Hey guys, sorry it's been so long. I've been going through medical testing lately, and it's been very physically taxing. But here it is, at long last Thanks for being so patient with me and keep those reviews coming! This chapter is dedicated to FelipeMarcusThomas, who I believe has inspired me with a brilliant idea. Or what I HOPE is a brilliant idea ;)

Danielle's POV

Danielle climbed out of bed. The birds tweeted outside, and the sun shone brightly through her bedroom window. It seemed as if the world was completely happy, as if the world didn't know that she had cancer. She didn't resent the beauty outside; she was too good of a person for that; rather, she just rejoiced in it. She knew that everyone would start treating her differently, and before the end, she would be happy for the normalcy of life.

Edmund's POV

Edmund lay in bed across the palace, and unlike Danielle, he resented the happiness of life around him. How could the world be happy when his beloved Danielle was dying? He shook it off and stretched. He would pretend to be happy, for Danielle's sake. Suddenly, he jumped out of bed. It was as if a lightbulb had gone off in his head. Pulling on his pants and jacket, he grabbed his boots and ran out into the hallway, sprinting down to Peter and Elise's room.

"Pete! PETE!" He shouted as he ran to shake his brother awake. From the other side of the bed, Elise groaned.

"Ed, what is so darn important that you would wake me up at this time?" Peter said sleepily.

"I have an idea, and I need you to watch Danielle while I go to see Jameson." Edmund could hardly contain his excitement.

"Ed, Danielle isn't a child or a puppy dog, she can take care of herself. But if it makes you feel better, I will keep one eye on her."

"Thanks Pete, I'll be back soon." Edmund raced out of the room, leaving a sleepy Peter suddenly wondering what Edmund wanted with the kingdom's jeweler.

Elise's POV

Later that morning, Elise walked into Danielle's room to see how she was.

"Elise! You look absolutely radiant." Danielle smiled warmly at her.

"Thank you." Elise looked down blushing. Her stomach was just beginning to protrude, and she looked even more beautiful as a pregnant woman.

"What can I do for you?" Dani asked smiling.

"More like what can I do for you!" Elise tried to smile back, but she found herself struggling with the reality that she was going to lose her only sister. Dani seemed to sense this, and getting up, enfolded Elise in her arms.

"Elise, I promise, I'm not going anywhere yet. And when I do, it will be time. It will all be okay, you have Peter and your new baby, and you will be blissfully happy. I'll always be watching you." Dani tried to comfort her sister.

"I know. I just love you and I'll miss you so much. After losing Mum and Dad, I can't imagine losing you too!" Elise held her sister tightly back, and they stood together in the room, crying softly.

Edmund's POV

"King Edmund! What can I do for you?" Jameson asked in shock. Jameson was the jeweler for the kingdom, and quite a talented one. He usually didn't see royalty in his shop very often Edmund guessed.

"I need a diamond ring, it's for Danielle. It has to be a secret though!" Edmund admonished. "I don't want her having any idea!"

"Of course!" Jameson rubbed his hands together, seemingly relishing the idea. "What kind of diamond would you like?"

"I would like a sapphire. It's her favorite color, and it will match her eyes." Edmund was so excited he could hardly contain it.

"Sapphires are lovely indeed, it's a wonderful choice. When do you want it by?"

"As soon as possible," Edmund replied. "I want to give it to her soon."

"It is an engagement ring, yes?"

"Yes. But remember what I said, don't tell anyone!" Edmund said again.

"Of course sire. It should be ready in about two days, I don't have very much business right now. Come back then, and you can look at it."

"Thank you very much. I'll see you in two days," Edmund said as he departed the small shop.

Riding back to the palace, Edmund was gleeful. He was going to propose to Danielle, and ask Susan if they could have a double wedding. If Danielle was going to die, he wanted to get the chance to be married to her first. He tried to push false hope from his mind, knowing that somewhere in his head, he almost hoped that by marrying her, it would preserve her life. He knew that was impossible though. Patting his horse on the neck, he sped up, anxious to get back to Danielle.

TWO DAYS LATER

Two days later, Edmund was back in Jameson's shop. The ring was absolutely perfect, and Edmund could barely keep his eyes off it. (Image is in my profile). It was set with a single sapphire in the center, and had a thin band which was studded with diamonds. He knew it would be exactly what she wanted.

"Jameson, it's perfect!" Edmund exclaimed. Jameson beamed with pleasure and pride.

"Thank you sire. It is one of my best creations, if I do say so myself."

Edmund paid Jameson, and departed, already planning out in his mind how he was going to propose.

Danielle's POV

Danielle sat in the window seat of her room, writing in her journal. She watched out her window as Edmund rode across the fields toward the stables. He had been incredibly secretive lately, riding into town at various intervals without telling her where he was going or when he would be back. She could tell he was keeping a secret, she knew him well. Smiling, she looked back down at her journal and finished her sentence, before closing it and latching the leather strap on it. Placing it back under the seat cushion, she rose from her chair and left the room, planning to meet Edmund outside.

"Ed!" She shouted as she crossed the grass to meet him.

"Danielle! You shouldn't be outside, you should be resting," Edmund admonished her gently.

"I'm not a hothouse plant that needs to be coddled," she retorted. "I'm merely sick, that's all."

"Since you're out here, I wanted to give you something. Come with me." Edmund took her hand and led her down the path to their favorite creek. Picking her up, he carried her to the edge of the water and set her down.

"Ed, what are you doing?" She laughed. Laughter quickly changed to a look of shock when she looked down and saw Ed on one knee in front of her.

"Dani, I love you more than anything in the world, and I want the chance to marry you. Will you be my wife and my queen?"

Ah yes, another cliffhanger. Review review