Anyone passing Anniya at that particular moment would of wondered why such a beautiful girl looked so upset. Indeed, Anniya supposed she looked nice; Princess Cecilia had her personal maids attend to Anniya. Her hair was in a simple blonde bun, apart from the stray blond wisps hanging out. Her skin was freshly scrubbed and simply glowed after all the dirt and blood had been on it. Her dress was remarkable just by itself. It was a deep sapphire, and pearls had been placed on her neck to accentuate her hair.
" They'll be a husband for you in no time," a particular maid had told Anniya. She had shrugged that comment off. She could of cared less.
Anniya was sitting in the garden at that moment, under the willow tree next to the Lucarno. The roses were blooming, their sweet scent heavy in the air. She was perfectly aware that she was ruining her ridiculously expensive dress, and felt a small pleasure come from it.
She had come to love the castle's garden. The week since the Count had been defeated had been chaos, and this seemed to be her only refuge. No one seemed to think to look for her here, which was a great relief. It seemed as if everyone was looking for her.
Anniya kicked off her slippers and dangled her feet in the river. A fish jumped in the distance, and a twig cracked. She whirled around, and Robert put his hands up.
" It's me. Could I talk to you?"
Robert was respected by the people now. It was him and Esperanza who had led Char and the troops of knights into the castle. He had been given a thousand royal apologies by King Jerrold. Who was still shocked from the betrayal of his life long companion. Queen Daria sat quietly in the shadows, but Anniya would of sworn that a glint of a smile played her lips.
Anniya nodded at his request, and Robert sat down next to her. After sitting a few moments in silence, he too took off his shoes and put his feet in the river.
" You've changed a lot," he told her after a few more moments.
Anniya cracked a smile at that one. " What, and you haven't? Maybe it's you that's changing. Don't be so sure of yourself, you'll become conceited again."
Robert smiled, and laughed softly. " Again?"
Anniya nodded, and stared out onto the river again. " Robert, there's probably something I should tell you. It's about West."
She saw Robert tense for a moment, and then look away. Anniya took a deep breath, but went on. It had to be said between them some time.
Well, it had taken her awhile, but she finally realized it. Anniya had never really stopped loving West. Everything about him-- his smile, his charm, his bravery, everything-- had never really left her. If only she had been able to see it.
But before she could say anything, Robert leaned over and kissed her on the cheek. It was a kiss one would give a friend. He gave her a weak smile. " I know, Anniya. West always.....understood you. He loved you with everything he had in him, and you should know that. There are countless women West has charmed into loving him. He liked them all; West always adored women, but not one did he ever love back except for you. Do you know why?"
Anniya managed to find her voice. " No."
There were tears in his eyes, but Robert went on. " You were the only one he ever respected as an equal. He would of done anything for you Anniya, and that's why I'm telling you that you cannot blame yourself for his death. He died an honorable death, and you see already how he's being treated. The King and Queen are erecting a statue in the center of Frell in his name; the Princess Cecilia insisted on it. God, I wish it had been me instead of him," Robert said fervently. Anniya squeezed his hand, and leaned her head on his shoulder. She felt the onset of tears.
" Does his family know...? Did West have family?," Anniya asked quietly, realizing that it was the only thing she had never really discussed with West.
At that Robert was silent at. It was not the same thing as the silence previously, and Anniya sensed that Robert had been keeping something from her.
" Robert, what is it? It can't be bad. Nothing can be worse then it already is," Anniya told him. Wasn't she the one to point out the cheery news: nothing can get worse! Anniya decided she needed to stop being so blunt.
Robert hesitated, then started his story. " West is not just simply West, as he is not just simply my cousin. By birth right, West is Prince Arien Westkander Di Calixte of Kellia, heir to the throne."
Well, that woke her up alright. Anniya gave a short, confused laugh. " West? No, that's you Robert. That can't be true because you don't have a brother...........wait....."
Suddenly a lot of things were making sense. West and Robert's amazing similarities. All of the little phrases that had been hinted over time. West's ring.
When Anniya looked up, Robert answered her question before she even asked it. " Half brother. I am the second child of the King of Kellia. When West was a child, my father was sucking the country dry with taxes in order to appease West's mother. The people rebelled, and attacked the palace. The Queen was slaughtered, and it was assumed that her son was too. But he wasn't. West escaped, and was raised in a town far from the capital, where he met John. My Father remarried to my mother, and I was born. The new heir."
