The Black Monster: The Beginning

Part 4

By the time she awoke it was late into the evening and the hut was silent. She would be surprised if her father was awake. Getting up slowly Rose found her way out the door and into the small hallway where she stopped in front of the guest room. Maybe...it was a dream, maybe he was never taken away...maybe he never existed. Rose held her breath and opened the door. The bed was made, the curtains drawn, everything sat as it had before. She made a double take of the room.

"Wait," she whispered.

In the corner of the room, on the small wooden chair, lay the worn red armor and against the wall beside it the intricate sword. She swallowed roughly and crept quietly toward the sword, tears welling in her eyes. He does exist... Rose brought her hand forth and grazed her fingers over the swords hilt. Such a magnificent sword, such a magnificent man. She paused. Did she really think that? She shook her head.

"He is gone," Rose said quietly, then glanced from the armor to the sword, "but I cannot let these remarkable things be locked away and forgotten."

She gathered the armor into her arms and took hold of the sword. As quickly as she could Rose rushed the items into her own room, closing the door behind her. She strode to her closet and pulled out a fair sized trunk. Within it her most prized possessions and mementos. Carefully she wrapped the sword and armor separately in worn dresses then placed them inside the trunk.

"If he ever comes back...I'll know where to find them," she whispered.

A knock at her door caused Rose to jump and she hurriedly pushed the trunk back into the closet before her father entered.

"Rose?"

She stood, "yes father?"

He stared at her solemnly, "are you alright?"

Rose did not answer for a few minutes, contemplating whether she should tell him how she felt or not. She nodded.

"I am."

Cordon studied her for a moment then nodded in agreement; he understood that she was not yet ready to discuss what she had seen earlier this morning.

"Evan and his father came...while you slept."

Rose moved over to the bed and sat down, "did you tell them?"

"Yes but...they did not seem overly worried, just happy that you are alright."

She did not reply.

"We also discussed your wedding," Cordon added in an attempt to cheer her up, "about the place, we figured the small church in the village would do. Evan will be speaking with the minister tomorrow."

Rose took a slight breath. The small church: a crowded place, all the eyes staring. She had always wanted her wedding to be outside.

"You can also go arrange for the dress sometime this week as well."

She smiled, her father was trying so hard to cheer her up, and he deserved a smile to know that she appreciated his attempts.

"Thank you father...I shall do that after tomorrow," for some reason she felt she would be asked to accompany Evan to his meeting with the minister.

"In the meantime Rose, darling, I know that you have just woken but it is late and there is much to accomplish tomorrow."

Rose nodded, "yes I am still fairly tired, goodnight father."

Cordon kissed her on the cheek, "goodnight Rose."

With that he left her room closing the door behind him leaving her with the silence. The talk of the wedding had made her tired and she lay back upon her bed closing her eyes. Maybe the wedding was for the best. She could grow to...love Evan. Eventually.

Rose slept fairly late into the afternoon the next day. When she realized she had done so she rushed to get dressed and start with her daily duties. After pulling her hair up she ran to the kitchen where her father sat peacefully, he looked up as she entered and gave a slight smile.

"Father I'm so sorry I did not realize the..."

"It is fine Rose."

"But I..."

Cordon held up his hand, "I have done all that has been needed this morning for now...you have to be on your way soon."

Rose stared at him, "on my way father?"

"With Evan, he wishes you to meet with him in the church, to discuss the wedding."

"Oh."

He smiled, "yes now go get ready, I shall hitch up the horses to take you there, I have to be in town anyway."

Rose did not answer but nodded then went on her way into her room. There she prepared herself with a white town dress and put her hair up with pins and a white rose.

Their trip to town was a silent one, Cordon concentrating on his control, Rose dreading how this wedding arrangement would turn out. The towns people would be surprised no doubt...utterly surprised. Her father dropped her off at the church and she watched as the carriage disappeared over one of the distant hills. She continued to stare at the sky wishing that somehow she could be taken out of this... situation.

"Rose you made it."

Rose turned with a sigh to face Evan. With a slight smiled she replied, "Good afternoon Evan."

He appeared almost overjoyed with her presence and took her hand leading her up the church steps.

"The minister is waiting."

Evan was...really anxious.

"I figured white and red roses would suit," he looked back at her with a great smile, his eyes glowing.

The way he looked at her...how he smiled, the soft touch of his hand. Did he really love her?

Through the doors of the church she could already imagine the white and red roses strung up along the pillars, in decorated vases beside each pew. Wait...was she smiling?

"Good afternoon Miss Rose, Sir Evan, are you ready to discuss the arrangements for your wedding?"

The minister, Garth, stood before them now also baring a warm smile. He too knew how long Cordon had wanted Rose to marry. He also knew that Evan was the one her father had wanted her to end up with.

"Yes minister we are."

"Good, please have a seat."

They did so.

"So, tell me, what would you like?"

Rose' mind wandered at that moment. She could hear the odd thing about flowers and the amount of guests but she hardly paid attention. Once again she thought of Zieg. Would they sentence him to death? Or leave him locked up for Soa knows how long? It was not fair. They did not give him a chance to explain anything. He was not a wingly.

"How does that sound Rose?"

She glanced up, tears of frustration falling from her eyes. She forced herself to smile.

"It sounds wonderful."

Evan studied her in admiration but she could also see a hint of worry in his eyes. Could he tell that she was upset? Did her know that she did not want to marry him?

"Then I suppose it is set," the minister said, standing up, "it shall truly be a wonderful wedding."

Rose stood up with Evan and gave a slight bow to the minister. After a quick thank you they were out of the church and standing upon its steps.

Rose stared at the stone in silence pondering what in Mayfil she was thinking. Why she had not decided to speak her mind.

"Rose are you alright?"

Her eyes met Evans.

"Yes I am fine."

He still appeared to question it but he did not continue. Instead he replied with:

"Would you like to go arrange for your gown to be made?"

He truly was trying to cheer her up. Maybe that could help. She always loved looking at the wedding dresses.

Pausing a moment she finally said, "I would love to."

He lifted his hand and she took it.

Together they walked through the small village, many of the people watching in shock. Rose was with a man...holding his hand. Mayfil truly must have frozen over.

When they made it inside the shop Rose had picked out a dress to her liking. She changed into it and found her way back out to Evan. His eyes lit up and he gawked at her as she entered. She looked...stunning. He was lost for words.

Rose looked into her own image shown by the mirror at her side. A wedding gown could make anyone look beautiful.

Evan stood from behind her and edged his way closer. He took her hand in his own. When she turned to face him his eyes burned into hers.

"Rose you look absolutely breathtaking."

She felt a smile form on her face and she studied Evan Closely. She could get used to him. She looked back at her own reflection. She could get used to this.