Chapter 25

"Come play with us Princess please!" A group of village children asked me while I was walking through the small settlement that I had made my home upon my return to Wyldt. It seemed that the people who escaped the Golgern's army had banded together, and it made me more proud of my people then I could say.

When I finally found the survivors of the attack I was thrilled. I had been wandering around for days with a small pack of food I had managed to filch from Trevallyn castle kitchen the morning before I left and I was down to my very last bun.

It didn't take much convincing for them to believe that I was their Princess, some had seen me before – granted I had a little more hair at the time – but my eyes were still a dead giveaway. Finally something they were good for. But all of that took place nearly a year ago, and ever since then I had been helping establish their new community. Overall everything was going well, and the people accepted me back into their lives with open arms. Sometimes I didn't know how to solve some of the problems that arose. I wasn't sure how to construct a settlement by any means, but I wasn't afraid to ask for help if I needed it, and luckily there was always someone at hand to give it.

We had several homes constructed, barns and even a farmland cleared, so all in all we were living a peaceful life far from where the palace used to be, and further away from the Trevallyn border.

Presently we were raising another barn for a new family to come across our small settlement. Most communities outside of the Capital of Wyldt remained unscathed, but many who were wandering for whatever reasons they had decided to stay because they enjoyed the feeling of the place. Frankly I couldn't blame them, it really was lovely. We even had small fields of wild flowers that surrounded us.

I was as content as I could be considering my life seemed to be progressing in a downhill pattern. From a princess, to a nursemaid and now to a poor settler living off of the land, I had encountered all the highs and lows of society. At least I wasn't scheduled for execution anymore. My only regret was leaving behind my brother and Leyrn. I hoped that everything was going well for them, and I missed them both more then I could say. Now however there was no going back for me, I was too frightened by what I might find. Having a king as an enemy wasn't something that was enviable by any means.

I instructed the children to fetch water for the men and women who were busy working on the frame of the barn, and proceeded to climb up on the finished outline of the structure, much to the chagrin of the onlookers.

"Princess, that isn't a safe pursuit for you!" One of the farmers called to me from the ground.

"Well you need someone to test the strength of the frame!" I called down as I balanced on the top, ensuring that the beams were hammered together. For fun, I thought I might try and twirl on the beams for a moment, and I even heard a few shrieks of woman who were frightened for my safety. I giggled a little bit. Was it bad that I enjoyed their worry a little too much?

From below me however, I began to hear the sound of horse hooves, and from my vantage point I was able to see a rider bearing Trevallyn colours in the distance. I gauged that he would arrive in barely a minute, but I kept to my perch on the barn while warning the villagers of the incoming visitor.

When he arrived I didn't recognize him from the palace at Trevallyn, but knew he must have been a soldier of some sort. The villagers knew well enough to keep my identity a secret. I had told them my story long ago.

"I am looking for someone who knew the Wyldt palace well. Can anyone here help me?" The guard said.

The villagers looked to one another in question, unsure how to respond to him. I thought I'd make it easier on them.

"I can. I knew the palace better then anyone around!" I called to the soldier as I slinked down one of the support beams. I was pleased to see the friendliness he displayed towards my people. After just one year I knew that the relationship between Trevallyn and Wyldt was quickly on the way to being repaired. Nevertheless I doubted they wanted me to go with the soldier since they were entirely too protective of me. Unfortunately for them though I was very curious as to the purpose of the soldier's errand.

"I'll be back as soon as I can. Don't worry." I said, hopping on the back of the soldier's horse while I waved behind me. After we had been riding for quite some time, I questioned him.

"Why did you need to find someone who knew the palace?"

The soldier didn't respond, instead he just pointed. There, to my amazement, was my home. Not in the same place of course, but completely rebuilt, exactly as it was.

"How is this possible...How could I not have known about this?" I wondered aloud.

"It was kept secret. It is a gift you see, for General Leyrn and the King of Wyldt on the day of their wedding from the king. The blueprints for the castle were amongst the treasures brought to Trevallyn by the Golgerns, the King just ordered it to be rebuilt just after the traitors were imprisoned."

"Tell me, what became of them, and those who aided them in the attack."

"Imprisoned, all of them, or at least those the King was able to track down. I must admit he has been rather relentless in his search. Commander Braith has also taken charge since the General has been more concerned with her wedding."

"Her wedding...To Raleigh?" I repeated. I hadn't really paid much attention to what the soldier had said earlier, but I guessed it was true. So my brother and Leyrn were engaged were they? Ha! I knew it! Although I couldn't take full credit I certainly felt somewhat responsible for their getting together. I cheered internally so as not to alarm my companion.

