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A Royal Gone Rebel
Chapter Eleven

Her wedding day was here, within a mere few hours - in the destroyed land by the entrance of the green forest behind Roland. She took a deep breath, her father on her arm - nervously stepping towards her future. She couldn't see it being anything but darkened for the rest of her days, but it wouldn't matter. She was to be Prince Roland's wife.

Wait. Did she even know his last name?

"Nervous?" Her father whispered, staring forward but leaning down ever so slightly to speak with his daughter.

"Not really. Fearful more so." She had no idea what anything would hold. "I'll be okay daddy, I promise." His heart broke for his little girl, marrying a man she had no desire for - he couldn't imagine being joined with someone he barely knew.

He wished that boy she used to sneak around with would come and save the day. He truly hoped that same mystery boy would save his little girl from the biggest mistake of her life. He couldn't let her go through with it. He stopped their walk mid-way down the aisle. "Ashlynn, you cannot do this." He told her, a loving hand on both her shoulders. "Think about it, this isn't a fairytale ending for anyone, it certainly isn't yours and I know you won't be truly happy. Is this what you want?"

"I know what I'm doing, father. Please. Just walk me down the aisle, or. . . I'll have to walk alone." It was an empty threat, as they both knew. She wasn't threatening anyone or anything but her own happiness, but she was doing so in such a selfless manner, it was admirable. Even the King, her father himself knew deep down he wouldn't be able to make such a sacrifice.

He shook his head and had her grasp his arm once again. "You're so selfless Ash, I wish you were a bit more selfish than this. It's not a momentary decision. This is your own lifetime happiness, I don't want to see you full of despair."

"You won't, you and mother have made me strong. I can't cry when I'm in the line of duty." He wanted her to run away, to get scared and have an overwhelming sense of fear, to have the reality hit her so she won't return to this mistake - but Ashlynn Ella was much braver than even her father knew. "I love you, but I can't be selfish. I have to fix what's been wronged, you know that." She gave her father one last hug, as he whispered he loved her too. She soon stepped up, arriving in front of Roland.

He held his breath for a moment, taking in the ever so beautiful sight of Ashlynn, his soon-to-be-wife. He took her hands into his own, he knew he was extremely lucky to see her in such light - to be his wife. She couldn't be more perfect.

In a near-by tree, an arrow pierced it suddenly - Ashlynn gasped lightly, she knew exactly who that arrow belonged to - but she fastened her lips together tight. Could Hunter actually be near? Her eyes searched all the area around Roland, trying to find Hunter, but she seemed to fail in this task. Where was he? Or had she imagined the whole thing?

"Ashlynn?"

"Hmm?" She asked, looking to Roland finally.

"Say the important words. . . please?" he urged her quietly, she clued in and her eyes widened. Had she been daydreaming about Hunter that long?

She gave a soft smile, "Right. I. . ." he held a beautiful gold band in his hands. "I. . ." it was about to be put on her slender finger forever. "I," could she handle that? "I do."

". . .I now pronounce you, husband and wife." That was it, it was done. She was now Mrs. Ashlynn Roland . . . whatever-his-last-name-was.

He lifted her chin slightly and pressed his lips against hers. They were slightly chapped and hardly moistened. Was this what Ashlynn had to look forward to? She could barely keep her eyes closed to force this romantic gesture. He hadn't felt a legitimate kiss from her since the day they met, she had a feeling he never would experience her inner passion. There was only one person who had the capability of bringing that to surface and it wasn't obligatory one bit.

~ ) * ( E - A - H ) * ( ~

The next couple days went by in a blur, she hadn't attended school - her belongings were moved into an unfamiliar Kingdom, she'd said her emotional tearful goodbyes to her parents. . . there was nothing of Ashlynn Ella left. She was thrown into this new life, as a newlywed now.

She wasn't even sure what housewives, or castlewives - did. They cooked, cleaned, did they have to pick up after their mate too? She scrunched her nose up at the thought. She had to admit, it wasn't as bad as she thought it would be. It'd only been four days, fifteen hours and thirty-six minutes since she'd left her familiar Kingdom. She could handle the rest of her life here, no?

Anything Ashlynn liked, Roland had for her. Books. Shoes. She had walls to put her shoes on as well as space to own even more shoes - but even her love of shoes had grown dimmer. "There you are my wife," she tilted her head in question. "are you up for some company?"

Of course she was! Anything was better than staring at four walls. "Sure!"

"Well, okay. . . she's heard many great things about you and, uh - she's my mom."

