The Hands of Fate

Chapter 21

Sweat ran down Farah's face as she finally finished her chores, along with her punishment duties for the day. 

She rubbed the sweat off of her face with her bare arm. The sleeves of Farah's maids outfit were rolled up and reached up to her shoulders. This kept the sleeves from getting wet, while preventing the thought of Farah getting the sleeves wet and having to wash her clothes also, as she hated the idea of washing her clothes with the same water that Amara's were being cleansed in. She sunk to her knees, staring at the pile of dry clothes that she had just finished cleaning. Bags were under her eyes, as she had hardly gotten any sleep due to the fact that for the past three days she had been washing loads of clothes and, therefore, didn't go to sleep until early in the morning. This resulting in her becoming even more exhausted and sleep-deprived each day. 

And even if that wasn't hurtful enough, she was also having little to no socialization and interactions with Caspian, Mr. Smith and even the maids. The people who she worked with and had known her whole life refused to talk to her while completing chores. It seemed that they thought that she was a bad influence. And they weren't wrong, as she was a bit ambitious at times, occasionally getting herself into trouble, but not this much; but even though there were downsides to the punishment there were also some ups, as all of this time all alone with herself allowed Farah to think. 

For example, when she was just bored while washing dishes with the other maids, she would internally recite poems that she had found interesting in the short time that she was on break. Farah had found the few poems she got to read quite compelling. So as she was being shunned by the others, she would think about the meanings of the famous poetry, and not just what was on the top, but what was below and deeply hidden in the words of the poems. For it wasn't as simple as the writings being about love or heartbreak, it never was, and she, therefore, found herself learning more and more as the few days passed by. 

And if Farah was feeling willing, she would occasionally sing or hum to herself the songs she remembered Adeline singing to her when she was younger. Farah, in the long, laborious hours of tasks, had perfected all of the songs that Adeline had sung for her. In the midst of this, though, she also found herself learning new songs, while making others up. Some bore minor and sad melodies while others happier and more exciting. It all depended on what she was feeling, but Farah would only sing fast songs from time to time, as she preferred a slower more legato type of feel. 

One day, as she was hummed along to the tempo of the scrubbing board as the dirty clothes rubbed against it, Farah heard a noise. She stopped, frowning, making sure that it wasn't the board making such sounds, but it most certainly wasn't as she heard the noise again. Farah quickly took her hands out of the soapy water, along with the article of clothing, placing it on the side of the large cleaning bucket, and quickly drying her hands off. She looked around her, and saw a silhouette at one of the entrances of the palace just a few feet away from her, hidden in the darkness of the night. Watching cautiously as the figure moved forwards, Farah furrowed her brow, wishing to know who this shrouded person was. Just a few more steps and they would be seen in the light of the full moon as its beams provided a dim light in the darkness. The maid held her breath, watching as the person stepped into the light provided. Farah exhaled quickly seeing that it was only Caspian. 

She said nothing, turning back around and resuming work, not really wishing to speak with the Prince as she could get into even more trouble. Farah heard her friend's footsteps move and he was suddenly right beside her as she scrubbed the clothes. 

"What, you're not going to say hello to your best friend?" She heard him ask after a moment of her saying nothing, but she didn't even bother to look up. 

"Hello," Farah muttered, turning and placing the wet garment into a straw bucket with other damp and soaking dresses, shirts and pants, then taking another piece of clothing and beginning to wash it. She felt Caspian's gaze drift away from her, and she stopped for a moment. "Is there a reason as to why you're here?" Farah spat suddenly, she then grimaced, realizing how unkind she sounded. She bit her lip before speaking again. "Sorry, Cas, I'm just really... tired and I want to finish soon."

"I know," Caspian spoke quietly, she watched the Prince as he leaned against the basin used to wash clothes. His sparkling hazel eyes almost looked sadder than usual, and she felt bad for snapping at him. "I came here to apologize, because I brought you into this mess and I feel terrible," Caspian finally added on after a few moments. Farah watched him, her emerald eyes reflecting sadness. 

"Thank you, Cas, but," Farah stopped, pulling her gaze away from her friend as she tried to find the words to say. "Caspian, you... can't risk coming here. If you and I are spotted together, we'll, well, I'll-"

"Be punished. I know. I just... wanted to give you something," Caspian said softly, making Farah avert her gaze to him once more in confusion. "I-It's nothing much, but just in case, you know, something bad happens. You'll always have something to... remember me by."

"Cas, how could I ever forget you?" Farah asked, placing her hands on her hips, making a light blush creep up Caspian's face. She watched as Caspian dug into the knapsack that Farah now noticed was hanging from his shoulder, but was hidden before. He eventually pulled out a ring. Farah watched it, horrified, praying that the Prince wouldn't get down on one knee; but thankfully, he didn't.

"This is one of the rings that we got, but Amara didn't like, so I kept it, since they wouldn't take it back. At first I wasn't sure why I kept it and didn't just sell it off to someone else, I mean, it had no use, but I realized it could be used as a sort of... remembrance," The Prince paused, watching Farah's expression of shock. "Do you like it?" Caspian asked, holding it out for her. Farah stared at the ring in his palm. The band was made out of white gold, and had lines of small diamonds along the top of it. Even in the dim lighting of the night, it glimmered and sparkled. 

"My God, Caspian, it's.... beautiful. It must've cost a fortune. I.... I can't wear something like that, I didn't buy it, I don't truthfully own it," Farah tried to politely refuse, but the Prince looked up at her, his hazel eyes serene and mesmerizing.  

"You can wear this, and you will. Don't ever say you can't wear something of high caliber just because you don't own lots of jewels and money. Besides, it'll look lovely on you, all while being  a reminder that I'll always be there for you."

Farah, although reluctant, took the ring slowly, placing it on the ring finger of her left hand. The maid stared at the shimmering piece of jewelry for a moment before hugging Caspian, she wrapped her arms around his midsection as she embraced her friend for a few moments before pulling away. Something seemed to pop into Farah's head as he turned around and went to one of the baskets, making Caspian raise an eyebrow, but she didn't notice, as Farah dug around in there for a while trying to find something. Soon enough, she pulled out a small book. It had a leather cover along with thick pages inside. It seemed to be a journal as it bore no title. She handed Caspian the book, before speaking. 

"I use this book to write down some things that either bother or enlighten me, although it is no gift like you have given me, I believe that you may take interest in some of the things I write of. When you read it, you may be able to actually be able to... hear me through the pages and writings, as I do whenever I read things of past Kings and Queens," Farah smiled, and Caspian stared down at the book in somewhat shock, just as she had before at the ring, but as Farah began to tell him he needed to head back before anyone saw him, he thanked her, then finally listening and walking off back towards the palace. 

Although Farah was smiling, she was grateful that Caspian and her had not been seen together, as there would be consequences. She did a quick scan of the palace, and sighed, seeing no one in sight; but perhaps Farah should've looked closer, for then she would've realized that there was in fact someone watching. From one of the highest balconies, someone who, though unable to hear them, had still seen them together and knew that something must be done to make them break apart for good. And sadly, that person was Amara.