I don't own Fable 3 or any of its characters, Lionhead Studios does. Based on the 2010 XBOX Game.

Princess/Logan

Rated M for explicit adult content and incest. Don't like, don't read!

The rating is listed as M for certain chapters, as well as the theme of incest. Also, my interpretation of Logan for this particular story may seem OOC to some readers, so be warned! Also, I will not be strictly following the plot-line of the game. There will be some changes and deviations.

King Logan and Princess Annika are becoming ever closer. Annika is determined to understand her brother and stand by him even while the entire Kingdom begins to turn against him. But how can she do that while her part in a Prophecy approaches and begins to claim her?

Come Closer

#37

I don't know how I am going to endure this! Walter has abandoned me, I am sure of it. He knows about Logan and me and now he not only believes that I love a tyrant, but because this 'tyrant' is also my brother, that I am deviant! Does he really mean that? And worse, does this mean he can never love me or even bear the sight of me again?

I love Logan with all that I am and that will never change. I would do anything I could for Walter, but I can never make my love for Logan just disappear! I cannot... unlove! Besides, as much as Walter, or even my mother would perhaps wish it, I could never bring myself to desire such. I am a selfish creature and I must accept that. I do not wish ill upon others, but I also cannot bring myself to sacrifice my own happiness, and in this case, my very survival. Without Logan, I would wither and die. I know that I would! His well-being is critical to my own. I am sorry, Walter, but I cannot be who you thought I was!

Re-reading what I just wrote, I suppose that I would do almost for Walter but the thing he would ask of me. Logan and I have our entire lives ahead of us, and as my mother once told me: "At the end of any given day it is your life you've lived and no-one else's. They all eventually go home and go about their business. But you, my darling, continue to live your own life and must do your best to be happy as well. After all, you are the centre of your own life and all others are but actors on your stage. Why make yourself miserable simply because of what others think? That is absurd. Should I not have married your father because some people disapproved? Certainly not! I would have been utterly miserable, and I never would have given birth to you and Logan. No, darling, I have no regrets; at least not many. I made the best choices I could with consideration of those around me, of course, but sometimes you have to make the best choices for yourself. What is the worth of a miserable and desolate existence?"

It would not be fair, I realise, to assume that my mother would condone my love for Logan, still, I cannot help but love him and he me.

Will Walter ever speak to me again? He left the Sanctuary last night in an absolute rage. Poor Jasper was trembling for hours and I could not stop sobbing. Jasper has assured me that he will stand by me come what may. But Walter? We do not know. He is the one who set me upon this Path. Can I travel it successfully without him?

"They will never listen to me!" Linda sobbed in frustration. "And they will never follow me; not as they did her!" She leaned over her cup of ale and covered her face with violently trembling hands, desperately trying to stem the rush of hot and mortified tears.

"Kidd and the others are a bunch of gits," Ben said, putting an arm around her, "but we'll find a way to make them listen, I promise!"

Linda shook her head. She and Ben had just dealt with a grieving and angry bunch of Underground Rebels and when Ben informed them that Annika wanted himself and Linda to assume leadership, they refused. Not only did they refuse, they refused with rude gestures, even ruder words, and concluded with threats of bodily harm. Even the usually reckless Finn knew when the odds were far out of his favour, not to mention that he would never place her in jeopardy, so they fled the Sewers and were now in the Pub in Bowerstone Industrial.

"How?" Linda asked, sniffling, but slowly regaining her self-control. "If they won't even listen to what Annika wants, who will they listen to?"

"I don't know," Ben admitted, "but I think I'll have to ask Annika herself that, or maybe Swiftie."

Linda chuckled. "Am I speaking to the same man who told me that all we would have to do is, "Swagger on down there and tell them what's what?"'

Ben looked into her red-rimmed eyes and grinned sheepishly. "Well, I guess I should have had a Plan B prepped, eh?" His arm tightened around her. "I mean, other than letting our legs do their duty, that is!"

Linda's tears stopped altogether and she laughed. Ben always had a way of making her feel better. She tilted her head toward him and his forehead met hers gently. They sat that way for some time, just allowing their tension to ease away until they could simply enjoy each other's company.

"Linda?"

"Hmmm?"

"Do you still think about... you know... him?"

"Ah, you mean Elliot." Linda rubbed the tip of her nose affectionately against Ben's. "Sometimes, but I don't hurt any more, Ben. I think I always knew that he would never see me as being quite good enough for him. With you, I am perfectly comfortable being just who I am. I don't fear your judgement or censure or that I will accidentally embarrass you in public."

"Or letting loose the occasional belch," he teased, his light blue eyes sparkling with mischief.

