Chapter 3
Prue and Piper were following close behind Krista as they flew through the woods. They got to the waterfall and there was no sign of Phoebe or Grams.
"Wait, here…look!" Prue shouted
"What did you find?" Piper asked
"It's….Gram's ring" Krista said picking it up.
"It can't be, let me…" Piper didn't finish, she could see when she looked closer that it was Gram's ring and there were drag marks in the soft grass, she knew something was terribly wrong.
"Trolls!" Prue cursed.
"We must get help, if trolls did take them we are going to need help from the village" Piper said.
"There is no time we must move now, by the looks of these drag marks, they have been gone a while and could be in great danger. That is if we are not too late." Prue said in a stern voice.
"Wait, there is something you must know…." Krista admitted.
"Spill it!" Prue said casting a frown at Piper then to Krista.
"Well, for the last few nights I have followed Phoebe…"
"Followed? Where?" Piper spat.
"Let her finish Piper. Go on Krista."
"I followed her and…She has met someone…a human…"
"What!" Prue and Piper shouted together.
"Wait, he is not just any human, he is the one Phoebe had a bug for when we were younger. Remember the boy that swam in just his skin? Phoebe does not know I followed her. It is the King" Krista shyly admitted.
"Oh, you are not serious?" Prue scolded.
"I'm afraid so" Krista painfully said with a frown.
"So if you have been her little shadow, then where were you when the trolls dragged her off? Hah?" Piper shouted
"That is the thing, I didn't see her tonight and when I woke up she was already gone, but I have a feeling the trolls are not the thing that dragged her off."
"The King" Prue said quietly looking at Piper.
"We have to get her back Prue" Piper snapped.
"Come with me, I think I know where to find her. Krista you go to the village and tell everyone what has happened, tell them we have gone for Phoebe and send them for Grams" Prue instructed.
Krista gave the ring to Prue and headed back to the village to get help.
"Come on Piper, we have to get Phoebe back." Prue said as she took Piper's hand and led her through the trees.
"Prue, how do you know how to get in the castle?"
"Remember when she was young and that boy would come into the forest? Phoebe would watch him for hours and she liked him so much she wrote a spell for him."
"I remember, but do you think he could be the one?"
"I know he is the one." Prue said
"How?"
"Because look" Prue said holding out the ring.
"Yeah, it's Gram's ring so what?" Piper said confused.
"Remember…. the story…. about Sara and her son?" Prue spat impatiently.
Piper gasped. "You think he is the one?" Piper finished.
"Who else? If Phoebe's spell played out, he is the only one that could have found her because he is the only one she would have revealed herself to."
Just then Prue and Piper were snatched up and their wings were bound.
"Get off of me you slimy little creeps!" Prue shouted.
"Ouch! That is my hair!" Piper yelled as she and Prue were stuffed into large nets and dragged off by many small ugly trolls.
********
Cole and Phoebe galloped on the horse across the bridge and through the front gates to the stables along the out side of the castle. The servants rushed to them and when they saw Phoebe they froze and knelt down to bow to her. Her beauty stunned then and she was different from the other princesses that came looking to marry Cole.
Cole jumped off the horse and handed the reins off to the stable boy. He reached up and helped Phoebe off the horse. Her human legs where still shaky and she wasn't used to not having her wings to fly.
"Hello there my name is Phoebe" She kindly said to the young boy that was trying not to stare at her.
"Hi…Are you the new Queen my lady?" The boy said.
"Yes, she is now close your mouth son and water my horse would ya?" Cole said smiling at him and rubbing the top of the boy's head teasing him.
"Is he your son?" Phoebe asked nervously
"No, no, I just call him that" Cole answered chuckling at her and pulling her to him and brushing his lips on hers.
"I am going to have to get used to your world and the way you do and say things." Phoebe said in between kisses.
Phoebe could feel him wanting her as his kisses got more passionate and his fingers griped the curves on her body.
"I want to take you to my room and throw you on my bed right now Phoebe" Cole moaned.
"What is stopping you my king?" Phoebe said in a seductive voice.
Cole pulled away and tried to catch his breath. He looked into her eyes with a serious look and then he shut them and put his forehead to hers.
