The Forgotten

Chapter eight: Heartache

I began to miss Arthur... I miss the long talks we would have about absolutely nothing... It was as if we were children again. When we were apart, all I thought about was him. Even though we only knew each other for a week, it felt a life time. Is this what love felt like? Did I love him? All the thoughts flew through my head. I close Romeo and Juliet. Maybe I have just been reading too much romance lately. I get off the bed and look out the window at the sun setting in the far distance. Is he thinking about me? I must control myself... I have no feelings for him. Fair and square. I waited up for him for about another hour but he wasn't home yet, so I figured I should just go to sleep.

I wake up to Arthur shaking me awake once again. I sit up quickly. Today was the big day! I would start my training and everything!

"Arthur, will you come with me?" I stare into his eyes with a bright smile on my face.

"I wouldn't miss it for the world." He smiles back at me. That was the first time I ever seen him smile like that. I stare at him for a couple seconds until he clears his throat and looks away hesitantly. I look away quickly. Damn it... I stand up and walk into the kitchen where a bucket of water sat. I splash some on my face then turn to Arthur.

"Don't want to keep the Prince waiting," he grins and I follow him out the door. As we walk to the Castle, me and him go back to talking how we used to on the second day... after the incident with my father. We approach the castle door and I stop in my tracks.

"How do I look?" I giggle and do a spin in the dark blue dress I bought yesterday while he was away.

He smiles back, "Stunning, as always," he opens the castle door for me and I walk inside. Arthur starts to walk up the steps and I follow shortly behind him. My stomach is doing flips, I have never been this excited before. It's destiny! Arthur opens the door to the room I was in yesterday for me and I walk inside. He follows behind me. I walk in and sit down in the seat from yesterday, across from the prince. Arthur stands next to the door, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed. This almost felt too good to be true!

"Welcome back," the prince smiles at me.

"So when does my training st-" I begin but he cuts me off.

"Soooo, small change of plans..." he took a long pause, "I had a talk with your father about this." My heart drops to the bottom of my stomach. I hear Arthur shift his weight uncomfortably.

"Oh, no you didn't need to-" I utter out but he cuts me off again.

"Your father and I had a discussion and we both came to a conclusion of what would be best for you... We are to be married July 1st," he smiles brightly and a knot forms in my throat as he clamps his hands together. I open my mouth to say something but nothing came out. We sat there for a couple seconds.

"No," I finally managed to say, standing up quickly.

"Excuse me?" he stands up also, his smile fading and his eyes narrowing into a glare.

"I am not marrying you," I scoff, crossing my arms.

"I'm afraid you have no choice," he growls. I look back at Arthur who was just standing there with his arms crossed. I couldn't tell what his facial expression was because his helmet was on. I look back at the prince.

"No," I clench my jaw tightly, squeezing my fist in anger.

"I will just have you locked up for treason against the kingdom then," he looks past me. "Arthur, take her to the dungeon." He smirks. Arthur just stands there, not moving a muscle.

"I-" I started but the prince cut me off once again.

"See there, you are the most stunning girl I have ever seen... Plus my father grows weary with age. My people would love you as their queen. In addition to being able to call you mine, I would be able to lay you down.-" the prince starts. A knot forms in my throat once again as the prince started to walk around the table as he spoke. He stops only inches away and moves my hair out of my face with his fingers. He stares down at me. "I only dream of the day," he whispers. My bottom lip quivers in terror. His hand strokes down my cheek as he leans in to kiss.

"No." Arthur said firmly, his voice booms throughout the room. Just centimeters from my lips, he backs up and glares at Arthur. Thank god...

"Pardon me?" the prince hisses but Arthur responds quickly, "Not until the wedding, your majesty..." Arthur utters. The prince scoffs with a smirk.

"Better save the fun," he grins, looking at me as he runs his soft hand down my cheek. He looks at Arthur and walks back over to his seat. "You are dismissed. Talk with my stewardess Thursday... Fore she will have you sized for a dress... We shall be married on Friday." he grins and I back up to the door, not taking my eyes off of him. Arthur opened the door and shut it quickly behind us.

"I want to go home..." My voice cracks and he nods. We walked back to his house, neither of us saying a word. Once he shut the front door behind me, I run into his room and plop face down on his bed. I feel my eyes starting to weld with tears. Arthur walks in and began to take off his armor. I burrow my face into his feather stuffed pillow. My worst fear was happening... I was forced to be married to someone I didn't love. Once he had all his armor off, Arthur sat at my feet.

"Isabel... I-" he starts but stops. I sit up and blink away the tears.

"I am fine," I stare blankly at the wall across from us. I leaned my head hesitantly on his shoulder, closing my eyes in relief. "I don't love him..." I whimper. Arthur sighs deeply.

"I know you don't..." he whispers. Arthur wraps his arm around me and my bottom lip quivers. My eyes begin to water but I can not hold it back anymore. I start sobbing deeply as he rubs my shoulder.

"I don't love him... I don't love him..." I repeated this in my shaky voice. Just as my freedom was given to me, it was taken away just as quickly.