A/N: I'd like to thank Arbella Scott, Fire Emblem MewMew, FE Frog and Lanayru for their reviews and support.
Okay, I was expecting to update much sooner, 'cause the other chapter was a cliffhanger, but it ended up I didn't until now, so sorry for making you all wait. Now, on with the chapter.
Lucia took a look behind her when she heard something in the bushes, but turned back around when nothing appeared to be there. However, she was now face to face with two bandits; bandits who had a hold of the princess, and her brother.
Chapter Three: Journey to the Woods (part 2)
"So, how much do you think we'll get for these kids?" asked the man who had Geoffrey.
"I think we'll get a good price," said the second man. "Now I just need to get this other kid."
He stepped forward to grab Lucia with his free hand, but she had already drawn her sword. She charged at him in attempt to free the princess, but failed when she was pushed to the ground.
Geoffrey didn't want to sit and let his sister fight alone –even is she wanted to. So, he bit the bandit's hand to break free of his clutch. He pulled out his lance and took a quick glance back at his sister before trying to free Princess Elincia.
"Looks like we got some feisty ones here," the bandit remarked.
Geoffrey ignored his remark, and took a step back so he was standing by his sister. They gave each other an assuring nod before unleashing a simultaneous attack on the bandit. He was stunned by their attack for just a split second, but it was just enough to cause him to drop his captive.
Elincia remained frozen on the ground, suffering from scare and shock.
"Come on Geoffrey, let's go!" ordered Lucia, returning her sword to her scabbard and grabbing Elincia on her back.
"Right!" the boy replied, following her lead.
Geoffrey and Lucia ran past rows and rows of trees, trying to escape the pursuing bandits.
The sun was now setting, far in the east and darkness was slowly creeping upon them.
"I think they're gone," said Elincia, after a long ways of running.
Both Geoffrey and Lucia instantly stopped in their tracks and took a look behind, only to see that there was no one in sight. Her two retainers let out a sigh of relief under their heavy, panting breath.
"It seems that they are," replied Geoffrey, sinking to his knees.
"It's getting dark," commented Lucia. "We should be getting back to the castle. I'm sure everyone is already well aware that we've gone." She looked in her brother's direction, seeing him nod in agreement.
The princess gave her retainers a disappointed look. "But, what about-"
"Elincia," Geoffrey strictly cut her off. "It is dangerous to go back."
"If we encounter those bandits again, we're as good as done; they'll either kill us, or sell us off." The young princess was taken aback at Lucia's word; she could feel a chill go down her spine. "O-okay," she happened to voice out.
They linger around no longer, for rain had began to fall upon them. So, they continued to make their way toward Castle Crimea.
--
Lucia and Geoffrey ran in through the door, heavily panting, water dripping from the tip of their hairs and the hem of their sleeves. They both were shivering from the cold rain that fell upon them; but despite that, they managed to give each other a smile. Elincia, who had fallen asleep, was now riding on Geoffrey's back. He leaned her against the entrance-way wall and sat down.
"Looks like we made it back..." said Geoffrey in a weary voice.
Lucia gave her brother a nod in reply.
As if one cue, Elincia woke up to see her friends, and retainers, with looks of exhaust, and relief. She gave a compassionate smile before beginning to say, " Lucia...Geoffrey...Tha–"
"Your Majesty! We have found them! Lucia, Geoffrey and Elincia have returned!"
The vassal who had just run in cut her off, but Geoffrey and Lucia needed her to say no more; they understood completely.
"They have returned?" The three of them could hear angered voice; a voice which belonged to none other than King Ramon. "Bring them here immediately. I must speak with the three of them."
--
"Have you any idea of how worried we were?" exclaimed King Ramon. "When I heard that neither Geoffrey nor Lucia attended their training session, it made me think they had disappeared. And when I realized that I had not seen you, Elincia, I was thinking you disappeared with them." He looked directly in his daughter's direction; but she refused to look back at him. She stood there, her amber eyes deeply studying the floor beneath her.
Lucia opened her mouth, but before any words could come out, King Ramon continued speaking. "I ordered everyone to halt their duties and commence a search for the three of you. Before you had returned, I was convinced that you had been kidnapped and on your way to Begnion to be sold as slaves!"
Geoffrey and Lucia looked at each other from the corner of their eyes both thinking similar thoughts. 'It's enough that he knows about our trip to the wood, but if he finds out that his assumption was almost a reality, we're sure to receive a great punishment.'
"But... we did almost get kidnapped..." said Elincia, timidly but with all sincerity.
His eyes widened when he heard her words. He slowly looked at each of them, one by one, an enraged expression on his face. But they failed to look back at him.
"Lucia!" Her eyes made contact with the king's the moment he called her name.
"Yes Your Majesty?" she replied, showing full respect.
How did you let this happen? You are the eldest; and I am very sure that you strictly knew the woods were forbidden."
The king was very intimidating, but she found her voice and spoke up. "Ye-yes Your Majesty. I understood, yet I disobeyed you orders; and I will take full responsibility for my actions."
"But father, if it hadn't been for Lucia and Geoffrey, I would have been captured!" Elincia interjected.
"But that does not excuse them from their punishment." He saw both Lucia and Geoffrey nod as if they were completely aware of that fact already. "Now...for your punishment," continued the King, with a stern voice. "The three of you are to remain in your rooms, and are not to leave for any reason in the slightest. I will assign one of the servants to check on you every hour. Your meals will be brought to you; however, you are to miss out on super. And if you are to disobey me, this punishment will proceed for the next two days. Do you understand?"
"Yes Your Highness," Geoffrey and Lucia said in unison, kneeling down before the King Ramon.
Elincia blankly looked at the scene before her. "...Yes father. I understand," she finally said, her voice barely audible.
"Now," continued King Ramon, his tone changing completely. "How about some super?" I"m sure you must be starving."
The mood in the room suddenly changed, and now everyone had a smile plastered on their faces. And it continued to be that way as they followed the king towards the dining hall.
-To be continued...
A/N: Well, thanks for reading, and as always, reviews are welcomed.
Next Time: Now, trying to prove to King Ramon that they can obey his word, the three of them attempt to remain in their rooms. But will they be able to fufill his orders? Chapter Four: Journey to the Woods (part 3)