"What is it my love?" She said putting her hands on his face forcing him to look at her.
"Phoebe, please do not ever leave me." He whispered.
"How did you know I was worried I…"
"I can see it in your eyes Phoebe. Your eyes never lie."
"I am sorry I just worry about Grams and my sisters." Phoebe smiled and then went on " And Krista and my village and…" Cole interrupted her before she could finish.
"Ok, you have thought of everyone but you. What is it that you want Phoebe?" He asked looking deep into her eyes.
"I want you Cole" She whispered.
********
"Piper can you hear me?" Prue yelled as she woke up in the pitch black.
Her wrists were bound to the wall on each side of her with chains. She could not see through the dark with out moon light.
"Prue? Is that you?" Piper answered weakly.
"Yes, I cannot see and my wrists are bound. Are you ok?"
"My head hurts and I feel some thing warm running down my face. Prue I'm scared."
"Don't worry Piper I will get us out of this." Prue said jerking on the chains.
Just then the door slowly crept open and Leroy shuffled in. He lit a match and the girls squinted at the light he held in their faces.
"I thought you would have come sooner." He growled.
"What are you talking about troll!" Prue snapped.
"The old one and your sister, she is truly a sight your sister." Leroy taunted.
"Where are Grams and Phoebe! What have you done?"" Piper yelled angrily.
"He just sealed his own death!" Prue said seriously.
"Your Grams escaped but your sister did not" Leroy hissed.
Leroy quickly shuffled over to Prue and held the light in her face. The stench of Leroy and the sight of him was so wicked that Prue had to turn away and she could not look him in the face.
"What's the matter precious too ugly to look at?" Spit shot out of his mouth as he talked.
"Trolls never were my thing, especially ones that spit on me." Prue said sarcastically.
"Who are you?" Piper shouted.
Leroy turned to her and smiled before quickly shuffling out of the cellar and slamming the door.
"Hey! Hey! Come back here you sick… hideous… coward!" Piper shouted trying to break free.
"Piper, see if you can sense Grams or Phoebe and I'll work on getting us out of here."
"How do you expect me to do that Prue!" Piper spat.
"I don't know, use your power."
"I cannot Prue, I cannot tap in, we are not in our world."
"Yes we are Piper, our worlds are some how connected. Remember Grams telling us about how it all started? Long ago we used to live together in peace and then the men started to get greedy and sick. That is what tore the world apart and the evil at heart, turned to trolls and the elves and fairies and pixies had to fight against them. We lost because the greed and hate flowed so strong in the veins of evil and our kind had to retreat to a world all it's own. But we could not stop the trolls because they also had power but as long as there was good magic, they couldn't come near us. Until one crossed over."
"Prue, Phoebe has crossed over to evil?"
"No, but she has crossed over to this world, and that opened the door for evil. And now that the door is open, we are vulnerable. But we have not lost our powers. " Prue explained.
Prue and Piper closed their eyes tapping into their powers, and soon they felt the wave of power flush through their bodies and their chains melted to the floor. Prue and Piper concentrated once more and flung the locked door open. They spun their wings and quietly flew down the hall that was lit with fire torches.
********
"Phoebe?" Cole said as he woke up focusing his eyes on her through the white sheers that separated the room from the balcony. He rose sleepily from the bed and walked over to the stone arch way and lifted the sheers that ruffled in the wind behind Phoebe. Phoebe stood in the moonlight gazing at the forest. Her long silk gown rippled in the wind and the stars sparkled on her long shiny hair. He slid his arms around her waist from behind and held her tight. He kissed her long soft neck and she could feel his warm inviting body against her back.
"My, it is cold tonight…Phoebe?…What is it?"
"I am not sure, I had this dream." Phoebe said tilting her neck to the side as he trailed his lips along her neck.
"What did you see?" He asked putting his cheek on hers.
"I saw our worlds being destroyed and my people fleeing in terror….And Grams….Grams was standing in the middle of it all…She was calling to me but there was no sound coming from her lips…only silent words….and there was so much blood….but all the time I was trying to find you.
