Hello! So this is the final chapter to 'Ghost.' Thank you to everyone who has reviewed, particularly Cantate, JediMaster1999 and SerendipityAEY. You all rock! Its' a long chapter but I hope you enjoy regardless. :)
Conclusions.
Her head hung heavy by her swan neck like two weights had been pierced into her skin and were dragging her down towards the floor. She forced an equally as heavy and stiff right arm up to wipe away the sleep from her itching eyes.
They felt as dry and as raw as sandpaper to her yet she did not care too much for her own well-being when she was so focused on maintaining the Knight's before her.
She sighed in dreamy happiness as she watched the man before her sleeping peacefully, much better than he had during the last five days and nights.
Elmont's breathing had settled into a rhythmic, slow pace, no longer wheezy; One that was considered healthy. His skin, clammy and glazed slick with sweat a few days ago, was no longer in such a state, although he smelled profusely of it due to the limited bathing the nurses could give him throughout his enclosure in the ward.
His cough had also died out as had the stomach cramps he was suffering from as a result of the dysentery he had contracted. She reminisced how she had remained awake all night to help calm him whenever another cramp seized him.
Leaning forwards, she gingerly brushed away a few thick auburn strands from his eyes to rendezvous with the unruly mess of hair above his forehead. She removed her hand, as if shocked by electricity, when he breathed out a light sigh through parted lips and shifted his self correctly until he was lying further on his left side with half of his head burrowed further into the plush white pillow, his left arm securely trapped beneath it for further support.
Deciding that he would be fine for a further while, Isabelle timidly pushed herself out of the seat she had chosen to take refuge in for the entire night, gritting her teeth and clamping her eyes shut every time a spasm of pain erupted in her tight, stiff muscles, her fingers trying to claw their way into the chestnut arms of the chair.
Controlling her steps and silently remarking to herself that she was walking like a drunk, she staggered over to the clean glass window on the other side of his bed to admire the view of the emerald country side. Across the moat she surveyed the endless land of green before her. Fields, trees and farms stretched for miles across the land.
'Jack is somewhere out there.' She thought to herself feeling a slight pang of grief wash over her.
Yet she needed to be happy. Jack wouldn't want her to wallow and drown in her sorrow. And besides, Elmont was recovering and on the verge of being back to his old self again. That much was presented to her yesterday.
'He'll always be with me. He'll always be with me.' She repeated as a mantra, forcing any tears that threatened to spill over her lids and trail down her cheeks away.
The sun blazed across the country, igniting the corn fields into a wondrous fire of gold.
She enjoyed the view for a few more silent minutes until the sun drifted lazily behind a pack of fluffy white clouds.
The absence of the burning star left a reflection on the window that caught Isabelle's attention. She stared, surprised back at herself, evaluating her bloodshot eyes, the vague dark circles looming beneath.
"You look a state, Isabelle."
"With all due respect, Princess, you do."
'What!' Completely caught off guard, like a rabbit caught in a trap, she whirled around, almost losing her balance in her speed and exhaustion, to face a smirking Elmont. Completely forgetting her exhaustion, she blinked several times in attempts to not only restore some moisture to them but to also assure herself that Elmont was sitting right there, looking alive and healthy as well as smirking.
However his amusement was short-lived as she watched that sparkle of amusement in his eyes dim out, his storm eyes once again shifting but to a different, more lighter shade of grey, sparking his concern.
"Isabelle… you didn't stay up all-"
"I did," she sighed wearily, leaning back against the limestone window sill for support as she felt her legs wobble in exhaustion. She pushed her eyes firmly with her thumb and finger in another attempt to remove the itchy rawness that was irritating her and drew in a long deep breath. "You kept having more stomach pains throughout the night and I wanted to keep an eye on you in case you needed anything."
She returned his cool stare with equal measure as he silently sat across from her on the edge of his bed. He had spun around so that the majority of his back was facing the nearest edge of the side he had laid upon.
The silence between them drew on for many long moments and Isabelle felt her stomach coil in discomfort. She needed to say something; anything before the discomfort became too much and she made a poor excuse to leave.
'No! I can't do that! I promised him that I would stay by his side until informed otherwise.'
"You look haggard, Isabelle," Elmont said softly, his voice like a velvet caress to her alone with him. Always caring and soothing.
With a breathy chuckle, wry amusement dancing in her eyes and pulling at her lips, she remarked his own appearance.
Apart from the odour of perspiration that had invaded her sense of smell earlier she noticed, with slight mirth, just how dishevelled he looked himself, his goatee and moustache having outgrown itself into a small, rough looking bush and his normally spiky quiff now a dishevelled and insane mess as the thick strands stuck out in various directions from his head.
"I'll sort myself out, Isabelle," Elmont said sincerely. "And then I'm attending to you."
