Grimm girl

Chapter 11

This time I was awake during the 15 hour flight and I kept myself busy reading and drawing. "Won't people look up when we walk across the street in Portland?" I asked suddenly, not looking up from my drawing. Eric had been reading some e-mail and looked up. Hmm... I haven't really thought of that. He seemed to think about it. But I don't think so. I mean, I don't think most people care about foreign royal families. I snorted. "They do if you are 'the lost princess' who has lived in their country for almost most of her life. Remember what the news said, they never mentioned my time at boarding school. I am known as the American princess." I said. Let me put it differently then... most people won't recognize ME. He chuckled when he saw my face. "You're not helping..." I said while glaring at him, though I smiled a little as well. I was still confused by the fact my feelings towards Eric were so well, he really felt my brother. We both didn't choose this life, though Eric seemed to have accepted it... I didn't. Are you nervous about that then? He asked and I shook my head. "No, after the ball and that press conference... I think I don't care about standing in the spotlights anymore." But you are nervous about something... He looked me up and down. "Maybe..." I said vaguely. Let me guess... you're nervous about your reunion with your brother right? I sighed, Eric – so I had noticed – was just as me good in reading people. "I have the feeling I have changed... and I am not sure if he understands the change." I said and Eric nodded. Understandable. We remained silent for a few seconds. Tell me about him... Eric suddenly said and I blinked. "What do you mean?" What is he like? I thought about that for a second. "Nick is... protective. Sweet... He has a good amount of self-confidence though it never crosses over into arrogance. He is loyal..." He sounds like a great guy. Eric stated and I smiled. "Yes he is..."

We landed a few hours later and I stretched in my chair. "Finally, the long sitting is so bad for your back." I grinned at Eric, he always had a backache after a long sit. He rolled his eyes. Very funny... Eric went out first and I followed him, there was even a red carpet rolled out to our car. Ah Portland... you're no Vienna. We are home to Beethoven, Brahms, Haydn, Mozart, Schubert and Strauss. And you are home to... Nike. He chuckled and I rolled my eyes. How did they come up with the name? They have a port... they have land... Really put a lot of thought into that one. I punched his arm lightly. "Enough insults about Portland if you don't want me to come up with a few of Vienna." Are there any insults to name about Vienna? Eric asked as we got into the car. "I can name a few... starting with a certain royal family..." I began and Eric chuckled again. Touché my dear sister... We drove off. What time is it now? Eric asked the driver. It is 2.10 pm sir. The driver answered. I looked out of the window. It was raining – obviously – but a sting in my heart reminded me how much I had missed Portland. To go first? I heard Eric's question only half. "Huh?" I said, turning back to him. I asked, where do you want to go first. "Home..." I answered. What is the address? I gave it to him and we quickly drove there. Are you sure they will be home? "No..." I said. "But it is the first place where we should try." The drive didn't take long and I walked to the front door. I knocked, but no one opened. Knocking again, somewhat harder... still no one. "Not home... guess they are both working." I said and we walked back into the car. So what is our next stop? I thought about that for a second. I couldn't wait to see Nick. "The police station..."

