The moment we are out of the country house, they throw us into the back of an enclosed carriage with barred windows.
Groaning in pain as I hit the hard wood of the floor of the carriage, Philippe immediately crawls to my side.
"Are you alright?" He asks, examining the cut on my neck.
I wave him off, "I'm fine. It's just a small cut, it will heal quickly."
"May I?" He motions to the bottom of my dress.
I nod and he rips off a strip then gently ties it around my neck to bandage the cut.
"I'm sorry." I mumble.
"Why is that?" He asks as he finishes up the knot.
I look away from him, "This very likely my fault. I never should have allowed you to take me in after what happened. I was a naïve little girl."
5 Years Ago
"Mama! Papa!" I scream pounding on the man's back as he carries me away from my parents and our small cottage.
"They don't deserve you. They are traitors to the French crown!" The man exclaims.
Soon I was surrounded by other children that had been taken from their homes and families. It was days before I saw the chance to run, but as soon as I did, I found myself racing through thick woods.
I didn't think of food or water, I could only think of running and not being killed. However soon, my little body gave out and I collapsed next to the road leading to a large country house.
I woke up the next morning in a soft, warm bed with fresh dress on.
"Hello." I jump with fright when I hear a voice speak. I look off and sitting in a chair next to my bed was a boy, maybe a year older than I.
"...Hello." I respond quietly.
"I found you next to the road, I thought you may need a place to stay. You also looked very lost." The little boy giggles.
3 years ago
"Please just let me leave, Philippe!" I beg him.
He shakes his head, "I will not throw you back into the wilderness like I found you."
I stare at my feet as we walk into town, "How do you think it looks, a girl like me living with you? I just appeared out of no where. The villagers think I'm a whore and a witch."
Philippe suddenly turns to me, his arms firm on my shoulders, "Which you are neither. Let them think what they want."
"I thank you for clothing me and feeding me these past two years but you do not have to." I try once more.
He continues walking, "It was lonely before you came, I am glad to have the company."
"Look at the rich boy's whore! She follows him around like a dog! Here doggie, doggie, I've go a treat for ya!" Two very drunk men burst into laughter.
I can feel my cheeks heat up as I blink back tears. Philippe slips an arm around my shoulder and leads me away from them to a secluded area between two shops.
"Just let them think what they want." He whispers as he brushes away my tears, "To me you are the most beautiful girl in France. I do not care how many times I have to say it, but you are."
1 year ago
The village was quiet in the afternoon sun and I walked arm in arm with Philippe.
Suddenly two boys, about the same age as Philippe come up to us.
"Look it's Philippe and his witch!" One laughs.
"And what to we do with witches?" The other asks.
"We kill 'em!" The first responds.
Seconds later I'm on the ground curled into a ball trying the shield myself from the reign of hits and kicks that comes down on me.
I can hear Philippe yelling, "STOP! STOP THIS! YOU ARE HURTING HER!"
Eventually the beating ends and I hear them throw Philippe to the ground with a large thump then run off laughing.
I just stay there curled up in a ball, to afraid to move for fear of how much of my body will be badly bruised.
"Lavena? Lavena are you alright?" Philippe asks leaning over me.
Present
I blink back tears just I did then, "The fault is mine for all this. My parents' death, and what I have put you through Philippe. You never should have had to go through any of it, you are too kind to have these things happen to you."
"None of this was your fault, I understand that you feel responsible for your parent's death, however it was neither your fault, nor theirs. There was nothing you could do, it's not your fault that your ancestors were German. The Thirty years war is over now, there is no need to feel guilty." Philippe sets his hand on my shoulder as he speaks.
"They would have noticed that I was gone, they must still be looking for me. I was a prisoner of war. This must be the reason they come to your home, they must have been in search of me, that's why they also took you." I look away from him and stare out the small barred window of the carriage and watch as the trees flash by.
"Please, look at me Lavena." He begs but I continue to ignore him. "Just look." He gently turns my head back to him. However I still avoid his eyes. "Whatever the reason for this, I will make sure nothing bad happens to you. Besides, it's been five years since you ran away. Soldiers like that would never waist that much time looking for one little girl."
I sigh, "You are far to kind, Philippe."
He smiles down at me softly, "Anything for my fiancée."
Philippe sits down beside me and leans against the wall of the carriage, pulling me in close, I rest my head against his chest.
"I really do love you, Philippe. I only wish for you to have a good life." I mumble.
Running a hand through my hair he whispers, "The only way for me to have the life you wish for me is to marry you."
Philippe and I stayed in the barred carriage for hours, only having each other and the hope that what ever was happening would end soon.
YOU ARE READING
The Man in the Iron Mask and the Girl in the Iron Chains
Adventure(Inspired by the movie 'The Man in the Iron Mask') He was imprisoned unfairly and enclosed in an iron mask. She was forced to care for her lover in the dark Bastille. Then, six years later, a miracle occurs. They are broken out of prison by three h...
