Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters from Prince of Persia. They all belong to Ubisoft.

Italic text is used for thoughts, dreams and flashbacks. Underlined italic text is alter ego thoughts.

Only Time Knows

Chapter Two: Returning Home

The next morning, the Prince woke up long before Kaileena did. When she finally got up, she put on her dress, which was now dry, and went upstairs.

She looked around for the Prince but couldn't find him.

"Cyrus where are you?" she called out.

"Oh! You're awake," he said. Kaileena turned around but did not see him.

"Where are you?" she asked again.

"Up here!" he called.

Kaileena looked up and smiled. He had climbed up near the sails and was pulling on some ropes. "We're getting closer to land, look!" He pointed out and Kaileena followed his gaze. In the distance, appearing slowly over the horizon was land. As they drew nearer, Kaileena could make out tall building and even a palace. That must be Babylon, and the palace must be the Prince's home.

"It's beautiful…" Kaileena said quietly.

She heard the Prince hop down behind her. "I know, isn't it? We should be arriving late tomorrow, at about sunset."

Kaileena suddenly remembered her vision of Babylon on fire. Her heart sunk to think of the monstrous person who'd want such a thing done to such a wonderful place.

Finally on her feet again, Farah sat by the small fountain in the back of the courtyard. She'd been under medical supervision for the passed couple of weeks, after her little incident.

Life had lost its wonder. It seemed so dull now. Farah looked up at the clouds. How can you be dead when I can still feel you alive in my heart? Farah wondered.

She heard the excited chatter of some of the garden staff but ignored it. Nothing they had to say could be of interest to her. She got up and headed inside. She was planning to leave today. There was nothing for her here anymore. Perhaps her father could find another prince for her to marry, most likely her ex fiancé wouldn't take her back, he probably felt greatly offended.

"Princess Farah," King Sharaman said when he spotted her passing by the dining hall door. "Didn't you hear the wonderful news?"

"No," she replied.

"Everyone's been talking about it; a ship is coming to port."

"So," she said, "Why is that exciting?"

"My dear, my son is aboard that ship."

She couldn't hold in the gasp that escaped her. "How do you know?"

"The lookout confirmed it. He spotted a young, dark haired man high in the sails. The ship seems to be made of the same wood used on our ships. He must have used some that washed up on shore."

"I want to believe it's him," Farah said turning away, "But I need to see him with my own eyes before I get my hopes up."

"Then go to the docks, for the ship will be arriving there in moments," Sharaman said.

When the Prince arrived at the docks, there was a crowd of excited people waiting for him. They must have seen me coming, he thought.

With their help, he got the ship all tied up. He helped Kaileena off the ship and followed behind. As soon as he set foot on dry land, the crowd swarmed him, asking dozens of questions. Kaileena was pushed aside until she was outside the horde.

"I am quite fatigued after my long journey, so if you'll excuse me, I'd like to go home and rest. There will be plenty of time to answer all the questions at a later time," he announced over the hubbub of the crowd. The Prince found Kaileena again and grabbed her hand so he didn't lose her again.

A few servants from the palace were waiting to take him and his new companion home.

"You go on ahead," he said to Kaileena, "I'll catch up later."

"You're leaving me?" Kaileena asked.

"I've just got some business to take care of. I'll see you again at dinner." He turned to the servants, "See to it that this lady has a one of the guest rooms in the palace. Get her some clothes and tend to all her needs. She is my guest and I expect you to care for her as if it were me. Understood?"

"Yes your Highness," the servants said bowing. They led Kaileena to some horses which were waiting to take her to the palace.

When they were gone, the Prince made his way to a shadowy alley, where he'd seen a hooded figure waiting.

He wrapped his arms around her and picked her up off the ground. "I missed you so much," he said setting her down.

Farah removed her hood and held him tight. She was crying, "They said you were dead. That you were attacked and drowned."

"Shh. I'm alright," he soothed, combing his fingers through her hair.

"What happened to your face!" she asked tracing the large scar that ran down the right side of his face.

"Oh, it's just a cut I got during a fight, it's nothing," he said.

"I'm glad you're home," Farah said. "But who did you bring with you?"

"Oh, that's Kaileena; she's the Empress of Time."

"The Empress? Why have you brought her here? I thought you were going there to stop her," Farah said.

"I was, but I saved her from the Dahaka, it's dead. She was all alone so I offered her to stay and live here," he explained.

"Why?"

"Farah, why not?"

"I don't like her," she said.

"How can you not like her? You don't even know her!"

"I have a bad feeling about her. Call it women's intuition," she replied.

"I don't care what you call it. Farah, I was being kind. Kaileena was all alone on the Island. She had no life there. She tried to kill me yes but-"

"She tried to what!"

