Chapter 7: The Prince


Princess Renesmee, or Nessie, wasn't the only one who had grown up during her seventeen years with the three good fairies.

Prince Jacob, now twenty four, was flourishing as the prince of the nearby Quileute lands. His father, William had stayed close friends with their neighboring King Carlisle over the years. Jacob, of course, knew of his betrothal to the missing princess of Forks, but now that the time was coming for her return, he found himself growing rather anxious.

Little was known about the princess of Forks. All Jacob knew was that she was to turn seventeen that day and that he was promised to marry her. And he knew that he had no such interest in such an arrangement.

Leaning on his balcony railing, he frowned at the forbidden territory of Volturi in the distance. It was the one area of land where dark clouds constantly loomed. The green bolts of lightning which contained Aro's rage constantly lit up the sky and reflected against the gloomy darkness.

"For many years, you have watched Aro's mountainside."

William's voice cut through his thoughts. Turning around, he saw his father standing in the doorway of the balcony. Jacob nodded politely to his father who walked over to stand at his side. Together, they watched the furious wrath of Aro against the stormy backdrop.

"I like to monitor him, yes."

William smiled. "Son, you have watched his mountainside for so long now. Why do you do this?"

"I want to keep track of him, is all."

"For what purpose? He knows and has known for seventeen years that he has failed in his evil prophecy. Today is the princess' seventeenth birthday. Soon, she will be returned to her parents, safe and sound. Your betrothal still lives. That much is obvious as we can see Aro's anger.

Jacob tried not to look too disappointed. "I wish to aide in her safe return in any way I can," he replied dutifully, "I would never wish any harm to come upon the girl."

"And you shouldn't. She is your future wife!"

Jacob sighed, gripping the stone railing in front of him. "About that, father...what if I have no interest in taking her as a wife? I mean...I barely know her."

"Know her? What's that got to do with it?" William asked sternly. "Now Jacob, you cannot go back on this. I have had this planned with King Carlisle since you were in diapers. Before the princess was naught but a gleam in her mother's eye!"

"Yes, but...did you ever think of what I wanted? Did you ever stop to think that maybe I didn't want to marry her?"

William was fuming. "Why on earth wouldn't you? She is Carlisle's daughter, she is of royal blood! Tis a match made in heaven!" he bellowed.

Jacob grit his teeth. "Yes, but what if I don't want to marry her? Can't we just be friends? Allies?"

"Why simply be allies when you can be married? Bonded by blood? She is the daughter of Esme, dear boy. You have laid eyes on the Queen yourself. Princess Renesmee is a beauty; I would bet my life on it. Now what is all this about?"

"I couldn't care less about how pretty she is! I don't know her. What am I to do with a perfect stranger?"

"Why, get to know her! Come now boy, how do you think marriage works?"

Jacob turned away, his fists balled up at his sides. How had he imagined marriage? He thought a moment about what it would be like to meet a girl. Not just any girl, but his perfect match. He had heard of things like that happening before, meeting someone and finding love at first sight. She would be funny, smart, and someone to laugh and tell stories with. She would ride with him and they could talk for hours. Of course she would be pretty, but good looks only lasted so long. What if she had nothing interesting to say? They would be bored with each other before the first week had even passed.

"I just pictured meeting someone on my own is all," he muttered quietly.

William heaved a sigh. "Son, you have known of this arrangement for years now. Why are you suddenly so anxious about it finally coming to fruition?"

"Seventeen years went by rather quickly, I suppose," Jacob mused. "What if we have nothing in common? What if she's boring or rude or just not attracted to me?"

William shook his head. "I care not about all that. What matters is that you fulfill your obligations to your kingdoms. You and her both!"

"So, suddenly marriage is an obligation? That explains a lot," Jacob spat angrily. William gaped at his son for speaking to him so brashly. Jacob had always been aggressive and hot headed but never out of spite for anyone in his family.

His eyes narrowed at his son. "You will do as you have promised, son."

"No father, what you promised. And since when did an arranged marriage help anyone around here?"

William was suddenly aghast as Jacob referred to his mother and his own wife. Queen Sarah had come to William in an arranged marriage from the distant land of Makah. William and Sarah were known throughout the palace for their screaming matches. Sarah had even thrown a goblet or two at William more than once.

