Chapter 3: Mend the Bond
"I have returned from exile to wage war and reclaim our land our birth right. And for that I will call upon the help of all of my people and they will answer…The Good…The Bad…And the Worst!" – Prince Nuada, Hellboy 2: The Golden Army
It had been over a month since the scuffle with her closest friend and still no word from him. Bamba felt despondent and even went so far as to spill her troubles to Nuala who was still incredibly close to her. Although she wished she hadn't as two days later the royal siblings were engaged in a brutal argument, some words so hurtful she found it difficult to sleep. She feared him coming to find her and hurt her again for telling his sister but nothing like that happened, just the same cutting glare from his eyes whenever she passed him or saw him. Her pride and conscience were wounded as she wanted to make things right, gain back his trust. After all their years of friendship she would be damned if he would throw it all away just because he'd misinterpreted her words on that morning.
Bamba was in the alchemist's quarters doing some research. The princess had granted her permission to use the library and use whatever resource she needed for her research. Thankful to get some time to herself Bamba was scouring the shelves of the impressive library for a specific text. It was indeed an impressive collection of every manuscript since the dawn of time, including a sizable amount of history on their people, the other magical beings that had been born with them. Most of the texts were scribed in the ancient tongue, their native language: Gaelige but Bamba was fluent so the manuscripts were easy to make out. In her spare time Bamba had been learning the troll and goblin dialects and found them challenging. The structure of the building was structured to perfection by the brains of the trolls and their strength but Bamba could guess this was also elven architecture by the delicate yet ornate colours and structures. The front to the back end of the room was lined with ceiling to floor book cases, each one so full of knowledge Bamba would have to spend all her long life in the library to take it all in. The librarian, a small squat goblin wondered over to her as he had been observing her for the past half and hour and thought she might need some help. The goblin was a small but quite stern looking creature with its two orange eyes blazing in the depths of his swamp green face. Three horned stumps crowned his head and his arms and legs were equal to the size of his body. Sensing him approach Bamba gave him a respectful nod before returning to her search.
"Miss if there's anything you be needin' let me know. You need help to find something?" The goblin asked as Bamba shook her head, trying to reach a book that was above her and, in the end, delicately removing the spine, scowling as it wasn't the right one, reshelving it.
"Actually, if you could kind sir that would be wonderful. I'm looking for this book" Bamba said sweetly as she handed him a piece of scroll, written in ancient runes and at this his eyes widened then stared at her, a grave expression his face. "Is something the matter?" Bamba asked as he looked at the scroll again to make sure he'd read it right before wondering off through the shelves, muttering crossly to himself. Unsure of what he meant, Bamba wanted to call after him but thought it prudent to wait. Five minutes later the goblin reappeared with a small, compact volume, its pages crumbled and brittle with age as he handed the book to her and gave her a sceptical look.
"Don't know why you be wanting to read that…We have other interesting treasures in here…" the goblin began but Bamba raised a hand and her kind smile seemed to stop him from speaking.
"Thank you very much for your help. I would have been looking for hours!" Bamba beamed as she took a quiet seat in the corner of the library and opened the book, fascinated as she began her work. The goblin stared at the beautiful elven woman for a moment before shaking his head and wondering back to his desk, marking off documents with a quill. Three and a half hours later Bamba's head hurt from all the new knowledge she'd just absorbed as she thanked the librarian for his service before heading down the corridor towards the exit. Just as she was about to turn a bend in the corner she sensed a familiar presence and tried to go the other way but before she could change her present course the elven prince, with a young troll at his side, strode with purpose across her path. The troll was twice the size of her with arms thick as tree trunks and a sizeable torso as his skin was grey and scaly. Maybe his bodyguard? Bamba thought but then dismissed the idea. The prince was a warrior like no other, his skill unmatched by any of the other warriors around him but still the troll may be a friend. Slightly hurt that he'd just brushed her aside and walked past her she spoke up, trying not to let tears come to the surface.
"At least have the decency to not ignore me. Please your highness, why continue to hurt me like this…" Bamba said strongly as he stopped dead in his tracks but still didn't face her, just spoke to her with his back turned.
"I don't want to talk to you Bamba. I thought I made that perfectly clear…" the prince snapped coldly as again another knife dug into her chest as every time he cut her off, ignored her, made her feel small, the wounds were getting worse all the time until eventually they would become unhealable. "What are you doing here?" he asked suspiciously as she answered him truthfully, still unnerved by the powerful looking troll standing behind him.
