cheesy line (c) A Knight's Tale (yay! because I suck at cheeZe), and SB (c) Disney


Chapter Three

The light was dim under the cover of the forest trees as the couple walked side by side. Winter seemed to have been delayed yet another day, as the sun bravely shone through the light cloud cover. Aurora was calmed by the familiar scents of the forest, and Phillip took in the beauty of each ancient tree, and all the rich, year-long green that adorned the forest's face.

"I'm sorry that you heard that." Aurora spoke softly and did not look to see his reaction, "I suppose I got carried away." She pulled her hair behind her ear and he chuckled,

"It's no worse than the arguments that my father and I get into." He picked up a twig idly, and threw it ahead of them.

"Oh, I'm sorry." Aurora said. He shrugged.

"Your parents," He started. Aurora stopped to sit on the edge of a rock that they had come to by a stream. "You don't remember them at all?" He asked, sitting next to her. She shook her head,

"I can't remember anything aside from living here, with my aunts. I've been with them since I was very young." He frowned, and Aurora added, "I don't know who they were—or if they are still alive." She dipped the tip of her boot into the cool water of the pond, "I'm not even allowed to know my real name."

"Rose?" She shook her head,

"That's just a childhood name—because of my lips. They say that my real name is not to be used." A small shudder passed through Aurora, and she put an arm around her waist as another small tremble rattled her body. Her vulnerability unnerved and fascinated Phillip; it was something he had never seen in her. He noticed that her lips were indeed a shade more brilliant than any rose he had ever seen. Slowly, he reached his hand out and placed it on hers. She turned to him and he was captured in the deep twin pools that were her eyes. His breath caught and he tried to remember what he had meant to say, but all that escaped his lips was,

"Perhaps angels do not have names, only beautiful faces." A red tint blossomed on each of Aurora's smooth cheeks as she put her hand to her face and looked away shyly.

"You're teasing me, again." Her voice was barely a whisper, and she began to pull her other hand from under his, but he caught it again.

"No, I'm speaking the truth." He cupped his rough hands around her fragile fingers. Aurora did not pull away.

"Why are you saying this?"

"Because you must know how lovely you are. They do not let you see it."

"No," She stated simply, "They're protecting me. I've realized that I am far from beauty, and I've made peace with it." Phillip was shocked into silence. He stared at her flawless face and striking eyes; the uneven coloring of her gold and black hair did nothing to distract his eye.

"What an amazing lie they've convinced you to believe, Rose." Aurora did not look up as he said this. A silent wind wafted by again and Aurora shivered. Phillip stood and opened the side of his red cape to her. She hesitated, but allowed him to pull her in to the make-shift wing.


There was a soft pattering as rain began to descend, hitting the pond surface and treetops around them. They walked for hours, and spoke of nothing and everything—sharing wishes and secrets as if they had been friends for an eternity—until the sun began to change the sky to a light reddish-pink. The rain had finally stopped and they found themselves seated at the far southeast side of the forest. There was a steep hill that revealed the lower valley where the royal city lay. Aurora sat against a tree, with Phillip's cape around her shoulders. He stood at the edge of the cliff, and looked out across his homeland.

"Isn't it beautiful?" Aurora had gotten up, and clutched the red material around her as she came to stand next to Phillip.

"Is that what you'd call it?" He asked, sounding amused.

"Well, why not?" The castle stood tall and skeletal with long fluttering banners at the top three towers; each, shimmered as they caught the light, and the white stone of the castle face was being hit with the sun's dying rays, making the surface shine unevenly. Phillip turned away, lowering his eyes to the wild grass as he spoke,

"I suppose it is." Aurora arched her eyebrow at the bitter tone of his voice,

"Do you live there?" Phillip sat against the tree that Aurora had occupied. "You said so yourself, that you are from the city."

"Yes, once. I haven't been back to Carlotta for nearly half a year, now." Phillip looked up when Aurora had said nothing. Her lips were parted, and she had an alarmed look on her face.

