Hello again! I'm hoping that for those of you not watching the Super Bowl, this will offer a little something to drown out the screaming men in your vicinity. I've caught up with reviews replies, keeping up from now on should be easier. Thanks for the love, everyone, and remember, reviews for this chapter left before Friday afternoon get teasers!

Chapter 11

October dawned on Meyer Castle, bringing with it a chill that was premature for this time of year. The King and Queen were already meeting with their advisors, so when lunch arrived to them by Makenna's hands, Isabella was surprised.

"Where is Lady Alice, I need to speak with her?"

"I do not know, Majesty. When we saw the hour and Tanya realized she had not seen the Lady this morning, she sent me to serve your lunch. Would you like me to fetch the Duchess?" Makenna was still new to her role as a lady in waiting to the Queen, so her trepidation showed in moments like this.

"Yes, please. I would like to know that she is well and that it is only business that takes her away from her duties."

Makenna rushed out as gracefully as she could and Isabella shook her head as Edward laughed. "That child runs as though the flames of Hell's own fire lick at her heels."

"It is not funny, sir. My ladies should be loyal but not be fearful of me, nor should they be of you. I have been so busy that I have not had time to spend with them as I did in the past. Especially with the two new ladies in my service, and soon to be three."

"Make that four, Isabella," Edward interjected.

"Four? Who in the world is leaving my service now?"

"Michael of Newton is about to be made the Earl as his father wishes to begin the transition due to his failing health. He came to me only because you were in meetings the morning he left. He asked that I beg you to allow him the opportunity to court Lady Jessica."

"All my ladies are finding husbands. I will need to spend more time with these new ones so they know that they are not to be fearful."

"We can both do it," Edward told her. "You can have a talk with them tonight, and I will join you before bed to let them know that I value their service to you."

"That is a fine idea, My Lord."

The sound of shoes running across stone alerted them to the impending intrusion, but the nature of it was not what they had expected. "She's gone."

The couple looked up to see the Duchess clutching a crumpled paper in her hand.

"What do you mean, she's gone?" Isabella asked as Edward stood, ushering Esme into his seat.

"Her room was empty this morning, so I assumed she had already begun her day, but I went to retrieve a book I had lent her when I saw her cloak was missing. That is when I found this letter."

Esme handed Isabella the letter and she quickly read it. "You think she returned to Cullen? It's a two day's ride to the area of the county your home is in. Why would she not come to you or I if her friend Sasha was in some sort of jeopardy?"

"I do not know? But she has either ventured out with no chaperone, or has ruined herself by traveling with a man who is not her husband or a member of her family." Esme wrung her hands as Edward knelt beside her.

"We can send out members of the guard to track her, or if that does not suit your husband and yourself, I will go after her. If she returns before nightfall, there will be no harm."

As Carlisle entered, they discussed their options before they called Quil and Embry to go and seek out the Lady. Her family was a wreck, wondering where she was and if she was well.

The day progressed, and by the evening, Isabella had her ladies gathered to her. "I know that you are aware of Lady Alice's absence, but there must be no discussion of it. There has been a great deal of change these last months and I haven't spent time getting to know my newer ladies and sharing with them the way in which I see you all. You may serve me, but you hold a place of distinction. You are admired for your position and that is something you should never forget. My husband and I thank you for your discretion in all matters and in your care for me."

Edward entered and the eyes of the newer ladies went wide, but Lady Tanya shook her head in a silent sign that they shouldn't move.

"My ladies," Edward addressed them. "Your care for Her Majesty is the best she can hope for, and I know some of you may be leaving her service in the future, but the love of your Queen will not diminish with time or distance. This is a sensitive time with my wife's delicate condition, so your efforts will be even more important."

Isabella smiled as she reached for Edward's hand. "There will be an addition to my ladies. She is a midwife, and will not perform basic tasks, but she will be transitioning into our daily routine and that will create some differences as well. Just know that your positions are secure until you leave by choice, whether it be a choice to leave, or an action against me. I put my faith in all of you, please do not make me regret that decision."

"Yes, Your Majesty," the maids said in unison before exiting so that the couple could attempt to rest, knowing now that Alice's disappearance could affect them all if something happened to her.

"She is smart, Isabella. Alice will have a plan in place to save her family the disgrace of a fallen daughter." Edward knew where his wife's mind was.

"This is not like her, Edward. I have known her my entire life and this girl who sent her the letter asking for help comes from a family that isn't respected at all."

"Why is that?" Edward asked, nervous for Alice.

"The father is volatile; he has squandered any esteem they had. I cannot help but worry about what Alice is walking into."

Edward nodded, but then remembered the one part of Isabella's speech that caught him off guard. "Isabella, do you always warn your maids against treachery like that?"

"Sometimes. For the first time there are girls coming into my rooms that I don't know. Many of these young women were at Court with their fathers at one time or another and I spent time with them. These younger girls don't know me and I don't know what to make of them. Irina is Tanya's younger sister, so I know she is trustworthy, but what of the young women who will follow them? A woman has to guard herself twice as hard as a man and if it means putting the fear of God into my ladies to make a point, then it was well learned." Isabella reached to begin disrobing, a task her husband soon assisted with.

The couple climbed into bed, and fell into an uneasy slumber.

The next three days were increasingly stressful on all those who dwelled within the castle. Carlisle rode out the morning after the guard members had, as he was able to manage his affairs so he could look for his daughter himself. Esme was inconsolable, as was Isabella, when she was alone at least.

Edward had wanted to go with Carlisle, but he asked his King to stay behind in case there was bad news delivered before he returned.

While the turmoil had the Court held hostage as they waited on news, two members of the Court used the distraction to their advantage.