Walking through the palace entryway I almost felt as if I had never left the place. I half expected to hear my father call my name, or Raleigh shouting at me for skipping out on my lessons again. Granted everything wasn't the same, there was very little in the way of furnishings or anything, but I supposed everything that we had once owned was destroyed in the fire.

"Yes. I thought I already said that." The soldier replied narrowing his eyebrows.

"Sorry." I replied. "Now what exactly did you need to know?" I asked.

"The king wanted to know about the orientation of the rooms, and where all of the furniture should be located when it is brought in from Trevallyn this week. I've been searching for someone who knew about the palace for quite some time, but as I'm sure you know there are very few survivors."

I nodded solemnly, and then set about describing all of the intimate details of the palace locations. The ballroom and throne room must have been obvious, but as for the guest wing, the studies, the bedrooms, the library...all of them had their place, and Raleigh – I was certain – would appreciate such details. How considerate of the king to think of such things.

When I had finished giving the poor soldier far more information then he was probably looking for, I requested that I be brought home, to which he readily agreed.

As I was leaving I began to feel a little bit nostalgic, and a little more sad then I had been before. I guess it was because it was going to be what felt like the thousandth time I was leaving my home. Perhaps I was simply destined to wander. And as much as I wanted to see my brother and Leyrn again, I knew that staying was not an option. Coming here was risky enough.

As I hopped back on the soldier's horse we began to leave, when all of a sudden I could hear the sounds of many horses and they seemed to be heading in our direction. The soldier seemed to want to investigate the source further. I on the other hand, wanted to leave as quickly as possible.

"Can we please go? I'd like to be home before dinner." I almost whispered.

"Unfortunately Miss, I believe that is the king's cavalcade, earlier then expected, but nevertheless I am duty bound to stay and report." He replied, sounding truly apologetic at least.

"That's alright, then I'll just walk. I'm glad I could be of help." I said, and then attempted to slink off into the distance.

"Nonsense. You must come and meet His Majesty. It is truly a great honour, I'm sure that he'll be appreciative of your help."

"No, no really I should leave." I muttered, though he took me by the arm preventing me from doing so. I suppose he thought that he was being very kind in 'introducing' me to the great King of Trevallyn however he was the last person I wanted to see at the moment.

"Are you certain that this is a good idea..." I said quietly as we moved towards the parade.

There seemed to be hundreds and hundreds of carts, full of furnishings for the new palace, and at the front was Varien. But there was no hope for my escape now. Perhaps he wouldn't recognize me? I did have quite a bit of hair now, and clothing wise I was a little worse for wear, the product of farming and building homes all day long.

Sadly, I knew he would. He wasn't stupid, he said so himself. Unfortunately, he also said he was stubborn so that didn't bode well for me.

"Ulyster. Report." Varien said from horseback. Though he was doing such a kind deed for his sister and my brother, there was no happiness in his eyes. Was it my fault? Still? It had been a year. How could he not have forgiven me? Obviously he held no grudge against my brother since he was rebuilding our palace. Then again, perhaps it was vain of me to suggest that he was upset over me. I was sure he had many other problems to deal with now that he was king.

"The palace is completed as per your request. I've also secured the aid of a local who knew the old palace well. She's given me quite a bit of information to help us set the palace up the way it was." The soldier, who I guess was named Ulyster said, gesturing to me.

I clenched my eyes shut, hoping that I would escape his notice due to his lack of caring about an unimportant villager, perhaps I should have known better then that. Nothing escaped his notice apparently, it was simply his choice to acknowledge a fact or let it escape. For now it seemed, he was going to let it escape but I was sure this was going to come back and haunt me.

"How wonderful." He said, without emotion. "We simply must thank her for her services. You will stay here for dinner tonight. It is far too late for you to return to wherever you came from."

"Yes Your Majesty." I said with a curtsy. There really was no point in me saying anything else at the moment. Besides, I had already done all of my apologizing to him and so I refused to anymore. If he chose not to accept it that was his prerogative, and no longer my problem. Yes it was true that I hadn't exactly counted on seeing him again, especially in a situation such as this but I suppose that's what I got for being curious.

I followed Ulyster into the castle, since Varien seemed to have other business to attend to for the time being – thank goodness.

"Are you alright Miss? You look quite sick." He asked me, concerned.

"I'm fine, thank you Ulyster." I replied.

"You know I never did ask your name. How rude of me." He said, lightly smacking himself on his head.

"That's alright. My name is Cailin." I answered, wondering whether or not it would strike a chord with him. It seemed to ring a bell, because he looked pensive for a moment, but he must have brushed it aside.

"Feel free to look around the palace. Some of the rooms should already be set up according to your specifications. Dinner will be in an hour." He finished.

