A Brother's Wish

Disclaimer:

I do not own any of the original characters, the rest in the story are mine.

10^th Kingdom Fanfic – "A Brother's Wish"

Chapter 22

Reilly was bouncing around in the back of the cart, she tried to get the chains off her wrists one last time, all she succeeded in doing was rubbing her wrists raw until they were bleeding. Burly had tied her hands to the corner over her head so she could not pull the gag off again to scream. Burly was hoping he could outrun the wolf long enough to take advantage of the girl. He just wanted his fun, it had been a lot of hard work capturing her and he felt he had waited long enough.

Reilly could not see where they were going. She was in the back with some chains and barrels of beer. She knew what the Troll wanted and she was going to do her best to keep him away. She knew Channon could smell her, so she kept up hope, she prayed he was still alive, she had heard fighting before Burly dragged her out of the castle.

Reilly noticed that the cart had slowed down, it seemed the road was getting bumpier, she looked straight up and saw trees, Burly had pulled off the main road into the forest.

Channon howled hoping Reilly was still in earshot.

Just before going deeper into the woods Reilly heard a wolf howling, she knew it had to be Channon.

Burly and Reilly traveled a few more minutes before he stopped the cart, apparently he had not heard the wolf howling. Burly unchained Reilly from the corner post, as soon as he pulled her from the cart she kicked him, aiming for gold she missed but only by a little. Burly bent over in pain, Reilly grabbed her chain and took off into the forest. Burly stood back up and chased her. Reilly was normally faster but her sore ankle was slowing her down. Burly captured her a few yards from the cart, Burly was getting angry.

"Run off again and I will kill you." He snarled. For once Reilly believed him, he must be reaching the end of his tolerance level with her. Burly picked her up, when he had come to a flat spot in the forest he chained her to a small tree with her hands above her head. He went back to the cart and pulled out a small keg and something that looked like a tool belt. He started a small fire. He pulled out a metal handled item and brought it over to show Reilly. "When I am done with you I will brand you. That way you will always remember me." He took it back to the fire and stuck the end in it. Reilly closed her eyes and prayed Channon would find her soon.

Chapter 23

Channon knew he was close; Reilly's scent was so strong it was almost overpowering. He jumped of Midnight and left him in a small clearing. He could smell her fear and he wanted to find her, hold her and let her know that everything would be all right. He would never let her get away again. He picked up another scent as he continued, it was troll. He growled softly, "If he has harmed a hair on her head..." He heard a noise in front of him, he stopped to listen and it sounded like someone struggling.

"Come on Reilly, you are mine now, obviously my uncle took care of your rescuer." Burly the troll said.

Channon crept closer, he could see Burly astride Reilly, Burly was drinking and spilling beer all over her. Reilly's hands were still chained together and tied to a small tree above her head; her gown was ripped revealing her chemise. Her hair was disheveled and she had a small bruise above her left eye. Channon could see the fear in her eyes. He stopped to observe, waiting for the right moment to pounce. Reilly was gagged and shaking her head no. Burly spilled the rest of the beer on her stomach, "Don't you know trolls are the best you can have, now I will show you." Burly began rubbing the beer into Reilly's chemise while his hands traveled all over her chest and stomach. Reilly closed her eyes. "When I have finished with you, maybe I will send you back carrying a troll. What would your family think then? You'll never be queen then…" Burly pulled his knife out of its sheath. "No, I will keep you with me at all times." Reilly opened her eyes when she felt him ripping the cloth of her thin chemise, she began struggling again. Channon growled softly, he could feel the fury building in his blood. Burly held the knife up to Reilly's throat. "Don't struggle, I don't care if you are alive or dead. Alive would be more fun for me." Reilly stopped, more than anything she wanted to live. "That's better," Burly replied, he dropped the knife and began to disrobe. He pulled off his jacket, vest and belt.

