7dpsrp4 - I'm so very glad you are enjoying my story so far! I hope this chapter is to your liking as well!

MidnightShadow07 - Thank you for the review! I do hope you like this next chapter!

emberday - I'm so thrilled you like my story so far! I hope you find this chapter to your liking!

SerendipityAEY - Thank you again for the review! I know that we have PM'd each other a few times, but I thought I would thank you again anyway. Haha! Also, who doesn't want to snuggle up to Elmont? :D The armor has to go though. I can't commit to snuggling with the armor on. Needs to be soft and...well, snuggly! Lol! Hope you like this next chapter!

MissCupOfTea - Thank you so much for the review! Yes, Elmont has a sad past, but maybe he can over come that...just maybe. We'll have to see. ;) I hope I continue to hear from you as I take Elmont on this crazy, emotional journey. :)

Avenger Since 2012 - Thank you for the review! Hope this next chapter is just as good!

vehls - Here's the update! Let me know if you enjoyed this chapter as much as the last!

Nervousness and trepidation flowed through Elmont's veins as he approached the Throne Room entrance. All this fuss about the new handmaiden and his showing her around was starting to irritate him. Why did it have to be him? Why did she have to ask for him? More importantly, how did she know who he was without even meeting him? The only reasoning he could come up with was that they must have met somewhere along the lines, but he didn't recall meeting someone by the name of Elizabeth. Whoever this girl was, he was going to find out, and why she had gotten the King and the Princess in such a frivolous state.

The vast Throne Room opened up before him, and as he walked in, he took in the disastrous sight. Rubble and dust were everywhere. The once beautiful golden throne lay on its side in a crumpled heap, the balconies that surrounded the room had large chunks removed from it, along with half the railings, debri of God only knows what blanketed all of what was left of the mapped marble floor. In the center of the room, groups of men worked away to remove what was left of the beanstalk that had sprouted from the two-headed giant who now lay in pieces within the wreckage.

Elmont wrinkled his nose in disgust when his eyes wandered to the beast's head, it's eyes and mouth wide open. A foul stench emitted from its mouth, along with a pool of saliva that had eventually collected around its face. How they were going to rid the castle of the smell and giant body parts was beyond him. It didn't surprise him when he noticed that no one had made any attempts to move it.

His gaze shifted, eyes leaving the giants grotesque face to scan the area for the Princess. It didn't take him long. Standing next to a pillar that had somehow managed to avoid damage, was Isabelle...and her new handmaiden, Elizabeth. Carefully stepping over the rubble, he made his way to them.

As he got closer, he saw that the Princess was dressed in one of her many evening gowns. It was a simple attire, made of thin, dark blue material that was form-fitted to her body, and her golden hair was delicately placed in a beautiful plait. There was something different about her, Elmont noticed. The way she stood, the way she held herself; it was the look of a Princess who had grown into a Queen. A smile perked up the corners of Elmont's mouth as he admired the young woman. He was proud of her, he was sure of that, but he was especially happy for her. Her meeting of Jack was the best thing that could have happened to her, and he could see a loving glint in her eyes whenever he was around. Above all else, no matter if he was seventeen years younger or not, Elmont would rather serve Jack than Roddrick.

To Isabelle's right, Elizabeth stood dressed in the usual attire for a handmaiden: a plain white dress, with the selves coming down to her elbows where they opened out and hung down to her wrists, making them look small, dainty. She wore a pale gold bodice that complemented her shape nicely. It had intricate designs of a darker gold color, and just above her elbows were gold rings that marked her as a Royal Handmaiden. Her hair was a rich mahogany color, and it flowed all the way down to her waist in waves.

The most startling thing he noticed when he stopped before them, the one thing that stood out above all else, was Elizabeth's eyes. They were a bright, crystal green, and against his will, his heart jumped ever so slightly. But being the proper man he was, he reasserted himself and stood to attention before he spoke.

"Good evening, Princess. I am sorry I woke so late, I suppose I was more exhausted than I thought."

Isabelle smiled. "There's no need to apologise for exhaustion, Elmont. It is quite alright," she paused for a moment, looking to Elizabeth who waited patiently with a sweet smile upon her face, "So, Elmont, this is my new handmaiden, Elizabeth. Elizabeth, this is Elmont. He is Captain of my father's Royal Guardians, and my personal body guard."

"Hello." Elizabeth said.

Elmont had expected her to speak softly, to be coy, shy, like all the others when they regarded him, as If they were afraid of insulting him for being in his presence, as if he were the King himself, but when she spoke, her voice was deep, yet feminine; and he was not expecting her to hold her hand out to him. When he took her soft, unsoiled hand in his, his heart fluttered once again.

"Hello," Elmont replied, "it's finally a pleasure to make your acquaintance."

