A Glimpse of the Past

I want to know her side of the story

I walked down the street cloaked in darkness save the lanterns. With every step I took, I felt my stomach clenching tighter in knots. I glanced up at the man standing next to me who was holding my hand. This was the man who shared his journeys with me and I the same. However, I was about to face the darkest part of my past.

"You don't have to do this if you don't want to." Folken said quietly pulling me to a stop.

"I have to." I answered. I reassured him that this was my final decision by squeezing his hand. He simply nodded and we began our walk again. Finally we reached our destination standing in front of the flap of a tent located near the market where I ran into Miranda.

"It might be best if you wait outside. She might be more open with me if we are alone," I said.

"I will be right here waiting for you," He raised his hand to my cheek and stroked it gently.

I nodded and kissed him. "I won't be long"

I opened the flap of the tent and stepped in. She was alone standing with her back was facing me.

"Miranda," I spoke softly. She whirled around folding both her arms deeply within her chest.

"Shayndel, what are you doing here?"

"I have some questions for you,"

"I said I'm sorry. What more do you want for me?" she pleaded.

"The truth. Why did you take me in even though you knew he wouldn't accept me?" I questioned.

"I always wanted children. You were so little and innocent, I could not help myself. However, he thought that you were too much of a burden," she explained.

"And you just let him leave me in the snow to die!" I exclaimed.

"No! I would never do that to you. I had no choice, he forced me to," she insisted.

I observed her carefully, watching her movements. A sudden realization dawned on me.

"How long has he been hurting you?" I said softly.

"What are you talking about?" she exclaimed.

"The way you are holding your arm…let me see," I walked across to her and quickly pulled the sleeve of her dress up.

She gasped as I pulled the fabric back to reveal dark bruises on her forearm.

"These were done recently," I noticed as I inspected her arm.

"Please leave. There is nothing you can do," she begged.

"There are laws here that abide to this, you can be free of him…Mother," I appealed.

"You never called me that," she said with her eyes brimming with tears.

"Well you did take care of me, you are the only family I have left," I said.

"And what about me Shayndel?"

His voice sent a shiver down my spine. Other than Grandma Rose and Folken, nobody else called me by that name.

"You threw me out in the cold to die." I said bitterly.

"How blunt you put it," he said.

"There is nothing more to say. I will be leaving now," I said turning my back to him but placing a hand on Miranda's arm to pull her away from him.

"And what do you think you are doing?" he asked.

"She is coming with me, you have hurt her enough," I said firmly standing my ground.

"She is my wife and I will decide what is best for us," he justified closing the distance between us.

"Just like you decided what was best for me?" I sneered.

"Shut up. You women are all the same, why can't you just listen to what we tell you,"

"There are laws here in Palas, we are free to leave," I attempted to leave but he blocked us.

I stepped in front of Miranda to shield her from him.

"You think she will willingly come with you? Miranda, I have provided you with everything and this is how you repay me?" he said.

"Don't listen to him," I counterattacked by standing directly in front of Miranda.

"Of course she will, get out of my way," he threatened towering his bulky body over me.

"No, let us pass," I demanded.

I struggled to free his grasp as his iron clad hands gripped my wrists. Miranda moved forward to protest but he backhanded her with the back of his hand sending her to the floor. I tried to bring my knee up but he was a much larger person than me. He now grabbed both my wrists with one hand and starting to choke me with the other. I caught a glimpse of his eyes and only saw anger, so much anger and madness.

"Father, where is Mother?"

"Never speak of her again."

A blur caught my eye and I felt the release of the pressure on my throat. Sucking in a huge gap of air, I saw Folken looming in front of me with his metal arm grasping his throat. I quickly got up and went over to him.

"Folken, let him go," I said.

He did not reply just merely staring coldly at him. I saw out of the corner of my eye Miranda getting up.

"Folken, look at me," I commanded.

His eyes softened when he looked at me.

"Are you alright?"

"Yes, let him go," I bided.

After a moment's hesitation, he threw him on the floor.

"You should have come and called me. I thought it was taking too long," Folken said.

"I didn't expect him to be here. I was trying to get Miranda out of here," I explained.

"You can't get away with this," he said painfully.

"I already have, stay quiet," Folken warned.

"Allen will understand our situation, he'll take her in," I whispered.

