Thanks to everyone still reading. A few people are asking for longer updates and more Brittana, both totally valid requests. I'm in med school, so I'm imaginably busy, hence the updates aren't huge, and as for Brittana, there is more to come, however this fic follows the movie pretty closely, so they only really interact when the characters they're based on do… However, I am planning on adding some of my own plot to the end of the fic after the movie plot is written, which will be very Brittana centric, so stay tuned. Reviews are love, I own nothing.
Once she felt recovered enough to move, Brittany slipped quietly through the house, not in the mood to see Molly or Emma or even Lauren again and be fussed over. There was only on person she wanted to see, and that was Princess Santana. Last night was starting to feel more and more like a distant dream, and Brittany desperately wanted confirmation that it had in fact been real, and that the princess did care for her.
Slipping into one of the spare rooms, she quickly rifled through one of the many chests full of old dresses which Lauren had long ago outgrown, and after selecting one which looked as small as could be expected around the waist, without being too short, she carefully pulled it on, combed her hair out and continued on her way.
Reaching the stables, she murmured quietly to Coal as she located his tack, the big black horse watched her with untroubled eyes, and she found some comfort in the animal that had been with her for as long as she could remember. Hoisting the heavy leather saddle up onto Coal's broad back, proved harder than the blonde anticipated, as stretching again reopened some of wounds on her back that were beginning to scab, but with a whimper of pain, she pushed on, until Coal was fully prepared and ready to be ridden.
Swinging herself up into the saddle, was also rather painful, but Brittany barely let herself pause to recover before she was urging Coal forwards into a steady trot, anxious to be back in the arms of the woman she loved.
The ride was usually short to the old monastery, and it was made even shorter by the fact that as soon as they reached the open fields, Brittany crouched forward in the saddle, relaxing her reins to give the horse his head, letting him open out his stride into a flat out gallop, both of them enjoying the freedom of traveling with such speed.
When Coal eventually tired, for he was no longer as fit as he once was, Brittany slowed him back to an easy trot, laughing as he snorted in delight, clearly enjoying their little trip together.
As they entered a clearing close to their destination a sound through some trees startled the big black horse, backing him jump a little with fright. Brittany had always been an excellent rider, it was one of the many things her Father had taught her from a very early age, and even though now she did not ride as much as she once had, her mastery of the animal was still complete, and she soothed him with some gentle words and a pat to the neck, before urging him forward to investigate the noise further.
In the next clearing over, Brittany recognized Santana's beautiful white Arabian horse, Snow, who was tethered to a tree and digging around in the dirt with his hooves searching for stray shoots to nibble on. Brittany was almost tempted to tie Coal beside Snow, so that they could keep each other company whilst she went to meet Santana. That thought quickly left her mind however as she remembered the first day she had met the princess, when she had 'borrowed' the very horse that Brittany was now sat on. Deciding she couldn't risk Coal being recognized, she doubled back on herself, dismounting and tethering him a few clearings to the East, in order to keep him out of the princess's way.
Picking her way carefully back through the foliage, approaching the ruins of the monastery, Brittany heard a soft humming coming from inside the remains of the building. The voice she knew to be Santana's, was weaving easily in and out of a melody she did not recognize, but found still so captivating regardless. Creeping quietly through the entrance and following the sound until she reached one of the old prayer rooms, Brittany left herself unannounced, choosing instead to lean against the doorframe, content to watch and listen to the natural beauty of the princess for just a little while longer.
Staring out through the shattered pane of a once beautiful stained glass window, Santana hummed to herself, letting the melody wash through her brain and ease her thoughts. She had been at the ruins for a little over an hour, riding there as soon as she could feasibly escape from the palace, anxious to see Brittany again. Tonight was the night of her coronation, and the weight of what was to come felt heavy around her neck… Princess Santana was soon to become Queen Santana, and she desperately needed not to lose herself to that fact, and the only person she knew who could make her feel like she was still just Santana in all this craziness was the lady Brittany Von Gent.