"Don't worry love you are safe with me. Come to bed it was only a dream."
"I am sorry Cole, maybe I should go back, I have not felt right since I have been here with you."
"I thought you loved me Phoebe?" He said trying to hide his sudden anger. He felt terrified at the thought of losing Phoebe.
"Yes! I do love you…. but I cannot stay and live this fairytale forever. I was not thinking straight and we are in danger because of it!" Phoebe started to raise her voice.
"Phoebe it was just a dream and it wasn't real!" Cole pleaded.
"I have been so selfish in coming here with you and wanting something that was not supposed to be….I'm sorry I must go…" She whispered sadly and started to walk off.
Cole grabbed Phoebe's arm and spun her around. He ripped the strap on her gown and made her face him straight on. He grabbed her shoulders and over powered her resistance.
"Don't you see…Don't you see…. I cannot live without you! I am nothing without you! It is more dangerous for our worlds if you leave me now! I need you Phoebe!" He shouted in a fierce voice while tears started to fill his desperate eyes.
Cole spoke with such emotion and tense passion that Phoebe suddenly came to tears and she got weak at her knees. Cole wrapped his arms around her and held her tight. Phoebe could feel him trembling and she wrapped her arms around him too. He closed his eyes and moaned trying to clear his head then he pulled back and held Phoebe's face with his hands and wiped away her tears.
She was swept away again by his passion for her and it made her realize how much she loved and needed him. She put her hands on his face and passionately kissed his inviting mouth. He moaned and he felt his tension turn to desire. Her ripped gown barely covered her left breast and it enticed him even more. He scooped her up and carried her to the large bed and laid her down. His body laid heavy on top of her and she could feel his heart racing. His lips melted on her neck as she was engulfed with desire and passion.
*********
"Stop! Look!" Prue whispered as she grabbed Piper and pulled her down.
The girls watched over the rock wall at a group of trolls fighting over food and arguing over stuff the girls could not make out. They seemed to be at a gathering of some kind. In the middle of the room looked to be the leader. The hideous troll that visited them earlier in the chamber. The leader was Leroy.
"What do you think is going on Prue?" Piper whispered
"I do not know but it is not good" Prue whispered back.
Just then the girls felt someone grab their shoulders and they froze.
*********
"What are we going to do?" Krista asked the council of Pixies and Elves that huddled in a circle after Krista told them what happened.
"We must fight!" Patric shouted.
"No! That is why we are separate, because there are too many of them and we had to retreat all those moons ago." Malachi, one of the older elves spoke up.
"What about Grams and Phoebe and Prue and Piper? Remember them?" Levi added as he held Krista in his arms trying to comfort her.
"Grams can take care of herself and she will meet us in the Haven and as for the sisters, we cannot help them. It is out of our hands." Sam said, also an older elf.
"We must go before they find the village…. Hayes, Troxel, Seth, Jason, round up the white dragons and prepare the villagers to move out." Malachi instructed to the group of pixies and elves.
"No! We must help them! We have to fight, or they will die!" Patric pleaded with the council.
"If we fight we will all die! Now help the villagers Patric, we need all the help we have to find safety. Sam warned.
"No! I will go alone if no one will help me" Patric argued.
"Patric, we want to help but there is more than Phoebe at stake here." Seth, one of the Pixies argued.
"My brother, we have known each other a long time and I would help you but the village needs me as well." Hayes calmly said putting his hand on Patric's shoulder.
Patric flung Hayes's hand away and Levi jumped between them.
"Patric, this is not the way" Levi tried to calm him.
"How dare you call me brother when you are only worried about yourself!" Patric yelled over Levi.
Hayes looked at Patric in pity and turned to walk away. All the villagers were alerted now and starting to swiftly move from the village.
Patric, Levi and Krista where the only ones standing watching the village glow as it moved out.
"I guess it is just us now" Krista sadly said.
"We must hurry it is getting late" Levi said and they headed for the castle with Krista leading the way.
