A Heroine's Discovery

by generic-faingirl

The final part of Marion's story. Almost a year after the day that changed her life forever, Marion is still trying to cope with her new life. But when a tragedy strikes her family, she embarks on a dangerous road that could damn or save her friend. And all the while, someone still waits for her, forgotten and cursed. Part 5 of AHJ series.

1. Chapter 1

Chapter One.

Eight months later.

The bright May sunshine shone through the gaps in the shutters, forcing me awake.

My small box room always filled with light first. We should have thought about that before we built it facing south east. But in truth, I didn't mind it much now.

I didn't like sleep. Even all these months later, I still found myself haunted by memories. They chased me through my dreams, persistent and constant. There were still nights when I woke screaming after seeing his dead body lying in my arms again, cold and unmoving.

I feared they would never leave me. I feared I was doomed to relive that day over and over again, every time I closed my eyes. The pain never left, and neither did the guilt. It was my constant companion.

Sleep was never restful. It gave me the energy I needed for the next day and that was all. A means to an end.

Stretching, I rolled out of bed and grabbed the familiar item from my bedside table. Pressing the green stone to my lips, I held it tightly as I whispered 'I love you.'

It had become a daily routine now. Something to keep me grounded. The Emerald James had given me hung around my neck every day. I only ever took it off to sleep, and sometimes I didn't even do that.

Pulling off the male shirt I was wearing, I reached for the closest dress I could find. I didn't really care anymore what I wore. It was just something to clothe me. The once familiar scent had long since faded, but I still wore James's old shirts to sleep in. It brought me little comfort, but it was better then nothing.

No one else was awake, as was usually the case. Opening the new wooden door, I crept out of my room and snuck silently through the girl's bedroom. Clara and Gwen slept soundly, undisturbed by nightmares and memories. I envied them. Their innocence and promise of a future.

This was going to be the rest of my life. It didn't bother me in the way it used to. I had grown to accept it now. Things had improved since that terrible day, but I didn't think they'd improve any more. And that was alright, I could live with that.

I opened the door to the kitchen silently, and crept out, closing it swiftly behind me. Pale light was beginning to stream in through the window, and I grabbed the old battered bucket.

The daily list of chores gave me something to do. Some distraction. Some purpose. The only problem was that I had to spend too long in the house.

And there was only so much I could stand.

The cottage in Rault no longer felt like home, even though I had lived there nearly all my life. It was a place to sleep, but not home. I had thought that it's familiar walls would comfort me, the way they always had done when I was a child.

But now, they just served as a reminder of what I had lost.

I was back where I had started. I had tasted love and wealth and happiness, only to have it all snatched from me. And every day, the cottage reminded me of that.

Which is why I had changed as much of it as I could. My new room was just the beginning of the list of changes I had made.

I hadn't been able to sleep in my old bed after the funeral. I could bear the idea of someone who was not James sleeping in the same room as me. Even though they were my sisters, I just couldn't do it.

Every time I heard someone breathe during their sleep, I thought it was him. And the disappointment became too much to bear after a while.

And so, with our first money bag, we got an extra room built into the side of the house, where I could sleep alone.

The money bags were possibly the biggest change that had happened recently. A month after James's death, the bailiff who had evicted us appeared at our door in Rault. Once Alexander had stopped shouting and screaming at him, the bailiff explained that as a widow, I was entitled to a small portion of the estates profit every month. And there was nothing Lord Reid or Lady Caroline could do about it. I almost smiled for the first time when I realised how much they must hate having to give me money. And while the bailiff apologised for the small percentage I was entitled to, we all stood in shock.

We had all known James was a wealthy man. But not even Alexander had known exactly how wealthy. He hadn't had much chance to get through the accounts and workbooks James had been showing him. So even the small percentage I was given was still enough to ensure we lived comfortably. We didn't have riches, but we now always had enough food on the table, and enough clothes to wear, and enough money to finance changes to the house that I wanted to put in place. We didn't spend it all though. A lot of it we saved, just in case. After 7 bags, we had amassed easily enough to buy another cottage, but we were still saving.

We had also made one other significant change to the house.

The addition of a cellar.

We had gotten it built only two months after we moved back, and it was almost in constant use.

Mainly due to the almost constant houseguest we seemed to have.

Bianca stayed with us a lot now. She was almost one of the family. None of us minded, and I rather depended on her. She had told us that the birds were noticing more and more guards combing the forest, trying to capture her, so a lot of the time, she preferred to stay hidden with us. But we had only ever hidden her in our parents old room, which was not particularly safe for her if anyone came knocking.

So, we had gotten a cellar dug. We had claimed it was for food, but we had hidden a bed down there, and some blankets, enough for Bianca to make a room for herself. She's even painted it a shade of red. She claimed it reminded her of her sister.

Which is also why it was not uncommon to find Alexander down there on the days where Bianca was out in the forest.

He sat and stared at the wall for long periods of time, with a besotted look on his face.

Although he tried to hide it, we all knew exactly where he snuck off to once a month. Even Bianca was beginning to figure it out, and there were some nights at dinner where she wouldn't say a word, but just stare silently at my brother.

I didn't blame him in the slightest. If anything, I rather wanted to encourage it.

If what Scarlett and Alexander had was even a fraction of what James and I had get for each other, they needed to grab onto it and never let it go. I would have done anything to have more time with him, so they should take as much time as they could now.

