Ch 4 The Princess Returned

"Two days left in the ransom and we've yet to hear from the Knights of the Wildlands nor seen any sign of this wyrm." The translator says as the foreign king finishes. "I am glad my young son George did not come on this folly of a hunt."

"Too bad," The king sighs, he pauses then shouts, "I think I hear something over there!" The guards rush off in the direction he pointed, leaving the two kings alone.

The foreign king smiles softly. "Goozg ko'ro ixebo bek."

"Quite, which means they'll only have my story to go from." The king smiles and walks over to his foreign counterpart, slamming the back of his hand into the man's chest, sending him flying. "That should finish you, now to find that wyrm."

~~~~~~_____~~~~~_____~~~~~_____~~~~~

Kyle sits up and finds himself looking into a mirror. He notices that his eyes are glowing and presumes that he's in a dream, the fact furthered by the walls white-washed by the rising sun. Getting up he notices a tall woman, her red hair in a bun, standing on a balcony looking out. He walks up to her and puts his arms around her and discovers she's with child. He kisses her cheek lovingly.

"Amazing isn't it, this new land that we've created, this place where we can raise our child in peace." Annabelle's voice says from the woman, in a jolt he wakes up back in his room and instantly realized he's not alone.

"Good evening Annabelle." He says lightly as he sits up.

"Your eyes are glowing." She says back as she walks into the light.

"So are yours." He smiles at her, "Care to tell me about this dream?"

She nods softly, setting her hand on her stomach. "A future that I long to have happen..."

"What happened...?" He asks softly.

"I think you know..." she smiles at him. Kyle smiles then notices she's wearing only a night-robe to her shivering body.

"Was the dream why you came?"

"Well, there were a couple of other things I came here for, this is our last night together so I..." She pauses, taking a deep breath before taking off the emerald she never let out of her sight since her mother had given it to her.

"I wanted to give you this..." She holds out her hand. Smiling, he lightly grabs her hand and pulls her further into the light, he notices her deep blush.

"That's not all you came for is it?"

"I had something else I wanted to give you..." Her blush deepens and she drops her arms, the night-gown falling from her to reveal nothing else on her.

Kyle smiles at Annabelle, his desires overruling his judgment as he stands up in his half-robe, "It seems I'm over-dressed for this gift."

"I can help with that." She says softly, untying the robe to let it fall to the floor. He pulls her close and kisses her, the emerald in his hands falling to the floor as he sweeps her up onto the bed.

"Be careful." She cooes as she feels him against her, "You are the first man I've made love to..."

"You are my first as well," he whispers softly, kissing her.

"And with all hope we will be each other's last." He continues, his words washing over her like a spell as he pushes against her until he meets her resistance. "This next part will likely hurt, are you ready?"

"Yes," she whispers softly.

"Ok, look me in the eyes." He smiles lightly. He pushed deep and hard against her, her body shivering with pain and pleasure as she feels him filling her and the of sensation of something deep within her tearing. She cries out and he presses his lips to hers. He slowly works against her, looks deep into her red glowing eyes.

"Promise me you'll always love me?" She asks softly, taking her fingers through his hair.

"I promise." He smiles, their night filled with deep loving passion.

