Disclaimer- I still do not own Final Fantasy VII or the fairy tale "East of the Sun, West of the Moon."

The Wolf Prince

Chapter 15

The Unwavering Heart

"I'm sorry your highness, but there is no sign of Princess Aerith anywhere within palace," Vincent said.

Prince Cloud looked at his guard and then at his other servants, all who had been searching for the missing princess. There was no sign of her or either of her companions. The prince grew deeply worried.

"Bring me Kadaj," Cloud ordered.

Reno and Rude brought the prisoner before their prince. The pair forced Kadaj to his knees. The younger lord was chained tightly. He looked up at the wolf prince between the strands of silver hair, glaring. Clearly, he did not approve of the treatment but Cloud could care less.

"You are already sentencing me?" Kadaj asked, bemused.

Cloud ignored his question. "Where is the princess?"

"How should I know?" Kadaj replied. "Her companions threw me through my castle wall. Then when I awoke my brothers and I were already chained."

Cloud glared at him. Kadaj responded with a smirk.

"What is it your highness? You lost your precious princess already?"

Cloud turned away from Kadaj, ignoring his comments. He glanced toward his servants.

"Search the entire area," Cloud ordered. "I will not rest until I find her."

Princess Aerith ran through the Forgotten Forest, uncaring of any dangers that were or could be lurking behind a tree or rock. At her heels were Nanaki and Cait Sith on his back. They had been begging the princess to cease in her running but she ignored her companions and continued running. She only stopped when she found her feet unable to carry her anymore, taking huge gasps of breath to refill her burning lungs.

The princess no longer wore the scanty wedding dress Kadaj forced on her for her old modest pink dress and red cloak. The brown boots were once again on her feet, making it easier for her to run. In her hands was her staff in case of any beast or bandit that may attack her.

"Princess," Cait Sith said, "I do not know if you noticed this but you are running the wrong way! Prince Cloud is in the other direction."

The Princess did not face either of her companions; instead, she began to run again. She did not get far, for Nanaki cut her off by jumping in front of her. The princess attempted to move past him but the larger cat refused to let her pass without any explanation.

"Let me pass," she demanded.

The cat growled, "I will not. You risk your life for the man you love and now you run from him? Why are you doing such a foolish thing?"

Aerith clutched her staff tightly. Her lips pressed tightly together to keep a sob from escaping. She shook her head and looked at Nanaki, her loyal pet with tears filling her eyes.

"He does not love me." She whispers dejected. "I thought that when I woke him from his sleep that he was truly in love with me. Yet, it was all a trick, a lie!"

"But… you love him."

Aerith closed her eyes. "I love him more than anything but how can I face him after I betrayed his trust. Saving Cloud… saving Cloud was something I had to do. I told you Nanaki that even if he were to hate me I would save him."

Nanaki wanted to yell at the princess for doing something so foolish. It was clear as day that Cloud cared for Aerith just as much as she cared for him. Cloud did not fight for himself; he fought that battle to protect her. The larger and smaller cats were sure that if Kadaj did force himself on Aerith that Cloud would personally castrate the villainous man.

However, the princess could not bare the idea of Cloud rejecting her again. She could no witness those looks of anger, sorrow, and betrayal ever again. So, being the weak child that she believed to be, she fled from the wolf prince.

"Than if you want nothing more to do with him," Nanaki said harshly, "why do you continue to hold onto the necklace he gave you?"

Aerith gasped. True enough, the white materia necklace hung from around her neck, resting above her bosom. Her hand instinctively went up to the piece of jewelry.

"You should return to him," the cat snapped.

Aerith looked down for a moment before looking at her companions crying.

"Do not lecture me!" she sobbed, "If Cloud wants this necklace than you return it to him!"

She threw the necklace, which Cait Sith caught, before bolting from her spot. The princess's cries echoed in the larger cat's ears. This time, Aerith fled to the edge of the forest before her legs collapsed under her.

Nanaki and Cait Sith came from behind the sobbing girl. They looked at one another, worried expressions on each of their faces.

"Princess," Nanaki spoke. "I'm sorry for speaking so harshly."

Aerith sniffed, wiping her tears.

"I know how much pain you have gone through and I do not have a right to speak to you as I have. Please forgive me."