I guessed Bianca had a different attitude to the matter.

She would be awake any moment. She always woke at dawn, like I did. I think the years of living in the forest, always on high alert had taken their toll on her.

Dragging the bucket outside, I walked towards the old water pump in the pale light of the dawn. No one else was awake yet, and the village was silent.

I preferred it this way. The people of Rault and I had a complicated history, and I still wasn't quite sure how exactly I felt about them. And I don't think they knew how they felt about me either.

After the curse, they had all tried to apologise for their actions that day. But the moment they heard about my title, many of them left. I think they were either intimidated by it, or were irritated by it. I had returned a lady of the land, who didn't need to work to provide for her family anymore. And I think some of them resented me for it.

But I didn't care. I'd suffered enough. I wasn't going to feel bad about taking what I was owed, especially after they had evicted me from the Manor House.

So, when the villagers saw me, some curtsied, some just kept their heads down and walked on by, and some outright turned away from me. At least now, they were all asleep, and I didn't have to deal with their judgements.

I pumped the water into the bucket, and heaved it up into my arms. It sloshed around and splashed on my dress, but I still couldn't find any energy to care. I made my way quickly back to the house, and discovered Bianca already emerging from the cellar.

'You've got it all over your dress again.' She complained, as I set down the bucket.

'Its just a bit of water.'

'Ice cold water, at dawn. You'll catch a chill before you know it.' She scolded me, pulling it across the floor.

'Are you going out today?' I asked. Bianca shrugged.

'How were they?'

'Silent.' I replied.

'So, it's safe. I should go.' Bianca said, biting into an apple that had been left on the table.

She had taught us how to recognise basic bird sounds. If they were silent, it usually meant there was no one in the forest that was a threat to Bianca, so she went to rob as many rich highborns as she could get her hands on. We also knew what the sound was if she was in danger, or the sound if she was going to be late or stay overnight in the forest. I had almost gone out of my mind worrying the first few times she had left with no warning.

Pulling her old cloak around her, she turned to me.

'I'll go now, while no one's awake. Be back probably after sundown. Save me some of those apple pastries will you?'

I nodded, before she walked calmly out of the door and closed it quietly behind her. I used to tell her to be safe, but we'd become so accustomed to her patterns that it didn't seem necessary anymore.

In the silence of the sleeping House, I began to slowly work on breakfast.

My siblings all awoke one by one, as they usually did, and are breakfast in the same way we had done for months.

The three youngest ones woke first, full of energy to face the coming day. Then Alexander, who had to leave early to get to the next village. He had found work with a nearby farmer, looking over the accounts and managing the wages. His short amount of time with James had really paid off, and although he'd only had about a months training, he had learned enough to figure out the rest of it. He seemed contented, having found something to do.

Daniel sometimes went with him, but more often than not, it was Richard who was the most eager. He loved going to see the numbers, and Alexander used him as a fast way to work out exactly how much everyone was owed.

And Clara had managed to fit back into village life as if she'd never left. Now she had been to a real highborn Ball, all the girls of the village were falling over themselves to hear about the young men she danced with, and to see the dress she wore, and to practice how to walk like a lady. They had accepted her back with open arms, as if she'd just stepped out of a folk tale.

She seemed happy, so I was happy for her.

The sun rose higher and higher, and breakfast finished. I cleaned up, and Clara dried the dishes and placed them back on the newly repaired shelf that no longer had a large crack down the middle.

Everyone went about their day, and so did I. I scrubbed, and tidied. I peeled vegetables and chopped fruit. The chores were good. They were repetitive and familiar. I needed something constant in my life. I needed a routine to think about instead of just staring off into the distance all the time.

The morning passed in a blur, and before I knew it, midday was upon us, with the sun high in the sky, and the heat beating down on us.

The door opened and Alexander walked in, along with Richard, who both looked ready for their lunch. I handed them the plate of bread and cheese that had been waiting for them, and they ate it greedily. They spoke to me of the mornings events, about how much the carpenter had charged the poor farmer to repair his cart. It was extortion, but there was very little to be done other than pay it.

'Honestly Arry, poor Mr Johnson was furious. He went as red as a tomato. I thought his head was going to burst right there and then.' Alexander told me.

'It was more purple...' Richard commented.

'Either way, he was not too pleased. And we really should be going. Mr Johnson's in a bad enough mood as it is, he'll want us back to try and see what we can salvage.' Alexander said, standing.

I grabbed a basket, and stood too.

'I'll walk with you. We need new flowers for the table. These ones are dying.' I said, pointing to he rather pitiful wilting irises.

And so, the three of us left the cottage, and began to walk towards the forest. It was the quickest path to the next village and also had more flowers growing in it than anywhere else nearby.

We had almost reached the end of the path, when a loud horse whinny in the distance made all three of us turn and face the source of the sound.

No one in Rault owned a horse. Only the farmers for the labour, and they never rode them out into the forest. And there was still no one living in the Manor House, as it was technically still Ella's.

So when all of us turned, none of us knew what or who to expect.

And who we did see startled all of us.

For there, riding towards us with quite some speed, was a young woman.

And not just any young woman.

Her rich velvet cloak flew behind her, dancing in the breeze as the horse galloped towards us. And the hood of the cloak had fallen down.