"Your mother and I share our differences. But we have grown to love and respect each other."
"How romantic," Jacob spat."

William just shook his head. "She is full of fire, just like you."

"Well, call my crazy, father, but I'm not exactly looking forward to a union like that. Good day, father."

With that, Jacob spun on his heel and left the balcony. Grumbling to himself, he tore down the hallways of the palace with no place in mind. It was true; he would do anything he could to help defeat Aro and return the innocent girl to her parents. That was simply the right thing to do. She hadn't done anything to deserve Aro's wrath, and Jacob did enjoy beating the bad guy in the equation. However, he had no interest in marrying a fix up. He wanted to choose for himself. What sane person didn't?

He was walking so quickly, he almost ran into two figures that were coming around the corner.

"Oh...Jake!" his sister Rachel, squeaked. Jacob looked up from the ground a millisecond before colliding with her and her husband, Paul.

"What's wrong?" she asked, quickly noticing the look on her younger brother's face.

"Oh...father," he grumbled.

Paul shifted on his feet, clearly uninterested in Jacob's problems. "I'll give you two a moment," Paul said quietly. Before departing, he placed a quick kiss on Rachel's temple before excusing himself in the opposite direction. Rachel watched him leave with a wistful sigh, her brown eyes going hazy.

"You act like you've never laid eyes on him before, sister," Jacob playfully sneered at his younger sister, giving her a friendly elbow. Rachel slapped his shoulder before linking her arm with his.

"Walk with me," she said simply. He nodded, starting off down the long hall on her arm. "I could hear you fighting with father all the way down near the library. What was it this time, big brother?"

Jacob growled to himself, rolling his eyes. "Well, if all goes according to his plan, I'm going to meet my fiancé tonight."

"And you don't want to?"

He stopped walking to face her. "No Rach, I don't. I have no interest in marrying a seventeen year old princess whom I've never met, thank you."

"I'm only eighteen," she pointed out, "am I so bad?"

"You're my sister, you don't count."

"I mean as a person. You and I get along fine."

"No, that's not what I'm saying. I just...I don't want to marry her."

Rachel sighed, patting his hand. "Ah, I see. You want to choose for yourself then?"

He nodded. "I guess I knew this day was coming, but now that it's here...I feel like I'm suffocating. Father is insisting that I fall in love with this girl right away – only because she's my betrothed. But it doesn't work like that!"

"Well, how do you know you won't like her?"

"That's not the point."

"Did you ever even stop whining for a second to consider that?"

"Well...no..."

"You're just being stubborn now, Jake. Why don't you meet her before you panic and do something that will upset our parents, or worse, Queen Esme? They only want peace for our people and solidarity. I don't believe they did this to you to make you unhappy."

"Well, it is making me unhappy. If I'm to be kind, then why can't I pick my own bride?"

"Don't whine, brother. Meet her first and then see how you feel. Did you ever stop to think that she might be thinking the same thing about you, wherever she is?"

Jacob stopped in his tracks, completely gob smacked. He had honestly never even considered that idea. "Err...no."

Rachel smiled, tossing her long brunette braid over her shoulder. "Men. You're so much like Paul. He's stubborn to a fault but so passionate he sometimes forgets to use that head of his. You both are like two peas in a pod, Jacob."

"Now don't go comparing me with your silly husband. I'm not that bad."

"Oh Jake...just stop and think this through. She might want nothing to do with you and you'll be off the hook. Surely her parents won't make her marry you if you both despise each other?"

"She would despise me?"

Rachel rolled her eyes.

"I should hope not. But you're right, sister, I can't go on hope alone."

"And who says?" she challenged back.

Jacob thought a moment. "Well, of course you're going to argue for love's sake. You were just married at the last full moon! You're still in the honeymoon stage of your marriage to Paul anyway. I see the lovey dovey looks you give him all the time."

"Brother, why don't you at least wait to see what the princess is like before you make your decision. That is all. Give her a chance before you decide one way or another. Will you do this for me?"

He stared down at his younger sister who was obviously much wiser than her years. She was making him feel like a ninny for acting the way he was and for arguing with their elderly father.

"You just never know if she will even like you. She might think you look like a horse's rear," Rachel teased, poking his side.