Aerith reached up and hugged her loyal pet, burying her face in her fur. She e whispered her own "I'm sorry" several times into his fur. She knew she was being foolish but somewhere deep in her heart she felt that Cloud would reject her. Nanaki and Cait Sith both knew she was being a fool, but they allowed her to make her own choices, even how wrong those choices may be.

The three companions journeyed for sometime before nearing the outskirts of her father's kingdom. Cait Sith declined the invitation to live in the palace with the princess. He preferred the freedom to come and go as he pleased and he admitted that the temptation of gold would be too great for him. Therefore, the tiny cat bid the princess and her pet a fond farewell.

However, before the little cat could get far Nanaki pounced on him and forced the little cat to return the necklace, which the princess had thrown to him during her haste. Cait Sith cursed, hoping both would forget knowing the necklace would fetch a hefty price.

When Aerith and Nanaki returned to the castle, both parents were shocked to see their daughter in such a state. She looked tired and dirty and dressed in such peasant looking clothes. Ifalna instantly ordered the servants to clean her up and prepare a large meal for her. However, Aerith simply wanted to sleep. Her father obliged to her request and had Tseng escort her to her room. Ifalna wanted to protest but her husband could see the tired and fragile look in his daughter's eyes. Knowing very well, she wanted her parents to listen to her request.

Aerith slept the day away, with Nanaki at her feet. When many of the servants discovered the princess's return, they inquired to where she was and why she was no longer with the Wolf Prince. Many of them attempted to speak to her but Nanaki frightened them away with his new ability to speak. He made certain no one would bother Aerith.

A day or so went by when the princess finally came out of her bed. She bathed and dressed herself before coming to the dining hall for breakfast. All the occupants of the hall, her parents, the guards, and servants were shocked to see her about. Aerith politely took a seat across from her mother and near her father who was at the head of the table. Both the king and queen found it hard to speak to their daughter. She did not seem at all herself. Her normal gentle smiles and her cheerful attitude were replaced with a quiet withdrawn demeanor.

The king and queen assumed their daughter would eventually speak to them about what had happened but she never did. They hoped that she would go back to her normal self with time.

One particular evening after dinner, King Gast came to his daughter's room out of concern. It had been several days since his daughter's return and she hardly spoke to him and his wife. He knocked on her door and entered. He found Aerith sitting in a chair reading a book by the fire. Nanaki was snuggled at her feet.

"Good evening, Aerith," the king greeted her.

"Good evening, father," she greeted back.

The king eyed Nanaki. "May you leave us to talk in private?"

The cat bowed, "Certainly."

The king was still mildly shocked that that cat could talk but after having a large wolf speak to him, it was not very surprising. At least he knew Nanaki would not kill him. He hoped so anyway. When the cat left, he turned to his daughter. Aerith closed her book but remained seated.

"Aerith," he began. "Your mother and I are worried about you. You have returned home without any indication why. You stay closed up in your room and only come down for your meals. What has happened between you and the wolf prince? Your mother spoke to me about you being engaged to him. Is it true?"

Aerith shook her head slowly. "No father, I am not engaged to Prince Cloud. He and I have come to an understanding. He told me to return home and so here I am."

The king looked puzzled. "I do not understand. He treated you well and gave you such fine luxuries that even I could never give you. He was clearly smitten with you and yet he allowed you to return here."

Aerith clutched her book tightly. "I am a child to him. I'm sure he could find a woman who is strong, brave, trustworthy, and beautiful instead of a little girl like me."

The king stared at his daughter. She was staring at the fire with a distant look in her eyes. When her father spoke to her again, she did not hear a word he said. Her mind was too busy replaying the image of Cloud disappearing amongst the flames.

"Aerith," the king called to her.

Aerith looked up.

"Whatever happened between you and the wolf prince is between you and him. However, I worry about you. I only wish to see you happy and your old self again. Your mother does as well. If there is anything I can do…"

Aerith shook her head. The king let out a long sigh before he left her alone. What could her father do? What could anyone do? Cloud was no longer apart of her life and she had to overcome the pain within her heart that came with losing someone you love. Aerith reached up to touch the necklace she still had in her possession, a constant reminder of her own stupidity. Yet, she would wear forever so that she would never again make a foolish mistake as she did.

Nanaki returned to the room soon after. Aerith looked at him briefly before excusing herself to change into her nightgown so she could sleep. However, Nanaki knew the princess would do anything but sleep because he could clearly hear the soft cries being muffled by a pillow each and every night and he could do little comfort her.