"I was reading the most wonderful book of ancient philosophies and trying to learn the troll language. A very interesting dialect" Bamba tried to force a smile to the surface but nothing was mended between the two friends and that still upset her heart. "What is the name of your friend?" Bamba asked as the prince gestured to the troll beside him, Bamba immediately thinking the creature was fascinating.
"Wink and Wink this is Bamba" the prince offered her name to his friend in the troll tongue as Wink stared curiously at her before seeing her pointed ears, perfect facial features and bright golden eyes and knew then she was a friend, letting down his guard, Wink's body muscular even for troll standards.
"A pleasure to meet you Mr Wink" Bamba said kindly inclining her head in a gesture of respect as Wink returned the favour before turning his attention to his master as if to ask, "What Next?" His voice, unempathetic and cold snapped Bamba from any further conversation with the troll as she felt her heart sink again.
"Bamba if that is all you wanted to ask I cannot waste anymore time. I have a lot on my mind" the prince retorted, tired of all these interruptions even if it was her. He wanted to mend things over with her, his closest friend but how could he after the way she'd spoken him. He would not have his closest friend trying to give the humans a good name. Yet, since the scuffle between them a wave of guilt had crept up inside him for the way he had treated her. He wanted with all his heart to apologise to her, but the words were stuck in his throat.
"Sire I don't want to go through this anymore." Bamba said, being the one to show strength to get out her feelings as he merely stood with his back to her, feeling the anger want to take over him again. "Do you have any idea how much you have hurt me? You were my greatest friend and always will be but if you're going to just brush my presence aside as if I mean nothing to you then…" She breathed out slowly, tears forming in her eyes "Then I won't forgive you." At the bitter undertone in her voice he dismissed Wink and told him to wait for him as the troll obeyed, stomping his heavy feet down the corridor as the prince turned to her and there it was, that look of rage clouding over his dark rimmed eyes: That rage he'd taken out on her.
"If you had kept that audacious side of yours under control this wouldn't have happened. Bamba you have no idea what's happening, do you?!" the elven prince raising his voice at her and again Bamba was dumfounded. What had she done to deserve his cruel treatment of her?
"Of course, I understand!" Bamba shot back, tears running down her cheeks as she bawled her slender hands into fists at her sides. She was more aware of the purpose of man and how they had been created with impurities and so they were dangerous, she understood that now. "We are on the brink of war. The humans drive for more power and control everyday I know that! I realise that and of course we have to defend ourselves and fight, I won't deny that but why is any of this my fault?" Her words heartfelt and real, maybe she knew more than he thought.
"That is why you infuriate me sometimes Bamba, you never listen to me! I never said any of this was your fault! But for you to lecture me on the humans when I know more about them than any creature on this world is naïve and stupid! Bamba, I've seen them up close. I've seen what they have done to this world and what they will continue to do. You tell me not to judge those creatures, but I have every right too. Do you just want to let them take over this world and destroy us? Do you Bamba?!" the prince again raised his voice at her as she didn't supress the tears anymore, just let out how she was feeling as she just gazed at him, lost and confused, her willowy beautiful face sodden with tears, golden eyes glistening.
"Well if this isn't my fault why do you anger at me? Why all this animosity? I regret some of the things I have said to you. I lost my head and for that I apologise" Bamba said, hand on heart, giving a half-hearted bow "But you still owe me an apology!" She cried out as without warning he wheeled on her, storming towards her until he was a centimetre from her, fury etched on his face.
"Bamba if you command me again…" the prince warned but was unable to finish the threat as something caught his eye. An ugly black and purple bruise marring the elegant skin on her neck, fitting to his hands and at this he grimaced, starting to feel regret, remorse for how he'd treated her.
"I'm sorry…" Bamba breathed sadly as her heart almost leapt out of her chest and took flight when he pulled her into a strong embrace and held her. For a moment she wasn't sure if he was going to attack her again but from the way he was holding her, the gentleness of his touch she knew he meant her no harm. "I'm sorry for what I said…This is my fault…" Bamba cried as she wept bitterly into his neck, the heat from the tears on his skin. He just placed a hand behind her head, stroking down her long white-blonde hair as he thought it best for her to cry, to let the hurt out. If she kept all her feelings inside it could cause her even more hurt.
