A/N: Hello all! I'm excited to get this chapter started, seeing as chapter two was a pseudo cliffhanger. Thank you all again for the reviews, they make me very happy! I hope this chapter makes you all happy as well! Warning: major fluff ahead!
I noticed that in the previous two chapters, the borders I placed between sections of the story didn't show up. So, I went back and fixed that. Hopefully that will make everything look a little nicer. I also added a tiny section about Reaver in the last chapter. I completely forgot to he lived in Millfields and a reviewer (Kat) asked if I was going to include him in the story. His part will be more important later.
RECAP:
Logan studied Sylvia is the light of the setting sun. He wanted to remember this image of her for the rest of his life. She was leaning against the rail of the gazebo, resting her chin on her right hand. The soft wind tossed her hair only slightly. Despite the fading light, her green eyes were as brilliant as ever. Then she looked over at Logan and smiled. This was the moment Logan was looking for. He walked over to Sylvia, taking both of her hands in his.
Leaning over to kiss Logan softly on the lips, Sylvia said, "What it is? You seem so preoccupied."
"Nothing is wrong, my love," Logan replied before taking a deep breath. "Actually, there is something I need to ask you."
Heart of a King: Chapter 3
Sylvia shot Logan a perplexed look, "What is it?"
Logan held her gaze, his nervousness slowly ebbing away, "Sylvia…you are my happiness. You have always brought so much joy to my life. When I am with you, I feel invincible. The moment we part I long to be with you again. I have been madly in love with you for so very long. Everything about you captivates me."
Tears treated to spill over the rims of Sylvia's eyes. Before she could understand what was happening, Logan slowly lowered to one knee and held onto her left hand, "You are the love of my life and my future. You are my soul mate and the woman I want to spend my life with. Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"
The happy tears that were threatening to spill leaked out of Sylvia's eyes and down her cheeks, "Logan…"
Logan took out the ring that he had purchased a year ago for this very moment. He slid the ring onto Sylvia's delicate finger and watched her examine it. She looked back down at him, happiness radiating from her beautiful face. She lowered herself so she was at Logan's level and cupped his face in her hands.
"Yes. Yes, Logan, I will marry you!"
Logan swept Sylvia into his arms and kissed her with everything he had. This was the happiest moment of his life. Sylvia was to be his wife and his queen.
Three days had passed since the engagement, and the Bennet household was all aflutter. Agnes wrote letters to everyone in the family telling them that her daughter was going to be the Queen of Albion. She insisted that Sylvia go with her to the tailors immediately to be sized for a dress and find all of the right accessories. Agnes wanted to pick every detail of the wedding, when Sylvia and Logan had not even set a date. Needless to say, Sylvia was more than a little flustered.
"Mother, please," Sylvia insisted. "Calm down. We haven't even set a date yet. We may not be married for months."
"I know, my dear. But you have to get started on these things right away! Aren't you excited for your own wedding?"
"Of course I'm excited! But I just think it's a little early to start all this planning. We'll have plenty of time. I'm sure there will be advisors at the palace who will be more than willing to help."
"Advisors? You expect me to sit around and let a bunch of advisors plan my daughter's wedding? You must be mad!"
Sylvia felt as though she wanted to bash her head against the table. Her mother continued in this fashion for more than an hour before Sylvia decided to head to the castle to see Logan. She could not deal with her mother in this state. Choosing one of her more flattering dresses, Sylvia arranged a carriage and headed to Bowerstone Castle. Word must have spread quickly, for many of the guards and servants smiled knowingly and bowed to her.
"Sylvia!" said the princess as she entered the courtyard. "I'm so happy you and my brother are to be married! We'll be like sisters!"
"I am happy too! I've always wanted a little sister. I'm sure we're going to have many good times together," Sylvia said, watching as a vivid smile spread across the princess's (1) face.
"Are you nervous about becoming queen? I know I would be."
Sylvia was slightly taken aback, "Honestly, I haven't really thought about being queen. I suppose I am a little nervous…I don't have much experience in public affairs."
"I'm sure you'll be a great queen. Don't tell Elliot I said this, but he said you are going to be the most beautiful queen Albion has ever seen," the princess said in a hushed whisper.
Sylvia laughed, "Well tell him I said thank you. I appreciate the compliment."
"What young Elliot says is true."
Sylvia and the princess turned to find Logan standing behind them. He had just finished with his audience for the day and seemed in much better spirits than he normally was after said task. His eyes met Sylvia's, and then slowly trailed down the rest of her body. The dress she wore was more low cut than normal and seemed accentuate every curve of her body.
"I'm sorry little sister, but would you mind giving Sylvia and I a moment?"
The princess scampered off knowing full well that Logan would probably keep Sylvia to himself for the rest of the day. As soon as the princess was gone, Logan slipped his arms around his future bride's waist.
