The Vale

Chapter 11

Hey everyone! So sorry that its been a long, long time since ive updated. Ive had a serious case of writers block! (If your a writer, you know!") but now im back!! so I hope you like this chapter! things are getting exciting!! 

Walking through one of the many hallways of my new home I admired the paintings on the walls. Generations upon generations lined the walls, some were kings others wives and their children. There was such much history here, so much to explore and enjoy but then I remembered where I was. I wasnt in some old castle exploring freely. I was trapped here like a prisoner. My free will gone. To prove my point I herd my babysitters boots stomp on the wooden floor behind me. I looked behind and saw Carlisle watching me intently. His arms folded behind his back. His gaze made me feel uneasy and yet curious, his blue eyes held something I couldn't understand. He barley spoke to me and never touched me but he always stared. I shivered feeling goosebumps rise on my naked arms.

I turned back around and pretend to look at the paintings, his demeaner was the polar opposite to Julian's. At last nights dinner that I was forced to attend I sat on the edge of my seat petrified that he was going to do something worse than what already happened. I barley ate any food afraid that it was poisoned, even though my stomach screamed for the juicy steak that sat on the plate infront of me. What made me even more anxious was Julian staring at me the entire time. He didn't utter a single word but didn't take his black eyes of me as he sipped a red liquid in a silver goblet.

After dinner was finished he ordered me back to my room for the night and told me not to leave or else, so when I returned I closed the door, stripped out of the ridiculous dress I was made to wear and cried in the shower until the water got cold.

My mind came back to the present when a cough sounded behind me echoing off the walls. Carlisle was staring at me cautiously like he thought I was planning my escape but that wasn't the case. Yet. I guess that's some of the reason I was out exploring the halls, I was hoping to find a way out for later. I continued walking on the plush red carpet but forget to pull my dress up and nearly tripped over but a hand grasped my arm stopping me from faceplanting the ground. For a moment I was stunned as I looked into Carlisle's eyes and I swear I could see concern but then I realised he was only protecting the kings property so I ripped my arm out of his grip and continued to walk making sure I gathered some of my dress in my hand.

What I wouldn't give for a pair of jeans or leggings, I even asked the maids for some this morning when they insisted I wear a long lavender dress but they looked at me like I had grown two heads so I gave up.

" I think we should head back to your room now, its getting late and lunch will be served soon " the gruff voice of Carlisle broke through the silence. I stopped, turned around and glared at him. " No!" his eyes narrowed at my words, clearly he wasn't use to the word no. "Im sorry your highness but you don't get to make that call. Now come. " He stared back, almost challenging me. Well I accept.

I stared at him for a few more seconds before kicking off my shoes and sprinting off down the hallway. Carlisle was stunned clearly not expecting me to run so I had a tiny head start but it wasn't long till I heard his heavy boots stomping behind me. I had to think fast and look for an escape, and as soon as I rounded a corner I saw a black wooden door that looked old and untouched. Without thinking I bolted for the door , pulling it open as fast as I could and closing it quickly behind me. My breathing came out in fast pants as I leant up against the cold brick wall. Not seconds later I heard his heavy boots stop outside the door, I held my breath hoping he didn't look in here.

"Damn it! Where did she go?!" I herd his muffled voice through the door and hoped to god he didn't look in here. I listened and when I herd him stomping off down the hallway I let out a breath and relaxed. That was close I thought. I waited a couple more minuets to make sure the coast was clear but before I turned to leave i noticed something out the corner of my eye. A small winding stair case that seemed to go up and up and up. Something at the back of my mind told me to just leave and never come back to this place but my curiosity got the better off me so I went up. The steps were steep and narrow and there was nothing to hold onto, so the further I went up the more anxious of falling I got.

For a moment I felt like I was ten again and climbing up the staircase of a castle ruin my grandparents took me too once. I had so much fun that day and learnt so much. I guess I never thought I would be living in one.

The steps were ice cold on my feet and soon they started to go numb, maybe this was a bad idea? Maybe I should go back down? but as soon as I looked down everything started to spin so I closed my eyes and waited for that feeling to pass. I guess I was afraid of heights. I breathed out a sigh and decided to continue, I couldn't be too far from the top now, could I?

What felt like hours later and with burning legs, numb feet and frozen arms I made It to the top only to be faced with another door. This one seemed to be the same as the one down stairs. Without hesitating I burst the door open, overjoyed to see a roaring fire. Closing the door I ran over towards the warmth letting out a small thank you to anyone that was listening. What I didn't expect was an answer.

"Your welcome " a horse voice sounded behind me. I let out a squeal as I spun around trying to find the source of the voice. That's when I took in the room I had entered. A bed lay in one corner of the room while an old writing table sat in the other. By the fire sat an old armchair that looked old and worn. This was someone's room! I turned to leave feeling like I had trespassed when the voice sounded again " Its rude not to say hello when you enter someone's home " I spun around trying to locate the source of the voice and there sat in the armchair was an elderly woman staring into the blaze of the fire.

I stood there shocked and bewildered. She wasn't there moments ago, in fact the room was most certainly empty, so where did she come from? "Im sorry, I didn't know anyone lived here. ill leave. " I stammered. I turned to go when the old woman spoke again " Nonsense dear, why leave when you only just got here. please sit, you must be freezing. " She gestured to another arm chair that was positioned across from her. That too wasn't there when I entered.

"Well? Are you going to stand there all day?" slowly I walked over to the other arm chair and sat down, instantly feeling the heat from the fire once more. my body relaxed a little but my eyes never strayed from the old woman who had yet to look at me. " Who are you?" I asked, my voice cracking slightly. That's when she turned her head away from the fire and looked at me for the first time. She had long salt pepper hair that was pulled back from her wrinkled face showing off her lavender eyes, my mouth opened in awe as I stared at them. So beautiful, so unique, yet they held so much pain. A common thing around here.

"My names Agatha, the kings seer. It's a pleasure to finally meet you Samantha."