"The castle?"

"Yes." He stated simply.

"What?" Her voice rang as high as a bell.

"What's the matter?" Phillip asked. Aurora was astounded at his casualness. Phillip's actions and words from before began to take on a new meaning in the light of this added royal title.

"Who are you? Not the Phillip..." He sighed and stood to try and take Aurora's hands in his, but she kept them clamped shut around his red cape.

"Yes, Hubert is my father." The King, Aurora added mentally. Phillip saw her take a step back and turned to the view of the castle in the distance. She kept silent and did not turn around. Phillip slowly walked around her and tilted her chin up; she shrugged him off, and turned her face away from him, again.

"I was afraid to tell you." Aurora raised an eyebrow,

"Why? Because you thought I would be easier?" She took off the cape and handed it back to him. Phillip held it in his hands, feeling the warmth and the faint scent of her still clinging to it. She ran her fingers through her hair, and let out a breath of aggravation.

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you before. I didn't know it would concern you so much. I meant—"

"You thought it would not concern me? But you've been so--" She stopped herself, feeling a blush creep into her cheeks at the feelings she had so deeply hidden these past days. Aurora's tone took on an edge as she continued, "What else have you lied about?" Phillip still held the cape in his hands as he answered,

"Nothing. I am a prince, not a liar. I have my reasons for keeping my identity hidden." He looked up and searched the valley as he spoke, "My father calls me a coward for not wanting to take on my roles as king when he is gone." Phillip walked toward her, and she felt a gnarled branch stick into her back as she took a step away from him. "I do not want that title."

"Why?" Aurora asked, temporarily forgetting her irrational anger as curiosity took hold. He responded laughing,

"Have you been to the city?" That caught Aurora off guard. She answered angrily,

"Not since I was ten." Phillip spread his arms and continued,

"There are too many problems that need to be fixed." Aurora raised her eyebrow, and replied in a sly voice,

"They are your responsibility to fix, then." Phillip glared at her.

"I wouldn't expect you to understand." He snapped. Aurora felt as though a flare had been lit inside of her, and she let out a fierce breath.

"You pompous, spoiled boy!" Phillip grabbed her arm forcefully, and pulled her in close.

"Don't you—" The fear in Aurora's eyes cut his retort off. He loosened his grip on her arms and she backed away from him past the large tree. The two stood, not looking at one another as the minutes past. Then, a chill swept through Aurora and she stood with her hands clutching at her sides. Phillip sighed, and walked over to her, wrapping the red cape around her carefully. Aurora's gaze lowered before she took the cape and said,

"Thank you." He nodded slowly before saying in a soft voice,

"I'm so sorry, Rose. I should have told you." His warm hands encircled hers, "I swear, though, I am not a liar." His fingers rose to brush a few stray strands of hair that stuck to her bottom lip. His voice dropped to whisper ardently, "Please tell me that you have felt as I have these past days and nights I've been with you. Every sentiment I've shared with you has been true. You can trust me." She searched his warm hazel eyes; there was hope and something else that she couldn't quite place. She reached up to sweep back a lock of unruly brown hair from his brow, and he held her petite hand to his cheek.

What passed as seconds seemed like an eternity as the two searched each other's eyes. Aurora's sapphire gaze softened after a moment, and her muscles relaxed. Her senses were suddenly heightened as she became aware of how close his body was to hers. The rough terrain of his cheek against her palm was foreign, and aroused a strange feeling to the pit of her stomach. He turned his face into her palm to inhaled her scent, and pressed his lips to the soft skin.

Aurora slipped her hand out of his grasp, and brought it to the other side of his face. She distantly felt his hands move across her waist to the small of her back to press her impossibly close. Without warning, he turned and caught her mouth with his. Aurora's eyes widened in shock, but did not pull away from his firm hold. In the distance, Aurora saw a shimmering star against the purple sky, and as she closed her eyes the light began to multiply and explode.