Aideen's Answer

~Chapter Twenty-Five~

Aideen watched nervously as the castle drew nearer. Her heart pounded in her chest as she wondered what to say to her mother. And her siblings! She tried to prepare herself for their inevitable anger, for surely this home coming would be more than a little difficult. She gulped audibly when she thought of what awaited her, but all too soon, the wait was over.
They entered the gates and began making their way across the grounds.
Aideen heard a commotion and craned her neck in a most unladylike way to see what caused it.
'Mother.'
The queen came running from the castle, running straight for them. For once in her life, she seemed to not care one whit for decorum as she made her way to them.
Cara pushed her way through the guards and rushed to her daughter, reaching her just as she dismounted Ginger.
"Aideen!!! My precious daughter!" Cara's words enveloped Aideen just as her embrace did.
Aideen breathed in her mothers scent and was surprised to feel tears gathering in her eyes.
"Mama," She whispered as she hugged her back.
"Oh, my darling," Cara murmured into her hair. "Oh, Aideen, you have come back to me!" She pulled back just enough to see her face, and stroked her cheek with a smile. "The prodigal daughter returns! What a wonderful day!"
"Mother, are you not terribly angry with me?" Aideen sniffed.
"Hush, dear," Cara answered with a soft smile. "There is much to discuss, but first you must bathe and rest."
Aideen opened her mouth to question her, but her mother answered before she could.
"And, no, my sweet. I am not angry with you. How could I be, when the Lord has returned my daughter to me?"
'I am not sure what the Lord had to do with it,' Aideen thought wryly. 'It had more to do with a certain prince and his horse.'
Thoughts of Gavin caused her to look around for him, and as she did, she realized that she and her mother had held their reunion right in front of all the guards and the prince! Her cheeks flamed, but she assured herself it was only the embarrassment of having them witness such a personal moment.
"Come, Aideen," Her mother said, "Let us head indoors, the men will see to Ginger."
They turned together and had taken only a few steps in the direction of the castle, when her mother stopped beside her fathers horse. The look that passed between them was filled with such love that Aideen's heart ached. Would she ever have that kind of love now?
Her parents seemed to decide by unspoken agreement that their talk could wait, for her mother looped her arm with Aideen's and off they went. They walked quietly up to the castle, and Aideen smiled when a small figure came tearing at them from the direction of the stables.
"Aideeeeeeeen!" Mitchell yelled as he threw himself at her. She knelt down to catch him in her arms and held him close. After hugging her tightly, he looked her in the eyes and took her face in his small hands. "Why did you leave me?" He asked seriously, and with such sadness in his eyes that her heart broke. "I got your letter, but you never said why! Why, Aideen? Did you not want to be here with us anymore?"
Aideen looked helplessly at her mother, who was smiling sadly at Mitchell.
"Come here, Mitchell," Their mother quietly beckoned.
He obeyed, but continued to look at Aideen.
"Aideen is very tired and needs to rest now, but Papa and I will talk to you about all of this later, all right?"
"Okay, Mama," Mitchell replied. He turned to go back the way he had come, presumably to find their father, when he suddenly turned back to them. "Is she going to leave again?" He asked, addressing their mother.
"I most assuredly hope not," She answered.
He turned to Aideen, his face solemn. "I cried when you left, so did Mama. Please, do not go again, sister. I missed you. And I hate when Mama cries."
This said, he turned back around and continued on his way.
His words left Aideen speechless, and she turned, open mouthed, to look up her mother, who was watching Mitchell's retreating back.
"We all hurt when you chose to leave us, Daughter. And you are going to have no choice but to try your best to make amends. Most likely, the pain will not wear off for a long while."
Cara looked down, and saw the shock that Aideen felt written all over her face.
"Did you honestly think that your choices would not have consequences, Aideen?"
"I," Aideen swallowed hard, and tried again. "I do not know, Mother. I suppose I knew that they would, but I planned on not being here to face them."
Her mother smiled, but Aideen could see how strained it was.
"Yes, well, you are here now. There is enough time for talking at a later time though, yes?"
Aideen nodded gratefully and stood up to stand next to the queen.
They strode inside together, and Cara led Aideen to her chambers, promising to have a tray sent up for her. First, she had Regan draw a bath for Aideen, and made sure she was settled before going downstairs to see about some food.
Aideen wondered about the strange look Regan gave her when they reunited, but was too drained to dwell upon it. She soaked in the warm water until it had turned cool and her skin resembled a prune.
Regan helped her dress and was combing through her hair when they heard what sounded like a scuffle outside the door.
"You would do well to remove yourself from my path!" An angry voice cried out.
"Madam," a gruff voice answered, "The queen requested she not be disturbed."
"I care not one whit! I will speak with Addie, today! Now, let me pass!"
The door banged open, and a beautiful woman swept in the room, just as Aideen rose.
She turned, and could not help the smile that split her face.
"Hello, Samantha."

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

She has returned!!!!! What type of-ah, welcome, do you think she will receive from Samantha? ;)
Ok, I wanted to warn y'all! I know that my updates have been extremely random lately, and I'm sorry to say that they will continue to be so. School is starting and I'm about to be swept up in the chaos of teaching! I'll keep up as best I can with updates, but I must beg your forgiveness if they are sometimes rare.
Well, God bless you! Enjoy the remainder of your summer!!!:)
As always, THANK YOU for reading!!! Please vote/comment :):)
Until next time!! :*

Much Love,
Mrs Unger:):)