Jacob growled and pretended to be angry with her. "I'll see you later. I'm going for a ride," he muttered, brushing past her. He looked over his shoulder and stuck his tongue out at her, which she returned. Jacob's stubbornness clearly knew no bounds.

Rachel watched her brother leave, frustrated with him. She hoped that someday he would understand the importance of love and patience.


Jacob raced out of the stable with his horse, kicking dirt and debris up as they galloped toward the forest. He didn't care where he went, he just wanted to get away from the castle. A forest separated the Quileute kingdom from Forks, and that was just where he was headed. The woods were deep, uninhabited, and beautiful. Just the place he wanted to get away from everything that was plaguing him.

His faithful steed, a white stallion named Charlie, carried him out of the town and into the forest. The early morning sunlight shone through the trees, casting a warm glow on the greenery around him. However, Jacob paid no mind. Deeper and deeper into the woods he raced, trying to clear his head of his arguments with his family.

They simply didn't understand him enough to judge what he was going through.

His father had been in an arranged marriage to his mother Sarah for decades now, so he was accustomed to the idea of it. His sister, Rachel, had fallen for her betrothed, Paul, on first sight. They had been friends as teenagers, and Rachel had harbored a crush on him from the start. He had been a knight training with Jacob, and to her delight, he was chosen to be her husband. Of course she was thrilled. Jacob had practically keeled over from shock at how his normally gruff and temperamental friend was quickly turned into a puddle of mushy, lovey dovey goo by his little sister of all people.

It was disgusting.

"Ah," he groaned in defeat. No matter how fast Charlie ran, he knew he couldn't run away from his duties as the future king. The fact that he was supposed to marry this girl and eventually take his father's place was something that would follow him wherever he went.

There was no escaping fate.

"Whoa," he called to Charlie, leaning back in his saddle. Charlie snorted, tossing his white head and obeying even though he was clearly up for a good gallop. Jacob smiled as the horse slowed to a pleasant trot. "Atta boy. I just need to get out of there for a few hours," he said, patting the horse on the neck.

Charlie snorted again, shaking his head as if to say, "Pay no mind."

Jacob had to laugh to himself – even for a horse, Charlie was straightforward and not up for any nonsense. He always seemed to be willing to lend a listening ear at times.

"I suppose Rachel is right. I should just meet the girl first. That is, if she ever comes back. No one has even seen or heard a peep from her in seventeen years. What if she's gone off to a faraway land, never to return? Then I suppose I wouldn't have to worry as much."

Charlie simply swished his tail. They trotted through the calm, overgrown yet beautiful forest for an hour or so in silence, Jacob deep in thought over the princess. The ride had helped him settle his thoughts and he began to feel better about everything.

"Thanks, old boy. I just needed to calm down. I'll have to go back and face them sooner or later. Tonight, we ride to Forks to see the princess. I guess I'll find out then if I like her or not," Jacob mused, half to himself, half to his horse. Charlie snorted again.

They trotted around for a few more minutes in silence. Then, a beautiful noise filled the trees.

"What on earth?" he asked himself. It was obviously a woman singing, but what would a woman be doing all the way out in the woods?"

"Charlie, do you suppose she's lost?" he asked the horse.

Charlie snorted as if to say, 'Nonsense.'

"You hear that?" he whispered as the singing continued. "Beautiful voice. What is it? Er, whose is it? We...we should go investigate, shouldn't we? It could be...well...I think we should just go and see."

Again, the soft humming floated into his ears, further enticing him. Standing up in his saddle, he strained to see the source of the soft, melodic noise. Charlie, however, was quickly growing bored with all of this nonsense and strained to keep walking. Jacob yanked on the rains, pulling him in the previous direction.

"Aw, come on. For an extra bucket of oats? Maybe a carrot?"

Charlie paused, 'carrot' being one of the new words in his limited knowledge of words that he liked to hear. He let Jacob turn him around and spur him in the direction of the singing. Together, they darted further into the forest at a full gallop. When the sound of the woman's voice drew near, Jacob pulled up on Charlie's rains and slowed to a halt.

There, in the clearing through the thicket of wild berries, was the most beautiful creature he had ever seen.


Thank you to NinkyBaby for betaing this! I hope you guys are enjoying my little side project - it's been so much fun to write!