A/N: So, I was talking to the two people who have reviewed to me. So, I want to explain Aera's role in the first chapter, she was essentially by the throne, and when Somnus was preparing the death blow, she essentially jumped in front of the sword, killing her. So that's what happened. Anyway, please review and enjoy!

Chapter 2: Free At Last

Ardyn woke with a start. It had only been a nightmare, but it had felt so real. He had felt the blade of Somnus's sword again. He had felt Aera's deadweight in his arms again. He was still in his chains, he was still shamed (this is after FF15). A sudden noise made him weakly jolt his head up. A young woman with light blonde hair was in front of him.

"Who are you?" Ardyn said weakly.

"I'm Dorian, and I'm here to get you out," she said.

Ardyn gave her a confused glance, but stayed quiet as she released him from his chains. It looked like hard work, she kept grunting, and pulling. Ardyn tried his best to help her, but in his weakened state, he couldn't do much of anything.

When Dorian finally had the chains undone, she gently placed him on the stone floor next to her. She looked exhausted. Before Ardyn could say anything, she caught her breath, and helped Ardyn to his feet. Suddenly, Ardyn had a suspicion about her. She looked like a member of the Kingsglaive.

"Why are you helping me?" Ardyn said.

"Be quiet, Adagium!" Dorian snapped.

Ardyn glared at her, but did as she said, arguing with her would do nothing. As much as he was disgusted with the name he was given, he just stayed quiet. Dorian seemed satisfied, and began walking towards the entrance to the cave he was imprisoned in.

It was a long journey down the mountain. Eventually, however a blue chocobo came into sight. Dorian placed Ardyn in a carriage it was pulling, and they set off. But, many questions swarmed in his head. Who was this woman? Why was she helping him? Most of all, did she have any royal blood? They rode for hours, until they finally came to a beautiful spring.

Dorian sighed, and jumped off the chocobo. She guided Ardyn to a small barn, and gently placed him in the hay.

"Rest, you have a long day ahead of you tomorrow, Adagium," Dorian said.

"Please, call me Ardyn," he said.

Dorian laughed, and said, "Okay, Ardyn, now go to bed, before I make you!"

Ardyn laughed, and did as he was told.

(Ardyn's dream – Childhood)

"Somnus, stop! Look, a butterfly!" Ardyn said.

"Where?!" Somnus said, looking around dumbly.

Ardyn took the advantage, and grabbed Somnus, playfully throwing his brother to the ground. Somnus screamed in shock, then started laughing. Ardyn and Somnus continued to play fight for over fifteen minutes, until their parents came out.

"What are you boys doing?!" their father shouted.

"Their fine, they need to get it out sometimes. Besides, you did that with your older brother all the time, or did you forget," their mother said.

Ardyn woke with a start, remembering where that would end. That was the day his mother had been killed by some mysterious force. They had never known what it was. Sometimes, they thought it had been the gods, angry about what their mother had done. But their mother hadn't done anything wrong, and he would be damned if she had done something bad. Or had she?

A/N: Cliffhanger, guess you will have to wait until the next chapter to see what happens. Please review!