Forced To Love: Pierced By A Thorne

Chapter 5- First Blood

The soft lap of the docks soothed Arthur and his sorrows. It was rare that he ever escaped to the coast, and the sounds of the ocean and the thought of a safe life beyond the ocean's horizon soothed his troubled soul. It was here- with a view of the sunrise on the horizon- that Arthur felt scared. This new feeling, a feeling of utter dread and uncertainty, consumed him. All other emotions he had: Love, happiness, sadness- all of them had suddenly vanished. The overwhelming fear of his unknown future shrouded him, like a cloak of darkness and depression had been thrown upon him. Elizabeth's warning of House Earle and what they were capable of terrified him.

Arthur's Uncle in France was no man compared to the ones that braved the battle in England. He was mousey, timid and fled from anything so much as a yelp. Yes, his Uncle was no brave man, but rather cowardly. Arthur's insides knotted as the large tall ship appeared out of the blazing sunlight. It's sails billowed in the morning breeze, pushing it closer towards the dock. The towering masts that held the sails rose into the sky as if they were reaching for the furthest cloud. As the ship drew closer, it split the water with pace and delicacy; truly one of the most elegant and beautiful ships Arthur had seen in his life. He truly awed at the beauty of the ship, unbeknownst to him that the view of the horizon would be his last...
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All through the night, Elizabeth's uncle Sir Robert Brody, had made haste to Southampton; hot on the trail of Arthur and determined to stop him reaching France- whatever it took. His breath was crisp and a thin cloud in the morning air; even though summer was at its peak the early mornings were still as cool as the winters.

Robert unwrapped himself from his cloak as the sun began to rise. In a still shadowed alleyway close to the docks, he watched Arthur carefully- examining his every move. Adam had received his letter, and in reply Adam had offered him protection and riches beyond his own for the elimination of Duke Arthur Vale of Westminster. In Robert's twisted mind, he saw this as an asset and an opportunity to please the opposition and weaken Elizabeth. Traitor. In technical terms that was what he was: a backstabbing, treacherous traitor. Yet, Brody did not care. He truly believed that Adam was the true heir, and fully supported him.

Arthur began to walk along the docks, waiting for his ship "The Golden Empress". It was only a matter of time before someone found him, or had found Elizabeth and knew of his plan. Despite his unconditional love for Elizabeth, the very blood that loved her also housed fear- of her. Her past. Her present. Her future. Arthur knew he could not stay and be in the middle of whatever was to become of England. For his benefit and for hers, he had to leave.

Little did Arthur know the glinting of a silver blade in the sunlight was the very blade that would stab him in the back...