24 Dreams Of You And Me

23) Homesick

"Real protection means teaching children to manage risks on their own, not shielding them from every hazard."
- Wendy Mogel

***

The sun came up and glowed a bright orange.

Alyssa was sitting in the back of cart, loving the fresh breeze and warm sunshine on her skin. Her green eyes looked deep as she looked at the rising sun.

"This marks the beginning of day five." She spoke.

Levi turned around to see her back towards him. The sun was rising behind her, casting a golden line along her body's silhouette. Her black hair appeared to have golden streaks.

He smiled and turned back around. "It's day five?"

"Yes, trust me. I'm counting every second." She emphasised with impatience.

"Well, we're kind of in Whiteland.. which means Cheyenne should be a day or so away with this speed."

"Better than walking, Levi."

"They must've noticed both of us missing by now. I'm sure both the armies are after us."

....

"She won't walk all the way, Edward." Ella said. "I'm sure she eloped with William."

"We've sent a letter to them, Ella. All we can do is wait."

"We have to reach the capital in a few hours. What will we say, where's Arabella? Christopher will want to see his bride."

"We can say we'll be late. All our men are out searching for her, Ella. We're doing all we can. We will find her."

Ella sighed and closed her eyes in distress. "William's men better be after them too or I'll behead him myself when we get our hands on him."

....

"We- we thought it was the stable man, your Grace." The guard informed with an unsteady voice.

"My son has ran away all because you thought wrong?" The King roared, "do you know what will happen if he has gone after Arabella?"

"Apologies, my Lord." The guard bowed down.

"Such mistakes can't be forgiven! You could mistake anyone for someone and cause the whole place to crash down."

"It won't- I won't let it happen again. Please, I beg you. Mercy! Mercy!" The guard cried but the King, out of his mind with worry, had taken a decision.

"Men! Bring me his head!" He shouted. "And find my son and bring him to me, now!"

Troops of men left the castle walls in search of their Prince and his runaway bride.

....

Oblivious to the degree of danger they were in, Alyssa and Levi were making their way through yet another forest. Taking back roads was their only option.

Alyssa was humming a song and observing her cool and quiet surroundings.

"I know this tune." Levi smiled. "Your mother used to sing it to us."

"You remember?"

He nodded. "There's only a few things I remember about Bella. That's one of them."

Alyssa was curious and they'd been awfully quiet for most of the journey anyways.

"What else do you remember about mom?"

Levi chuckled and thought hard. His eyes were still on the path ahead but he could feel Alyssa looking at him.