"That was only one time!" The few tears that leaked from her eyes now were tears of laughter. "Benjamin Finn, you are..."

"Now, now," he chided with a grin, "don't spill any secrets publicly, love!"

"You..."

Ben slid his other arm around her waist and tipped her backwards, kissing her so passionately that every patron looked their way. Men grunted and women blushed. The passing barmaid giggled.

A few pleasurable moments later Linda gasped, "Ben, what will everyone think?" Her face was flushed and heated with embarrassment, but her delight far outweighed her bashfulness.

"Why, that I'm the luckiest bastard around; what else?"

She gazed into his sky blue eyes and saw the affection and genuine regard that belied his teasing remarks. He truly believed that he was lucky to have her! Linda felt a renewed surge of tenderness and adoration for this man and slid her hands into his tousled blond hair.

"Ben, you're a bit off on that, I think! I am just as lucky, if not more so, than you are!" She pulled him in for another kiss, and this one even more heated than the last.

"Now, as it appears that I am not getting through to you lot, I am going to call in one of my best men," Annika sighed irritably to the disgruntled rebels in the Underground Headquarters. "Poopsie, go get him."

The Doberman happily trotted out of the room.

"I did not want this to be difficult," the Princess added, "and believe me, adding to your grief is not my intention. I am so sorry that Page is gone, but the Revolution must continue on! She had absolute faith in you, and so do I. Captain Finn is a fine soldier and you already know him. Linda, here, owns and operates the Shelter and Orphanage. I firmly believe that..."

"Well, we firmly believe that you're off your nut!" Kidd snarled. "Page is dead, and all you can do is bring in the party boy and his latest doxy?"

"Shut it!" snapped a booming voice that caused everyone in the room to flinch.

Saker and his wife, Maeve, entered the room and took their places beside the Princess. Poopsie nudged Annika's thigh and whined for approval. She patted him affectionately.

"The lady is doing everything she can to make this Revolution happen and all you lot can do it piss and moan?" Saker spat. "You disgust me!"

"What is this, your pet gorilla?" Kidd asked Annika, obviously trying to sound authoritative, but failing miserably. His voice shook as he eyed the enormous form and frightening visage that cowed every rebel present.

"This is Saker, the leader of the Mercenaries," Annika said. "He was one of the first Allies for our Cause and I trust him. He's a valuable man and he skills are impressive."

"I've seen him fight," Ben added, his voice laced with admiration. "You couldn't ask for a better man on your side when it comes down to hard combat."

"He's taught my people how to fight and defend themselves!" Maeve Saker added, resting her hand on her swollen belly. "I want our child to grow up in a better Albion, and now is the time to fight for it!"

"And what would you know about making a better Albion?" Kidd snorted, still refusing to back down and accept new leadership for the Underground.

Saker stepped forward and glared down at Kidd with naked contempt. The towering leader of the Mercenaries was almost three heads taller than Kidd, and Kidd was a large man himself.

"Maeve is my wife," he growled, "and you will show her proper respect!" An enormous beefy hand clenched around Kidd's throat and squeezed.

Kidd's eyes bulged and his face reddened. Saker shoved him hard against the map table and the man was bent back over it, legs kicking uselessly and hands scrabbling futilely against Saker's iron grip.

Linda gasped, Ben's eyes widened, every rebel tensed, but Annika merely looked impatient.

"You will accept Linda as your new Leader and Liaison, and Captain Finn will assist her," Annika said firmly. "I will be sending Major Swift here to teach you all you need to know about battle skills."

Kidd was choking and nodding desperately.

Annika's eyes swept the room and took in the silent and grey-faced rebels. "Now, is this understood and accepted, or shall I simply put Saker in charge of you all and end this pettiness right now?"

Saker's choke-hold relaxed slightly and Kidd's lungs sucked in precious air, his fluttering fingers still involuntarily scrabbling against the Mercenary's immovable hand.

"We're fine with it!" the man gasped. "Linda and Finn it is, then."

"Is that a Warrior's Promise?" Saker demanded, his hand still on the man's throat.

"Yes, yes! A Warrior's Promise!"

Saker stepped back and Kidd righted himself. He wobbled, trembled, and panted, but his dignity was restored as far as everyone in the room was concerned. They realised how difficult it was for him to concede to another man, even with the threat of death or injury immanent.

"All right, then," Kidd said, after rubbing his neck and refilling his sorely depleted lungs. "Linda will be our new Leader and Liaison, and Finn will assist. When should we expect Swift?"

"In a few days," Annika replied, and a note of wistfulness crept into her voice. "I need to brief him on everything that's happening. I also need to know if any of you have..." She broke off, her previous stoic composure suddenly melting. Saker and Maeve looked at her with concern, but waited to see if she could continue before pressing her. Linda had no such plans. When she saw someone in distress it was instinctual for her to attempt to comfort her at once.

