The Iron Princess

Ronan

The Prince carried me to the bathroom, his arms under my knees and back.

My arms around his neck and cheek against his chest.

"Are you sure you should be up?" He asked worried.

"I am perfectly fine," I said. "Just a little wheezy, I really stink, I need a shower."

"You smell perfectly fine," He said.

I turned the other way as I blushed.

Why the hell are you blushing??

Guys flirt with you all the time, and you dont act this way!

He lowered me on the closed toilet seat and started the bath for me.

"I got it from here," I said quickly. "Thanks."

"Are you sure you don't need help?" He asked. "I could wash your hair for you, you're still weak, princess."

"No, I'll be fine," I said as the hot water from the bath starts to steam the bathroom.

"The soap is already in the water, towel is right here for you----" He said.

"Your highness, I got it from here," I said smiling. "Really."

"I'll be standing outside," He said tense, watching me for a couple of seconds and than closing the door. "If you need anything, you just have to call my name."

"Thanks," I said, nodding.

I took a deep breath and slid my clothes off gently.

Already tired from the effort, I slid into the bath.

The hot water felt so good on my skin.

I felt icky and dirty like I've been running in the woods for days and haven't showered.

Sliding underwater, then, I close my eyes.

"Suri, that was twelve minutes! That's insane!" Ron said, as I resurfaced the water.

We were swimming in the big lake just outside the Wylwoods.

"How did you do that?" He asked amazed, as I swam backwards and he followed.

We were near the high rocks.

"I don't know," I shrugged.

"Must be the Realms in your blood," He noted.

"Right, because I have all three in my blood I could hold my breath underwater longer than an average person," I said rolling my eyes.

Ron always think me and Ke have some kind of super powers because of it.

"You never know," He said.

I splashed the lake water in his face and he spat at the salty taste.

"You did not just do that," He growled.

I bust out laughing and dived under water.

I could hear him splashing and swimming after me.

He grabbed my leg and I kicked and squirmed.

He then grabbed my waist and we resurfaced.

I laughed and pinch his side.

He yelped but kept a tight hold as he splashed water at me.i

I laugh and spit the water out.

"Come on, let's go to the caves," He said grinning.

I nodded and we dived underneath.

Under water, under the rocks was the cave we both found.

Inside was a big hole where we came up and to a sandy shore.

This is where we hung out, when K had to help my parents rule the Kingdom.

On the shore, we placed all the shells and treasure we've found at the bottom of the lake.

Some are stones, some shells, coins, other jewelry.

Many of them would be good use in trading the goblins at the Goblin Market for a deal or favor.

"Could I ask you something?" I said to Ron.

"What's up?" Ron replied looking at all the things we found today laid out on the sand.

"The night at the Winter Realm when you guys were escorting the demonodes, one of them said you guys needed to break in there to get something," I said wringing out my long hair. "What did you guys need?"

Ron sighed and looked at me.

"What?" I asked. "You can't tell me?"

"He didn't want me to tell you," Ron said. "But... you're one of us now. He just didn't want you to worry."

I sat on the soft sand and looked up at him, patiently.

He sat down across from me, inches away and looked at me.

"The reason why me and him been sneaking out at night is, because well, we're looking for a way to bring back Annwyl," He said.

"How?" I asked.

"We went to the Wylwood to go search for a bunch of ideas and clues on where to begin... or if it's even possible to get her back," Ron started. "But you know that it would be a high price if we found a way."

"That's why you guys stopped at like trolls and healers' houses. And random fey houses," I said remembering, when I followed them.

Ron nodded.

"After a year of searching and looking through books, and not getting anywhere. We ran out of trades, so we decided to take a risk and go to the Exile Queen," He said. "And in order for her to tell us a source that could help us begin, obviously we had to get her something. That's where your question is answered. We had to get your Grandma's sapphire ring, that once belonged to the Exile Queen."

I nodded.

"Did you guys get it?" I asked.

"Yeah, but it just lead us to another source and another source and we eventually got no where. And Ke was giving up," Ron said. "He came to realize that there wasn't a way and they couldn't be together."

I looked down.

"Why didn't he want to tell me?" I asked Ron.

"Because he knew you'd go off and try to find a way," He said. "And that could be so dangerous."

I nod and looked down at the sand.

"It's better if he move on, Suri," He said. "He could find another girl. I mean he's doing better now. He's content."

"Yeah, but I could see that he's still hurt by what happened," I said. "And that he misses her."

"She will always be his first love," Ron said.

"I hope one day he learns to love again," I whisper. "He seems so torn."

"He will one day," Ron say. "He gotten a lot better since you were born, S. you make him happy, I think you filled that empty space in him."

I listened carefully.

"Come on, we have to get back soon," Ron said standing up and holding out his hand for me. "I'm sure supper is almost served, we can't be late again. The Queen freaked yesterday, along with your dad giving me suspicious looks throughout dinner."

I grin and slid my hand in his.

And we both dived into the open blue water.

I resurfaced from the bath water and sighed.

I miss my best friend.