Disclaimer: I don't own anything.
Author's Note: Thank you for reading and reviewing. I hope you enjoy.
The End Can Be Bittersweet
Juneston sat up a bit straighter as the castle came into few, this was a good moment. He glanced behind him and then turned his attention back to the castle. Things had not gone the way he had planned for them to go but it still worked out in the end.
Of course his plan had been brilliant; he had known that at the beginning.
However he had been unaware with how many times he would have to change it because of outside forces.
First that brat stealing Sydney away from him.
Then the two sisters disappearing for so long.
Finally finding her only to loose her again.
But he wasn't going to concentrate on all of those negative ones. He would instead concentrate on the good things that had happened.
Soon enough he would be in the castle and reporting to the King. That Elizabeth really wasn't able to come out on top as she had apparently expected. He knew that he should have been more concerned about the other two who were traveling with the Princesses, but in the end it didn't matter, whether or not he was sure that he had seen one of them before. Dealing with them was not a matter for him to continue thinking about.
The older man signaled his men to move forward faster. He wanted to get in and see the King and be done with all these. He was not fond of traveling all through the land, so being home at the Palace was exactly what he wanted.
He let most of his men wait outside while he went in to the King, after all he didn't really need them anymore at this point in time. He signaled for those that he would need with him. Bringing in a few still showed a certain sense of unity and besides how could he possibly show the King what he needed to show him if it was only Juneston and the King present.
No, the small group he had chosen would come with him and help him show the King that he was the one that should become King.
Walking into the throne room he looked around and saw the majestic ceiling that would soon be his. It would be nice to be able to handle everything in the proper way. He would rule with an iron fist, people wouldn't be able to get away with just anything. The King was too kind and allowed people to get away with way too much, that would change once Juneston had the throne. No one would be able to stop him and he would finally be able to be where he was always intended to be.
"Juneston."
He looked up at the King who seemed a bit upset. He supposed that just had to do with the fact that his daughters were missing. Well…were missing, soon after this they would indeed be known. He bowed to the King, "I have some news for your Majesty."
"And what is that?"
"It is in regards to your daughters."
"Are you telling me that you have found them?"
"Was there any thought that I wouldn't? I have traveled far and wide to help bring your daughter back to you."
"Daughter?"
Yes, your daughter."
"You said daughter instead of daughters when they are both missing."
He hadn't even realized that he had said the word without the 'S'. It didn't seem like a big deal, but then the King was probably still worried about the stupid girls. "My mistake. I have been concentrated on the fact that they were both missing. My time spent away for so long has tired me out. I rarely have spent time resting for fear something horrible has come to your daughters."
"I see." The voice was hard; this was definitely a different King then the one he had last seen before he took off to find Sydney. He wondered what had changed. The King gestured to Juneston, "So what is it that you wish to tell me about my daughters?"
"Yes. I had found them. Unfortunately it was a bit of a fight because there were two others with them. And I am afraid to say that one of your daughters did not make it. I was, however, able to ensure that one of them did not suffer the same fate."
The King leaned a bit forward in his seats, "Are you trying to tell me that one of my daughters is dead?"
"No, I merely meant she has fallen in with those that wish to harm you. I think she is still trying to side step getting married. She is acting out…I would not trust her at the moment."
The King remained quiet this time and Juneston was sure that he would be able to finish explaining his side. He had noticed that General Ott was no where to be found and that was a good thing. General Ott didn't seem to trust him and having him there to speak with the King wouldn't help out his plan in any way.
"Lord Juneston I grow tired of this. You can not think me a fool as to believe in this story you have concocted."
He was shocked, the King didn't believe him! He took a few steps closer, "My King, what could I possibly have to gain from this?"
"I'm sure you have a lot to gain, and I had a lot to loose."
"Your Majesty, I do not know what you are referring to."
"Perhaps the fact that you kidnapped my sister?"
Juneston turned in shock to a voice he never wanted to hear again. There was Princess Elizabeth coming out of her Father's side room. Following her was Sydney and those two horrible boys. "What?"
"My daughters finally returned to me, General Ott found them out in the woods, trying to escape capture from you."
"From me? If you please your Majesty I was merely trying to help them and they ran off. It was by mere chance that they were coming back here."
The King shook his head and Juneston saw red, "I will have what's coming to me. It is my due. I have stood and waited patiently while you have done nothing to expand your Kingdom, to bring it to a full glory. I will take the Kingdom and your daughter."