Anniya stared, her hand on her cheek. West...he had been the prince all along..... She said the only thing she could think to say. " Oh."
Brilliant Anniya, just brilliant. But Robert nodded, satisfied with her answer.
" You know, he would of made a better King. Oh, he's a thief, but look at what he did! He had honor, he had intelligence and logic and plans that I will never have. He gave his life trying to save Kyrria, and had been trying to stop the Count for the longest time imaginable. None of it was required. Kyrria wasn't even his country, for god's sake! West was Kellian through and through!" He was silent for a few moments. " I may abdicate the throne."
Anniya leaped up. " Robert! You cannot do that! What will happen? Is the blood line just going to disappear, like the Count tried to make it do?"
Robert pulled her back down. " Don't try and change my mind. I'll see how the wind blows."
A few more moments of silence passed. Robert spoke again. " You know, there's something else I should probably tell you. About Esperanza."
Just looking in his eyes, Anniya saw it all. Somehow in the time she had seen him last, Robert had started thinking differently about the gypsy girl, and was worried that Anniya would feel attached to him.
In spite of it all, she laughed. She leaned over and hugged Robert as hard as she could.
" When's the wedding? I want to be a....what do you call them?," Anniya asked slipping on her Kyrrian.
" Bridesmaid. But it's not like that!," Robert protested. But he smiled, and Anniya splashed water at him. She stared out at the glistening waters, and an idea sparked in her mind.
" Well, I'll believe you only if you do one small favor for me."
Robert arched an eyebrow, and Anniya grinned.
" Teach me how to swim."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
It was late at night when Anniya crept out of the palace. Her magic kept her from being seen, and she made slipped out of the palace with ease.
The place she was headed actually about half a mile away from the castle grounds. On normal occasions, Anniya would of wanted a horse. But tonight she felt like walking.
She had been unconscious for several days after her encounter with the Count. She had kept her eyes open long enough to see Gleex...well, eat the man. The moment she had woken up, her first( delirious) thought was to scold the dragon properly for it. True, it did save her life so naturally Anniya didn't want to be too harsh( she adored Gleex with all her heart). But Anniya hadn't raised him to be carnivorous, and she could see how man eating dragons might cause a problem in Kyrria. But she hadn't seen the dragon since that day it had killed the Count. According to Esperanza, it had taken off into the air immediately after----the Count's legs still hanging out.
The small clearing in the dark forest was peaceful, not scary. Although Anniya frankly didn't like the idea blood thirsty animals lurking in the shadows of the trees, she enjoyed the emptiness of the place. Above her, the night sky glimmered with millions of stars. She knew no one would be coming anywhere near her. Once she was sure, Anniya closed her eyes and called Gleex silently, with all the magic that was in her. A fierce, green wind whipped past her, ruffling her hair. It lasted for a long time; it was at least twenty minutes before Anniya felt a magical presence settle behind her.
Anniya turned around. Hovering above her was not Gleex, but the ebony dragon, the largest of the three dragons that had saved her life.
Anniya had never seen it in it's full glory, and knew now how truly mystical dragons were. The sleek scales glistened in the moonlight, and it spread it's leathery wings as it's razor sharp talons settled onto the earth. She could almost see the age that had been sketched into the creatures face, and knew that it was an adult. It's cat gold eyes glittered with intelligence, civilizations of knowledge taunting her.
She hesitated for a moment. Dragons were the most powerful creatures on earth, the only living being besides fairies that could draw magic from within. Gleex had been a hatchling when she befriended. It was different being in front of this fantastic, this ethereal creature that radiated life and death at the same time.
*~ Ah. Anniya Fredericka of Estalen, descendant of Queen Ayinna of the elves. Heir to the most powerful magic bestowed upon the mortal races, and guardian of the emerald dragon, my son.~*,
the dragon's powerful voice said, ringing inside Anniya's mind.
It was mind speaking to her, a power that Gleex was too young to learn. Even though the fantastic voice echoed inside of her head, Anniya felt a serene feeling. She felt the magic inside of her connect with the dragon.
*~ I am afraid that I am not acquainted with either of your names~*, Anniya told the magical beast, wanting to give it proper respect.
The dragon laughed, making a great noise that sounded like two swords striking together.
*~Your mortal language would not likely be able to pronounce it. My name is Aklashen and my son is Gshkaydof. You may call me Dragon ~*, the dragon rumbled in reply.
