Chance

The sequel to The Look of Hope

Chapter 1: Heartache

Disclaimer: This is the sequel to The Look of Hope, and I own Amanda, Nicolarious, Gurshion, Kylian, Edem, and any other characters that are not originally part of King Arthur the movie.

Note: Hey guys! I'm back, with the sequel. Still waiting to hear a bit more about the ending of the other... (hint hint!) Let me know how you like this one!

The early pinks and oranges of the morning Sun shone over the hills and Amanda stood in her doorway watching it rise. Her golden locks were tangled, and her blue eyes tired, but something was keeping her awake. The shuffle of feet behind her made her turn, but knew it was Edem. He smiled at her, and she smiled back. He ran his hand through his thick, ear length, dark brown, curly hair and Amanda turned back to the Sunrise. Edem came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist, hugging her close to him. Amanda craned her neck to look at him, and he planted a soft kiss upon her lips.

"This is the tenth day now that you've not had a good rest," he said. Amanda turned away and sighed.

"I know," replied Amanda, "I've had a lot to think about."

"About your brother?" asked Edem. Amanda nodded.

"It's been almost two years since I've seen him last," Amanda said. Her hand wandered to the blue gem around her neck, and her eyes stared out into a vast emptiness. Edem and she stood there for a few minuets, just with each other. Amanda met Edem a few months after she left Arthur and the Knights, and has been living with him ever since. At first it was just until she could find somewhere else, but she and Edem began to care for each other in a way most others don't. The two made a beautiful couple, as they had been told. There was something about his dark brown curly hair and deep green eyes that captivated Amanda, entertained her, and felt what he felt.

"Well, if you miss him Amanda, go see him," said Edem. Amanda sighed and walked back into the little house.

"He probably hates me Edem. Besides, there's someone else in the city who does hate me. I won't be welcome there," said Amanda, referring to Arthur.

"It's one person Amanda, how powerful could they possibly be?" asked Edem. Amanda shook her head with one of those smiles that mean "if only you knew."

"Edem," said Amanda, "you might be surprised."

About that same time, Arthur was walking around his bedroom silently, restless.

"Arthur?" said the soft musical voice of a woman, coming from the bed along the opposite bed.

"Yes Evelina?" asked Arthur. Evelina rose from the bed, and walked over to Arthur, leaving a small kiss on his cheek.

"What is it darling?" she asked. Arthur shrugged.

"I don't know," he lied, "I had a bad dream." A bad dream about Amanda. After two whole years of not seeing her, and all of a sudden he has a bad dream about her. Pulling a shirt on over his head, and some boots on his feet, Arthur left to go pray. He and Evelina had been together for some time now. She came a few months after Amanda had left, and Arthur was instantly attracted to her. Her long, flowing auburn hair mixed in well with her mahogany brown eyes. Everyone around the city was expecting them to marry, and very soon. No one questioned Amanda's disappearance anymore. Arthur made his way down to the chapel by the library, and thought about the dream all the way there. It was a dark, cold one, where the person you were dreaming about was being hurt, and you couldn't save them. Arthur had dreamed about Amanda in the hands of the Saxons, who had tied her to a tree and let the birds pick away at her dieing body. Horrific, yet he dreamed. It wasn't one of many. It was sudden, totally random dream he had of her, or was it? Reaching the chapel, Arthur entered, and closed the door behind him.

"Oh, Lord, you gave me a start," said Nicolarious, who kneeling. Arthur hadn't even seen him.

"Oh, sorry Nick, I didn't even see you. Since when did you start to pray?" asked Arthur, kneeling down beside him.

"I don't know, couple of weeks ago. I just had this inclination to start," said Nicolarious. Arthur shrugged, knowing he had begun to wear off on him. The two staid and prayed for a while, and then left together to eat some breakfast.

"Arthur, can I ask you something?" asked Nicolarious.

"Of course Nick. Anything," replied Arthur.

"Well," he began, "I had this dream last night, about my sister. She was in trouble. I was very vague, and I don't remember much of it, but the thing is, it was random. I haven't really thought about Amanda for a long time. What do you think?" Arthur was silent for a while, contemplating his own dream.

"Well, maybe God is trying to tell you something about her," answered Arthur.

"Do you think she's in trouble?" asked Nicolarious.

"I don't know. I don't think so. Maybe he just wants you to start thinking of her more often," answered Arthur. Nicolarious nodded in agreement. They reached the Round Table room and began to eat their breakfast. They were soon joined by Evelina, who was happy to see the two of them.

Amanda pulled one of Edem's tunics on and reached for a hair tie. She had to go see Nicolarious. I was out of the question to not see her brother for two years while he's growing up. Her heart was heavy, and she wouldn't allow it to be so any longer.

Edem was coming with her. He could be the on she was going to spend the rest of her life with, and Nicolarious had to meet his potential brother-in-law. So, the two rode to the capital, as hard and as fast as they could. They would reach there by nightfall, and she planned to have made a mends with her brother by the next morning.

After a few hours of hard riding, the couple stopped on top of a hill.

"I can see the city from here," Amanda said. Edem came to her side, and saw that the city was very close.

"Well then, "said Edem springing back upon his horse, "I don't see any reason to stop riding."

"Edem let the horses rest. They've been run ragged. Besides, my legs hurt," said Amanda. Edem sighed, and got off the horse.

After a long rest, they were back on the horses and cantering toward the city. As they came out of the woods, they passed the graveyard. Amanda looked at her parents passing headstones, and vowed she wouldn't eave here without seeing them. Trumpets rang out in pure, clean notes as they passed through the gates of the city. Dismounting, two stable boys took the horses away, and Amanda made her was for the palace, Edem in pursuit. Stopping before the steps the led up to the doors, Amanda took a deep breath and stared at the large wood doors. Edem interlaced his fingers with hers, and gave her a reassuring squeeze. She looked at him and he smiled.

"Everything is going to be fine," he said. Amanda nodded, but knew that it wasn't going to be that way. Amanda focused on the task at hand, and took the first few steps up the stairs. Finding courage in each step, her pace quickened, and she and Edem reached the doors in no time. The guards at the doors looked at the two skeptically, and they probably wouldn't have let them in if it weren't for the appearance of Kylian, who was reporting for his afternoon duties.

"Amanda!" cried Kylian.

"Kylian!" Amanda returned the cry.

"What brings you back here?" he asked.

"I've come to visit my brother," answered Amanda.

"Well, do come in then. I'll lead you right to him. He's usually at Arthur's side at this time of day. They should be eating lunch about now," he said, gazing at the Sun. He walked in, and led Amanda and Edem towards the Round Table room.

"Who is this fine young man you have here with you?" asked Kylian.

"Oh, goodness, I forgot. Kylian, this is Edem. Edem, Kylian. One of the Kings advisors," Amanda introduced.

"Pleasure to meet you," said Edem.

"The pleasure is mine," said Kylian. They reached the Round Table room and Kylian opened the door, walking in cheerily. Amanda suddenly froze. She couldn't do it anymore. Kylian was going to announce her and she wasn't going to be able to move. Why was she doing here? Amanda closed her eyes, and took a deep breath. She heard her name escape Kylian's lips and she took a heavy step forward. Then another, and another. She walked into the Round Table room, and looked around. The reaction was worse then she had thought.