-Daughter Of The Iron Rose-

-Within The Gates-

The clouds had turned the day to night as lightning cracked and danced within the blackness. A loud boom of thunder woke me from my fitful sleep just as a large water droplet landed on my cheek and traveled down my face like a tear. Aragorn was already awake and checking on his wounded friend.

I sat up. "How is he?"

Aragorn turned, a grim smile on his face. "He'll live. Thanks to you that is."

"But?"

"He'll never fight properly again. If he's lucky the king will have pity on him and allow him to be a servant. If not-" he trailed off.

I looked away. I knew what he meant. I had heard of the king's viciousness and how he hated anything less than perfection. I just hoped if worse came to worse that it would be a swift, painless death.

"Don't look at me like that princess. Don't pity me."

I looked up as Ryder spoke.

Funny. I remember asking my brother the same thing.

"We must be off if we are to get there by noon," said Aragorn.

I just nodded my head and started gathering our supplies.

"A princess should not do such labors, my Lady."

So we're back to that again?

Sighing I nodded and sat down on a nearby boulder. I watched as Aragorn gathered everything and rolled up the beds. He readied the horses and helped Ryder get on his. I guess I'd be riding with Aragorn again. Finally, after a brief moment of inspection, he called me over and helped me on his horse before he jumped on. A nudge and we were off.

It wasn't long after we set off that the rain picked up and plastered my clothes to my body. I shivered as a thick cold set into my bones. I focused on the road ahead and watched as the castle walls grew ever closer and before long we stood before the gate to the city.

"Lord Aragorn! Is that you," came a voice from the top of the wall.

"Yes Darion, I have brought the princess. Let the bridge down or we shall be late."

The bridge lowered and allowed us to cross the small brown river below. I looked up as a person I assumed to be Darion walked up.

"My goodness my Lord! That woman can not be a princess. She is only in her nightwear."

I laughed outright at his comment as he gave me a sheepish smile. "Pardon me good sir but I am the princess," I said with a smile. "We ran into trouble along the road and my gown was bloodied."

"Well, I suggest you take her over to Margaret's house. She'll get you a gown so that you're at least dressed enough to meet the king."

"Thank you, my friend."

Darion smiled again and tipped his hat as he put the bridge up behind us. When I turned and looked forward I was awestruck by the dark beauty of the city. Each house and shop was equal length apart but they all had their unique appearance. Where one was small and wide another was tall and thin. People stood beside benders as they browsed wears and supplies; each looking up and whispering to one another as we passed.

All of a sudden a young girl tripped and fell in the path of the horse making him rear up and me once again falling to the ground. Guards came running forward. Two ran to help me up as Aragorn got off his horse while three more surrounded the girl. One man jerked her up by the arm and laid a slap across her face.

"Stupid orphan! You have harmed the royal princess," he bellowed as he went to strike her again.

Shaking free of the other men I ran forward and grabbed the guard's arm.

"Stop it at once," I screamed.

People who once avoided the scene now looked on with curiosity. Pushing the man away I held the crying, trembling girl close.

"She is only but a child. How dare you hit her."

Aragorn hid a smile as the other man looked on shocked.

"B-but she made you fall, m'lady," he stammered.

"I am not hurt though, but this poor girl. You've gone and made her bleed." I kneeled down and faced the girl. Smiling I wiped away her tears as my mother once did for me. "Are you alright little one," I asked gently.

She nodded her head but dared not speak in fear she be hurt again. My heart ached for her. What kingdom was so ruthless that children couldn't run and play freely without fear of rebuke?

"What's your name sweetie?"

"Rose," she whispered

"That was my mother's nickname. Well, my sweet flower would you please walk with me and show me the way to Margaret's home?"

Rose smiled brightly at my question and nodded her head. "Yes, my lady! She lives down by the tavern," she said excitedly.

"I guess we're walking," laughed Aragorn. "You there, guard. Take my horse to the stable and Ryder to the care center. Have his wounds looked at and bound."

The man nodded and did as he said as the others went back to their posts. Rose grabbed my hand and led the way, chatting happily as we walked in the rain that had now become a gentle mist.

It wasn't long before we reached a small little shop with the woman's name on it. "Here we are!"

Laughing I hugged Rose before I gave her ten gold coins. She looked at me with wide eyes as she held the gold in her hands. "I heard your stomach growl the whole way here and you're quite thin. Go eat and thank you for helping me."

She smiled and hugged me back before she disappeared into the tavern.

"Oh my! You must be the princess. Why on earth are you in your night attire," came a soft sing-song voice.

I looked up as a girl with golden brown hair and bright emerald eyes walked out the door. She looked appalled by my clothes and rushed me inside and to the back, telling Aragorn to take a seat at the table and eat.

"You must be Margaret," I said smiling.

"Aye, yes my princess. Darion is my husband. I assume he sent you for something to wear."

I nodded my head as she browsed through dresses of various colors until she pulled out a deep sapphire blue silk dress with lilies hemmed into the fabric.

"Here You go, dear. Let's get you washed up and into this dress."

Margaret took me in and began to wash the mud and blood from my hair without questions. "You truly are beautiful with your silver hair and eyes. Your title fits you so well; Silver Lilly."

I smiled softly as he scrubbed my naked skin with a fragrant soap. "I am not nearly as beautiful as you Margaret. You are like a breath of spring."

Her laugh was like a sweet melody, careless and free.

"Yes. I suppose that's a way of putting it. I know how I look and cherish it so. Beauty is rarely kept alive here."

Her eyes turned sad for a brief second before she was all smiles again. "There! All clean. Now let me get you dressed and send you on your way."

She helped me into the dress and braided a crown of hair on top of my head while the rest tumbled down my back. The sleeves stopped at my elbows and the neckline showed a generous amount of cleavage. She let a small necklace grace my neck.

"There we go. My best customer. You are a breath of blue and silver. Now go before you are late princess."

I hugged her and she kissed my cheek as we parted. Without another word I left the house and walked outside to where Aragorn waited. When he saw me he smiled.

"Beautiful princess. You finally look the part."

With that, we walked along the paved street the rest of the way to the Castle a smile plastered on my face. Suddenly Aragorn stopped me.

"Do not smile. Do not speak unless asked to and most importantly do not show fear."

With that, he opened the huge mahogany double doors and ushered me in. My eyes quickly focused on the two men sitting in thrones, neither smiled. I dared not breathe as the king stood up.