"She tried to kill me," he repeated.

"And you still brought her back? Cyrus what on Earth is wrong with you?"

"She only did it because she thought she had no choice. But I killed the Dahaka, so we're all safe now. I only did what I thought was right, what I thought you'd do if you were in my place," the Prince said.

Farah sighed, "I still don't trust her, but if you say she's gone straight, then I believe you."

"Good," he said resting his chin on the top of her head, "Because I know Kaileena's a good person, and I think you and she could become really good friends."

Later that evening, King Sharaman held a grand feast in honour of his son's return. It was held outside, under the sweet, humid, air and sparkling stars.

"Make yourself at home here," the Prince told Kaileena when he noticed how nervous she'd been.

"This is all just so new to me; it's hard to get comfortable. I told you I'd feel out of place," she replied.

"Don't worry, I felt that way at first," Farah said. She was truly trying to be nice to Kaileena. She did seem really nice, and she was pretty, Farah was jealous. Perhaps her first impression had been fueled by jealousy and she was rushing into accusations, yet, she still kept her guard up.

"Really?" Kaileena asked.

Farah nodded. "But once you get used to it, there's almost no formalities. Plus, you know me, and Cyrus, so just stick with us for the first few days."

Suddenly, a man approached them. He was dressed in a soldier's uniform and looked very handsome.

The Prince got up and threw his arms around the man, "Omar! It's great to see you again old friend."

"It's great seeing you too. I thought you were dead," Omar replied.

"I probably would have been if not for a stroke of luck," the Prince replied.

Kaileena glanced at Farah, a confused look on her face, "Who's he?"

"Just a friend," Farah replied, "Cyrus's best friend actually. He'd been out fighting a war in Syria when he left for your Island."

"Oh," Kaileena said. That explained why he was not killed when Shahdee attacked the Prince's ship.

Omar turned to the women. "Farah, long time no see."

She greeted him with a hug as well, "Good to see you."

He looked at Kaileena, "And, who is this lovely young lady?"

She blushed, "My name is Kaileena."

"I met her on the Island of Time," the Prince said. But Omar was hardly listening.

"Kaileena…" he said, "That's a pretty name."

"Thank you," she said. He took her hand and gave it a respectful kiss.

"It's a pleasure meeting you."

Farah shot the Prince a look that said, "I think he likes her."

"Why don't you two dance?" the Prince suggested. Both Omar and Kaileena gave him a surprised look.

"Uh…well…if you want to," Omar said to Kaileena nervously.

"Sure," she replied.

"Great."

Omar led Kaileena over to a spot where they could be as alone as possible and still hear the soft music coming from the band of musicians.

"Do you want to take a walk?" the Prince asked Farah.

"Sure," she said, "But why do you want to leave your own party?"

"Meh, I'm not the kind to sit through a long night of music and dancing for very long."

"I see," Farah said. So hand in hand, they left the courtyard unnoticed and walked out into the forest that lay behind the palace.

Kaileena however, noticed. Her gaze followed them until they vanished in the darkness.

You're not just going to let them leave like that, are you? a wicked voice asked within Kaileena's head.

Shut up. I don't want to hear from you anymore. I'll do what I want, and if I choose to stay here and leave them to their business, then I will, she replied mentally.

Suit yourself; I was only trying to help. Kaileena rolled her eyes.

She continued to dance with Omar and she found herself enjoying it. Resting her head on his shoulder, she put the Prince and Farah out of her mind for the time being and just enjoyed being the center of someone's world for one night.

The Prince and Farah walked in silence for a while, simply enjoying each other's company.

"The night is beautiful, isn't it?" Farah asked suddenly.

"Yeah…it is…" he replied.

"But?" she asked, sensing he was not finished his train of thought.

"Nothing, I was just thinking that yes, it's beautiful, but I can name something that dwarfs tonight in the way of beauty," the Prince said referring to her.

"I missed that when you were gone."

"What? My compliments?"

"Well…yes, that too. But I missed you and being able to talk to someone the way we talk."

"I missed that too," he agreed. It was quite lonely on the Island, not being able to talk to anyone or have anyone there to help and make witty remarks.

"Y'know, it takes looking death right in the face to truly realize what's most important to you," he said.

"What do you mean?" Farah asked.

"Well, when I started out on this 'quest', I really only wanted to succeed so you wouldn't get hurt. But then, when I was in those sacred caves with the water sword in my hand looking at the Dahaka straight in the face, knowing there was no where to run anymore, I don't know… everything just came into perspective," the Prince explained.

"Such as?"