"No, Bamba, no…" he whispered softly against the crown of her head as at this Bamba just let down her guard completely and wrapped her arms around the small of his back, clinging on tight as if he was going to take back his words and abandon her altogether but he didn't…He stayed with her. He needed to mend their bond. She was the greatest friend he had in all the world, gave him every drop of kindness she'd ever had, and he'd dared to treat her like that. He owed her much and only now had it started to dawn on him what he'd done. "Bamba I won't have you talking like that…None of this is your fault. I'll never forgive myself for what I did to you. Bamba I'm sorry from the bottom of my heart but I don't expect your forgiveness…I don't deserve it. You show me kindness and empathy everyday and all I do is take it for granted. I should never have been blessed to have you as a friend. I don't deserve you" the prince muttered with regret as he expected her to distance herself from him, but she didn't: Stayed locked in his arms and never wanted to let go.
"All I have ever wanted to do sire is be there for you, to help our people. That's all I've ever wanted to do. Never have I wanted to turn my back on this beautiful world and I will never turn my back on you my lord…I will always be here. This world is where I belong and if it does come to war I shall be standing be your side…Always" Bamba's mouth for the first time in weeks rose up to form a smile, her customary sweet smile as that face, her face that had captivated him from the first day that he met her, paralyzed him for a moment. Their close state brought a rosy tinge to her cheeks as she felt his heartbeat strong and powerful against her ear. Her heart almost bursting with happiness as all seemed to be well again and their bond was mended but there was something else. A deeper set of feelings that he'd had for her all those years ago but knew they could never be true. He had to honour the wishes of his father and his royal bloodline and if that meant marrying a noble woman whom he didn't love it would have to be that way. "So, I take it we're friends again your highness" Bamba's smile broadened as she drew back a fraction to see him nod, drawn in by the deep colour of her eyes.
"We have always been friends Bamba…That has never changed" he smiled down at her before his expression melded into one of seriousness and Bamba could tell he had something else on his mind. Something more vexing than the imminent war with mankind.
"What's wrong?" Bamba asked timidly, as he rolled his dark tinted eyes to the ceiling before putting his gaze back to her. "Unless you don't want to tell me…I completely understand. Personal family matters I'm sure" Bamba tried to conclude the matter and wish she'd never asked as she could tell something wasn't right. She couldn't help but feel she was the cause of his current distress, but she didn't know why.
"You have every right to know Bamba. I refuse to keep anymore secrets from you" the prince spoke in a low voice as if it was just personal to her. Bamba wondered what he was talking about, but then she saw it there and didn't understand how she'd not seen it before. That longing glint in his eyes as they were full of life and expression, looking down at her in his arms. He'd wanted to say what was on his mind but sometimes actions spoke louder than words. "I regret having to dishonour my father's will, but I won't apologise for it…" he crooned warmly against her forehead as again she was confused, not sure what he was talking about and then it hit her, like a block of ice had settled into her stomach as her heart almost froze in surprise. She was going to say something to break the silence but just closed her eyes at the softness of his touch as he cupped her chin with his hand, the elven pair now forehead's touching. She inhaled deeply, breathing in all the pure aromas of the earth as she admitted he enticed her, made her think of him differently but it suddenly got to her head. She couldn't do this. He was betrothed to another. Whether the prince went ahead with the marriage or not she would be dishonouring her king too and couldn't bring herself to go down that path. Her king would turn on her, surely exile her and then she would have nowhere else to go. Bamba wanted to say something, anything to try and make him see reason but he was so enraptured by her, locked in the moment that she couldn't speak. He wanted to be careful about how he approached expressing how he felt for her as one wrong move or word and he could frighten her away. He sensed however as she stood strong yet gentle in his embrace she was not frightened, he knew her all too well and knew in this situation if she wasn't comfortable she would've said so by now. He whispered three words in their mother tongue, lips pressed against her forehead as she heard every word and her heart leapt. Could this really be happening to her? Bamba took a moment to compose herself, wanting to respond but again her words were lodged in her throat. She closed her eyes, drifting away with the pleasant feeling as he cupped her cheeks with his hands, working his lips down her nose. Bamba had wanted to get close to him all those years ago and he'd shut himself off, not able to express how he felt for her but now it seemed things were different.
