The Need to Find Her

{Kelton's POV}

Prince Kelton rode his horse through Timberwood Forest. The cacophony of his knights' tack grated on his ears. As much as he wished to search the forest alone, he knew that wasn't possible. His knights followed him out of loyalty. Followed for his protection since he was the sole heir to Greywolf's throne. A status he had wanted to discard many times over the years. A status he now wished to discard more vehemently than he had in the past. He wanted to be alone. He wanted to be able to run off and….

He wanted greater silence so he could ensure he would hear Lady Iredys of Abundare calling for him. He desperately needed to hear her voice. To hear that the last eighteen months of searching had not been in vain. That the ride they had taken the day after their betrothal was not the last time he would ride with her. Laugh with her. Bask in her beauty… and her love. Prince Kelton's head lowered some as he contemplated riding through Guasha Forest once more.

Turning off the beaten path, he guided his horse to a nearby clearing. The snow on the ground was very light. Lighter than other sections of the forest. Prince Kelton observed the trees around him as he struggled with his roiling emotions. Winter had come early to Timber Forest. Many of the trails and mountain sides he had scoured were now impossible to reach. Having hope that she wasn't stuck somewhere where he couldn't reach her was difficult, but it didn't stop him from searching where he could.

He searched each city, town, and village in the kingdom. He had spent countless days away from the castle as he searched the forested mountains that surrounded the castle. He listened carefully for any piece of gossip or sign among the subjects that would tell him that Lady Iredys still lived. That he would be reunited with the woman he loved. That he would hold the one woman he could wholeheartedly trust in his arms again. But her disappearance had changed everything.

The jangle of tack as Sir Fran approached him brought his focus back to the present. "Sire, it's getting late. We should…."

Prince Kelton kicked his horse to keep moving. He didn't want to hear his knights try to persuade him to return to the castle while there was still light. He refused to go back a moment sooner than he absolutely had to. Until he was absolutely sure there was nothing more he could do to find Lady Iredys tonight. His horse struggled through the knee deep snow. Struggled enough that it took a lot of willpower to not push his horse recklessly just to avoid feeling the angst that was mercilessly wringing his heart.

He weaved his way through the trees. Looking every which way. The sun was almost completely gone now. And as much as he wanted to keep looking, continuing their search in the dark would prove useless if Lady Iredys was injured and unable to call to them. The thought of her injured and left out here in the cold stabbed his heart. Tears started to prick his eyes when a loud crunch made him stop.

Prince Kelton turned his horse to the side. A broken tree branch stuck up out of the snow. Relief touched his heart as he let out his breath. He would have felt horrible had it been one of Lady Iredys' bones. The thought of being the cause of her pain made him feel sick. He would do all he could to not hurt her. He just hoped that he wasn't too late to find her alive. To bring her back to the castle so he could marry her and not the woman his mother had been pushing him to marry since Lady Iredys vanished. Prince Kelton stared at the stick for another moment before he reluctantly turned his horse toward the castle.

As much as he wished to stay out, they had not brought sufficient supplies to be able to do so. Though had they, he would have gladly spent the night in the snow just to delay seeing his mother's disappointed and frustrated expression when he returned from yet another fruitless search. Kicking his horse when he reached the trail, Prince Kelton and his knights made their way back to the castle.

They galloped through the trees then through the streets of Greywolf City. The cobblestone streets had long grown quiet. The everyday bustle had come to an end. The clattering of their horses' hooves echoed down the empty alleyways. As the castle grew larger with their approach, a heaviness settled in Prince Kelton's chest. A heaviness that tightened when he saw his mother waiting for him on the steps. Prince Kelton reigned in his horse as Queen Leona shook her head.

"Walk with me," she commanded him, turning to enter the castle.

Prince Kelton dismounted and handed his horse over to the stablehand. He reluctantly followed his mother into the castle.

"Since you are refusing to accept your betrothal to Princess Analisa, I've decided to host a masked ball the night of your birthday so you may choose from the eligible women of the kingdom."

"I do not want a party, My Queen," Prince Kelton responded, trying to keep the frustration out of his tone.

"It's high time you took a wife, Prince Kelton. Greywolf cannot afford the continued absence of your heir."

"You know I do not wish to marry anyone, but…."

Queen Leona stopped and turned to him. "Be that as it may," she interrupted. "With no sign of the Lady Iredys in almost two years, it is time you moved on."

"Mother..," Prince Kelton tried.

"You will obey your Queen, Kelton. We are having the ball and you will choose a noble woman to marry."

"And if I find Lady Iredys?"

Queen Leona gave him one of her looks then walked away.

Prince Kelton remained where he stood. His jaw clenched and his fingers curled tightly into a fist. The lack of an answer was a sure sign that she thought he wouldn't find Lady Iredys. Or find her alive. This was the very reason why he wished his mother would just remarry. There were several single kings in the surrounding kingdoms that had children. If having someone to pass the throne to was that important then surely one of them could…. Prince Kelton shook his head.

He knew his mother would never remarry. Which was why she was pushing him ever harder to get married. To get married to someone less kind, less beautiful, less humble than Lady Iredys of Abundare. He cringed at the thought of having to bed Princess Analisa. He had been grateful for the timing of Lady Iredys' arrival. Having her near made the thought of being king more bearable. But now…. He clenched his fists tighter when he heard two sets of footsteps approaching from behind.

"My Prince?" Sir Hamnet asked.

"We leave at first light," he growled.

"Yes, Sire," Sir Droyn replied.

