A/N: After all these months, I'm finally back! (More details in the extended A/N following the chapter, for those interested.) My most sincere thanks to readers who still follow and read this new story, and my deepest gratitude to all of the new readers. Reviews are most appreciated!
Tucked behind the tall hedges of the Bowerstone Castle courtyard, a small group of youths sat in a circle, Albion's young Princess among them. They were all surrounding an empty bottle made of dark green glass which they took turns spinning on its side. The game was absolutely foreign to her, but despite her lack of understanding, she still tried desperately, at any given opportunity, to be accepted.
"Come on, Lorelai! You can't just join our game and then chicken out when it's your turn," goaded Percy, the adolescent son of two of Bowerstone's most well-known aristocrats. For a noble, the boy appeared very unkempt. His clothing always had some form of fresh dirt or rip, likely from the trouble he was causing around town.
Despite the fact that his voice cracked into octaves even higher in pitch than the girls around him, the Princess was still intimidated by his remarks. She looked at the young man as he leaned toward her from across the circle, posting himself up on both hands over the glass bottle which lay pointing in his direction. His lips curled into a devious smile as his brows raised in anticipation, and her eyes darted around at the others.
Her heart was pounding so hard she could have sworn it was shaking her from within. All she ever wanted was to be one of them. They all led such normal, carefree existences, she could only wish for such an easy life. She gulped deeply and took a breath, worried that upon speaking, her voice would be shaking along with her insides.
"I did want to play, but…," Lorelai responded in a timid tone, nervously chewing on her lip. "I'm sorry, I really have to go now, otherwise they'll be looking for me."
While it normally bothered her to no end that her brother, King Logan, would send his guards out to retrieve her if she had not returned before supper, in this case, she would welcome such a rescue. As much as she craved acceptance, she could not bring herself to compromise her morals for it.
"Aww, the proper little princess is too good for our games!" teased Percy's brother, Ashley.
"I told you," said one of the girls in a hushed tone. "She's just a royal little prude!"
As they all began giggling at her expense, her face flushed with the heat of humiliation. Without another word, she hiked her dress up enough to stand and turned to leave the group. Before she could take one step, she felt a hand close around her wrist.
"Don't be such a poor sport," Percy said as he pulled her toward him, leaning in to claim the kiss he believed he had won. Just before his lips could make contact, he was shoved away by another young man.
"You have insulted this maiden's honor!" he shouted as he came crashing to the ground on top of Percy.
Lorelai was taken completely by surprise. Never before had anyone made such a gesture for her unless they'd been ordered to do so, and yet this complete stranger had just rushed to defend her without any prompting.
The Princess's pleasant surprise was brought to an abrupt halt when Percy flipped the other boy onto his back and socked him in the mouth. Her heart dropped and she rushed over to try to help, feeling utterly responsible for causing the scuffle. Anger replaced embarrassment as she grabbed Percy by the collar of his shirt and pulled him off of the other boy.
The others hurriedly scooped up their belongings, and Percy raised his closed fist to Lorelai as his brother desperately attempted to pull him away from the conflict.
"The King would have your head for that, Percy!" he implored. "She's not worth it!"
"She's not worth anything," huffed Percy, shooting her a look of disdain before being hurriedly ushered off by his friends.
The words still cut like knives even though she held little respect for their source, but the feeling was short-lived when she heard a grunt from the young man still lying on the ground. His ivory pants were now streaked with dirt and his vest had been ripped open.
She rushed over to him and knelt down beside him, pulling a leaf-embroidered handkerchief from her sleeve after noticing the blood on his lip. "Here," she softly urged as she pressed the cloth to his wound.
He slowly brought his hand up to hers, gently retrieving the handkerchief, and the pair locked eyes.
Lorelai lost her breath as she felt an unfamiliar flutter in her belly. It felt as if everything around them faded into a blur of insignificance and in that moment, she could only see him. Her jaw hung slightly agape as she fumbled for words, still mesmerized by the sincerity she found in the young man's hazel eyes.
He blotted his lip a few times and then raked his chestnut hair back from his eyes before replying, "Thank you… Princess." He mustered a half-smile with the uninjured side of his mouth.
