Finding My Nightingale [UNDER CONSTRUCTION]

Chapter Twenty Six

Chapter Twenty Six

***Elena's POV***

It came as a surprise actually. That he came for me. I watched him pick at the fire, I was surprised he even started the fire but I wasn't going to let him know that.

I move closer to him, "what happened between you and Erica?"

"I didn't work out. I didn't love her and she let me go." He smiles at me. "How did you escape?"

I repositioned myself, "I, um well, turns out I have a brother, Joseph and he knew the way out. He also happens to be Erica's brother. Their twins. I left him in town." Guilty, I look toward the town, wishing I could let him know he's okay. "And he was in the dungeon as well as I. I don't understand why we were in the dungeon except that—" I gasped, wide-eyed, remembering what Joseph told me he over heard. "You're in danger, William! They're plotting to kill you after you marry Erica! We've got to get back!" I jump up and run to Henry.

"Whoa, Elena, slow down. Who's plotting to kill me? The people who threw me in the dungeon."

"Elena, calm down. We're okay." I nod as he leads me back to the fire. We sit down and I ask him, "how did you know I was in trouble, anyway?"

"I over heard Erica talking to her mother explaining what happened. And their carriage driver came in and said that he took you and I was afraid they were going to kill you. So I made Erica make me a map but turns out I didn't need it."

"So Erica knew there was a chance I would be thrown in the woods? And that she knew I was sister and she still did?" anger raged through me and it was hard to calm myself down. I sighed, "I guess it would make sense. She was only trying to protect herself and mother."

He sighs, "get rest, we leave as early as possible."

I nod and lay down starring at the stars through the trees. I let the sounds of the river bring me sleep when I thought of something.

"William."

"Yeah?"

"Wouldn't it be funny, if you did marry Erica, we would be siblings." He laughs, "I'm glad I'm not going to marry her then. It'd be too weird to have feelings for my sister other than family love."

"Yeah, that would be weird."

I smile and fall asleep.

***

""Elena! Get up! We have to go!" I hear someone yell at me. I groan and try to wake myself up. I felt that I should be worried but I hurt too much for it to matter.

"What's happening?" I mumble.

"The Indians. They've found us." William pulls me up in a hurry.

"Indians? What Indians?"

"When I came to find you I ran into some Indians." He explained rather quickly. "We've got to get out of here before they find us."

I'm fully awake and I'm gathering the small stuff and jumping onto Henry, who himself seemed agitated.

William starts off cautious leaving the river side until we heard yelling and he sped Henry up.

"Can we lose them?" I scream into the wind.

"As long if we don't slow down we could." I hear him yell back. I turn to look behind me and a narrow shoots past my head I scream and burry my head into his back.

"Just hang in there!" He yells.

I lay like this for a whole until felt something wet spreading across his back. I jerk my head up and scream. William was unconscious with an arrow in he shoulder.

"William!" I cry out. I felt his pulse and let out a small breath. He was still breathing but barely. I know the Indians were still following us but we we're getting farther around them.

"J-just hold on, William! I'll get us back to Nightingale and you'll be safe." I grab a lock of Henry's mane. "Come on, Henry. We've got to go!" I whisper and he speeds up.

I ride for a long time until I see the peeks of a city.

Could it be?

Could we finally be home out of harms way?

We could and we were.

I don't slow as we ride up to the castle gates.

"Please," I scream out to anyone who would listen. "Prince William is hurt! He needs help and fast!"

Guards come running out and take William away from me. "Please, please, take good care of him for me." I cry as they carry him into the gates.

"Who are you?" A small it comes up to me.

"E-Elena. Who are you?"

"Johnny, the stable boy. I take care of Henry when William is busy." He gives Henry an apple. He eats it hungrily, nudging Johnny for more.

"He's weak. I have to feed him. Would you like to come?"

I nod and silently follow him to the stables. Johnny looked about twelve.

He takes Henry in the back and feeds him, while Henry is eating he starts to brush him and clean him.

"So how do you know Prince William?" He asks me.

"I-I met him six weeks ago in the bakery." I smiled at the memory.

A single tear slides down my face I wipe it and ask, "how long have you been the stable boy?"

"I started a couple of years ago, I'm fourteen. When my father died, I took over his job."

"Oh, I'm so sorry about your father."

"It's okay, we're coping."

After that we were silent for a while until I heard small voices.

"Oh Erica! Thank you! My hair looks beautiful!"

"Your welcome, Elizabeth. Why don't you find Tori?" I hear her say, it sounded as if she was heading this way.

I hear a giggle and an reply.

I turn to face the door that she'll be coming trough and threw her off guard.

"Elena!" She gasped. "What are you doing here?"

"Hello sister."