"We shouldn't…I mean we can't…You're not supposed to…" Bamba began but she mumbled her way to silence, unable to finish what she wanted to say as he planted several affectionate kisses on her face.
"You know how I've felt for you Bamba. Since the day that I've met you, you've been the one to have my heart. It had always been yours…" the prince whispered softly, Bamba opening her eyes and saw those expressive golden orbs that had meant so much to her in her childhood, except now they were full of adoration, an expression Bamba had not seen before, perhaps in glimpses but never like this.
"Sire I…" Bamba breathed unsure of how to get her words out but she managed to say something, as she felt his right-hand slip into hers. "I don't know what to say…" Her words were cut off as his warm breath brushed over her lips. Bamba felt a blush take over her cheeks but unlike previous occasions she didn't want to hide it, wanted him to realise she felt the same way. Just as he was about to place his lips to hers the princess bustled down the corridor on her way to the library for a session of light evening reading. Her golden eyes opened wide in shock as her brother was obviously having intimate engaging's with someone, but she couldn't see who. As soon as she caught a glimpse of her friend Bamba in his arms something inside her snapped, knowing full well what was going on.
"Brother what in the name of Bethmoora are you doing?!" Nuala almost gawped, placing her hands on her hips glaring at him as his heart leapt in his chest, whirling to face her with Bamba in his hold.
"Nuala this isn't what it looks like. Please give me a chance to explain…" Bamba begged but Nuala gave her a sympathising look before striding up to her and pulled her away from her brother, wrapping her in a kind embrace of her own, Nuada throwing daggers her way.
"You don't have to explain anything Bamba dearest. It's my brother that has the explaining to do! What were you thinking?!" Nuala snapped, knowing full well Bamba was party to this as well but didn't want to take her anger out on her. She'd been through a lot recently.
"You know how I feel for her sister. Don't pretend you didn't!" Nuada retorted fiercely as Bamba, not wanting them to get into another argument put herself between them and gave them both pleading looks. She wanted to say something, but Nuala got her words in first, her expression almost as dark as the black dress she wore, neck to floor length, a large golden threaded belt supporting her elegant waist. The sleeves of her gown were elegantly long, reaching down to the floor, the edges of the sleeves tinted in red.
"Bamba you should have told me…" Nuala said a little disappointed that her friend hadn't told her the truth of the matter when she'd asked her years ago but that was water under the bridge. "But that doesn't matter now…" Nuala said kindly, looking at Bamba with soft eyes then glowering at her brother who shot just as much venom back her way. "What does is the fact that I have now seen you have intimacies with someone else. If our father hears about this, I'd hate to think what would happen to you. Why did you have to be so stupid!?" Nuala hissed crossly as she shook her head, white-blonde hair falling over her shoulders.
"What happens between me and Bamba has nothing to do with you sister. I love Bamba and our father is going to have to except that one way or the other" the prince retorted, eyes brimming with fire, but Nuala was strong, knew how to stand strong. Besides she knew he couldn't hurt her as he'd only end up hurting himself. The elven twins had, had a strong connection from birth, their souls almost bound together. They could sense each other telepathically, share knowledge with each other even when miles apart and when one was inflicted with a wound or a dose of pain the other would share it.
"Do you realise what you're doing?" Nuala fretted, turning her head to look down to the corridor to check no one was listening in before gazing at her brother exasperated. "You're going against our father's laws. That is something that is going to get us killed!" She burst out, furious that her brother only thought of himself sometimes but without even warning Bamba he stormed past her, grabbed his sister by the arm and forced her to walk with him down the corridor, leaving a flustered Bamba behind him. "Brother, what are you doing?! Let go of me!" Nuala ordered fiercely as when they were a sizeable distance out of Bamba's earshot he let her go, Nuala wringing out her arm from where he had grabbed her. Bamba wanted to see and hear what was going on but they needed to sort things out and Bamba knew she had only made things worse as she decided not to get involved. Instead she sat on the steps outside the library, where the night was clear and beautiful, white stars shimmering against a sea of ink as she stared in wonderment at the sky.
"If you had any idea what this is doing to me then maybe you'd understand!" The prince glowered dangerously at his sister who stood up to her full height glaring, matching his stance for strength, eyes brimming with just as much fire.
"Of course, I understand! Don't you think this is going to happen to me one day!" Nuala retorted, head in her hands before giving her brother a look of desperation.