~~~~~~_____~~~~~_____~~~~~_____~~~~~

Kyle wakes up first and smiles, reaching out and rubbing his hand on her cheek before lightly getting up and getting ready, there's a long day ahead.

~~~~~~_____~~~~~_____~~~~~_____~~~~~

Annabelle wakes up smiling and runs a hand over her cheek, she sits up and opens her eyes to find herself fully dressed and in the middle of a tent, in a daze she rushes out of it and finds herself in the hollow she'd been captured in. Beginning to believe it was all a dream she goes into the tent and looks at herself in the mirror, her eyes are a blazing red and her mother's emerald is missing.

The sound of a horses tack brings her out of her reverie. "Ma'am, are you alright."

"I'm perfectly fine," she says softly, turning to look at the rider. She finds a tall man in glowing armor sitting atop a horse. "I was in the area looking for someone." He says, the hum in his voice familiar.

"Lord Bathis, is that you?" Someone else calls as they come into view.

"Well there goes that plan." Annabelle mumbles to herself, "Who were you searching for?"

"The Princess of Karamitra."

"Sorry," she smiles, "Haven't seen any princesses."

"Oh?" The first one says, "And yet you wear the dress she was reported missing in."

"Tis true," The second man says.

"Then I should have you all fired, if you really knew who I was then you would have instantly recognized me." She snaps in her best princess voice. "Now get me a horse!"

"You can ride with me ma'am." The Lord Bathis says, his voice telling her he's smiling. "Edmund will strike your tent and get your luggage."

"I expect to be home by lunch Lord Bathis."

"I shall do my best my lady." They ride off, Edmund quickly seeming to catch up.

"Gets me every time it does." Edmund says conversationally.

"What does?" Annabelle asks curiously.

"How my Lord Bathis can tell when someone's lying, though the name the Wildmen have for him is explanation enough." Edmund chatters.

"What name?" She asks, looking at the knight before her out of the corner of her eye.

Edmund opens his mouth, but Lord Bathis answers, "The Two-Eyed Devil. The thieves and their crazy names for people."

"Then you don't have two eyes?"

"I do, but I can't fancy how they came to start it."

"It was the Battle of Bottle-Neck Bridge, my Lord, one of the buggers knocked your helmet off."

"Oh yes." The Lord Bathis chuckles.

"And get this, the warrior who did it was a woman, one look into his eyes she dropped her weapons and took off her helm and started praying to the gods."

"Interesting..." Annabelle says, "Some believe that by looking in one's eyes you can tell what's in their soul."

"Quite a common belief among the Wildmen." Edmund chuckles. "What do you think of it my Lord?"

"I put as much stock into it as the next man. I've yet to see anything proving it or disproving it."

"It will be nice to finally get out of this dress." Annabelle says softly, "To be back in my room..."

Quickly they come to the border of the Wildlands finding a carriage waiting there. "I'll take her the rest of the way Edmund." Lord Bathis says softly.

"Yes My Lord." Edmund says, helping Annabelle down and into the carriage before placing her belongings in as well.

"Alright Trish, let's get a move on, the lady wants to be home for lunch." Lord Bathis says loudly.

"Of course my Lord." The driver says.

The country seems to fly past as the driver, Trish, pushes the horses hard. Within what feels like minutes the castle comes into view.

"Home, sweet home. Aye sweet?" Trish says happily.

"Not quite the home I want but it'll do for now."

"A shame, don't you think, my Lord?" Trish says toyingly.

"You overstep your bounds." He says loudly as they approach.

"The reward doesn't hurt much either." Trish cackles.

"I'd heard nothing of it." Lord Bathis growls, the driver quieting quickly. "Besides, we're here."

"There's a reward out for my return?"

"Yes." Trish says gleefully, "It's very nearly a dowry payment."

"Enough Trish, get with the servants and get the princess's luggage in." Lord Bathis says as he gets down from his horse.

"Of course, my Lord." Trish says sarcastically as she rolls her eyes. Annabelle sighs longingly as she uses the moment to herself to mask her red glowing eyes and her wild tangle of hair.

"Are you ready my lady?" Lord Bathis asks as he comes to the carriage door.

"For a hot bath and meal that doesn't include venison? Yes..." She says, knowing he'll know if she lies she avoids the actual question. He chuckles softly. Lord Bathis walks over to his horse and pulls out a few documents before walking with her to the door. "I'd be ready for anything my Lady." He says happily.

"What's that supposed to mean?" She asks as they walk into the castle and are lead to her father's hall.

"You'll see." He chuckles as she goes up the dais and stands by her seat.

The king enters the hall to a trumpets call and stops before the dais, "My Annabelle!" He says excitedly, rushing up the steps to hug her tightly.

"Father!" She says breathlessly as she hugs him back.

He lets her loose to look at her. "My, it's been so long..." He turns to the knight at the base of the dais. "And whom might you be good sir?"

"Lord Bathis, your lordship." He bows and presents the documents.

The king takes the documents and reads them over, "Sir Edward Bathis, Knight of the Wildlands, Heir to the Throne of the North."

Kyle's voices echoes in Annabelle's mind, "Ready?"

Annabelle's eyes go wide as she stares at the man before her.

