Disclaimer These characters are not owned by me but I can still do as I please with them…………. Muhahahaha (I love that laugh)!
Author's Note Thanks to all those readers out there for everything. Without all of you I would be lost. I have been getting many suggestions and questions as to Scott and Jean freeing Logan together, but sadly they won't be doing that any time soon. The story might come to an end in the next one or two chapters. I need all the reviews I can get about your overviews and guesses on what will happen next. The end will come soon with a loud thud and I am warning all of you to be aware of sorrow…………I could be joking, I could be telling you the truth…………read to find out.
Chapter 12
Queen Elaine paced the room as if she were floating. One gloved hand was under her chin in disapprovement as she stared at her daughter in disgrace. "Jean-Marie DeGreyon," her mother said as Jean looked straight forward with an expressionless face. The last person she wanted to talk to was her mother. After the shocking news about Kitty, Jean did not even want to think that she was blood related to this woman. She wanted to yell at her and pull her perfect hair out, but Jean knew that would not do any good. Queen, princess. Mother, daughter. What is done is done and she wished she could change that. But reality was, she could not. "Did you, or did you not steal keys?"
"Yes," Jean said solemnly. She had the urge to say one word to describe her exact actions. She did do this and she was definitely not ashamed.
"Did you, or did you not steal the same keys that would unlock the cells to allow the prisoners to escape?" Queen Elaine asked as she stopped and looked at her daughter with piercing eyes. Jean looked straight at her mother and did not flinch or blink once.
"Yes," Jean stated with a tightened mouth and a set jawline.
"No doubt where you had learned to steal," Queen Elaine muttered as Jean took in a deep breath to try and stay calm at what she pretended not to hear. She felt the same feeling she had felt at the dinner party. The tightening in her throat and sinking of her heart. "No doubt you were influenced to do such a thing by that wretched gypsy boy!"
"Enough Mother!!!" Jean exclaimed as she got up from her seat. "I stole to try and save someone. Someone who is innocent. But do you see them released?"
"Nonsense Jean-Marie," King John said as he stepped forward. "I do presume you have gone too far this time."
"You are seventeen now. It is time," Queen Elaine said as she watched her daughter's expression go numb. "The invitations are already out. The wedding is a week from now," Queen Elaine said with a strict tone. Jean knitted her eyebrows together in horror.
Jean sat back down on the chair she had rebelled from. What is the point? She felt her heart in her stomach and her mind filled with cobwebs. Her whole body felt numb at the few words that were spoken. She felt like she had been slapped. Hard. What was she going to tell Scott? What if she could stay with the gypsies, forever. Would that only put them in danger by soldiers who own dangerous weapons and can track them down?
Jean, who still had wide and shocked eyes took a stroll to the garden. She went down concrete steps and into a concrete floor surrounded by beautiful roses and green plants. Jean took a deep breath and closed her eyes. She placed her hands over her face and shook her head. "No, no," she whispered with worry and fear.
She wanted to cry until there were no more tears. She wanted to scream at the top of her lungs even when she knew she would not be heard. This betrothal has been known to her since she was a little girl. But never in her mind had she thought of actually marrying Duncan when the time came. She thought that time would never come, especially after realizing how much she wanted to be with Scott. Time was funny. It had distracted her from reality and thrown the truth back at her when she was unaware. When she was caught up in an invisible web. She could always get rid of Duncan by using a sword……but then she would just be a murderer……
"Excited about our wedding day?" Duncan asked in a cold manner. He had no kindness about him what-so-ever. Is that any way to treat your bride? "You can finally be mine." Jean cringed at the words he spoke. She made sure to keep her distance from him as she fiddled with the flowers around her to not stare at his cold eyes but at his hard face. She did not want to be in the same room with a murderer and possessive man, let alone stuck with him through marriage and for the rest of her life.
"I am not property. I belong to no one," Jean cruelly retorted. Duncan folded his arms across his chest and pursed his lips.
"Inviting that gypsy boy to dinner was inhumane. To actually let him walk where royalty walked. Pitiful," Duncan said as he contorted his mouth in disgust. Jean did not want to fight back, she was tired. All she wanted to do was get away from him. She walked towards the small steps that led to the long steps. But a shadow came over her. Duncan had stepped in front of her, blocking her way. Jean was afraid to look up, but she did. She stepped back to try and get out of his shadow.
When getting away did not work she resorted to words. "It is pitiful. He is much better than that," she said with a short breath and rising temper. Jean's face suddenly flew to the side as Duncan's hand slapped the surface of her left cheek. She held her cheek in dismay as she scolded at him. "Don't think I know nothing of you and the gypsy boy. If he comes near you, I'll kill him."