Several weeks passed by and Aerith tried her best to live her normal life as if she never met Cloud. She hated worrying her mother and father needlessly so she pretended to her old self around them and the servants. It was only Nanaki who knew the princess's grief but he never said a word. It was not his place to say for it was her decision. The king and queen seemed quite pleased with the return of their daughter. It made the king smile more to see his daughter seemingly happy again.

One day, however, Aerith came down to the dining all for breakfast as usual. Normally, her mother and father would greet her quietly and they would eat, talking only about light topics. Today was different. Queen Ifalna was smiling big as she watched her daughter approach.

"Good morning," Aerith greeted slowly. She suspiciously eyed her mother who looked somewhat pleased.

"Good morning daughter," King Gast said. "I am glad you are finally up. I have such wonderful news."

"Oh, do tell," Aerith dryly said.

"Your father and I," Ifalna interrupted, "realized that you no longer a child."

Aerith sighed, "I see…"

Aerith had been the only one to consider herself a woman when she turned sixteen but the only other person to agree with her was Prince Cloud. Yet, after her betrayal, he realized she was nothing more than a child.

Aerith took a spoon and began to eat her breakfast porridge when her father began to speak.

"Your mother and I have found you a suitable husband."

Aerith coughed.

"My dear are you all right?" Iflana asked.

"A-aah husband," Aerith exasperated. "You are intending to marry me off? I had just returned home only a few weeks ago!"

"Aerith do not raise your voice," Ifalna scolded. "Your father and I realize you may think it is soon but had you not gone with the wolf prince, we would have searched for a suitable prince for you to marry."

Aerith felt as though she was going to faint. She placed her hands on the table for support.

"And when am I to meet this man?"

King Gast replied, "Tomorrow, your wedding day."

"Tomorrow?" The princess cried. "How can you force me to marry a man I never met the very next day after informing me?"

The princess left the table, intending to storm out of the room when she heard her mother call to her.

"What does it matter," Ifalna said. "You should be grateful that an actual man will marry you and not some creature."

Aerith felt the words sting like a bee. Cloud was no creature. He was a man, a handsome, strong, and brave man. He was a man that would no longer have her.

"You will be married tomorrow, Aerith," Gast ordered. "Do you understand?"

Aerith touched the necklace and closed her eyes. What did it matter who she married? She did not turn around as she spoke.

"Yes, father."

The thought of being married was overwhelming for Aerith. How could her parents simply marry her off when she had been through so much? True she did not speak much of her time with Cloud or her harrowing journey. Those memories were too painful for her to retell but to be so uncaring was too much for the princess.

After telling Nanaki the news, her loyal pet tried his best to comfort her. He sat next to her on the floor, curling beside her.

"I don't know what to do or say," Aerith said, shaking her head.

"Perhaps he is a nice person?"

Aerith groaned, placing her head in hands. Nanaki placed his head on her knee.

"Maybe this is all for the best," she said, defeated.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean," she said looking at her hands, "that maybe once I marry this man I'll be able to forget all about Cloud. I cannot be with him and he cannot even stand to look at me. Maybe I should just be content that someone is willing to marry me… and I should embrace this."

Nanaki brought his paw to her hand, touching it gently. "Is that what you seriously want?"

Aerith shook her head, "No."

The princess spent her night, tossing and turning. She awoke earlier than usual to find all the servants preparing for the wedding. She could not bring herself to eat any food. She became sick upon seeing decorations hanging throughout the castle main hall. She felt even sicker when two servants brought the princess her wedding gown, her veil, and shoes. Fifty red roses tied together with velvet ribbons served as her bouquet.

The servants helped her dress in the beautiful satin ball gown, with off the shoulder straps and lace on the back. All along the dress were silver embroidery along the hem and the bodice. Aerith would have considered the dress beautiful had she not found out her future husband was the one who sent it. Aerith hair was loose from its typical constraints due to her future husband's request. The veil itself was two tiers with floral embroidery that reached down past her elbows attached to a silver tiara.

When the servants attempted to remove the necklace, Aerith refused and had Nanaki remove them from the room. He servants cowered away from Nanaki's vicious growls and left the princess alone and alone she stayed.