"No your lordship." The man takes off his helmet, his long dark hair falling before his miss-matched eyes, "I am Kyle Bathis, Edward Bathis' only son." Kyle puts the helmet under his arm and bows deeply.

"Quite the turn." The king smiles, "Why use your father's papers boy?"

"By right of inheritance they were mine upon his death, I've only now been to the civilized world to claim them."

"How long has he been dead cold?" The king asks, toying with the papers.

"Twenty and two years, since the day I turned four."

"Quite the time to play a dead man."

"I only recently donned the armor, until my twentieth I was under the watch of the wild monks."

"Hmm..." The king sits in his throne, his daughter following suit. "I'll have my scribes fix these while you stay."

"Stay father?" Annabelle says softly, smiling.

"I must arrange a banquet, you've returned my daughter, plus there is much that needs saying." The king smiles as a scribe takes the paperwork.

"Of course father." Annabelle smiles.

A young boy walks in and starts talking excitedly at her.

"Oh, and this is George, he's from the east and the youngest son of the late Emperor Enron."

"Late Emperor? What happened?"

"He died in a wyrm hunt. You're his betrothed."

"I... What?" Annabelle asks, looking quickly between the young boy and her father. She only risks half a glance at Kyle before taking a longer look at the boy.

"You were to spend time with him as my emissary but you were kidnapped on the way there, I'd hoped that you would have had the chance to fall in love with him, as I did your mother, gods rest her soul, but that didn't happen and since the passing of his father and the disrespect by his brothers to the late emperor's wishes we've declared war on the east."

"He's... eleven?" She and, trying to guess his age at a glance.

"Yes, he is, but you will marry him and I'll hear no more of it." Her father snarls coldly.

"Yes father." She says quietly, her eyes falling on Kyle as she keeps her face in a hard mask.

The king turns to Kyle and smiles, "I'm sorry about my daughter's outburst."

"It is nothing my Lord." Kyle smiles silkily, his face a perfect mask.

"Now, I posted a reward..."

"I want not for gold your lordship." Kyle says loudly.

"Surely there must be something you want?"

"I'll think on it your lordship." Kyle's glances at Annabelle.

"Well, let me know what it is by the end of the night."

"I will your majesty, for now her ladyship seems quite tired, and it has been a long day. May I request to see her to her chambers?"

"Of course, we're adjourned until the banquet at dinner."

Annabelle stands and curtsies deeply to her father before stepping off the dais. Kyle holds his arm out to her. Annabelle takes it and leads him out of the room. She leads him through a maze of halls and to a set of gold and jade embossed double doors. A guard opens the doors on her approach and bows.

"Leave us," Annabelle orders, "I am safe with Lord Kyle here."

"Yes, my lady." The guard says as he leaves. Annabelle then pulls Kyle into her room and shuts the doors.

"What will you tell him you want..." She asks softly.

"I'm not sure, I never expected him to have arranged a marriage for you..."

"Hold me...?" She asks, crying softly. Kyle softly pulls her to him and holds her tightly. She clings to him, her arms held tightly around his shoulders.

"If he marries me off what will you do...?" She asks softly, hoping he'll rescue her.

"I'm not sure yet, I've no real power in this world of politics... I actually went out of my way to make myself look as appealing as possible..."

"Seeing as my hand maiden and guards are all gone, I need someone I trust…" She smiles softly, sweeping his bangs out of his eyes. "I could ask my father for you to be the head of my new personal guard... you'd never leave my side..."

"And never be allowed to touch you." He sighs. "I have to take those papers north and get my grandfather's approval..."

"As long as you're here Kyle, I can get through this..." Annabelle says softly, "Please, I need you here..."

"As soon as the date is set..."

"And as for your grandfather's approval I'm sure you'll do fine..." She says gently, laying her head on his shoulder.

"He doesn't even know I exist."

"Love do not fear, you're more persuasive than you're giving yourself credit for..." Annabelle smiles softly, kissing him.

"Alright, then I leave tonight." He smiles and kisses the top of her head.

"Promise me you'll hurry back?" Annabelle asks, "I know you've the ability to teleport, move from one place to the next almost instantly. I want you back by lunch tomorrow, promise?"

"I can't promise that." He smiles lightly, "I can only do that with places I've been."

"Come to me tonight...?" She asks softly, tears in her eyes as she looks at him. She releases her hold on her magical disguise and her eyes glow red.

"I'll do what I can."

"I love you Kyle..."

"And I you Annabelle." She kisses him softly, wrapping her arms tightly around him.

"Annabelle..." Kyle says softly as he holds her, suddenly there's a knock on her door and two maidens enter.

"My lady we were..." They stop when they see Annabelle in Kyle's arms. Annabelle sobs as she looks at them.

"A year captive with a strange man and I fear your princess is emotionally unstable." Kyle says smoothly.

"We understand," The first woman says, her blonde hair pinned back.

"We've been told that the princess wanted a hot bath." The second says, her brown hair cut short.

"Feel free to wait here Sir Kyle," Annabelle says softly, "And thank you, for understanding..."

