Here is chapter 2! It had been split up because I am still writing the other half, which is dragging out lol, so here is what happens!
As the crowd begins to regain their composure, murmurs fill the silence of the arena. Their own Princess had competed for her own hand under false pretensions; a facade not even the King was aware was happening. To them, this was more of a twist of fate than they could understand, as for the King and Lord Steven, it was beyond comprehension. Harrison calls to order and dismisses the event with haste, taking his daughter's arm and swiftly proceeds to the castle.
"What in God's name were you thinking? Wh-do you know what it is that you have done!" He paces, his head hung low in worry.
"Father-" She hastens to reply, but his state is much too panicked for her to speak.
"Peggy you cannot do such things! This- O this will make a mockery of us." The King stops and looks at her with an eye that can only be described as anxious; as fear.
"The rules still apply do they not?" She smirks shyly, hoping to keep her father from loosing his head. "Am I not required to marry Lord Rogers now that I have succeeded in beating his hand in this competition?"
He stops and looks at her attire, the armor fitting well and glistening with the victory she had overcome. Much like her brother stood, she too had a stance that demanded respect and shown her skill in combat. As much as he has tried to keep his wit and understand of the gravity of this circumstance, he can not help but laugh at the situation in which he finds himself in.
"My darling, it does not work that way. You must marry a suitor." His smile, now dim, pleads with her. "You must marry Lord Rogers."
"Your Majesty I was simply doing what I thought was right. I cannot stand by and watch as a man towers over me and seeks to rob our Kingdom!" Harrison ceases his pacing and stands before the Princess, her words striking fear in his very heart.
"My dear you do not know that of which you speak."
"But I do, father! I do not trust Lord Rogers to be as allocating or assisting as he claims he will be!"
"Margaret we need all assistance we may come across. If we do not we shall fall!!" The King's bellowing voice echoes through the deserted quarter, leaving his words to settle in the Princess's mind.
What could the King possible indicate with such a statement? How could Astoria fall? As these such thoughts bound through her mind, she looks at her father with caution. Surly evidence of a collapse would have caught her eye. Or would it have?
"Father, how could that be?"
With a heaved deep breath, the King takes a seat at the council's table. His posture slouched and his soul heavy. Everything is not as it once was, and now Astoria will see the consequences of it. The Princess sits opposite of her father, silent, hoping he will speak aloud the thoughts that trample his mind.
"After the war we became fragile.... weak. Our defenses had fallen for many months, you do recall such winter?" Peggy nods in confirmation, her thoughts running wild as a steed, not knowing where to stop or find its calm. "The Concordian Empire took advantage. Robbed us blind!"
"How!? Surely they would have been too broken to create another uprising."
"I wish it were so, but alas it is not. Rather it is not an uprising and more so a rebellious lash of outrage given the peace treaty that was written and signed between the 4 realms." The King, exhausted, looks to his daughter, so bright and righteous. Quite the opposite to how he feels. "They placed a specter within our walls. Hidden among us, I'm afraid. They were able to breech our Kingdom with his assistance, and looted all the schillings and gold we had from the vault. We have nothing left."
It is in his final statement fear strikes her heart. She is to be married to a man, rule as Queen, in hopes of restoring their lands. If she does not succeed, Astoria as they know it will crumble into nothing. Thousands of lives lost, homes vacant or destroyed, war after war with no defense. Woman and children starving, their bodies feeding off of their very bone...
What if marrying Rogers does not aid their oppression? Her marriage, her reign, would all be for nothing more then to be in the history books as a failed Kingdom. A failed rule. At such horrid, dreary thoughts, her body acts before her mind can think properly. She stands and walks away, her pace quick as a storm.
"Margaret? Margaret!" The King calls after her, but she simply cannot hear. The sound of her heart pounding is too deafening to listen. Her legs continue to run, and yet she knows not where to. Anyplace but there...
Before she is aware of where she has stopped, her feet stayed planted, the leather souls beneath sink down into the march of the forest. It was not until she saw a familiar figure, one now etched in a position in archery, that her heart began to calm. She walks towards him, her pace slow and sure.
The knight releases his arrow, succeeding in hitting his target. As he begins to celebrate, his mood uplifted from his day, he senses he is not alone. Cautious, he turns swiftly behind and sees none other than his lifelong friend, the Princess.
"Peggy! I saw what you had done at the jousting tournament," Daniel laughs, "I must admit that was quite the....show." He stops in his amused statement and ponders her somber expression. "Peg? Are you alright? What are you doing here?"
"I-I don't know what to think, Daniel. I don't-" She stops abruptly and looks about the trees, wishing her duties did not prevent her from explaining her troubled state ."I simply wish to not be alone. Father... he has set my wedding day." Although this is not the entire truth, it is partial and enough.
"Oh... That is jolly news," He feigns a smile. His support secretly misplaced.
"He has chosen Lord Rogers as my husband. I do not wish to marry him."