Princess. Despite wearing clothes that were more suited to adventuring than attending royal events, she truly felt like nothing other than the King's little sister. The daughter of a fallen Hero. People either pitied her or blindly bowed at her feet. But this boy was different, and she could feel it.
"Lorelai," she urged, extending a hand to help him up off the ground. "And you are?"
A faint blush spread over his face as he called her by name for the first time. "Lorelai…" he placed his hand in hers and sat up, now much closer to her. "I'm Elliot."
Bowerstone Castle, one year later:
Sir Walter Beck leaned out the doorway to the kitchens, calling out into the castle gardens. "Lorie, come quick! Another chicken's gone loose!"
Lorelai popped out from behind the gazebo, dropped her wooden sword and made a break for the kitchens. "Coming!" she shouted excitedly. She loved nothing more than practicing her melee against imaginary opponents, but she could never turn down an opportunity to save a furry—or feathered—friend.
She leapt across a flower bed and began sprinting, thanking the gods she'd had horse riding instruction earlier that morning. Her brown leather britches and riding boots certainly made the mad dash much more possible than the dresses that she'd otherwise be expected to wear.
"Hurry up, girl!" he called out with a chuckle. "The head chef may well beat you to it!"
She ran faster, a determined smile crossed her lips. "Not today, Anton," she panted to herself, referencing the head chef of the castle who possessed about as much compassion for animals as a rusty doornail.
Zipping up the steps and through the door, she skidded to an abrupt stop, her arms outstretched to catch her balance before she looked up. Her expression shifted from excitement to confusion when she saw a small gathering of people waiting for her. Among the kitchen staff, there stood Sir Walter, Jasper, and Logan with his fiancé Elizabeth.
"I don't…" She paused, pushing the stray locks of hair from her eyes and tucking them behind her ears. "There's no chicken?"
Walter let out a loud guffaw. "I'm afraid not, Princess." He turned to retrieve something from the counter behind him. "But I think you'll find this to be even better!"
Lorelai's eyes widened with surprise when she saw the beautiful three-tiered cake, lit with candles, and decorated with her favorite flowers: daisies. "Sweet Light," she gasped. "It's beautiful!"
While it was her thirteenth birthday, she still did not expect such a surprise for one minute. She'd stopped celebrating birthdays years ago, when none of the children she invited showed up for her party. She'd always had a considerably difficult time socializing with other children her age, but when her mother died, she turned inward even more. Every failed attempt to fit in just made her desire making friends less and less.
She knew she had missed out on a great deal of advice and guidance when Sparrow died, but she was still thankful for Elizabeth, or "Liz" as she called her brother's betrothed. She loved having another woman around the castle to talk to and confide in, and she couldn't wait to call her a sister.
Lorelai was even more grateful for the unconditional friendship that Elliot had given her, steadfast since the day they met. They'd spent time together nearly every day, and Walter even joked about how the boy spent more time in the castle gardens than the statues. Elliot had become a true best friend. He may have been her only friend, but she did not care one bit. She would much rather have one friend with a heart of gold than many friends with ill will.
She blew out the candles on her cake, and looked up at everyone with a gracious smile. "Thank you all so much. I may not be wild about birthdays…" She paused, a nervous giggle bubbling through. "But I do so love a good cake!"
One of the cooks took the tray of cake to be sliced, and Lorelai walked over to the group, her eyes darting around in search of Elliot.
With one arm around the waist of his beloved, Logan placed his other hand on his sister's shoulder. "Thirteen is a big year, Lorelai. I was not about to just let this day go unnoticed." He smiled and brought her into a one-armed embrace.
"It truly is a special day," Elizabeth said as she completed the embrace. "You're growing up so fast, Lorie."
"Not fast enough," Lorelai replied with a grin. These awkward years were no blessing to her, and she really felt nothing special about being stuck between childhood and womanhood.
"Hah!" Walter laughed. "You don't really want to be old and rickety like me, do ya?"
"Not really." Lorelai laughed along with her mentor. "I just want to be grown up enough to go on quests like Logan!" Her eyes lit up with enthusiasm. "Slaying every last hobbe in the realm and teaching those bandits a thing or two about obeying the law!"