*********
Cole laid on Phoebe's chest and she twisted his head of black velvet curls around her finger. He stroked her smooth satin legs from her mid thigh to her calf. His large hands made her legs look very small. He was such a masculine man and she was a small petite woman. The satin sheet only covered small parts of their bodies and the rest were exposed to the night breeze that howled through the balcony into the bedroom.
"Phoebe…."
"Cole don't….I'm sorry….I just…"
"No, Phoebe that is not what I was going to say." Cole paused while Phoebe waited silently
"I need you so much and I will never give up on our love….but if you need to go back I will understand and I will help you with what ever I can." Cole finished in a sad and low rough whisper.
Phoebe looked down at him and he raised his head to look into her eyes. Phoebe could see his pain and she hurt inside but she knew what she had to do. As much as she wanted to stay, she could not. The risk to her people was too great and her love had to be put aside. Her passion and love burned inside of her and she wanted more than anything to stay, but the call from her world was too strong. She leaned down and kissed Cole. He could feel her slipping away and there was nothing he could do.
Phoebe slipped out of bed and dressed. She headed for the balcony and stopped at the arch way. The sheers fluttered in the wind and wrapped around her as she stood there. She looked back at Cole and saw him laying with the sheets only covering his waist. He looked at the arch way and stared at Phoebe. Their eyes danced painfully and then she turned away leaping off the balcony. It felt like a knife stabbing his heart when she left the bedroom. Cole slowly laid back down and stared at the ceiling. He was without the one thing he cared about and there was no getting her back.
**********
"Grams! You scared us to death!" Piper whispered.
"Grams, are you alright?" Prue whispered.
"Grams we found your ring and we thought…" Piper paused
"Oh, girls you know me better than that. Where is my ring? Leroy never could catch me." Grams said looking down at the commotion.
Prue pulled the ring out of the small pouch in her gown and gave it to Grams.
"Grams, your ring, it glows" Piper said nervously.
"Yes danger is everywhere. Girls, I am so sorry about all this, this is all my fault."
"Grams how could you let Phoebe cross over?" Piper said.
"It was her own will, and I'm afraid I could not stop her, she will learn her own way."
"But Grams she is vulnerable, she is not as old as us and her powers are new." Prue pleaded.
"You underestimate your sister's magic. She has a gift that is rare, and there has been a few of us in centuries."
"Grams, what gift do you speak of?" Prue asked.
"The gift to transform from one world to another. To become human or immortal at anytime." Grams said.
"I am not sure what you mean Grams?" Piper asked.
"She means Phoebe transformed into a human on her own." Prue whispered looking away.
"WHAT?" Piper almost shouted.
Prue and Grams both grabbed for Piper's mouth.
"Shhhhh!!!!!" Prue whispered.
"It's too late, they have already heard" Grams said as she peered over the stone wall and saw the trolls scrambling around to see what the noise was.
"Quickly girls, we must go now!" Grams said gathering the girls and swiftly fluttering down the hall to exit the castle.
********
Phoebe reached the woods edge and glanced back to the castle. She could feel Cole's heart in pain and she turned to go back but just then she felt someone grab her and cover her mouth. She struggled and then screamed between the fingers on her lips.
"Phoebe! It is just me." A familiar voice whispered against her ear.
"Patric!" Phoebe sighed in relief.
"Phoebe, are you hurt?" another familiar voice asked coming out of the dark pulling the hood of the disguised cloak down to her shoulders.
"Krista" Phoebe whispered glad to see her friend.
"Pheebs you scared us!" Levi said coming out of the dark as well.
"I am sorry I left but I am here now." Phoebe said as she hung her head in sadness. "Come, let us return home." She finished.
"Home? Phoebe, you do not know?" Patric said in surprise.
"What is it?" Phoebe curiously asked.
"Honey, the village moved to the Haven and your sisters went to find you and Grams." Krista said touching Phoebe's arm.
"What do you mean Grams? And the village only moves if there is…." Phoebe stopped herself.
"Danger, yes, the trolls have moved into the castle and are taking over." Levi said.
"Castle, trolls…? Cole!" Phoebe said as she turned to flutter back to the castle.
Patric tackled her and they fell to the ground.
"Are you crazy? I will not let you go back there!" Patric scolded.
