Chapter 21

The rest of the guards finished mounting up. The guards encircled us. Edward and myself were truly hidden in the middle of thirty plus horses. Our group was on the road making a lot of noise and stirring up a lot of dust. After two hours, we made a quick stop to stretch our legs and drink. I didn't get down but Edward brought me water and a bite of bread and cheese. We continued our journey. After three hours, we stopped for lunch. I had some meat, cheese, fruit and water. Edward, my Father, Jacob, and Scott all stood guard with their backs to us while my mother, myself, and Rosalie used the woods for a bathroom. My legs were getting red and they were tired from holding the saddle for five hours. Once my family was back in the carriage, Edward said, "You didn't eat very much, are you okay?"

"Yes, this is just a lot of riding."

"Do you want to ride with me?"

"No that will just slow us down."

"Are you ready to go back in the saddle?"

"Yes," and I was back on it.

Three hours later, we took another break. I again did not get down. "Bella, drink water," but that was all I wanted.

Edward came up next to me and put his hand on mine, "Are you okay, beautiful?"

I just said, "As good as can be expected, how much longer?"

"Two or three hours. Though we should be back on the roads in about an hour."

"Good, I'm getting very tired."

He leaned over and said, "Once we get home, I promise, wherever we sleep tonight, I will let you sleep and I will protect you from the rebels." Edward was right once we hit the roads, we all agreed to go into a full gallop to get back to the castle. My legs were in so much pain and my ribs and back hurt from being bound. I just kept talking to my horse telling him to get me home and follow the horse in front of us. I squeezed my legs as much as I could but I really couldn't feel them much anymore. When we got to the castle entrance in a fury, the staff came out to greet us and welcome us all home. Edward was told congratulations you brought them all home safely.

"Everyone, yes we are happy to be home. But I need you to excuse us, there may still be some trouble and I need to take care of our queen and her family. We will explain more tomorrow. Today has been a really long day. There is a danger to the castle; so there will be guards around here constantly. Please be understanding and respectful of them."

He accepted the thanks; he got my family from the carriage and sent them and a group of guards with them to get them settled in one tower. He sent another group of guards to cover the other three towers. He returned to me, Jacob and Scott. "Bella, you can come down now. Jacob get her daggers and swords."

"Sir, she hasn't moved since the horses came to a stop."

"Jacob, you mean not one muscle."

"No, she hasn't even looked down at us or spoken to us."

"Where's my horse?"

And he got onto his horse to get to my height. "Bella, we made it to the castle. Would you like to go inside and get comfortable?"

I nodded.

"Bella, can you move at all?"

All I did was nod again. He ordered some of the staff to have someone draw me a bath in our sitting room by the fire and also call for the doctor. "Jacob and Scott get the horse and reins and hold him in place. Her muscles have all locked from riding the horse all day. Send two guards to hold my horse as well. My hunch is she will scream when we get her down. Jacob, get my daggers and sword from the saddle."

"Sir, can I suggest we use a box and not your horse to get her down with. And get as many of the horses away as possible. Her screams may spook the horses and that would be even worse."

"Fine but I want a box or crate here in five minutes."

"No problem," and one was taken off the back a carriage. Edward got off his horse and many guards led the rest of the horses several hundred feet away. A box was sat next to my horse. Jacob and Scott again held my horse.

Edward, climbed on the crate. "Are you ready?" I nodded. "Bella, I know you're going to want to scream because of all your muscles have locked. But please try very hard not to. Jacob please remove the dagger from her leg on that side," and Edward removed the one on his side and handed it to Scott. "Ready, men."

"Yes."

He put one hand under my leg on his side of the saddle, went over the saddle and got ahold of my other thigh as he lifted me his other hand was at my lower back. "Go ahead men and lead the horse away. They did. "Jacob, thank you make sure you get guards on duty in the barn as well. Please show me a schedule tomorrow for rotation. I want four guards in my quarters as well. Please bring me as Bella's daggers immediately. Once you get the guards at the barn taken care of then get yourself some rest. I want to meet at 7:00 AM tomorrow."

"Yes, your highness."

Once inside, several the butlers offered to carry Bella for me. "No thank you."

He went straight to his old quarters into his old sitting room. The maid and butler were getting the tub ready. "I need a glass of wine for her." He sat down in his old chair.

When the maid brought back the wine, she said, "Your Majesty, we can take care of Queen Bella."

"No," he barked. "I will take care of her for now. Just get back to work on the bath and be sure the doctor is brought straight to here. I will also need Queen Bella and my dressing gowns and robes."