"It's all right, just ask," Linda prompted gently, putting an arm around the Hero's shoulders. "Whatever it is, we'll try and help, all right?"

Kidd nodded and straightened. He had plainly put all the prior events behind him and was ready to move forward.

"What is it, Princess?" he asked.

"I haven't seen Sir Walter," Annika admitted softly. "He was very upset by everything that's happened, as we all are, but he took it worse than I ever expected. He... he stormed off and I haven't seen him!"

"Walter is missing?" Ben asked. "That's impossible! Not only is he almost as large as Saker and hard to lose, but he just isn't the type to scarper off!"

"Do you think something has happened to him?" Linda fretted, peering into Annika's face. "Do you?"

"I don't know!" Annika burst out, her composure wavering dangerously. "He was grief-stricken and enraged! All I know now is that he's gone!" The Doberman whined in sympathy.

The Princess turned to face Linda full-on and gripped the woman's wrists. "Please, if you hear anything; anything at all..."

"We'll let you know at once," Linda concluded. She raised her gaze to meet Kidd's. "That will be our first order of business," she stated with confidence and authority. "I'll send out a few children to snoop about, and I want you all do whatever it is you do to discover... ah... things."

"Right," Kidd said, nodding. "You heard the lady, you lot! Let's get on this!"

"What is it, my darling one?" Logan murmured as he studied his own Map Table. "What pains you so?"

Annika's golden-purple presence was in Bowerstone Industrial, but that was not what concerned him, even though he had an idea of why she was there. He was experiencing an onslaught of sadness and heart-ache that was not his own. If it were his own, he would not be so concerned. The thought of his loved one in agony pierced his heart like a shard of ice.

Depressed and lonely as he was, the King knew that he was in a stronger mental and emotional frame of mind than his love. Annika was in pain and had been for nigh unto two days, and she had not contacted him in any way to either seek his aid or even to simply tell him what was distressing her.

Why was she being so secretive? Surely she knew that he could feel her pain!

Or did she? Logan was suddenly not so certain. They were Bonded, yes, and they did share in each others feelings, but he was keeping much secret from her. For instance, she did not know just how dangerous it was for him to reduce her injuries, if she even knew that he did so at all. He could not remember if she was even aware that he could do so.

Now that he was pondering the question, Logan did not believe so. He did not recall her asking him about her rapid healing from some of her worst injuries and she had not seen him when he had voluntarily drawn what he could of her wounds to himself. Perhaps she also did not realise how deeply her feelings also reached him, bidden or not.

The King sighed and rubbed his aching and weary eyes. How he wished she would tell him what troubled her!

And then he chuckled. Weary, exhausted, lonely, and burdened beyond words, he was able to laugh a little. Expecting his Annika to voluntarily add to his own burdens was tantamount to expecting the moon to change colour! No, she would not even consider such a thing, feeling that by bearing her pain alone that she would be sparing him. Hah! Little did she know.

But perhaps there was something he could do for her. No, nothing major, but perhaps he could cheer her a little.

Annika saw a new package on the Sanctuary shelves. It was wrapped in purple with a golden bow. She smiled. It was from Logan, of course!

Well, whatever he had for her could only make her feel better, for she could not possibly feel worse.

She eagerly tore the paper from the box and lifted the lid. She gasped. It was a music box, golden and bejewelled, with a mosaic rose on the lid. It must have been their mother's!

The Princess opened the music box and a tune she had not heard for years tinkled lovingly and comfortingly throughout the Sanctuary.

She knew the words by heart, for it had been their mother's favourite song.

Come with thy sweet voice again,

To my heart still dear,

Laden with soft, soothing pain,

Like a tear, like a tear.

Bright visions, long vanished,

Round thy melodies beam:

Lulled in the lap of thy sighs,

Let me dream, let me dream.

Come again! Come with thy sweet voice again!

Come, oh! come again!

Come with thy sweet voice again!

Bring not a language that tells

How the light hours roll:

Come with the music that wells

From thy soul, from thy soul.

Come not with bright off'rings,

Cold, unhallowed and new:

Bring but thine own gentle heart,

ever true, ever true.

Come with thy sweet voice again...

"Oh, Logan," she whispered. "I love you and need you more than you know!"

But she knew that was a lie. He loved and needed her equally as much.

When Jasper found her some minutes later, he discovered the Princess sitting on the floor and leaning against the wall, her eyes closed and her expression radiating dreams and hope.

Smiling gently, he left as silently as he had entered.

Song - 'Come With Thy Sweet Voice Again,' by Stephen Foster, 1854.