Thought/Flashback/Dream

Chapter 1 - Promise Me

It had been a long day, a long day indeed and Elmont couldn't stop thinking about her, her eyes, her smile, the way she looked at him, her penetrating gaze.

He was thinking about the mission he had failed. Failed to his king, to his kingdom but most of all, failed to his princess.

Now, as he stared at the sunset he couldn't stop feeling guilty and disappointed with himself. After all this time he lost her, the only person he loved more than anything in the world, the only person he had promised to die and kill for without a word against. She was everything to him and he couldn't stand the thought of her death.

If he closed his blue-green eyes he still could see her in the throne room, speakingto him.

So, He closed his eyes, her memory was everything...

"Elmont... is not necessary this large group to protect me." the princess smiled at him but he could see, in the deep grey eyes that she was annoyed. Truth be told, she never liked to be around so many guards and Elmont knew it but he would never rick her life.

Around the Princess were twenty knights all ready to protect her if necessary and he still thought incredible the loyalty she recived from everyone who worked at the castle, she never had asked for it but all her acts of kindness and justice had made her a greater person in their eyes. Keira, the middle age woman who worked in the kitchens treat her like a daughter and he knew they shared many secrets, for once he was sure she was the own helping in the princesses escapes.

"Princess..." began but she interrupted him when her hand rose.

"Elmont, I want you to call me by my name, I have it to be used. How many times do i have to remind you?" The king sat on the throne chuckle amused with his daughter. "And second, half..."she motioned the knights around her "Would be enough..."

"Princess..." She lowered her head as she put her hand on her black hair as the other rested in her hip and sighed. She seemed oblivious to the effect she had in the males or she wouldn't bite her lip and exhale softly. Elmont swallow and looked to the knights, seeing some move slightly and others look away.

"Elissa... Elmont, its Elissa" when she spoke he could hear the smile in her voiceand a small smile rosed in his lips.

The King chuckle again, amused by the scene that he was gifted, they were in the throne room and his oldest daughter was preparing to take a little trip to the northern kingdom to strengthen the alliance and friendship. Elmont knew it had to be done but he didn't like it, not when he could't go with her and protect her.

Elissa raised her head and looked deep in the blue-green eyes that belong to Elmont and smiled, the smile she gave him made him feel powerful and confident, his heartbeat speed up a bit. He was positive if she asked anything he would conside. He took a deep breath in attempt to calm himself and deny the thoughts that threatened to take hold of his mind but...

Oh my god!...

She was beautiful and as he looked at her for a moment, he only saw the woman standing in front of him and not the princess who he had sworn to defend and die for. She was beautiful, black hair falling freely down in her back and Elmont loved the gray eyes that told him more than the words that came through her mouth, her mouth...

"Princess..." She glared accusing to him and he smiled inocently the best he could, he couldn't think about her that way "Well... Elissa..." Elissa momentarily closed her eyes when he said her name and couldn't resist smiling widely, hear her name from his mouth, from the charming and handsome knight gave her sweets chills along the spine, "I'd go with you if possible but..."

"Elmont, do you not trust in your men?" disbelief and teasing were in that statement. Elmont smile when he look at her and could see amusement in her. Damn, she loved to play with him.

"Yes, but..." Is not the same, I'd be there, he wanted to say but Elissa cut him off again.

"Then all is well, now... only is needed half of this men" Her smile was playful but serious, he could see she wouldn't step back in this decision.

Elmont put his right hand on his forehead and the other on his hip and sighed frustrated with the stubbornness of his princess.

"Crawe" his voice was authoritarian but friendly, he didn't wait to hear the voice of is friend knowing he would hear him "You will accompany the princess and follow you will be more ten men to guard her..." He heard the sound of delight that came from the mouth of the Princess and failed to continue annoyed with her even if he wanted to. "Nothing more..."

Elissa approached and kissed him gently on his cheek and whispered thanks to just his ear and his heart beated widly.

After she walked away with a smile and hugged the little sister who entered the room.

Shortly after the end of the discusion she left, pleading to him to never forget their was reaffirmedpromise, the promise that one day he had given to her. He would protect her sister and he would keep himself alive.

A week passed when they received Crawe in the castle, alone, asking for help, the Princess had been attacked, more than half of her bodyguard's dead and the survivor's prisoners along with Elissa. Crawe had escaped only to bring the news...

He found the camp and the captors, with the help of his men that he brought, he tried to rescue the princess and her guards but it led to unexpected events for them all...

During the fight, one of the bandits caught Elissa and transported her close to a cliff, below her was a wild river and she was scare, he could see in her eyes as the rain mixed with her tears. When the gray eyes met his gaze, he saw she was apologizing for everything and made him grab the promise that one day they had share...One day, a long time.

Beside him a young man, for courage or stupidity, released the arrow to be buried below the shoulder of the captor.

The captain only saw blood... Her blood as she fell in the darkeness.

"Elmont... promises me..." Her voice now tormented him, her sweet smile cursed him, her eyes haunted him.

He closed his fist and punched the wall beside him.

If I had been quicker... She would be here, where I could see...She would be safe...