"Well this is a pleasant surprise," said Logan. "And might I add, you look positively…ravishing."
"I thought you would like it. I wanted to surprise you…and I needed to get away from my mother. She's being absolutely dreadful."
"I can imagine. I spoke with your father yesterday. He said your mother has been running about the house like a chicken with its head cut off."
"That is an understatement. She's driving me and my father mad. She's trying to plan every detail of the wedding now…then I mentioned the palace advisors and that sent her into another fit. Sometimes I wonder about her."
"I wouldn't let it bother you now, love," said Logan. "It's typically motherly behavior. My own mother could be that way at times. If anything, Walter has been acting more like a mother hen lately."
"Really?"
"How do you think the whole castle found out in a matter of days about our engagement? He told everyone as soon I announced it too him. Why, when I told him I was going to ask for your hand, he hugged me so hard I could barely breathe."
Sylvia laughed, "I always knew Walter had a sensitive side. He's just happy for you, my love. He does view you as his own son after all."
For the rest of the day, Sylvia remained at castle with Logan. Normally, she would stay for a few hours before returning to her home, but Logan and the princess insisted she stay. While Logan attended to some of this other duties, Sylvia and the princess spent a great deal of time together. Sylvia has always enjoyed spending time with young princess who was so like a sister to her. She had no siblings of her own, and even though the princess was twelve years her junior, she did not mind.
Once night fell, Logan led Sylvia to his bed chamber. He held Sylvia in his arms, just wanting feel her warmth against him. The sweet smell of her hair and the softness of her skin ensnared his senses. For long, unhurried moments they explored one another before becoming completely lost in their desires.
Darkness surrounded land and sky, seeping into every corner. The shadows lurked through the streets, killing the innocents and spilling their blood to the ground. Logan felt as though he were trapped in a daze as he walked the dark streets of Bowerstone. His people lay dead before him…their screams could still be heard in the air.
"We are coming" said the dark voice. "Albion will succumb to the darkness."
At once, Logan was surrounded by the shadow warriors. His blood ran cold as they approached…
"Who are you?" Logan shouted. "What do you want with my people?"
The shadows drew closer…the scent of blood growing ever more powerful. Logan had nowhere to run.
"We will snuff out every last light, smother every breath from every mouth, and stop the beating of every heart!" (2).
Logan's eyes shot open. He sat up quickly in his bed, shaking in fear. He shivered, and then noticed his entire body was drenched in a cold sweat. The nightmare had come to him again, but this time it felt even more real than the first. The voice in his dream dripped with evil and malice. Never before had he felt such a chill run through his veins. Catching his breath, Logan tried to rid himself of the images, but to no avail.
His mind was calmed slightly by the sight of Sylvia, who was fast asleep next to him. Her back was facing him and her pale skin was almost ethereal looking in the moonlight. Logan lightly ran his fingers down her spine, savoring the silky feeling against his own skin. Taking care not to wake her, Logan wrapped his arm around her waist and pressed his own body against her back. She stirred only slightly before falling back to sleep once more.
The hours passed by slowly, yet Logan found little relief from the images that plagued him. His eyes felt heavy, but sleep would not come to him. The only comfort he found was holding his fiancé against him. He could not help but feel that these dreams actually meant something. He had read stories as a child about those who received omens during the night while they slept. Perhaps he was receiving one himself.
'You fool…they are only children's tales,' Logan though bitterly.
Much too quickly, the sun began to rise, leaving Logan to begin his day with very little sleep. As he dressed, he debated whether or not to wake Sylvia, but in the end chose to let her rest. He would see her off after his audience.
As Logan neared the throne room, he noticed that no one had gathered for the audience. This was strange to Logan, for usually there were a few individuals waiting to speak to him. Instead, he saw Sit Walter by the stairs, apparently waiting for him.
"What's going on, Walter?" Logan asked.
"We have sent the audience away until tomorrow. It's nothing serious, but the council (3) has requested to have a meeting. They have a proposition for you."
"Do you know what kind of proposition? It's unusual for the council to interrupt an audience."
"They never tell me anything. I'm just an old soldier after all."
Logan made his way to the War Room. His council was waiting for him, talking quietly amongst themselves. The Royal Council consisted of eight men, each with a specific expertise. When Logan had first become king, he had met quite often with his council, seeking their advice in many important matters. As time passed he needed them less frequently, unless they requested his presence. As Logan sat down, they turned their full attention on him.
"Your Majesty," said Sir James, an elderly man who was the chief council member. "It has come to our attention that the castle treasury is running a little…low as of late. We understand and appreciate your kindly acts to the people of Albion, but your generosity is coming at a hefty price."
