Yes, it's been a while. I suck. I could tell you the mountainous reasons why real life got in the way, but I am sure you have all had real life get in the way of something you really want to do, and it sucks that you can't do it. But alas...I am back on my horse, and I hope future delays are not as grand. BOO ME.

However.. as a treat for sticking with me.. I offer you an olive branch.

I have a free story on Amazon called Tattooed Soul. It's under the author name.. Kera Lynn. I will put the link on my profile. I would love for you to get it, enjoy it, and let me know what you think.

And now without further fanfare... Let's get to Edward

Chapter 15 – Long Live the King

As we prepared to return to our home, the men were excited to see their loved ones again. There was much talk around our camp about what was waiting for them when they returned. Having been in battle for almost 6 years, we had all lost not only men, but also precious time with the people that matter most in the world.

I was happy for their eagerness to return, but I couldn't help but feel a dread deep in my bones. Other than the horrid imagines that my father had relayed about how she faired in the dungeons, I had no idea what had become of my sweet B. Would she even recognize me when I hardly recognized the man I was becoming?

Much to my surprise, Alice was a huge help to me during these dark days. She and Jasper helped me plan our return. There was much that needed to be done, and it would take an army of loyal soldiers to get it accomplished. Apparently, all of my nightly talks with her paid off. She knew more about the coming and goings of my men than I did. She watched and listened when no one knew she was around.

Alice claimed, "It's easy to understand a kingdom when you are invisible." She said she was small enough to hide in places to overhear talks and strategies that others were not privy to hearing. While I was gone during a battle she would practice with my weapons. Mimicking the actions that she witnessed on the practice field.

I had been taught all my life that women should be seen and not heard. They were beneath men, and would never understand maneuvers of war and the intricacies of battle. Women took care of the children, the home, and kept their husbands bed warm when he had a desire to find his way home. I am ashamed to say that in the course of the week we traveled to home, Alice proved all of those things wrong.

She was beyond smart and was vicious with a dagger. She was fierce in her determination to make a difference the world, and she had Jasper wrapped around her little finger.

Gone was the little mouse that hid in the shadows. What she lacked in stature, she more than made up for in her loyalty to those she loved and cared for. One night she spoke to Jasper and me about why she was so silent for so many years.

"At first, I did not trust you not to harm me again. It soon became apparent that you regretted your actions, but that didn't mean that I wanted to put my faith in you." She admitted. "I knew I could have left at any time, not that I had anything to return to, but I knew that you would let me go. That gave me the strength to want to stay."

I understood what she was saying, but it hurt to know that for so long she feared me. "Alice, I am truly sorry for that night. I lost control, and I would gladly put the blame on my father's ruthless behavior, but I must take responsibility for my mistakes. I should have stopped. I should have stood up to him, but I was weak."

Jasper and I both gasped as she reached out for my face. She had never initiated contact with either one of us, and her soft hand on my cheek made my eyes begin to burn.

"I have witnessed the depths of depravity that your so called father has gone to, not only with you, but with most of his subjects to which he demands loyalty. He rules with fear thinking only of himself. I am not going to forget the past, but use it to fuel my fire to build a better future. A future where a better King will rule his people with respect and a promise of tomorrow. You will be that King, Edward. I have seen this, and we will make it so."

Even Jasper nodded in agreement, but I wasn't so sure. I was astounded in their faith in me.

We kept all this hidden of course. Jasper and I were both fearful of my father finding out about our new secret weapon. However, each night we sat around my tent and devised plans for the future.

I was still scared of what I would find when we made it home, but now we had a plan. We had friends loyal to our cause that were going to help us reach our goals, and if we played our hand wisely, perhaps change was going to provide us bridge for tomorrow.

It was the last night before our return, and father was once again barking orders to his subjects. "Don't leave anything behind. We will need all the gold and weapons to better our kingdom. Use the wenches for yourselves, but get rid of them by morning. I will not have our lands desecrated by the bastards of whores."

One if his closest advisors asked, "What will we do with them, My Lord?"

King Aro only waved his hand dismissively in the air. "I care not. Drown them in the river or slit their throats after your finished, but don't even think about bringing them back to our land."

Jasper and I knew that we needed to move quickly. Alice was back in the tent packing up our things. We had to get her out of sight before someone realized she was coming back with us.

We hurried back to my tent trying to avoid suspension, only to find an empty room when we returned.

"Alice!" I whispered. "Where are you? This is not the time to try an escape attempt."

