Okay, people, Chapter 12 is my Christmas gift to all you. I would really, REALLY appreciate it if some of you would review. Please, please, please! Have a heart, get in the Christmas spirit, it would make my day!

-Wolf Lover42

Chapter 12: Fire

Once seeing Eric, Bella and Angela went to get breakfast. They ate cheerily with Mother and Father, followed by trotting down to the dungeon. At the entrance, Bella nervously nudged Angela forward, who protested.

"Oh, no!" she objected with a sneer of disgust. "I have never gone down there, and I am not starting now to see some ungrateful fat women!"

Bella, amused, raised her eyebrows. Angela blinked, adding hastily, "Your…Your Highness."

"Yes, I expect it sometimes. Please? You agreed to come after all, right?"

Angela sighed, swallowing. "Well, yes…"

"Then what are you waiting for?"

They descended down a spiraling staircase into darkness. With no sun, it was colder and creepier. Bella shuffled behind Angela, shivering from head to toe, cursing herself for wanting justice on Lauren.

"Why oh why do you curse me like this, Princess?" whined Angela, her teeth chattering. "Eric is better, and I come back to him blue in the face?"

The cold freezing her nerves, she snapped, "Stop complaining! We'll be there soon enough."

The servant was quiet as they reached the end and went down a stone corridor filled with soldiers and spears. One of them saw her and stepped in front of them, his face covered by a helmet.

"What is the meaning of this?" growled Bella, hands on her hips.

The soldier grinned slyly, ignoring her question. "Good day, my Lady," he greeted. "What are you doing down here? It is no place for such beautiful women." He winked at Angela, who stared icily back.

"I have a lover, thank you very much! Such rude men like you need women to control your savage behavior."

The knight's eyes widened in mock amazement. "Oh, I'm sure." Ignoring her blazing eyes, he turned to Bella, who thought about slapping the rude soldier. He dares talk to them like this? "My princess," he purred, bowing. She noticed some of the others snickering.

"You!" she barked, making them stiffen. "What in the world is so funny? You think rudeness is amusing? You shall think it hilarious when my father kicks you out!"

The knight who was flirting with her laughed deeply. Bella glared at him. "On the contrary, my dear! We are the king's personal favorites. He would not dare fire us, right, men?"

The others murmured agreement.

Fury warmed her feet. "You idiot!" With that, she slapped the chuckling knight across the face, sending him stumbling back in surprise.

Angela gasped, followed by giggling. "You just hit a knight," she scoffed.

"Come on." Bella grabbed the servant's hand and shoved past the soldier. It took her a minute to realize that his sniffling was laughter.

That was the final straw.

She strode up to him, arms folded across her chest. "What is your name?"

"It is Sir Jacob, Princess."

Anger drained from her. Jacob? "No," she muttered. "How?"

The knight took off the helmet, and, there he was, Jacob. Jacob and his silly grin.

"Whatever." She pushed past Jacob once more. "Now lead us to Lauren. I've had enough interruptions! It's as if I was destined to be interrupted my entire life!" She snorted, realizing wherever she went, a much too-long conversation was involved.

Jacob strode up, matching her stride. "Can't do that, Princess," he purred.

Sighing, she stopped to glare at him. "And why not?"

"Special orders from the king. No one, not even you, is allowed to see Miss Lauren. She is to be hung at dawn in four sunrises, no exceptions."

"So you mean I froze my feet, I suffered through your mockery, and got my dress dirty for nothing but to be turned down? By a rude knight?" she spat. Bella certainly wasn't in the mood to be banned from certain parts of her own castle.

"Sorry, Miss. Be sure to be present at her sentence, right?" Jacob reminded her.

Bella stuck her tongue out at him, turning towards the stairs.

Angela held her arm. "Princess?"

She shook her head. But she instantly stopped. Jacob was laughing again. Kicking off her shoes, Bella shot between Jacob—shoving him aside into the wall—who stood, dazed. Several knights lunged at her, but she twisted and ducked around them. Angela shrieked in delight, willing her princess on. She slammed into Lauren's cell, clutching the bars and breathing in gasps. The woman hesitated, as if contemplating whether to listen or not. Then she turned slowly around, and blinked. Her eyes glittered like a cat's with hatred.

"I am so sorry. Please forgive me. I promise to get you free. I promise, Lauren—"

Before she could finish, Jacob came up, face grim. He hoisted her onto his shoulder, carrying her to the stairs. Blood rushed to her head, and she kicked and screamed like she used to when she was a child.

"Let me go, you slimy knight!" she screeched, but Jacob ignored her and adjusted her on his shoulders.

Angela was getting the same treatment. "You dare treat your future queen like this?"

Jacob nodded to Angela's soldier, and he went up the spiral staircase. Suddenly, the fire died. She sighed and stopped moving, becoming limp. Jacob tensed, and halted.

"Please put me down," Bella whispered. "I shall be good. I cannot take this. It's too much for me."

