Individual: Akainu (MarcoAnn)

Prompt: "Any last words?

Rating: T

-o-o-o-o-

"Any last words?" The question grates on Ann's nerves as she grits her teeth and holds herself strong as she is placed next to the man at the end of the alter.

People are whispering of such harmony of the princess from the old kingdom rising with the prince of the new kingdom that took over. No one would dare talk of how the man, now next to her presumably to be her fiancé, killed her parents when she was just fourteen, living three years with this man's eyes practically touching her. She was imprisoned in her own home that had been raided and taken over by a different kingdom where this man next to her was the chosen prince to take over.

Ann grimaced as the priest was mumbling his chants in quick recession that is borderline mumbles, Akainu making it very clear there was no time for delay. The garments Ann wore is weighing heavily down on her as her heart thunders in fear that she really would face this fate. It had been originally that she would marry the Prince of Moby, but after the takeover, there has been no contact even as the soldiers fruitlessly fought on the borders to take it back over. Ann knew the King of Moby was enraged for his ally being killed and Akainu denied any communications for negotiations, no doubt involving anyone who survived the onslaught within the castle to be at least sparred to their territory.

A distant sound drags her attention and as it grows louder, so does Akainu notice and Ann feels anticipation that maybe someone would try to object. It was a long shot, but she could dream, couldn't she? Akainu merely turned to calmly order some soldiers to check it out and told the priest to continue. The man in a hooded, long robes and garments makes a groveling tone before continuing. Ann really had a hard time understanding if the guy was actually saying words or not, but could only grip hands together as she must stay humble in her people's presence.

"Release Ann!" Someone shouts having everyone snap their heads towards the direction of the archway coming the main courtyard where the main gate is and the princess recognizes the auburn haired captain on a horse. An empty horse is next to him and he raises his hand to the side with reins. Akainu is furious as he moves down the walking part of the alter slightly to order his men and that's when the reins are dropped while smacking to the horse's back end, ushering the horse. Akainu easily gets out of the way, thinking of it as a distraction.

Ann is surprised that the horse is coming towards her. She can hardly move in these garments, quick to tug off the over layer to take some weight off and feels an arm around her waist. As she is about to raise her tone, her dark eyes widen at the sight of the man that was the priest holding around her waist with hood falling away to reveal his face. The name stuck in her mouth as she is quick to wrap arms around his neck as he swiftly gets them on top of the horse.

"It's Marco Newgate! Prince of Moby!" Someone hollers as Ann has legs hanging over one side of the man's lap and grips to him tightly as both of his hands take the reins.

"Stop him!" Akainu shouts while the few soldiers that came in for this daring mission are all quick to gallop away, hooves storming across cobblestone to leave through the main gate as soldiers are scrambling to stop them.

Ann feels her heart swelling as they make their journey away from the castle and she can't help but tilt the man's face to meet her lips. Blue eyes flare to her in passion and as she pulls away, a smile lingers with a hand moving to grip her side firmly while tilting his chin, as if asking for another kiss.

"Thank you for coming for me…" The words come out as she can't hide her joy of seeing the prince that does nothing to hide his own happiness.

"Like I would let someone take my princess from me, yoi." A laugh leaves them both as the captain rides up along complaining how this wasn't the time for lollygagging, but it is all in good jest.