AN: The end is here and I can't really express how happy that makes me! Part of me can't really believe that I finished it, mostly because I took a break from the site halfway through the whole thing. It's also taken about two and a half years for me to finish, but I just want to thank all of you for reading this!

Chapter 7

It had been a month since the Princess's passing, my imprisonment, and Meluines's escape.

The news of Princess Miniel's fading had shocked the kingdom, and on that first day after her death, nothing happened, save for my immediate imprisonment. As it turned out, only the Princess's handmaidens and kin had known about her condition, so naturally it was stunning for the remainder of the kingdom to hear. So stunning that no one paid much heed to the news of my captivity.

That didn't bother me, because I had been a fool to get caught up in all of the mystery and drama. I had known the line between actions that were permissible and unacceptable, yet I had crossed it anyhow. Was it the allure of the gossip that had caught my attention? Was that the motivation behind my blind desire to ease the Prince's troubles?

Perhaps the King had planted that idea in my head during my interrogation, but it felt pretty likely to me. Either luckily or unluckily, I had plenty of time before me to figure it out.

To add insult to injury, the surprising news of Meluines having fled the castle reached my ears. Making it all the worse to hear, it was Braigves who told me of it while she was visiting me. Braigves had no idea why our fellow laundress had suddenly left, but I didn't have the heart to tell her anything that I knew about it. My supervisor was already a little upset about my situation, so she didn't need the additional strain. However, she did inform me that I was allowed to return to work after I was released. I still couldn't understand why, but at least my sentence wasn't for the remainder of my immortal life.

As ashamed as I was about being imprisoned, I supposed it was better than taking the cowardly way out like Meluines had done. At least I was owning up to my actions instead of running from them. The thought still brought little comfort.

With my back resting against one of the walls of my cell, I let out a sigh and pulled myself from my thoughts. The floor beneath my legs was cool, but I had my feet straightened in front of me. As there was nothing better for me to do, I noted the way the fabric of my dress swept along the curve of my legs. Then, I found myself staring at the motion of my ankles as I moved them from side to side.

Aside from contemplating what had gotten me into the cell, my entertainment was quite limited.

The familiar sound of footsteps, which were probably arriving to bring me a meager meal of Lembas bread and water, stopped at my door. I waited for a few moments for the customary sound of scraping metal from the tray sliding against the floor to echo throughout my cell, but when no such noise reached my ears, I looked up in confusion.

Then found myself staring while a mixture of emotion coursed through me, for the Prince was standing outside of my cell.

Standing at once, I ducked my head and curtseyed despite the state of myself. Formalities went without question after upsetting him and his father. Parting my lips, I steeled myself against the grating harshness of my unused voice. "Your Highness?"

If he noticed the state of me, he didn't react, and a small part of me was immensely thankful. He took the opportunity to stand in silence, and for a second I wasn't sure if he was going to address me or not. Nevertheless, he opened his mouth and said the last thing I expected him to say: "If you believe me to be upset with you, you are mistaken."

My mind went silent, then suddenly exploded with replies that I told myself I should say, yet I couldn't bring myself to say any of them. Was the Prince crazy? Of course he was to be upset with me, I had acted completely out of line.

Finally, I opened my mouth to object, to say something, but the Prince silenced me with a hand. "It has taken me many nights to accept the reality of my sister's recent passing, and more still to forgive you for constantly bringing her to the forefront of my mind." After a moment's hesitation, he composed himself, "Forgive me, but I'm only here to explain the conditions of your sentence."

Dipping my head again, I willed myself to keep my confounded ability to question everything silent. "Of course, Your Highness."

Folding his arms over his chest, the Prince took a breath, "I can only assume that you already know your sentence isn't one for life. Braigves probably spoiled that truth by telling you about your ability to return to work, yet you do have a few years to spend locked in here to contemplate how out of line your actions were. This shouldn't come as a surprise to you, and you should be grateful that it's nothing more."

In truth, I was surprised that my sentence was so short, but I conveyed the gratitude with another curtsey. "Thank you, Your Highness." He nodded to me, then started to leave. Another unanswered question nagged in my mind, but I knew I had to fight it off and keep myself out of more trouble. But it was only one question, and my situation probably couldn't get much worse than it already was. With a sudden rush of boldness and alarm at my impudence, I called out, "Wait!"

The Prince stopped mid stride but turned his face to me. His features were neutral, save for the spark of guarded confusion in his eyes.

This was my chance to either make my situation worse or finally sit satisfied. "I realize that all of my pestering earned me this sentence in the first place, but I never heard what happened to your sister. If you don't mind my asking, would it bother you to explain it to me?"

For a moment, it looked like the Prince was going to ignore my inquiry, but after a slight moment of silence, he opened his mouth. "The truth of the matter is that my dear sister had fallen in love, yet the ellon of her affection had died unexpectedly one day, which deeply affected her. The first conversation you started with me happened shortly after I had received word that she was unwell. My father wanted to keep her condition a secret from the rest of the kingdom, so I wasn't allowed to say anything about how I was feeling, even if I had wanted to."

I winced at the edge he put on 'had,' but I was slowly starting to relax in his presence. The feeling of boldness came over me again, and I dared to ask him another question, "What of your knife?"

The Prince's eyes narrowed, and for a moment I was convinced he was going to rebuke me. When I heard his response, my fear settled. "My sister and I had been close as elflings, so her failing condition affected me greatly. I was merely practicing my aim when I foolishly threw it blindly and lost it."

I no longer had the nerve to ask him to elaborate, so I nodded stupidly and muttered, "I'm sorry for your loss."

Silence overcame us again, but it was quickly filled by the Prince. "If you don't mind, I have other business to attend to."

"I understand, Your Majesty." Cursing myself a fool for forgetting my manners moments before, I curtseyed once more to stay on what I assumed were his good graces, then watched as the Prince left me to my solitude once more.

Backing away from the bars of my cell door, I slumped against the wall once more, sliding down to sit in my previous position.

It wasn't eternity, but I had a few years of being alone to endure.