Rain poured from the skies as fire-ravaged a burning castle in the far-off distance. In a grassy clearing just half a mile away, three vulnerable people ran frantically for their lives with only the clothes on their backs and a sack that a noble boy carried. As a noblewoman with golden blonde hair stopped to regain her breath, she glanced back at the ruined castle that was formerly her home. Then looking down at the little bundle, she gently carried it in her arms. It was a baby boy who had merely managed to calm down during the overwhelming chaos of their miraculous escape.
"My precious baby…we did it. We're free," she cooed, as the innocent babe began to earnestly fall back asleep.
"Rebecca...is Edward okay?" the boy puffed, as another woman stepped forward. Rebecca nodded gently as Percy tugged on her ample sleeve to get moving again. "The prince is right! We have to keep moving or else we will be captured!"Emily sternly warned as she tugged nervously on her other sleeve.
"I know but...I can't believe it's...gone!" she bitterly wept, staring anxiously at the destructive fire that was instantly ruining the cultivated land. A land that was formerly known for being lush with orchards full of ripe fruit, grain, livestock and a swollen flowing river that watered the land beautifully. "Our home...I have to know if-" Rebecca solemnly declared, scarcely daring to run back and look for her beloved ring.
Percy placed the sack he was carrying and prevented her from doing so, "Rebecca you can't! It's extremely risky!"
Emily nervously clutched the anxious girl's wry face and glimpsed her sternly in the eye, "He is right! We will all be slain or be forced into slavery if we go back!"
Rebecca inevitably broke into a bitter sob, as Emily gently hugged her while Percy kept an eye out for armed intruders. "Your beloved mother and father would want to see you two safe...we have to move onto a different kingdom especially for Edward's sake."
The blonde-haired girl whipped her burning tears away, as she let out a deep sigh undoubtedly knowing that Emily was right. "B-But...where do we go from here?" she gently asked, as Percy thought long and hard for an answer.
At that point he got an idea, "We will venture to Sodor! you and the king must undoubtedly miss each other badly!"
Rebecca promptly stopped sniffling and carefully looked at the boy with a little bit of sincere hope in her eyes, "Are you sure? Will he be capable of helping us?"
"Of course he will! I like the king of Sodor! And I'm sure he always lends a hand to those who need it" Percy beamed happily, as pointed in the proper direction of Sodor.
"It's better than nothing, dear Princess" Emily shrugged, as the group began their slow trek into the sombre forest. With Percy leading the way, with Rebecca in the middle holding the baby and Emily right beside her as the harsh sounds of raging fire and violence faded away. In the desolate forest, there was only moonlight to accompany the group, as the ominous sounds of the forest put everyone on edge. But truthfully, Rebecca was genuinely terrified of returning to Sodor. It had been ten months since she last saw the newly crowned King Gordon. Deep down she feared he would be furious at her or in love with a different person. Especially now that she just had a baby, what would the unaware public solemnly declare? Would Gordon blithely accept the baby or dismiss it?
"Are you sure this is a worthy idea? Why can't we just take the main road?"Rebecca asked while glancing cautiously around the crooked-looking trees and branches. Silently praying it would take up more time. "Too risky, you would be recognized very easily by the ruthless enemy," Emily merely replied, eagerly grasping her hand and holding it tightly.
"It's more discreet to travel through the forest and don't worry the sun will be up in a few hours," she positively assured, as Percy hugged her tightly.
"beside...I'm here to protect you and Edward!" he spoke, but became spooked by the shrill sound of an owl in the distance. The princess smiled serenely at her little brother, as she bore her head a little higher and led the way. Even if her fears got the best of her, she nonetheless had Percy and Edward's safety to keep in mind. Now she had a chance to keep them both safe from Spencer's wrath.
Hours had unanimously passed and as the sun promptly began to rise, the lands began to instantly change as they ultimately reached the sparkling sea. "Look! I see the Kingdom of Sodor!"Percy cried gleefully, as the two women sighed in profound relief.
"It sure looks marvellous," Emily said, as the princess nodded in mutual agreement. Rebecca was cheerful to see that Sodor was still the same as last time. It was during this time that the group wisely decided to take a rest before continuing their remarkable journey to Sodor. Edward was now alert and crying for food as his mother happily nourished him. While Rebecca fed the baby, she couldn't help but notice how beautiful the land looked, especially with the smell of the ocean filling the air. It had been half a year since she got to be outside the walls of a castle with absolute freedom to do as she pleased. And for once she no longer felt like a prisoner trapped by fear.
"Something on your mind princess?" Emily politely asked, taking note of the peaceful look on Rebecca's wry face.
"Oh, Emily...I've constantly dreamed about acquiring a castle by the sea" she spoke while enjoying the warm sunbeam down on her face. "Who knows? For all one knows you will ultimately wed Gordon and live happily ever after by the sea?"Emily giggled, as Rebecca blushed at the lovely thought. Deep down she desired that to still be true especially if she could be with Gordon again.
"That was possible back home but...look at us now," the girl remarked while glancing wistfully down at her shabby and torn dress. "Oh, we can absolutely fix those up!" Emily earnestly assured her while Percy carefully placed a large sack near the dear girl.
"Plus I grabbed these for you!" Percy spoke, as he allow the princess to pull down her hood and look into the bag. But before she could do so, a group of men came fast approaching towards them. Quickly Rebecca covered up her exposed nipple and gently burped the baby who began to fuss. "It's okay my boy" she whispered tenderly, trying to soothe him down.
"Who are those men?" Rebecca asked, carefully pulling her hood back over her head as Emily and Percy quickly got up and carefully shielded the princess.
"I don't recognize them my lady, but it's best to not say anything" Emily sternly warned As the men came forward bearing the crest of the kingdom of Sodor.