Revealing the bright long red hair of a certain someone.

Lady Scarlett Knox was hurtling down the road to Rault. And no one was expecting it.

'Scarlett?' Alexander cried, instantly running towards her.

When she spotted him, she yanked hard on the reigns, and the horse began to skid slightly on its suddenly halted hooves.

Richard and I hung back a little, unsure of exactly how to proceed.

Scarlett's horse finally stopped and Alexander caught up with her. She jumped down as quickly as she was able, and threw her arms around my brother straight away. He instantly pulled her tightly again him, and lifted her off the ground a little.

Richard and I edged closer, a little too curious for our own good.

'What are you doing here?' Alexander asked her, still holding her in his arms. 'And with bags?' He added.

At that comment, I glanced a look at the horse, and sure enough, there were two leather bags strapped to the horses rear, full of what looked like clothes.

'I... there was... I had to.' She stuttered.

'What happened?' Alexander asked quickly, pulling himself back to look at her face. He ran his thumb over her cheek, as if he were assuring himself that she was alright.

'Something happened, two nights ago.' She said.

'What? What happened? Are you hurt? Did Nerissa try to hurt you?' Alexander asked hurriedly.

'No, nothing like that.' She assured him.

At that moment, she seemed to realised that Richard and I were also stood there, and she gasped a little.

'Hello again.' I told her, and Richard just continued to stare.

'Ar- I mean Marion! Nice to see you again. And you must be...Tom?'

'Richard.' I corrected her.

'Oh, I'm so sorry. I've heard so much about you.' Scarlett told my brother. Richard still did not say anything in response. He didn't usually do particularly well with new people, and the strangeness of the situation was making if even more difficult for him to find the words

'What happened?' Alexander repeated, ignoring us.

Scarlett slowly turned back to him.

'I hope you won't be mad when I tell you. The plan I have is a little...insane. But it's the only one I can think of.'

Alexander looked even more concerned, and so Scarlett continued.

'Two nights ago, Nerissa came to my bedchamber. She informed me she had found me a match, and that I was going to announce our engagement tomorrow.'

Alexander's face went pale instantly. His fists curled at his sides, and his jaw set.

'I pleaded with her to not to, but she told me that I was going to do it, or I was going to be locked in my room until I starved, or submitted.'

'That bitch. Who is this man?' Alexander ground out.

'I don't know. I've never met him. He's just one of her puppets that she can control. No doubt he's a horrid brute who will keep me locked away so I can't claim my father's title.' Scarlett explained.

'So, What happened?'

Scarlett gestured to the bags behind her.

'As soon as she left, I packed these bags, and climbed out of the window.' She said bluntly.

Even I was impressed by that.

'You did what?' Alexander cried.

'I don't want the title. I don't even want the money. I want to be safe... and I want to be loved. I'll find another way to help my people from Nerissa, because I can't help them if I'm locked away by my husband.' Scarlett confessed.

Alexander eyes seemed to widen a little in understanding. I, however, was still very confused.

'And then I realised, she can't betroth me to anyone if I'm already married, can she?' Scarlett said, staring at Alexander.

At that, I understood her plan.

Grabbing Richard's hand, I pulled him back s little way. If what I thought was happening was actually happening, they didn't want me or Richard around to ruin the moment.

So, we slowly began to edge away, leaving a frozen Alexander with a rather leading question.

But to give Scarlett credit, she was right. She couldn't be used as a pawn if she was already married. And if she was married to someone outside the court, she'd never have to attend that court again, she would be free.

And I had a rather strong feeling that there was only one person that Scarlett wanted to try this rather insane plan with.

We turned quickly, and I pulled Richard along with me.

However we didn't get very far, as a beautifully melodic giggle was joined by a much lower gasp of surprise.

And I couldn't help but peak over my shoulder.

There, beside her horse, kneeling in the dirt, Scarlett Knox held my brothers hand in hers, as she asked him something quietly. I could hear what she was saying, but I had a pretty strong idea.

I was frozen in shock for a few moments, but Alexander didn't miss a second. He too knelt down and placed his other hand on her cheek, whispered in something that made her squeal with delight, before pulling her face to meet his own.

The sight of my little brother kissing was very odd to me. And I think even more startling for Richard.

I knew we should look away, that we should give them the privacy that a moment like this deserved.

But I was unable to turn away.

They looked so happy. They looked so thrilled and excited.

All the things I had been once.

The thought of it made my heart ache. At that moment, such a surge of longing for him overtook me that tears sprang to my eyes and I had to blink them away quickly to avoid anyone seeing them.

I had been that happy with him. I had been that loved.

But no more. And never again.

I should be thrilled for them. I knew I should be. But I simply couldn't be.

Part of me resented them for it. That they could be so happy and so in love and I couldn't be. I knew it wasn't their fault, but it still hurt.

Richard was the one to pull on my arm and force me to move away from them.

The newly betrothed pair were a little too occupied at that moment, and they really didn't need their siblings looking in on the scene. So, the pair of us walked away, and went back to the cottage. We suspected they wouldn't be in for a while. Not that I could blame them for it.

They looked so happy to be betrothed. And all I could think was how scared I had been.

When James had first suggested it, I thought he'd gone mad. And I had never imagined that it would have turned out as splendidly as it did.

It's had been a few days ago when the pain had truly resurfaced again. I thought that it had been getting better, but that damned day last week.