"There is a difference of course sister. You are not going through that yet, so you can't exactly speak from experience!" he retaliated sharply, spite present in his tone as Nuala fronted up then, anger glistening in her golden eyes.
"How dare you say that to me! Don't you think I know what it's like to be in love and be hurt by it. And don't act like you don't know what I'm talking about!" Nuala brought the painful memory back to the surface and it hurt, caused her pain on the inside that she didn't want to reveal but her brother knew, she had told him the story many a time and she refused to go back there. Didn't want to think of him again. She sighed before speaking her immediate concerns. "Brother of course I know you feel for Bamba. I have known for a long time. Since you first met her you were attracted to her, but this isn't how it works. Not for us. We are royalty. We cannot just be with anyone we choose!" The princess tried to use her soothing, kind voice but that didn't work, Nuada furious for her stating something so obvious. Why did she have to remind him?
"I know that sister! I'm not stupid" he strode a couple of short paces away from her then turned to face her, forehead in his hands. "Our father will have to understand that I am not susceptible to his commands anymore. He cannot control me. I choose my own path and if I have a defy some laws to be with the woman I love then so be it!" The prince said strongly, knowing exactly how his sister would react as she hated to anger at anyone, but this was necessary. Her brother was losing his head, love driving him to make rash decisions.
"Brother that is simply out of the question. Our father's laws bind us all. That is something we cannot escape from. We serve him and our people until our dying breath. That is the way it must be. Besides…" Nuala comforted, striding up beside him and putting a hand on his shoulder, feeling the anger welling inside him and knew she would have to be careful. "Our father will not approve of your binding to Bamba. He won't permit it. She is not of the correct blood. I agree she is a lovely young woman who is the finest example of our people and our world, but you cannot be bound to her. I'm sorry…" Nuala genuinely pitied him for she knew what is was like to be in love and not to be happy or for things to not turn out right. It was hurtful and sometimes soul damaging.
"If you had any idea what I'm going through sister then maybe you'd understand…" The prince muttered darkly as without another word he pushed past her, much to her protesting and stormed towards the door at the end of the corridor and was slightly stunned to see Bamba perched on the steps outside, looking up at the sky. She could sense his presence behind her but wasn't afraid.
"I'm sorry sire…" Bamba apologised as she rose to her feet and walked away from him, moonlight illuminating her beautiful facial features. "Of course, I am fond of you, very, very much but I refuse to invoke the ire of your father and my king. I can't…" Her voice contained a hint of sadness as she continued her slow amble home, knowing her parents were probably worried about her. She continued to walk away, tears glistening in her eyes, hands hanging limp by her side as he caught up to her, boots not stirring the dust as he embraced her fondly. Not wanting to force her into anything but just to be there for like he said he would.
"Bamba it's my fault I'm sorry. I was too forward with you. I have fought with my conscience whether to tell you or not. I only hope you understand…" the prince whispered softly, his voice catching slightly in his throat as Bamba's golden eyes met his, catching his gaze, a soft smile turning up her mouth.
"Sire I'm flattered that you feel this way about me, but I am just not sure of my feelings yet…" Bamba sighed, feeling his hands slip to her waist knowing him of all people would understand. "I can't bring myself to dishonour our laws. I can't…" Bamba said strongly, although her words were full of regret. "I'm sorry…" Her words struck him a little harder on his heart than he expected but he respected her decision, respected her honour. What he didn't know was she was doing this to protect him. His father would surely disown them both if they were bound together. She still felt safe in his arms, like he would always keep his promise, would always be there if she needed. When the two had first become friends, in their childhood he'd promised her that.
"Bamba, dearest Bamba of course I understand but know how I truly feel for you. You have always been more than a friend to me Bamba. I love you…" Bamba felt her pulse quickening in her chest from those words. She knew he meant it. She knew he treasured her dearly but not like this. That longing expression was still there in his eyes, would always burn brightly for her as she pressed her head to his chest, nuzzling against the soft material of his tunic. He just stared over her shoulder for a time, just glad everything had been resolved as he stroked a soft hand down the side of her head.