As he was pulling his shirt over his head Channon shot out of the woods and hit him, knocking him off of Reilly. Burly rolled to the side and stood up, grabbing his knife as he did. He slashed at Channon and missed. Channon hit him with his whip. Burly lunged and Channon stepped to the side, Burly hit a tree with a resounding "THUD" and was knocked out cold. Channon kicked him once just to make sure, and then he turned and ran to Reilly.

"Oh beloved, I have found you." Channon said quietly and he used the knife he had killed Boar with to pry the shackles around Reilly's wrists open. "I have found you." He helped her sit up; Channon softly kissed her forehead and inhaled her sweat scent He carried her away from the spot where Burly had tried to attack her. Once he knew she would be okay for a moment he dragged Burly over to the spot where Reilly had been, using the chains he had just taken off Reilly, Channon chained Burly to the same tree Reilly had been chained to. He walked back over to Reilly "please do not speak, I will help you." He pulled her to her feet. He wrapped his cape around her. "Cover yourself beloved, we will be away from here soon." Reilly smiled.

"Thank you, Channon…" she said quietly. Channon raised his finger to her lips.

"I need no thanks other than to see you are alive and safe." He wrapped an arm around her shoulders, "Nothing will happen to you now."

"What about Dad?" Reilly asked, she was terrified that Tony was dead.

"I got him back to the soldiers that were with me. He should be fine, he got hit in the head pretty hard, I am sure he will be okay. Do not worry."

"Thank you."

Channon nuzzled her hair. He led her forward, Reilly stumbled and Channon picked her up. He carried her to where he had hidden Midnight. He pulled a blanket down from the saddle bag and placed her on it. "Beloved, I do not have any clothing befitting a woman of your beauty. Please accept my spare shirt and pants until we are able to return home."

"That will be fine." Reilly smiled at him, taking the clothing from his hand. "Is there somewhere I could wash up and change, all I can smell is Troll and beer." She stood up slowly, she took one tentative step forward and fell. "There is something wrong with my ankle."

"I will carry you. There is a stream not far from here, I can smell it, hopefully it is warm." Channon smiled, "let me retrieve some soap and a towel." He pulled a towel and soap from Midnight's saddle bag and removed his boots. Channon picked Reilly up and carried her into the river. He placed her on a boulder whose top was just above water. Wanting to give Reilly privacy he walked back to the camp to retrieve some dry clothing for himself, while he was there he started a small fire. When he returned Reilly was clean and wearing just her wet chemise that she had washed in the river with the soap. In the early light Channon could see the contours of her body in the wet clothing, he shuddered, the moon was still in his blood. Channon took a deep breath, he fought back the wolf, attack her, or he would be not better than the troll he had just rescued her from. Channon picked her up and carried her to the bank. He closed his eyes and turned away, Reilly took the clothing he had given her and quickly dressed. She kept the chemise with her, though it was ripped it was one of the remaining items she had from her former life.

"Thank you." Reilly smiled up at Channon. She took his hand, "for everything."

Channon picked her up and carried her back to camp, "I will be right back." He returned to the river bank and cleaned up quickly. He returned to camp only wearing his trousers, boots and vest. "I gave you my last clean shirt, I shall wear my vest only. If this does not displease you." He sat down beside her and placed another piece of wood on the fire, he had thrown Reilly's dress and his cape on the fire.

"It does not displease me at all." She smiled slightly, she noticed the cut on his arm. "What happened to your arm?" Reilly reached out and pulled him closer.

"It is just a scratch." He said.

"It needs to be cleaned better and bandaged." She looked around her, she picked up her wet chemise and cleaned the wound. "Can I use your knife?"

"What knife?" he asked, he had forgotten the knife he had picked up at her old home.

"The one in your pocket, you used it to free me."

"Oh, I…no…"

"No?"

"I killed someone with it tonight."

"What?"

"The troll king, he said he was going to do terrible things to you after the younger troll was done with you." Channon pulled away. "I am sure I killed him."