It was the day that would have been our first wedding anniversary. We didn't even make it past that.

I'd spent the entire day in tears, wishing he could be here to spend it with me. Knowing that he never could. My heart felt like it was going to break all over again at the mere mention of our wedding.

And here were two people who could not be happier of the prospect of their soon to be wedding. The idea was like a knife to my heart.

They had years ahead of them, happy and joyful. They would be together, not separated by the veil of death.

And I could never have that.

We eventually made it back to the cottage, and Richard sat me down silently, and offered me a handkerchief before I even knew I needed one.

The corners of my eyes had began to mist. My brother didn't say anything, but rubbed his thumbs over my shoulders in a soothing sort of way.

'I'm alright. Truly.' I lied.

Richard didn't respond but continued to just stand by me in his own way.

I was not sure how much time passed exactly, but I know it was a while. Alexander and Scarlett didn't return, not that we expected them too. Richard eventually made a pot of tea for us, as I tried to grab a hold of my wild emotions.

I tried so hard to force myself to be happy. My brother had found love. And they were probably getting married any day now. And while I'd only ever met Scarlett once, she seemed like a lovely girl who had been through a horrid few years. And she was Bianca's sister.

They deserved to be happy. They deserved to not have me mess anything up by being miserable.

I really tried.

Suddenly the door flew open, and both Richard and I whirled around to face...

Clara.

It was only Clara. Back from meeting her friends in the village.

'Ooh, there tea! Can you pour me a cup, I'm exhausted!' She cried, flopping onto the nearest chair.

Her bag fell off her shoulder, as she reclined, making herself as comfortable as she could.

Neither of us said a word.

'We went right around the back fields. None of us noticed how far we walked. We were all too concerned about Ruth's news. You know she's betrothed to that shop boy, the shy one with the large spectacles.'

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Richard glance down at the table.

'Why are you being so peculiar? Cat got your tongue?' Clara teased.

'Something happened.' I said quietly.

Clara almost dropped her tea cup on the table.

'What? Did the bailiff come back? What about any guards?' Clara asked quickly.

'No, nothing to do with any of that.' I told her, forcing myself to put a smile on my face.

'Then what?'

Taking a deep breath, I finally managed to utter the words.

'We found a horse and rider on the path to the meadow. Alexander's with them now.'

Clara's face drained of all colour.

'Oh no! Were they dead?'

Richard chortled a little. Its sounded like somewhere between a cough and a sneeze.

'No, very much alive. In fact, she's knows Alexander quite well.'

Clara laughed a little.

'Which girl knows Alexander well? Isn't he saving himself for the oh so angelic Scarlett, who is all the way in Knox palace?'

'She's not there. She's on the path to the meadow right now.'

Clara's jaw dropped.

'Scarlett Knox, is here?!' She cried.

Richard nodded.

'She ran away.' He said softly. The first words he had spoken in hours.

'What? How? And why?' Clara asked, her eyes still wide with surprise.

'Oh, and that's not all.' Richard told her.

'There's more? How could one of the wealthiest girls in country just turn up at our doorstep, and that isn't the only news?' Clara exclaimed.

'We think they're betrothed.' I said bluntly.

For what may have been the first time in her life, Clara fell silent from shock.

It took her almost several minutes to digest the news, before quietly asking.

'What do you mean 'think'?'

'We didn't hear the actual words. But she was down on one knee.'

'She was down on one knee!' Clara screamed. 'Where the hell is Alexander? That's unacceptable! You can't let the girl do the proposing. She's supposed to be swept of her feet. He's got a lot to answer for.'

'Oh, don't we know.' I muttered.

'He's a disaster! He's fallen hopelessly in love with this girl, and he can't even propose right!' Clara cried.

'Indeed I have.' Came a voice from the doorway.

All three of us whipped our heads around to see our brother stood in the doorway, with the largest smile I think I'd ever seen plastered to his face.

And just behind him, someone else loitered just out of sight of where I was sitting. But I had a pretty strong idea of who exactly that was.

Clara stood up immediately.

'Alexander Brown, if this is true, I have never been more ashamed to call you family in my life!' She shouted. 'How could you let poor Scarlett do that?'

'Because I wanted to.' Came a higher voice from behind him. Alexander stepped back and let her stand in the doorway.

Clara was still staring at Alexander with such an intensity of disappointment that even I felt diminished.

As Scarlett finally came into sight, Alexander said with his voice full of pride.

'Everyone, I'd like to introduce my betrothed, Scarlett. Scarlett, you've already met Arry and Richard, but this is Clara.'

Scarlett beamed at my sister, and offered her hand forward to shake it, but Clara grasped it and pulled her towards herself.

'First; let me just apologise for my disgrace of a brother. He has let us all down by his behaviour. And trust me, I will work personally to see that he never does something so stupid again.'

'Well, hopefully he won't be proposing to anyone else ever again, so I don't think you have to worry about that.' Scarlett replied.

Clara's eyes widened slightly and then she glanced to Alexander.

'I like her. Don't screw up again.'

Alexander just held his hands up in defeat.

'It's perfectly alright.' Scarlett insisted. 'And it was a little sudden after all. And it is mostly my fault.'

Alexander scoffed.

'How is it anyone's fault? I want to marry you.'

Scarlett beamed at him.