"Thank you. I shall do just that." I smiled, and skipped off. I had no idea where to start, so I went to my father's study. I guess that was where my adventure truly began so it was only an appropriate starting place.

It wasn't exactly the same as it was, my father's sick bed hadn't been replaced since it wasn't necessary now, but a desk was there. Also, to my immense shock, was the picture of me, the very one that had been brought to Trevallyn in order to incriminate me. All of our treasures must have been returned, and I did recall saying that my picture was located in the study. Underneath the portrait was my harp, excitedly I rushed over to it, stroking the strings softly enough to make the tiniest of sounds, and then I began to tune it. Unable to resist I started to play, and I was instantly rewarded with the calm feeling of familiarity. I could almost imagine my brother and father in the room with me, and unbidden, a tear fell down my face –not one of sadness, but entirely the opposite.

I was so lost in thought that I didn't even hear the door open.

"I suspected I'd find you in here." Varien spoke, although it was difficult to tell his mood.

"Yes, well some of my happiest memories were in this room." I replied, continuing to play. He didn't answer, and frankly I didn't know what to say to him, but I felt I should say something.

"I wouldn't have come if I would have known you were going to be here."

"I can't say I'm entirely surprised. I just can't believe you were going to leave, even after you learned of our siblings' wedding. But then again, disappearing seems to be a talent of yours." Slightly angered I stopped playing the harp and stood up.

"Sorry Your Majesty, but the threat of pending execution isn't exactly the best motivation to stay. You didn't exactly make me feel welcome when you learned who I was. Would you have been alright with it? Really? If Leyrn hadn't saved me my death wouldn't have bothered you at all?" I asked. I couldn't help it, I wanted to know, even if the answer hurt.

"Do you honestly think I would have executed you? Am I that bad of a person?" He demanded.

"I don't know what you would have done! You certainly implied that you would have at the wedding rehearsal when Leyrn asked you! What was I supposed to think?"

"I was angry! You lied to me when I thought you were the only person I could tell the truth to! I imprisoned you to get you out of the way, the same reason why I put Leyrn under house arrest. I had my own plans, but the last thing I expected was for you to come back. I was planning on letting you escape quietly while the Golgerns thought you were dead!" He shouted.

"Oh." I managed to mutter while I stared at the floor.

"Oh is right. And then you disappear, before I could explain to you and leave me this." He said, pulling out the parchment I had written on almost a year ago on the day I left. It was addressed to him, but I had left it blank.

"You liked me better when I couldn't say anything. I thought perhaps you would appreciate it. Why do you have it with you?" I mumbled.

"It serves as a reminder for me- to never fall in love again, because in the end this empty parchment was all I was left with." He said solemnly, turning away from me.

"You can't go and blame all of this on me you know! You say you loved me but you can' t have. If you did you would have trusted me more, you would have told me what was going on from the very beginning!" I retorted. "Besides, don't be so vain. I needed to return home for personal reasons, many of which did not involve you. Now thank you for the dinner offer, but I think I'll return home. I would appreciate if you kept our meeting to yourself." I replied starkly, and then began to leave.

"Will you walk out on me again?" I heard him say quietly. I shut my eyes, trying to build up the courage to leave, but it was failing fast, my hand rested on the doorframe, caught in limbo between his world and mine.

Finally I spoke. He liked the truth, and I would give it to him.

"I'm scared to stay. I'm scared of you. The longer I stay the harder it will be for me to leave, don't you understand that Varien?" I didn't dare turn towards him, though I heard his footsteps on the marble floor behind me and they were getting closer. He reached over me and shut the door.

"The answer to your predicament is simple. Don't leave. I certainly don't want you to, not again. Please Cailin." He choked out eventually. I pulled on my hair nervously.

"I...The villagers...they're probably worried about me...I have to go." I said softly. I could almost hear his breathing stop; he must have taken my words the wrong way.

"But...you can come with me. I'll need to explain matters to them first...I...can't just disappear." I turned around to face him, and was pleased to see that he was smiling.

"Shall we go then?" He asked.

"Alright. But does this mean that I have to go to the wedding?" I asked.

"Of course! Why wouldn't you want to go?" he asked. I smirked and gestured to my appearance.

"You're honestly worried about that? And you called me vain." He scoffed, wrapping his arms around me. "Besides, didn't I tell you I thought that you were beautiful, no matter what? I'm the King, my opinion's the only one that counts." He laughed, and leaned down to kiss me. I blushed, but since it was an entirely pleasant experience I didn't stop him.

I hoped I was making the right decision, but then again, I was only following my own advice to him so long ago in the tower. I was listening to my heart. Who knew where it would lead me, and who cared? When he let go he grinned a little evilly.

"Well then now that matter is settled, what would you say to planning a little surprise for Raleigh and Leyrn?"