Chapter Two

The next day the games continued. Today's event was Adryanna's personal favorite, elemental battles. Summoned before the competitor is an elemental of a random type and they must fight to destroy it. The competitor who defeats the elemental with the strongest magic, in the most entertaining way, and with the fastest time wins the day. Christof was the first the enter the arena and with a blinding light a large fire elemental appeared before him. "Boring..." Adryanna sighed.

"Adryanna..." Her mother said in a slightly stern tone.

"If he is so talented he would want more of a challenge. Oh look, a rain spell." She shook her head. "I am going for a walk."

Adryanna stood up and left the balcony walking down the stairs to a quite practice area where she slumped against the wall and sighed heavily. "That is not very becoming of a princess."

She shot up and looked to the voice to see none other than Allyn standing there in fine armor with a red cape over the shoulder. "A-Allyn!" Her voice echoed through the hall and he smiled at her warmly. "I didn't realize..."

He walked over and leaned against the wall next to her. "It's fine. I was just trying to clear my head." He leaned close and looked at her lips intensely. Her heart began racing as she pondered whether or not he was going to attempt to steal a kiss like Christof had the previous night but he then backed away. "Your lip isn't swollen. That's good but you can see the cut."

"Oh!" She exclaimed in relief but then felt a strange wave of disappointment wash over her. He looked at her slightly confused. "Yes, ah, I put some herbs on it.

"I hope it doesn't scar. It would be such a shame since you have a pretty face." Just then the crowd grew really loud and excited. "You should return to the balcony, Princess. It would not be good if many people noticed you were absent." She nodded slightly. He then held his arm out and walked her up the stairs and to the balcony opening. "Enjoy the games, Princess." He then nodded and walked away.

She sat down next to her mother with a smile stuck to her lips. "Who was that?" The queen asked with a curious smile.

"Sir Allyn of Umberlan." Her mother smiled. "Probably came on duty."

"Ah, Duke Crawford's son." She smiled at her daughter.

The next competitor stepped into the ring and screams of women rang out. "For Umberlan and for Morea!" A familiar voice called causing Adryanna to jump to her feet and move to the edge of the balcony.

She looked down to see Allyn standing in the arena waving. He then looked to her and smiled a deviously confident smile that caused her heart to pound heavily. There was then a great flash of light and before Allyn appeared a huge lightning elemental. The elemental loomed over him with electricity dancing from its body. Before the round had even begun the elemental's body discharged lighting at Allyn catching him of guard. He was able to dodge the bolt but was unable to maintain his balance and fell to the ground. "Allyn!!" Adryanna called out before she could stop herself. Next thing she felt all eyes on her.

Allyn stood up, "all is well, princess." He smiled reassuringly at her. "I am ready to begin." The official then nodded and released the holding spell on the elemental beginning the round. Lightning shot all around the arena as the elemental moved closer to Allyn. Allyn instantly and calmly cast rock armor shielding his body is stone. With his next cast rock pulled from the earth forming a large blade. With out a moments pauses Allyn charged the elemental bringing the rock blade down. Lightening shot all over the arena making in impossible to see and Adryanna felt herself lean over the rail towards the battle ground. There was a flash of light and the sound of thunder as the elemental began to attack Allyn. He masterfully dodged all of its attacks before plunging the rock blade into its chest causing the elemental to dissipate. The entire crowd, including Adryanna, began screaming in joy and excitement as Allyn cast off the rock armor before thrusting his arm into the air. He once more looked to Adryanna but this time he bowed deeply to her causing her face to flush a bright red.

Not wanting anyone to see how flustered she had become she returned to her seat next to her mother who chuckled lightly to herself. "Know him well?"

She looked at her mother with wide eyes before shaking her head. "We have spoken a few times."

"Keep your head about you, Adryanna." And with that her mother watched the rest of the battles in silence.

Allyn won the day and that night the ball room was once more filled work nobles who had gathered for the games. This time Adryanna pulled a new, beautiful green dress with a elegant bustle and corset. She walked to the ballroom, descended the stairs after her introduction, all eyes on her as she walked straight toward Allyn who was surrounded by noble women.

Though all the women were talking at him and fighting for his attentions he instantly noticed her coming and bowed deeply silencing the chatter around him. "Excellent show in the games, Sir Allyn." She smiled.

He smiled. "Thank you, Your Highness. May I have this dance?" Adryanna nodded and Allyn took her hand leading her through the pack of women to the middle of the floor. The music began as he lead her effortlessly through the steps of a well paced waltz. "This color suites you." He looked from the dress to her and smiled lightly. "You look beautiful."

