Ok many of you may have read this chapter before, but I recently acquired a new beta Frigg, she is a great beta. (She wites AWESOME LOTR stories check them out thee on my favorites list) So this chapter is now edited and has less spelling and grammar mistakes. It isn't imperative that you read this chapter I just wanted to re-post her hard work. So here is a new and improved chapter 8.

enjoy

Summary

Aria is princess and she wants nothing more out of her life than to be able to decide what to do with it. But fate (and her mother) have another plan. What will our headstrong heroine do when she finds out she is betrothed to the prince of another land? And what happens when sparks fly between them and she finds herself falling hopelessly in love with him?

We did it…

Marcus and Izzy had been married a few hours ago, and now they were on their way to Orkney.

As I rode on the back of the horse, my hair falling out of the knot Izzy put in it; whipping in our faces as we gallop away from the monastery, I was thinking back on the ceremony….

After I had walked up to the altar on my own, Rigel walked Izzy down the aisle. When Izzy walked towards Marcus, you could see the love they shared. I can't really describe it. Her bouquet was made of white roses that matched her dress. Marcus looked ever inch the King he would some day become, and Izzy seems like she will make a fine Queen.

When she reached Marcus and the Priest, she turned to me and hugged me tightly. "Thanks Aria, I couldn't have done this without you," She whispered quietly into my hair.

"I hope you two will be as happy with each other as Marcus and I are," She whispered louder. I giggled and Rigel just blushed in response.

She smiled at us and turned to Marcus; he was looking at her as if she was a goddess, but one could say the same for her.

The priest took their hands bound them together and recited their marriage vows…..After the ceremony; we talked, drank a little wine, and ate some food. I knew grandfather would throw more of a party for them in Orkney but they assured us that this little get-together was fine.

We laughed and talked of silly things, but then it got serious. I never knew Marcus (or Rigel for that matter) was so afraid of being king.

"Aria" he said, "I don't want to be a king, it's a difficult job and power changes people. We like to think it doesn't but it does. It does terrible things to you. Just look at what father did to you --- no offence, Rigel, but he is forcing you to marry someone you barley even know, let alone love." Marcus was a bit pale as he was speaking.

Izzy in concern placed a hand on his arm. He turned back to a normal color, and smiled at her. After that, he started to joke around, as was his usual benevolent nature.

He cleared his throat signifying that he had something to say, smiled at Izzy as he rubbed her belly, "I mean that I don't want the same thing to happen to our child."

I jumped up and started screaming happily, "I'm gonna be a AUNTIE!" over and over and over again. I smiled like an idiot; after that, I hugged Izzy like a gazillion times. I was so happy for them; I was so happy for me.

Rigel was silent while Marcus was talking, but now he chose to speak up. (Note to self: next time STAPLE Rigel's mouth shut)

"Oh, so that's why you married her, because she's pregnant."

The smile I had was frozen on my face; I could not believe he said that, he called her a woman of loose morals…well… sort of.

I was almost afraid to look at Marcus, he was redder than a tomato and Izzy wore the same shocked expression that I did.

Luckily, I spoke before Marcus could get an opportunity to spit on Rigel. (Believe me, he's done that before, not to Rigel but to somebody else). "Rigel, why don't you get the horses ready and I'll say my goodbyes," I said.

Rigel looked at me; he was white as a ghost, "Alright that sounds like a good idea. Good bye you're Highnesses." He bowed and went to get the horses.

Marcus stared at him as he walked out; he looked like he wanted to bite his ear off.

"Aria…" Marcus started and turned to me when Rigel was out of sight "No, I'm so sorry, Marcus. I'll talk to Rigel when we get back, he must have had too much wine, he is normally very polite. I am sure he didn't mean it like that. I'll talk to him, you two just go before it gets too dark, I want you two and my little niece or nephew far, far away from here and Mother's wrath, ok?"

Izzy smiled at me and said, "I don't see why it's such a big deal; it's not, people will find out sooner or later and I'd rather have all the viscous gossip out of everyone's systems before we return."

Marcus sighed and took both her hands in his. "Yes, my darling, I know but he still shouldn't have said that, it was impolite. It doesn't matter though we have each other and our child and that's all that matters."

"Don't worry," I said. "I'll talk to him, and I will make sure he apologizes, I promise." They both nodded.

"Izzy, I think we should change, don't you? Aria, you are bringing the clothes back, right?" I nodded my head numbly.

"We'll be back soon Aria; Izzy let's go." and with that, I ran out of the beautiful church.

"Rigel!" I yelled when I neared the stables; I was slightly angry. "Rigel where are you?" I yelled again.

"Over here, Aria, I'm tacking up the horses."

I rounded the corner and came face to face with a white-faced Rigel. I opened my mouth to yell at him but he stopped me as he pulled me close and put a hand over my mouth.