~~~~~~_____~~~~~_____~~~~~_____~~~~~

Kyle stands awkwardly against the wall. Soft music played through the room as the people meandered and danced. Annabelle was about to make her grand appearance. A fanfare blasted through the room then, all heads turning towards a spiral staircase to the left of the room. Annabelle was halfway down it, her beautiful red hair fell in curls down her back.

Her dress was sapphire blue, perfectly complimenting her eyes. Kyle fights to hide a smile, his opinion of her in the dress one of both joy and humor. As she reaches the last step her father is there to greet her, he bows and she curtsies. The two then move into the floor, the musicians playing an elegant waltz.

Kyle goes to a balcony and chuckles softly, "I hate dances."

The song changes and Kyle feels he's being watched. Turning around he finds Annabelle, standing in the center of the room. She holds her hand out, beckoning him to join her. Kyle sorely walks out to her and places one hand in hers and the other on the small of her back, "I must warn you, I've two left feet."

"I don't care," She whispers softly, pulling him with her as she moves along the dance floor, "No one's looking at your feet."

He chuckles, quickly catching himself from his half fall.

"You're supposed to dip me, not the other way around," She winks at him.

He chuckles, lightly dipping her before pulling her up. "I did warn you."

"Merely educating you." She smiles, her eyes flashing red for a moment, "It's the least I can do after all you taught me."

"Not quite enough it seems, now, this is the last dance. So where am I sitting?"

"Across from me, on the kings left." She smiles softly as the music ends, leading him then to a long table. He smiles as he follows her around the table, holding her chair out for her.

"Thank you," She says, smoothing her dress as she sits. He subtly squeezes her shoulder as he pushes her chair up to the table. He moves back to his seat and sits as the king walks up to the dais, everyone raising and bowing.

"We have gathered here tonight in honor of my daughter's safe return!" The king says loudly, smiling. "And to thank a daring young man for bringing her back to us, I could never thank you enough Sir Kyle."

"Thank you my Lord." Kyle smiles kindly. The king smiles and sits, the others following suit as servants pour out of the woodworks to fill their glasses and plates.

"Now tell me good Knight, have you decided on what it is you want from me?"