'But the circumstances are a little rushed, and that's because of me.'

'How rushed is rushed exactly?' Clara asked carefully. 'We've already have one secret wedding in this family, and this time I want to have a proper one.'

'Is three days enough notice Clara?' Alexander asked.

Three days?

They were getting married in three days!

At least people could say that this sort of thing clearly runs in our family. We do like our secret and fast weddings to highborns.

'No! Not nearly enough time! Could you stretch it to a month?' Clara begged.

Scarlett looked at the ground and Alexander shook his head.

'Clara, there is sort of an urgent reason why Scarlett ran away from the palace. It can't be put on hold while you plan what flowers you'd like where.' Alexander told her. Clara only scoffed and stood in silent protest in the corner.

'Arry, is it alright if Scarlett has your old bed tonight? I don't know where else to put her. You aren't using it.' Alexander asked.

I snapped back into focus is Alexander addressed me. Of course Scarlett was going to have to stay here for the next few days. How had I not thought that far ahead.

'Yes of course. Take whatever you need.' I told her.

Scarlett smiled at me, the perfect picture of a blushing to be bride.

And the image felt like a stab of ice in my heart. The lump in my throat is managed to keep under control since she arrive now rose higher and higher.

'I'm sorry, please excuse me.' I begged, and made my way through the far door to the girls bedroom. I closed it behind me, and then bolted as fast as I could to the closer door of my new room. Tears were now welling in my eyes, as I thought about how happy she had looked.

And all I could think about was James. How happy he had looked when we had declared our love to each other, and those following weeks. We had been just like them, hopefully and content.

But look how it had all turned out. I was all alone here, doomed to spend the rest of my life loving a man I could never hold again. I could never kiss him, or tell him I loved him. And he couldn't love me anymore.

It was just too unfair. Why was it Scarlett and Alexander got to be his happy, and I had James ripped away from me in the cruelest way possible? What had I possibly done to deserve it? I had suffered time and time again, and no matter what I did, nothing ever seemed enough.

'Arry? Are you alright?' Came the familiar voice of my brother. I knew Alexander was stood right outside the door.

'Yes. Just give me some time alone.' I told him, trying to make my voice as calm as I could.

'Arry, please open the door.' Alexander asked.

'Go away. I need time.' I told him.

'I don't have time. I've left Scarlett alone with Clara and Richard. Who knows what might happen!' He joked through the wood.

I didn't reply, only slumped further down the wall.

'Arry, please. I know this must be upsetting, and the timing isn't perfect, but..'

'I'll say.' I shouted through the door. 'It's been a week Alexander! Only a week, and you stride in talking of weddings!'

'Please, I'm sorry Arry. You know we don't have time. We don't have long before Nerissa discovers Scarlett's gone. She's probably looking for her already. If she's going to escape, this needs to happen in the next few days. I can't change that.'

I knew he was right.

Of course he was right.

The timing couldn't be helped. And I had no doubt their feelings for each other couldn't be helped either.

It was just my own sadness getting in the way. I was the problem.

My brother was getting married! To a wonderful girl who he loved with all his heart. What sister should not be thrilled at the prospect. I was going to be gaining a lovely sister in law.

And yet I was still upset.

Eight months. I'd had eight months to try and get past this.

And what had I done?

Nothing.

'Arry, please just open the door.' Alexander begged.

I had no energy to fight him, and he knew that, so I slowly lifted my hand up to the latch and pushed it down.

Alexander pushed the door open, and slid through the small gap, before closing the door behind him and slumping down against the door like I was.

'I don't know what to say.' Alexander began, his head leaning back against the wood. 'She just appeared. No warning, no message. And when she spoke of her plan to escape, I just... just...'

I lifted my hand and stopped Alexander from continuing.

He didn't need to explain.

For I myself had experienced it.

James had told me of his mad plan to save me. While initially I had been to shocked to react much, I think part of me really did want to marry him. And we had only been courting for three days.

Whereas Alexander and Scarlett had been courting since the Ball, although their meetings had been few and far between.

Alexander was going through something similar to what I had. Marrying a highborn in haste to ensure someone's safety.

Things like that really do run in families.

'I understand. I really do. I think I will understand more than the others.' I told him.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Alexander nod.

'And I'm thrilled for you, I really am. Scarlett's a lovely girl-'

'Arry, stop. I know you're not. But that is alright. I shouldn't expect you to be alright with this. How could anyone expect you to?' My brother assured me.

'Because you're my brother, and-'

'I wasn't exactly understanding when James and you announced your engagement. So you are very justified in disproving.'

'But this is nothing like that. I do understand. I know why you want to marry her, and I know why it has to be now. It's just...'

'Just what?'

'It's painful.' I admitted. 'Everything about this just seems to familiar, and all I can think about is how much it hurt. About how much I miss him. And I know it's not fair to blame you for it, you deserve to be happy. It's just unfair that I can't be, and can never be.'

'Arry!' Alexander cried, and lift his arm so he could wrap it around my shoulder. Pulling me into him, I rested my head on his shoulder as he lent his on the top of my head.

'You will be happy again. You're only twenty-one years old. You have the rest of your life ahead of you.'

'That's what we thought about James. He was only twenty-four!' I cried.

Alexander seemed to realise his mistake and quietly cursed himself.

'I know. But you still have time. Hope is not lost. One day, it won't hurt as much.'