"I know that you're mad at me; I can see it in your eyes. I'm mad at myself and Marcus probably wants to skin me alive." I chuckled a little bit at that; it did describe Marcus's initial reaction to Rigel's big mouth. But he didn't want to skin him; all he wanted was a apology.

"But," he continued, "I am sorry; I just didn't think before I spoke. I mean in my mind I didn't know why a crown prince would want to marry a duchess, when he could have a princess. I do think that he loves her; at least he thought he did. After all, my father didn't marry my mother and she was only the daughter of a nobleman."

As he said all this, he had this really far away look on his face as if he was talking to himself rather than to me. Then he looked back at me and that's when I knew; this was not about them it was about him, he had his own issues to work out with the way that he had been conceived and with his father.

"And the funny thing is," he said letting go of my mouth and cupping my chin. "In spite of everything she still loved him; with all of his flaws she still loved him. He may have forced himself on her but she was blinded with her love for him; too bad he didn't love us back."

I sighed and put my arms around him, I felt so bad he knew never true love. As much as I fight with my parents, I KNOW that they love each other and me dearly. It must have been hard to see his mother pining away for someone who would never love her. It must have been hard for him to never know his father and then to loose his mother when he was 15. He must have been very lonely, indeed.

I felt his tears against my neck, he was crying. I closed my eyes and kissed his tears away.

"Rigel." I almost whispered opening my eyes and looking into his deep blue ones, "I'll always be here for you, you don't need to worry about that, I'll never leave you."

"Oh, but Aria, my dear you will, do you not want to become a mage?"

"Well yes, I do, but…."

"Then there are no buts. I won't stop you from doing what you want to do especially not for me, that would be selfish of me, to keep you locked up in a castle all day, I would never do that."

"Your grandfather won't like that."

"I could not care less what Grandfather likes, you will be my wife and you can do as you please."

"Really?"

"Yes of course I would never keep you from doing something you wanted to do; you would hate me, if I did."

"I thought you wouldn't let me try for my mage-ship?"

"Why? Was it because of that day in the library? No, if you wish to do it you can and that's final."

Somehow, I found my arms tangled in his hair and his hands' trying to untie my bodice – and embarrassingly enough that was how Marcus found us, in the throes of passion.

He cleared his throat to get our attention. I knew I was as red as a tomato and Rigel probably was, too.

Instead of yelling at us Marcus just laughed. He smiled and Rigel took a deep breath and prepared for the worst beating of his life.

That just made Marcus laugh harder. Izzy joined in and I even giggled but I didn't even know what I was laughing about,. But - as they say, laughter is contageous.

As it was, Marcus ended up forgiving Rigel for having such a big mouth, because someone we all know and love also had one. Not to mention that Marcus had said some stupid things in the past, and he wasn't going to let something as silly as a little insult ruin his wedding day.

He had a long, hard ride ahead of him, especially with a pregnant wife. I hope that Rigel and I could throw father's guards off his trail for a few days.

Izzy and I shared a brief, tearful goodbye. Then she asked Rigel to help her with a box that Marcus forgot to bring out.

Marcus chuckled and pulled me into a tight hug. I was really going to miss him. I didn't want things to change, I liked things just the way they were.

"Aria, sweetie, you know she left the 'box' on purpose, don't you?"

I sniffled and hugged him tighter. "Um, yes," I mumbled into his chest.

He chuckled, "Marcus, will you be here to walk me down the isle at my wedding?" I asked.

"Sweetheart, wild horses couldn't keep me away," he assured me.

I smiled into his chest, and we stood there holding each other until Rigel and Izzy came out of the church.

I knew I had to let him go but I didn't want to. That has to be the hardest thing I ever done, watch my best friend ride away without me.

So here I am, racing back to the palace, "sitting behind Rigel on his horse". I hope the shit doesn't hit the fan till tomorrow; I'm tired and I can't deal with Mother tonight.

Responses

Glitterpoison- oh beliveme I smile at screens too, so don't worry there are other crazys out there! And I LOVE FLUFF!

fireworksinmybackpocket- ok I updated, you liked that line I thought it was a little cheezy. I'm glad you liked the sweetness of it. :D I do too.

SilentConfession- thanks I am going in next thursday, I hope I will do good too. I'm a little scared, but I should be ok. Thanks for your concern and I'm glad you like that chapter, hope you like this on too. :D

littleoldme- LOL I like constructive critism, I had meant this story to be a funny humorous one, like a romatic comedy.And don't worry I ramble alot too. :D

warrior-wolf- ok I am SO SO SO Sorry for making you wait! I know how it feel to have a author do it to you. I put a chappie out before I went into surgery I hope thats good for you :D

rootbeergirl19 - Awww thanks for you cencern, My leg will be better after surgery hopefully, and I should be back on my feet around July 10th, so ya I just can't wait for it to be over. ;D I updated before surgery hope you like it.

Countrygurl- I'm glad your reading it on here instead of quizilla, I'm getting quite tired of it. Oh well, I shall update there after I update here.