Santana's thoughts wondered to the beautiful blonde courtier, as she hummed her melody still. Brittany was the reason for her doing all of this, the reason that tonight, she would kneel before her father and the religious leaders and take on the crown of the true Monarch, something she had previously sworn never to accept.
Meeting Brittany had not only given her perspective on her own life, but also the lives of others… How many more were like them in the Kingdom, having founding their soul mates but unable to marry and had that love freely expressed for fear of punishment. Santana's heart soured with joy as she thought of the happiness the first law she planned to pass as Queen, would bring not only to her, but to hopefully many others. To find true love was more than she ever hoped for, and once she found that love, a way for it to live on, and for Brittany to live by her side seemed unattainable, yet here she was, on the cusp of all her hopes and dreams. She paused in her music making, to let out a heavy sigh, as she felt instantly lighter for remembering the reasons why tonight she was to be coronated.
In the silence, she became aware of something stirring behind her, before she had chance to turn around, a pair of slender arms encircled her waist, and soft lips pressed delicately against the nape of her neck, the scent of violets telling her the object of her earlier daydreams had arrived.
"Your highness" Brittany greeted her, the formal title seeming strange in the context, as she continued to place gentle kisses down the caramel skin of Santana's neck, "M'Lady" Santana replied back, equally formal, deciding to indulge Brittany's little game.
"I thought you may have left to prepare for tonight" Brittany murmured, her mouth still half occupied with tasting every inch of exposed skin available to her. "I have thought of nothing but you all day" Santana admitted, "I would not wish to be coroneted Queen of the Kingdom, without laying my eyes on you before hand…" she paused, turning in Brittany's arms until they were face to face, smiling as she took in the rosy cheeks and slightly tousled hair of her love, "Or this…" the princess continued, inching forward until their lips met in a kiss that started off gentle and build until it was passionate and full.
Brittany smiled into the kiss, as Santana's hands ran experimentally up and down her sides, before skimming one of her breasts ever so lightly, earning the princess a quickly stifled moan for her troubles. Brittany had never been kissed, let alone been intimate with anyone before, man or woman, but as the princess held her close and touched her so lovingly, she could feel a delicious tension begin to form in her stomach, and a longing she had never felt before immerge within her.
Feeling the other woman pull her closer, Santana took it as a sign and deepened the kiss, her tongue gently grazing the other woman's lower lip, requesting entrance which she was easily given. As they explored each other's mouths freely, Santana could feel the want rising within her. Pulling away so that just their foreheads touched, she looked deep into blue eyes, dark with desire, and let out a breathy gasp as she drunk in the other woman.
"I'm in love with you, I want to spend forever with you by my side, it is my dream, and I promise you I shall make it a reality" the words escaped Santana's mouth before she could hold them back, "I'm so in love with you, and I have dreamt of nothing else since the moment we met" Brittany replied honestly, before crashing their mouths together again. Santana carefully walked the blonde back towards a half crumbled wall, their lips never parting, neither of their hands ever leaving the other's body.
As her back collided with the rough stone of the wall, despite how gentle Santana was, Brittany could not help but cry out in pain as her wounds from earlier protested angrily at the sudden pressure. Springing back Santana's eyes were full of concern and confusion.
"Did I hurt you Brittany?" she enquired, taking the blonde's face between her hands lovingly, and watching dismayed as beautiful blue eyes willed with unshed tears.
"No" Brittany managed to stutter out, unsure now if the tears were due to the pain, embarrassment or disappointment that the moment had been interrupted. Standing there looking into the eyes of the other woman, so honest and caring, the concern she saw on the princess's face was suddenly too much for Brittany, and her tears spilled over and left salty tracks down her cheeks as they fell. She was a fraud, Santana had just told her she was in love with her, yet she did not even know her real name.