"As king," Logan began. "I want my people to live freely and happily. I am aware of the treasury situation, gentlemen. However, I have been firmly searching for ways to restore its wealth."
"If I may, your majesty, the council and I may have found a way to relieve your search."
James motioned toward another one of the council member, who then began to explain their plan, "You see, there is a remote destination which we believe could hold vast amounts of wealth for Albion. Across the sea, there is a continent called Aurora. I'm sure you have heard of it."
Logan was surprised by the suggestion, "I have. But I also know that it is nothing more than a barren desert. What wealth could Aurora possibly hold for us?"
"That is what most people believe, but we have received information from Bowerstone archaeologists that they have discovered many valuable gems and other resources. These gems are unlike any found in Albion to date and would be worth a fortune if they were mined and sold. Furthermore, Aurora is an important trading center for other nations. This could prove useful to our cause."
Logan paused for a moment, "Did these archaeologists find many of these gems? I am not fond of the idea of sending my men to this wasteland for a couple of rocks."
James reentered the conversation, "They found hundreds, and they believe that there are thousands more. And through trade, we could receive many other precious resources. You're Majesty, this is a valuable opportunity. Think of all you could do for Albion and its people with the wealth we collect from Aurora."
"This does sound promising, but we could not just barge into Aurora and begin mining their lands. We must send an ambassador…or perhaps I myself could sail to Aurora."
"But, you have duties here, Your Majesty," began one of the other members of the council. "Surely you would not want to be stuck on a boat all that time."
"The time spent sailing does not concern me. If I remember correctly, it does not take long too sail to Aurora."
"With our best ship, it would take only three days (4)," James replied. "And, sailing to Aurora yourself may improve your image. It will show the people of Aurora that you are a king who cares about his people and wants to take a proactive part in their future."
Logan listened quietly as the council continued to explain their plan. Perhaps Aurora was just what Albion needed. It was true, he had been slightly lax in looking after the treasury, and his spending had increased as of late. And, an expedition to a foreign land could lift his spirits, something which he desperately needed after the stress and nightmare problem. After the meeting, it was decided that Logan, along with decent sized group of advisors and Royal Guards, would sail to Aurora at the end of the week.
Logan returned to his bed chamber, where Sylvia has just finished tidying herself for the day. It appeared that Jasper, the main servant for his little sister, had taken the liberty of leaving Sylvia a new dress for the day. As Logan shut the door, Sylvia turned to greet him.
"Busy morning I presume?" she said.
"You could say that," Logan replied, sitting next to her on the large bed. "It appears at the end of the week I will be sailing to Aurora with a select group of my men."
"Aurora? I've heard stories of it…I thought it was just a desert?" Sylvia said with an arched brow. "Why are you going there?"
Logan explained the situation to her, and she seemed to agree that it was a valuable opportunity for Albion.
"How long will you be gone? Not too long I hope..."
"It only takes three days to sail there. But, it is uncertain how long I will remain in Aurora. Negotiations can be unpredictable and I want to make sure everything runs as smoothly as possible. I shall only be gone for a few weeks at most."
"That is very noble of you. You need to make your presence known to Aurora and you want to establish relations with its people."
Logan could sense the trepidation in Sylvia's voice, "Your voice betrays your words."
Sylvia turned to face him, "It's just…I will miss you when you're gone. But, I know as king you have duties to uphold. I will have to get used to this if I am to queen one day."
"And I will miss you as well, my dear," said Logan, pulling her close to him. "But, once I return we can begin planning for our wedding."
Sylvia could not help but smile at the thought, "Well, that certainly brightens things up a bit. And my mother will most undoubtedly be happy about that as well. Speaking of my mother…it is probably time I return home. I should tell her the good news."
Logan reluctantly agreed and escorted Sylvia to her home. Once he returned to the castle, he and the council began preparations for the expedition to Aurora.
From the spire, Theresa grew increasingly uneasy. She knew this day would come, yet she could not overcome the troubled feeling in her heart. She has seen Aurora many times her visions, even when Logan's father had just become king, the name Aurora echoed in her mind.
With this expedition, Logan would seal the fate for Albion…and its people.
A/N: There you have it! I hope you enjoyed it. From here on out, the following chapters will become increasing "darker". I actually started my second run through of Fable III today so that should help keep my inspiration of this story going. I really didn't know as to why Logan went to Aurora, but hopefully my take on it makes sense (does anyone know why he goes to Aurora?)
(1): I wasn't sure if 'princess's' was grammatically correct.
(2): This is an actual quote from the Crawler during the game.
(3): I assume as king, Logan had some sort of council or group of advisors.
(4): I have no idea how far away Aurora is from Bowerstone lol. It didn't seem like it took Walter and the princess too long to get there, so I just guessed.