Sorry it took so long, i thank everyone who reviewed and showed me how much this story made to them. now that i have a new copouter i can write omre often. enjoy the chapter as i have not much to say but thanks again and REVIEW:d

The Prince's Marriage

Chapter 11

Lily's POV

I watched my husband walk away from me, I hesitated, was I supposed to go after him? What if he didn't want my presence? I mean how would I feel? Embarrassed that I had let anger reach its boundaries and I did nothing to stop it, obviously I wouldn't be proud but he couldn't exactly block himself off from the world, he was a prince after all. Which was probably a good thing for him and for me, I didn't know if I could live a life with just myself to talk to. Stepping forward I decided it would be me who made peace, I mean wasn't that part of the wife's job that he had been complaining about since our marriage?

Walking swiftly and trying to avoid tripping over my long skirts I was able to catch up to James' long strides, placing a gentle hand on his arm I realized I had changed in the last two weeks since our marriage. I mean at the beginning I would not have done anything to cause him to stay let alone try to stop him, hell I would have been happy to see his back walk away from me. James looked down at me and I found myself speechless, I shouldn't have stopped him I mean what was I supposed to say? It's not your fault… it kind of it was his fault, sure I was yelling but it's not like I had meant to promote it. Taking my hand back from his arm I sighed and looked down, I saw his hand reach up and then drop. His feet started walking away; I looked up in time to see him round the corridor leaving me all alone in the gigantic entrance hall. The smell of failure hung strongly in the air.

Sitting on the grand stairs of the hall I decided it wasn't worth it, I would fix James' guilt and then leave it at that, I would no longer try to help him, I mean people you hated didn't do something like that for you so why should I? I mean I hate him right? Of course I did just remembering the forced marriage was enough to force myself off the stairs, I would write mother and then go down for dinner. I wasn't going to be a coward, if James' wasn't going to show I would find him myself. It was only right to, he had to eat and I had to get this over with so I could go back to completely hating him again.

Settling down in my chambers, I sat at one of the elegant writing tables. It was about time I wrote home, perhaps I would also write to Olivia she had to be missing me by now. Hopefully they both wrote back quickly. Instead of thinking about what I would write I let my feelings thoughts and everything pour into my letter.

Dear my darling mother

Being married isn't as bad as I had envisioned, it is very stressful and full of emotions I haven't quite learned to understand quite yet. I know it's only been two weeks since the marriage but I do miss home dearly. I have started duties which I am sure you would be happy to know are very similar if not more then what I had there at home.

James is well, we are in the middle of a learning curve, I feel as if I had grown and I want to help with this learning curve. Although if I was being honest with you mother as you know I always am I have decided this is the one and only time that I plan on helping out James or our marriage. However at the point I hate to sit here and watch him sink into doubt.

As for his mother Laura well we haven't been getting along fantastically I have tried being the mature grownup child you have raised, however she acts more like a child each time she tries to talk to me. Which has a fair few times, every time explaining my duties as a wife and that I should love him and express all feelings with him, being completely honest and on and on about my duties to my husband. I ask this question out of curiosity and a need to know, do you love my father? Have you always been honest with him? When exactly did you complete the marriage, we have yet to do so and let me be the first to assure you there is something wrong with me. I don't want to give myself to James however I feel as if he should want to and that I am not good enough for him…

Anyways mother I miss you dearly and I hope you and father are well. Do write back to me.

Sincerely your loving daughter

Lily

Feeling better already and I decided writing to Olivia would feel even better as I could go more in depth and tell her why it was bothering me. Knowing that my mother would think my letter foolish and I would be lucky to receive a reply at all. Either way I knew Olivia would write me, she had promised after all.

Dear my greatest friend Olivia

It has been a dreadfully long two weeks; I do hope you fair well. I am at a cross between well, confused, and horrifically emotionally of late. I have never considered myself a hysterically person although since arriving that's all I feel about myself. Have always been aware of my easy temper and have even tried quenching since arriving, however these often do not help me later on in the day when I am ready to burst and usually do.

James isn't nearly as bad as I had spoke of him before my leave, although he is by far the best person for me, I feel like we could be friends, and that's all I want from him. Although we have yet to completely complete the marriage if you know what I mean and I daresay that you do. The other night I even tried to bring it up however I left feeling ugly and bruised even though he had not touched me in any inappropriate way. I fear that he will lose his temper as he had last night and decide that it's the right time. Although I have learned that James isn't nearly as barbaric as other men I have met. Example at my welcome ball a Mr. Fielding who simple implied I would cheat on my own husband for him, and that all the wives do so.

Marriage has been tiring and I am glad I was able to wait until I did to get married, I do hope you wait. I fear you will no longer love me anymore with a new family to take care of. I wish you could be here with me, as I miss you dearly, I miss home really. But I hope to visit some day and when I do I hope to see you.

Love Always

Your best friend

Lily

Sighing I quickly reread through my letters before placing a seal on an envelope, I would send them in the morning, for now I had to get down to dinner. Walking through the halls I wondered anxiously if James would appear for dinner. Walking into the entrance hall I felt a weird sensation hit my stomach something that felt like disappointment wash through me as I saw the room empty but for the servants and maids. Sitting down I waited for the bell to be rung to signal dinner time, this was where I would find out if James would show or not. Even though if he didn't show I planned on finding him and explaining how I felt on this matter and so on. He would walk away feeling great if I could help it. Then I would butt out of anymore of his business, including Snape. A grown man should be able to take care of himself. It happened all around the world and I couldn't force James to understand the righteous way to do things. It wasn't my loss but his; I would just learn to have to block it out.

