6 Chapter Six: I Will Fight For Us

Sick. She felt so sick as she stood in the room that was getting smaller and smaller as time ticked on. Voices were starting to fade until all she heard was the beating of her heart. Thump -thump -thump.

"Lynn."

"Lynn," a strong shake shook her out of her thoughts. Blinking over to her father whose eyes were staring at her as if she were a hurt child.

"Lynn," Garret touched her arm and she blinked towards him.

Closing her eyes, she took a few deep breaths before addressing the King.

"You want me to represent the kingdom, not my father or even my uncle who are more experienced than I," Lynn stated calmly staring straight at the king. He didn't blink as he walked in front of her, standing tall so she would need to tilt her head back to look at him. She took a step back maintaining eye contact.

"Your father and your uncle are needed here to protect the kingdom for if we are invaded," his tone was final.

They had not been attacked for years! Her father was the obvious choice to represent the kingdom and her uncle and other knights are more than worthy enough to protect the kingdom. He knew what he was doing. He did this on-

"purpose! Father, why couldn't Sir Burley and the rest of the knights protect the kingdom! You planned this!" Prince Garret was shouting and pointing at his father. Lynn was staring with wide eyes at the prince. How did he know what she was thinking? Was he feeling angry because of her?

The tingle against her gem itched.

"Do not raise your voice at me boy," the king raised his voice and she felt the hairs on her skin stand, "do you forfeit the challenge?"

Lynn looked at Garret to see his fists at his sides, knuckles turning white. His shoulders shook lightly and the pulse against his jawline jumped every other second.

"I accept," Lynn tried to sound confident, but it came out softer than she wanted. From the look on Garret's face, his face was crestfallen.

"My king," her father spoke up, "who will accompany you on the journey?"

"Sir Richard and Sir Constantine will join my family and I as well as your daughter," Lynn heard the king say and the tilt of his lips upwards made the left cheek on her face twitch.

"I see," her father bowed and reached for her, but the prince had already wrapped his arms around her.

"Are you sure Lynn? I don't want you to get hurt," he whispered softly against the side of her face and Lynn closed her eyes.

"This is our only chance, isn't it?" she whispered back wrapping her arms around him. This was the closest she had been to him in so many years. His coat was blue like the darkening skies. The texture was smooth as her hand ran up his back and held him closer to her chest.

"We can find another way," he mumbled against her cheek, but she knew that was a lie. There was no other way and the king had thrown their love into the colosseum. She had to fight for their love, their heart, their promise.

"I will fight," she pulled back, "for us."

Lynn finished softly and the softening of his eyes made her heart ease away the tension. She will do her darn best to win. Finally, she was given a choice that she could decide.

"Good. We shall send word that we will make our rounds," the king turned away to his queen.

"Come son," the queen called, but the prince stayed where he was. Beside her. Holding her.

Her heart swell at the feeling of where he wished to stay. A smile made it to her lips as she watched him shake her head side to side and held her once more.

The queen's frown deepened and opened her mouth to call for her son once more, but the king shook his head placing a soft hand against her back. Whispers were exchanged before both the king and queen walked out of the room. She closed her eyes again and just enjoy this feeling of her prince's arms holding her. His breath brushing against her ear and his hands rubbing her back brought a smile to her face.

"Lynn," he said quietly, softly.

"Garret," she replied in the same tone.

He felt his smooth laugh vibrate against her in his hold. If she were to fail on this mission- to prove their love, to prove that she was enough for their son, their prince- then let her have this moment to remember. He pulled back slightly as if afraid she would be lost to him.

"What can I do to help?" Garret placed a palm against her cheek and Lynn gave in by leaning against his touch.

"Never forget our promise," she smiled toward him.

"Of course, I remember it every day since you left," his shoulder dropped as he said those words with a smile.

"You know I wanted to say goodbye, but-" she started but her words were interrupted by his lips.

Relaxing into the kiss, she returned the kiss and ran her hands up his shoulders to his hair. Running fingers through his hair and lightly scratching his scalp as she roamed, he felt him groaned and pulled back.

"I can't wait for us to do more of this," he said as if out of breath.

"Watch yourself my prince," she held in her laugh by a grin, "don't think I'm an easy lady."

"Huh?" he blinked at her confused before his face flushed to the tip of his ears, "I, I didn't mean- Lynn I know you're not easy and I would never-" he stuttered and he looked panicked.

"Is that why you were staring at me so closely the other day? You were thinking of doing more?" she continued, "oh my prince, if I had known you were this way…"

"Lynn," Prince Garret pulled her back into a tight hug, "I promise to love you and to protect you. I, I will promise to only take whatever you would give me. I'm sorry."

"Why are you apologizing?" she couldn't stop the giggles from escaping her lips as she held his face in between her hands, "I want more too."

"You do?" he questioned with both eyebrows lifted.

"Yes," she admitted moving her thumbs back and forth caressing his cheeks, "I want to be able to walk beside you and not behind you. I want to love you freely, happily whenever and wherever we are. I want to stand by your side when there is battle. I want to be a part of your life, even if I am not allowed to. I want to have that choice: to fight for what we could be, what our love can grow into," she paused closing her eyes when she felt his palm against her cheek, "I want to be with you always Garret."

She felt wetness against her palms and the shaking, so she opened her eyes. Sobs were escaping his lips and then she was wrapped up in his arms once more. She felt relieved to have said it. He deserved to know her intentions even if she lost him to another. He deserved to know the promise they made so long ago would be etched in her heart for the rest of her life. She felt her own tears fall and closed her eyes once more.

She did not realize the itch from the gem stopped.