Hidden Secrets, Hidden Past, Hidden Lives

Chapter Thirty-Three (Sam)

Author's Note: This is the last chapter of this story.  I eventually plan to write a sequel, but I have other stories that I plan to post sooner.  Thank you so much for reading this.  I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.  :)

***

Sam was very thrilled that his plan had worked.  Now there was only one thing left to do.

Get the girl.

"Thank you gentlemen for helping me with this clever scheme.  You have completed your service to me," said Sam.

With that, all of the guards that had stayed behind walked over to him, shook his hand, and congratulated him; but Sam noticed that one of the guards still held the princess.  However, her feet and hands were no longer bound.  The guard was apparently having trouble removing the gag.

"What are you doing?  The plan has been completed.  Why are you still holding her?"

"Because...I have not yet learned of your motives and until I do, she stays with me."

"I don't understand," said Sam.

"I do," said Brian. 

Sam saw joy coming into Brian's eyes as he spoke.

"I have guessed this for a while...and I was right all along," said Brian.

"What are you talking about?  What were you right about?"

"Sam, I would like to you meet...my father."  

With that, Brian's father revealed his face to Sam.  

Sam saw at once how closely Brian resembled his father.

"But how?  How did he find out about Leila?" asked Sam.

"You will come to find out that most of the men who have been serving Prince Erik and his family have actually been spying for me.  As soon as I was alerted about the wedding date, I came here as fast as I could, posing a new guard for Erik," said Brian's father.

He worked a little longer on the gag and finally got it untied.  "Leila...I'm sorry.  I did not truly know who had taken you as a child."

"It's okay father," she said. 

They embraced each other and descended the stairs together.

"Come here my children, and tell me everything that you know about this young man standing in front of me."

Sam could not believe how long it took Brian and Leila to tell their father all about him; Charles and Joseph said very little since they had not gotten to know him very well.  Brian and Leila continued to talk, as if they had known Sam their entire life, for what seemed like hours.  Every once in a while, their father would nod his head or say something or ask them a question.

Sam kept silent the whole time, not exactly sure what he was supposed to do.  Finally, their father turned his attention to Sam.

"Prince Sam, I want to thank you for all you have done for my family.  I would not be here with them if it hadn't been for your strength and courage.  How can I possibly thank you for all of your kindness?"

"Well...there is one thing that I would ask of you," said Sam.

"Alright...then name it and it is yours."

"I would be honored...to have your daughter's hand...if she will have me."

Before Leila said a word, Sam saw a single tear escape her eyes and fall on her delicate cheek.

"Yes.  Yes...I will. I love you Sam."

Leila ran up to Sam, tears streaming down her face.  They embraced one another, her face cupped gently in his strong hands.

Sam kissed her on both cheeks and on the lips.  "Come on.  It's about time we left this gloomy place behind forever."

"But wait," said Leila. "What do we do with Prince Erik?"

"Erik's fate is in Brian's hands," replied Sam.

"Have you decided what Erik's punishment will be son?" asked Leila's father.

"I have father.  I have decided...that we are...going to do absolutely nothing to him.  We will simply place him under arrest in his own castle.  He will never be allowed to step foot outside of the castle grounds ever again," said Brian.

Everyone was completely shocked by his statement.

"But why Brian...after all he did to you...and our family?" asked Leila, confused.

"In a way, I am grateful to him."

Leila's eyes became wider.

"Leila, think about it.  If he had not made me go off to the imaginary battle, I never would have met Sam.  We never would have come here in the first place.  I wouldn't have found out where you were.  We would not have stopped the wedding...and most of all...you never would have met Sam, your true love, your soulmate.  I believe that you two were destined by God to be together," said Brian.

"Yeah...you're right," said Leila.  She looked into Sam's eyes.  "We are perfect for each other.  This truly is a blessing and a work of God."

"Yes.  Brian does speak the truth.  I love you," said Sam.