Ashlynn felt her heart soften, she thought it strange that Roland's mother wasn't at their wedding, even though it was very last minute planned - one would think she'd have been there. She was more curious than ever, not once did Roland mention anything about his mother. She wasn't sure he even had one. "Certainly, I'd love to meet your mother."

She hopped up from the seat she took by the window and let Roland take her hand. The walk was that of a longer one, the servants and guards kept staring her way - almost disbelieving that she existed. She held onto Roland's hand tighter - just to prove their disbeliefs wrong.

They approached an older looking man standing in front of tall doors. "She just got settled, Prince Roland can't it wait?" He must've been the Kingdom's medical professional. He looked wise beyond years his face showed.

"Uh, well. . . this is my wife, Ashlynn."

The doctor's graying brows raised, "I see, I see. Proceed if you must. But she should be resting." He stepped aside, a stern yet unimpressed look upon his face.

Ashlynn tucked some loose strands of hair behind her right ear. She felt him grasp her hand tighter than he had before. He stood tense. Was there something wrong? Her questions were soon answered as they entered a dark bedroom suite. The canopy bed was fashioned and finished in dark red, mahogany wood and the decor in the room took the same similar style.

The canopy drapes were open on one side revealing a pale, sickly woman. She didn't seem very old, if she was - it surely didn't show. Her long chestnut colored hair was strewn around her petite frame. "Who's there?" she asked, her voice cracking from minimal usage.

"Hi mother," he spoke ever so softly.

This was the first time Ashlynn had ever seen Roland in such a vulnerable state. He was timid, scared almost. She let go of his hand and gave a comforting pat to his shoulder. A slight push forwards.

Her eyes opened almost right away and she feigned a smile, "Hello darling, come here. We must catch up." Her words were short, but there for the most part. It seemed like the mere act of breathing required a massive amount of energy. It was clear that she wasn't in the best of health.

"What if I have germs that will make you sicker? I'll just stay over here." He seemed very sad about his choice.

"It's okay my sweet boy, thank you for thinking of me but. . ." she sighed, "I'm not getting any better Roland, germs or no germs - it won't matter in the end result. So come over here." She gave her bedside a pat once.

Ashlynn's heart sank as she watched this sad scene, it made her want to give both her mother and father big hugs and feel thankful for their good health.

Roland sat near the end of the bed, just in case he'd end her life quicker with any illness he'd contracted and just so happened to be carrying around. "What did you want to talk about?" He asked quietly, almost as if he was on edge - getting caught doing something he shouldn't be. Poor thing, he was awfully conflicted.

Taking only a moment to think about it, she paused. "For instance, who is your lady friend?" She weakly smiled in Ashlynn's direction, whom stepped out of the shadows and into the small bit of light.

"Your highness," she gave a gentle bow. Before she could say anything, Roland cut in.

"She's. . . my wife."

His mother's eyes widened. "You never told me you were seeing anyone, let alone a wife. Roland," she weakly swatted at him. "don't you be hiding and keeping secrets. I need to know these things you silly boy." She smiled a bit brighter. "Come here, come here so I can get a good look at you."

With a bit of caution, she proceeded to sit right at the ill Queen's bedside. Her oak colored hair, darker lowlights and big green eyes glistened, even in the dimly lit room. "Hello, pleased to meet you."

The Queen studied the young Princess in front of her. She was young indeed, barely reached coronation age, if not younger. Her light complexion and those sincere eyes - she was nothing but a picture of pure beauty in itself. "No, no - I am pleased to meet you. You're beautiful."

Ashlynn's cheeks reddened. "Thank you, I. . . I'm Ashlynn."

She took Ashlynn's hand in hers, "You are a strong girl, I can tell. So much strength in that heart of yours." Looking down at her finger, she'd noticed the wedding ring. "Roland," she spoke, looking further to her son. "you wed this girl with a ruby? Not a diamond?" She sighed. "Diamonds are a girl's best friend, no where does it state rubies." She teased, as Roland's face reddened.

"We only had a few hours notice. . ."

She sighed, "Well, he'd better get you a diamond soon. No daughter of mine is going to be seen without one."

Ashlynn's cheeks blushed another few shades of red. "I think the ruby is lovely, it's different." She tried to defend him, but giggled in the process.

"You are lovely as well," she was very proud to see that her son had married. Roland had gotten up suddenly and headed towards the door, pacing back and forth in front of it. She sighed heavily. "he needs a lot of work, but he's worth it. You'll see."

After all, Ashlynn knew she had the rest of her life to do just that.

~ ) * ( E - A - H ) * ( ~