Chapter 8

Stories and Dreams

"Finally." A cruel voice sounded in the dark. "Finally, after all these longs months…finally, I have caught you."

Ayden tried to stand up, but found her wrists were shackled low to the damp stone wall, preventing her from moving almost completely; though lifting her head was hard enough, given the pain it caused her to move it in the slightest.

"Awww…cat got your tongue?" Ayden felt a hand slip under her chin. She was forced to lift her head and face her captor. "Surely you remember me."

Ayden glared at the man. She seethed with hatred; anyone could feel it practically seeping from her. Not a word she said, as much as it killed her to stay silent in his presence. She would not give him the satisfaction.

"Oh come now, girl. Do you not have, maybe one – or two – words for your old employer? No? Well, all the better, I suppose. I have plenty in store for you, my dear."

Ayden's warden patted her back as he rose. He stood for a moment, looking at her, then started pacing the floor.

"You know, I hear you were doing quite well for yourself. What did you do, sell yourself out to be a free-lance assassin? Isn't that the only thing you're good at? Oh wait, I forgot. You're not even good at that, are you? You can't do the simplest of tasks." Chuckling, he bent down in front of her again. Running his finger down the side of her face, he leaned in close and whispered in her ear, "That's why he died, you know. He threw himself in front of the knife just so he could get away from your pathetic weakness. He couldn't stand pretending for you another night; he had had enough. Your William never loved you. He only pretended, and he got fed up with the game."

"You lie!" Ayden lashed out.

"Ha ha ha…so you do talk! I was beginning to wonder if you had lost your tongue somewhere out in the wilderness. I'm glad you have found it!" King Rupert clapped as he slowly rose to his full height. "Well, I'm afraid that, for now, I must bid you adieu, my pet. I have other pressing matters to attend to. Don't you worry though, I wont forget you." He laughed softly to himself as he exited Ayden's cell. She could hear him talk to the guard as he ascended the stairwell.

…

"What have I done…" Daniel sank to his knees and covered his face with his hands. They had rushed back to Willows home as quickly as possible, only to find it empty.

"Ayden…she was like a daughter to me…I didn't know the kings intentions…if I had, I would have quite his service long ago."

"But, Daniel, didn't he tell you the same lie he told all the other guards?" Emmett asked. "That she snapped, killed her husband, and ran?"

"William is dead? I had no idea." The old man moaned.

Sara joined him on the floor and placed a comforting arm around his shoulder. Looking at Willow, she asked the question that she and her husband were both dying to here the answer too.

"Can you tell us the full story, Willow dear?" The tears that had been building up in her eyes finally overflowed and trickled down her face.

"Of course. But Emmett is going to have to help me on some of it, he was there for the most recent parts." She looked up at the brooding man. "Is that ok?"

"I will do my best." Came his reply.

Willow told Daniel and Sara the story starting with Ayden's wedding night. She told how the king barged in on their honeymoon, captured William and forced Ayden to do his dirty work. She told how Ayden finally escaped and of Williams' death.

Emmett recounted how he stumbled into her camp and of the guards that came looking for her. He told the couple how they had gone to the city, how Ayden dyed her hair, and he even mentioned the fight for the bed. His comment on her stubbornness made them all laugh.

Finally, he told of their last night in the woods. He recalled the men in the woods. Emmett mentioned how he turned over to find a knife sticking out of Ayden. Shudders swept over his captive audience as the image of that night entered their minds. When he reached the part involving Daniel, the old man jumped into the story.

"If I had only known that was her…she looked so awful…"

"It's ok, Daniel. Willow stitched her up well. How was she when you left her, Willow?" Emmett asked.

"Frantic. You scared her badly. But she was ok. She tried to follow me though, when I came looking for you."

"She tried to get up?" Emmett asked guiltily.

"Yeah, she was worried you would do something stupid."

"Obviously…I can't seem to do anything right…"

"She worries because she cares, Emmett. She doesn't want to see you get hurt again." Willow placed her hand on his shoulder; on top of the scar he had gotten from the attack on his village.

"Well you know what?" he exclaimed, standing up and accidentally knocking Willow aside in the process. "I worry because I care too! She's my responsibility…I was the one who suggested she come here; if it weren't for me, she would still be safe! Daniel!" he turned and grabbed the old man by the shoulders. "You know the castle, you are close to the king. You have to help me get her back!"

…

"Emmett…Emmett!" a faint voice called.

"Ayden, where are you?" he answered. Emmett was clambering his way down a dank hallway, barely lit with a few, smoldering torches. "Ayden?"

"I'm here, Emmett…just a few more steps…" the voice said, getting weaker. "Help…" the voice was cut off and Emmett burst into a sprint.

"Ayden!" he shouted. "Ayden! Answer me!" He rammed his way through a heavy wooden door, breaking it off its hinges. The sight that met him caused him to halt quickly in his tracks. There was Ayden, her arms chained to a cold, stone wall. Never in his life did he think she could ever look so weak. He couldn't even call to her, his mouth had gone dry and he was in shock.

Emmett stumbled over to her limp body and lifted her head so she could see him. To his horror, her eyes were open wide in what looked like a mix between fear, surprise and pain. But he could not find any life in her eyes. Calling her name, he grabbed her shoulders and gently shook her.

"Ayden…?" he began, but was cut off by a sharp, stabbing pain of a knife in his back and the cold laughter of the king.

…

"Ayden!" Emmett shouted as he sat up in bed, sending his covers flying. Breathing heavily, he turned to perch on the side of his bed, holding his head in his hands. "We can't wait."