A/N: This is where I turn into the good little writer and thank my reviewers
Babyjayy-Thanks for reading, hope you like this one!
Kristen-I hope you enjoy this version better. Thanks for the review!
Sugaricing-I'm glad you're so into it! I hope you enjoy this one too!
Kat- No need to worry, I'm writing as much as I can!
Samwise809-Ella will be there when (and if) they get to Frell. But don't worry she'll be there!
FigmentFreak-I'm glad you do. It's nice to know my stories are enjoyed.
Anonymous-She's coming! Don't worry!
Fairypixie3-That's so nice of you! Thanks for the compliment.
Kristen-I never saw that resemblance before! It's like a backward version of KL, but trust me I didn't take it from there. And as for my home, I live in Boston but my home is in Ireland.
Shell-Don't worry about the grammar mistakes (I didn't even notice them!) My new faithful beta is wonderful!
Thanks to all the reviewers and to the bestest beta in the whole wide world, Ben. Much love.
Here's Chapter Three!
And it feels now
just like heaven's coming down
your soul shakes free
as its conscience hits the ground
this time, no tears
Heaven's Coming Down-Tea Party
Alex slowly came to consciousness as the early sun warmed her face. Her mind fluttered to the inexplicably strange dream she had had the night before, involving the mysterious book of stories and a terribly handsome prince. 'Too bad that it was only a dream' she thought to herself absently 'the prince certainly had some potential'. She remembered him vividly, the soft contours of his face, the way his dark curls blew in front of his eyes, and especially how strikingly dark they were, as they stared into what felt like her very soul. She sighed as she stretched her arms in the midst of her waking, and her eyes darting open when she felt them come in contact with something.
Or someone, in this matter.
Her radiant blue eyes came to meet a pair of confused dark grey ones, which then glanced at the hand sprawled out upon their owner's chest. Char looked at Alex quizzically, as she groaned in frustration.
"You cannot be serious!" She exclaimed, slapping her free hand to her forehead. None of it had been a dream, it was all very, extremely, absolutely real. And she couldn't believe it.
"And a good morning to you, also." Char responded chuckling. Alex glared at him evilly through parted fingers. He gingerly plucked her hand from his chest and released it closer to its owner. He sat up and stretched his arms above his head.
"If you are through with assaulting me in your sleep then I do believe that we have some…business to attend to." He stated, nodding in the general direction of the pack of men, busying themselves several yards away.
In one fluid motion, Char lifted himself to stand in front of Alex. His hand reached out to help her up, and she took it willingly. After pulling herself up she straightened her now very wrinkled chemise and now quite dirty trousers.
"And what exactly do you propose we attend to such business?" She asked warily.
"Well, he did mention Deremis, which is probably about 5 more days on horseback if I've figured it right. We probably won't be sleeping in the woods every night, so they may take us to a village inn or something. We'd probably be better off planning from there, instead of rash decisions made here." He concluded. "Or, we could always just run like hell in the most pleasing direction. That could always work." He added.
"Now that's what I call a comforting back up plan." Alex responded, her voice thick with sarcasm. "Let's just see what they want with us. Then we'll just do what you said about waiting to make the plan." She paused. "No hope anyone would recognise you?" She asked hopefully. He was a prince after all.
Char shook his head. "Not very likely, unless it's someone from the Kyrrian courts. The only time I was ever in Salyria was when I was a baby and my family was visiting." Alex frowned, disappointed. She was about to say something else to Char, but a call from one of the Salyrians. They were speaking in a tongue that Alex had never heard before but Char was listening intently, which led Alex to believe that he understood every word. When the conversation had passed, the leader of the men, who just happened to be the most despicable, called to Char in the common tongue.
"Pack up your belongings immediately, Prince." He barked out. He had conveniently made the address more polite, which showed the amount of respect Char demanded. "We ride to Melden and will stay there for the night to gather more supplies."
Char nodded in understanding, as Alex attempted to look as if she knew anything about Melden, Salyria or even Char for that matter. She made a mental note to ask him everything about his life.
He turned and bent to roll the blankets that had been laid underneath them. Alex bent to help him and leaned close to him to ask more about their destination.
"It's a smaller town on the outskirts of the country. A farming community most likely. It doesn't look like there is much that can be done except wait it out." He said softly. He saw the defeated look on Alex's face and added, "But we will figure something out. I promise you." She smiled over at him, then turning and walking towards Teller.
Char had been right. Nothing could be done except riding until they reached Melden, and Alex found this the most boring of prospects. The sun was beating upon them relentlessly and Alex found herself wishing it was as cool as the night before had been. Where she could be wrapped up in a blanket safe on Teller with Char behind her, away from Salyrians and even further away from Melden. She reprimanded herself inwardly for not automatically wishing to be home in her own bed, but in honesty, she would rather be anywhere in the world other than there.
Hours passed, as Char and Alex exchanged stories of their lives. Alex learned of Char's family, his mother Ella, father Char and his siblings who consisted of two twin girls named Jacqueline and Marguerite and his younger brother Farin who trailed him by only 10 months in age. Alex told him of Fiona and the others from the Newark Preparatory School that she had previously attended. Char regaled her with the stories of how Farin and he had always managed to weasel their way out of the sticky situations that they had found themselves in. When the laughter of the two grew too loud, a sharp look from one of the leaders of the group silenced them quickly.
As they peaked over the edge of the hill they were previously ascending, the collection of buildings that formed Melden appeared before them. Alex subconsciously gripped Char's arm.
And her only thoughts revolved around what lay ahead.