"I have heard tale that there is a precious gem in the south. An opal, and it seems that a fabled gem that was said to reside around the princess' neck is missing. I think this opal would be a most beautiful replacement."

"You want to replace the princess' necklace as your reward for bringing her home?" The king scoffs, raising an eyebrow.

"It seems as nice a thing as any to do in this situation." Kyle smiles skillfully.

"As long as you're sure that's all you want....?" Annabelle half asks.

"It will be." Kyle smiles.

"How will we know this particular opal from all in the south?" The king leans back in his chair.

"It will shine like the sun in the night, and be as the night in the day." Kyle says softly.

"Where can it be found?" Annabelle asks softly, secretly wondering if it's one of the five special stones, the Gems of Creation.

His voice echoes in her mind, "It's not." While his voice says, "The ancient Sulti used to have a secret vault of treasures, it was supposedly in the castle dungeons."

"This castle?"

"No my lady." Kyle smiles, "Each of the five kingdoms once had its own castle."

"Then where is this castle you speak of?" Annabelle asks.

"Oh, I'm sure a library might have its location, that or your father might know where it is."

A sudden outburst from Annabelle's side reminds her that her fiancee speaks a different language. Annabelle politely looks across the table to Prince George's translator.

"The young Prince wonders where this castle is located, also he wishes to set off in the morning to bring back the fabled opal for his betrothed."

"I think I know where this castle is." The king says softly.

"Where is it? When can we leave?"

"It's in the south, I'll start preparing a journey in the morning." The king smiles.

"Sir Kyle will you be joining us?" The translator asks as the servants take away the empty dinner trays and replace them with elegant bowls of ice cream.

"No, I've a quest far to the north that is calling me away." Kyle smiles softly.

"Will you be stopping by on your return journey?" Annabelle asks softly.

"Most likely, there are many things around the world that I wish to see."

"In that case I wish you safe travels." She smiles, secretly hoping he would not leave.

"My thanks Princess Annabelle." Kyle smiles. The meal continues with her betrothed yammering furiously with his translator.

~~~~~~_____~~~~~_____~~~~~_____~~~~~

Annabelle sat quietly in her windowsill, staring out across the gardens that stretched in front of her window. She watches the wall as the moon raises over it and feels a shiver come over her as she realizes that this is where her dream took place. Annabelle had sat in the windowsill, waiting, for what felt like hours.

Finally she got up, stripped off her clothing, and crawled into her bed; still waiting for Kyle to come to her. A soft knock at the door raises her hopes and she quickly wraps herself in the blankets before going to the door.

"Who is it?" She whispers softly, her hand on the knob.

"A message my lady." Says a whispered voice.

"From...?" She cracks the door open.

"He said you would want to read it." Says a tall dark man in a shrouded cloak.

"Alright..." She whispers.

"May I come in?" He asks lightly.

"Of course..." She says, turning from the door to allow him access. The man steps in and she closes the door, "The message good sir?"

The man smiles and hands her a folded piece of paper which she opens to find a large cursive M scrolled across the top.

"M...? What's that supposed to mean?" She questions the man.

"The man who give me this said that your real eyes would see more than the ones you've be showing." The tall man says, smiling in a way she feels she knows, before he turns for the door. "He also said that he's sorry that he can't come himself."

She closes her eyes, when she opens them again her eyes are glowing red and her hair is wild. She takes the letter in her hands and looks at the letter again. As she looks over the page words appear, saying:

Hello my love, I'm sorry I've not come to you in person to say this, but I am on my way to the north to visit my grandfather, I've the new paperwork, have had it since a little before your party, the gem I've sent you to find is indeed rare and should keep you, your father and your new betrothed busy while I'm away.

Again my darling, I'm so very sorry. You know as well as I that if I had joined you tonight I would never have been able to leave you... Hopefully I will return quickly, but I do not know how long that will be…

She reads the letter twice through before looking up to find herself alone. She sighs softly and folds the letter up, holding it in her hand as she climbs into bed.