Just then James walked in, he seemed to tense up when he saw me, I smiled slowly and nodded towards the chair where his father usually sat. we were in charge now, meaning he would need to sit across from me, as he moved to sit down, I realized this wouldn't help as then he would need to look into my eyes and that might make him uncomfortable.

"No wait don't sit there." Said I as I quickly jumped from the chair and pointed to the next chair, so he would no longer have to look into my eyes at all. In fact the centerpiece could block our view of each other, what could be better? Maybe a little bit of view on my part wouldn't be too bad, however you couldn't have everything could you?

James didn't stand up to reach for my plate to fill it; instead he picked up his own and filled his own. Placing little bits of things on his plate, much less then he would usually take. Feeling guilty about his guilt if that even made sense I stood up and took his plate gently away from him, I looked at and then looked at the table, adding more of everything already on the plate. Smiling at the confusion on his face, I walked around the long table and placed his plate gently in front of him. For the first time since we had been married I felt like a wife, and a pretty good one at that.

James picked up his fork and started to lift it to his mouth, I watched him a huge smile on my face which I tried to cover with a sip of wine. I saw him swallow and I couldn't help but feel proud of what I had already accomplished, it may look like nothing to everyone else, but I felt internally I had walked a long way. As if I was finally meeting him half way as he had asked me too. Except now he wasn't reaching the other half, it was life he closed down, well that didn't matter I was reaching and I knew he would reach too when it was right.

Starting to eat my own food I decided this would be the best time to talk about something casual, getting him comfortable seemed like a good start. Then I could bring up the argument if that's what I was going to call it. Clearing my throat after another sip of wine I spoke.

"Feels strange without your mother and father here doesn't it?" I said deciding this would be a good neutral topic.

"hmm." Was his reply which I took as a yes?

"Do they travel a lot together?"

"No they do not." James said stiffly.

Becoming fed up with the less than talkative James, I decided I would have to skip the comfortable talk and jump right to the problem.

Taking another bite of my food, which I wasn't really tasting, I tried to look thoughtful even though I already knew my next subject.

"It wasn't your fault James, I haven't been very reasonable since I have arrived." I said as diplomatically as possible.

"That's no excuse what does that say about me? Who a woman let alone their wife?" he said a solemn look replacing the guilt.

"you get to decide who you are… you tried something and you don't like it so don't do it again, it's your choice of what you do and what you make of yourself." I said pleased with my logical answer. However James was not as he stood from the table and left the room. Leaving the room lonely.

Finishing my dinner I went to look for James, his plate of food in my hand, he had barely touched a thing. Deciding to check the north tower, I was sadly disappointed to have walked all the way up the stairs to find the room completely empty. Knowing he would not go to our chambers as there would be a chance I would use that as my own sanctuary. Checking his study next I was relieved to see him lying on the sofa his head covered with his arms.

Placing the plate on the table and moving an old rocking chair towards the couch, he looked up. He must have been shocked to see me as his eyes read bewilderment.

"You should leave." He said softly.

"Not until you finish your dinner, a man of your size needs to eat, just like anyone else needs to eat."

James sat up and looked the plate I grabbed off the table as I spoke; I sat back down in the rocking chair holding out to him his plate.

"I don't feel very hungry."

"That's enough now, all day you have been evasive and quiet, there is no need, you have expressed your guilt with your actions, and I see that you're a good man. Otherwise this would not bother you."

"It doesn't matter Lily I hit you and that's all there is to it, there is no excuse."He said sadly.

"Now stop talking nonsense, I may not know you the very best but I know that you have been nothing but gentle with me since I have arrived, we haven't even completed the marriage because of your gentleness, you'll handle your anger better next time as now you are more aware."

James shook his head, I was starting to lose hope what did I have to say to convince him he wasn't the only one at fault. Deciding to change my tactic I tried again.

"How many woman have you hit?"

James looked up surprise I could see his mind trying to understand the question, thinking it a trick question.

"I haven't-"

"Exactly." I said brightly. Before I could quite think through my next action I leaned forward slightly and let my lips cover his in a gentle kiss. I could feel his reluctance at first, but I wrapped my arms around his neck, my upper body reaching across the length to reach him. I could feel his resolve weakening and I felt myself smile into the kiss, which he started to return.

Feeling oddly safe in his arms I allowed him to kiss me till I couldn't breathe, when I finally pulled apart he looked, not solemn, not guilty and not confused, he looked completely dazed. I couldn't help but giggle at his expression, making it clear I was okay with this, I leaned forward towards him again and this time he came half the way as well. The kiss took my breath away; it was gentle, passionate, and beautiful all at the same time.

A knock interrupted our kiss; I pulled away as Snape entered the study. His face was still bruised but I looked away before I could see any other injuries, if I was too be ignoring it then I would have to cease to see it. Without a word being spoken, I heard the door close and footsteps walk away.

Turning back to the sofa where James sat I couldn't help but feel my face heat up; I had meant to help him, not kiss him. Realizing my huge mistake, one that was very misleading in many different forms, I turned away as he leaned forward; lifting myself from the chair and meaning to walk away and out the door. However now it was him who placed a hand on my arm. His huge hand wrapped around my small wrists as he pulled me against him.

"No!" I said simply and he released his hold on my arm, I hugged him lightly. He hugged me back, it may not have been the way I had planned on helping him, but it seemed to have worked and that had been the goal hadn't it?

"Let's go to sleep then." James said and he lead me to our bed chambers where we fell asleep peacefully, each of us on our own side of the bed, like every other night we shared a bed.