"Yes, I agree." Elizabeth said, freeing her hand from Elmont's to place it behind her back with its partner. "Of course, after what you have been through, I could understand the need to sleep."

Elmont smiled at this, surprised by her understanding and kindness. "My gratitude shows no bounds to your understanding, Elizabeth," he said.

"Oh, please, call me Ellie. My mother gave me that nickname when I was but a small child. Everyone refers to me as such. If you wouldn't mind?"

"Very well," Elmont chuckled slightly, "I shall call you, Ellie. Er...? Shall we get you familiar with the castle now?"

"Oh! Yes, of course! After you."

~:~:~:~

He took her everywhere. There wasn't one single corridor, room or hallway she hadn't seen.

By the time they were done, the sun had already set, leaving the Kingdom in a cloak of a star filled night sky. He had taken her to the very perch he stood at earlier that morning, expressing the fact that he often went there to think, to find some semblance of peace after a battle.

Even at night, when the moon was full and cast a white light over the land and lake, it was peaceful, serene, beautiful. But another beauty caught Elmont's eye on this night. As he glanced over to Ellie who stared fondly at the view before her, he felt his heart thump in his chest once again. The glow of the moon softened her face in such a way that she appeared more angelic than human, more ethereal, fragile.

What is this girl doing to me? He thought to himself. How could a simple girl he had just met catch him off guard, make his logic break and his heart soar. What happened to living a love-free life? But was it love he was feeling? He never knew what romantic love felt like; he never looked for it.

"Why did you ask for me? The Princess said you asked for me." Elmont asked suddenly, remembering why he had met Ellie in the first place.

Ellie turned her face to regard his inquisitive stare before replying, "You don't remember?"

Elmont raised an eyebrowand said, "Remember what, exactly?"

Ellie frowned up at him, her expression mixed with confusion and hurt. She studied his face for a moment. "You really don't remember?" She said quietly, turning to look back at the moon full long. "Very well, I'll tell you. I asked for you beacause, well, because you helped me get out of some trouble just this past winter." She hesitated for a moment, then continued to speak. "You saved me," she said.

Elmont raised both brows this time. He had saved lots of people, he couldn't remember them all, but he did recall a confrontation during the time Ellie had mentioned. "You'll need to be more specific," he said gently, "I have saved a lot of people over the years, you understand that I can't remember them all."

"Yes, of course. It was on a path in the wood between this Kingdom and the next. It was freezing, blistering cold. The wind was so fierce it felt as though it would rip the very skin from my bones, and I was alone, on my way back home from visiting a sick Uncle. A group of thieves had been hiding, waiting for me, waiting to attack at the right moment. They emptied my satchels, ate the last of my rations, tormented my horse; and when they were done, they turned their sights on me. Six pairs of eyes filled with lustful rage and dark deeds. I honestly believe that all six of them would have succeeded in raping me had you not shown up. I knew who you were, of course. I had seen the armor before. I thanked God for sending me a savior, and you were so fast! You killed three of them, two ran and the other managed to knock you out. He had slammed the hilt of his sword against the back of your head, then took off. Once I knew we were alone, and the rest wouldn't be back, I lifted your unconscious body on to my horse and bought you back here; and that is why I asked for you. I never got to thank you for saving me."

Ellie fell silent then, seeming to be lost in her thoughts. Elmont stared at her in bewilderment. It was all coming back to him. He remembered seeing her crumpled in a heap on the ground, her clothes torn to the point she had to hold them on herself. One of the thieves had a sword, he recalled, a sword that managed to get past him, slice through his glove and straight to his hand. He looked down at the scar on his left hand at the memory.

"I remember this wound." Ellie said, taking his hand in hers, jaring him from his thoughts."Your hand was bleeding badly. I even ripped a piece from what was left of my clothes to wrap it with."

Elmont said nothing. He had no idea what to say. He did, however, curse to himself at his wretched heart for beating so loudly within him as she circled the scar with the tips of her fingers. What she did next just made it worse. She bent her head down and placed her lips gently to his hand.

"I kiss the hurt that brought me salvation."

A/N: Well, I hope you all enjoyed this chapter. I'm sorry it took me forever to get it to you. Being a working single mother isn't easy. I've also been out of sorts, as I have contracted Strep Throat for the second time this year. :( Also, the very last bit of this chapter was borrowed from the movie "First Knight". Do any of you remember? I just thought it was really fitting for these two at this particular moment. Updates can be expected to be made no later than a month. Just giving you fair warning. I don't want to make it such a long wait, but work and the little one come first. Know what I mean?

Thank you to all those who followed, favorited and reviewed the first chapter. It really does mean a lot! Also, if any of you have a Twitter, feel free to follow me at InTheZone85. Drop me a tweet and let me know! Please leave a review at the end of the chapter! The next one will include Ellie's POV. :D