A.N- Hello again everyone! Here is the sequel to 'Through It All, Love Grows'. Sorry that it's taken a long time in coming but I've been on holiday and so haven't been doing much writing. This story has just come to me so I'm just going to start it and see where it takes me…
I hope I don't need to say anything about Disclaimers because it's pretty obvious I don't own these characters and so on. So that's all I'm going to say on those matters.
Please excuse any 'typo's' because I'm just typing this straight out onto my computer. I usually write it out by hand first so it gets proof read before I type it out. But here I am blaring on again…I'm good at that aren't I?
Here we go folks, do enjoy and please, please, please review! I welcome all constructive advice or lovely comments. They keep me going
Chapter One: A Mother's Sorrow.
Queen Clarisse bent down in the cool dawn and placed a perfect red rose on the white snowy mound beneath her feet. Straightening up, she looked down at the only sign of colour that could been seen in the snow surrounding her.
'Like a streak of blood', she thought as she stared at the rose.
Pulling up her white fur collar and straightening her white skirt, Clarisse realised that she was only trying to do something with her hands so she could ignore the deep pain tormenting her soul. Clenching her hands at her sides, she forced herself to look at the tombstone. She read the stone that was lightly dusted with snow as silent tears fell like crystals from her long lashes onto the frozen ground beneath her feet.
To any observer, she blended in completely with her surroundings. Dressed in white with light blond hair, the only colour that could be seen was the blood red rose at her feet and her bright blue eyes. Even in her sorrow with her tear stained face, she was still the most beautiful woman in the entire country of Genovia. Quite proper for a Queen.
But for all her beauty, she could not be happy on this winters day. For this was the anniversary of a Royals death. It was the anniversary of the death of Prince Phillippe. Her baby.
"Oh Phillippe", she whispered, "If only you were still here…"
Swallowing back a sob, she clasped her white gloved hands in front of her. It was funny how she called him her baby, as he was a full grown man when he passed away. But that's what he was; her baby.
"I wish you could have seen Amelia as the young lady she now is. She looks so much like you darling…she even acts like you did, including her temper. Watching her grow as you once did brings me so much joy but yet…I seem to be constantly reminded that it shouldn't be me watching her. It should be you darling, her father. Why God took you from us, I don't know. But I do know that he had a reason and I constantly remind myself of that when I feel the pain of your absence. I just pray that I stay strong for Amelia and my country until the time I must pass the responsibility on".
Clarisse took a deep breath as she reflected on that.
"It hasn't been easy, Phillippe. Dealing with the sickness and death of your father was difficult for all of us. And then your parting almost made it unbearable for me. But you know, it's during those times of no hope that God sends a light in the darkness. For me he sent Joseph.
"I don't think I would have made it if it wasn't for his support and encouragement during those times. Plus the help of Charlotte. May God never let me forget their help for I owe them my life. Oh they may say it was their duty to the crown, but I know that having Joseph love me as a woman, and I mean really love, goes way beyond duty. And the extra help that Charlotte gives me is a blessing. They are the most beautiful people I have ever met…"
With a teary smile she added earnestly, "Except for your beautiful daughter, Amelia".
Clarisse looked up into the brightening sky and saw that it was going to be a clear day.
"Look darling, its perfect weather for riding. I think I'll do that in memory of you today for you so loved riding didn't you", it was more a statement than a question.
"Before I go, there is one thing I ask of you", she paused taking a careful breath, "Do not be angry with me for returning Josephs love for I have not replaced your father with him. He has shown me that I am capable of love again, such a strong love that it passes what I felt for your father Rupert. But that does not mean I love your father any less and I still respect his memory so please Phillippe, can you also learn to love Joseph? I know he loves you as any father would their own son, so would you also return that love? I know you can't physically do that but I will feel much more at peace if you could do so".
As Clarisse stood in the every increasing daylight she breathed in the scents around her as she felt a warm sense of peace envelop her heart. Smiling to herself she wiped her tears away with a white hankerchief.
"Thankyou.." she breathed, closing her eyes and feeling a strong sense of life returning to her cold and saddened spirit.
"Well Phillippe, this is once again goodbye for now. But I will always know you are looking down on us all sending your love so I will cherish that thought. Rest well my love, my baby, and remember what you always said:
"Never say 'goodbye' but instead 'see you soon'".
Bending down once more, Claisse kissed her fingers and then brushed them across Phillippes engraved name. Straightening up, she stepped back, glancing at the grave for one last time before turning away towards the palace where her day would truly begin.
Today was the anniversary of Phillipes death. Clarisse's baby had been gone for three years.
As the Queen was walking into the palace the sun finally rose in the sky. As its first ray shone upon the white palace grounds, it lit up the white grave of Prince Phillippe. The once cold and lonely red rose shone with the sunlight as it was surrounded by the golden glow of the bright snow that it lay on. Hope had finally come to the cold land of Genovia.