"Patric! Please! Let me go! I must help him!" Phoebe shouted while struggling out from under him.
"Phoebe, please, we cannot go back there!" Krista pleaded softly.
"You said Grams, where is she?" Phoebe said as tears started to roll down her face.
"Look, her face…" Levi said "The tears of a human."
Patric walked up to Phoebe and looked into her eyes. He could see her pain and desperation and he loved her so much it hurt for him to see this. He wiped her face and held his hand on her cheek.
"Grams has been captured and your sisters went to get her. They too are at the castle." He finished in a solemn voice.
"Please, help us Patric." Phoebe pleaded starting to sob.
Patric nodded and turned and walked over to Krista and Levi.
"I cannot let her go alone…. and I cannot make her stay. I have to help her and if you and Krista want to go to the Haven we will understand." Patric whispered.
"We will help Patric, I love her too." Krista said.
Patric looked at Krista and nodded. He walked over to Phoebe who was pacing in the grass wiping her tears and looking at the castle in the distance. He grabbed her gently by the arm and told her they would help. Phoebe hugged him and kissed him gently on the cheek.
Krista saw Phoebe and Patric and she and Levi started ahead of them.
"Your love for him flows though your veins I can feel it." Patric resentfully said.
Phoebe looked at him and she did not know what to say. She reached out to touch his hand and he grabbed it and pulled her to him and lustfully stared into her eyes. Phoebe was dazed and did not know how to respond.
"Patric…I…" Phoebe stuttered.
Patric leaned in and kissed Phoebe's lips hard. Phoebe froze and frowned at his kiss. He pulled away and looked at her. She could not look him in the eye and she turned her back to him. He pressed his body against hers and the sweet smell of her drove him crazy inside.
"Please Patric, my love is for Cole and Cole alone." She said turning back to look him in the eyes.
"Yes Phoebe, and now I am certain." He said coldly and brushing past her.
Phoebe stood there and she wanted to cry. Patric stopped and turned back after he got control of his jealousy. He reached for her hand.
"Come on, your true love needs your help." Patric said giving her a half smile trying to hide his pain.
Phoebe's face brightened and she took his hand and they ran to catch Levi and Krista.
*********
Cole laid in his bed and stared at the ceiling. The love of his life had slipped away and now he was alone again. He had been so happy with Phoebe, was it all a dream? Did he dream her up? He must have, because he was too happy for it to be real. Cole was lost in his thoughts when a frantic knock at his door startled him.
"Go away!" Cole shouted from the bed.
"It is me my king!" Abe's said in a distressed voice through the large door.
Cole gave an irritated sigh and then walked to the door holding a sheet around his waist. He opened the door and saw Abe holding his belly with blood running through his fingers.
"What in the devil…?" Cole franticly gasped catching Abe as he fell into Cole's arms.
Cole cradled the frail old man in his arms and carried him to the bed slamming the door behind him with his foot. He carefully laid Abe flat on the bed. Abe was coughing blood out of his mouth. Cole slipped on some white cotton pants and tied the draw strings. He put the sheet on Abe's stomach trying to stop the bleeding. Cole's hands were shaking as he put pressure on Abe's stomach.
"It is too late for me boy, I cannot feel the pain anymore." Abe calmly whispered.
"Who did this to you my friend" Cole whispered in shock.
"My king, your castle…..your uncle leads them…" Abe tried to talk between coughing and spitting.
"Shhh…just rest old friend, you are going to be ok, I will find help!" Cole said as tears came to his eyes.
Cole got up to go get help and Abe grabbed his hand. Cole knelt back down to the dying man. Abe slipped something into Cole's hand and smiled. Cole looked in his hand and it was a piece of old tattered cloth and Cole looked at Abe confused. Abe coughed again and his breathing became more and more shallow. Cole looked at the cloth again and he felt warm inside. He recognized the cloth, it was a piece of his mother's dress that Abe held onto all these years. Cole looked at Abe and he smiled.
"I loved her too my friend" Cole said touching the old man's sweaty forehead. Abe smiled and shut his eyes. A tear rolled down his black face and he looked at Cole again.
"Please… forgive me boy…I could not save her" Abe strained.
