Elderflower, The Last Halfbreed

Chapter 12 White Swan

The feast had begun. People gathered into the dining hall with smiles plastered on their lips. Bards were beginning to play their instruments and couples were getting ready for the dancing. I sat on the throne with a happy smile. It was good to see my people in high spirits. Arthur sat next to me.

“Where did you go after the stables? I couldn't find you.” He asked.

“I found a secret garden in the corner of the city. I somehow stumbled upon it and found an Elderflower tree growing out of the frozen ground.” I paused. I didn't know whether to tell Arthur about Alagos or not. I didn't want Alagos to be hunted down. He knew my secret. “I met an elf. A Dark elf, under the name of Cynid. He told me to come to Alyania. He also told me that there is more to me then even I knew. He told me I had a secret power hidden deep inside me. I have to go to Alyania. Tomorrow.”

“So soon? Rose, you just became Queen. You can't abandon your people now! They need you more than ever!” His blue eyes stared coldly into my soul. I knew this was wrong but I needed to find out who I really was. Instead I smiled at him.

“I know, Arthur. That's why I want you to come with me. You've come with me this far.” His expression grew wide with astonishment. “Jonathan will look after the throne for me while we're gone. He's done it longer than I have. I've already told him. Tomorrow we leave.” I got up and walked into the crowd of dancers. With some hesitation, I turned back and looked at Arthur. “You know the White Swan?”

“Of course. We used to dance it many times. Why?”

“I want you to dance with me. That's an order.” I could tell that Arthur had some hesitation coming up to me and holding my waist. The bards began to play the slow melody of the White Swan. The violin slowed and whined with a high tune. The throne room hushed as they stared at the two dancers in the middle of the stone room.

I felt all the eyes bore into us. I didn't care. There was something amazing about Arthur. He held my waist like some precious jewel, light and delicate. With a flurry of my red dress I twirled. The room whirled and twisted around me. Arthur held my hand high above my head. He kept me steady. Already I could hear the room getting quieter and quieter as people stared at the two people.

Suddenly, Arthur stopped me and stared at me. His blue eyes dazzled me into a trance. His hands were on my waist again and they were lifting me high in the air. My arms flew outstretched, like a swan. He threw me high in the air as I soared up high. I landed on the ground with barely a sound and continued to twirl. This time, Arthur wasn't there to hold me up. I spun with no one to help me. I could see him off in the distance. I stopped myself and began to jump and run towards him.

Each time I would jump, I would spin in the air and get higher and higher. He caught me and he slowly spun around as we gazed into each other's eyes. Arthur, I whispered in my head. He had changed so much. Suddenly he stopped spinning but he slowly leaned in. His eyes getting larger and larger.

The world seemed to stop. Time had slowed as I gazed into his eyes. I felt his lips on mine like a soft blanket. His hand reached for my neck as he pressed his lips harder on mine. I couldn't think. I wanted him to stop. I knew this was a bad idea. I couldn't. I couldn't move. I couldn't stop him.

Suddenly I couldn't breath. I pulled away with every fiber of my being as sweat accumulated on my forehead. He took a deeper breath and kissed me again. I didn't know what was going on. I felt strange. A new feeling began to flow through my body as he held my face in his hands. I heard him whisper in my ear.

“Let me hold you, forever. Rose. Rose. Rose.” His voice whispered as he said my name. Each time he recited my name it sent chills down my spine. He hugged me and held me close. I wrapped my arms around his neck.

“Arthur. Arthur. Stop. Please. Not now.” That was all that I could mutter. He heard me and stopped almost immediately. He knew something was wrong.

“I'm sorry Rose. I didn't mea-” I put a finger on his lips to quiet him. I grabbed his hand and led him to my bedchamber with the whole castle in astonishment.

After we left the party the music was still playing and I could hear the laughter of the people. I smiled with happiness. Arthur smirked as he stoked the fireplace.

“We'll be the talk of the city for some time. Come sit. I know something is troubling you.” He patted at a spot on the carpet as the fireplace flickered to life.

“Somethings not right. I felt it when we kissed. I don't know if its you but something inside me told me something is wrong. I can't imagine it would be you.” He smiled at me when I said those words. “I think I'm just so confused about all this. I've known you my whole life Arthur. I just...”

“Hush. I know what is troubling you. I barely gave you much time to accept me for what I've done to you, in the past. That was unacceptable of me. I'll give you some time to think.”

“No. Stay here.” I grabbed his hand. “Did you hear what I told you while you were sick,the night I looked under the stars while taking care of you?”

“Yes. I remember. So many times I tried to wake up to protect you. Instead you saved my life. I owe it to you Rose. When we leave for Alyania in the morning, I will always be there for you.” His face leaned in closer to mine. That's when I knew he would keep his promise and I would keep mine. I felt his lips on mine once more. I believed in him. I knew he would keep his promise.

His kisses lasted long into the night. That was the only thing that he wanted was to be near me. He figured that time was of the essence if we were going to leave tomorrow. I don't remember him leaving. I slept on the floor. My red dress badly crumpled from the night before. I didn't remember that we were leaving at dawn.