"I know you do…" Bamba replied, the prince a little disappointed she had not responded in kind, but he understood. She was slightly in shock and didn't know what to say so it was perfectly natural for her to be anxious, particularly if he went against his father's commands. His sister would also be highly against the idea but somehow, he would persuade her, tell his father that he loved Bamba and that they were going to have to accept that. He refused to marry someone that he did not want to be with even if they were of royal blood and that something that the rest of his family were going to have to life with. It was going to break a few traditions and cause a bit of a stir at court and as much as he didn't want to go against the ways of his people, for this one instance he had to: To be with the girl he loved. After a moment of the elven pair standing in silence, wrapped in each other's arms Bamba broke the silence, looking to the horizon.
"Sire you honour me in your thoughts and actions and I am honoured to be the woman of your heart but I can't accept…Not just yet…I need to think…" Bamba sighed wearily as she thought he was going to snap at her again but her words made perfect sense, as he knew he had to approach this carefully. If he rushed his way to her heart he could lose her, frighten her away so for both their sakes he had to reign in his feelings. He smiled down at her, the beauty of her face, the purity and softness of her milky skin, the colour of her eyes, the kindness in her heart pulled him in, made him attracted to her: More than any of those other women his father had forced him to meet. She was nothing like them. She was more than all of them put together. She was fairer than the most beautiful flower, radiant and pure. She was slightly shocked at his response, but it put her conscience at ease for a fraction.
"Bamba of course I understand, it is indeed logical not to haste into something like this. My father will have to accept the fact that I am not going to be subject to his commands anymore. I won't go through with the marriage Bamba and you can't expect me to…" he looked down at her almost wanting her to respond and agree with him immediately, but she stayed huddled against his chest, strong arms wrapped around her waist. Whilst she admired him for his bravery and courage in disobeying his father she knew the king could be fierce and didn't want her prince to be hurt. He could be outcast or condemned to death for his actions and by the love of the gods she didn't want that. She cleared her throat, trying to speak but in the end no words came out. Instead his concerned voice, firm yet kind broke the silence. "It has been a long day Bamba. Would you like me to walk you home?" he offered, wanting to protect her in case any of those vile humans were lurking about but she shook her head, silky hair almost shimming under the moonlight.
"Oh no sire it's quite alright. Don't worry about me. It is not too far from here. I'll be fine" Bamba wanted to convince him as he respected her decision, just privileged to know she shared this life with him and he would have it no other way.
"Come to court with me tomorrow Bamba. I'm sure my father and his advisors will be most welcoming" the prince put forward the idea eagerly as he couldn't understand why he hadn't invited her to court sooner: Perhaps another woman around might lead him to suspect. Bamba's mouth almost fell open in shock but she pulled herself together, not believing this was all happening to her.
"Sire I don't know what to say…" Bamba replied, almost keeling over from shock but his firm embrace kept her upright.
"I hope you'll accept my invitation" the prince said with all seriousness of the situation as she nodded immediately, joy brimming in her colourful eyes.
"Of course, my lord I wouldn't miss it for the world. This is a great honour for me and my family. I shall endeavour to please them all…I promise" Bamba beamed, happiness evident in her voice almost quavering with emotion as he still cradled her close to his chest.
"My father shall be most pleased to see you. He knows much about you. After all your father is a close friend of his is he not?" he asked, Bamba again answering the question immediately, joy swelling up inside her every moment, almost caught up in the bliss of the evening.
"Of course, he is. I love my family dearly and I shall make every effort to do them proud. I have always tried to…" Bamba said, remembering the day she had been accepted into the alchemist's school and her parents were so proud of her. She couldn't wait to unveil the news that she been invited to court by the prince himself and that he had fallen in love with her. "It is getting late your highness and I really must be on my way home, but I will see you tomorrow" Bamba smiled warmly as she wrapped her arms around the small of his back with affection, hugging him tightly.
"It will be a blessed day for the gods to know that such a beautiful woman will be gracing us with her presence tomorrow" the prince paid her the compliment with no flattery intended as Bamba gushed a deep shade of pink, hiding her cheeks against his chest, her golden eyes swimming with expression.
"You honour me sire, I don't deserve your flattery" Bamba blushed as he slipped his hand in hers. Sensing his sister approach behind him, he knew the moment would have to be cut short and no doubt would have to face her ire again.
"You deserve everything Bamba. You deserve to be happy…" the prince smiled warmly down at her as he placed a kiss on her forehead, letting her go as head reeling from the past few hours Bamba bowed to her leader before making her way home, almost skipping for joy through the grasslands, heart pounding.
The prince turned to face his sister, a stern expression on her face and knew instantly what she was going say. This was going to be a long night.