Reilly grabbed him and pulled him back. "I am not upset, the trolls killed my family and Thelen while they made me watch." She began to cry. "I…couldn't do anything to stop them. I only got away when they forget to chain the door to the shed they had crammed me in. Thank you for coming to my rescue, I was afraid I was destined to spend my life with Trolls. How can I repay you for what you have done."

"Tell me you will be my mate for life." He took her hand, "I knew from the first moment I saw you that you were my destiny." He pulled her into his lap. "Reilly, I love you and want to be with you forever. If you say no… it will break my heart."

"Yes, Channon, I will be your mate." Reilly said, she ran her hand through his hair. "I love you too." Channon softly kissed her lips. Reilly responded by leaning in, she ran her hand across his shoulder, pulling him tighter, never wanting to be released from Channon. She heard a small growl as Channon ran his hand up her leg and around to her bottom. Reilly pulled away. "Please, not here, not after all that has happened." She smiled as Channon released her.

"I forget my manners, m' lady." Channon smiled at her stealing one last kiss. "I will prepare us some food. We will begin our return to the 'Faire' after some rest."

"Not until you let me clean and bandage your wound. Now give me the knife." Channon pulled the knife from his pocket still in its scabbard. Reilly gasped when she saw the name written on the scabbard. "Where did you get this?" She asked him.

"I believe I was in your old home last night before I came to rescue you." He pulled the velvet pouch out. "I found this too." He told her about where they had stopped and what he had found.

Reilly started crying, she thought everything was lost. She had never been back to Beantown, she was terrified to leave the 4^th Kingdom and the safety that she had found at the Inn. She took the ring out of the pouch and put it on her thumb. "Thank you, Channon," was all she was able to say. She took the knife out of the scabbard and cleaned it with part of her wet chemise. She used the rest of the chemise to clean and bind Channon's wound. When she was done she threw what was left of the chemise away, it was time to drop all links to the past. She gave the knife back to Channon.

"I searched the house, nothing else was salvageable. We could go back there if you wish to look."

"No, thank you. From now on I am going forward, no more looking back. Life is too short to waste it on things you can not change." Reilly kissed Channon once more. Channon stood up and pulled down the small package of food. Reilly ate some bread. She leaned against Channon listening to his heart beat. For the first time in months she felt completely safe, soon she fell asleep leaning on Channon.

Reilly awoke later surrounded by Channon, his tail was across her hips. She tentatively stroked the soft fur. Channon growled seductively as he nuzzled her neck. "Do you like it?" he whispered.

"It is beautiful." She rolled to face him. "I would like to wake up like this every time."

"You shall have your wish." Channon nibbled softly on her neck before sitting up. "However, first we must return home so that I may ask Tony and Virginia for your hand in marriage." Reilly watched as Channon packed up camp and saddled Midnight. He picked Reilly up and placed her on Midnight's back. He took the reins in his hand and began walking forward. Once they were out of the forest and on the road headed for Virginia, Tony and Wolf, Channon joined Reilly in the saddle. The rode until nightfall, they were just outside of the ruins of a small farm. There was a barn that was still mostly standing. After making a comfortable spot in the hay for Reilly, Channon placed Midnight in the remaining stall and started a small fire. They ate some bacon sandwiches.

"I never thought I would be happy to have a bacon sandwich, but after no food at all it is wonderful." Reilly said taking a bite.

"Tomorrow we will be home in the early afternoon. I will make you all the bacon sandwiches you can eat." Channon smiled.

"Okay, that would be great." She smiled and finished her sandwich.

Chapter 24

They awoke early the next morning, they each had some bread and were on their way. By mid afternoon the were in sight of the 'Faire'. Channon howled softly, knowing his brother would hear him. Soon Virginia, Wolf, Tony, Wendell and a few of his soldiers were waiting in the road near the house. Channon urged Midnight into a full gallop, holding Reilly tightly. When they reached the group he pulled Midnight to a halt, he motioned for one of the soldiers that had brought Tony back to come over to the horse.

"John, please take Reilly, she can not walk." He handed Reilly down to John. "I shall take Midnight to the barn and rejoin you shortly to tell everyone what has happened."