I swallowed the lump that was starting to gather in my throat.

In some ways, I didn't want it to stop hurting. Because I knew the moment it stopped hurting, I would begin to forget him. The pain I felt was the only thing keeping him tied to me.

'But the fact of the matter is, I am going to marry Scarlett in three days. And I can't do it if you aren't there. I need my big sister there. And I know it will be tough for you, but it would mean the world to me. Please Arry.' Alexander begged.

I scoffed a little.

'Of course I'm going to be there. I just might have to sit at the back'. I told him.

Alexander had given me away at my own wedding, even though he disproved. The least I could do was attend his and try to smile. He deserved that.

He deserved much more than that. My brother had been so strong, especially in those first few months back in Rault. He had taken care of everything, while I sat in bed and cried. I owed him so much.

'Good.' He said, releasing me from his arms. 'Now, I really have to get back to Scarlett. Who knows what Clara has said to her!'

He moved to stand, but I caught his hand.

'Scarlett is lovely. And I hope you two are very happy together. You deserve it.'

Alexander beamed at me.

'Well, it's nice to know I've got you on my side. I may need you to help explain to Bianca.'

I froze.

Bianca.

How in earth was she going to take this? She would be back in a few hours, and she was going to return to a house where her sister she hadn't seen in almost five years had run away and become betrothed to my brother.

Alexander needed all the help he could get.

'We'll see what we can do. But you may need to be prepared to run for your life.' I told him.

'I know. Scarlett already said as much.' He teased, before opening the door slightly and disappearing through it.

Well, I had to give her credit for know her sister well, despite not seeing her in five years.

The door shut behind him, and I slumped back against the wood.

I had to be better than this. I couldn't spend my entire life moping and crying.

My brother was getting married! My little brother had found a wonderful girl and was marrying her in three days. I should be thrilled. My friend was going to be reunited with her sister, and everyone else was happy for them.

I had to try.

Too long I'd been allowed to just sit and cry. I'd made no effort to try and help myself. I'd only ever found distractions, things to occupy my time to stop the pain. I'd never actually confronted it, never tried to get past it.

But for my family, I had to.

For my brother, who had done so much for me, I had to.

James would have been thrilled at the news. I could almost picture him clapping Alexander on the back and wishing him the best of luck, those beautiful forest green eyes alight with life.

If James would be happy, Why was I not?

Pushing myself off the ground, I straightened my dress and took a deep breath.

I had to do this. I had to realise my unhappiness would affect Alexander, and that was not acceptable. He deserved to have his entire family throughly supporting him.

I had to.

And so, I pulled open the door, and went to greet my soon to be sister in law, with not an entirely fake smile on my face.

---

Hours later, the sky began to grow dark, and Scarlett was pacing.

Back and forth down our little cottage, she moved, whilst muttering under her breath.

'What do I say? What do I do? How am I supposed to act? Will she want to see me.'

'Scar, don't worry.' Alexander said, taking her hand. 'Your sister thinks the world of you.'

He then muttered something that none of the rest of us could hear, but it made Scarlett blush.

Daniel in the corner rolled his eyes at the two of them. It felt odd seeing Daniel and Alexander's positions almost reversed. Daniel was normally the one talking to girls, and Alexander to one in the corner rolling his eyes at the ridiculousness of our brother. But it had been a strange day for everyone, the entire thing was bizarre.

Gwen and Robbie had already gone to bed. Gwen had been so excited when she met Scarlett, and proceeded to blab about all the time Alexander had gone on and on about her, making Alexander red in the face. She and Robbie had been delighted that they were getting a new sister.

Tom too had been very happy at the news, but far more polite about it. He had tried to be a real gentleman, and even bowed slightly to her, saying she was a lady, so we should. Scarlett found it rather sweet.

Daniel had welcomed Scarlett into the family by teasing her as much as he teased the rest of us, which at first shocked her, but then she seemed to understand it was a sign of affection, and not malice.

Scarlett had managed meeting most of the Browns in one afternoon, quite a feat in itself. But the one introduction she was not ready for, was from her own side of the family.

Bianca was due back any moment, at least that's what the birds told us. Scarlett too had the gift, and could comprehend what exactly they were saying.

Five years. Almost five years of running and hiding. And while Bianca was quite safe now, living with us, her sister had not heard a word from her. I think out of fear of Nerissa. Alexander had mentioned briefly to her to join him on his next trip to see Scarlett, but she had declined. The idea of going back to somewhere so close to the palace frightened her, especially since the increase in guards. And no one could blame her for it.

But now...

Scarlett clearly was terrified at the thought of seeing her sister again after so long. She had been only a child when Bianca had left, leaving her in the power of her stepmother. The power she only escaped hours before.

'Scarlett, please stop worrying. It will be fine.' Alexander assured her.

She released a long breath, and my brother took her hand in his and threaded his fingers through hers, before raising her hand to his lips to bestow a light kiss on the back of it.

I tried not to flinch at the gesture. It was what James had...

But I had to stop thinking that way.

Today was not about me. It was about Scarlett and Alexander. Now was not the time to be selfish.

Just then, the sound of footsteps outside the cottage caused Scarlett to freeze.

'I...I... What do I...' She stuttered.

Without saying a word, I nodded to Alexander and rose from my chair.

Bianca was my friend, and I owed it to the new couple to make this as easy as possible.

