Disclaimer: I don't own Charmed.
Her cries were muffled by her pillow firmly pressed against her face. Tears streamed down her face for hours before she fell into a troubled sleep. She had the longest premonition of her life, one of her and Cole, one of their past lives...
Meanwhile down in the Underworld, Cole was cradled in a fetal position as he had the same dream...
Prince Cole sat upon his throne with his parents in ones beside him. His hand was cradled by his palm as he yawned, obviously bored. It was yet another ball with many princesses from far off lands; he was again expected to choose his bride. He knew that if he didn't choose a bride tonight, he would have one arranged.
He had only one woman in his heart, but unfortunately she was just a stable girl. That didn't prevent him from sneaking out to meet her every night, though. Lately, he had found himself thinking about her more and more. He had begun to imagine her face on all the princesses at the ball. He couldn't stop imagining her laugh or her voice.
At first, he had been entranced by her beauty, and knew that he had to have her, just because it was something that was denied to him. Then after a few weeks of sleeping together, he had affection for the stable girl. Then he had friendship with her, and then he started to like her a lot more. Now, he wasn't sure what he felt, the only word he could find to describe his feelings entirely was love.
He was going to tell her tonight. He was sure that she felt the same way. If she did, then he would propose. If she didn't, then he would allow his parents to arrange a marriage, because he knew that if she rejected him, he would never find love again.
"Prince Cole, would you like to dance?" Princess Lana asked him. Cole obliged and danced with her for three songs, listening to her carry on about how rich she was. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw his stable girl rush to her cottage in the fields. She looked so pretty, even covered with soot and mud. He felt the urge to go to her, he felt this way whenever he saw her.
"If you'll excuse me, Princess, I have business to attend to," Cole told her, his eyes targeted on his stable girls departing back.
"You can call me Lana, Prince Cole."
Out of politeness, he lifted her hand and kissed it before following his beloved. He rushed out one of the back doors and headed through the cornstalk. When he emerged, he saw all the servant's cottages lined up. He knew that, other than his love, the other servants were still hard at work. Her cottage was still dark, which made the Prince wonder where she was. He felt two hands encircle his waist as someone lightly kissed the back of his neck.
"It's not smart for Your Highness to be out after dark. Someone might try to kidnap you, Your Highness," the person said. Cole turned around in the arms that held him.
"Phoebe," he whispered delicately, staring down at her.
"Oh, and here I thought you had forgotten me... Your Highness," Phoebe said, emphasizing the last two words. She crossed her arms across her chest and glared up at him.
"Oh don't give me that, you haven't called me that since the first time we met. Don't be mad at me, darling," Cole explained to her.
"Where were you last night? I waited up for you but you never came."
"There was a ball the other night and my parents wanted me to meet some other princesses. I was so exhausted, I fell asleep the minute my head hit the pillow."
"Well, it was nice bumping into you, but I'm sure the princesses are waiting for you, Prince Cole," Phoebe added with disdain. She pushed past him and started toward her small cottage.
"Phoebe..." Cole started, pain coating his voice. Phoebe turned toward him.
"I'm sorry. I guess I just get a little jealous, you know, all of those princesses want you... bad."
"Yeah, well, now you know how I feel when I see the way the other servant boys look at you," Cole answered, placing his hands around her waist, pulling her closer.
"Yeah, well, you should know that I'm all yours, just yours," Phoebe kissed him passionately, pulled away before adding in a low whisper, "at least for now."
"What do you mean at least for now?" Cole asked, taking her face in his hands, so she had to look into his eyes.
"Well, eventually, you'll have to get married and my family will expect me to get married to one of the other servants. We can't live in denial forever."
"Phoebe, I love you." Cole kissed her before she could answer; he wanted at least one last kiss if she didn't feel the same. When he pulled away, they both kept their eyes shut.
"I love you, too," Phoebe whispered in a barely audible voice.
Cole pulled away before asking, "What did you say?"
"I love you." They smiled at each other before a shadow passed across Phoebe's features. "But it doesn't change anything, we still can't be together," Phoebe added reluctantly.
"We can, I'll tell my parents that I'm going to marry you. If you'll have me, that is."
"Cole... I can't endanger my family. If you told your parents about us, they would kill my family. Please, Cole, let us just have a beautiful goodbye and leave it at that."
"I can't, I feel I might die if we're apart."
"I'm sure the other princesses will make you happier, than I ever could. Please, Cole, one last goodbye," Phoebe asked, pain and hope mingling in her voice.
"Phoebe, what if I just..." Cole started to say, but Phoebe cut him off by placing her finger over his lips.
"Just a goodbye..." Phoebe said. Cole kissed her hungrily, and carried her back to her home.
They made love, Phoebe giving herself to him fully, knowing it was their last chance to be together. But Cole was already forming a plan in his head to keep Phoebe forever.
The next morning, Cole walked to his parent's throne room, his stance showing he was filled with determination. "Mom, Dad. I've found my bride."
"Well, that's wonderful, was it that Lana," Cole's father asked.
"No, the girl I love is a servant."
Cole's father nearly had a stroke and then asked, "You must be joking. A servant girl, ha, ha."
"It's no joke, I love her. If you will not let us get married, then I will simply run away with her, away from you."
The Queen did not want to lose her only son, so she obliged, "Fine, but let us meet the girl first."
The King, however, was outraged. "He is not marrying a servant girl."
A loud crash erupted from the windows and in came dozens and dozens of Indians. One knocked the King unconscious, two grabbed Cole by the arms and legs to keep him still. Another placed a knife at the Queen's throat.
The Chief stood before Cole and spoke with perfect English, "Prince Cole, we are offering you an agreement. You marry my daughter, or we'll kill your mother. My daughter, Seer, as watched you for many years and has wanted you. Now that she is of age, I believe it's time for the two of you to wed."
Cole knew he had no other choose and he agreed. The wedding was to take place the following week and they took the parents as hostages, so Cole would keep his word. Cole announced to everyone, who his new bride would be. As he did, he saw Phoebe watch him with pain filled eyes, and his heart shattered, but he knew he could not go back on his word.
His parent's lives depended on it.
Phoebe awoke with a start...
What do you think? Good, Bad? Sorry it took me so long to come up with this chapter. Flames are accepted.