"John please take her into the main house, into the guest room upstairs. Dad go with him and open the doors." Virginia said winking at Channon. "Wendell please go and fetch your royal physician. I want Reilly checked from top to bottom." She turned to her husband, "Wolf please help Channon, I will be upstairs."

Wolf loped off to the stable as Wendell and his entourage left. Virginia joined her father and Reilly in the guest room. Tony was talking with her softly, stroking her face. "I am fine other than my leg. Channon gave me these because my clothing was ruined by Burly. Please stop mothering me. Don't worry Dad, Burly did not do anything and Channon has been a complete gentleman."

Virginia walked up to Tony and placed her hand on his shoulder. "Dad, let her rest, I will help her change her clothes. Go downstairs and wait for Wendell to return with the doctor." Virginia pushed Tony toward the door as he stood. "Don't worry, I will be here. When Wendell and the doctor arrive please bring them up here." Virginia closed the door. She hurried to the bed and gave Reilly a fierce hug.

"Virginia you are suffocating me." Reilly said.

"Sorry, I am just so glad you are back, I have been so worried, Wolf and Dad have been like little children, Wendell has been moping and we have been swarmed with guards since Wendell first brought us the news." Virginia stood up. "While you were gone and I had some time I took some of your clothes out. I had Wendell's royal clothier make you some new ones." Virginia went to the closet and pulled out a dark blue silk dress. "I hope you like it. We will be having a party to celebrate your return home and I had this made to match the suit we had made for Channon." Virginia also pulled out a dark blue velvet suit. "What do you think?"

"It is wonderful." Reilly replied, tears streaming down her cheeks.

Virginia put the suit and blue dress back in the armoire. She pulled out a light violet dress and carried it back to the bed.

Reilly wiped the tears from her eyes with the back of her hand, "Sorry, I guess the strain is finally getting to me. Thank you so much. You have all done so much for me and I have no way to repay everyone."

"You don't have to repay anyone. We did it because you are family. Now let's get you into the bathroom, get you cleaned up and dressed." Virginia replied helping Reilly stand up, just then Wolf and Channon entered the room.

"I will help her," Channon replied. He picked Reilly up. "What do you need…beloved."

"I need to go into the bathroom to clean up and change, please carry me in there. If I need anything afterwards I will call." Channon carried Reilly into the bathroom and Virginia followed with the dress. Reilly took a long hot bath and changed into the violet gown Virginia had given her while Channon paced outside the guest room door. Channon and Virginia got Reilly back onto the bed as the doctor arrived. He was a small elf with silver wings to match his silver hair.

"I want everyone out of the room." He said sternly, once everyone had left he checked Reilly from head to toe. "Well young lady, the wound on your cheek should heal with no scar. Your ankle is not broken, only badly sprained." He handed her a bottle of sparkling green liquid. "Two spoonfuls a day for three days and stay off the leg until the medicine is finished." He took a soft bandage and splint and wrapped Reilly's ankle. "You may take this off to bathe and that is all. Wear it for ten to fourteen days and you should be as good as new."

"Thank you doctor." Reilly replied shaking the old elf's hand. "Thank you for everything."

"My pleasure." The elf left the room. Channon and Virginia came back in.

"The doctor told us everything and he said that you could go downstairs if someone helps you." Virginia said to her, "so, Channon has gracefully offered to carry you."

"Okay." Reilly replied smiling. Channon picked her up.

"I wish I were putting you back in the bed…" he whispered as he carried her down the stairs. Reilly just smiled. Channon placed her on the couch and propped her leg up with a pillow. He gave her a small kiss on the top of her head and sat on the floor in front of the couch. Everyone else took seats around the room. Before Channon could begin speaking everyone was asking questions. "Please, give me a moment and I will tell my story, but first let Reilly tell hers."

Reilly told the small group all that had happened to her since she and Tony were separated and up until she was rescued by Channon. Channon finished the story up to the point where everyone saw them on the road.