A/N: Here is the third chapter to the story, hope you enjoy it. Oh I should warn you that I switched Eli into first person so wherever it would normally say Eli it now says I, stuff like that. And if you go back to chapter one or two they have also been changed.
It was time for the meeting and I was making my way to the east tower. When I arrived, most of the Children of Truth were already there. The Queen had come leaving the King behind so as not to make it obvious that something was going on. Not soon after the Princess and the rest of the Children of Truth arrived, Shota close behind, she would keep watch in case there were any eavesdroppers.
"Now, I assume you all know why we are here," I began. When no one responded I continued, "We have traitors in the castle and we have devised a plan of action. Shota has arranged for the wedding and the Coronation to take place at the same time so that I will be the true King and Isabella my Queen. The minute the crown is place on my head and the ring on my finger, the traitors will attempt to kill Finn and take myself and my mother hostage. But we will be ready for it. Finn will be wearing armor under his ceremonial cloak so when the traitors try to stab him through the back, the sword will simply deflect off him, thus giving us the element of surprise. At that point you," I gestured to my group, "will move in for the attack. We do not know exactly how many of the soldiers are traitors. When my uncle arrived at the palace he had at least twenty men with him. We only have so many confessed D'haran soldiers. Most of them were sent off to protect other royal families on this side of the boundary, so we are outnumbered. This is why in the mitts of all the confusion Princess Isabella and I will make our escape. It is up to you to keep the hope of the people alive, I will return. Once we find out who the man is that dares defy us and his is killed, I will return and take up my throne."
The entire assembled group exchanged looks of agreement.
Denee stood, "Then it is settled, tomorrow we act."
{*******}
It was the morning of the wedding/coronation and I lay in my bed staring at the ceiling. Wondering whether everything would go as planned, wondering what would happen to my family and friends in my absence. Would we defeat the new found enemy? My thoughts were interrupted by a soft knocking on the door.
"Enter," I said still staring at the roof.
Izzy entered the room. I sat up revealing my bear chest, "Is something wrong?"
"No nothing is wrong; Shota has asked me to inform you that she will not attend the wedding. She has gotten everything we need for our journey ready, and will be waiting for us with horses. Oh and Eli?"
"Yes?"
"There is something I need to tell you."
An insistent knocking came from the door.
"Enter."
One of Isabella's men at arms entered the room. He respectfully bowed to both of us and then addressed Isabella, "Your Highness, you are needed in the ball room for some of the wedding preparations."
She nodded and followed him out the door. I was left alone again, wondering what Izzy kept trying to tell me. I decided it would have to wait. For now I had a wedding and coronation to attend. I got myself dressed into the nicest clothes I owned. A white silk tunic, and a blue leather vest. With dark blue leather pants and black boots that reached up almost to my knees and tucked my pants into them. Then I put on my ceremonial cloak that was quite heavy, with detailed designs all over it. I also put on a weapons belt, with my sapphire rod and two daggers, and concealed it with my cloak. Finally I placed a golden circlet on my head, the symbol of a Prince. I descended the steps and headed for the ball room, where the wedding/coronation would take place. When I arrived in the ball room I was surprised to see my Uncle lurking around the altar that had been made for the special event.
"Ah, Uncle, are you ready for the big day," I asked with a fake smile plastered across my face. My uncle stood bolt upright, attempting to mask the guilt in his eyes.
"Oh, yes, quite ready," he said looking anywhere but into my light green, truth seeking eyes.
"May I ask what you are doing?"
"Oh. I was just making sure the stage was securely sound. Wouldn't want it breaking while you and your parents were standing on it," he smiled, but it didn't quite reach his eyes.
"And where is Isabella?"
"Oh, yes, she has gone to her chambers to finish getting ready for the wedding."
"Well I guess I will have to wait to speak with her then."
"Why do you need to speak with her?"
I gave my uncle a suspicious look, "That is not your concern."
"My apologies your Highness, I was merely being curious."
"Well then learn to control your curiosity, I have little patience this morning and do not intend to be dealing with misbehaving guards," I turned and smiled. I was purposely trying to make him angry.
"Good day uncle," I swept from the room, leaving an insulted soldier behind.
{********}
I was standing next to Isabella outside the ballroom, waiting for our queue to enter. Isabella was wearing a beautiful flowing, baby blue dress that reached the floor. Her long brown hair was on top of her head in a large bun, held in place by a silver circlet, the symbol of a Princess. She wore long white gloves that reached her elbows and white, high healed boot, that reached up to the middle of her shin. She secretly had a dagger in each boot in case she needed to defend herself.
The horns sounded from inside the ballroom and the double door came open. We walked in arm in arm, all the way up the isle to the altar where a Sister of the Light stood waiting. Once we reached the altar the Sister began the service.
"Do you Prince Elija Amnell, crowned prince of Hartland take this woman as you wife, and swear to love her as you would love the Creator?"
"I swear so to do."
"And do you Princess Isabella Quellar, Princess of Flowen, take this man to be you husband, and swear under the Creator's eye that you will love him and cherish him until the day the keeper summons you?"
"I swear to the Creator that I will."
She turned back to me, "Do you swear to govern the people of Hartland justly, and seek justice over vengeance when necessary?"
"I do."
"Do you accept the title King Elija Amnell the Kind and take it willingly?"
"I do."
A servant stood next to each of us holding a pillow. On the pillows were rings, both with the seal of Hartland on them, a white archway on a green field; symbolizing the arch that was built to keep the boundary open during the reign of Darken Rahl.
Another two servants, who were already standing on the altar, walked forward holding two crowns, which were full circle, royal crown, with diamonds and sapphires all over them. We both took a ring off the pillows and began to put them on one another. As we did this the two servants with crowns began to place the crowns of both of our heads. My heart was beating out of my chest, as soon at the rings and crowns were in placed the battle would begin. Another second passed. I was starting to sweat. Then the next second both the rings and the crown where in place. There was an echo throughout the ball room of a sword bouncing off metal, the attempted assassination of my father. The Children of Truth ran forward attacking any soldier that wasn't a D'haran. Denee and Finn were fighting with my uncle and the man who tried to stab my father. We need to go, now. I looked Izzy in the eye and she nodded as if she understood. I took her by the hand and we ran for the door. As we were running two more soldiers barred our path. Still running, I took out my sapphire rod and a dagger and Isabella took out her daggers. We charged the soldiers and they immediately tried to swing their swords at us. We deflected the blows and easily evaded them. I was surprised how well Isabella could fight. We ran for the door and threw it open. We made our way toward the front door, where Shota would be waiting for us with horses in the courtyard. We found her just outside the door.
"Hurry everything you need is in the saddle bags! Hurry!"
We both mounted our horses and galloped for the gate.
"OPEN THE GATE!" I bellowed. Luckily there was a confessed D'haran on the gate so he obeyed me and opened the gates. We rode as fast as the horses would take us and as far away as we could get from the castle.
A/N: So epic! Please review, I want to know what you thought! Just remember, Eli is in first person now, so if you were confused that was probably why.