I watched as a pale-faced Jasper disappeared to the outside of the tent to check the perimeter. He returned looking even more upset. "She not outside either. Do you think someone got to her?"

It didn't seem possible. I wasn't even sure anyone besides Jasper and me knew she was even here. My father thought I had disposed of her long ago. She was great at hiding when someone would come near.

"Look there." I said as I pointed to the trunk holding my weapons. "Her dagger is missing. She must have gotten out. Perhaps she left us. Maybe she didn't think our plan would work."

Noticing that she had left with a means of defending herself, Jasper looked much relieved. "She's a sly one." He said with a smile.

Getting serious again he looked at me, "It's a good plan, and we will follow through. With or without Alice, we can make this work. We have our men at the ready, and we have sent forth messages to our allies in the Kingdom. We will be ready."

I nodded but still felt sadden by the loss of Alice. Her faith in me gave me courage, but I knew I had to keep going. The fate of my men and our families was riding on me and I was determined to finally be the man they all had come to have faith in.

After an unfulfilled sleep, we were once again on the move, but this time toward our home. We had prepared as best we could. It was up to fate and a lot of luck to see us through.

"Get moving. I want to be home in time for dinner." Father yelled from his seat high on his stallion. "There is a special treat in store for my son, and I know he isn't going to want to miss out."

I heard cheers among the men, but I didn't know if it was home or my treat for which they were praising. I looked toward Jasper who was riding along side of me. "It won't be long now." He promised.

By noon, our horses began to quicken. It was either the men or the beast that recognized that home was near but the excitement in the air continued to grow.

It wasn't long before we saw the first outranging cottages on the edge of the kingdom. With our banners flying and the men's excitement we were making a big impression on our people. The pathways were lined with families cheering our return. However, it wasn't lost on me how destitute the people lived.

The houses were shacks with holes in the roofs that had been patched more than once. The children wore threadbare clothing and very few had shoes. Everyone look thin and malnourished. But there was hope in their eyes. As if our return meant better times to come.

"You see it too, my lord?" Jasper whispered to my side. "They can feel it. Change is coming. Use this to help fuel our plan. Remember the state of their lives and the determination in their hearts. I can feel it. You can make this right."

I nodded, but continued to look at the people around me. These were my people, and it wasn't until that moment that I truly got it. They needed a leader and someone worthy of being a King that could help and protect them. They believed in this kingdom even if the kingdom seemed to have forgotten them.

"Can I do this?" I muttered more to myself than anyone. But it was Jasper that replied.

"If it's not you, it will not be." He said and moved further up the line. At that moment a small barefoot girl raced forward out of the arms of her mother. I pulled my horse up quickly so as to not trample over her.

Her mother raced behind her yelling, "I'm so sorry, sire. Come on Sue, get out of the way." However Little Sue had other plans. She reached into the deep pocket of her apron and pulled out a small flower. It was wilted and lifeless, but it was still colorful.

"For you my lord." She stammered. "For your journey. A little color to light your way."

Her small dirty hand reached up to give me the gift and I had to lend way down on my mount to accept it. "Thank you sweet girl. I will treasure it always."

Finally her mother was able to wrestle her to the side of the road, but the little girl's deep blue eyes never left mine. My horse was primed to move forward and became increasingly agitated. He danced into the dirt and pulled at the reigns in my hand.

"Let's go, boy. I thought you would be glad to be home. What are you holding up the line for?" My father bellowed.

It was only then as the mother, the little girl, her father and siblings fell to the ground in honor of their King.

My father's eyes were on me and he turned his head to see what I was capturing my attention. "Well, now I see what has stopped you in your tracks. My dear, what a charming little one you are. Come over here to meet your King."

"Father, it was just a small gift. Let us not delay." I tried to call to him, but I could see the evil in his eyes. As he moved closer the mother pulled the little girl closer toward her chest. Still not looking up, she begged. "I am sorry for the delay my lord. My daughter was excited about your return. She meant no harm."

I watched as an evil twitch caused the corner of my father's lips to curl. To many this would look as if he was smiling, but I knew better.

"Now my dear. You know we can't have delays. We are due at the castle this very minute. My son is waiting to see his beauty. It is such a shame that he has to stop and push off the likes of you on his way. This will never do. How can I have order in my Kingdom if my subjects are determined to undermine my progress? I can see that law and order has not been the norm in my absence. This will be rectified immediately."