He put her down, pushing a strand of hair behind her ear. Normally, Bella would slap him, but she was so very much tired of fighting back. She wished things would settle. She would give her greatest treasures for that. Anything…

Angela's nervous voice burst out, "Princess? Are you alright? Can we get out of here?" Her tone dropped to a whisper, "This knight is still watching me, and I do not like it."

"Yes, of course," Bella answered dully. Slowly but surely, Angela behind her, she padded up the stairs. Each step was warmer, and the stone was more familiar.

Angela stepped ahead of her, breathing the fresh air and twirling her thin, linen skirt. "Ah, is it not much better up here, Mistress?" she breathed, closing her eyes in relief.

Bella nodded, her eyes flickering to the coat-of-arms swan above her. So many generations of her family watched this emblem. Her father, her grandfather, King Geoffrey, his father, and so many more. Yet there were not just kings. There were also wives, daughters, sons, cousins, nephews, nieces… But every couple wishes for sons. That way, there would not have to be kings from others kingdoms, manors, provinces…

Servant boys.

Pain knocked on her heart, demanding relief. Will her loving servant boy ever return? Is he even missing her or is he wallowing in his freedom? His letter surely did not say so. Nor did the shattered ring.

"The ring," she murmured aloud, her voice filled with longing and heartache. "My beautiful, gorgeous ring." She sighed. "It was proof," she reminded herself. It was proof of his love for her, and he tempted the blacksmith to make it in a night, specially made. He lit the courtyard gardens with fireflies; he found her grandfather's clothes, the ones he wore when he proposed to her Grandma Helen. He even hired a violinist, one he especially could not afford. He spent time, and money he did not have, all for her. If that was anything, he loved her more than air for his lungs. And yet he leaves, without a single spoken word. All he left was shattered diamonds and stupid written words. Did he leave because he saw necessary? Or simply because he could not stand to fight with her or anyone else?

The least he could do was send a letter.

"Mistress?" Angela was anxiously snapping her fingers at Bella. "Are you alright? Your eyes look so distant."

She blinked, feeling very…distant. No, hollow and lonely are the words. She was an empty bird's nest, with no one to fill her space—her heart.

"I am. Just a bit distracted. Shall we visit Eric again?"

A joyful smile lit her face. "That would be great, Mistress!" She frowned then, however, as Bella's gaze flickered to some far-off world. "But I think you need some alone time. I will escort you to your room."

By the time Angela left her at her room, went to see Eric, and came back to check on her, Bella thought about quite a few things.

For example, how her mind drifted from one thing to another. Why was Father so determined to hang Lauren? Did he despise her as much as his daughter? Or is it Bella's pleas that make him determined? As she began to think why, she wondered why Lauren would whip Eric in the first place. Was she driven by her hatred? But what hatred? She must have some plan to escape, right? That is what all humans try to do. And why was Jacob acting so strange?

She sighed. So many questions…

The thoughts on her warped train kept coming, more horrid each time.

Why would James send flowers and love letters, since he already lost once? And losing his home, garden, his treasures, henchmen…? Was he so determined to win her? He knew how much she resented him, so why try? And his voice in her head! How could she hear it?

In any case, whether she liked it or not, Bella had to speak to him. She wanted to know why he was trying to get her, how he was talking to her, how he survived the fatal damage of the barn's collapse that left Laurent dead, how he knew so much about her, how he got the letters past the guards, and, finally, did he have something to do with the prophecy?

The prophecy.

Oh, my dear! You know so little, in fact. Do you think I am an ordinary being? Ha, I laugh at how your petty woman mind works. Yet, I truly admire your courage, beauty, and quick-thinking. Trust me—though you may not like it—on this, however: your answers will come when the time is right. They will come in time, for everything has a purpose. In the meantime, relax and do not do anything rash.

Breathing sharply through her nose, Bella shook her head. That honey-sweet voice left her reeling. Yet…he was right. Answers will come, just not yet. Everything does have a purpose, and truth set you free.

So, this led her to another web of questions: since when does Angela love Eric? If she has for a long time, why did she not tell her? How can his injuries be that serious? Well, if he is a servant, weak and scrawny, then it is not that big of a surprise. Where is Jessica? Bella has been seeing more of Angela than her own personal, mixed-feelings servant. Had she gone off with a boy, also?

Sighing, the evil thoughts haunted her.

The prophecy. Is James involved in a way? Edward? Her family, servants, her people in the village, Jacob, the other knights?

The old hag's voice echoed in her mind:

"A lover will betray,

and one shall perish,

by a garden of roses,

a garden of magic

If you dare to challenge,

beware the outcome

A single one shall come,

to save thee,

yet if you refuse this help,

you are doomed."

'A lover will betray'… Could that be Edward? But it could be James. Perhaps another man, someone unknown? She was not quite sure of any other pursuers of her admiration.

'And one shall perish.' Does that mean one will die? Hopefully James and not one she loves.

'By a garden of roses.' Surely not James's garden? That was destroyed with the rest of the barn. Or her beloved courtyards? Neither of these was entirely of roses. And 'A garden of magic'? No, magic, wizards, and all those myths do not exist. How could they? She did not believe in them.

