The Lost Princess

Prolouge Point of View of Queen Maria of Mithias

Flames dance through the Summer Palace, leaving only destruction in their wake. I can feel the heat upon my face as I rush out of the crumbling structure with the precious bundle tucked safely in my arms. I race down the palace steps and through the burning garden to my horse. A smouldering fabric lands on the bundle and I desperately flick it away. As I pass through the azaleas, I hear them blunder along the paths, trying to take my little treasure.

I try to hurry away even faster to keep my precious safe. Finally, I reach my horse and leap upon him. Careful not to squish her. My precious, my little Analise. I kick my dear horse into a full gallop and we race through the volley of arrows showering down upon us.

The East Gate comes into sight and my hope for escape is renewed. I just might be able to get her to safety. We finally reach the gate when an arrow pierces my side. I cry out in pain and clutch my side; after a moment, I break the arrow and throw it away from me, leaving only the point inside. It had momentarily slowed me down. They missed, they were aiming for my Analise. We thunder up the cobble stones to safety and into the dark forest.

They will follow, but they will have to destroy the evidence and make it seem like an accident. They will have to keep the fire alive, to burn all signs of their attack, it will take them a while to do so and it will give me time to get Analise to safety. They were our friends. I can hear them already. Their shouts of victory and their horses' earthshaking hooves.

Little did they know, I have a trick up my sleeve. I knew that something would've gone wrong. I told him, but he chose to turn a blind eye to the possibility. He longed for peace so dearly that he couldn't, wouldn't believe me. So, I sent my sons to 'visit' my mother for awhile and I had always stayed near Analise. She is only a month old and needs me still.

The wound in my side throbs in time with my heart. I look down and see the side of my gown is soaked in blood., I press my right arm against it, trying to stop the blood flow. I'm starting to see little black spots that are getting larger and the world is tilting and spinning around me. I mentally shake myself. I have to get Analise to safety.

I can not hear them anymore. I frown. Why do I not hear them? I kick my horse even faster . We break through the tree line and into a little village; we race through the village and then plunge into the forest again. We are almost there.

There. As we gallop up a hill, the large manor rises into view. They'll take her. I know they will. They have to. I can not trust anyone else.We charge through the gates and continue on.

" We are almost there, Analise, " I bend my head and kiss her cheek.

When we reach the walkway, I stop my poor tired, dear horse and slid off with Analise. Wincing at the stab of pain in my side. I hurry up the main steps after petting my horse. When we reach the entrance, I lift the heavy knocker and rap on the door with all my might. I hear footsteps rapidly approach.

The doors swing open to reveal my dear friend. John Witcham. He takes in my appearance and exclaims in surprise,

" Maria! What happened?!," He then takes my elbow and leads me into his home, careful not to bump my wound. We enter his drawing room and he sits me down in a chair by a cheerful fire,"Now tell me what happened,"

I tell him of the betrayal and the following attack, Analise's and my own escape, and then I said to him,"John, I need you to do something for me,"

"What is it?," He touches my arm, bringing me comfort, "Do you need me to hide you and Leck?,"

"No," a sob escapes my throat as the adrenaline in my blood fades and the pain truly hit me,"He's dead,"

John just stares at me for a moment, then dropped his head into his hands, as if suddenly carrying a heavy burden. He then softly asks me," Dead. Is George and William....,"

" No, they are with my mother. Hidden," I answer softly.

" You knew this would happen," he lifts his head slowly to look at me accusingly

" I had an inkling of a thought that this could happen," I look at him dead in the eye, unwavering

" Did you even think to tell Leck?!," He throws his words at me like knives.

" I did tell him!," I stand up outraged, only to sit back down in pain and whisper," He just wouldn't listen, and so I...,"

"You took your boys and hid them," he finishes for me.

"Yes,"

"Then I apologize for my accusation," he looks at me apologetic .

"Apology accepted,"

"What was it that you needed me to do?," he tries to smile tiredly.

" Take her,"I nod to Analise and before he can protest, " You don't have to pretend that she is your own, but please hide her, I need you to help her."

"Of course Maria, but you are her mother," he looks at me questioning.

"John, I am in no shape to care for my daughter," I answer his unspoken question.

"Maria, let me send for a physician, you will be as good as new when they are done" he doesn't know how serious my wound is.

"Do you know what caused this wound?," I ask him and he shakes his head 'No',"

"An arrow,"

He visibly pales. Now he knows the seriousness of my wound. He finally nods and takes her," Where do I send her location?,"

"Don't, I know that I won't last the night and no one can know where she is and if she is alive," I stand up slowly and for the last time cradle her in my arms. I stoop my head and kiss her cheek.

I walk over to John and place her into his waiting arms. Before I left, I slipped my necklace off and placed it around her neck.

And in exchange, I unwrapped her from her quilt. They need to believe that I have her still. At least for the time being. Enough time for John to hide her where they will never find her.

"Goodbye," I whisper and kiss John on the cheek.

As I turn away, I catch a glimpse of him croon to her. I walk to the entrance and slip out. I hurry to my dear horse, desperate to make the traitors believe that I had my daughter and was too wounded to get her to safety. I ride back to my summer home; and when I reach it I stop long enough to hear their shouts of victory.

I sit proudly upon my horse, clutching the bundled up quilt as if i was holding Analise. Long enough for them to catch sight of me. Long enough for an archer to sling his bow and fire at me. The arrow nocks me off my horse and I lay in the dirt in pain. They run to make sure that I am truly dead. I smile painfully, they don't know it yet, but I did manage to get my children to safety and manage to overthrow their plans. For now.