"That won't be necessary, Elmont," she brushed off his offer, shaking her head. She had to admire his generosity.
"I honestly mean no offence, Princess, but you can barely stand…" He was right; she was absolutely spent of nearly all of her energy that she could barely stand! And now she was certain that he was seriously not going to have it any other way the moment he addressed her with her title. "But you took care of me throughout all of this. Now I'm going to do the same for you."
Isabelle stood stock still for a few long seconds, her cerulean orbs never disconnecting from his storm grey. Her body longed for rest and although her mind remained determined that she stay awake her body screamed that she needed rest.
She watched motionlessly as he rose easily, as if he was never ill, from the large pristine bed and slowly walked around it to stand before her, grasping each of her arms in a gentle, yet firm, grip. Staring up into his endless storm gaze his words of rest barely registered with her, gliding past her reverie.
"And the fact that you are barely paying attention to me just reinforces the fact that you are exhausted, Isabelle."
'Sometimes I wish he wasn't so perceptive.'
Groaning in submission she allowed him to guide her towards his bed where he gently sat her down. Her head dropped like a weight to meet his eye level when he crouched down in front of her. His eyes swimming with mirth and a slight half smile on his face he cheerily said, "I'll know if you have wandered off anywhere, Isabelle, so just please rest."
Heavy eyes already closing, she could only nod as she began falling back onto the bed, a light sight erupting past her lips as her head hit the pillow. Yet as she heard his footsteps grow fainter and fainter she shot back upright, her eyes snapping open, alarmed, fingers clutching the clean sheets beneath her.
"Elmont, wait!"
The ever dutiful Knight stopped mid-stride and turned to face her, bowing slightly. "Yes, Isabelle?"
She stared at him, open-mouthed, for a few long moments. She could feel the seconds ticking by and the Knight's curiosity inflating as she mulled over how to phrase her next words.
"Later this afternoon meet me by the blossom tree in the gardens out front."
Relief filled her and erased all anxiety as he nodded and bowed again with a vocal compliance of, "Of course, Isabelle," before he turned again and entered the confined space of his wash room. She noticed the spark of slight bewilderment flash in his eyes, however.
'I can finally show him what I have experienced. It's the perfect place to show him too.' A knowing smile tugged at the corners of her full pink lips.
'And he's finally getting into the habit of calling me Isabelle. I'll have to make sure that continues.'
Releasing a relieved sigh, as her head hit the pillow once more, her brunette locks spilling out beneath her head like a flower blooming, she closed her eyes, imagining the scene that was about to unfold within a few hours.
A few hours later Isabelle dragged herself off of his bed with much more vigour than beforehand. She found herself more aware of her surroundings as her ears pricked at the sound of shuffling. Craning her neck she turned her stare upon Elmont who was seated on the chair beside her and leaning forwards with his elbows on his knees.
She smiled inwardly at his brand new, clean appearance. His hair had been trimmed and perfectly structured back into the permanent spiky quiff, his skin cleaner and smelling of a sweet scent she couldn't recognise, and his goatee and moustache, previously a ruffled bush, was now trimmed neatly.
"How are you feeling?" he asked quietly.
Isabelle nodded, smiling tightly. "Much better, thank you."
"It looks like I can't meet you in the gardens as you're still here," he remarked with slight glee, his trademark smirk that always made his beautiful eyes sparkle returning to his face.
Her eyes widened, sparkling with remembrance. She watched Elmont's own orbs shift and glimmer with concern as she shot off of the bed, standing up beside him. His eyes followed hers as he too stood up.
"What's wrong, Isabelle?" he asked warily.
She spun around. "Come with me!"
She grabbed his hand in a vice grip and charged towards the oak door, swinging it open and flying down the halls. She ignored the bewildered questions and grunts from Elmont, deaf to the curious stares she was receiving from those she passed along the way.
She shielded her eyes with her arm when the sun's golden rays bled through the entrance doors as she thrust them open, pulling him around the side of the castle and into the colourful gardens.
Many array of beautiful flowers decorated the well-kept after location. Tulips, violet-coloured lavenders, blood red roses and various assortments of flowers littered the area. Just a small distance away from the archway they both stood under now was a short blossom tree, its pink buds blooming gracefully.
Allowing her hand to slip out of his Isabelle dashed under its arms and lay on the emerald grass, listlessly gazing up into the clear blue sky through the interweaving arms.
The sound of shuffling rustled in her ears and she saw Elmont slowly approach her and settle himself down on his back next to her yet his gaze did not follow hers to the sky above them.
It instead settled on her.
Isabelle's heart thumped rapidly in her chest as she willed her muscles not to move under his intense stare.
"You wanted to show me something, Isabelle," he murmured absently, his unwavering gaze never leaving her face.