Prince Kelton turned and stalked down the hall to his bedchambers. To be able to step into an empty room would have been a blessing, but Gailan—his manservant—was there waiting for him. A feast had been set out on the table in front of him. He didn't want to think about food. He didn't even want to think about rest. But he knew he would need both if he was to effectively continue his search for Lady Iredys.

"No luck, Your Majesty?" he asked as Kelton sat at the table.

"Not yet, Gailan," Kelton replied, hovering his hand over the food. 'But I will find her. ...I have to find her."

"These halls have not been as warm with the Lady Iredys' absence."

"That they have not been."

"When are we leaving?" Gailan asked.

Prince Kelton slowed his chewing. "You will be staying here," he replied when his mouth was empty. "I'm sure Diligens has…."

"Kelton, please! I don't want to be left behind anymore. I know your searches aren't always the safest, but I can help. I can…."

"No, Gailan. I would not lose you, too!"

Gailan's lips trembled. "My… my apologies, My Lord," Gailan stammered as he bowed.

Prince Kelton sighed. "I apologize for yelling, Gailan. I wish to be alone."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Gailan bowed once more then left the room.

Prince Kelton finished what he could get himself to stomach then retired for the night. As he settled in, he spread his hand across the mattress beside him. The cold of the fabric only reinforced the absence of the woman he hoped could still lie there. He closed his eyes and tried to sleep.

Unfortunately, morning could not come fast enough for Prince Kelton. He kept waking from nightmares of all the horrible ways he would find Lady Iredys. None of them remotely close to what he desired. He did not want his mother to be right. He wanted to find her alive and well! He needed to find her alive and well.

Only when he couldn't stand the dreams anymore did Kelton get out of bed. He was still getting dressed when Gailan came in with breakfast. He almost wished he had gotten up sooner so he wouldn't have seen Gailan this morning. But the grumbling of his stomach got the better of him.

"Thank you, Gailan," he said, sitting at the table once more.

"My pleasure, Your Majesty," Gailan replied. He stepped off to the side and waited in silence.

Prince Kelton was too distracted to see that Gailan was worrying his bottom lip while he ate. He pondered where he should continue his search. The forest was still the most likely of places. But knowing that this might be the last time he would be able to get out of the castle to look for her, it would be better to make a circuit around the kingdom. To visit the other cities, towns, and villages so he could listen to the rumors and hope they had changed. He ate everything Gailan brought him.

When he was finished, Gailan stepped up to help him put on his cloak and sword belt. "I'm still willing to accompany you, My Lord," Gailan said softly.

"I know, Gailan. I'm just not willing to take the risk, which is why I have asked you to stay. You can learn much from Diligens. I'll expect a report when I return."

"Yes, My Lord."

Prince Kelton clapped him on the shoulder, grabbed his travel pack then left.

The Stable Master's apprentice stood puffy-eyed next to Prince Kelton's horse in the courtyard. The boy did not look like he had slept well. He bowed low and nearly fell over when Prince Kelton approached. He dropped his pack to keep the boy on his feet. A soft whimper left the boy's lips and his body started to tremble.

"You have done well," Prince Kelton praised the boy as he accepted the horse's reins. "Go rest."

"Thank you, Your Highness," the boy gasped before scurrying and weaving his way back to the stables.

"She's definitely rubbed off on you," Sir Hamnet said softly as he finished tying the Prince's travel pack to his saddle.

"And hopefully she still can," Prince Kelton replied, trying hard to replace the images from his dreams with one of her return. "We ride toward Kit Ridge."

"Yes, Sire."

Prince Kelton swung up into the saddle and started out of the courtyard. The number of clattering hooves behind him let him know that all of his knights had come to accompany him. He had secretly been hoping that Sir Hamnet and Sir Droyn would have been the only ones. However, there was nothing he could do about it now. They left the castle grounds and headed West. It would take them a little over a month and a half to pass through every city, town, and village in the kingdom, even if storms delayed their travels.

A seven week time period that would allow him to focus on finding Lady Iredys and not on the dreadful ball that awaited his return. His heart twisted in his chest. His guts churned at the thought of failing to bring Lady Iredys home. He fisted his right hand so he could feel the Garnet ring she had given him the day before their ride through Timberwood Forest.

Betrothed by the queen herself with plans to be married within the month. But then she vanished. It had been mere days since her disappearance when Queen Leona started to pester him about marrying Princess Analisa. But he could not. He would not! Not until he had proof that Lady Iredys really could be by his side no more.

A farmer approaching them on the road ahead, pulled his cart off to the side to allow them to pass. Once passed, Prince Kelton turned. He saw the man struggling to pull his wagon back onto the road. He rode back. Climbing off his horse, Prince Kelton stepped up to the wagon to help the man get it back on the road. Sirs Hamnet and Droyn were swift to help as well. With a little effort and the farmer's encouragement to his horse to pull, they were able to get the wagon wheels out of the rut and back onto the road.

"Thank you, Prince Kelton," the farmer said as he pulled off his hat and bowed low.

"You are welcome," Prince Kelton replied. "Have you sufficient supplies for your journey?"

"My wife would not let me leave home if I did not, My Prince."

"Sounds like you have a good woman."

"Indeed, I do, My Lord. Any word about the Lady Iredys?"

"Not yet, which is why I cannot stop my search for her."

"Then may you find her, My Lord." The man bowed once more.

"Thank you. Safe journey."

"Safe journey."

Prince Kelton climbed onto his horse and the farmer returned to his wagon. The disbelief on the farmer's face as he bowed the last time had indicated that he doubted his own words to the Prince. That he didn't believe she would be found after all this time. Still, Prince Kelton would not let that disbelief stop him. He would continue to search until the last possible moment. Clicking to his horse, he led his knights onward.