The day passed slowly and the princess expected her future husband to arrive at any moment. Nonetheless, no servant came to call her for the wedding. Soon enough, the sun began to set, the princess remained in her chair anxiously waiting, and yet hoping this was all a mistake. As they day grew late, the princess drifted off in her chair. As she slept, several tears slipped from beneath her lashes as her hand instinctively reached up to the necklace. As she slept Nanaki slipped quietly from her room, leaving the door open only a crack.

Sometime later, Aerith awoke from the sound of the door closing. Her eyes fluttered open to find the fire had died. She sat up straighter and looked around. She felt uncomfortable all of a sudden. She felt someone's eyes on her. Someone was in her room. Aerith sucked in a sharp breath, praying she was wrong.

Her suspicions were confirmed though when she heard footsteps move through her room. The princess wanted to scream for the guards. She began to panic when Nanaki did not alert her of someone in her room, when it occurred to her he was no longer in the room. Aerith took a deep breath.

"Who's there?" she called. "Show yourself! You have no right to enter my chambers especially in such circumstances."

The person did not respond. Instead, they stopped walking. Aerith could not even pinpoint the person's location.

Where were the servants now of all times? They had been pestering her for weeks for information, coming in with food, to clean, or other such tasks. Now, they were nowhere to be found.

"If you do not leave I shall scream for the guards."

The person still did not respond. She backed away slowly, expecting whoever was in the room was near the door. That is until she collided into someone while walking backwards. Aerith gasped when she felt two hands touch her shoulders. She broke away in an attempt to run but whoever was in the room caught her by the wrist and forced her back.

"Let go of me or else!" she threatened.

Her threat was empty and the person, who Aerith realized was a man, picked her up by the waist. Aerith shrieked and began frantically hitting him. She called out to Nanaki to the guards but no one came. The princess began to sob as the man laid her down on her bed.

Aerith gasped finding the predicament terrifying. The man lay next to her, his body touching hers while still pinning her to the bed. Aerith whimpered when she felt his lips pressing along her neck. His lips brushed along her skin up her neck and against her jaw line. The princess let off a soft moan before she felt his lips press onto hers. With his lips to hers, Aerith saw her moment and bit down on his lower lip as hard as she could.

The man drew away, letting go of the princess. She could hear his shocking gasp. She guessed he was probably touching his lips to see if the princess drew blood. She hoped she did.

"It serves you right!" she snapped. "You must be the man my father and mother intend to marry me off to. I may be marrying you but if you think I will simply go to bed with you then you might as well return to wherever you came from!"

There was silence.

"Well what do you have to say for yourself?"

"After spending so many nights in bed with you, now you fight me?"

Aerith froze. It could not be…

"Cloud?"

"Yes, my princess."

Aerith felt her heart flip. Her hands traveled along the bed searching for the man she had intended to run from. When one of her hands found his, she took it in her own two hands. She brought his hand around her waist, moving closer so that her body was against his. She snuggled into him, feeling his warmth surround her. His arms held her close, sheltering her protectively. The feeling was familiar; something she had felt the first night the prince entered her room and lay with her and every night since. She reached up gently, touching his his face, feeling the curves and lines she had long ago memorized when he refused to let her see him.

"Cloud…" she whispered. "It is you."

The princess let tears slip from her eyes. Cloud brought his hand to her face, brought her head up so he could look at her, although she could not see him at all.

"Why are you crying?" he asked.

Aerith whimpered. "I…I thought… I thought I would never see you again."

She trembled as he held her, his thumb brushing away several of her tears.

"I thought you detested me for what I have done," she confessed. "No, you must detest me for what I did to you."

She broke away from him, sitting on the edge of her bed. More tears spilled from her eyes. Cloud watched her quietly.

"You came back for you necklace, correct?" she asked. "I'm sorry for being such a coward but I could not face you and… I find it nearly impossible to even speak."

Cloud's hands took her shoulders, pulling her toward him.

"Don't speak then princess," he whispered. "It hurts to hear that I am causing you so much pain. Princess, I never hated you. Yes, I was furious but it was because I had been careless. I knew once I let you return here the seeds of doubt would be planted. I thought of you every moment and I cursed myself for saying such cruel things to you, princess. I worried about you constantly, being Sephiroth's servant. I thought the monsters roaming the land would kill you and it was my fault if any harm came to you."

He picked up the princess and placed her in his lap so he could cradle her. Her head lay against his shoulder. He placed soft kisses on her head, his hold on her tight. Cloud refused to let her go.