With a sigh she rolled onto her right side, her arm pillowing her head as she returned his cool gaze with one of her own. She found herself once again admiring his appearance. So different, so lively compared to the one she had grown begrudgingly accustomed to. She had to admit the man did clean up well. It was easy to understand why many of the female citizens swooned over the strong captain of the guardians with his clear storm eyes, perfect features, thin pink lips that could curl into the most charming boyish smile she had ever seen, and even the cleft in his chin under the fine bristles of his goatee.
Shaking herself from her thoughts, admonishing herself as to why she was even thinking about such things, she answered him.
"Yes," she sat up, giving him a pointed look to which his eyes flashed with brief confusion before vanishing again back into his cool stoicism. "But I need you to promise me that whatever happens now that you cannot interfere."
She immediately noticed that the unusual request bewildered him, yet he nodded regardless, always willing to do as she asked of him. She admired the trust and loyalty he gave her, despite her mishaps that usually got her in trouble and brought along a great deal of work for him. She had recently come to the conclusion that sometimes her adventures pushed him too far, making his work harder.
He had not replied to her apology the last time she brought it up other than him asking her what she was sorry for. Clearly he didn't believe she increased the difficulty of his work.
The way he treated her kindly afterwards whenever she had snuck out suggested to her that he, as a matter of fact, enjoyed it. He enjoyed the chases she'd created for him, not that she had ever intended it to be that way.
But he seemed to look as if he'd have it no other way.
Deep down she understood that a part of her also wouldn't want it to be different.
Rising up as he nodded his agreement she approached a wild rose bush. Her pupils dilated as she focused her gaze onto the black thorns that adorned the stems of the bush in a tangle of deadliness. In the back of her mind she knew that they weren't poisonous yet her instinct screamed at her to move away in order to prevent herself form inflicting harm.
She turned suddenly at the unsuspecting and strangled yelp behind her. Elmont, despite his promise, still had trouble with remaining away from her. She could see in his now worried eyes that he knew what she was about to do, and he didn't like it one bit. Feral instinct to keep her from harm as well as fear glistened in those storm gems, the emotions gauging adrenaline through his veins as he positioned himself into a half crouch.
She smiled reassuringly at him, watching as the muscles in his hands and legs shifted under his clothing, his own pupils dilating, body ready to spring forward.
Isabelle couldn't help but feel much more secure, despite her askance of him to remain still. However it did plant doubt in her mind that just maybe this force that was protecting her in place of Elmont's physical presence was now absent due to her guardian and friend's return.
'It will be all right,' she told herself, feeling reassured with the presence of Elmont nearby as she turned back around to face the bush. 'Always beside you…'
Sliding her eyes closed slowly, she allowed her mind to travel to Elmont as she deliberately allowed herself to fall towards the bush, bracing herself for impact as the air rushed past her face with its cool breath.
As she fell she found herself thinking of how she always had been thinking about Elmont whenever the occurrences transpired. 'Maybe it reinforces this protection.'
She found that she no longer felt the air's cool breath blowing against her face as she did before. The feeling of falling was now absent as she opened her eyes just as slowly as she closed them to find herself standing and a fair and safe distance away from the bristling rose bush.
"What?"
Isabelle smiled brightly, her face as radiant as the sun, as she faced a stunned looking Elmont. He now stood to his full height as he approached her, stopping just before her and looking down at her in amazement. His brow furrowed and his eyes sparkled in wonder. His lips parted yet no words were able to spill forth as he continued to stare flabbergasted at her whilst she stared up at him triumphantly.
He had now witnessed the phenomena surrounding her, pulling her back from the potential danger when no one was around her and it was impossible for her to evade the collision herself at the way she had approached it.
'I need to solidify the proof.' She bent over next to the bush and grasped a thorn cutter with her slim fingers before hovering the serrated edges mere millimetres away from her porcelain skin.
She heard his breath catch in his throat just as she drew the blade across her forearm… only there was no wound or blood. The blade, in fact, wasn't even making any contact with her skin, not matter how hard she pushed, until it was swept out of her hand without movement from her, clattering to the soft grass with a dull thump. She looked up at his stunned expression again, her cerulean orbs tender.
"It really is true Elmont," she breathed, tenderly grasping his left forearm with her right hand. "Something is protecting me besides you. And it happens whenever I am in danger and thinking of you."
Thinking… of me?" He blinked rapidly in questioning.
"Whenever I've been in danger I have always thought of you," she explained softly, his grin diminishing into a small, delicate smile. "My Knight totem never goes anywhere without me, and whenever I feel that I am in danger, my mind turns to that and therefore you.
"I have even found myself thinking of Jack in those times too, and I've been thinking over what that priest told me about strong bonds being unbreakable. He also stated that they can bring people together. You are still here with me, despite everything. Maybe Jack will come back one day."
