Hello everyone! Here is the next chapter. Happier I guess? It answers some questions that were in the last chapter. I hope you like it!
Feedback is much appreciated.
"Not enough music to free the prisoner," Rachel kept saying to herself over and over again. Her legs quivered after how many paces around the room she as done. Winster is gone now, he was buried in the graveyard but no one was to attend except for Rachel, Noah, and a guard to bury him. She wanted him to be respected and was afraid of what the townspeople might do.
What did this man write on his forearm though? Who was the prisoner? Her and Noah first thought it was Rachel since she loves music so dearly. She knew it had to be her, it had to be the case.
Noah took her hand and led her to the bathroom. Rachel sighed as she sat down at the edge of the bathtub. Her hand rubbed her head hoping to relieve any stress she has had in her life. It soon left her when Noah placed his lips against her temple still holding on to her hand.
He turned the boiler in the already filled bath and added some salts that would calm the girls nerves. He caressed the back of her hand with his thumb as they waited for the water to reach the top. He got undressed and helped Rachel get undressed herself since she was so...tired.
Rachel was first to step in the warm soothing water with Noah behind her. He held her close and put his head against the side. They fell into a peaceful sleep.
Rachel woke up in Noah's arms. Her body was all wrinkly for being in the water for so long. She groaned and looked over and Noah who was still in his slumber. Rachel leaned over and pecked his cheek. She felt him stir under her as the water moved. His mouth turned into a beautiful grin as he saw Rachel still on top of him. He scratched his face and forced some words out.
"What time is it?" he croaked. She slowly got off of him and look outside to the sun.
"It looks like it's noon," she said. "We slept all night and morning." Rachel took the clothes off the floor and brought them into the connected bedroom to put in the basket to wash later. She picked up a few undergarments and clothing and went back into the bathroom to speak with Noah.
"It feels as if we were asleep for ever," he said groaning and getting out of the bath. Rachel helped him after she got dressed. The blush that formed on her cheeks was still present though because she caught Noah looking at her naked just a few minutes before.
"Noah I have been thinking about this all night in my dreams. What could Winsten's words mean?" She asked while passing him some clothing and underwear. A button down, maroon color, and slacks that fit nicely with the shirt. He slipped them on and followed her into the bedroom.
"Rach, you got to relax and think about the more important things now," he said softly and took her hand again. It felt so familiar to her now.
He led her to the window and they looked outside together. "What is it Noah?" she asked impatiently when his eyes kept going distant. His face snapped towards hers and looked into her eyes.
"See that? Out there?" he pointed to the town.
"See what? Point exactly where," she responded, head still moving back, forward and side to side trying to see what he was seeing.
"The village Rachel, we built that. Look how happy people are now. People may not have heat or full access to food but we are getting there. We are almost there, I can feel it. Don't think of the bad things now Rachel, think of what might become of this town. What might become of us," he answered in a hushed tone and squeezed her hand at the last part. "I love you Rachel and even though you may not think this but I always want to be with you. I will never leave you. God Rachel! You are too special for that!"
"I-I'm not special, I make too many mistakes. P-people hate me for it," she cried while ducking her head. He took a finger and guided her chin to meet eyes again.
"Everyone makes mistakes Rachel. It's those who try to fix them and learn from them are the special ones," Noah whispered. She nodded and grabbed his other hand.
"I love you too Noah," she said softly. He smiled and kissed her. Their foreheads touching, she mouthes against his lips, "I always will."
People have been coming in the castle throughout the day. Some begging for food and a place to sleep for the night, some giving thanks for all their help. Rachel sighed. She feels like she doesn't deserve the thanks.
The days are clearer now. The sun is shining, and the trees begin to grow. The leaves are turning into a rich green and the sky is a beautiful baby blue. Rachel needed to clear her head for a moment, some silence would do her good.
She walked out side to the backyard of the castle. It was so quite there, so peaceful. Rachel slowly laid down and stared up at the sky where the clouds were swirling with delight. She closed her eyes and began to drift off.
It was only a few minutes later until Noah had found the girl he was looking for. He called her name around the castle and checked every room. His beloved Queen was taking advantage of the sun and enjoying the fresh air. He joined her while laying down next to her.
Rachel subconsciously rolled toward him so she was clutching onto his shirt and burying her face in his chest. He smiled and wrapped and arm around her back. They were so comfortable now. They always are when they are together.
After an hour Noah thought it was time to wake the Queen up. She needed to do some tasks for the day that cannot be left unfinished. He kissed her forehead and smiled when Rachel yawned and looked into his eyes dreamily.
"Noah," she sighed happily.
"Hey baby it's time to wake up now," she said while tapping her nose. She scrunched her face but nodded.
"I just came out here to clear my mind, you know?" she said while looking into his eyes.
"That seems like a very good a idea for a very stressful girl I know," he chuckled. She giggled and kissed his lips.
"I agree," she said and batted her eyes at him playfully. He helped her get off the grass a few minutes later after Rachel finally woken completely up. "Noah?"
"Yes?"
"We are going to continue making that piano right?" Rachel asked as she stretched in her spot and took his hand to walk into the castle.
"Actually I was going to surprise you," he said while stopping their wake and looking into her eyes.
"What is it?"
"I was able to get someone to bring over a piano from one of the other towns. It was a lot of work but I know you need it so I tried my best." Rachel was speechless and so was Noah since she gave him a rib crushing hug and he could barely breath. She couldn't stop thanking him or giving him as many kisses as she can. This is one of the reasons why she loved him.
They walked the rest of the way together back into the castle where she knew she had to start getting back to that suicide case. Sadly the word got out and people have been protesting and some even cheering up the street. Rachel couldn't even look at them. If they came at her door she asked the guards to send them away. It was nobody's business.
"Not enough music to free the prisoner, not enough music to free the prisoner," she kept repeating out loud. "Not enough music to free the prisoner," she said a bit louder this time. Noah just stared at her as he sat on the bed and watched Rachel once again pace around the bedroom. Noah began to hum for some reason, he probably didn't even know he was humming at the time but as the music started to fill the room Rachel could think clearly again. "Noah I got it!" she yelled happily while jumping on the bed next to him.
"What Rachel?" he asked while rubbing his left ear to sooth it since Rachel just screamed in it.
"I understand what he means by 'Not enough music to free the prisoner,'" she said while bouncing up and down.
"Really?!" Noah asked excitedly while look at her.
"He's the prisoner Noah. Winster is the prisoner. Not you or me, it's him," she said softly.
"Why the music then? He hates music," Noah growled.
"No he doesn't Noah. Don't you get it? He loves music but he is too afraid to show it. He keeps it locked up and bottled inside. Using the piano as firewood when we were kids, only allowing a certain genre of music, It makes so much sense now Noah!"
"I still don't get it Rachel."
"He took away the music that he had always loved which made him become his own prisoner."