Aideen's Answer

-Chapter Forty-

Aideen rushed under an archway and past the fountain Garrett had dunked her in.
'The castle, I must make it inside the castle,' She thought furiously.
The castle meant safety, the castle would protect her from him.
A chuckle and pounding of feet behind her caused her to put on an extra burst of speed.
Thud, thud, thud.
Was he gaining? She could not tell, and refused to look behind her.
Thud, thud, thud.
Had his steps been so loud the entire time? Or was that merely the pounding of her heart in her ears?
There! That was the exit of the courtyard! Once she turned that corner, there would be guards, standing sentinel, ready to let her in, ready to protect them all.
Aideen gave a great sob of relief, she was almost there!
Thud, thud, THUD!
Aideen opened her mouth to shout to the guards, to call for help. But a hard hand clamped over her mouth, silencing her desperate cry. Another hand encircled her waist, dragging her backward. Away from safety, away from home, away from Garrett.
Tears poured from her eyes as she thought of her parents, only wanting the best for her, and her brothers, ever protective of their only sister.
Well, she would never go quietly! Not again, not with him. Aideen began to struggle as much as she possibly could. She bit down on the fingers in her mouth, she scratched at his arms, she kicked out her legs wildly.
Kevin cursed violently behind her, but his grip only tightened as he dragged her nearer the forest.
"If you want to leave to see another sunrise, you had better stop that now," Kevin hissed in her ear.
Terror paralyzed Aideen with these words. Her breath came in great gasps, it seemed she could not get enough air! She went quietly with him, until they reached the forest and she saw his horse tethered there.
'If I go with him, my family will never know what happened to me,' Aideen thought wildly. 'And who knows where he would bring me, they may never find me!'
With this in mind, she again threw herself at Kevin. Scratching, biting at whatever was in reach.
"You witch," Kevin growled as he reached for his dagger.
Seeing him raise the blade over his head, Aideen attempted to scream, but could make no sound.
With that, the world went black.

-------
Garrett could not stop pacing his room. He had the most awful feeling of dread, and he could not imagine why. Today was a day of joy, was it not? If all went well, his parents were due to arrive before sunset. Indeed, it was more likely to be any minute now.
'You are acting like a restless tiger,' He murmured to his reflection as he paused before the dressing table in his chambers. He sat before his window for a bit, but after he thought he saw movement and then a gleam in the first, he realized he must be seeing things and resumed pacing.
'It will not do,' he thought, 'To allow myself to become so nervous that I begin to imagine things!'
And why should he be so nervous? His family would adore Aideen, of this he was sure!
Aideen. Her very name caused his heart to smile. How precious she had become to him! He knew that she still worried, but with time and patience, he was sure that she would begin to believe in him. In them. Together.
"She need never feel heartbreak again," Garrett whispered. "Not if I can help it."
He suddenly wondered if she was also feeling as nervous as he. Surely! Perhaps even more so! Maybe, if he went to her he could reassure her. Or, if he was being truthful, perhaps it was he that needed reassuring. No matter the motive, he soon found himself slipping out the door, and heading to her corridors. As he walked, he nodded and smiled to the various servant he encountered. All were scurrying about, seeing to last minute preparations before the arrival of his parents.
His long stride made short work of the hallways and soon he was approaching the princesses door. He frowned as he noticed the absence of Aideen's guard. Was he not ordered to be stationed near her at all times? Perhaps she had gone to visit those two friends that she loved so dearly.
Garrett shrugged as he lifted his hand to knock. If she was otherwise occupied, perhaps he would go out for a ride.
'Anything would be better than returning to my room,' He thought wryly.
The door opened, but only barely.
"Yes?" A timid voice asked through the crack. Aideen's personal maid, perhaps? It was hard to tell, when he could only see one eye. It could have been just about any maid.
"Is the princess available to speak with me?"
"Oh, Your Highness, I am afraid she is not feeling well and has taken to bed. The princess requested that she not be disturbed."
"Ah, alright," Garrett answered with concern. "Please ask her to send for me when she feels up to it, or she needs anything."
"Yes sir, I certainly will," The maid said, but before she could shut the door, the voice of the prince stopped her hand.
"Where is Princess Aideen's guard? I was under the impression that she was to have a knight close at all times."
"Oh, but she does, good sir. Enrique insisted upon staying in the room when the missus began to feel ill, so as to be close by should he be needed. She is well protected with him here."
"Oh, how, good of him," Garrett answered.
'But is it proper?' He wondered.
"If that is all..." The maid prompted.
"Just, please, again. If there is anything she needs, if she wishes for company, even, send for me at once."
"Indeed, I will," She promised as she closed the door with a solid click.
"But that will not be necessary, Your Highness," the maid whispered with a maniacal gleam in her eye. "For all of her needs are being met, as we speak."