Bella. I'm sorry."

There's regret, sadness and sorrow in his eyes when he speaks, Bella can see it as clear as day. She knows that Josh would give her father anything he asked in order to get Jensen back, anything but this.

Bella can't stop herself and starts crying, collapsing on her knees, Josh holding her close. She can hear him asking her to forgive him, but she can hardly breath, let alone talk. Bella just stays right there, crying and shaking in Josh's arms.