"Who?" Cole asked quietly.
"Your queen."
"Phoebe? Abe…Abe…Abe…!" Cole shouted as the old man's eyes turned to glass and he slipped away.
Cole turned and slid down the bed sitting on the floor. He looked at the cloth and the tears came again. His best friend, the man that took care of him since he was a baby was dead, And Phoebe was gone. He put the cloth to his wet face and tried to find some comfort. Just then a bright light came to his room.
"Phoebe, are you there" He hoarsely whispered hiding his eyes from the blinding light.
"No my son, do not be afraid" a soft and beautiful voice said.
The voice was so beautiful it was like a song. Cole looked up adjusting his eyes to the light. He could not believe what he saw. His mother and father stood there smiling at him. They were beautiful all dressed in fine white linens. Their hair shined and their eyes sparkled with love. Cole stood to his feet and walked to them. He reached out but they couldn't be touched.
"We have come to help you" William said in a strong voice.
"Father, mother, I…" Cole could not find words."
"My son, you are so handsome just like your father." Sara softly said.
"What shall I do, I do not know where to go from here." Cole said feeling his knees weak.
Sara walked over to the bed where Abe laid and kissed his forehead.
"It has been a long time old friend" She whispered.
She walked over to Cole and looked at him. He felt like he was a child again seeing his family. It had been so long and he tried to forget them pushing the hurt away.
"I am so sorry you are sad my son, you have been through a lot of pain and it hurts me." she frowned then she continued,
"There is something that I never told you…You have a gift, the same as I did. You are magical my son, and your passion makes you more great than even I. Your love for Phoebe is unbreakable and the goodness flows through you making you very powerful. You have already shown you can rule a kingdom all on your own, now show us that you can find peace with yourself."
"Mother, Phoebe is gone and I know nothing of magic." Cole pleaded
"My son, you must destroy the only thing that is keeping you from your happiness." William said
"What is that father?"
"Cole, you must find where the evil root lies. I am sorry I never took care of this sooner, now it is up to you." William said
"Leroy" Cole whispered.
"You must find the magic inside yourself my son. Then you can find your happiness." Sara said softly.
William walked over to the bed and scooped Abe's lifeless body in his arms.
"We will take care of him son" Sara said kindly "Remember son, you are never alone we are always with you."
"You have greatness in your blood son, do not let it go to waste" William said standing with Sara and holding Abe.
"We love you very much Cole and we are very proud…and it is not too late, she still loves and needs you" Sara said smiling at Cole.
"Now go save your kingdom son, it is in sudden danger and so it your true love" William said and as quickly as they appeared they were gone.
Cole took a deep breath and walked to the arch stepping out onto the balcony. He looked down at his kingdom and saw destruction. The trolls were terrorizing the villagers and his knights were trying to fight them. There were houses on fire and blood shed everywhere. Up ahead leaving the castle's edge Leroy and more trolls had a string of prisoners that were being led into the near by hills. Cole saw Phoebe among the prisoners.
"Phoebe" He whispered.
He felt his blood start to pump violently through his veins and he felt the power start to fill his body. He ran for his sword and jumped off the balcony. His muscular body landed on a group of trolls, and he quickly swung his sword slaying them. The fighting solders saw the king and got behind him. The trolls trembled and started to scatter retreating in fear. Cole's presence was over powering and the solders followed him as they ran through the village slaying the trolls. Cole fought with such passion and greatness that it made the soldiers fight stronger and they were inspired by the king and his power. They fought to the edge of the village and Cole turned to his men. He stood without a scratch on him and fire raging from his eyes. His body wet with sweat and his teeth clenched.
"I will go on alone, you must help the wounded villagers. Put them in the castle until their homes are repaired, and give them what they need to be comfortable. I will return" Cole bravely spoke to his men before turning and running quickly through the tall grass and small trees.
He ran faster and faster and his speed was unstoppable. The passion and fight that drove him to his true love was dangerous.
*********
Leroy pushed Phoebe along in front of him. Leroy wanted distance between her and the others.