"Could you not request another suitor?" At his suggestion she shakes her head in sorrow.
"Let us not speak anymore of it." Her mood only deepens into sadness the longer they converse on her troubles. "My only wish is to escape this place, if but for a moment."
Daniel looks out to the lightened sky, a fixture of beautiful, vibrant, color, and then back to his dear friend. Such a stark contrast between them. One filled with grace and glee, the other filled with misery and dejection. Peggy's state shakes his very core, his heart shattering at her sullied manner.
In his mind he finds but one way to lift her from the slums of her fears and thoughts. The knight takes the Princess hand in his own and stands before her. "Come. We shall bid this place goodbye and flee to anew. If only for a moment?"
"Where did you have in mind?" The solemn sadness within her eyes dims as the light of hope surfaces through.
"You shall have to wait and discover the answer yourself when we reach our destination."
She beams a cheeky smile, one in which he interprets happiness and tease. They walk hand in hand towards the stables, readying the horses as they go. But before they may depart, Sir Daniel glances at his beloved friend and laughs. Peggy in turn gazes up and questions his amusement. He then answers with a gesture towards her clothing- she has not removed her armor.
"May I ask... is that Micheal's armor you wear?"
"It is indeed. I hoped it would be a stoke of luck to win the tournament." The knight smiles sorrowfully and the Princess, too, hangs her head low. "I miss him too." They young friends embrace before pulling apart. The metal of their armor clinking together as one.
"You may wish to change before our ride. A more comfortable attire for our adventure." In response she nods in conformation, asking him to avert his eyes. "Why?" He asks cautiously, but she only chuckles and shoves him lightly until his eyes are on the horse and not herself.
As he stands and saddles the majestic beast, he hears the sounds of metal clinking to the ground. Curious, Sir Daniel turns his head over his shoulder and quickly averts his gaze. The Princess was in nothing but that of her chemise. With a swift clearing of his throat, he began to toss the saddle on the horse, avoiding the direction in which his beloved had stood.
"I really must speak with a armourer. If not to change the weight of the armor, then that of the design. It is preposterously difficult to withstand for so long. I don't understand how you do it, Daniel."
"With much difficulty myself, your highness. I hear that plated armor is what is best to wear. It is more comfortable, and suited better for movement and fighting. In my own confession I must say, it would be a blessing from God himself to see myself."
More clothes shifting is heard from behind him as he pulls the bridle atop the horses mane and head. She neighs beside his ear, the breath hot on his cheek. Sir Daniel chuckles lightly,petting the beauty as he finishes.
"Good girl," As he is distracted, Peggy seizes the moment and proceeds to take his helmet. "Are you quite finished, Peggy? The horses are ready for travel. Peggy?" He turns every which way but sees no sign of the Princess. Once he notices his helmet gone, a sigh releases from him; his eyes shutting in defeat. "Ever the games you play, your highness"
Sir Daniel stalks around the wooded barn, searching for the Princess. Weary as to where she could have gone. As he turns a corner of hay, a laugh behind him catches the knight off guard, as does the hands and body grasping him from behind. A pair of legs wrap around his waist, and the arms do so around his neck, a cool metal clinking against his cheek.
"You didn't expect such an attack, did you?" She asks, continuing to keep him in her hold.
"Very amusing, Princess. May you release me and return my property, or shall I have to do so myself." An underlying tease within his voice.
"Mmm I must admit I would love to see you attempt to try."
"Is that a challenge, you highness?" The woman in question huffs a breath, hot against his neck.
"How many times must I tell you, Daniel. You mustn't be so formal when its simply the two of us."
"Very well, I apologize Peggy." She laughs, tickling his neck through the helmet o'er her head, causing a shiver down his spine.
"Good, now what- Ah!" She shrieks as he swivels suddenly. He laughs knowingly, causing her to grip onto him tightly. "Daniel!" Around and around he spins, her head becoming dizzy. He then takes advantage of this and sits down, causing her to release him and sit as well.
Quickly realizing what their position must look like, Peggy tucks her legs underneath her, away from his waist. Had any one saw such a thing, the kingdom would buzz with gossip, and Peggy, nor Daniel's reputation would ever be the same. The Princess would be seen as a tease, a whore easily gotten to. And Daniel? He would loose his position in knighthood along with everything he had worked so hard to achieve.
"I told you I could get you to release me. Now, my helmet?" She looks up at him his back to her, his head turned over his shoulder.
"Only because I allowed you to do so." Sir Daniel guffaws and stands, taking her hand in his as they walk to the horses.
"If you say so, Peggy. Then it is." She removes the metal from atop her head and place it in the spot she had thieved it from.
"Hm, I must say it is about time you learned that. And all it took was years of training." She jests, poking at his side.
"Aha! Much more vigorous than training to become a knight." He retorts, shrinking away from her teasing touch.
