Meggie woke up the next morning in Farid's arms as he snored softly. She stirred and his eyes opened, a smile growing on his face when he realized Meggie was lying beside him.
"Good morning, princess." He murmured and kissed her softly.
"I hope you're ready for today." She whispered and placed her hands on his chest.
"Of course I'm ready; my only worry is that Gregory is going to try and cheat." He sighed and pushed a strand of her hair behind her ear.
"Pray to God he doesn't. I couldn't stand being married to him." She spat.
There was a knock at the door and Shivesh poked his head in. Farid pulled the blanket over Meggie's body and sat up.
"Princess Meggie, you must report to the stands immediately. Prince Farid, you are to suit up for the tournament." Shivesh spoke up. A maid walked in and helped Meggie out of bed as another maid pulled Farid towards the door.
"I'll see you after the tournament!" Farid called as he disappeared into the corridor.
Meggie sighed and the maids began to dress her up into a flowing red gown that squeezed her upper body tightly, causing her to breathe a little bit more than usually. Shivesh came in once the maids left and he closed the door behind him.
"As much as I dislike your beloved Farid, I wish him luck. I can see he makes you happy," Shivesh sighed.
"Thanks, I think." She laughed.
"If you try, you could catch him right before they send him out." Shivesh added.
Meggie took his word for it and ran into the hall, where she saw Farid preparing for the tournament.
"Farid, wait!" She cried and ran down to the hall, where he caught her in his arms. She smiled and wrapped her arms around his torso.
"I have to go through with this or else I won't be able to marry you." He murmured and took her hands in his. He placed a soft kiss on her lips and she threw her arms around his neck.
"Promise me you'll be okay." She whispered into his ear.
"I promise, and we'll be able to live together in happiness." He reassured her. A servant ushered him out to the courtyard, where Meggie was pulled to a large stand where the king sat. He smiled as she took her seat beside him, where the games could clearly be seen.
"So how many challenges are in the tournament?" She asked after a few moments of silence.
"Three: archery, sword fighting, and then the final event is where you decide the winner." The king replied.
"I get to choose my husband?" She asked excitedly.
"Yes, but if one of them wins both challenges, that is who will be your husband." The king replied. Meggie let out a stressful sigh and she sat back in her chair, preparing for the tournament to begin.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Dustfinger stood impatiently in the front yard as Mo prepared to read him in, Gwin perched on his shoulders. Once Mo was ready, Dustfinger stood up and Gwin buried himself in his coat. Mo pulled out a piece of paper and began to read. As he did, Dustfinger saw that the room had began to vanish and Gwin growled as he poked his head out. Dustfinger shoved him back into his coat and brushed sand away when it came in contact with his face.
"Damn sand!" The fire-dancer growled. When he placed his hand over his face in defense, a bow and arrow fell onto the ground.
"What the-" Before he could say another word, he vanished, leaving Mo standing in a pile of sand. Before he did anything else, Mo raced into the house and up the stairs, where Elinor and Resa sat while they waited for Mo to finish reading.
"Well it's about time you finished. I thought you were never going to finish," Elinor scoffed. "My God, Mortimer, what is that on your clothes?"
"It's sand, Elinor, its sand." He sighed and set the paper on a table nearby.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
After the two tournaments, it was a tie. Gregory had won the archery challenge, but Farid had completely mastered the sword fight. As the tournament stopped for a break, Meggie went to go catch up with Farid. To her surprise, he was already waiting for her in front of the steps.
"Farid!" She cried happily and picked up her dress, running into his arms. He laughed and held her against his chest tightly as if the wind could blow her away.
"I told you everything would be fine," He murmured.
"I know, and I'm glad I was wrong." She sighed. He bent down and kissed her softly as she wrapped her arms around his neck.
"Since we'll be getting married, would you like to get a new necklace?" He asked and took her necklace in one of his hands, the other around her waist.
"No, I like this one. It was the first one you got me," She replied.
"As you wish." He smiled and she snuggled up against him.
Gregory watched bitterly from a few feet away as Dariad ate an apple beside him.
"What's wrong with you?" Dariad asked.
"Aside from the fact that Farid's winning over my girl, nothing much." Gregory said sarcastically.
"Just try to convince your dad that he should choose for her. That way, he'll choose you," Dariad suggested.
"Farid's always been his favorite; I wouldn't stand a chance." Gregory explained.
"Well I could help you kidnap her tonight if she really does choose him. We could meet with my bandits and then I'd help you escape with her." Dariad snickered.
"That's not a bad idea." Gregory muttered. "If she does choose Farid, then we'll snatch her when no one's looking."
Suddenly, a large gust of wind blew and nearly knocked everyone off of their feet. Farid kept Meggie close and they bent down as a chair flew by. After the sudden burst of wind died down, there was someone lying in the middle of the field, cursing as he stood up.
"Stupid Silvertongue; can't even read someone into a story without causing a scene." The man muttered. Meggie realized it was Dustfinger after Gwin popped out of his coat.
"Dustfinger?!" Meggie gasped and ran to the man. He stood up and ruffled her hair.
"Wow, this was easier than I thought." Dustfinger chuckled.
"How did you get here?" Meggie asked.
"Your dad read me in to keep you safe until he could read us out." The fire-dancer replied.
"Who is this?" Farid asked as he joined the two. Meggie stepped back and Farid put his arm around her waist, pulling her close. Dustfinger examined the two carefully and a grin broke out on his face.
"You found yourself a husband?" Dustfinger questioned.
"Well we're not exactly married yet, but this tournament is supposed to decide whether he can marry me or not." Meggie explained.
"Won't your father be please when he finds out his daughter's been hitched." Dustfinger snorted.
"Is he a friend of yours?" Farid asked.
"He turned me in to an evil man, but I guess he made up for it somehow." Meggie replied.
"I helped your dad rescue your mother." Dustfinger spoke up. "I did more than just 'make up' for what I did. I even helped them defeat Capricorn."
"My mother's alive?" Meggie gasped.
"Yes, she's back home with Elinor and Silvertongue." Dustfinger replied.
"Wow, a lots happened since I've been gone." Meggie muttered. Farid kissed the top of her head softly and rubbed her arms comfortingly.
"You'll go back soon, so no need to have a fit over it." He whispered. She nodded and rested her head on his shoulder.
"You two really do make a cute couple," Dustfinger smirked, causing the two to blush.
"Princess Meggie, have you decide who your husband shall be?" The king called from the stand.
"Yes," She replied and Farid took her hands in his. "And I choose Farid."
"The wedding shall be in two days!" The king announced. "All hail to the prince and princess!"
The crowd erupted in cheers and claps while Farid and Meggie smiled at each other lovingly. Dustfinger crossed his arms and rolled his eyes, but he couldn't help but grin. Meggie had certainly been busy while she'd been read in.
So what do you think? Dustfinger might be a little bit OOC but I think I got him down pretty well. By the way, there's a poll up in my profile and I think you guys should go take it if you want a sequel. Well that's it for now, so adios! Review!