The Lost Princess

Chapter 17 || It's Time For A Celebration

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She bowed to her people, an act unheard of, performed in a crack in the world town. News of this will spread. I smile, thinking for the first time that maybe our mission is possible. We can change the Kingdom. The town was silent, one could hear a pin drop on the ground if it dared. In the moments that followed, a woman, who would have been my own mother's age, stood up on a rusted barrel and performs the gesture of hope. My utter shock brought the attention of Arabella to me. She seemed confused and missed as the people in front of her duplicated the act, so I pointed Arabella towards the scene and watched as she was brought to tears. "Thank you," she whispered with a small smile. 

I walked up to her. "This way, your majesty," I said, directing her safely off the stage, and guarding her as swarms of men, women and children came to greet her in person. I met eyes with Aiden, and he was quick to gain their attention once again.

"We are your humble liberators, and we are on a mission to remind the people of the Princess, and her meaning. She will be in power soon enough," I hear him announce, as we make our way through the crowd, which was made easy by the mere fact that Arabella is walking and people are throwing themselves out of her way.

"Why must we be in such a haste?" She whispers in my ear, tearing my thoughts from everything but her.

"For your own safety, my Queen," I tell her not slowing.

"But the people-" I shake my head.

"They all may seem on board, but all we require is one, who is not, to ruin all. Better to be safe," I urge. Just then a young girl, clinging to her older brother, who can't be more than eight, steps into our path. 

"John," a woman calls, but the boy stands his ground. When we are in front of him, he bows, and the young girl tries her hand at a curtsy without letting go of her brother.

"Hello," Arabella begins, and the boys face transforms into a bright shade of pink.

"Yer Majesty, me names' John, and ay was wonderings if ya' need more men in yer army. Am good with a sword. Me da' taught me, before he died."

Arabella stopped for a moment and looked at the boy's mother, who seemed distraught. "John, thank you for your bravery. I have no doubt that you are as honest and true with a sword as you speak, but if you are to leave for me, who is to watch over your sister and mother? I would be honored if you fought for the cause, but you young sir, are needed here."

The small boy puffed his chest out in pride upon being called sir but deflated slightly when he realized her resolve. "Thank ya, for the chance, yer majesty," he said, kindly, but I see the underlining sadness. 

"Once you are of age, you must come to the castle. You and your family will be greeted with open arms," she promised, before the boy's mother came out to the scene. 

"Thank ya', yer majesty, for yer kindness," the woman said, smiling widely. A tinge of pink coated Arabella's face as she accepted the compliment. Arabella begins to leave, but the little girl has flung herself at me. I stop in shock and look down at the young child clinging to me tightly as she did her brother. Her mother, once again, is embarrassed by her children's actions, "So sorry, sir. Ye resemble her da'. He passed just recently." I bend to the child and lift her up into my arms. 

"And what is your name wee lassie?" I ask. Her pale blues searching my own. She seems scared, so I smile kindly in attempts to appear less threatening. 

She gave me a smile of her own, "Julie," she whispered, hiding her head in the crook of my neck. Her blonde locks tickling my nose.

"I see. It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Leathan," I reply. 

In the background, I hear someone call, "It's time for a celebration!" Followed by a round of "Aye's," and cheers. People have begun moving from the stage. Spreading out to get instruments, prepare foods, and find friends. I see Arabella is still conversing with young John and his mother, so I focus on Julie in my arms.

"Would you care to dance?" I offer, and she returns with a maddening grin, nodding her small head rapidly. "Alright then," I begin placing her on a nearby barrel, so that I may ask her properly. Bowing my head slightly, and taking her right hand, I say, "My lady, may I have this dance." I myself finding it hard to suppress the smiles playing on my face upon looking at my little partner. I place her on my feet, for she is still too small to be on her own, and wait for the music to begin.

When it does, we move quickly with the rest, around the yard. Her little feet on my rather large black boots. She's giggling freely and loudly along with others around us. When the song ends, I pick her laughing self up and take her over to her family, who have been watching us. Standing beside them, I find a grinning Arabella.

"Thank ya, sir," Julie's Mother says at once. "She hasn't spoken since the passing. I haven't seen so much happiness in my children for some time."

I give her my most sincere nod, "Of course."

Then, my eyes scan the captivating redhead beside them, and I realize this is the perfect place to dance with Arabella. She wanted me to take her dancing. "May I have this dance, your majesty," I bow in front of her. 

"Yes, good sir, you may," she says, but I can hear the joy radiating from her voice, and lift my head to witness a twinkle in her green eyes.

I step close to her, taking her soft hand in mine, and whisper, "This will not be your ordinary proper dancing. As one would take part in at a ball, so hold on tight," I smirk with a quick wink.

She appears nervous for a moment, but I don't hesitant in pulling her closer to me, so she is firmly in my arms. As soon as, the next song beings we are off, twirling, jumping, galloping in sync to the beat of the song all around the yard. People don't even bother to stop and stare at the princess, too busy having their own enjoyment. Her giggles drown out all my worries, and my thoughts are consumed with her elegance, fiery eyes, stubborn kindness, and her unwavering loyalty to her people. 

She is genuinely happy, as she was in the river when we were last together. How did that feel so long ago? When in fact, it was only three days since. I felt her warmth radiating from her dress, and for a moment thought of what it would be like to know the woman I held close, who is laughing wildly, was mine. She would look upon me with love. Her green eyes would be so sweet to gaze into. As I allowed myself the brief moment of delusion. I found myself gazing upon those very same eyes, and they held the very look I had imagined. Impossible.

But she couldn't? I questioned. I am nothing to her. No royal blood to be found. I am not enough for her. I scolded. Trying to put an end to my delusions. I heard her laughter penetrate my thoughts, and suddenly, I am back, in reality, staring at her beautiful face, crowned by her dangerous mane of hair. I tell myself to stop that it is not right, but I cannot. I'm weaker than I thought. Being brought to my knees by a girl four years my junior. She didn't look away or appear shaken by my bluntness. However, after what felt like eternity Aiden walked up, "Ella, may I have this dance," he asks easily, but I thought I heard tension.  

"Of course," she smiled, but the smile was withdrawn. Stepping away from my hold, I watched them begin dancing around as we had. I waited a few moments before leaving. My feelings for this woman are becoming clear, but it is a love that can not be.

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