The Caravan of Hope

Chapter 38: Another Member Gone?

The tournament was finished. And of course, the Caravan of Hope won. Daiko hid the fact that Alex was gone by creating an illusion and letting it compete.

They waited in their tent for their award. King John was supposedly going to bring the award, so Bella was hiding behind Jarred (Diego).

The king brought the Award, a small plaque, with a big smile. "Congratulations, Caravan of Hope," he said.

He shook everyone's hand, but paused when he got to Jarred. He looked into Jarred's eyes, then snapped his fingers. A couple of men grabbed Jarred from behind and held him to the ground. Bella shrieked and went behind Daiko.

As soon as Jarred was on the ground, King John lifted his chin and looked into his eyes. "You can't fool me, Jarred Riniv. Your hair might be different, but your eyes are still the same color, and hardly anybody in Wald has golden eyes. I knew that you would be a fugitive one day. Now, where's Bella?"

Jarred coughed up saliva. "I am... not telling you. She does not... want to see you."

The king just looked down at him and kicked him. "It's a good thing I'm putting you in jail anyways. The people would hate me if I put someone in jail for no good reason."

Biting her tongue was all that Bella could do in order to stop from coming out. But then she heard a voice say, "Father!"

A young girl, maybe two years younger, came out. She looked exactly like Bella. The Caravan of Hope steered as she crossed her arms. "I heard everything Father. Why kick him? He probably did all those things because Bella ordered him."

"Bella would never do something like that!"

She started to cry. "You always take her side! Everyone does! Doesn't anybody know that there's another princess?"

"Wait, you're Bella's sister?" George gasped.

She nodded and looked at Jarred. "I suppose you still always take Bella's side, right?"

Jarred smiled sadly. "It is nice to see you again, dear Belle. I do support your sister, but only because she wants to wield a sword. If I supported girls who have perfect grace and a ruler's ability, I would equally support you."

Bella smiled. Her boyfriend sure knew how to get out of messy situations, because there was never a messier situation than an angry woman.

Belle teared up. "It's true that I'd be a good ruler, but I can't be because Bella is older!"

"Enough of this!" King John said. "Maybe I'll just execute him here and now!" He brought out a sword and raised it above his head.

"No!" Everyone turned to Bella.  The king smiled. "My daughter, come with me."

Bella realized a plan, and that this was her only chance. "Okay," she said to Jarred's horror and her father's amazement. "But only if you pardon Jared and leave him alone."

"Okay!" Bella started to leave.

"Bel-" Jarred started to say, but it was too late. She was gone.

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The five of them left sat in a circle around the campfire. Daiko twiddled her thumbs. "Only five of us left, huh?"

Jarred clenched his fists as he remembered some memories: them kissing while Daiko shouted PDA, their confessions for each other, and that dream he had of their future.

But it was gone, tossed away like a used rag.

Mary got up. "I'm going to go into town to take a shower."

Hearthfell got up. "I'll come in with you."

It was only until Mary blushed real hard that Hearthfell realized that what he said was very weird, even though everyone else was staring at him.

George punched him. "You creep! Why are ya trying to take a bath with my sister?!"

"What? No, I didn't mean that! I meant too say that I'll go in to town with her!"

"Yeah, right!"

They started a fight again. Jarred smiled, and Daiko grinned. Mary even laughed a little. They had all forgotten at that moment of what happened the last few days.

"Well, I'm glad that we're not all depressed anymore," Bella said as she appeared from the shadows.

Jarred froze for a second, then ran faster than he ever did before and hugged Bella as hard as he could.

Hearthfell gasped. "How are you here?"

"Very carefully. Oh, and I let Belle pretend to be me. No one would notice her otherwise."

Jarred didn't care, because he knew that Bella, his sweet and smart Bella, was here and always told the truth, and that they were going to be together.

Daiko looked at them and smiled. Then, she looked at the sky and punched the air. Don't worry Alex. We'll be like that one day; I swear I'll get you back.

-------- time skip: four years ----------------

---------------- author ------------

Cliffhanger! The whole Hearthfell and the shower misunderstanding idea was given to me by Amber. Thank you!

Yes, the next chapter takes place almost four years later.