Disclaimer: I only own my OCs and the general plot.
Frog: Well, I forgot that I'm not supposed to type on the computer when we have family over, because I'm supposed to socialize. And that's my reason for taking so long once again. I am going to apologize in advance for the next chapter(s), which will also take quite some time to get up. But I'll explain that at the end. Thank you for your patience, I'm trying, I really am. I finally got my notebook back, which is a good thing. And this story is almost over, just a little longer. Enough of my rambling, I should get to the story.
It took little more than a day for them to receive a letter back from Avia. And the news was not what they had hoped for. A time and place had been set up. Danica was to be returned to them by sunset tomorrow, and the money waiting for them in a field outside of the capital was not going to be handed over until she was secure.
"B-but your highness…" Evalyn murmured urgently.
"No Evalyn," Danica said harshly, as she had tired of this argument. Her friend looked hurt, so the Avian Princess let out a sigh and composed herself. She put a hand on the smaller girl's shoulder, and gave her a smile.
"You love Ailbhe, don't you?" her friend nodded, "Then you should stay here. It would pain me to see you suffer because of our friendship."
"But I'll miss you too…" Evalyn sniffed.
"I know, so will I. But I will be content knowing that you are happy and safe with people who care about you."
"I-I see," the petite girl smiled a bit, "Maybe I'll be able to write you sometimes."
"I'd like that."
"Danica?" Irene looked in the room, and smiled warmly at them.
"Yes?"
"I was wondering if there was anything you wanted to take home with you. You know, to remember us by."
"Do you have anything in mind?" Danica asked curiously.
"Well…how's this?" Irene held out a pair of earrings in the shape of serpents. Danica smiled, and took them gratefully.
"And we didn't steal them, mind you. I had them made, and paid the craftsman in full," Irene grinned proudly, for having done honest work. The other girls couldn't help but giggle slightly.
"When am I leaving?" Danica asked hesitantly after a moment, not sure she wanted to know.
"Zane wants to be on the way within an hour if possible," Irene smiled sadly.
The Avian Princess nodded, looking forlorn, "I suppose I should get my goodbyes over with."
She went over to Irene, and the black-haired girl embraced her tightly. She wasn't saying goodbye to Evalyn just yet. That would come last.
"We're going to miss you," Irene murmured, releasing her, "You're the best prisoner we've ever had."
"And I will always remember your kindness," Danica smiled.
The other girl nodded, and patted her on the shoulder, before leaving, tears shimmering in her eyes. Danica stood silently in the doorway for a moment.
"Come with me?" she questioned, looking at Evalyn. Her best friend managed a smile.
"You have to ask?" she teased as they headed toward the gathering room.
When they opened the door, Danica was practically attacked by Aisha in a rib-crushing bear hug.
"I can't believe you're leaving us already!" the dancer wailed dramatically. She finally let go of the princess and put her hands on her hips, "We never got to hear you sing."
"I'm sorry," Danica stated apologetically, her voice soft. Aisha gave her a thoughtful grin.
"Don't worry about it. You were a joy to have around…once you stopped hating all of us, of course," the dancer chortled.
"It just seems like so much wasted time now…" the Avian Princess sighed reminiscently, shaking her head.
"Aw. Don't feel bad," Aisha gave her a dazzling smile, "I'd have hardly acted differently in your situation."
"Except you would have hurt people, and we would have had to tie you as a result," Ailbhe chuckled, approaching them. He came up behind Evalyn, wrapped his arms around her, and kissed her cheek.
"True," the dancer shrugged.
"I trust that my friend will be well taken care of," Danica looked at him expectantly, but there was a hint of teasing in her eyes.
"As you wish, milady," he released the other girl, and bowed low, "She won't have a chance to miss you."
"I hate to interrupt your goodbyes," Zane sighed, also coming into the room, "But a storm is forming in the mountains, and I'd like to stay ahead of it if at all possible."
"Be patient, Zane!" his mother scolded, tightening a cloak around herself, "Just because you're in a bad mood gives you no right to treat others badly."
"Sorry," he muttered, hanging his head in defeat, and then looked at Danica, "It's just…not fair…"
She gave him a reassuring smile, agreeing completely. Danica then turned to her best friend and loyal companion for what she felt may be the last time. They could do little more than stare at each other for a moment, before hugging each other tightly. Evalyn started to choke on sobs that she was desperately trying to hide as she buried her face in the taller girl's shoulder. Danica could do nothing but rube her back reassuringly.