Anniya nodded, and immediately voiced what she had to say.
*~ I want to thank you. You came to my aid, and saved Kyrria. I did not expect that you would aid me, and for that, I am in your debt, ~* Anniya told the dragon.
The dragon let out yet another soft, metallic laugh. *~ You are of descent of Ayinna of the elves. The Dragons are sworn protectors of her people. There is no debt, for it was our duty. ~*
Anniya nodded. ~* Where is Gleex? I mean, your son?,*~ she asked. It was hard to think of Gleex having another name.
~* He is with in our lands now, the great mountains. He could not stay here, but I am greatly in your debt for raising him as best as a mortal could.*~
Anniya felt sorrow, but knew it was for the best. Gleex, as much as he loved Anniya, would not of wanted to live a life in a cage. He deserved to be free, with his own kind. His family.
~* He will miss you, and he knows you are thankful and miss him as well. He senses it. But do not look sorrowful. You will see him again. I feel it,*~ the dragon told her, and Anniya believed it. In those glittering gold eyes were deep pools of wisdom from the well of time.
~* How do you know for certain?,*~ Anniya couldn't resist asking. She couldn't imagine never seeing Gleex again.
The dragon laughed again. ~* The Dragons are the guardians of time. Even fairies cannot see what we see. Your story is far from over, descendent of Ayinna. You have yet to fulfill the prophecy. But I warn you, I have looked ahead in the stars. I have seen many things. Adventures, a darker enemy. Great Battles. A love of the people. A love for a Queen so great, she will be remembered in the coming times long after she is gone. The Queen of the prophecy, they will call her.*~
Anniya looked at him, sure that all her questions were on her face. A Queen? Could he possibly be talking about her, was he?
~* I don't understand....*~
The dragon's glittering eyes focused on her, boring into her mind. ~* There is much within you that you do not understand yet, Child of Eirene of Estalen. In time you will.~*
Anniya couldn't think of anything to say, for once in her life. She was speechless.
~* Anniya Fredericka of Estalen, your adventures are merely beginning. For you are a tool of whatever force governs us, a great being that has touched your destiny. Now I am old, and the matters of mortal creatures affect me naught. Your lives are a moment in our time.
But you are young and of the elves and humans, and the dragon blood in your veins runs strong. I can feel greatness inside of you. Yes, you will do great things,*~ the dragon rumbled, and flapped his wings.
And then, to Anniya's astonishment, the great dragon lowered it's head to the ground, as if it were bowing. Anniya stared for a moment, then curtsied.
~* Until we meet again*~, it echoed in her head, and took off into the air. A strong wind nearly knocked Anniya off her feet, and the dark shadow blended into the night sky.
Anniya stared into the stars for a long time before smiling.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
" You know, you shouldn't be here. Are you sure it's good for you to see this.....," Esperanza asked Anniya nervously.
Anniya nodded, and couldn't resist a smile. Esperanza, now that she was scrubbed and clean, was truly beautiful. She could see Robert and her as a married couple easily. Not that it would be allowed for a man as high ranked as Robert did, but he would find a way around it. " It'll be fine, Esperanza. You can wait outside if you want. It's not good for you either. And you've been running around none stop for days."
Esperanza laughed. " This is a change. You're acting like a mother hen, as if I'm going to run away ."
" I'm a born maternal figure," Anniya said mockingly. " Personally, I can't see me with children. I'd runway if I had me for a mother."
Esperanza snorted. " King Jerrold is more of a maternal figure then you are."
Anniya smiled. Not more then a week at the palace, and Esperanza had lost all her respect for royalty. If there had been any in the first place.
Both girls grew quiet abruptly as they neared the place that was to be West's grave. Esperanza, Robert, and Anniya were the only ones who knew about it. His body had never been found, but a gravestone had been made anyway. Because he had no known family( Robert hadn't volunteered the information, and Anniya was glad. She was sure that West hadn't wanted to be known as a Prince when he was alive, he wouldn't want to be known as one when he was dead. Esperanza and Robert had already paid their respects to him when she was recovering, and Anniya was at last going. John too had been given grave, and it was next to West's.
It wasn't in the cemetery, to Anniya's relief. She hated cemeteries with a passion. Instead, the two gravestones had been placed under an ancient willow tree on the hillside, a mile and a half away from the palace. Anniya halted, and Esperanza did the same.
" Robert told you, didn't he," Esperanza asked, her voice guarded.