Jean looked at his evil face and fear rose within her. She felt it. She had a bad feeling about his words and his face. His tone was cold, yet truthful. He would have killed Scott if he had gotten in his way when he attacked the gypsies. What made it any different at this moment?
Jean did not want to say anything more in fear of what Duncan might say back. This man was fire from hell. Jean shoved past him and scurried up the concrete steps. "Have a good day princess," Duncan called back lightly, voice changing when he spotted Queen Elaine.
"You are the sweetest young man. Do not worry. Jean will learn to live with you," Queen Elaine said as she continued down the steps and towards the gates heading out to the bridge.
Duncan smiled at her words. "I am sure she will."
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The stars were glistening tonight with a beautiful light.
Scott began to help his mother with some of the food she had been gathering. He was carrying a basket full of fruits as he stopped to listen to Rogue's German words. She had come back to the gypsies and he had learned more about her. She had not wanted to be touched in any way. Because in the past, many men had taken advantage of her. But she seemed to be comfortable with Remy. Scott laughed at what he and Jean had heard of Rogue when they were younger. They had heard that she was filthy and murderous to mothers. But the truth was nothing like that. In fact, he had learned that their mother had abandoned them. It was nice to see someone who had gone through so much and still have a spirit. A soul.
Remy and Rogue made his heart smile when he heard Remy speaking French to a girl who knew only German, and Rogue still smiling back as if she understood every word he said. Love did not have a language, or a title. French, German. Gypsy, royalty. Same differences. Scott thought of Jean and felt like he could conquer anything.
He watched as Remy tucked a piece of Rogue's loose hair behind her ear. Rogue had hesitantly allowed him to do so. She allowed someone to touch her, if even the slightest touch. It was good to see people starting new beginnings and making changes. Maybe he would be able to have a chance to be with Jean his whole life. After he had overcome the blinding gleam in his eyes he had realized that Jean had parents that did not approve of him and a fiancé that Jean resented. But he knew with time everything would be alright.
He watched Rogue and Remy once again with a smile and felt the need to see Jean. Right this instant. He had to see her. He handed the basket to Ororo and made sure everything was alright before he ran to his horse. "Where are you going at this time of night my son?" Ororo asked with curiosity.
"I am going to see the stars," Scott said as Ororo smiled. She thought of Logan and sighed with sorrow. At least she knew when her love was lost another love would bloom.
"Silly boy. What love can do to a person," Ororo said with a light laugh. She closed her eyes and imagined Logan in her arms. "Scott…"
"Yes Mother?" Scott said as he turned to her on his horse before he fled.
"Take care of Jean. Keep her close."
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Jean wrapped the covers around her upper body as Kitty would do every night. She prayed for Kitty, wherever she was. Praying seemed like the only meaningful thing she could do right now. She looked up at the ceiling with wide open eyes and a blank expression. She could not think, for she could not classify anything swimming in her bloated head at the moment. She could not confront Scott. How would she? Speaking to him was not the problem. Seeing his expression was. Feeling her hurt was.
She tried to keep out the thought of marriage to a horrible man that was lurking in her head. Scott had told her to think of her favorite things every time she felt the slightest sadness. It would wash everything away like a pool of water running down to a river. She automatically thought of Scott. What else would create such magic?
Jean did not remember thinking of rocks to make her feel better. She did not remember thinking of a noise rocks made when they hit hard material to make her feel better. She turned her head towards the window to follow the sound. What in the world was that. She was not afraid to open her shudders and look down. Her heart knew somehow Scott would be down there throwing rocks at her shudders. Why, she did not know. She opened the shudders to look down and spot a head of brown. Scott was hunched over, horse behind him, picking up a rock. He blindly threw it at the window. Jean gasped as she moved out of the way of the rock. "You know if you keep your eyes closed you are going to slam right into a door," Jean said, looking back at where the rock had flown through.
"But I have you to guide me," Scott said locking eyes with Jean.
Jean, despite everything that had been happening lately, let out a smile. A wide smile at the man below her. "What in God's name are you doing?" Jean asked with smugness and hysteria as she leaned against the window sill. She noticed the stars shining brightly in the sky and had to blink. He smiled back in response as he gazed at her as if she should be worshipped.
"I have come to say hello," Scott said with a soft voice that seemed to glow in the bright light of the moon. Jean drew invisible circles with her slender finger upon the concrete of the window sill.
"There is not anything or anyone to fear in life but those who fear life and everyone in it, rather than live it," Jean spoke with wisdom. "Those were the words I once heard years ago from a very intelligent being. She goes by the name of Ororo."
"Words that certainly have an appeal and truth to them," Scott said as he gave Jean that genuine look that she has known all her life. "I do not fear anyone or anything when I look at you."
"Scott," Jean said with a sad tone. "We cannot do this. We should have never done this."