"At this time of night, he would be home, that is hours away," he pointed out.

"Send a messenger to him. Go find some soldiers and tell them to come here," I suggested.

I watched him hesitate and set to reassure him.

"He will still be recovering, go."

He went out and shortly returned with two soldiers. Miranda and I had moved farthest from him upon their arrival.

"You are reporting an attack," the soldier asked cautiously.

"You don't believe me? Would you like me to show you the marks on my throat from where he choked me or would you like me to show you her bruises?" I challenged.

"That won't be necessary, however it's your word against his,"

"Miranda, say the words. Be free of him for good," I implored her taking hold of her hands forcing the two of us to look eye to eye.

I saw at the moment her eyes stripped away of all emotions.

"He attacked this girl, choking her. I tried to stop it and he hit me. He is my husband and I wish to leave him and be under the protection of the Palas law," she said trembling.

"Well we can't dismiss the law, take him away," the soldier ordered.

"Wait, I want a word with him, alone," I requested.

"No," Folken objected.

"If I feel that I am threatened, I'll shout," I said.

"Shayndel," Folken pleaded.

"If you aren't sure, bind his hands and feet then," I suggested.

"Alright lady, make it fast," the soldier said impatiently.

"Take Miranda outside Folken," I said.

I waited until they disappeared out of the tent to turn around again.

"Well I can see you have made yourself useful," he sneered.

"Why do you hate me so?" I said quietly feeling anger build up.

"You were nothing but a nuisance. I only let Miranda keep you so I could keep her in control. You can't let women go wild."

"What happened to your mother?" I asked.

"Get your twisted magic away from me," he said venomously.

"Do you ever wonder why she left? Maybe it was because she was beaten by her husband just like what you were doing to Miranda," I attacked.

"Shut up! She was supposed to love me, but instead she spent all her time with you. You are nothing, I hate you, and I despise you, spit on your existence," he yelled.

His face was red from his pent up anger. The soldiers rushed back in from hearing his commotion.

I no longer was angry with him but felt pity for him. And I felt sad, that I had caused such pain and anger for him and in turn causing Miranda pain. I had to leave the tent. I could not stand to be with him in the same room.

I stepped out into the cool night air and saw Folken and Miranda conferring with another gentleman that looked familiar.

"I am Gaddes, we met at the fortress," the gentleman introduced.

"Yes, thank you for coming," I thanked.

"The message was urgent, how can I help?" he asked.

"My adopted mother needs a place to stay. I was wondering if she could stay at Allen's?" I enquired.

"I am sure he won't mind helping a lady out," he gestured for Miranda to follow him.

"Do you know how to ride, my lady?"

"Not very well though,"

"Don't fear, I'll ride right beside you,"

"Can we stay the night at Allen's? I don't feel like going back to the palace." I asked Folken as we watched Miranda being led away.

"I am sure he won't mind. What did you talk about with him?" he asked.

"Nothing, I don't want to talk about it now. I just want to make sure that she is alright," I insisted.

"Alright, I will get the carriage,"

I walked back to the guest room to find Folken waiting for me. The single lit candle flickered from the open window.

"She is asleep now," I said as he turned around.

"Tomorrow the treaty will be finalized, we can leave after that," he announced.

"Then I'll stay here with Miranda, I don't think she should be alone," I said walking to the side of the bed. I stripped my outer clothing off and climb into the soft covers.

"Shayla," Folken said following my movements.

"I don't want to talk about it right now," I pleaded.

"I don't mean to pressure, I just want you to know I am here if you want to talk," he said gently.

I touched his cheek briefly offering him a small smile and then settled onto my side. A few minutes later, I felt his form touching against mine. That night, I laid in bed staring at the ceiling listening to his words haunt me over and over. I turned to look at Folken's sleeping figure. I nestled closer to him wanting to feel his warmth. Almost instinctively he wrapped his arm tighter around my waist. I buried my face in his chest and clung to him.

I stood at the back pews watching Miranda pray. Early in the morning, Allen had informed me that she had left for church. I was struggling with what to say her when she noticed my presence.

"I came to see you," I said when she approached me.

"I feel you are treating me too kindly,"

"There was a part of me that was always angry at you but after yesterday I know you have suffered as well. I have the right to know what really happened,"

"You were just a small child when we found you in the forest. At first, he disapproved, and then he got angry because I was focusing my attention on you. He got very upset and forced me to give you up."