"My dear Princess," Jasper chuckled. "I am sure that one day you will do all of those things and more." He gave Lorelai a gentle pat on the back. "But you should also enjoy the time you have now. If you were off fighting hobbes and bandits, you would not be able to join your friend outside."
Lorelai zoomed over to the window, looking across the gardens until she saw Elliot standing along the pathway with his back turned. Her heart began to beat faster as she turned to hurriedly grab a plate a big hunk of cake.
"May I be excused?" she asked her brother in a hushed tone, her lips curled up into a big smile and brows raised in anticipation.
Logan looked up and briefly glanced out the window. He saw the source of his sister's sudden change in demeanor and mustered a soft smile and a nod. "Remember to be back before dusk," he answered.
He did not particularly like the boy, but Elliot was the only aristocratic child that had given Lorelai friendship. The King was familiar with the boy's parents, and while they were both of highborn descent, it was known that they were never able to have any biological children. Not a particularly scandalous thing, however, it meant that Elliot was adopted and therefore not of noble blood. Because of this, Logan monitored the boy's dealings with his sister very closely. It would only cause his sister pain should the friendship turn into anything more, as there were very strict rules in place for courtship with a royal.
After giving her brother a quick hug, Lorelai thanked everyone for the cake and warm wishes, and turned on her heel to make her way to Elliot outside. She ran as quickly as her feet would carry her, but slowed down just before reaching her friend.
Elliot stood alongside one of the fountains, back still turned. Lorelai sucked in a deep breath as an unfamiliar nervousness set in deep down in her belly. Her feelings for the young man had done nothing but grow over the past year, and she fought to conceal those feelings for fear of them costing her a friendship.
"I brought you come cake," she said, timidly.
Elliot finally turned, revealing the gift he'd been holding in his arms. "And I brought you this," he replied with a warm smile.
Lorelai's heart swelled with happiness as Elliot placed a tiny black and white puppy into her arms. The pooch was no larger than the piece of cake she'd brought out to share. She cuddled the soft little ball of fur and gently tipped his chin up to see his face. The pup opened his eyes and looked at her, and she became filled with pure elation.
"Oh, Elliot," she gulped down the lump in her throat. "This is the most precious gift I've ever received." She looked up at him, blinking away a few tears.
"I'm so glad, Lorie, but..." he replied, now sounding nervously quiet. "I also wanted to give you this…" He took a step forward, leaning in for a kiss.
Lorelai's pulse quickened and time seemed to slow. This was what she dreamed of, and now it was really happening. Her heart jumped wildly. She'd never kissed anyone before and did not know what to do or expect, but before she could get any more carried away in those thoughts, their lips met.
Elliot pressed his mouth firmly, yet softly to hers. Her stomach tingled with electricity. His lips felt warm and silky, and tasted distinctly like his favorite snack food: fresh berries. He exhaled through his nose, pressing one last gentle peck against her bottom lip before pulling back.
"Was that… alright?" he asked with raised brows.
"More than alright," she replied with a wide, cheesy smile. She would have loved it if the kiss went on forever, but she also knew they were not standing in the most private vicinity. "We should do that again sometime."
Elliot laughed as he held a hand out to her. "I couldn't agree more," he replied. "Maybe you and little Domino could show me the apple tree?"
Her favorite apple tree was conveniently concealed behind the rest of the gardens, and it seemed the perfect place to steal a few more kisses. She looked down at the small pup and smiled before snuggling him into her chest. "I think that's a great idea," she giggled as she held her other hand out to Elliot. "Domino and I would love that."
The Princess's bedchamber, three years later:
"That… was…" Elliot rolled onto his back, breathless as he gently pulled Lorelai into his arms.
"Worth the wait?" she whispered, pulling up the silken sheets to cover them. Panting also, she rest her head against his smooth, bare chest where she could hear the sound of his racing heart. She smiled softly in anticipation of his answer. Never before had she felt so full of life and excitement; so loved and fulfilled.
