Third In Line

Chapter Thirty Three - Left Behind

One week passed by, and pretty much all of it was spent recovering back at Kensington Palace. Ellie only needed the stitches in her scalp for a week and those were soon removed, but she still had to wear a brace on her wrist for the next few weeks at least. Luckily she had gotten away with a moderate concussion and no permanent damage, but still her mother kept fussing over her each day to make sure she was okay.

Kate had seemed extra protective after that Sunday in Bucklebury, extra cautious whenever there were any strenuous activities. She made sure Ellie stayed in bed for several days afterwards, even if the concussion was long gone by now.

They were never really punished for their little quad bike mishap, or at least it wasn't the severe punishment that Ellie was expecting. After her MRI and some rest, her mother and father had only briefly touched on the fact that they wouldn't be riding the quad bikes until they were much older, but after that they focused more on her and her sister's recovery and protecting them from the media.

I don't really mind. I don't think I'll ever ride a quad bike again after all that!

The media had been typically rowdy about what had happened, mostly because they still didn't have a clue what had actually gone on inside the privacy and seclusion of Bucklebury Manor. Their first guess was that her mother was pregnant again, and although that was technically true, an official announcement was yet to be made. So the world had to keep guessing.

The only other option for them was an injury or accident of some sort, so the papers went with that. It took them several days, but eventually the world decided that it was one or both of the two princesses that had hurt themselves, blaming it on their 'infamous mischievous streak'. When they started blaming her parents for the accident and saying they weren't fit to raise the countries future Queen she turned off the T.V, knowing the rest was a load of stupid.

If anything it's me that doesn't deserve to be their daughter after the stunt I pulled.

She had been feeling guilty for what she'd done every day since the accident, and promised herself she'd never make her mother that worried ever again.

Eventually, it was time for them to get back to work, starting with a three day tour in France.

"Ellie, I want you and your sister to stay here for the tour, alright?" her mother told her, but she was clearly reluctant to leave her behind.

"But Mum, you said we were all going to Paris, and that we'd have dinner on top of the Eiffel Tower!" Ellie complained.

"I know I said that sweetie, but your father and I want you to stay at home and continue your recovery. We just want you and your sister to rest your pretty little heads" Kate smiled lovingly down at her and kissed her on top of the head.

"So we're just supposed to stay here all alone?" Ellie asked. She wanted to be more cautious about upsetting her mother, so she decided she wouldn't complain too much.

"Well, no. We're not the only ones who live here ya'know" Kate grinned playfully as she turned to Ellie's bedroom door, both of them watching it slowly edge open.

"Why hello there!" Harry greeted them with the voice of a creepy old man, with only his head visible and hiding the rest of his body behind the door.

"Uncle Harry!" Ellie shouted as she slid off the edge of her bed and ran towards her uncle.

"Hello darling" her uncle answered, his eyes lighting up as he wrapped his arms around her and lifted her off the ground.

Even if they lived in the same home, it felt like years since she had seen her uncle. They spent so much time living in multiple homes and doing engagements, they hardly ever got the chance to walk to the other side of the palace and spend time with Harry and Emma.

"Someone's happy to see her uncle!" an American voice shouted over all the chaos.

"Antenna!" Ellie screamed, using the nickname that her Aunt Emma hated.

Harry put her back down on the ground and she immediately ran for her aunt, who bent down slightly to hug her too.

"Hiii girly!" Emma let out a content sigh as they squeezed each other, then whispered in her ear "I really wish you'd stop calling me that"

Ellie could only laugh, it was hard not to! She had seen Harry last at Trooping the Colour, but Emma hadn't been there. It had been weeks and yet they always seemed to just miss each other. All that was going to improve over the next few days, she was sure of that.

How can we live in the same building but still hardly see other?

From the moment her aunt and uncle had walked in, she knew the next few days were going to be filled with fun. Harry and Emma were almost like her second set of parents, except they didn't have all that worry that came with being her actual parents. After what felt like years being coddled by Will and Kate, it would be refreshing to be looked after by the relatively carefree mind set of her aunt and uncle. She wasn't sure what it was about them, but they just seemed to be much more lively than her actual parents ever were.

Of course Ellie loved her parents, but as much as they tried to get her to enjoy being outside and in public, their tendency was always to protect her and make sure she was comfortable. Harry and Emma were aware of her fears, but were more open in trying to get her to confront them.

Maybe it's to do with the throne, the papers always said that Dad was more uptight compared to Uncle Harry. I bet everything would be different if Harry was the one set to be King.

Kate stood behind her, resting her hands on Ellie's shoulders. "You'll be staying with Harry and Emma in their apartment until we get back, but I want you resting as much as possible!" Kate warned her, but in a loving mother sort of way.

"And that includes your Uncle spinning you in the air" her mother added, casting an accusing look at Harry.

"That was completely her idea I swear" Harry grinned cheekily.

"Don't worry hun, she'll be safe with us. We've got movies and ice cream, all sorts of stuff for staying in bed all day" Emma seemed to be incredibly excited about a few lazy days off.

"I know you'll take good care of her Em, thanks for doing this"

And that was that. Of course it took ages for her parents to actually leave because they wouldn't stop telling her aunt and uncle to "remember not to" or "make sure she doesn't" with a whole variety of things, most of which Ellie had never even considered doing. She had lost count of how many times her aunt had insisted everything would be fine, or how many times they had to say goodbye only to be pulled back into more hurried talking.

"Remember you can Skype us whenever we're online, and you have all our numbers!" Kate had reminded them for the thousandth time.

It took a lot of patience and nagging, but eventually her parents got into the helicopter and flew off to France for their three day tour, leaving them behind in the safety and comfort of Kensington Palace.

But when living under Harry's roof, you could never be sure if that safety and comfort would last very long...