"Daniel!" He laughs jollily and grabs her hand in his won before she could advance. Peggy then at this looks up at him and tries her other hand, only he too catches it.
He smirks knowingly, realizing her troubles seem to have begun fading from her mind. Perhaps this is how he may keep them at bay.
They stand for a moment, staring into the golden light in the others eyes. A quiet sense taking over their being. The Princess calms her stance, standing straighter and towards her knight. Sir Daniel does the same, the forms but a few breaths apart. Every second passes, the closer they stand, all of time ceasing to stop. But it was to be in this moment the horse neighs loudly, needing its bridle fixed. The two pull apart, reality setting once again. As does the moment that lead them here, Peggy running from her father's words. Such sully takes hold of her once more. They mount and take leave, traveling beyond the gates and through the trees.
The wind is soft and quiet, brushing through the air. The ever still quiet, giving in to Peggy's somber mood. But how may Sir Daniel uplift her her? As if a light from heaven had shone upon his mind, an idea had formed; a song. He begins to sing bache bene venies, starting out soft and quiet, only to grow in sound, louder for her to hear. She looks to him, a small smile upon her face, giving into his playful nature. Together in harmony, soprano and baritone, the contrast of their voice fills the air with life and light. Their voices ring through the wind, carrying them along their journey. As they stop soft and low, they laugh in harmony, both moods uplifted in joy.
Ever still was the silence to follow, until Peggy's voice began to ring through the air once more. The tone of Los set gotxs recomptarem echoing through the wind. A light laughter leaves them once finished with the song. An uplifting manner surrounding them.
For only a few moments the continue on their journey. The wind calming and the horses neighing lightly, their hoofs following the trail into trough the clear woods. A trail long since known in the Princess's mind. A smile appears on her lips, a pleased expression upon her features. It is not until the pair have stopped that she questions their destination.
"May I ask why it is you have brought me here?"
Daniel looks over at her, a flit of a smile visible on his lips. She catches it and tilts her head curiously. It always fills her mind with wonder at the possibilities for that smile. The one he has when he plans something; whether it be mischievous or simplistic. Peggy can never discover the reason until it is present.
He dismounts his horse and ties the reigns around the trunk of a tree. Peggy sits and waits, reaching out as he holds her waist to assist her fall. As she lands on her own two feet, she stands before him, their faces but a breath apart.
"Thank you, my good Knight." She grins with amusement.
"Of course, Your Highness." Moments pass before they pull apart, the lingering feeling between them never parts.
As they walk side by side, the princess glances to her left, witnessing Daniel in an odd posture. Much relaxed and saddened. More so than his attempted smile as before. Rather than impose on a question, she takes his hand in hers, walking to the reservoir ahead.
The mystic, cold waters, laying flat in in its dark infinite color and depth. The luscious green grass surrounding the water, such beauty and tranquility. A bird from afar whistles its song, echoing through the tree. Such peace fills her soul as the two walk along the land. They then take an abrupt stop, much to the princess's surprise. With an inquiring question on her expression, the knight laughs and sits upon the ground, motioning for her to mimic his posture; and she does. Sir Daniel then lies down on the ground, the grass a fickle feeling upon his cheek, so thin and wispy. As that wispy of the clouds above, floating high in the sky, there in the mist of heavens gates they surly fly. Peggy looks to him, such ease showing from his features. Relaxed and content. She looks to him and back at the peace above, gratified in this blissful moment of quiet. The princess lies down as well, upon the bared grass beneath, resting her head upon her knights armored shoulder; comfortable and pleased. As darkness falls upon her eyes, she feels nothing but the welcomed embrace of Sir Daniel, sleep filling her mind.
It is not until the sun begins to set, the colors vibrating in the sky, that the Knight opens his eyes and wakes the Princess. They must journey back home. Peggy's mood is much more at ease as they travel. The silence no longer stiffing, but pleased. As she returns to her chambers, a faint smile hidden on her lips, she shuts the doors behind her, happy to have her knight by her side. Such peaceful sleep had not been bestowed upon her in many months. Had it not been for the laws of the land, her own choice of a lifelong partner would have been the one she knew since childhood. The one man she falls for more as the days pass. If only God could give a helping hand and relieve her of the dreadful days to come. A wedding she does not wish to attend; her own.
It is with the following days the wedding is set. This day in which the princess marries her betrothed and starts her life anew. A life she hopes to render a positive change.
Within 3 days time the royal wedding is hosted. A grand event for all the Kingdom to celebrate, and yet not everyone was pleased with this turn of event.
"Are you ready, Your Highness?" Angela asks, her head peeking through the large metal door to Peggy's chambers.
The Princess stands in her deep blue, silk dress. The trail of fabric hanging from her arms and leading from their feet. The Juliet-styled dress soft on her skin, trimmed in gold. Upon her head lies a veil trickles in jewels, her crown the only topping needing to be set.Angie smiles encouragingly as the Princess takes her leave; starting anew.