Her face grew warm as she smiled up at him but the smile on her face melted away as she heard Christof's voice behind her. "Adryanna what are you doing?!" He demanded.

Seeing the color drain from her face Allyn spoke before she could. "I asked the princess for a dance."

"Who are you to ask a dance from my fiancée?" Christof looked coldly at Allyn. "Adryanna, come." He then grabbed her arm and lead her out of the ball room. Once alone on the balcony he backed her against a wall. "You seem to know that man well." Christof looked down at her with a smirk on his face.

"...I... I don't know him all that well."

He stepped closer, "well enough to yell his name during the games today." Her eyes widened. "Of course I noticed. You should be a good girl and stay away from him." He then raised his hand causing her to flinch and attempt to pull away. Seeing her reaction Christof let out a loud laugh. "Don't worry I'm not going to hit you again."

"No, you're not." Allyn's voice rang out. "Because then I would be forced to act." Knowing that he was watching over her gave Adryanna enough courage to push past Christof and run over to hide behind Allyn.

Christof turned to face them. "Know your place, Knight. This is a conversation between husband and wife."

"From what I understand you have yet to marry."

Christof chuckled and walked back towards the ball room stopping next to Adryanna he whispered. "Enjoy it while it last. You will be mine in less than a fortnight." He then walked through the doors and vanished around the corner.

After he was gone Adryanna felt her body tremble. Her legs gave out but before she could hit the ground she found herself wrapped in Allyn's strong arms. "Everything is all right. I won't let him hurt you." A warm voice whispered in her ear. She placed her shaking fingers on his arms and closed her eyes taking in a few deep breaths and the warmth of his body. "Better?" She nodded and then he pulled away from her. She felt a strange coldness wash over her now that she was standing on her own but she brushed it off.

"T-thank you, Allyn." She gave him a small smile before brushing the wrinkles from her skirt and straightening her stance.

"Are you seriously going to marry that man?"

She said nothing for a few seconds then nodded. "I have no choice." He looked at her with soft, concerned eyes. "I have to marry so I have help ruling over our country. And his family's wealth would end Morea's financial crisis."

"Why so soon? Your mother is a well loved queen and still young."

"Mother is dying..." Her eyes widened from shock. "I don't know why I just told you that.... It's supposed to be a well kept secret."

Allyn placed his hand on her shoulder to comfort her. "Your secret is safe with me."

She smiled weakly. "I have to be queen before this sickness takes her."

"I had heard that the queen collapsed months back but the royal physician said it was only from heat exhaustion. I had no clue it was so serious."

"No one out side of a few advisers and I know. Well, expect you, now."

He slightly squeezed her shoulder. "I'm sorry. I can't imagine how much you must be hurting right now... And to be forced to marry that bastard...."

She turned to look out at the stars from the edge of the balcony. "I will do anything to protect my people... Even marry Christof."

Once more she found herself wrapped in his arms as he embraced her from behind without warning. Her heart was beating so loudly she was certain he could hear it but she did not try to pull away. Instead she placed her hands atop of his around her waist. They stood like that for what felt like ever, "you're so strong, Princess." He pulled away from her and then took her hand in his as they stood in the moon light."If you truly mean what you say, then I will do whatever it takes to protect you while you serve this country. I swear this as your knight."

"Allyn... Do you really mean it?"

"Yes, Princess. I pledge myself to you and you alone. Do with my life as you see fit." He then placed a kiss on the back of her hand as if to seal his promise.

"Does this mean your staying in the capital after the games have concluded?" She could barely get the words out due to the dryness in her throat.

"If you'll have me." He smiled at her as she nodded. "Very well. It's late. You should retire for the night. Come I'll walk you to your chambers."

He walked her to her door and then bowed before turning to leave. "Oh, Allyn, wait a minute." She then disappears into her room for a few minutes before returning holding a beautiful silver cross with a Celtic design carved into it on a long delicate chain. She brought the cross to her lips before sliding the chain around his neck. "A symbol of our promise to one another."

He picked up the cross and looked at it closely before looking to her, "it's beautiful."

She smiled brightly. "It was my father's. A gift from my mother, or so I am told."

"I couldn't possibly."

He began to remove it but she grabbed his hands. "I want you to have it. Father said to give it to my husband and partner but I couldn't possibly give it to Christof." She looked deep into his eyes, "please. You are the one father would want to have it. You are my protector. Not Christof."

"Very well. I will never take it off." He smiled as he pulled his hands from hers. "Goodnight Princess."

"Sleep well, Allyn." He began to walk down the hall, "Oh, and call me Adryanna!" She called after him to which he just shook his head.