The rest of the trolls lead a string of rope with Prue, Piper, Grams, Patric, Levi, and Krista tied in a line along the rope. Their wrists were tied tight and the girl's wings were bound. Leroy wanted to kill all the others and keep Phoebe for revenge.
"Do not stop walking Fairy!" one of the trolls snarled at Prue.
"Back off troll!" Prue shouted back.
The troll snapped a whip at her and clubbed her in the thighs with a stick. Prue fell to the ground in pain but did not make a peep.
"Stop this! Stop now!" Piper shouted
Phoebe stopped walking and looked back at the commotion. "Prue, Piper" she shouted.
Leroy pushed her on and jabbed at her to move forward. "Please what is it that you want with us?" Phoebe pleaded.
Leroy smiled at her and stopped her. He came close to her face and walked around her stalking her like prey. He touched her neck and she turned from him. He pushed her to move on, they were reaching the top of the cliff.
*******
Cole could see them nearing the top of the ridge. He ran to the bottom of the string and started slashing the trolls. Leroy and Phoebe stopped at the commotion and Leroy saw Cole attacking the trolls.
"Cole" Phoebe said as she could see him at a distance.
Leroy grabbed her putting a knife to her throat and dragged her up the cliff. Phoebe screamed Cole's name and Cole stopped to look in her direction but she was not in sight. Just then one of the trolls stabbed Cole in the side bringing him to his knees, he grunted in pain. Levi ran up to the troll and choked him with his bondages. Patric grabbed a sword from one of the lifeless trolls and cut the girls and Grams free. By that time Levi had freed Krista and himself. Cole pulled the sword from his side and started after Phoebe. Levi and Patric started to fight the rest of the trolls that were coming from the castle.
"Girls, grab their weapons, we must help." Grams said pointing to the dead trolls.
The girls picked up weapons from the ground and the trolls to join Levi and Patric in the battle.
*******
"Leroy, let her go!" Cole shouted at his uncle as he caught up to them. Leroy and Phoebe were at the edge of the cliff with their backs to Cole. Leroy spun around and he held Phoebe in front of him at knife point.
"Don't come any closer boy or your queen dies." Leroy snarled.
"I said let her go" Cole growled standing with his teeth clenched and blood running from his side.
The sweat beaded off his body and he had black soot marks from the fires on his chest and face and arms. His pants were torn and he had blood stains on them. The whites of his eyes and teeth glowed from his soot stained face.
"You think you can have it all do you boy?" Leroy mocked.
Cole headed at Leroy and Phoebe with his sword clenched in his hand. The rage inside of him showed through his eyes.
"No, no I will kill her for sure, just like I killed your sweet mother and father." Leroy said tightening the grip on Phoebe and holding the knife closer to her throat.
Cole looked into Phoebe's frightened eyes and it hurt deeply. He gave her a look of desperation and then focused back on Leroy.
"My sword has the blood of many trolls but your blood will be the most deserved!" Cole said between his clenched teeth.
"I killed your father and your mother died of a broken heart and so shall you boy" Leroy scowled. "You see boy, the throne should have been mine and instead it went to you. That black servant was on to me and protected you, or you would have been as dead as they are and I would be king!" Leroy shouted with hate.
"This has nothing to do with her, let her go!" Cole shouted
"Oh yes, this has everything to do with her, you can't have it all" Leroy said as he licked Phoebe's cheek and buried the knife into her stomach.
Phoebe gasped and fell to her hands and knees on the ground.
"NO!" Cole shouted as he ran up to her and grabbed her into his arms. Leroy hovered over them and raised his knife to Cole's back. Suddenly Leroy felt a sharp sting to his throat and he fell to the ground in a heap. Patric stood with a bloody sword over the body. The others formed a circle around Cole and Phoebe. Tears ran from Cole's face as he held her close.
"Phoebe…Phoebe! Please, I need you, don't die, I love you!" Cole sobbed.
Phoebe began to gasp for air and her eyes became wild. Cole became desperate. He scooped her up and carried her down the hill. Phoebe was slipping away and Grams held the terrified sisters in her arms. Patric and Krista and Levi watched Cole as he walked away with Phoebe dangling in his arms.