The General's Daughter

Chapter 6

              ***

                  A couple days passed peacefully. The Dark Elf king and Lucille were riding in front of the group. I hadn't had a chance to apologize nor even speak with her since I confessed. As I was caught up in thought I seen the Dark King reach over and grab her sword at her hip. Everything seemed to flow in slow motion as he raised it above  his head. I pushed my horse to run forward but it was too late and I watched, wide eyed, as he plunged the sword through her chest. The blade sliced cleanly through her, the end sticking out, dripping blood onto her horse and the ground. Blood flew from her mouth as she fell back, a sickening sound as the sword plunged into the earth, leaving her suspended. Her hands shakily came up to the hilt and she looked at it horror and pain. Tears poured down her cheeks. I lunged to her, cradling her head in my hands. Her eyes found mine and I felt my heart twist at how afraid she looked. "Lucille, it'll be OK." I said and removed the sword, quickly laying her in my lap and pressing a cloth to the wound. I began a healing incantation as my eyes focused on hers. I could feel my tears flowing out as she was losing blood. I shook my head as I knew I wasn't going to be able to save her and I pressed my forehead to hers, trailing off with the incantation. Her breath was becoming scarce but her tears were still coming. "I love you." She whispered. I pressed a kiss to her blood covered lips, the taste of iron instantly hitting my tongue. Her breath stopped and I began to sob. "I love you too." I whispered back. 

               I heard chuckling from behind me. "That was for all my subjects she killed. I hope she she burns." The Dark Elf King said. I gently lay her down and turned to face him. "The deal was that if he tried or did anything, he and his daughter are to be killed, correct?" I asked the Soldiers holding him. "It was." They answered. "You would condemn your  own Daughters life to take revenge for your subjects?" I asked. "I would." He said and I grabbed the sword he used to kill Lucille. "Then I will be the one to kill you." I said, looking him in the eyes as tears ran down my face. "You took the love of my life away from me." I said as i thrust the sword into his chest. "You killed the only woman I loved." I said and twisted the sword, causing him to cry out in pain. "Send someone to tell the camp what has happened. The rest of us will take Lucille home." I said and watched as the Dark King died. They nodded and one of the Guards with a faster sword began his journey back to camp.

        I went back to Lucille's body and encased it in a charm to keep her body from rotting. i picked up her body and  held it as I got back on my horse and began my journey back home. He skin was cold through the thin sheen of magic encasing her. There was no rise and fall of her chest, she was truly gone. 

             The way home with the soldiers was quiet and full of gloom. They had lost their leader, one they had grown to love and care for. One they trusted. I had lost the woman I loved, the woman I had planned to marry and have children with. And she was now cradled lifeless in my arms as our home came into view. "They were waiting in the town square, my parents too. They waited, worry on their face and the relief as they seen I was OK. The town fell into a hush as all their eyes landed on the figure with braids and tattoos, shrouded in a fur coat and with a familiar bow in my arms. Mother and Father's face fell as I hung my head down to look at her face. Her face, though covered in dry blood, looked peaceful and happy. I cradled her as the other soldiers helped me from my horse and then lay her in the middle of everyone. I knelt beside her, giving a small smile as I moved a braid from her face. Ash was there too, along with the other soldiers. They all fell to their knees in sorrow and Ash threw herself next to Lucille's body and began sobbing. "Lucille, look at the people who will miss you, but I will miss you the most out of everyone." I whispered and then felt the tears again as Mother hugged me, crying ad Father placed his hand on my shoulder. I could feel him shaking. He then collapsed next to me and cred too. "I'm so sorry I called you a disgrace to our family Lucille. I didn't mean it. It would have been an honor to have you as my official daughter in law." He said, shaking with the sobs.   

             The town was quiet and sad, Lucille was someone everyone loved and she was friends with everybody in town. "There is a way to bring her back." An older woman said. She walked over, with a bit of trouble and knelt beside Lucille, smiling sadly as she ran her withered finger over Lucille's cheek. "This girl helped me and she was a friend. A kind face when the town shunned me. I wish t return the favor. Someone willing to endure a journey will need to get me the thing I need to do this." She said and I looked at her. "I will do it if you can promise it will bring her back. "Bring her body to my shack and we will speak there." She said. "Come to our home Aria, her body and you will be more comfortable there." Father said. "Very well. Take her body there, I will be there soon. I must gather some things." She said. 

          I picked up Lucille's body and carried her back to my home, after re-enforcing the enchantment encasing her. Once there we awaited Aria's arrival.