Lifes Fate

20

I didn't sleep, not for a second! I'm not even sure if I blinked. All I could do is lie there and look to the ceiling. I don't understand what he needs me to do. I don't want to break his heart. I could never tell Albert what Justin told me. I couldn't tell him he thinks he's in love with me. It would stop everything. But I dont know what to do. I need his army. The Lycons and the Elven people aren't enough.
The door knocks and I roll over pretending to be asleep "Trish?" Its Toby. So I keep my eyes closed "shes still asleep"
"Lucky her" a groan comes.
"Shh! Let her sleep. She never sleeps this late"
"Then can I go back to bed? My heads killing me"
"That's your fault!"
"Im awake" I can't pretend I'm asleep if Tobys already woken Pip up after last night "Im just lying down"
The bed dips and I know Tobys sat behind me. Pip falls to the bed and cuddles into his pillow. His eyes swollen and purple bags under his eyes. His skin pail. Wow! Hes not feeling great!
"Its not like you to lie in" I never lie in "did you carry on drinking with Prince Justin?"
Pip opens an eye. Obviously interested "no, i didnt"
"Oh. I assumed you gone to talk after the dance. Speaking of! You did very well last night! Pip... well you could have toned it down, but next to Harjo, you were fine"
He groans and buries his head in my pillow.
"I have some gifts for you both"
"I dont deserve gifts. Let me die and that can be my punishment" Pip mumbles into the pillow. He looks up and just blinks "what is it?"
I hear metal being unsheifed and I turn to see what it is...
Hes holding two long fine blades. Looking over then "Trish... these are for you... i know you like your elven blades, but these... theyll do you well" i take one and balance it "this is incredible work. Even the elves would have been proud of this!"
He laughs "there swords fit for any king. And any blade fit for a king, is not good enough for this queen" the hilts are stunning. Silver and the forgery on the detail. Im beyond impressed!
"Pip" he looks up and Toby hands over a big double sided axe "im not going to be in the main castle like you two... I need you to protect eachother"
I look up at him and he can't look at either of us "I don't know how I'd cope if either of you got hurt"
I take his hand "Thank you Toby"
He smiles and puts his arm around me, kissing my head. He lies down on the bed and we all look to the ceiling "we're going home"
"We are"
"We have to win it first" and to do that. I need to do what Albert said "I uh... I have some things I need to sort out. I climb out the covers and head over to my closet and freeze... what? I run my fingers over the steel breast plate. Wow!
"Your a queen now Trish... your not a honoured elven warrior" its silver like my swords. And its beautiful. An engraving of the oak leaf, a Wolfs head a crown and a tiara. The 4 different kingdoms.
"Its beautiful"

I head through the halls, Harjos dying on the breakfast table. Matilonis with his father going over the elves plans. The king is on his Throne. And he just smiled at me as I walk past him.
And I find Justin, eventually outside by the swing. Just sitting on it...
"Your majesty?"
He looks back at me and comes to his feet "Trisha... are you alright?" I only nod "You have new armour?"
I nod "It was a gift from Toby"
"Its nice" it is "whats wrong?"
"Nothing... I'm here to-" I look up at him and my chest hurts "I... I-Im here... you're not coming" I need his army. But I don't need him
"Coming where?"
"To the battle"
"What?! Of course I am!"
"You're too into this. You cant come because you'd stop me doing what I need to do"
"Wow! No, no! Trisha... what is this? What are you- i dont-"
"You'd be distracted. You'd be a distractions. I cant win the battle if I have to worry about you"
"Worry about me! Is this a joke?"
I wish "No...your father has agreed its best you stay here and rule while he leads the army"
"My father... he put you up to this... this is his doing?"
"No" I lie through my teeth "I dont want you there... this is goodbye"
"No... no, stop it. Please!"
I look up to him and my eyes are burning! Seeing him look so panicked "Id get myself killed if you come"
He comes up to me, taking my face in his hands "I wouldn't let that happen! Trisha, please! Whatever you're worried about! Please just-" I take his wrists and pull them away from my face "why are you doing this?"
I take a breath and look him in the eye. Feeling a tear roll down my cheek "Because Harjo knows nothing will happen... Matiloni has always accepted that I won't always be apart of his life... but you can't let go... and I can't have that in my life"
He stares at me "you want me to stay? You, really want that?"
No "yes"
He scoffs and looks over my head "I uh... alright... yeah" he steps back and takes a breath "then good luck to you, your highness" and walks away from me, back to the castle. I squeeze my eyes shut. Feeling sick. Feeling the sobs in my throat. But I cant let him hear them.
"Wow" i look over at the tree and Harjos leant against it "you want to protect him so much, you lied to him? Thats not like you"
And i need to lie again "you and Matiloni understand creatures. You know how to fight them. Justin doesn't, he'd get killed and I dont want that on my mind"
He heads over to me and kisses my head "keep telling yourself that Trish"