Chapter 14

"But James only knew of one?"

"That's right. There's a second one my father's journals told me about."

"Do you know if it works?"

"Yes, I do. Some of my guards will be watching through windows if you need additional backup."

"What room in the castle are you thinking the altercation is to take place in?"

"Actually, do you remember the balcony that your engagement was announced on?"

"Yes."

"From the secret passage, you can get to the room that the windows go out to the balcony."

"You want me to go through the window."

"Yes. You ride horseback and play with daggers; I think you can go through an open window. You'll put your crown on and announce to whoever's below that you have returned to reclaim your throne. Our guards will have you encircled. The rebels will come see what the ruckus is. The rebels will draw on all of you. You will walk between two of my men and staying even with them and going no further tell the rebels to lay down their weapons. I am assuming one of them will walk towards you and say to you, 'Your Majesty'. They will genuflect towards you as they lay down their arms in front of you. You'll then ask them for the rest of the rebels to lay down their weapons. You'll be stalling them while me and my men get into place behind them. Ask them about negotiating a treaty between us and them. Try and negotiate and keep that going for thirty minutes. After thirty minutes tell them we agree and reach to shake his hand. One will go to shake your hand and capture you; but only because my guards will let them. He will take the crown from you. I want you to struggle some. Demand that they let you go or else. He will say you are the one in trouble my queen. Now tell your guard to put down their weapons. Then lean away like you are going to be sick and throw up. He will help you lean over and push you away from him. This is when you'll pull out both daggers, step on his foot with your heel and pivot away. My guards will protect you as well as the rest of us. My group will come out during all this."

"How do we know that it'll work?"

"Bella, I've spent two months with you. You can talk to anyone about anything for thirty minutes to three hours. Now stand up." We both do. He pulled me into his waist. Now tell me you have to throw up. Edward presses my bottom into his hips and forces me to lean over. Now, can you reach your dagger?"

"Yes."

"Good, now step on my foot," and I did. Pull away and grab your second one if you have a chance and come at aiming them at him. Or he may just push you away, get your daggers out. Our guards will surround you; they are trained and have sworn to protect our lives over themselves. Bella, you will practice this every day. Once they have all surrendered, you and I will announce my return. We will have a rededication ceremony in the chapel so that I can be honest that I took the oath."

"But what if it doesn't go that way."

"We have two weeks to come up with as many scenarios as possible and prepare you for them as well. I hurt you once when I caused the miscarriage; I will do everything in my power to not cause you that kind of pain ever again. The three of us talked until 8:00 AM about different scenarios. We all agreed; we liked the balcony because we could control all access."

"Excuse me, sir," I heard, "would you like breakfast?"

"Yes, please." The three of us continue talking all through breakfast. "Bella, would you like to freshen up before everyone arrives?"

"Yes, please." Edward escorted me back to his room.

"What? Why are we going to your room?" I said.

"Remember, what I told you?"

"Yes, but my things have already been moved into here?" and he showed me.

"Please, excuse me. I'll send Nancy into help you clean up."

"Just a minute."

"Yes."

"Why would you want me after everything that has happened to me? I don't deserve you."

"Yes, we do deserve each other." Edward kissed me, carried me to his bed and down onto the bed we went. "As you said earlier this evening, if you had met Anthony and not been married, you could see yourself falling in love with him."

"How do we explain me getting past my captor and my freedom to my parents?"

"Simple. I hunted him down here, killed him, and was wounded in the process. My memory was affected which ties in with the public story. How are you now you've been awake for 25 hours?"

"I'm getting tired; but even though I believe they will all be here within the hour, I want to see it for myself."

"Good, I am glad you trust me now."

"I do with my life, my children, and my parents."

"Thank you, Queen Bella, now go freshen up while I excuse myself for a little while." Thirty minutes later Edward returned, "Shall we go wait for our guests in the main parlor?"

"Yes, what will my children sleep on in my suite?"

"We moved in two small beds from storage. They are sturdy; but not uncomfortable." We just talked more strategy while waiting. I heard a carriage outside and I was up in a flash. Everyone was inside; I was holding and hugging both kids and my parents were both hugging me. Everyone accepted it was Edward when he got through all my bonds. At 11:00, we showed them to their room to share for they were tired. We agreed we would all have dinner together.

I hugged and kissed Rosalie and Emmett. "I love you guys so much. Thank you for coming to see me." We went back to our room. "Thank you, Edward for bringing my family to me so quickly."

I started rambling about everything we had been through; within two minutes, I was in Edward's arms. "You are making no sense and need to sleep."

"I know; but there are so many scenarios that I can't calm down. How will we protect everyone? How will all the guards know what to do?"

"The answer is simple protect you, me and your family." Then he said, "We need to get you to bed so that you can stop rambling and rest."

"Edward, do you trust all your guards?"