Sigh.. I'm going on a temporary self-imposed hiatus for now, so this will be my last update for a while, until I get most of my work out of the way. I have my final exams coming up in June and I'm being put into mock exams now, preparing for them, which means plenty of study time at the library and less doing what I love - writing. :( This means that I won't be able to continue regular updates until July once everything is out of the way. There will still be updates, just very few I apologise and I really hope that this doesn't drive you away from this story.
Chapter 21) Only Time Will Tell.
The orange embers gradually died into nothing but small flickers, charred wood polluting the air intoxicatingly. Elmont's lungs closed inside of him, refusing to inhale anymore, deciding it better to back away from the now ruined mess inside of the tower and stand in the clean air.
It was a refreshing revival for his burning lungs, but he had decided to remain by the fires until they had completely lost all signs of life. He was somewhat relieved that it was finally over, a sense of hope still swelling in his chest – hope that those who had seen the orange sparks in the distance had answered their call for aid.
All they now had to do was wait as those who looked upon the flames from afar now held the fate of Cloister in their hands. Cloister's liberty, without any allies to assist her people, was standing upon the edge of a knife.
His mind had always been rational and because of this trait he was cautious, but that did not hinder him from taking risks when necessary.
Sometimes all that was needed in a game of chance was for a little luck to be on their side. Elmont had learned countless times that a little luck could go a long way when balancing the fates of those on a scale.
Of course Isabelle remained close to him, just as he had longed for her to do. So much time that had been spent apart was now made whole – they were made whole. Letting her go again would certainly not happen again anytime soon.
The scorching possessive desire that now kindled within him surprised him. He had always been close to her to protect her, but this was something different. His eyes had always been piercing when another man had looked upon her, yet now they were as sharp as daggers, ablaze. Isabelle could defend herself of course, or he would never have even thought once about letting her return to Cloister alone.
His training had assured that she could protect herself. After all, she had learned from the best. A tiny smirk crossed his face at the thought.
"Seeing you smile more warms my heart."
Tugged sharply out from his reverie, he lowered his storm gaze to Isabelle, who looked up at him with her shimmering blue gems. The light reflected off of them like diamonds, making her a sight all the more entrancing. It was a gift to know that she was his.
Quirking one eyebrow jovially his smirk grew, until he was grinning at her, eyes crinkling and shoulders bouncing along with his gentle laughter. "I'm happy. Why should I do anything less but smile?"
It was a rhetorical question, one that Isabelle Immediately recognised, smiling up at him softly, her porcelain cheeks glowing pink from the cool breeze. Her brunette waves rippled in the wind behind her head, the bowl shape of the sun, peeking just over the mountains, shining like a halo above her; a goddess to his eyes.
Elmont singed the image into his mind, hoping to forever remember the most beautiful sight he had ever laid his eyes on.
Hand traveling to her face, his fingers stroking the silk skin of her cheek smoothly, he invited her back inside, brushing his lips on the exact spot his fingers had been a moment before as they deserted the biting chilled air and embraced the comforting warm with relief.
Isabelle had stopped at first, returning to Alexander and placing a delicate hand on his shoulder. The blonde prince had turned his head to her almost mechanically, and Elmont could see the pain flashing in his eyes. Lips moved, but words were undetectable, and soon Isabelle smiled sadly up at the young man, who returned it, and glided gracefully back over to where he stood now.
The flames of the pyre had been all consuming, making quick work of the wood pile and ultimately leaving the pair to have nothing better to do other than return inside and await the other kingdoms response.
It took two days for the first kingdom to arrive, making their presence known by the deep and loud blow of a horn. Elmont had been practising with Isabelle on archery again, both playfully distracting each other with teasing pokes and stolen kisses, simply relishing in the small respite they had in such a desperate time. Upon hearing the horn, they unceremoniously dropped their playful demeanour and rushed to the castle walls, spectating as the small parade clopped along the drawbridge and flooded through the town gates.
Another two days and the second kingdom arrived, this time with an even larger party.
They waited for several more, but none came. Two kingdoms.
Elmont nervously speculated how large their armies might be, and how large it would be if they agreed to combine and join Jural.