Esperanza had known? She must of found out from Robert somehow. Anniya didn't pursue it, and just nodded.
Esperanza stood awkwardly. It was evening, and the two horses were becoming restless. Anniya smiled at her friend. " Esperanza, go back to the palace. You'd rather be here, and I'd rather be by myself," she told her.
The gypsy girl smiled, and squeezed her hand. " Are you sure?"
" I'm sure."
Esperanza lingered for a few more moments before leaving. Anniya gazed all around her. The sky was streaked with purple, pink, and orange clouds as it had been on the day of her hanging. The chilly breeze was calmer on the hillside, and Anniya closed her eyes for a moment, reliving the moments of her past few years. So much had happened.
Anniya finally opened them, and bent down to read the epitaph.
' Sir West of Kellia'( he had been knighted after death):
" He was a brave man, and died a noble death serving his King."
Anniya didn't cry. It was strange; she had been crying for so many minor things, but when something big hit her, her tears had dried up. Instead there was a dull, throbbing ache that hurt like the worst of stomach aches. Only it wasn't anything the healers could cure.
Anniya turned her head to look off into the hills. Out of the corner, she couldn't help but catch something reflecting off the dying sun.
Anniya sniffed once, rubbed her eyes, and frowned. It was near West's gravestone. She pulled back a few weeds and her had curled around a golden ring.
If there was something that Anniya remembered clearly, it was TSSal throwing the ring out the high window. Robert, Esperanza, and Anniya were the only ones who knew the location of West's grave.
Anniya fingered the ring, and a sudden hope suddenly leapt up. Behind her, a deep voice drawled from behind her.
" I must say, this is a bit shocking. One moment I'm wanted for thievery, the next moment I'm a national hero. In the turmoil of it all, I left my ring behind."
Anniya whirled around, but she already knew who it was.
Arien Westkander Di Calixte was wildly handsome without trying. Tall and muscular, West's grin was more charming then ever. With his hair glistening in the sun and his pale green eyes dancing, Anniya didn't see a prince. She saw West.
She stared at him for a moment, then smiled. " Well, that's quite a story sir. I believe you are lying."
West's grinned merely widened. " I believe I am."
With those words, he strode forward and kissed her, the sun finally sinking beneath the hills. West held her close to him fiercely, and Anniya felt a thrilling sensation. For the first time, she realized what it was like to love someone with all your heart and be loved in return. It also occurred to her something needed to be said.
" I love you," Anniya whispered as she broke away from the kiss.
West smoothed her hair down. "I know."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
West knew that he was damn lucky to still be alive at that moment. He and Anniya lay under the willow tree she adored in comfortable silence.
He inhaled the sweet smell of roses mixed in with Anniya's unique, intoxicating smell. West couldn't help but grin, and his arm slid around her waist. Perhaps there would be a happily ever after, after all.
His last vivid memory after the Count had stabbed him had been of Anniya, and after her there were only vague recollections. He remembered an overwhelming amount of water, and then a girl finding him on the bank side. Eerily enough, his ring had washed up on the same bank.
Luck had been with him; the girl who had found him had a healer for a mother. After some time and all the charm he could muster on his possible death bed, the woman had released him back into the world. Now that it had been two days since he had found Anniya at the grave site( which had been promptly uprooted), West listened with relish as Anniya detailed the Count's fall and the restoration of King Jerrold and Queen Daria. In return, he told her what had happened to him.
The kingdom had been thrilled, much to West's amusement. One moment they wanted to kill him, the next he was a hero. The King and Queen had him knighted in person, and Princess Cecilia had been trailing him like a dog. He hardly had a moment of peace, apart from spending time with Anniya.
West's fingers closed around a smaller ring in his pocket. He smiled; the ball being held in his honor was proving to be very convenient. Perfect for proposing.
Anniya shifted in his arms. " What happened to Diobla," she asked quietly.
West shrugged. " I don't know." He wasn't concerned. He would find her again; it was not a matter of where, but when. Diobla and him had been separated by hundreds of miles, but in the end, they always found each other.
The silence relapsed. Then Anniya blurted it out.
" Why didn't you tell me?"
West's muscles tensed. He opened his mouth to deny it, but as he looked into Anniya's eyes, he realized she knew. He looked away from her, off into the river.
" Anniya I never wanted to be part of the royal family. You've seen me; I kill, I steal, I'm everything that royalty isn't. It came from my mother--they killed her in the end."
