Aideen's Answer

~Chapter Twenty-Three~

Garrett looked down at his fiancée worriedly. They had ridden over halfway back to the castle, and she had not yet awoken. Oh, she stirred from time to time, flailed about a bit. Sometimes she would call out for her Mother or someone named Samantha or this Kevin.
He could not suppress a snarl when he heard her say that name. The miserable little worm. Garrett could not believe the actions of this so-called knight. To woo this young woman and get her to agree to run away with him was bad enough, but he could simply not believe that this 'knight' had abandoned her! Just taken advantage of their distraction when they found Princess Aideen to gain headway and slip away. King Daniel had been furious. It had been all Garrett could do to convince him to turn around and get his daughter to safety instead of charging after the man himself.
Garrett could could well imagine what would have happened had the king found this Kevin. He grinned. It would not bode well for the young knight.
Well, perhaps it would be no better this way. For while he had convinced the king that they needed to bring the princess back home, nothing he could say or do would stop her twin brothers from hunting this man down. Garrett had seen the anger on their faces, this would most likely not end well.
His gaze returned to the Princess' face, where she lay nearby. The firelight cast flickering shadows on her face, but he could clearly see her beauty.
He inhaled deeply. This was his bride. His wife-to-be, the woman that would be by his side as they ruled the land. Together.
But would they have the happy life he had imagined? Or would she forever be plagued with discontentment, as she yearned for a man she could not have? Perhaps she would refuse to marry him outright, choosing instead to wait for the worm.
Garrett rubbed his tired eyes, the days excitement catching up to him. How different had this trip turned out than what he had expected! He thought he would ride into the castle, be greeted by his bride and her parents and to spend a leisurely day getting to know the princess better. Instead, he arrived to find the castle in an uproar, the queen in tears, the princes hurling threats, and the princess missing.
'Twas a strange welcome, indeed.
He had wasted no time in joining the search party, and soon was back in the saddle. The king was indeed a great tracker, not that it was a difficult. The two had left a trail even a novice could follow. It had not taken them long to begin gaining on them, especially since they only stopped to rest for a few hours, in the hopes that it would help them catch their prey sooner. And indeed, it had. Princess Aideen was no amateur rider, but it had been easier than Garrett had expected to overtake her. What he had not expected was for her to drop in a dead faint after one look at him.
'Perhaps Adam is right,' he thought with a rueful grin as he recalled his younger brothers teasing. 'Perhaps women do find me repulsive.'
Well, that was an uncomfortable thought. Women had always flocked him, but he attributed that more to the thought of riches and royalty than anything on his part.
However, he had always been content with his looks. He was rather tall, at 6'. Thick, curly brown hair covered his head and licked his collar. He could not stand to wear it long in the latest style, he preferred it as short as possible. It caused much less trouble that way. His eyes were a deep brown, framed by thick lashes.
His brothers words leapt into his mind again, and he glanced at Princess Aideen. Would she find his looks distasteful? What would she think of him as a person?
He smiled abruptly, where was this coming from? He had never questioned the design of his Maker before, why would he begin now?
'Perhaps a certain beautiful princess has addled my brain,' he thought, smiling. 'But no matter, I am a creation of the Almighty, and I am 'fearfully and wonderfully made'. There is no greater reassurance than that.'
Feeling far more peaceful, he strolled across their small camp and went to fetch some water. As he drank, he thought he saw a small flicker of the princess' lids.
Was he imagining things? But no, there it was again!
"King Daniel!" He called out to where the king was conferring with his knights. He had promised to notify him at the slightest change.
As expected, the king hurried over immediately.
"Yes, what is it?" He asked, his eyes full of concern. "Has she awoken?"
"Not yet, sir, but I believe she is about to," Garrett responded.
They went to her side and the king knelt over his daughter.
"Aideen?" He said softly, "Can you hear me? Please answer me."
A soft groan escaped her lips, and her eyes slowly opened.
"Papa?" She croaked.
"I shall fetch some water," Garrett said, leaping to his feet immediately.
Daniel nodded his thanks, and turned back to the princess.
"Shh, my dear, do not try to speak just yet. You need rest, you gave your old father quite a scare."
Garrett hurried to retrieve the water and made it back to them. He knelt back beside Princess Aideen and held the cup while she gratefully drank.
He could see in her eyes that she remembered everything that had happened, but was reluctant to speak on the subject.
'Smart girl,' he thought wryly.
"Now that you have had some refreshment, I have half a mind to make you recount the entire tale of why on earth you would choose to endanger yourself and injure your entire family this way," The king said sternly.
Aideen opened her mouth, but quickly shut it again as her father continued.
"But I think that shall wait until we get home and make sure that you are all right. Also, I think your mother deserves to hear it with me. She was most distraught when we left and I imagine she has been worrying herself sick. I can not possibly imagine that you will have a good reason for this, but I hope I am wrong."
All at once, his stern gaze softened and he reached out to stroke her cheek.
"When we found your letters, and realized that you were gone-" His voice broke then, and Garrett pretended not to notice the moisture on the Kings face. "I thought we had lost you," King Daniel whispered. "Thank the good Lord that we now have you back."
He gave her one last watery smile, bade them both good night, and took his leave.
Garrett rose to do the same, but the princess grabbed his arm.
"Wait."
He was surprised to feel his pulse jump at her touch.
'Does she feel it too?' He wondered.
However, none of his thoughts were revealed in his voice as he answered.
"Yes, Princess?"
"I have to know," She whispered, her eyes pleading. "Where is Kevin? What happened to him when we were captured?"
Garret's heart sank as he realized what he had to tell her. He struggled to keep his voice impassive as he told her.
"He got away."
"Got away?" She asked, her eyes widening. "Wait, do you mean-?"
"When he realized you were to be captured," Garrett answered, "He made his escape and left you."
"No," She whispered weakly. "No, that can not be true. He would never leave me. He loves me. Please, sir, tell me it is not true."
His heart tugged at the pain in her voice, but it would do no good to conceal the truth.
"I can not lie to you, Princess. It is the truth. He is gone."
'For good, I hope,' Garrett added silently.

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

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!!!!!!!

I really hope you enjoyed this chapter as much as I enjoyed writing it! Writing from a mans pov is quite interesting, I might try it more often! ;) it was fun!
Anyway, I hope y'all have a wonderful and blessed holiday weekend, be safe out there! Don't go too crazy with the fireworks! ;)
May God be with you! Whatever you're doing this weekend:):):)
Love always-
Mrs Unger:):)