Aideen's Answer

~Chapter Forty-One~

Aideen roused slowly, confusion muddling her mind. Why on earth was it so cold in here? Had Regan forgotten to stoke the fire before she turned in?
Wetness seeped through her dress, and she noticed a damp smell, putting her senses on alert. This was most definitely not her room. So where was she?
She opened her eyes slowly, surveying her surroundings. She was lying on a stone floor of a large cave. So large, in fact, she could not make out the opposite end. There seemed to be a shallow pool in the middle, and a few torches glimmered from the walls. That was all. There was nothing more but darkness. Aideen was alone.
As she moved to sit up, a pounding began in her temple, causing her to press both hands to her forehead with a groan. Flashes began coming back to her; the garden, Kevin coming for her, Enrique, telling her to run.
She slumped back to the ground as she fought back the tears. Kevin had murdered him, murdered Enrique and kidnapped her. But why?
'Surely he cannot fancy that I will go with him once again, that childish fantasy is gone. I know better now, but will he accept that?' Aideen mulled things over, pushing her grief away in search of answers.
She was not sure how long it had been since she decided to get some air, but surely they had noticed her absence! Regan most likely became worried when she did not return, and roused her brothers to search for her. Yes, they would most assuredly come barreling in to this wretched place at any moment, brandishing swords and screaming vile insults. She smiled in spite of herself at the thought.
Nonetheless, she wished to know why she was being held captive. Perhaps she could get the answers she desired before her brothers came.
Feeling better at having a plan, she made to push herself to her feet. Before she could get to it, however, she noticed a rattling, along with a heaviness along her leg. She turned toward the wall, and felt a cold chill creeping up her spine.
"I am alone in a cave, with no one knowing where I am. I have no food or water and I am chained to the wall," Aideen whispered.
Suddenly, her brothers coming to her rescue seemed laughable. She was trapped and alone.
Only then did Aideen lay down on the cold stone, and give in to her tears.

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Garrett could not relax.
His parents had arrived and all were in good health. He could not have been more overjoyed to see them after such a long separation. They had enjoyed a wonderful meal together, amid much laughter as the families got aquatinted. But Aideen had made no appearance, nor had she ever sent for him. He knew he should leave her to seek her rest, after all, how could she how to recuperate without it? And yet, he could not get her out of his head.
For this reason and more, he found himself climbing the staircase toward her room for the second time that day.
He would see her, make sure she was all right, then bid her good night. He was merely anxious for her to be well and meet his family, yes, that was surely it.
He knocked softly, and waited to hear the sound of that voice that had become so precious to him in the past weeks.
She had not yet admitted her love for him, but it would come. Of this he was certain. As for him, he lost his heart the day beside the fountain, he only waited to tell her so that he would not frighten her with his feelings.
The door cracked open and again, a maid peered at him, barely showing one crystal clear eye.
"Yes, Your Highness? Miss Aideen is asleep right now, sir."
Garrett began to nod, but something in her voice stopped him. Laying a hand on the door, he made to push it open.
"Sir!" Cried the maid, holding fast to the door, "This is most inappropriate! I will send for you when she awakens!"
"Somehow, I doubt that," Garrett answered slowly. "Now, allow me to see Aideen."
"Garrett! What ever are you doing!?"
He turned round to face the queen, shock clearly written upon her face. He bowed low, and began to explain.
"Excuse me, ma'am, I am well aware of how this looks, but something is not right here, and I would like to see Aideen."
She watched him carefully and took her time in answering.
"Well, I suppose, there is no harm in checking on her."
Garrett sighed, "Thank you, I-"
"However, I see no reason for you to enter into the bedchamber of your betrothed, no matter how concerned you are," Queen Cara went on, "You will remain here. I shall see about my daughter."
With that, she strode to the door and called, "Regan, let me in, I wish to see my daughter."
"I-I, well-"
"That was not a request, Regan. Open the door."
There was an undercurrent of steel in her voice that Garrett would not have argued with for his life. Apparently, the maid was of the same mind, for the door opened and the queen stepped inside.
Garrett obeyed the queen, staying where he was, yet every muscle in his body seemed to vibrate with the need to burst through that door and see the girl he loved, to make sure she was fine.  Knowing that it was all he could do, and yet the best thing that he could do, Garrett began to pray.
'The urge is so strong to take matters into my own hands, Lord. I want to protect her and provide for her, yet I can not doa thing without You. Help me to leave her in Your loving hands, Lord. And if she needs me, give me the strength to be there for her, how ever I can.'
So intent was he on his prayer, Garrett almost did not notice the raised voices in the room right in front of him.
The door to Aideen's room burst open, and the queen stood in front of him, looking almost panicked.
"She is gone, find the king."