"Maybe, Isabelle," Elmont replied softly as he smiled gingerly down at her. She could see the pain in his eyes mirroring hers at the mention of Jack. He still continued to miss his dear friend just as much as she continued to miss her love. "Maybe."
Soft footsteps squished against the grass just by the archway they stood a few feet away from, making them both turn their heads simultaneously towards the sound as they expected another Knight or the King to be approaching.
Isabelle was sure she felt her heart stop beating the moment her eyes rested upon the sight before her.
Her stunned eyes briefly flickered to Elmont next to her who looked just as stunned and disbelieving.
'Its...'
"Maybe the day I come back is today, your highness… and Sir."
At the caress of his soft voice her heart fluttered back to life at the same speed that her pale eye lids flickered. She felt her chest rising much higher than usual as the blood rushed around her body, banging against her ears like drums. Her heart beat like a drum inside of her chest, as if trying to break free from its bony imprisonment.
An enormous grin of love and unchallenged joy spread across her face.
"Jack!" she cried, flinging herself into his awaiting arms.
Love and warmth surrounded her as the tall, raven-haired boy wrapped his strong arms around her. She buried her head in his shoulder, enjoying the scent of leather, dirt and sweat from his farm jacket. It was undeniably recognisable, regardless of the musty scent around him, yet she revelled in it. All that mattered was that she was once again in the arms of the man she loved as he hooked a finger under her chin, gently raising her gaze to his, as he leant down and captured her full red lips with his in a tender and loving kiss.
She sighed against his lips and she ran her fingers softly through the thick tufts of his dark hair.
Pulling back for air, she leant forwards until their foreheads were touching. "I love you," she breathed.
Jack let out a soft breathy laugh, closing his eyes and pursing his lips in a tight smile. "I love you too, Isabelle."
She let go and removed herself of him once she felt his body move away from hers.
Elmont," she followed him, weaving her fingers through her farm boy prince's own as he stepped towards the still stunned looking Knight.
She swallowed a sudden lump that had formed in her throat as they both stood before the unmoving guardian. He breathed through parted lips steadily, eyes blinking slowly, as if he couldn't believe the image before him.
Jack grasped his friends shoulder in a firm brotherly manner, smiling at his friend. Isabelle watched in concern as the Knight continued to offer him the same stare he had the first time, back when Jack had killed the giant in the kitchen and saved both her and Elmont.
For the second time, since she'd known him and without warning that always surprised her, Elmont's stunned expression suddenly morphed into pure jubilation, his storm eyes glistening with cheer and his slack mouth transforming into his amazing and boyish grin.
He stepped forwards quickly, throwing his arms around Jack's neck, the boy mimicking his actions as they laughed merrily and patted each other's back hard and enthusiastically, pulling back after a few more seconds and planting their hands on each other's shoulders as they continued to laugh.
Isabelle quickly wedged herself between them, wrapping her arms around both of the men as they did to her, bringing the trio into a circle. They laughed together, simply enjoying the reunion.
"You came back," Isabelle choked, the tears of joy burning her eyes and threatening to spill from her sparkling eyes.
"My uncle recovered and he told me that I could return to you. After I told him about us and how much I love you and can't live a life in which you are not a part of it," Jack whispered softly, his warm breath caressing her brunette hair and gliding across her shoulder, making her shiver under the sincerity of his tone.
She sighed at the touch of his cool lips against her heated skin, relief flooding through her after the long months of suffering under the absence of his presence, as he leant over and kissed her temple lovingly. "I will always come back, Isabelle. We'll always be together."
"Yes," she sighed happily, casting her eyes to the sky briefly and thanking their creator for linking them in such a way and guiding Jack back to both her and Elmont. They had both grown accustomed to his presence that they needed him like air. They couldn't imagine their lives now without the farm boy hero. "Always and forever."
The two lovers broke their penetrating gazes from one another after a few more seconds. Isabelle, joy swelling up inside of her being like an inflating balloon, gazed at Elmont. The Knight, as if sensing her gaze, turned his to her where they briefly shared a knowing smile, their glistening orbs shimmering with the knowledge they now held.
Bonds as powerful as theirs transcended the impossible, whether it was an impossible situation or simply something that could not be done. Their bonds were unbreakable that even after separation they were ultimately brought back together. Over the trials they faced throughout their lives, and after her meeting with Jack, Isabelle understood that the three, when together, were unbreakable.
'Because bonds like these cannot be broken…'
And there it is. Done and dusted! I have a quick question: I feel like this ended in a way that could make room for a sequel. Now of course, from the results of the poll on my profile, I will be making this fic again but in Elmont's POV completely, but I would like to know if you would also be interested in a potential sequel to this. I'm not posting it as a poll on my profile so if you'd perhaps like to see something more of this then please let me know in your review. It would be a great favour. ;)
Well, thanks again everyone! I hope you enjoyed this final chapter as well as this little fic. :)