Anniya put her soft hand on his arm. " You nearly died trying to save Kyrria so many times, West. Royalty doesn't have anything to do with it. You are a good person," she said earnestly.
He looked off into the distance, and couldn't hold back a sardonic laugh. " Last year you called me a killer. I am one. I've stolen, I've killed, and I am just as much of a damn monster as the Count is."
Anniya's green eyes sparkled with anger. " West, stop doing this," she warned.
He laughed once again, bitterly. " My dear, you are a hypocrite. We are all hypocrites. If there was any fairness in this world, it wouldn't of turned out this way."
Anniya abruptly wrenched out of his grip, leaving empty space between them. " West, we won! Why can't you just...accept that!," she said angrily.
West was quiet for a few moments. It was a question he would of loved to answer himself. He stood up and walked out of the garden, leaving Anniya there.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Robert was sitting in the palace library when West came in.
West. His brother. Still alive. It had been a shock to him when he and Anniya had waltzed into the throne room. Part of Robert had hurt, seeing the look on Anniya's face. He knew very well that part of him would never truly get over her. In all the excitement, Robert hadn't actually talked to his brother himself.
West sat down across from him, his identical hair catching the sunlight.
Before Robert could say anything, West spoke. " Robert, do you ever have any regrets?"
That was the question of the century. " About what?"
West grinned wryly at that comment. He had a charming smile that seemed to cast a spell on people, similar to the way Anniya laughed.
" About finding me."
That very question Robert had wondered for the past seven years. For all the fights they had, for all of the rivalry, West was more family then Robert's parents for. At those thoughts, Robert smiled.
" No, I don't."
" Why?"
Robert shrugged. " Before I am prince, I am your brother."
West studied him carefully. " I could try and take the throne from you. I have a legitimate claim to it."
Robert nodded. " But you wouldn't," he said simply.
West's eyes sparkled, and he abruptly leaned over and gave Robert a friendly knock on the head.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
" You know, I think I might start calling you Arien from now on. It fits you," Anniya said lightly.
West's face contorted in annoyance before he realized she was joking, and laughed. " And I will start calling you some equally hideous name," he replied just as Char walked into the doorway, followed by an elderly man and a oddly beautiful girl.
" Char, what brings you here--," Anniya began as she rose to curtsy and West bowed. Char bowed back, and took a deep breath.
" I think it would be best for you to sit down for this," he began unevenly.
Anniya eyed him wearily, but sat back down on her velvet chair. But West stood by her chair, his brigand side taking over his face.
" Char, if you have any bad news that needs to be broken, make it quick," West drawled, making it clear he had no intention of sitting down.
Char sighed, and gestured to the elderly man. " May I introduce Sir Landon, the man who organized the search of the late Count Fallon's estate."
The small, withered man shifted some papers in front of him as he glided into his chair. He peered at Anniya through bushy eyebrows.
" I am also responsible for executing the late Count's will--but I found the results most disturbing that I felt the need to alert Prince Charmont."
" What does that have to do with Anniya and I," West said smoothly. His flickering green eyes stayed on the old man, making him evidently nervous.
" Because, Count Frederick Di Fallon, the richest and most powerful man second only to the King himself in Frell, has left all of his lands, riches, estates, and possessions to Anniya Fredericka of Estalen."
Anniya felt like she had been punched in the chest for a moment. She couldn't think, she couldn't breathe, all she could do was stare.
West reacted quicker, as always. He walked over in one stride and snatched up the papers.
" The sole daughter of Eirene, Anniya Fredericka of Estalen, shall inherit all of my lands, estates, possessions, and riches. Signed, Frederick Di Fallon," West read, sounding disgusted.
The old man coughed. " You have not read the other paper, my lord. All was left solely to the young mistress apart from the late Count's sword. That worth over a thousand gold KJ's, was left to you, milord."
West blinked for a moment, and Anniya finally found her voice. " But how would he know that we would win-- how did he-how could he?," she began.
Char spoke softly. " I do not believe we have seen the last of him."
There was silence for a moment, and West gripped Anniya's palm tightly. Then, a lighter voice from the door spoke from the door.
" Forgive me, but I don't believe we've been introduced."
Anniya glanced into the identical green eyes of a girl that looked to be her opposite in every other way. She was tall where Anniya was short, dark hair opposed to Anniya's blondeness.
Char smiled, and took the girl's hand. " Anniya and West, meet Ella, my fiancee."
*****************************************************************************