The lies had started as a way to save Mr Figgins life, but eventually the lie had become better than reality, so Brittany had let it continue, doing whatever she had to in order to keep Santana in her life, but now, they were in love, and she was a liar, and stood to lose the only person she had ever been in love with. Santana had promised she would find a way for them to be together, as two women that would be extremely difficult, add in the fact that she wasn't a courtier, but a mere servant, and Brittany thought it was absolutely impossible. She had lied with the best intentions, but looking into Santana's eyes, she suddenly realized what that lie had cost her, what it had cost them both – true love.
Not knowing what to do, she leaned in and kissed a stunned Santana one last time, her tears turning the exchange salty, as she poured her heart, her soul, everything she felt she had inside her, into that one small gesture, before she turned, and ran, ignoring the princess's cries as she departed.
Brittany made it back to the manor in good time, the ride home helping some with blocking out all the emotions she felt coursing through her, tearing her apart from the inside out. She had never experienced guilt or self-hatred like she felt as she unsaddled coal and gave him some oats for his service. Brittany had been many things; people often called her 'stupid' or 'dim' because she didn't quite see things like everybody else, but one thing she had never been was selfish.
By continuing to feed her addiction and her want for Santana, doing whatever it took to be near her, which basically was lying, she had set them both up for the greatest fall either of them would ever experience. As she walked back to the house to begin her chores before her stepmother and Jesse returned, she pondered what hurt more, to never find true love, or to find that love and lose it.
Angry at the world, the blonde was determined to have at least one small victory in amongst the chaos that had become her life, and creeping quietly into Jesse's chambers, she quickly took the suit and shoes that were laid out for tomorrow's ball, noticing bitterly the over the top outfit he had also selected for the coronation that evening, before she slunk away to hide the items. Everything else may be going wrong and seemly out of her control, but this, she had a choice in, and horrible Jesse would not be wearing her Father's suit to go and watch the woman she loved become Queen and announce her engagement to someone else.
An hour or so later, Brittany's work on scrubbing the kitchen floor was interrupted when the Marquis came barreling into the room, Jesse hot on her heels. "Where is it?" Terry cried angrily.
"I know you hid it you spiteful little wretch!" Jesse spoke up, glowering at Brittany, who simply stood from her knees to face her accusers.
"I did" she admitted calmly, "For I would rather die a thousand deaths than see that scoundrel attempting to win over the princess in my father's suit."
"Yes well, we know all about your little games with the princess" the Marquis told the blonde, her voice so loud she was practically screaming with rage.
Emma, Molly and Lauren entered the room just in time to see the Marquis grab Brittany by the hair and begin to drag her out of the room, still shouting, "Whether the princess was actually dense enough to befriend someone like you, or you have influenced her with your sick and disgusting ways into thinking the two of you share some deeper bond, I do not care" Terry declared cruelly, as she ignored Brittany's struggles and continued to drag her along towards the stair case that lead down to the cellar.
"Let me go! Santana will find out about this…please, just let me go" Brittany cried, tears leaking unashamedly down her face, as her scalp and her back stung, as did the Marquis's words.
"How dare you address the woman that is to be our Queen by anything other than her full title?" the Marquis bellowed, pushing Brittany cruelly towards the top step of the stairs, then watching as she tipped off balance and fell down the whole flight, crumpling in heap at the bottom, the others gasped, and Emma cried out in horror.
Barely giving the blonde time to get up, Terry was down the stairs after her, and hauling her up again by her blonde tresses, she forced Brittany to face her, "Your sick goings on with the princess are over. And 'Santana' will nto be coming looking for you, Jesse and I have made quite sure of that, as far as she is concerned you are no longer in the country let alone the kingdom."
Brittany's face fell at this realization, and a fresh wave of tears washed down her face. Sniggering cruelly, Terry continued, "Now this is your last chance, tell me where you put the suit."