"Done what? Love. Love is not done, it just is," Scott said with a low, yet hypnotizing voice. "We cannot stop time, for this has happened many, many years ago."
"Scott……" Jean said as her voice was lost. Disappearing in the cool night air.
"Jean-Marie DeGreyon!" Scott yelled upwards with a little loudness. "You have already said yes to my proposal! We are already engaged, remember!" Scott's voice boomed with a pleasant tone.
"Shh," Jean hissed as she looked at Scott and giggled with glistening eyes. Jean placed her fingers towards her mouth and kissed her fingertips to bring them down lightly, in the direction of Scott. Scott's lips curled slightly.
"Jean, meet me tomorrow at my home," Scott said with anticipation.
"I………" Jean hesitated. She remembered Duncan's cold words. What if Duncan saw her with Scott. What if he followed her. He would be keeping an eye on her a week before their wedding. Scott would certainly be in danger. That was something Jean did not want to do. "I cannot." She looked at Scott's confused face and bit her lower lip. "Uh………not this week." He has done it again. He has made her give in. Give in to reality and create hope. "Exactly a week from now. In front of the cathedral."
"I shall wait for you as long as my heart is beating," Scott said as he climbed onto his horse and sent a small kiss towards her window. Jean closed her eyes and drowned in the moment. She did not know how to come back up and catch her breath.
She watched as Scott disappeared into the distance.
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Jean sat there silently at the dinner table as she listened to her mother's babbling with their guests and Duncan and his parent's speak of what they were going to accomplish after the marriage. Babbling was heard in Jean's ears. No real words. She looked at her food as if it was something she has never seen before.
What was she doing here? She was angry with the world. She questioned God's judgment. Why had he introduced love between her and Scott when it would never be. Was it a test or was it fate? She questioned mankind. God had given them thoughts so they could speak words with those thoughts, but people were always silent. Jean wanted to scream at the top of her lungs but could only do it within the boundaries of her emotions.
She could not think anymore. She could not live anymore. Not like this. Jean looked to Duncan and then her mother. Then she looked to her father and Duncan's parents. Then she looked upon everyone sitting at the table. She noticed their food was all done. So she shot out of her chair, trying to be as graceful as possible. "May I be excused?" Jean asked abruptly. She had not wanted to sneak off for she knew Duncan would become suspicious. So she simply told the truth and nothing but the truth.
"Jean darling," Duncan tried to say nicely. "Where would you be headed off to?"
"I have been missing too many Sundays at church," Jean said to everyone as a whole as they nodded lightly in silence and Jean exited. Everyone standing up for her departure. Jean walked without looking back. Faith seemed like the only thing that would cling to keep her soul alive. God, who she could not hide anything from would understand. More than she could at least.
Jean finally made it to the cathedral and let the carriage that had brought her here disappear from her view. She looked towards the large church and devoured every detail with her eyes. She always wanted to remember it's importance. She walked in to find it scattered with many citizens of France praying. Their hands were together and their heads were either bent or looking up. People always looked up because they never wanted to look around them. Not with the horrifying things they would realize.
She spotted Kurtis at the front of the church with his hands together in prayer and his head bowed towards the statue of Virgin Mary and Jesus. She spotted Rogue who was unhooded. Her brown hair flowing down her back. Her face content. Jean smiled at the sight of those two. She knew that she had really come running to them. Maybe they could give her some answers.
She spotted another head. She sighed deeply and inhaled the clean air of the church. Apparently Scott had come running to Kurtis and Rogue for answers also. The royal news was never kept secret. Not something as big as a wedding. Jean knew he would find out sooner or later and he knew that that day would have to come. Jean just hoped it had not been this soon.
She walked up to Kurtis and Rogue and turned to Kurtis. She imitated Scott's actions. He did not even turn to look at her and she did the same. They would be speechless to each other anyhow and they both knew they could not hold their anger at the world if they looked upon each other. "Kurtis, I had nowhere else to go," Jean whispered as Kurtis did not turn to her, yet kept his gaze among the cross between the statues to the side. Candles were lit next to the statues to give off warmth and soft light.
Scott heard her voice but chose to look forward. He could not confront her. Not if he knew he could not have her. He put his hands together as he whispered the same words a second after Rogue had whispered them. Jean looked to Kurtis. "Shh," Kurtis had whispered lightly after Jean had spoken. His head motioned for her to follow his eyes towards the cross straight ahead. She was standing on the step next to Scott while Rogue and Kurtis were one step above them. "Just put your hands together and pray. Just pray."
Jean put her hands together as she repeated words a second after Scott's. She closed her eyes and prayed.
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Author's Note Next chapter or next two chapters is the ending. This is where I need the feedback because I need to feed off of the reviews!!! OR I'LL DIE!!!