"Why did you stay with him?" I asked.

"He wasn't like that way before, he loved me," she reasoned.

"He was insecure so he used your feelings to prevent you from leaving," I pointed out to her.

"But you have to understand, I did not want to be alone, all I had was him,"

I was about to speak up that she had me, but realized that he had gotten rid of me so that she could only depend on him.

I slowly walked back to Allen's place not realizing that it was almost nightfall. When I arrived back, Folken was pacing back and forth. He immediately sensed me and rushed over.

"Where have you been?" he asked.

"I went to visit Miranda at the church and then I walked the long way back here," I said tiredly.

"Have you eaten?"

"No, I am not hungry, I'll just go to bed,"

I was about to climb back into bed when he blocked my way.

"What did he say to you?" he asked forcing my chin up so I looked directly at him.

"Nothing that I can't forget about," I said turning away from him.

"But you haven't forgotten," he insisted grabbing a hold of me.

"And how do you forget someone who hates you?" I said bluntly. He rubbed my arms gently.

"You shouldn't pay attention to him," he insisted.

"I saw a part of his past. He needed to be dependent on one person and I was the one who took it away from him,"

"Then that is his own selfishness, not yours," he said.

"You didn't see the way his eyes looked at me, they were of pure hate. I have never seen someone so consumed in it. I couldn't help him."

"You can't save every person love," he soothed.

"I could have," I insisted.

"There is something else,"

"I have been so naïve believing that this world was filled with love, but it isn't true."

"To be honest, I would rather have you living in the cottage for all of your life then be exposed to the things I have seen," he admitted.

"You can't protect me forever Folken. I just have to adjust to the fact that there are some people whom I can't help,"

He pulled me to him and stroked my hair. I snuggled into him, finding a place in the crook of his neck.

"I wish I could take away this pain for you," he murmured into my ear.

I brushed back his bangs so that I could see his eyes clearly. When I looked deep into his eyes, all I saw was naked love for me.

"Just hold me."

I woke up to the sounds of chirping birds and the soft breeze brushing over my exposed skin. I wiggled around attempting to find a comfortable spot. After flipping onto my stomach I realized that Folken wasn't beside me. I raised myself on my elbows and looked around the room. He was standing at the window gazing outside.

"What time is it?" I asked.

"It's mid afternoon," he replied coming over to the bed and sitting down on the corner. I sat up wrapping the sheets around my body.

"Then the treaty," I left the sentence hanging.

"It's sealed, I am sure the council is eager to have me leave," he said. I made my way silently to him settling in his lap.

"So now you will be crowned prince again, serve by Van's side," I said.

"You talk as though you aren't coming back with me," he questioned looking down at me.

"You must think realistically Folken, they won't accept me as princess," I starred down at my hands.

"Not if we are already married," That statement made me glance back at him. He produced a ring from his pocket and held it in front of my eyes. It was a gold band with an emerald in the center. I touched the ring but then withdraw my hand away.

"Folken, I know nothing of royalty,"

"It doesn't matter to me. I want you to be my wife. Just say the words and forever we will be joined together," he said tilting my chin with his finger.

"Yes, I'll marry you," I said after a split second.

I wrapped my arms around his neck and found myself being showered with kisses. He pulled back from me and placed the ring on my finger.

"Forever do I bind myself to you," he promised.

I looked up at my newly acquired husband and smiled infectiously. The ceremony wasn't at all fancy: the priest married us with Allen and Miranda as witnesses.

"Thank you for your hospitality Allen," I thanked again.

"It has been my pleasure, do not worry, I will look after Miranda," he promised.

"I want to talk with Miranda alone, I will meet for you outside," I said to Folken.

I waited until both Allen and Folken left the church before turning to Miranda.

"I don't suppose I will see you again,"

"You shouldn't think too far into the future, Shayla," she chided me.

"I hope you will be able to make peace with yourself," I said.

"My journey will take some time and yours is now with Folken. He is waiting for you,"

We embraced and exchanged farewell. I had reached the exit when I remembered something. I walked back to her and placed a smooth moonstone in her hand.

"I almost forgot, this is for you- for new beginnings."