As he stood atop the castle walls, staring at the slowly fading sun once again, its diminishing sanguine glow being chased away by the silver ink of the moon light, Elmont pondered just how much more men there could be if he convinced the woodland dwellers to join. Those he had seen display their skill in the theft could prove valuable, and if all were to learn how to fight correctly and with the proper training…
He could try persuading them, and if William refused then he would respect his wish and not force them into anything they did not want to get involved with. After all, the man had the opportunity to turn them down after his majesty informed him on the reason they travelled on foot and with so few.
He would talk to him and see what he said. He did not wish to endanger innocent lives that had nothing to do with their quarrel, despite their need in numbers and cunning; something that he had seen William's men display and was uncertain that many knights didn't. Even if they did prove to be cunning, they would be heavily armoured, therefore robbing them of dexterity and speed that those he had witnessed in the forest possessed.
Elmont sighed, running a hand through his hair, licking his dry lips as the cold evening air blew softly at his face. He closed his eyes to avoid them from drying, simply enjoying the quiet whistle of the wind cutting past him.
"What ails you?" His eyes slowly opened, lips twitching into a small, cutting smile, one that appeared knowingly for the person that addressed him so softly and without any formalities.
"Nothing, don't fret," he answered, turning his gaze to his company.
The princess stood in front of the door to the tower, no longer in her travel wear, but instead a lavish golden dress, skirts rumpled, corset fitting, neckline plunging to her slightly flushed chest. Abashed that his gaze had intrusively followed such an alluring line of travel he turned his head, neck flushed scarlet before turning back to her, a single fair brown eyebrow raised and slight amusement dancing in her eyes, clearly disbelieving him.
He resolved to hold her gaze longer, in the hopes that he could at least look more believable to her, honest. He had lied many times in the face of others when their kingdom had participated in tough negotiations with another's. Lying to her though seemed an impossible feat, simply because he found himself unable to do it, his mouth curling slightly.
"Elmont I can tell when you aren't telling me something because your mouth twitches when you smile."
How utterly unconvincing of him.
Another sigh escaped him, his hand once again cutting through his thick hair before falling limply to his side.
"I'm weary of how many men these two kingdoms will bring if they decide to help us. I've been to their kingdoms before – Norfolk is only a small county and can therefore only offer a small army. Ipswich… have always been in ill favour with Norfolk. Not only have they travelled a large distance from the south, but I fear that they're rivalry will make them decide not to help us."
Her silence was unexpected, for she always had a response. But he was patient, certain that she would find the right words to console him soon.
Her voice grew louder, easier to understand as she drew near him, her skirts gliding across the stone floor. Even he, a man so chivalrous, could not resist temptation to look upon her and how ravishing she looked in such a beautiful garment, hugging her curves in all of the right places.
"They swore an oath to help their allies when in need. To break that now over some petty rivalry would be to break an alliance that has lasted for decades between our kingdoms." A warm fire ignited inside of him at the gentle stroke of her fingers along his jaw, thumb brushing across his rough lips, tickling, his heart fluttering. "Have faith."
Nodding in acceptance, a weight lifting off of his chest at her sincere wisdom, he stepped forwards, out from the feather light touch of her smooth hand, and brought her into an embrace, his arms sliding around her and pulling her to his chest.
They stood there for a while, simply enjoying the others presence, Isabelle nuzzling her face lovingly into his neck and his face pressing into her soft, deep waves of mousse brown hair. Although silence hung between them, it was a pleasant one, soothing and as silent and tranquil as the night.
If the two rival kingdoms had any honour as Jural's current ruler then they would put aside their differences and agree to cooperate in tandem.
Elmont silently prayed that they would help them in their cause. Place less risk on the woodland dwellers.
As the couple bid each other goodnight and retired to their own separate chambers, both wishing they could share the same bed as done the previous night, Elmont could only sleep as time ticked by and the fates decided whether or not his prayers would be answered.
So here it is, the last update for a few weeks, I suppose, until everything is cleared up. Yeah, I won't be on here often until the constant revision and exam preparation for my final exams are over. Like I said before, I hope this doesn't drive you away from my story as I WILL continue to update, just less frequently than I have been recently. Regardless, I hope that you enjoyed this update, I know not all that much happened, but I'm setting the foundations of the next scene/chapter. See you later. I'll be back! ;)