Hey, Hey, Hey, Mysterious, update muse strikes!

I know I've been neglecting this story, I'm sorry Senior year is hard, what with college applications, acceptances and rejections, getting my Hairdressing license, AP classes, being sick, it's hard, besides I have to look for a job, and I have a life. Ok I promise I will try to update more but lots of senior stuff is coming up so they might be as abnormal as they have always been. Oh and If this chapter sucks don't blame me blame the Nyquil, thats some powerful stuff that is………

And now without further ado the

(Not so) GLORIOUS CHAPTER TEN

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?

Chapter Ten: Goodnight My Angel…..

Rigel and I rode quickly through the dark night. I could feel my lip throbbing. All I could think of was how tired I felt, body mind and spirit.

We reached the gates and all was silent, until a gravely voice broke into the calm, "Who goes there?"

I took a deep breath and turned to look at Rigel, "Do you want to answer or should I?"

He shook his head and whispered back, "No, no I'll do it."

Rigel took a deep breath and yelled back to the gate keeper, "its Prince Rigel and Princess Aria, we went out for a picnic and we were attacked. We need to see the healer, and the King!"

He used my alibi, I was so proud of him. "Rigel", I poked him in the ribs, "why did you use my alibi?"

He just chuckled, "Darling, you really didn't think I was going to let you beat me up and not use this alibi, albeit a badly planned one…..."

I smiled up into his handsome face and placed a bloody hand on his bruised cheek. I caught his lips in a soft kiss, I know it's such a cliché, but eyes truly are the windows to the soul. In his I could see that he loved me, and that information was a bit shocking to say the least.

The Guard let us into the palace gates and my whole family ran into the courtyard, not before long my mother was fusing over me.

"Aria, Sweetness, where were you, oh Dearest." Mother threw her arms around me knocking me out of Rigel's embrace.

My father took Rigels arm and walked him into the palace with his grandfather. My mother sister and I soon followed.

My mother really started to fuss as soon as we were inside but my eyes were locked onto Rigel. He was most likely discussing with my father and his grandfather, the whereabouts of the "bandits". Then he looked my way and smirked at me, the little half smile he always wore on his face whenever I was around. It took my breath away only for a moment. I was so happy, I was muddy dirty, bruised and bloody, but even still I couldn't be happier.

"…forget you have you're wedding dress fitting tomorrow...postpone it….." Mother trailed off.

My ears went back to my Mother but my gaze was still fixed upon Rigel.

"What was that Mamma, I'm sorry my mind was elsewhere?"

Unbeknownst to me Mother and Aijia shared a knowing smile.

"Aria, Sweet, I was talking about the wedding plans, we have wedding dress fittings tomorrow. I was just saying maybe we should put them off till the both of you feel better. You've had a rough day what with the bandits and all."

My full attention was shifted back to my mother. She was staring at me with such a soft look on her face that I couldn't help but throw my arms around her waist. "I Love you Mamma."

She chuckled softly, "My dear girl what has brought this on, a few days ago you thought I was the devil incarnate?"

I just hugged her tighter, "I could never hate you Mamma, or Papa. I was just upset and confused. But you were right I just needed to give Rigel a chance. I don't want to postpone the fittings they can proceed tomorrow as planned, I know you've worked hard planning this wedding." I snuggled closer to her and said, "Mamma I'm tired could I take a bath and go to bed."

She turned me to my maid that was waiting for me, "Of course sweet, go with you're maid, she's already drawn your bath and she'll se that you get settled."

I went to go with her but I turned and faced my Mother, "Mamma can you come see me after and brush my hair like you used to do when I was little."

A grin broke onto her lovely face, "Yes Sweet, I would like that. But go, I'll talk with you're father and Rigel, then I'll be up."

And with that she placed a kiss on my brow and I allowed myself to be taken away by my maid.

After my bath, I was all snuggled up in my warm comfy bed and drifting off to dream land when my mother came in.

"Sweet, I hope I didn't wake you."

I opened, my eyes and yawned, "No Mamma, you didn't, I was just waiting for you."

She smiled and sat on the side of my bed and started to comb out my hair. "Sweet, when you're gone, I'm going to miss this." She started to sniffle and wiped a few tears away.

"Mamma don't cry, I'll always be your little girl, even if I'm not so little anymore."

She smiled a small sad smile, "No sweet that's not what I mean, I'll miss this, just sitting with you, or watching you sleep, I miss you antics most of all when you've left us, when you go home with Rigel."

Mother started to cry again and I just held her tighter, "Mamma, this will always be home, you can't get rid of me that easily."

That night my Mamma just brushed out my hair and told me how much she would miss me when I was gone and married and that she would come visit every chance she could.

She was about to leave me when I stopped her, "Mamma why did you agree to King Devions terms? I mean, how did you know I would get along with Rigel so well?"

She had this serene peaceful look on her face, and then she looked down at me, "I knew, Aria, because that boy looks at you the way your father looks at me. You don't see it but there are some things that mammas can see, that their little girls can't. One day when you have a baby of your own you'll understand."

She leaned over and kissed my cheek, "Goodnight my Angel, time to close your eyes."

She stroked my hair and started singing softly to me an old Orkneian lullaby that her father used to sing to her.

My consciousness didn't even last till the second stanza………

"Goodnight my Angel now it's time to dream, and dream how wonderful your life will be. Someday your child may cry and if you sing this lullaby then in your heart there always will be a part of me"

You know I should e studying for my Macbeth Test tomorrow... But you know as I so KINDLY decided to write and post this for you all TONIGHT I think I desere some reviews. I would love to hear from you all and see how you're all doing...

So just click that little button even if it's just to say "HI Update quicker"