Terms of Peace

Cry Baby

Aileen's POV

The day had finally come. Everything I had ever known I would probably never see again. I was anything but prepared despite having all the clothes and books and other items that I was bringing with me all packed and in the wagon. I had staunchly refused to ride in a carriage like some beautiful prisoner, no I planned riding my horse at the front of the company, my only refuge being Maria and Ethan who would be behind me as we were going to be surrounded by soldiers from Loja. I was not riding side saddle either like a "proper lady" should, I wasn't evening wearing a dress. I had worn thick pants with my knee high leather boots and plain white top and leather jacket, the only thing to indicate who I was was the tiara the sat atop my head. If I was essentially going to be taken prisoner from my home you can be damn sure I wasn't going to look the part of a bride of war, I was going to make damn sure everyone got the hint that I was not to be messed with and NOT because of who I was marrying.

As I looked around my bedroom one last time I heard soft footsteps enter.

"Baby girl it's time".

"I know" letting out the sigh I had been holding for what felt like days now. Feeling several pairs of arms wrap around me I knew my family and my two best friends were doing their best to comfort me.

"I'm so proud of you henny. You have grown into such a strong and independent woman with a good head on your shoulders, just be careful with what you say and when you say it. We both have a tendency to sometimes let our thoughts and feelings run away with us before realizing where we are".

"I know momma", looking slightly down at her since I was slightly taller than her. "I can't make any guarantees though".

"Thats my girl" with the biggest smile she could muster and teary eyes, which only made my tears fall faster. My mother was the last person on the planet that would ever cry and I mean the absolute last. I noticed that Maria and Ethan had taken a few steps back to allow my family and I our final goodbyes, hugging each other, they may not have been born into our family but they we were thick as thieves. Lost in my own thoughts a sudden weight against the right side of my body almost knocked me flat on my ass. With a slight incline of my head I looked into the eyes of my little brother, those eyes that looked like mine. He was the only one with eyes like mine, an ever changing sea of blue but as you looked closely at the pupil there was a sunburst of golden brown pointing out into the blue. That was where our resemblance stopped, he had the black hair and the tan skin tone of our mother but whereas I took after our mother in the height department Chase was ten years old and already almost as tall as me a 21 year old woman, our dad was the tall one being over a foot taller than my mother.

My brother and I weren't always ones for talking, we just stood there hugging each other and finally pulling away we did our little handshake that had once been mine and Clayton's. Giggling through my tears he ran to Ethan and Maria as he hugged them and did his own version of our handshake with them as he continued to look on, my mother joining them so it was just my dad and I.

That hug was my undoing. I had always been a daddys little girl and I was always the most emphatic one in our family, he taught me everything from my love of books to our shared interest in history to our just general love for gaining knowledge. I got the blue of my eyes from him and the curls in my hair from him. My dad was not as stoic as my mom but he was a firm and disciplined man. Like his forefathers he spent many of his years in the army camps until his dad passed away and he took the throne. Looking up to his face I saw my tears reflected on his face.

"I always thought I would be the one to walk you down the aisle to a ma of your choosing who we knew with out a single doubt would love you and cherish you. Baby girl I love you more than words can ever explain and I swear if I had seen a peaceful way to avoid this I would have, I stayed up for days and days trying to find a way to get you out of this without any bloodshed".

"I know daddy, I don't want to leave y'all behind but I know I have to do this, to honor your decision, to honor Clayton, and for the happiness and a secure future for our people". We just stood there hugging each other for dear life and once again I felt the arms of the family that was left to me make their way around my dad and I. Now the real waterworks were flowing with the occasional sniffle breaking the silence. Pulling away as a knock on the door broke up or cry fest we hurriedly wiped our eyes as on of the guards who was to escort us to the border opened the door to stick his head in.

"It's time" hurriedly slipping back out into the corridor as we gained our composure.

Ethan made his way to take my arm to escort me out to the front of the palace.

"Let me escort her young man. You will be the one to walk her down the aisle so do me the honor of letting me escort her this one last time" my dad asked and Ethan bowed his head, backing away as my dad took my arm in one of his with my mother on his other arm, Chase walking between Maria and Ethan in front of us as we marched in what like felt like a funeral march to my uncertain future.

"Their Majesties King Aodhan and Queen Fala and Their Royal Highnesses Princess Aileen Deirdre and Prince Chase of Kildare".

The sun shone above us as he made his way towards us. Taking my hand from his arm my dad placed it on that of the man I was to marry. Before accepting my hand he inclined his head first towards me and my parents turning to do the same to my brother and best friends. Taking my hand and placing a kiss on it yet again he announced, "I will protect her with my life, no harm shall ever fall upon her, this I swear to you Your Majesties. From now own she will be my own flesh and she will be treated with the same respect I am treated with but most importantly with the respect and dignity she deserves". For once in the few days I had known him there was a gentle look in his eyes as he turned to meet my stare. Tilting his head to the side I gave my consent with a nod as we turned and he lead me to where our horses stood ready for our journey to my new home.

For once I actually let someone help me mount my horse and Christopher stayed by my side until I was fully in the saddle. Mounting his he gave the signal and we were off. Not once did I turn my head to look at my family and home fading behind me. I would hold my head high and represent my parents and my country.

This chapter is dedicated to Cortez053002 and deniseasonrisa who gave me the idea for the chapter. I do want to thank all you lovely readers, y'all give me the courage and support to keep writing.😘😘