I made my way to the door, and swiftly ran through it, shutting it firmly behind me.

''Marion?' Bianca asked, stood just outside the door. 'Are you alright?'

I was taken a back by her question, until she said, 'You look pale. Like you've seen a ghost.'

I shook my head.

'I'm fine. But there is something I need to tell you.' I said.

'Can we go inside first, I'm parched.' She asked.

Once again I shook my head. Bianca looked at me curiously in surprise.

'There's... something happened today... and well...'I tried to find the words to explain it. To try and soften the blow slightly, but everything seemed to evade me.

'What happened? Guards? That damned Bailiff again?' Bianca's asked.

'No.' I assured her.

'We found... there was a rider who arrived today. She's inside the cottage now.'

'Oh, should I hide?' Bianca asked, suddenly dropping her voice to a whisper.

'No, she knows who you are.' I said.

'Oh.' Bianca said, with a very confused look on her face.

'She came to see Alexander. But she also came to see you.'

At that Bianca's eyes seemed to widen with understanding.

Her mouth dropped open slightly and I could have sworn I saw silver misting the corner of her eyes.

'Scar?' she whispered. 'Scar's here?'

I nodded.

'Yes. She ran away.'

Bianca looses a sound that sounded like a mix between a laugh and a sob, before taking a step towards the door. I moved out of the way, or I was sure I would have been pushed.

Bianca threw open the door and froze.

For there, across the room staring at her, was Scarlett, smiling slightly at her sister.

The two sisters just stared at each other for a long moment. Five years of longing passed between them in those few moments.

When they were so close, it was impossible not to see the similarities. Their eyes were the same, and their face shape. Bianca had a narrower nose than Scarlett, and Scarlett had slightly softer cheekbones. But it was obvious to everyone that they were sisters.

I just stood outside the door and watched them stare at each other. I didn't know what I would have done in this situation, if I'd been separated from one of my siblings for almost five years.

I was not exactly sure which one of them moved first, but it's didn't seem to matter, they both ran at each other with open arms. Scarlett loosed what sounded like a sob as her sister held her tightly.

'Scar?' Bianca said, her voice breaking.

'Bea.' Scarlett replied, her head resting on her sisters shoulder.

I don't think I'd ever seen two people embrace as tightly as they did in that moment.

'Oh! I can't believe you're here!' Bianca cried.

'I can't believe you're alive! And safe.' Scarlett replied, tears streaming from her eyes.

I could help but beam at the two of them. Here, finally, after all this time; they were reunited.

In our small poor cottage. The daughters of a Duke. And our soon to be family.

Alexander coughed slightly, and the Browns seemed to burst into action. Tom, Richard, Clara, Daniel and Alexander all quickly filed out of the door, leaving the two sisters alone. After all they had suffered, they deserved to have a reunion without us disturbing them.

They all joined me outside, and Alexander closed the door softly behind him.

'Well, now what?' Daniel asked impatiently.

'I would suggest, that you four,' Alexander told him, pointing to Tom, Richard Clara and Daniel, 'Take a short walk through the forest. Go up to the meadow and back. Come back in an hour.'

'But it's almost dark.' Tom complained.

'Then go and make a bonfire somewhere.' Alexander said a little rashly. I could tell that he was on edge. But I wasn't surprised. After what Bianca had said to James when he had told her of our marriage, Alexander was right to be scared when it came to her own sister.

'And what precisely will you and Marion be doing?' Clara asked.

'Waiting. Scarlett asked me to wait.' Alexander told her.

'What about Marion?' She replied.

'I'm asking her to wait with me.' Alexander said, turning to me.

'Please,' he muttered under his breath, 'if there's any trouble with Bianca, I know you can handle her.'

I nodded. Of course I wasn't going to let him face Bianca alone. Although she was my closest friend, I knew that she could be difficult.

Daniel finally admitted defeat, and the four of them disappeared down the path in search of something to do.

And that left Alexander and myself, sat on the grass outside our own house. He started tearing the grass up by its roots, clearly trying to take out some of his nervousness on the poor plants.

'I'm sure it's going to be alright.' I tried to assure him.

'I know. I know it will be, but Bianca hasn't always been my biggest supporter, and I doubt this will make her like me any more.' He confided in me.

'I wouldn't be so sure.'

'Why?'

'Because you are doing this, not just because you love Scarlett, but because it will save her from Nerissa's grasp. Bianca surely can't object to that. And besides, after she's spent a few hours in the same room as the two of you, even she will admit that you make each other happy, and are perfectly matched.' I told him.

Alexander blushed a little, and turned his gaze to the ground.

'Truly?' He asked.

I was about to nod when the door behind us was flung wide open, and an angry looking Bianca stood in the doorway.

Both of us scrambled to our feet as Bianca strode towards us.

'What... the... hell are you playing at?' She cried, cornering my brother. Scarlett ran out of the cottage behind her and tried to pull at her arm, but Bianca shook her off.

'I'm not playing at anything.' Alexander admitted.

'Bea, it's all my fault. I ran away and-' Scarlett tried to tell her, but Bianca cut her off.

'Preying on desperate girls now? Wait till she's at her weakest point and then propose!'

'But, I didn't-' Alexander started.

'Bianca Knox, leave my betrothed alone and listen to me!' Scarlett demanded in a tone I didn't think she was capable of.

