Happily Ever After
Chapter 14- Full of Questions
POV: Merry
I don't know why I felt sad. We were beginning to travel a winding path that would lead us back to Frell, and eventually, back home to Bamarre. My brother had saved Lela, and she helped me save Kyor.
The dragon was to return to Bamarre with me, in Gavin's stead. My twin was to stay in Kyrria to marry Lela, and, one day, be king. This being the fact, my father and King Charmont had decided to go on progress so that Gavin could see the land and the people could meet their future leader. King Char sent a messenger back to the palace, and we camped to wait for Lady Daria, his mother, and Princess Cecilia.
Cecilia brought her young daughter, Princess Kaeldra. Her father had died when she was a baby, ambushed by brigands. Despite this, Kaeldra was a happy little girl, and King Char's little pet.
Lady Daria's reunions with her son and with Lela were emotional. She had not seen Rapion since he had left the palace, and there were not many dry eyes in the camp. I even noticed a couple of Rapion's men were wiping awkwardly at their eyes with dirty handkerchiefs. But that only lasted until their heard Lady Daria use Rapion's given name.
"Roland!" they repeated with snickers.
Servants had sent some of our clothing with Lady Daria. I was able to scrub my face in a nearby stream, then I changed into fresh leggings and a new tunic. We rode out at dawn. With the old queen had come groups of courtiers. We must have been a dazzling sight, with performers trailing flags and streamers, and the royalty of both Kyrria and Bamarre leading the way, me riding Kyor.
A few days later, though, I switched to horseback. I rode a mare called Moonlight. She was solid black, with a creamy spot on her forehead. I brought her alongside Gavin and Lela, but they seemed content just to be in each other's presence, and didn't talk much. I let Moonlight fall behind, setting my own pace.
I heard solid hoof beats, and soon Rapion's golden-brown stallion, Amberfire, was beside me.
"Merry," he said, tipping his head towards me. I offered him a smile, but it must not have gone to my eyes, for he started to ride away. "I can leave if you want to be alone."
"No, wait," I said. "I wouldn't mind some company." Rapion pulled his horse up alongside me once more. Kaeldra smiled and waved from her spot in her mother's lap.
"I've missed so much," Rapion said with a sigh.
"Why did you leave if it makes you unhappy?"
"I knew of a way to help people, but my brother didn't- doesn't agree with me."
"But you're an outlaw." Rapion looked at me blankly. "What do you do with the things that you steal?"
"There are plenty of poor in the villages, Princess. They are always grateful for anything they are given," he answered without blinking an eye.
"So you steal from the rich to give to the poor?" I asked, speaking my trail of thoughts. "I suppose that is feasible. But why not stay at the palace and help them from there?"
"Char never approved of the way I find justice. We worked out a secret agreement when Lela was just a baby. I promised to stay away from Frell and Char promised not to have me arrested."
"What happens if you do go near the palace?" I asked.
"I will be tried and convicted, as would any other criminal," he said before falling silent. I knew he was thinking of his future. He wouldn't leave, not now that Lady Daria had been reunited with him. But the law would probably convict him of treason. And the penalty was death. He had thrown away everything to save Lela and me…
"How old were you when you left court?" I asked, attempting to curb the anxiety that I felt.
"I was fifteen." Just a boy, I thought.
"How do you and your men decide which manors to invade?"
"You are full of questions, Lady Princess," he said with a smile, but he continued before I had time to loose my tongue. "I only steal from the rich who have wronged others to gain their wealth. Lord Ardis of Bast stole money from an orphanage. Sir Iden of Wolleck wrongfully taxes all of the peasants who live in his province. Paul of Jenn killed a three-year-old girl over her father's debt of thirteen silver KJs. He lost everything in one raid that ended in fire."
"You started that fire?" I asked. I had heard Bella and Milton discussing it shortly after our arrival in Kyrria. The entire manor was destroyed, but Sir Paul had escaped with his life. Now his only possession was the underclothes that were on his back.
"No, not me. I did not approve. But I cannot say that I am sorry. Jenn is better off without him," Rapion said, as we stopped for the night.
"So you and your men, you dole out justice?"
"In our own way, Princess," he said with a smile. He came beside Moonlight and helped me down. I was unused to this treatment- my brother had certainly not treated me like a lady before. I smiled, although my face must have been red as a cardinal bird. I quickly went to find Kyor, and see that he had food.
Lela was nearby, looking into the trunk with her clothing in it. A small box was resting among her gowns, with a note tucked beside it.
"'Dearest Princess,'" Lela read. "'I was greatly grieved to learn that there have been several attempts on your life. Please accept this token of defense. It is the least I can do for you. Your benefactor-' There's no name."
"Let me open the box," I suggested. Lela slowly handed it over. I inched the cover up, and peered inside. Sunlight reflected off of metal. I took the lid off completely to reveal a short, silver dagger. The hilt was gold filigree, with butterflies dancing across it.
"A belt-knife?" Lela said, clearly confused. By this time, Gavin was at our sides.
"It looks like it was made by the elves," he said. He lifted it from its case and let it teeter on his finger just below the handle. "Perfectly balanced." Gavin flipped it into the air, but I reached out and caught the hilt before he could.
"Stop fooling around before you hurt someone," I said, handing the knife to Lela.
"You want me to carry that?" she asked, stepping back.
"There's no harm in being able to defend yourself," I said. Lela didn't speak, but she took the dagger, put it back in its sheath, and tied it at her waist.
Later, as the sun went down, I watched her with Gavin, as he taught her how to use the knife. When Lela was gripping it incorrectly, Gavin came to her side to adjust her hold. They were standing so close that I secretly hoped that Gavin didn't have bad breath.
The ground around me shook with Kyor's steps as he neared.
"Hi, Merry-lady," he said, circling three times before he sat down, head resting on his tail. I sat beside his head, back against his forepaw. Together we watched the lesson.
Gavin stepped away, and Lela leaned into her first lunge attack. Gavin was going to block it, but he didn't have to. Instead, the knife changed course, and turned back to Lela. She let go of the dagger, but still it pulled towards her, aiming for her heart. Gavin quickly dove into her, sending them both to the ground in a heap.
When the dagger was lying motionless on the ground, I ran to it, and closed it back into its case. Kyor was mumbling about blood, and I looked at Lela. Gavin was helping her to sit up, but her pink dress was staining crimson at her right side.
Milton came and gave Lela moily herb, declaring that it was just a grazing. Even so, Kyor would not stop shaking and mumbling.
"It's okay, you big, dumb lizard," I said. "Lela is okay."
"I know, but she mustn't ever use that knife again. It's bad," the dragon said. "I can hear it humming from its creepy little box over there." Dragons did have a heightened sense of hearing over humans.
"Could it be enchanted?" I asked. Father confirmed that it was.
"I won't be safe until I'm dead!" Lela exclaimed. She took a seat on a moss-covered log, head in her hands.
"Maybe that's the solution," I said thoughtfully. "Maybe Lela has to die."
A/N: I'm back! Sorry for the delays. I had to move, but now we're settled in, so I can try to focus on this a little more. I know what I want to happen, it's just putting it down in words and having it come out coherent that's difficult.
I hope that there's no hard feelings, and please, read and review. (Although if you've gotten this far, you've already read!)
One note before I close: I noticed that people were finding it difficult to keep track of the point of view of each chapter. I have started to add it in in the heading, and I may go back and put it in the previous chapters. I hope that this helps to clear the confusion.
Thanx again- L.O.B.