"Princess, when I lay stunned my heart pained to hear you cry over me. It took all my strength to remove the materia spell from me and then when I thought we would be reunited when Kadaj tore you from me, and even after the Jenovian Lords were defeated you fled from me"

Cloud cupped her face. "I thought you were gone forever had it not been for Cait Sith. He had been searching for us to relay the information that you returned home. I am here to get back what I have lost."

Aerith closed her eyes trying to stop herself from crying. Cloud let out a long slow breath. "I've come for my bride."

He whispered as he lowered his head, lips brushing across hers. Aerith burst into tears against his kiss. She arms wrapped around his neck and she pressed her lips to his. When they broke apart, Cloud wiped away her tears, making her more presentable.

"Ah, the ceremony is about to begin. We should not be late."

"C-ceremony?"

"Indeed, I had come here several days ago to announce to your mother and father that I am your future husband. They were at first reluctant to believe I was the wolf prince however i easily convinced your father to not forget our agreement."

The prince smirked, amused by King Gast's reaction when he discovered Cloud was indeed the wolf prince. Next, Cloud lifted the princess in his arms and stood up from the bed. Aerith gasped.

"Cloud, put me down." She said clutching tighter to him.

Cloud smiled, "No, I don't ever want to lose you again. Tonight is our wedding, Aerith, and I've waited too long for this day."

When Cloud exited her bedroom, Aerith could once again clearly see the wolf prince in his true form. Aerith blushed. However, realization hit her and she looked down shamefully.

"What is wrong now? If you cry again your mother and father might think of me as a terrible man."

"I… no longer have the engagement ring you gave me."

"It was a mere trinket." He said, not bothered by it. "However, I will give you as many rings as you wish if it pleases you."

Aerith shook her head. "No, I only want you."

Cloud smiled down at her, carrying her down the steps to the main hall where guests awaited. Cloud only placed her down when they reached the bottom. Aerith was blushing madly as he took her down the aisle. From the moment the two were pronounced husband and wife, the cheers from friends, family, guests, and servants erupted the hall.

There was a reception afterwords but it was Cloud who took his bride away from the celebration. He led her outside of the castle, keeping her close to him.

"Cloud, where are you taking me?" Aerith asked.

"Home," he whispered.

"How are we supposed to get there?"

Cloud smiled and shortly let go of her hands. He whistled and on cue a golden chocobo raced toward its master. Cloud helped his bride up onto the bird before climbing up. He snapped the reins on his bird and the two flew across the grounds.

"You know," Aerith said into his ear. "I'll miss you transforming into a wolf."

"I will not," he insisted. "You treated me like a dog."

Aerith laughed and no sooner, the two arrived at Cloud's palace. He carried his bride inside but instead of to the room she was accustomed to, Cloud took her to the room more lavish. It had once been his room that he destroyed by his own rage. Now the room is well furnished for him and his wife.

Cloud laid her down on the bed, and hovered over her staring deep into her emerald orbs. Aerith blushed as he absorbed in her beauty, the only light from the moonlight coming from the window, illuminating her porcelain skin.

"So you stole me away to share a bed with me," she smiled coyly.

"I love you, Aerith," he whispers, huskily. "You are strong, brave, and beautiful woman. I want to hold you in my arms forever. Let me be with you."

Cloud kisses Aerith briefly, leaving a trail of feather soft kisses down her neck. The princess lets out a soft moan. The wolf prince looks at her lovingly. Her eyes flicker to his and she finds her cheeks burning.

"I love you too, Cloud," Aerith whispers.

Cloud kisses her shoulder, and that night the lovers consummate their marriage. As the lovers lay in their bed together, Cloud is holding Aerith to him, firm but gentle. She curls up against him, feeling safe and warm, as always in his arms.

"Stay with me, forever."

Cloud smiled, "Yes, my princess."

Leaning forward, he kisses his wife on the forehead. The beautiful woman drifts off to sleep in his arms. Cloud simply watches before pulling over an ebony black pelt over them. Comfortably he sleeps with his wife in his arms, knowing when the sun rises he can stay with her, forever.

The End

X, X, X,

Author Note- First, I would like to thank everyone for reading and that I hoped you enjoyed the story. Second, I appreciate all the reviews and constructive criticisms. I enjoy writing this and until next time, take care.

Princess~