So, I'm sure that many of you have heard about the pulling of fics that is happening on ffn recently, and I wanted to take a moment to address it here. I was around in 2010 when the LU launched their attack, which caused me to create an account on twcs and begin posting my stories there as well. I have been doing so ever since. I have no intention of leaving this fandom relatively soon, I have plenty of WIP's to finish and I will do all that is in my power to complete them. I do not intent to leave you hanging. When I do leave this fandom, I will give you notice and a proper good-bye, which I feel is the least I can do for the people who have lifted my spirits when they were low, given me strength when I had none, and loved my words, always asking for more. Never question whether you are loved and cherished in this world. By choosing to support me and my writing, you have gained access into this authors heart. If we do wake up one morning and find my words are gone from ffn, then my blog (as infrequently used as it has been) will have information for you, as will my twitter account and my twcs account. Same penname, and for twitter its agoodwitchff. I will warn you that when the drama explodes, as it has, I tend to recluse a little, focusing on my writing to get me through. So if you wish to contact me, PM's are the best way.
Endless love to my wifey, and to you, gentle readers, for taking the time to read my words.
Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.
Chapter 36
Isabella sat in the carriage with little Max in her arms as Tia stroked her sister's hair. Emilia was lying with her head in her sister's lap, her eyes fluttering, but never fully closing.
"We will take three days to reach the capital," the Queen started, hoping to break the silence. "Our first stop will be in Westbury with one of my lords, and then tomorrow we will ride to Eastbury where two of my close friends live. They will accompany us for the final day as we travel to the capital."
"That is fine, Majesty, just let us know what you need us to do," Tia said, causing Isabella to frown.
"You aren't going to be working, child. You will be joining the ranks of my ladies maids, but that is more so you can properly learn how to behave at Court."
Tia looked outside the carriage for a while before she caught sight of something that troubled her, "Who is the lady riding outside the carriage?"
"That is Leah, she is one of my daughter's guards usually, but as I was riding towards the fighting, she traveled with me. She may look severe, but she is loyal and will keep us safe if there is a need."
The carriage fell into silence once again and Isabella tried to focus on the child she held to her shoulder.
Hours later, they arrived at the house of Count Liam, who welcomed the party into his finest chambers for their stay. Baths had been ordered and Isabella had decided it was better if she were to aid the girls, instead of calling a maid that was even more of a stranger to them.
Pouring the water into the large tub, Isabella aided Tia in her undressing and placed her into the water, turning to Emilia. The little girl was clutching her chemise and as Isabella tried to move her hair so she could remove it, Emilia shrieked.
"Emmie," Tia called, "it's okay. Let her take it off and you can climb in here with me."
Emilia looked between the Queen and her sister before she stripped off the clothes on her own and allowed Isabella to lift her into the tub. Giving them some privacy, Isabella found the maid who was fetching some of Maggie's old clothing for the girls to wear. Max was thankfully asleep with one of the servants. She had her own son, so she had the pair nestled together in the room adjoining the Queen's.
Returning to the girls with a fresh change of clothes, she aided them into their nightgowns and tucked them into the bed. Emilia seemed to fall asleep immediately, but as Isabella turned to douse the lights she heard Tia's voice.
"Please don't put them all out. She'll panic if it's dark when she wakes."
"Of course," Isabella agreed, moving one of the lamps closer to her side of the bed.
"My sister was not always like this, but with what she's suffered …" Tia's voice faded, leaving Isabella with more questions than answers. But thankfully, she continued without being prompted. "My mother was holding her when they found us. I don't know if they were guards, or just men looking for the bounty -"
"Do you know what a bounty is?" Isabella couldn't help but ask.
"My father said it was something with money, but all we knew was if we heard someone say anything about money or reward, specially that word, we were supposed to run or hide. I got into the crawlspace under the floor with Max, but they were fast. Emmie got cut because she was holding onto Mama too tight, and now she won't put her hair up because she's afraid to let people see it."
"When did this happen?" Isabella pressed, wanting to know if she had wounds that needed to be tended to.
"A few weeks ago, it's better now, but she thinks it is ugly," Tia admitted.
"Don't worry, sweetheart. I will show her that it is okay to have scars. I have a few of my own. We'll talk it out."
"She doesn't talk to anyone besides me and Daddy," Tia stated plainly, and Isabella realized that the child had made noises when distressed, but had never uttered a word.
"Everything comes with time, Tia. Goodnight."