"Well, being king for instance. I didn't want to at first, now, I do, because I know that is what my father wants, that will make him happy. To see me follow in his footsteps. Before, I was holding a bit of a grudge against him for never being there when I was growing up, but now, in seeing what I knew he probably saw at night, death waiting to take him, I decided that, this is the one gift I could do for him, even if I couldn't save him."

Tears came to Farah's eyes. "I never knew you felt that way."

"I also got to thinking about us," he continued.

"Us? In what way? We're together, isn't that all that matters?" she asked.

"Yes, but it's not enough." She didn't understand. "I got to thinking that I couldn't lose you again. I lost you the one time and I'm not going to stand around and let it happen again."

"So, what do you plan to do?"

"The only thing I can," he said, "I want to fulfill the promise I made you years ago, a promise I doubt you remember."

"In the Sultan's palace?" she asked. He nodded. Then he was right, she wouldn't remember. That was probably what hurt her the most: being unable to remember what happened back then no matter how hard she may try.

"You told me, just before you died, that this promise was the reason you left me, the reason you were deceitful. Because you wanted my promise to be real."

"And what was your promise?" she asked.

"That when everything was over I would make you my queen, and we'd live happily ever after," he said.

Farah couldn't believe it. Quietly, she asked, "And…what does that mean?"

"It means… I'm asking now. Will you marry me?"

Farah found it hard to breathe and there were tears forming in her eyes. But not because she was upset, quite the contrary. "Yes," she said, "I will."

The Prince was both shocked and relieved. He hugged Farah tight and said happily, almost crying himself, "I love you so much, and I promise, from this day forward, nothing will ever tear us apart."

The sun would be rising in a few hours and everyone was all partied out. Kaileena had not seen the Prince or Farah since they left hours ago. She said good night to Omar and went inside. She thought, as she went upstairs to her room that he was a very nice man and she'd really like seeing him again.

Kaileena sat at the vanity that was in the room and brushed her long, black hair slowly.

Oh my god, don't tell me you like that guy? the voice asked in disbelief.

"Oh great, you're back."

I feel so loved, the voice said sarcastically.

"Do you mind? I don't wish to speak to you."

Well suck it up missy 'cause you're stuck with me.

"Wonderful," Kaileena mumbled, "And why do you care if I like Omar or not? I don't, he's nice guy but I don't like him in that way, but that's really not your business."

Hah! Not my business? I am you, Kaileena; therefore, it is my business.

"Fine, it's your business, then here, the answer is no, I don't like Omar. Happy now?"

Yes, as a matter of fact I am.

"Good, now you can leave me alone," Kaileena said angrily. She was quite tired of being harassed by the remnants of her old self, the Empress of Time.

Not so fast sweet-cheeks. I'm not finished. Since we're sure this Omar fellow is out of the picture, it's time to get our true love back.

"If you're referring to Cyrus, you heard him on the ship, there never will be anything between us, he loves Farah," Kaileena said with a pang of jealousy.

And you're just going to let her have him? He's just confused. He doesn't really know what he wants. He knows he loves you, but he's too noble, he wouldn't just leave her like that for you. So, you have prove to him that you are who he really wants.

"Well, if you're so smart, what am I supposed to do?"

Damn, I should have been prepared to hear such a stupid question like that. Do I have to explain everything to you? The only way to get him back is to get rid of the obstacle that is stopping you from being together in the first place.

"You mean Farah?" she asked.

Duh! the Empress said.

"No, I won't do it. I know you: in getting rid of you mean killing her. Well, guess what, I'm not you anymore. I'm not evil. The Prince showed me what it is like to be good. I won't go back to who I used to be," Kaileena said.

You can't escape your destiny Kaileena. You are me! You know this is what you want, to be rid of that slutty little princess and have the Prince to yourself. You want what she has: love.

"No… I mean yes… I want his love, but I won't harm anyone just to have it."

That's a lie and you know it. Take what is yours, what you want to be yours. You have the power to do it, just let me help you.

When Kaileena looked at herself in the mirror, she did not see her face; she saw the red eyed masked face of the Empress.

"Noooooo!" she cried. She would not become a monster again. With all of her strength, Kaileena smashed the mirror under her fist. It shattered into a hundred pieces and fell onto the floor. She cried out when one of the shards cut her hand.

Opening her hand, Kaileena saw the wound it created. The thick red blood that seeped out of the deep cut, dripping onto the floor. Biting her lip, she tried not to think of the pain.

Now, was that really necessary? You know you can't get rid of me. You don't want to admit to yourself that this is who you are and what you want, that's why you broke that silly mirror.

Cradling her hand, Kaileena said through gritted teeth, "I will never give into you. I won't betray Cyrus, and there is nothing you can say to change my mind."

Of course, I can't say anything to change your mind, but there may be something I can show you.