"I would rather die" Brittany spat back, the blood in her mouth making her want to wretch, and the pain shooting through her limbs making her want to curl up into a bawl and cry, the pain of losing Santana making her wish for death, but instead she stood tall and stood her ground one last time.
With a grunt of dissatisfaction, Terry used the key to the cellar she kept worn around her neck to open the door, before roughly shutting Brittany inside and replacing the lock.
As she turned to ascend the stairs, she zeroed in on the servants, who were regarding her with nothing but purely horrified expressions, "Gather everything and anything you can find, we are going to market tomorrow at dawn, Jesse needs a suit" she declared.
"It is only a suit!" Lauren spoke up, surprising everyone, "We can barely afford to live as we are, yet you wish to sell more…It is only a ball!" she cried out in anguish.
"Yes and you're only going for the food" the Marquis returned, barely batting an eyelid at the cruelty with which she addressed her own daughter. Laurens face fell, and dropping her gaze to the tile floor she fell silent.
"Any one opens that door and they shall meet a fate far, far worse," she promised, before shooing Jesse up the stairs to get ready for the coronation.
Mr Figgins had watched the whole scene unfold with both disgust and anger, Brittany had saved his life, and now he knew he had to do the same for her. The whole situation was a mess, but thinking quickly he came up with a plan, that gave them at least a chance of fixing it.
Without saying a word to Molly or Emma, he headed off as fast as his old and weary legs would carry him, out of the back door of the manor and over to the Chang's neighboring farm. As soon as he arrived he called out to Mike, and the boy came running out of the barn to see what all the commotion was about.
Without a moment to spare, Figgins quickly explained the situation to the boy, and told him that he simply had to get word to the Princess Santana of what had happened, the old man would have done it himself, but he could barely walk, let alone find a way to get to the palace, and then over the wall.
Mike was reluctant at first, unsure of how he was going to complete such a quest and fearful for all of their safety if he was to be caught, when Figgins however, reiterated how desperately important it was, thinking of his oldest friend, and what the princess so obviously meant to her, Mike Chang reluctantly agreed.
As the evening drew closer, Santana found herself feeling increasingly nervous, of course she had nothing to worry about, she was to be named Queen of the Kingdom, then she would announce her new law, and publicly ask for Brittany's hand in marriage, then Brittany would accept and they would share a beautiful slow waltz around the palace ballroom, as Schuester and his performers made sweet music in the background… Forcing herself out of her daydream, Santana let out a little smile at her own naivety. She knew in reality, that there was little chance things would play out so perfectly, there was bound to be an uproar from her parents and the townsfolk alike when she passed her first law, not to mention the jealousy and spite that would run through the crowd like a plague when she asked for Brittany's hand, but none of that mattered, they were going to be together, and to Santana that was all she needed.
"Darling, there you are" Queen Maria addressed her Daughter as she entered her chambers, "How do you feel?" she asked, as she moved to perch on the four-poster bed beside the girl.
"Nervous, but excited" Santana admitted, "I know I have shown reistance, but I am ready for this Mother, I am finally ready to lead the Kingdom, and I have thought long and hard about what I wish for my reign to bring to the people."
Maria smiled, blinking back the tears, and nodding encouraging, before she took her daughters hand, her voice breaking as she spoke, "Oh Santana, all your life I have watched you, always knowing this day would come, I was always so afraid for you, so fearful that you were born into an obligation that you could not handle, but now, seeing you sitting before me, hearing the words you are saying, I can see that you are no longer that little girl, but a woman, a woman who is ready to be Queen, and lead our mighty kingdom into pastures anew and greener."
Santana felt tears pricking at her own eyes, as she stared back at her mother, smiling as she took in her words of praise, before the two woman shared a hug, a brief display of affection that was rare between them, but to Santana in that moment, it meant so much.
"And what of the engagement?" The Queen questioned as they parted. "Decided" Santana replied stoically, she planned to keep her intended fiancée a secret until she announced it after she was made queen, that way no one could argue or try to dissuade her from her plans.
