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abbie - thank you so much! I'm very glad you enjoyed the chapter and now after what seems like forever, here's an update! XD Average Everyday Sane Psycho - Thanks doll! Wolvmbm - thank youu! I always look forward to your input, it's so uplifting, thanks again! :) Ashlynn Cariaga - awwww well everything has to come to an end, but this isn't it yet! I do hope you stay tuned, :) queencharming21 - thank you! And it's right here ;D

I know it's seemed like forever and five years, but I'm here with an update! I do hope you enjoy it and haven't forgotten about this story, thanks for reading! :)

A Royal Gone Rebel
Chapter Ten

One and all heard about Ashlynn's misfortunes in her Kingdom and they had united to bring medicines to the sickly, prosperous food to the hungry, water to the mouths of the thirsty - there was finally a light of hope. The wedding had been postponed, much to some specific people's dismay - the focus was bringing the Kingdom back to full bloom.

Ashlynn and Apple were giving out toys to the children and food to the parents. A full cart of apples, accompanied by various fruits, vegetables and bread behind them. "Thank you so, so much!" Ashlynn hugged her dear friend Apple White. "I really couldn't have done this without any of you."

Daring and Dexter were delivering medicines to the Kingdom doctors and nurses, to administer the townsfolk as so desperately needed. With the help of Ashlynn's dear friends, they'd bring everything back together. A little teamwork was all they needed after all!

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Meanwhile, in a far-off Kingdom - their success was less than favorable. "I thought you said it was a sure-fire plan, son."

"It is! I mean, was. . . I don't know how she did it." Roland sighed, feeling defeated already and he didn't even fight. "She's beautiful and smart, that's how she did it."

"Are you going to let this one slide like you have all the others?" The angry King talked down to his son, Roland. "You can't let her go. You have to seize her, I don't care how." He pounded his fist against the throne arm. His expression softened briefly, "Your mother wants to see you married and on your way to having a family before she dies. We don't have long, she's very ill."

Roland tried his hardest not to shed a tear, but he couldn't help it. His mother was the glue for their small family, and without the glue - it would all soon fall apart. She had an illness that medicine couldn't cure. It was hardly helping her, there was no stronger medicine to turn to. There was no turning, it was a halt. Until she was no more. "I know." Roland turned his back to his father, another tear slowly sliding down his cheek as he walked away.

Outraged that his son had nothing to say, he hauled over a guard. "I don't care how you do it, but take down that little princess's kingdom, in its entirety."

"Yes sir, as you wish." Guards upon more guards all rushed out of the throne room, to let the King simmer in his thoughts while they planned their attack.

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After all the hard work they put into bringing the Kingdom back to life, it was only fit to invite everyone to stay for a celebratory dinner and the evening was a grand celebration indeed. But it was very unexpected, the result as Ashlynn and her parents laid eyes over their Kingdom, it was ruined!

The only thing that remained were half burned houses and smoke from an assumed wildfire. "No! No, no, no." Ashlynn buried her face into the chest of her father, who was equally distraught. Their beautiful Kingdom, was no more. Right before their own eyes. Lively and colorful once again, only to become nothing but debris the following morning.

Both Ashlynn's parents hugged her tightly, "You tried sweetheart, you and your friends tried. That's all that matters. You tried your hardest. You did what you felt was in your Royal heart. Please don't cry, Ashlynn."

She sobbed, not for her future - even though that wasn't so bright now either - but for the terrified souls that endured the wild fire in the midst of the night. Those poor families who'd already lost - suffered even more. They were supposed to bring peace, and food and supplies so they wouldn't die! Now there was a vast, messy, empty space of nothingness where a Kingdom once stood. "I. . . need to see Roland. I have to marry him, it's the only way."

The King and Queen were astonished that Ashlynn still wasn't ready to give up on their wilting Kingdom, she was going to give it one last shot - by sacrificing her own happiness. "Ashlynn, you don't-"

"I have to, it's our last chance. It's. . . my duty."

"Ashlynn!" The sound of the big doors opening and Roland running in to see her and her family standing there. "As soon as I heard, I rode here immediately. I'm so sorry," she hugged him tightly. He was a bit shocked, but hugged him back.

"M-marry, me-e?" She blurted out, shaking in his arms.

"What?" He raised an eyebrow, parting the hug briefly. Her eye make-up ran down her soft face, her bottom lip still quivering slightly and her haphazard breaths were the most real thing Roland had ever seen. "Ashlynn. . ."

"You said you could help us!" She pounded Roland's chest, who let out a soft 'oomph' as it actually made impact and hurt. "Roland, please. . . you're my only hope. We're all gonna die."

"No, no, shhh. No it's okay, we will join right away and I will help your Kingdom Ashlynn, I'm so sorry." He hugged her tightly as she let out the rest of her sobs. "You, gather yourself best you can, and I'll see you soon, when we're going to be joined."

"O-okay." She turned to her parents, quickly hugging them tightly. Roland decided it was a good time to leave them in peace for awhile - as he tried to figure out where to start with repairing this Kingdom. But for Ashlynn, he'd give it a damn good try.

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"Shhh, dry your eyes sweetheart." Ashlynn's wide teary eyes looked up at her mother, who always remained so calm. Even though anyone could tell she was bothered deeply by the latest occurrences, she still wore a smile for her daughter. "I never thought your wedding day would be like this, but I guess some things come as complete surprise, hmm?"

Ashlynn nodded, wiping her eyes on her sleeve. "No kidding."

"When you were just a little girl, you always picked out the same dress I married your father in - and said it would be yours one day. But this, my sweet daughter - is not the wedding of your dreams like it should be. So we will choose a different dress." She turned to her own closet, sliding the dress further into the closet.

"But mom," Ashlynn pleaded. "I'm gonna get married. Even if it's not the perfect wedding, it's a wedding."

She kissed her daughter's cheek, un-fastening the hairclip that was holding back her natural wavy hair. "You'll know the right wedding, and when you do - that's the dress you'll wear, but we'll find you another just in time. Follow me." She did exactly as her mother asked of her, following her deeper into the closet.

It took them a bit of time, soon they came across a short knee-length pearl white dress with a sweetheart neckline. It was flowing and free, much unlike what Ashlynn felt she was. But nonetheless, she knew what she had to do and she would do it.

"Get changed dear, see how it fits." The Queen urged her daughter, brightly smiling - she knew it would fit her perfectly no matter what. But she always wanted to see her little girl in all white.

Ashlynn had to admit that she felt very pretty. After putting on the dress she stood in front of a full-length mirror, her bare feet touching the luscious carpet. Her toes wiggled, she felt awkward but didn't look so. "Do you think this is the right thing for me to do?"

Her mother shook her head, "Of course I don't, but your beliefs are what you need to follow - along with your heart. If you truly, truly feel that this is the right thing to do - then it probably is. You're ready to be a Queen now Ashlynn, you're so very wise beyond your years. I just hope you're making a good decision baby girl. I really do."

She hugged her mother tightly, deep down she knew she lacked the desire to marry Roland. She also knew that only he could truly help her set her Kingdom up once again. Only he could help, she needed him and never did she want to feel this vulnerable - but she stood stuck between and rock and a hard place, unable to move without the likes of Prince Roland, forever in his debt. There was no other option.

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