'If you dare to challenge.' Challenge what? Challenge who? For what, exactly?

'Beware the outcome.' Of course there will be consequences!

'A single one shall come.' That could be possibly anyone. If not at James's garden, he could save her. Edward, her father, perhaps.

'To save thee.' Of course would be her, right? Who else would be needing saving?

'Yet if you refuse this help.' Why would she refuse it? Yet…no one knows the future. There could be another, future reason for wanting to decline an offer. But if it were life and death? She would rather choose life, as would anyone. Surely she would accept help for not but a selfish, prideful reason?

'You are doomed.' Right, refusing is out of the question. She would rather be stuck in a smelly dungeon than lose her life. Not just her own life but her mother's, father's, her knights, servants, peasants, and…most of all she wished Edward would live—whatever the cost.

After the tireless thinking episode, Bella finally settled in for bed. Angela lit a candle.

"Mistress?" she asked in her soft voice, folding her hands over her lap, stepping lightly to the four-poster bed. "May I ask you something?"

Bella pulled her animal skin covers over herself, propping up to gaze at the servant with sympathetic and understanding blue eyes. "Yes?"

"Well, I, er, was in need of tips, you see—" she began, but Bella cut her off in a jolt of panic.

"What kind of tips do you speak of?"

Angela let out a sigh of exasperation, her hands twitching. She made no eye contact. "Oh, no, not money, Your Highness. No, I need guidelines."

"Ah." Relieved, Bella patted her bed, urging Angela to sit and calm her nerves. When the servant hesitated, she murmured, "Go on, I am not going to punish you."

So she sat. Finally, worried brown eyes swimming with moisture were staring at her. "Oh, Princess Bella, I do not know what to do!" She bent down and sobbed in the palms of her dirty hands. Candlelight flickered off her tears.

Bella was filled with dread. This could mean many things. Keeping her voice calm and reassuring, she asked, "What do you mean by this? Is Eric not faring well?"

"No!" Angela cried, letting out a treacherous throaty sob. It tore at Bella's heart. "He is suffering more each passing hour, and Nurse Claire cannot understand why, or how to cure him! He coughs like he has a frog in his throat, and he sweats like it rained personally on him! Nurse says he was recovering, yet he only gets worse! Do you think it is the cold winter nights?" she wondered suddenly, looking up.

But Bella could not answer. She did not want Eric to die; he had so much to live for. He should survive Lauren's whip, survive this plague. If it was winter frost, then the king will have to make extra precautions. She had to see Father immediately.

Bella stood, pushing her hair back. Eric had to live to stay long and happy with Angela. She dashed out of the room without another word, exploding into her father's quarters. The guards did not even see her.

Mother jolted from her sleep, gasping and shaking her head wildly. "What? What is it?" She saw Bella, and sighed, rousing Father. "Honey," she whispered, "Bella is here."

He grumbled something unintelligible, then propped himself up to look at her with groggy eyes. "Yes, my dear?" he asked with a hint of irritability.

She tentively stepped up, but she realized that this was important and there was no time to delay, much less be timid. She cleared her throat, trying to appear determined. And she was, for a good reason. "Father, I understand that you will not abolish Lauren's sentence—"

"That is correct," the king interrupted, while Mother fixed her eyes on him icily.

"Anyway, I know you will not, but the boy, Eric, he is getting sicker each passing hour. It would break Angela's heart if the conditions were not better and he died from the cold. Would you mind if I got his bed warmer somehow? Perhaps a bigger, better fireplace? More blankets? Oh, please, there has been too much misery! Please, Father?" she pleaded. She did not want Eric to die, and certainly not for Angela to spend the rest of her days swimming in guilt.

Father actually looked thoughtful. Was he weighing her words? Bella's fingers clasped together, begging. "Well," he began, "I do suppose living conditions could be better. But—" he inquired before she could celebrate, "only for my kingdom's sake. I wish not for mockery of someone dying under my watch."

Excitement and joy were obliterated. Her face fell, glowering at the selfish king she thought responsible. For the sake of his kingdom? Not for his daughter's, his servant's? Their love and devotion?

"Father—" she started acidly, but Mother raised a hand.

"Please do not argue tonight, my dear. It is late, and you should be in bed. Tell Angela not to worry, Eric will be fine. I shall get knights working on it soon. But, I need to speak to you before breakfast." Dropping her serious voice, it went to a cheerful yet tired tone. "Good night, Bella. Sweet dreams!"

Grumbling, Bella left her parents to sleep. Why did they always send her away, along with snappy remarks and her lost battles? They won, while she was left with nothing? They betrayed her, the wanted nothing to do with her, let alone listen to her ideas for a better future. Yet—did Mother not say she would get knights on the job? For her, however, that meant in a few days, after Eric had died. No, that is not possible—Eric will survive. She promised Angela that.

A/N: There's chapter 12! PLEASE REVIEW!