All of us froze.

Scarlett marched right past her sister, which was quite a feat in itself, and grabbed a hold of Alexander's hand.

'I proposed to him. This entire thing was my idea. I want to marry Alex. The only thing I've ever wanted more is to see you again.' Scarlett pleaded with her sister.

'I love him. And I know it's all rushed, and the circumstances are not ideal, but I know I'm going to be happy for the rest of my life with him. Bea, I've been alone in that palace for so long, let me have this that she can't take away from me. So please, please be happy for me. '

All of us stood stunned at Scarlett's speech.

Alexander gazed at his soon to be wife with all the adoration he possessed. But Scarlett just stared pleadingly at her sister. Bianca hadn't let her eyes leave Scarlett.

And I was once again on the outside, unsure of my place, and all alone.

'Bea, please. You've lived here for months You know what Alex is like. You must know how much he cares for me. He's going to save me from Nerissa's influence. And you're already one of the family here. This will just make it more official!' She teased.

Bianca still didn't want to move.

So, I took a small step towards my friend.

'Might we go and talk somewhere?' I asked her quietly.

Bianca didn't say anything in response, but nodded her head slightly.

I took her arm, and slowly began to pull her away, around to he far side of the house. It was like she was entranced, or just shocked.

We eventually made it out of sight of the happy couple, and I turned to Bianca.

'Look, if it's any consolation, I also wasn't too thrilled when I heard earlier.' I told her.

Bianca looked up to me.

'It... it brought back a lot of memories,' I clarified.

She nodded.

'But, in the every short time I've seen the two of them together, I could not picture a more perfectly suited couple. You must see how they adore each other.' I tried to reason.

Bianca scoffed.

'And you've known how Alexander felt about her. You've known since the day in the Manor. Surely you must see that Scarlett feels the same way. You know Alexander is a good person, and would never do anything to hurt her. He's doing this to protect her, he would do anything to protect her.' I said.

'She's not yet nineteen! How could she possibly know what she wants?' Bianca cried.

'It's better than Nerissa's alternative of locking her away with a husband who mistreats her, would you prefer that?' I retaliated.

Bianca's head fell forwards into her hands, as she tried to comprehend everything. It must have been a tough few minutes for her.

'She's hardly more than a child.' Bianca said.

'I don't think she's been a child since the day you ran away. Only she knows what Nerissa has done to her in that time. I think Scarlett may be more grown up than you give her credit for.'

Bianca slumped forward slightly, her shoulders curling in.

'I know. I know you mean well Marion, but this is my little sister. And I know that you are reasonable and logical, but... this is all... just too much. It's Scarlett, getting married, and I've only just seen her again.' Bianca cried.

I took a step forward and embraced my friend.

'I know it's difficult. It's been a rough day for me too. But, if you think about it, we'll be officially sisters by the end of the week.' I said, trying to cheer her up.

Bianca nodded against my shoulder, but I could tell she still wasn't thrilled about it. However, despite that, she had seemed to accept it, a small miracle in itself.

'Scarlett and Alexander Brown.' She muttered. 'I hope they know what they're doing. Nerissa will not like it one bit.'

I shrugged. What more could their stepmother do to them. She had already tried to kill Bianca, and threatened to lock Scarlett away with a husband. With both of them out of the palace and hidden away, how else could she hurt them. Surely they would be free to live their own life.

And while it should have been the furtherest thing from my mind, I couldn't help but think back to the night when they had met. That fateful Ball.

I still had the piece of paper that Lady Annette had given me all those months ago. The one with a line connecting Alexander's name to Scarlett's, in the same way I had a line connecting me to James. If it had seemed important then; now all the pieces had fit into place.

He had known. Somehow, months in advance, that damned faerie had known this was going to happen.

Sometimes, I wondered if he had known about James too. And if he had, why had he made me marry him and fall in love. Why had he caused me all this heartache. What could possibly be the reason for it all. And the fact that I was probably never going to know irritated me to no end.

Bianca finally pulled away from my embrace and blinked.

'I just can't believe that she's here. And getting married! This is my baby sister, I still remember the day she was born.'

I nodded. It was odd for me too, to see Alexander betrothed. But he was Twenty years old, as old as I was when I was married.

'I know. It will be strange for the both of us. But the important thing is that hey are happy, and she is safe. She ran away from the palace to come here, so I think that must prove how exactly she feels.'

Bianca sighed.

'Nerissa got what she wanted.' She muttered. 'Even if she can't control Scar, she's out of he way. Maybe this was her plan the entire time, to drive us both away so she could claim everything.'

I considered it for a moment.

'No, I don't think that could be it. She knows she needs you, your family name to hold onto power. I think she always meant to control Scarlett, and this will put a nice dent in her plans.' I told her.

Bianca sighed again.

'Let's hope so. And let's hope that the next few days go smoothly. Now, if you'll excuse me, my sister and I have a lot of catching up to do.' Bianca said, grinning slightly.

I knew she was excited that Scarlett was here, more than she let on. I think after so long of hiding and being kept a secret, it was nice for her to have someone actually want to see her. She deserved that.

My friend deserved the world. After everything she had been put through, she finally deserved something to go right for her. And I thought her sister was just what she needed.

Scarlett and Bianca, reunited once more.

For a very special wedding.

A wedding that would change everything.