Elliot dipped his head down to kiss her, still breathing heavily through his nose. "Worth everything," he sighed, pausing a moment to study her face intently. "How do you feel, my love?" He gently traced his thumb under her lip and his brow furrowed with concern. "I hope I didn't cause you any pain."
Lorelai let out a rather loud giggle. While she did feel some soreness from the encounter, to her it felt like more of a pleasant, tingling reminder of a milestone in their relationship. "Elliot…" Her grin widened, but before she could continue, his mouth was pressed against hers.
"Shh," he hushed quietly against her lips. "We mustn't raise any alarms. It is nearly—" He turned to glance over at the tall grandfather clock that stood in the corner of her room. "Nearly daybreak!" he blurted with an unintentional increase in volume. "I must go," he whispered assertively before jumping out of bed in a scramble to collect his clothes.
Still enraptured by what she had just shared with him, Lorelai was not nearly as nervous as Elliot. Holding the sheet against her chest with one hand, she propped herself up with the other and grinned as she watched him shuffle around frantically in various stages of undress. He didn't stand any taller than she did, yet she loved the way his body seemed to just fit against hers. Her eyes scanned over his lean build, paying special attention to the parts she'd only just started to become familiar with.
"I love you," she said softly.
Elliot quickly pulled his pants on and leaned over the bed, cupping the side of her face as he drew her in for a kiss. The spark of their connection reignited with passion, and she wrapped her arms around him, pulling him down on top of her.
"Light help me, you're amazing," he groaned as he forced himself to back away from the bed. "But we can't." Sensing a closing window for leaving undetected, he scooped up his jacket and boots and made his way to the door.
Lorelai rolled onto her side, awestruck as she watched him leave. "I'll never forget this night."
Elliot paused as he grabbed the doorknob and looked back at her with adoration. "Not in a million years. We're forever, Lorie."
She rolled onto her back, letting out a sigh of both relief and elation as her hands came to rest over her chest. The only thing that would make this evening better would be if she could fall asleep in his arms, but she knew one day they would be together that way. She began to drift, imagining how he might ask her to marry him, and the family they would one day have. Her eyelids grew heavier and she had almost slipped off to sleep when she heard a commotion in the gardens outside her window.
"What have we here?" one of Logan's elite soldiers shouted.
Lorelai heard the faint murmur of Elliot's voice, but she could not make out what he was saying. Her heart jumped into her throat and she sprang from the bed, clutching the sheet against her as she made haste toward the window. She inched back the curtain just enough to see what was going on, and rose to the tips of her toes to get a better look over the stone railing that obscured her view of the grounds below.
Her jaw dropped when she saw Elliot. His shirt was barely buttoned, and where it had been, it was completely misaligned. His boots were unlaced and hanging open, and he'd only gotten his vest over one shoulder before being apprehended. In shock that he'd actually gotten caught, she stood frozen a few moments, contemplating the repercussions they might both now be facing.
Another Royal Guard rushed over and forcefully grabbed Elliot by the arm. "Trespassing on royal property, are we?" He looked over at his fellow guard, nodding, and they each took hold of their suspect.
"King Logan will be wanting to know of this," proclaimed the first guard as they began to drag him back inside the castle.
No…
This could not be happening. How could the best night of her life so quickly turn into such a nightmare? There was no telling what Logan would do if he learned of this. Ever since he'd returned from Aurora a few weeks ago, he'd not been the same. The expedition had no doubt taken a toll on him physically and mentally. He would not speak of what happened, but she knew that the losses were catastrophic. She had watched an entire army go off with him, yet he returned badly injured and alone.
Quickly, she dropped the silken sheet that covered her bare form and whipped around, running over to her wardrobe. She could not let anything happen to Elliot. Still dark inside the room, she was unable to clearly distinguish any garment from another, but she did not care. She hiked up a skirt, tossed a linen shirt over her head, and stepped into some weather-beaten brown boots.
She rushed toward the door, snatching a ribbon from atop her vanity along the way, and tied her hair back as she ran. She knew she probably looked a ridiculous mess, but in this moment she did not care. Had this happened just a few weeks earlier, she may not be fearing for Elliot's well being, but now that Logan had become so cold and devoid of emotion, she could not trust her brother to spare him.
