The Prince of Ilios

Fifty-Five

After a meal and a bath Ellora felt refreshed. Her mind wiped clean of her nightmares. maids had fussed over her for hours. She stood at the mirror, checking her appearance quickly. The maid eyed her suspiciously, "You're planning to go out aren't you, miss?"

Ellora knew she was a bad liar, she had to try another tactic, "Please Annette, I just need to see it. All of the damage I caused. I need to take responsibility for it."

Annette thought it over, "You only want to see it?"

"Yes." Ellora nodded. Annette seemed to be a reasonable young lady, not much older than Ellora, with kind eyes a little on the shy side. Her brown hair was plaited into a bun on her head, a ribbon tied through it. The rest of her outfit was the standard gray and white uniform of all of the Palace help, "I cannot sit by while people are suffering."

"The other princesses are doing their lessons today. Perhaps you should join them instead."Annette suggested hesitantly.

"No. Please, send for the carriage." Ellora finally gave the order.

Annette nodded.

Moments later Ellora was making her way through the town in a carriage. She had never ridden in one before. Once she saw the white and gold royal carriage that they had brought her, she opted for a much plainer black one, not wanting to draw too much attention to herself. She had stopped many times in the corridors to catch her breath. It was definite that she was not up to her full strength. She had to keep her eyes open while the carriage rocked her about, trying to lull her to sleep. As it jerked to a stop, Ellora bolted upright.

Annette smiled at her, "We are at the port, Miss."

Ellora looked out the window. Men, women, and children were all working their hardest to rebuild what she had torn down. Her heart sank as she watched a boy carry a piece of wood that was too big for him, scraping the end along the ground. A family nearby sifted through the rubble to see if they could salvage anything. Another, was already putting together a new frame for a dock. Makeshift tents lined the streets. Temporary homes, until they could occupy their real ones. Alyn was hammering nails into a dock on the port. Even Nicola, was wiping sweat off of his brow, helping a family set up their tent and carry beams of strong wood, used for posts. She frowned with the urge to help.

"Take us to a side street, and let me off." Ellora ordered, and the carriage did as she asked.

Annette touched her hand, "Please, don't do this, you are not strong enough yet. You have barely made it this far."

"And if I spend my life making up for the pain I have caused these people and my people it will be well worth it."She opened the door, stepping out. She had to figure out some way to help, without causing a scene. If only she could reverse the damage.

Although, she did not know how to rebuild ports, she could dry out the wood quicker for them. She made her way, slowly as not to expend too much energy to the water. Ellora hopped down from the broken dock into it. She stood, feeling the water of the port swell and sweep around her ankles and calves. She inhaled and exhaled with the tide, cooling her mind, and slowing her heartbeat. If she had caused all of this water then she could take it away. With determination, Ellora began. Water gathered over the beams that had been soaked, moving to the surface. Ellora beckoned it to her, drawing it toward her. The droplets floated through the air and away from the building materials.

"Ellora! What are you doing?" Alyn ran to her as soon as he had felt the water move a certain way. He had known it was his sister. Whenever she stepped into the same water as him, it became more peaceful and free flowing. The exact opposite of his rushing, thunderous waves.

Ellora gritted her teeth. Her focus was waning, the curse on her back throbbed, and her strength was leaving her too quickly, "I am drying out the building materials so the people can use them." She glanced over at Alyn, "I think I am going to need your help though. There is more water than I thought."

Alyn grimaced, he knew he would not be able to get her back in the carriage until she had helped. And this would be a major step in the right direction. He stood next to her, and raised his arms as well, "Fine, but it should be noted that I am not happy about this. I just know there is no stopping you."

She nodded, smiling weakly and they continued together. It was easier, but it was still taking its toll. When they had gathered the last of the water, her balance waned and her vision was blurring. Her arms were falling asleep from maintaining the position for so long and felt like jello because of the amount of power that she had used. Out of breath, "Thank you Alyn." She tried to get out.

"What are you doing here! You should be in bed." Nicola was charging out to them. Ellora looked pale as a ghost and needed to rest. His temper burned bright.

Alyn stepped in front of him, "Woah, woah. We just saved the people two days of drying their materials. Now they can begin to rebuild the ports they will again have imports and jobs. It was a brilliant idea. One that would definitely boost morale."

Nicola tried to get past him, "She just woke up, she needs to rest."

Alyn crossed his arms, "I told you she would come."

"Yes and it was brave, and also foolish." Nicola retorted.

She was swaying on her feet.

He knocked Alyn out of the way, in just enough time to sweep her up before she fell into the water. He checked her. Just sleeping. "Ellie, you have really over done it this time." He murmured to her.

She nestled her head into his chest.

Alyn's protective brother instincts sprang up, grabbing the Prince's arm, "Hey, if you are going to be acting like this, you had better be serious about her. You seem to be getting ahead of yourself."

If you would have stopped her, this would be a nonissue! He had been sitting by her side and not helping his people for long enough. Nicola thought to himself and nodded, "Yes, you're right." He passed her to Alyn, "Please, take her back to the Palace and make sure she stays in bed. I will help the people."

Alyn nodded, taking her back to her room, in the Palace. Her new room, which was right next to Nicola's. The same room that the Prince had spent every hour in when she had become sick. He had not slept in his own bed at all, but sat up all night taking care of her, only taking meager amounts of food, while waiting for her to awake. Like his whole world revolved around her. The Prince of a country, trying to take his country, had fallen for his little sister. Alyn shook his head in disbelief.