"You have been such a blessing to me, Evalyn," Danica squeezed her a little tighter, before letting go, "Good luck…"
"You too," her friend's smile was weak, but sincere as tears began to roll down her cheeks, "I'll write you every month, and tell you what's happening."
"I look forward to hearing from you," Danica nodded, about ready to cry herself, even though you could hardly tell from her strong exterior. They stood there for a moment, unsure if there was anything else left to say. Danica gave Evalyn one last smile before turning to leave. Zane and Charis followed her.
"Here. You're going to need this," came another familiar voice. Vespera came toward them from another hallway, holding a folded cloak in her arms, "I made sure it's extra warm for the trip."
"Thank you," Danica took it gladly, and put it on. The inside was lined with a soft, furry material, and she immediately began to feel warmer.
"It was fun training with you," the beaming red-head gave her a quick hug, "You had better not forget what Zane and I taught you. We wouldn't want anyone else to have the privilege of holding you captive. Being the selfish little group we are."
"Don't worry. I don't plan on letting this happen again," Danica giggled.
"Maybe I'll sneak into the castle sometime and pay you a visit," Vespera called as she ran down the hall from where she came.
"I'm not sure if I'm looking forward to that or not," the Avian Princess mumbled sarcastically under her breath. But in truth, she would be happy to see any of them again. And she hadn't even left yet.
Zane smirked, "Well regardless of what you want, if she says she's going to be paying you a visit, she will."
They at last came to the entry hall. Aviran was there, as expected, reading a book. Adelina was also in the room, leaning against the opposite wall, brooding. Danica avoided making eye contact.
"Aviran?" she turned, instead, to the pale-haired man.
"Hm?" was his only response. He didn't even look up, almost as though he were mad at her for leaving.
"Thank you…for what you've taught me," she murmured, inclining her head.
He glanced up, a ghost of smile playing on his lips, "Any time," his eyes flickered to Zane briefly, "I only wish I could do more."
She shook her head, "It's alright."
"Can we go now?" Adelina whined.
"You're coming?" Danica asked, surprised.
"Adelina and I are joining you for a time, until we split up. You two to return you to the castle, while we go to where the money is waiting, "Charis explained.
"It's one of the few times Adelina has actually offered to do something since you arrived," Zane muttered walking toward the door. Adelina just snorted indignantly, and headed outside as Zane opened the door for them. Aviran made a small salute, seemingly in better spirits as Danica left as well, followed by Charis. She gave him a smile before the door to the hideout was closed. Zane helped her into the back of the wagon as his mother took her seat in the front.
"I'd rather walk," Adelina scoffed when he also offered to help her into the wagon.
"Suit yourself," he shrugged, and jumped inside. He sat down next to Danica, and gave his mother the "go ahead". The wagon soon lurched forward, and they were on their way. The silence between the two of them seemed endless.
"So…" Zane began awkwardly, "You have to be married by your next birthday?"
"That's tradition," Danica murmured sadly.
"Who's the lucky guy?" Zane was attempting to sound light-hearted, but it didn't quite make it.
"Unless something changes, I suppose Lord Vasili," she sighed tiredly.
"Vasili…" he rubbed his chin thoughtfully, "Never heard of him. Must not be very special."
Danica raised an eyebrow skeptically at him. It was very doubtful he had never heard of Vasili. He was a renowned fencer, and had been rumored to beat princes from other nations. Not to mention, she could only guess Zane or someone working for him had bee monitoring her every move in the days leading up to her abduction. As a result, they had no doubt seen Vasili, and knew who he was. But she could also tell that Zane was obviously jealous.
"What are you going to do?" she asked after they had been quiet again, and cocked her head.
"Ah, I don't know," he shrugged casually, "Business as usual, I guess."
They once again fell into silence for several minutes, neither one wanting to come to terms with what was happening. Finally, Zane let out a heavy sigh, and slid and arm around her. Danica cuddled closer to him, tears once again threatening to fall.
"Aw. Don't cry," Zane cooed, "I know you can't stand the thought of living without me, but everything will be ok."