"Father, it was not that long of a stop. You are the one making it longer. Let's just go. We need not worry about this now." I was desperate to move him forward. I could tell that he wanted to make an impression, and this poor family was going to be the object for his anger.

"Do not tell me what I should do in my Kingdom!" He yelled to me causing the young her to whimper into her mother's breast. "If I say a wrong has been met, as wrong has been met, and I would not be a powerful sovereign if I let my subjects dictate my comings and goings…. Now would I?"

It was then that the patriarch of the family moved forward with a bowed head. "My King, please accept my deepest apology. My daughter is touched in the mind. She doesn't understand her actions, and I will take her punishment. She is just a child."

Before he could move another step, my father brought out his long sword with a scrape of his scabbard and ran the father through with his blade. The man dropped to one knee and then fell over backwards.

As his family scurried to his side with tears and yells of anguish, my father looked to me and said, "Let this be a lesson to you all. We bend for no man, woman, or child. If we move forward we run over anything in our way. Flowers and little girls have now place in our world."

"Let's move!" He yelled to those around him witnessing this transgression. I looked in shock to the men around me and noticed that they too were giving looks of disgust. As they moved past me still shocked to my core on my horse, I saw nods and heard many whispers, "We are with you."

Jasper was at my side again and said, "There is nothing left for you to do here. Let's go, Edward. We need to get the men at the ready. Now is not the time."

But I couldn't leave the sight in front of me. The little girl with the bright blue eyes now had tears streaming down her face but she looked to me again and smiled. "For your future my lord. For our future my lord."

"Jasper, get my surgeon down here. If he can help this man, make it so. If not, please have a funeral planned and the families every need taken care of, and I want this spot of the street lined with these flowers for the rest of my life." I spoke clearly and felt the power in my vines move through me. I would do my best for these people… my people.

"Let's get to the castle." I yelled to the men around me.

More determined than ever, we reached the castle and set about settling in. There was much to be done in a short time, however it looked as if my men were ready. If my father was trying to make a bold statement on the side of the road today, it worked. However not as he would have wished. If anything, it solidified an army of men against him.

The castle was bustling with activity, and before long we were all ushered into the main room.

What I saw there took my breath away.

"Steady, Edward. Take a minute to get your emotions under control. This is your father trying to incite you. Stick with the plan." Jasper whispered at my back.

Up on a raised platform in the middle of the room was a woman decked out in the leather outfit I used when my father made me partake in the spoils of war. She was bond to a table with her legs spread wide. Her head was covered in that black hood, and her beautiful body was wrapped in a tight leather corset. Even though I hadn't seen her in years and her head was covered to me, I knew immediately this was my Little Bella.

I ached to reach out to her, but Jasper was right. I needed a clear head to see this through. She needed a cool headed man, not the hotheaded boy I was.

I noticed Carlisle at Belle's side, and I took a bit of comfort that he looked as pained as I felt.

"So, we are all ready for the festivities to begin." My father started. "It seems that everyone here is excited about the reunion of you and your 'Little Bella". He seemed to sneer out her name and hearing it come out his mouth made me sick.

"What would you ask me to do father? Take her innocence her and now. In front of an audience. Is that what you would wish of me?" I moved up between her legs and let my hand run along her leg. I hoped that she knew it was her Master and that I was here to help her. She seemed to stop shaking, but I continued to slowly run my hand up and down her leg.

"As I have said before, when she is 17 she is yours as long as she remains pure. It is my wish that you prove her innocence before this Kingdom. Only then, will she be truly yours." He said with a knowing smile. "However, if she is not pure and does not bleed, she will be killed on the spot. I will enjoy dining as her blood seeps along the floor."

The time had come. We had planned and plotted for months, and this was it. Just as I reached for my sword I heard a screeching high pitched yell.

"You BASTARD! I hope you DIE!" Alice screamed and ran from her hiding place behind a long tapestry on the side of the room.

My father looked confused for a second, but when she scurried to the top of a table and took a flying leap to capture his head in a lock with her legs and a knife to his neck, did he finally look terrified.

The men still loyal to my father hurried into action, but my men were plenty to overtake them. Quickly, we surrounded them and watched as Alice bit a huge chunk off my father's ear, spat it on the floor, and then slowly drug her dagger across his neck.

How was that? I can't say that King Aro is gone forever, but the tide is turning. Long Live the King indeed!

Don't forget to check out Tattooed Soul for FREE on Amazon. Search for Tattooed Soul by Kera Lynn. Let me know what you think. I'm dying to hear from you all.

Talk soon!