"So you think it can be done?" Stefan asked Aro as they sat in his rooms.

"My nephew is a smart young man, and word has it that Her Majesty is already pregnant. When the child is born, he can act as King until the time that the heir can rule. That is eighteen years to mold them into what we want." Aro sneered at the thought.

"What if the child isn't a male heir?"

"It depends on the Queen? If she continues to work in our favor, we will wait a little longer for a male child. But if she begins to turn, what better way to see her meet her end than in the same fashion as her mother?" The two men laughed at their shrewd plan.

"Do you think it will come to a show of force?" Stefan questioned.

"We have our three guards as well as yours, plus we are working on turning some others. It is likely that we will have half the country's army on our side and if we find a way to divide their attention, it will fall. I only hope that Edward keeps his end and helps us to avoid that. It is much harder to keep control when you've stolen it."

"Well, my friend, I'm off. I will see you at our next meeting if not in the Hall," Stefan shook Aro's hand and then left him to his twisted thoughts.

*PttT*

The morning of the fifth day since Alice had run off dawned on an exhausted Isabella, who was more inclined to stay abed than do anything. As Edward noticed her sluggish movements and pale complexion, he begged her to spend the day in their chambers.

"Edward, I am not an invalid," she told him sternly.

"No, but Carlisle told you that early on you must try not to become overstressed. This ordeal with Alice is making you sick and I fear for our child."

Edward's pleading struck a chord with Isabella and she climbed back to bed. "You are lucky that it is Sunday and I didn't have any meetings to attend to."

"I am just happy to see you resting. I will have Sam search out Tanya so that we may eat in here."

The knock at the door brought with it their morning meal, Lady Tanya having already thought to fetch it. "I am sorry to intrude, but if you will just let me deliver this I can be on my way again."

"We will be staying in our chambers unless something urgent arises, please have our other meals brought here in a similar fashion, Lady Tanya." She looked from Edward's face to Isabella's before nodding.

"Yes, my King."

Edward prepared the tray before moving it to Isabella, allowing her to eat comfortably before he partook in the food as well. It was a quiet meal as both of their minds wandered.

"Edward, I need you to promise me that you will be careful. With my father gone and now Alice…"

"Alice will return, I promise you that." Edward tried to steel his own beliefs as well as hers as tears welled up in her eyes.

"I miss her, Edward."

"I know, love. I do too. Alice is the only one who believes in me completely. Even her father eyes me cautiously from time to time before he thinks better of it." Edward's eyes fell to the bedding before Isabella could tilt his head up.

"I believe in you too, husband. They just don't know you like we do."

A loud commotion outside the door broke their private moment as Edward reached for his sword. The rumbling continued until the door opened to reveal Alice and Carlisle, with General Whitlock standing by the remainder of the guard.

"Alice?" Edward and Isabella shouted as the sword dropped from his hand.

Alice flew to Isabella's side, hugging her tightly as Carlisle moved to Edward. The General entered the room, staying back as the doors closed to allow the private moment.

"Lady Alice, I should throw you in the Tower for worrying me so," Isabella threatened through her tears.

"Is something wrong with the Queen?" Carlisle asked as the women chattered away.

"She was heartsick for her friend; we both were, if truth be told. Alice is a dear friend to me as well with how she has always treated me fairly," Edward admitted, letting his eyes glance in the direction of Jasper.

"Well then it seems I discovered the balm for her soul just in time. Though I have a new resident in my Quarters until Alice moves?"

"Moves?" Isabella asked, interrupting Alice's story.

"Yes, I will be moving from the rooms belonging to my parents to that of my husband's." Alice looked down as both royals exclaimed again.

"I think it is time I reveal my part in this tale," Jasper stated as he stepped forward. "I was returning from my journey when I saw Lady Alice attempting to saddle a horse in the stables. When I found out what she was doing, I offered to accompany her, but she worried about her reputation so I told her that we would find someone to marry us as soon as we crossed the border."

"It was terribly romantic; he was helping me to save Sasha and marrying me." Alice beamed.

"Wait, is General Whitlock the man you were speaking about that day? When His Majesty was talking about finding a good man for you," Isabella asked.

"Yes, he was. I didn't need a grand ceremony; all I wanted was for us to be wed." Alice beamed up at her husband.

"And what will come of Sasha?" Isabella asked.

"She has been so brutalized by her father that I will need to spend time just getting her used to being around people. But I hope that with my patronage, she will be okay."

"We shall work it all out, but for now you and I need to speak, there is much that will be changing in the coming months and I need my former Lady in Waiting to help me sort through it," Isabella told Alice.

"Former? Are you going to dismiss me from your service?" Alice looked shocked to hear the news.

"Married women do not normally serve the Queen, because their place is with their husbands, but you will begin taking over your mother's position as the coordinator of all social events for the Crown, while the Duchess can begin to work more on the philanthropic efforts that need to be organized. These roles were set for both of you before I even took the throne, but I am happy to see it fulfilled."

Alice looked over to Jasper with a smile, "Thank you, Your Majesty. I am truly sorry to have worried you. I just didn't feel like I could wait until morning."

"It all worked out well, but you cannot go out unprotected. We are all lucky that Jasper was there when you needed him. Now, if you gentlemen can leave us to discuss some things -"

Edward interrupted Isabella, his concern still on her condition. "Isn't this something that could wait until tomorrow?"

Isabella sighed, hoping that she could convince Edward to give them their time together. "It will not take long. Why don't you speak to the General about what he discovered before he left with Alice? Please, husband?"

Her endearment got to him and he conceded. "Very well, but I will be back on the hour."

Giggling at her husband, Alice and Isabella settled in to discuss the many changes that the coming months would bring.