She slapped him, and glared. Zane pouted, and rubbed his sore cheek, as he pulled her closer.
"What was that for?" he whimpered pathetically. Danica rolled her eyes.
"You're not helping," she huffed.
"Well then…how can I be more helpful?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. She stared at the wagon floor, her eyes empty. She then rested her forehead on his shoulder, her untied blonde hair creating a screen around her face.
"Don't let me go just yet," she requested simply, her voice steady, and yet felt as though it was being torn from her throat.
Zane paused, before wrapping his other arm around her, and holding her closer. There was nothing more he could do. Danica didn't cry; though her eyes were burning with unshed tears. She couldn't. She didn't want anyone to think she had been hurt in any way. No one would believe her tears were from her grief of leaving. So she kept a brave face. She would never cry for Zane, even though she felt it was going to kill her.
Time seemed to pass too quickly in their embrace, as the wagon came to a stop in a dry riverbed. Zane helped Danica out of the wagon. His mother came up, and hugged the Avian Princess.
"You're a good girl, Danica," Charis murmured in her ear, "It really is a shame things couldn't be different."
Danica hugged her back tightly, a feeling of dread she couldn't explain weighing in the back of her mind. At last the group split, the wagon rolling out of site into the forest. She and Zane followed the riverbed around the back of the castle. He led her up the bank and into a nearly invisible path through a thicket.
Danica wondered how many secret entrances Zane knew of into the castle gardens, since this wasn't the same one they had used before. He helped her through the brush, his senses always on alert for any danger what so ever.
"Wait here a moment," Zane instructed, helping her kneel beneath a tall bush. He disappeared for a minute as she waited, heart pounding. He was back soon, however, and motioned for her to follow. They crept under a hedge and arrived in the royal gardens beneath a tall pine. Danica looked around them, her mind swirling with thoughts.
"Here, give me your cloak. No need for a princess to wear a dirty thing like that," he stated, lowering her hood. She nodded, and untied the cloak, and revealing the warm, cream-colored winter dress beneath it. She straitened the folds a little, before turning back to him.
He just stared at her for what seemed like the longest time, his eyes taking her in, and engraving every little detail into his mind. He finally reached out, and touched her cheek with a shaking hand.
"You're so beautiful," he whispered. He suddenly leaned in, and kissed her deeply. After overcoming her brief shock, she kissed him back, allowing herself to forget everything, if only for an instant.
Then he was gone. Vanished into thin air, as though he had never been there in the first place. Danica looked around, stunned and still panting, but there was no sign of him. She turned to the garden path when she heard whistling, just in time to see a gardener walk around the corner. The servant saw her, and gasped, dropping their watering can.
"P-P-Princess?" they breathed. Danica stepped out from the shade of the tree, and smiled faintly. The gardener's eyes lit up, and he looked about ready to run over and hug her.
"Guards! Guards!!" he turned around, calling excitedly, "The Princess has returned!!"
Some soldiers ran into the area, their serious expressions immediately disappearing at the sight of her. One instructed the gardener to go alert the prince, which he did without hesitation. The guards then hurried over to Danica, looking around for any possible threat as they led her back to the castle.
The Avian Princess turned back before they went around the corner, her golden eyes finding his garnet ones as he momentarily showed himself one last time. The sight was lost to her, however, as they went around a hedge wall.
Zane stared after her, long after she was gone. Finally, he turned around, his feet moving, but he was not controlling them. He paused again, looking at a strand of golden hair stuck to the cloak he was holding. He picked it up, and sighed.
"Goodbye my princess," he whispered to the wind, before disappearing from the garden, the only sign of him being there a moment before were a handful of dead leaves that were once again settling on the ground.
Frog: It's…so…sad!!! But they'll end up together don't worry. Anyways, as I was saying previously. There might be one, short chapter, before the story is finished. But I haven't decided yet. The reason that the ending will take so long to get up is that I have two alternate endings. One where Danica runs away with Zane, and one where they marry and she stay a princess. Both are likely to be long, since I'd have to get everything covered in one chapter. And also it would take awhile because I want to get both ending chapters up at the same time, so both would have to be written. I'll try as hard as I can to finish it quickly, I promise. I have plenty planned for both endings, so I shouldn't have to worry about writers block. Anyways, sorry again for all the delays. Please review! Bye!