Her heart pounded more violently as she stormed through the kitchen and up the staircase leading to the grand dining hall. Her goal was to intercept the guards before they could reach Logan, but her hopes were abruptly shattered when she reached the top of the stairs to find both guards holding Elliot down onto his knees before her brother.
King Logan stood tall in purple evening robes, hands placed firmly at his hips as an intensifying scowl spread down his face. His eyes were dark and sunken; a harsh contrast from their former hue of brown. His skin which once glowed with vitality now appeared pale and scarred. Even his demeanor had changed. He now spoke in a very cold, calculated and harsh tone.
"Ah," Logan said as he raised one arm, gesturing toward the Princess as she entered, her face fixed with shock. He peered down his nose at Elliot. "The proof of your lies comes marching in."
Elliot glanced over at Lorelai with regret, shaking his head. "I said… I meant—"
"You claimed that my sister was sleeping undisturbed," Logan interjected. His eyes slashed over to the Princess, giving her a scrutinizing look up and down. "Judging by the looks of her, I would deem that to be a lie."
Lorelai cautiously took a few steps toward the King, her hands clasped together as she pled, "Please, Logan. This is all my fault. He's done nothing wrong. He's—"
"Lying to the King of Albion makes him a traitor," Logan plainly stated, looking over at her with empty eyes. "And if I do not punish traitors, I will only be condoning the act."
For the first time in her life, Lorelai felt fearful of her brother. She feared what he may do to Elliot—or to Albion for that matter—if he stayed this way. As much as her heart broke for him, she had to muster every ounce of strength to stand up to him now.
"He is NOT a traitor!" she shouted. Her voice had raised with the emotion that fueled her words, but she quickly quieted herself, nervous that she could push Logan too far. "He is my future," she said, more calmly as her eyes began welling up. "Please, don't hurt him."
Elliot's gaze dropped to the floor. Hearing his beloved plead for his life made him feel shameful for being powerless to defend himself.
"Your future will not be very bright should you continue being so free with yourself," Logan hissed at his sister. "Especially with the likes of this boy."
Without thinking, Lorelai reacted to his harsh words. She took two swift steps toward him and slapped him across the face. No words were exchanged. The siblings simply stood glaring at one another, Logan's eyes filled with rage and disbelief, and Lorelai's full of pain.
"Take the boy to the dungeon," Logan ordered his guards, his eyes still locked with his sister's. "Give him a few days. Let him see what kind of future awaits him should he continue this path."
The guards hoisted Elliot up onto his feet and ushered him from the room with their usual, yet unnecessary brute force. The young man could not even look up at the Princess as he was being taken away, but she watched on helplessly until the doors closed behind them.
She turned back to Logan. "Does family mean nothing to you now?" she asked with desperation in her voice. "Do you even care about us? About Albion? About anything other than yourself?" she cried.
Logan glanced around the room at the remaining guards standing post. With witnesses present, he felt the need to demonstrate his power, grabbing her firmly by the shoulders and peering down at her.
"I will not defend my actions to you," he growled. "You are my sister. But if you ever lay a hand on me again…" He paused, and the faint glint of sadness washed over his eyes before he straightened himself and resumed. "Get out of my sight. Now."
A/N: It's been a long road to get back to a place where I can write again. I am without a doubt rusty from the long hiatus, but it feels amazing to be working my way back. This chapter was a tough one, and I realize that some may not like or appreciate the time skips, but the true story lies after our Princess is separated from Elliot in the beginning of the game. I'm doing my best to flex the old, unworked writing muscles, so bear with me while I find that groove again. I'm sorry I was away from my writing for so long, and I missed both it and my readers deeply. Now with two moves, a job layoff and a divorce behind me, my life is no longer in boxes and my desk is set back up. I can't wait to bring you more of this new story, as there is still so much I have yet to reveal! Thank you all for your patience, I love you guys.
Special thanks go out to my beta-reader, Kiltsaresexy. Without your help, I would not be publishing more of this story. You are an awesome Fable encyclopedia and an even more amazing friend.