*PttT*
It was morning again, nearly nineteen hours since they'd begun the siege, but it seemed that they were finally able to claim victory. The forces along the entire border of the south had gained some ground that day in a united push against Pamlico and Albemarie. Tanner was still heavily fortified, but for the time they had been successful. News had come less than an hour ago that the body of Marcus had been recovered, and as Edward stood beside his men as they surveyed the land they'd won, more good news arrived.
"We've captured Caius," one of the men shouted as they brought the battered and heavily shackled man before the King.
"Hello, Uncle, it is good to see you," Edward said with a sneer.
*PttT*
Further north, a small wagon eased its way across the border of Bodie into Newton, meeting up with Count Riley and dropping off a few passengers before turning back.
"Where is our carriage?" Aro snapped, his voice low as he aided a pregnant Jane to where Count Riley was perched on his horse.
"It is riding up as we speak, I just needed to make sure we were cleared before it arrived."
A moment later, the carriage arrived and the pair climbed in so they could travel the few hours to Biers.
*PttT*
While in Emmett's house, Isabella had a slightly easier time getting the girls ready for bed, but her plan for that night was to show Emilia that scars weren't necessarily bad.
Sitting down on their bed with only her nightgown on, the girls noticed the edges of her scars on her arms.
"Majesty, what is that mark from?" Tia asked cautiously.
"I've told you that you can call me Isabella in private, sweetheart. And they are from when the King and I were attacked." She watched both girls carefully as she continued. "I may not like how they look all the time, but they are a symbol of what I've survived. You are brave little girls and I will help you to adjust here, but you cannot hide. As the daughters of a Duke, you will need to be in public life, we will just have to work to the point where you are comfortable again."
Isabella feared that she was being too blunt, but as Emmie reached up and traced the scar on her right shoulder, she thought maybe she was making a tiny bit of headway.
"Okay ducks, let's get to bed. Tomorrow we will be travelling to the capital with the Count, Countess, and Vera."
"Good night, Isabella," Tia said, cuddling in beside her sister.
*PttT*
Having arrived back at Meyer Castle, Isabella sat in her council meeting, passing on the pertinent information she learned while at Camp Masen.
"So you really believe that the Duke is a good person to align ourselves with?" Jacob asked.
"He has been on the run for the reason that he doesn't believe in how his uncle rules. Vlad has no male heir so he has been trying to get rid of his nephew so there isn't the pressure of someone who could get the people behind him. If we can break them militarily, then we have the chance to help a ruler that will look out for the nation and that is loyal to us for being a safe haven for himself and his family while they were being hunted."
"And his children are adjusting?" Carlisle questioned.
"From what I've heard, they're doing well, my Maggie was quite taken with the eldest, Tia is her name I believe?" Jacob answered the question that hadn't been directed at him, making it possible for him to insert his wife into the topic of conversation once again.
"Emilia is having a harder time of it, but in the end I think it is going well. Once they know their surroundings better then it will be easier for everyone." Isabella said to Carlisle, her patience waning.
"So we know that Caius is still fighting strong, Marcus is injured, and Aro is nowhere to be seen? Maybe it is time we go into Tanner and burn it to the ground until we find the answers we need," Jacob said, his aggravation showing.
"That anger is exactly why you are an advisor. Those types of moves kill innocent people and we would still not see Aro and Jane emerge," Isabella told Jacob plainly. "He will be found in time, because we will not rest until we do."
"Why don't we take a break and wait until there is more word from the battle that was being set into motion as you left." Carlisle could sense the tension in the room as Isabella wanted nothing more than to throttle Jacob. It wasn't entirely his fault, but when the Queen missed her husband, it wasn't the smartest thing to constantly talk about your beautiful, young, and pregnant wife. Especially when his plans put countless people, including her husband and his men, in danger
"That is an excellent idea, Carlisle. I will be retiring to my rooms so I can speak with the girls."
Isabella took off for her chambers before she ordered Leah to strike her annoying happy advisor.
Once in her room, she took the time to make sure the girls ate and then showed them something that she'd been debating. "Girls, this is something that you can't play with. Only a few people know about this, so you can't tell anyone. If there is ever an emergency, or someone comes to hurt us, I want you to use this secret passageway."
Isabella opened the panel that was hidden behind the tapestry and let the girls walk in before they reentered the room. "You can feel along the walls and it opens up right by the King's chambers, so if there is something happening here, the chance of their being guards in that area to help are good."
"Thank you." Isabella spun around when she realized that it wasn't Tia that had spoken.
"You're so welcome, Emilia. I want you to feel safe here."