Maria was truly happy that her daughter seemed to have everything set out, she hoped that whatever decisions she was to make would be the right ones, but seems as though the girl seemed content enough, she did not worry for her as she previously had.
"I had afternoon tea with the St James boy, Jesse, and his mother" she told her daughter, "They told me of the news of the courtier Von Gent, I was awfully sorry to hear about it, I know you two were close."
"What news?" Santana questioned, an unexplainable feeling of doom slithering down her spine to settle into her stomach, before she had time to ponder any further her mother's face twisted into first a confused, then a sorrowful expression, "You didn't know?" she asked, her voice soft and full of sympathy.
"Know what Mother?" Santana questioned, growing a little frustrated with the situation and in desperate need of an explanation.
"I'm so sorry to have to be the one to tell you this" Maria started, sighing deeply before she continued, "Brittany was staying with Jesse and his Mother over at Tubbington Manor, she left today, something about an engagement with a Belgian" the queen explained gently.
On hearing this, Santana sprang to her feet and hurriedly began buckling on her sword, "Left? Well where did she go? In which direction did they take her?" she questioned as she rushed around the room in search of any other provision she may need to take on her mission to bring the woman she loved back.
"Santana, you need to sit down" her mother's voice was soft, but there was an authority there that she could not argue with. Though her head was reeling, and every fibre of her being pushed her to hurry out of the door to look for Brittany, she forced herself back over to the bed, and uneasily perched on its edge.
In the moments silence that followed Santana wondered how they must have forced Brittany to do such a thing, perhaps she was suffering an arranged marriage, as the princess had been threatened with herself, regardless, Santana was determined to save the beautiful blonde, and bring her back to her side, where she belonged.
"Darling" the Queens voice was soft and full of regret, her face a mask of concern as she spoke, "Brittany has not left in any direction which you can follow, she boarded a ship a few hours ago set to sail non-stop to Belgium, and she was not taken, she left freely of her own accord."
"Nonsense!" Santana almost shouted as she jumped up and began to pace the room, she fought not to let herself believe what she was hearing, but even as she did so she could feel the hairline fracture that formed right down the center of her heart, splitting open a little further with every second that passed without any other explanation for the turn of events.
"I'm so sorry" Maria spoke up, trying to comfort her child, "According to the Marquis it was a long-standing engagement, and she simply couldn't wait any longer so she decided to leave for Belgium today, to take the man as her husband at first light when she arrived."
"A long-standing engagement?" Santana questioned, the world crashing around her, barely believing what she had just heard.
The Queen looked on with sad eyes, as she watched her only daughter's heart break, leading the woman to wonder exactly what her relationship with the girl had been. Maria was no fool, she had heard talk in the town of that kind of love, the kind condemned by both bible and politics, and as she looked at the scene before her – her child breaking into a million pieces before her eyes, on the night of her coronation, the queen couldn't help but wonder if the loss of this girl was for the best. Such a love, especially one as deep as Santana's obviously was, could have cost her so much, perhaps in some small way she had been sparred heartache later on.
Letting herself sink to the floor, her sword still buckled around her waist clanking as it hit the smooth oak boards, Santana gave way to the tears that were choking her. Brittany had belonged to another all along; she had never been hers to begin with. The more the princess thought about it, the clearer it became. The girls initial reluctance to tell her of her name, or where she was boarding, the way they never met in public, and finally, that afternoon, when Brittany had broken down, then kissed and ran away. Santana felt physically sick as she realized, that kiss had not been a promise of what was to come, it had been a goodbye.
Seeing her daughter needed time to collect her thoughts, reluctantly, Maria Lopez stood, gave the girls shoulder a gentle squeeze, then left her chambers, gently closing the door behind her, sighing sadly as a heart-wrenching sob crept out from behind the heavy wood.