Aideen's Answer

~Chapter Thirty-Seven~

Aideen rushed for the solitude of the stables as soon as she was able. She desperately wanted to be alone.
Her cheeks burned as she remembered Kevin's callous words, yet was there not truth in them? Had she not turned from spending time with Kevin to allowing Garrett to accompany her? Had Kevin not a right to be angry with her? And yet, he was the one who abandoned her when things got rough! Had he expected her to wait here pinning for him, when he had run away?
She realized now that their relationship had been wrong the entire time, and since she had rededicated her life to God, she could no longer continue seeing him. Would she even want to, if she could?
No, she decided. She and Kevin were different in ways she never could have foreseen and those would have destroyed their relationship someday. It was better this way.
Aideen reached her horse and wrapped her arms around her neck.
"Oh Ginger, I have truly made a mess of things," She whispered, as she began to saddle her steed. "But, perhaps it is not yet too late to fix my mistakes."
"In my experience, it is never too late," A familiar voice sounded behind her, causing her lips to automatically turn up in a smile.
"Unless one waits until the Lord calls you home," She responded without turning toward him.
"Ah, very true, Princess, but as you are still alive and well, I see no reason why you could not fix any mistakes that you believe yourself guilty of."
It sounded as though he were directly behind her now, and still she did not turn.
There was a small smile in her voice as she answered, "You seen almost dubious. Have you not been here long enough to notice the destruction I have wreaked? I cared nothing for the people around me, and I hurt everyone I love. All in some flighty pursuit of happiness and love. I thought he was what I wanted, but I was oh, so wrong."
She turned and looked directly into his warm, brown eyes.
"I even hurt you, though I did not yet know you, by running and breaking the engagement. I am truly sorry, Prince Garrett."
He shook his head sadly, "You, my dear, are entirely too hard on yourself. Yes, running away was wrong, but have you not already made amends with your family? And have they not forgiven you?"
"Indeed they have, but I am finding that it is much more difficult to forgive myself."
"Is it not always? But you must remember that our Savior had already forgiven and forgotten what you have done. Why then, do you insist on holding on to it? As for me, you have been forgiven since our walk by the fountain."
A small laugh escaped before she could stop it.
"The fountain? Why on earth would you have forgiven me there?"
He smiled at her then, a smile so warm that she was sure she could feel it all the way to her toes.
"Perhaps I shall tell you about it, some day. But for now, I believe you came seeking solitude, so I will leave you to find it. But, please, think on what I have said."
"I will certainly do so, Garrett."
"Very well," He swept into a bow and smiled into her eyes. "Good day, Aideen."
And just as swiftly as he had arrived, he was gone.

                              ------
Aideen pondered his words as she and Ginger galloped along the trail, Enrique close behind them.
He was right, she decided. It did absolutely no good to continue dwelling on her past and feeling guilty for her mistakes, when all had already been forgiven. All she was accomplishing was hurting herself, and preventing herself from moving forward with the life that God had planned for her.
The revelation was positively freeing and she laughed in delight. Why had she ever thought that she needed to leave here to be free? Knowing that she was doing what the Lord wanted her to, that was the most freeing thing she had ever experienced.
"Freedom," Aideen whispered.
The word tasted sweet on her tongue. Yes, she was free. Free to live, free to forgive. Free to love.

                              --------
As her laughter and joy echoed through the trees, a cloaked figure watched with narrowed eyes.
"You enjoy your happiness, Princess," The soft voice dripped with venom. "For it will certainly not last. You and your entire family will get what is coming to you."