I convinced Eric to wait in the hallway. My reason was I didn't know how both Nick and captain Renard would react, and thankfully he agreed. He talked with mister Hellon, one of our security guards and I walked upstairs. Sadly I got a lot of stares and I groaned softly. Is that you Elena? A voice came from behind and I turned around. Wu was staring at me before he started to smile. So you finally had some time to go away from the royal life and visit your old family? I grinned. "Yeah, I have 15 minutes." We both laughed, then I looked towards the place where Nick's desk was. "Where is Nick?" Didn't you tell him you were coming? Wu asked and I shook my head. "No... I wanted it to be a surprise." I said quickly. Well, he left a few minutes ago with Hank. I nodded, disappointed. "And the captain? Is he in his office?" Yeah, but I am not sure if you want to go there. The last weeks he has been kind of... irritated. I wonder why... I thought to myself with a scoff. "I will just go in to tell him I am here." All right... He started to walk away. "Hey Wu!" I said and he turned back. "Don't tell Nick I am here if you see him earlier than me... it is a surprise." He smiled. Got it... He walked away, I walked to captain Renard's office and knocked. Come in... His voice said and I opened the door. "Captain Renard." He looked up in surprise. Elena... I walked in and closed the door behind me, he stood up. You're here... how? I bit my lip. "Eric took me..." Is he here too? Captain Renard's voice turned angry. "Yes..." Then I will go to him and tell him what we do here for kidnapping. He walked to the door but I blocked the way. "Please captain Renard... leave him alone. He does everything in his power to protect me." Now he seemed really surprised. He does? I nodded then sighed. "I know it sounds weird, but I have to do this." They can't keep you against your will. "They don't... I want to stay in Vienna." And why? He asked and I sighed again. "Because there are things I have to find out for myself... because the family is a part of me, no matter if I don't want them to be." I looked up at him. "And you too... Eric and Nick told me about you. I guess your self-control is amazing." That is because I am only half zauberbiest. He walked behind his desk and stared out of the window. "You gave the key back to Nick... why?" I asked. Because our family can never lay a hand on those keys. It would be devastating if they did. He turned back to me. You didn't tell them you two own one, did you? I scoffed. "Do you think I am an idiot? Of course not. Though I am not sure if they believe me." Why is Eric here then? He asked and I shrugged. "He didn't tell me..." Why did he take you? "Because he knows how much I miss Nick... and my other friends." Let me tell you something Elena, Eric never does something out of pity. It is not who he is. I scoffed again, though it surprised me as well, I didn't agree to that. Maybe I was naïve, but I trusted Eric. Captain Renard sighed. Just keep our brother in line... let's go and meet him. I rose my eyebrows. I just want to talk to him. Together we walked downstairs, and Eric looked surprised. Sean... They shook hands. Eric... what brings you here to Portland? Eric shrugged. Oh you know, business. And Elena wanted to see her brother, I couldn't deny her that. Captain Renard didn't look comforted by that answer. Just don't do anything stupid. Eric rose his eyebrows and turned to me. Why won't you wait in the car while I catch up with our brother here? "Private talk... I get it." I said and I followed mister Hellon to the car. It was quiet there, so my thoughts went everywhere again. I was disappointed Nick wasn't here, I really wanted to see him now. Eric came back a few minutes later. Sean didn't change at all... "I hope you didn't smash each other's heads in?" I tried to make a joke and he chuckled. Of course not, we're both grown-ups who know how to talk to each other. Besides... He smiled at me. He arranged for your brother to come here in a few minutes, though he left the why a surprise. Sadly I have to go, but I will wait until you're with your brother so I know you will be safe. I started to smile brightly. "For real?" He nodded. Just wait a few minutes longer. I nodded, getting impatient though. "What kind of appointment do you have?" A business meeting. He still kept being vague about it, he had been the whole journey. "Do I have to be worried?" I asked and he chuckled. Not at all. Now stop worrying about it. I shook my head and waited. 5 minutes... 10 minutes... come on Nick... Captain Renard came outside somewhat later, looking around. And just then... Nick and Hank came around the corner. I drew in a breath and Eric followed my gaze. Is that your brother? I nodded. Nick looked confused, starting to talk with the captain, who pointed at our car and Eric opened the door, stepping out. He held out his hand and helped me out of the car as well, closing the door behind me. Nick gasped when he saw me and I wanted to run to him, but before I could, Eric stopped me. When I go home, you will come back with me right? Promise me... I nodded. "I promise..." He smiled at me. All right then, I will see you in a few days. He hugged me and I hugged him back. Have fun. He kissed my forehead before letting me go, and the moment he did I ran towards Nick. He did so too and he caught me into his arms, pulling me tightly against his chest. I buried my face in his chest and tears came. Oh Elena... he whispered. "I have missed you..." I held him tightly. This was real, I was back with the most important person in my life.

TO BE CONTINUED...