"No. You will not. This is treason. I would not move Juneston." General Ott's voice came from behind Juneston. Looking behind he saw that General Ott and his men had come in behind them and now surrounded Juneston and his soldiers in a half circle.
Juneston looked at the King, "Do not forget that my men are more than just those here. I can easily have them come and overtake you and this bumbling fool."
"Just one problem with that," he turned and watched as that annoying brat Elizabeth walked further into the room followed by Sydney and those other two boys, "General Ott's men already took care of all your men. It's just you and what you have here."
"General Ott, take him away." The King said gesturing towards Juneston. In one last fit of rage Juneston took his dagger out and threw it at the King.
The brunette Princess couldn't believe her eyes as she watched the dagger slice through the air and get closer to her Father. Before it could get any closer Sky was there with his sword blocking the dagger.
Sky had saved her Father.
Z watched as General Ott took Juneston and dragged him to the dungeon; General Ott's men weren't far behind with the left over men from Juneston's own personal army.
Anything could have ended up happening, but luckily things ended up in a good way. She couldn't believe their luck when General Ott's men had stepped out of the trees. Upon seeing the Princesses they hurriedly got General Ott to their location and then Z told him all about Juneston. They quickly made it to the palace and into her and Syd's Father's welcoming arms.
There hadn't been much time to talk because soon enough Juneston and his men had been spotted approaching the castle and quickly things had been set into place. Now Juneston and his men were in jail awaiting their execution. Z followed her sister over to their Father who was still sitting on his throne. He must have been deep in thought for it wasn't until Syd had touched his hand that he noticed they were both there.
He pulled them into another hug holding them close, "I thought I had lost you."
"We're here Daddy."
As he slowly pulled away Z realized that there were tears in his eyes. To be honest she had never thought about how he would have really taken this. Seeing him like this caused her to be glad that she hadn't completely succeeded. That didn't mean she wanted to marry Jack, she just didn't want to hurt her Father again. "You both are alright?"
"Yes. I mean Syd hurt herself from that time they had grabbed her by the water, but I think that's it."
"Grabbed her?" He shook his head filing that information away before turning to Z, "And you are alright?"
"Of course." Z watched as Syd smiled at her and then her sister glanced behind her at Sky and Bridge.
Their Father followed suit and then looked back at his daughters, "I am surprised that you found such good company." He turned to the two men and then nodded towards Sky, "It is wonderful to see you. You have journeyed far and may I assume that you have helped keep my daughters safe?"
Sky nodded, "I did what I could."
"Then I truly do owe you. You are most welcome here."
Thank you."
Then he turned to Bridge, "And you, I'm afraid I don't know you."
Syd reached out and grabbed Bridge's hand and pulled him closer to their Father. Bridge bowed once more, "I am just the son of a blacksmith in your kingdom."
Z watched as her Father glanced at Syd and then back at Bridge, "And how did you come to be with them?"
Syd smiled at their Father, "He came to find me! He heard I was missing."
A small smile graced the older man's features, "Thank you for looking for her. But it seems there is much I do not know."
"We can fill you in." Syd said.
Z nodded, "Perhaps we can sit somewhere more comfortable?"
"That sounds wonderful." And with that their Father stood up and they began walking out. He turned to one of the servants, "Please show the two gentlemen to some rooms and make sure they receive food and drink. Bring some to my room for my daughters and me."
The maid nodded, curtsied and left.
Once they were all seated comfortably in their Father's study he looked at both of them, "Please start from the beginning."
"Which beginning? When Juneston kidnapped me?"
He frowned, "No, I think we need to go a bit before that. Starting with how you meant that young man."
"Of course."
So Syd began telling how she had met Bridge. Z listened still interested in the time when she and her sister were apart. After she finished telling how she and Bridge met up until the time that she was kidnapped, she looked at Z and nodded wanting Z to explain about what happened.
Z then told her Father about her plans to run away and that they didn't include Syd leaving. Then she explained how she found Syd and the two were running away and got lost. Then Sky entered the story and of course Bridge and Juneston came back. Finally they finished with General Ott's men finding them. Z had to say she was impressed, her Father had listened patiently and didn't interrupt or give them disapproving looks.
There was silence for the next few minutes before he spoke, "Well, it seems as though you both have had long, tiring times. Perhaps some rest should do."
"You know Sky."
Syd looked at her sister and then back at their Father, "Do you?"
He nodded, "Yes….it's actually Prince Sky, his father is King Anthony."
Z felt her heart drop, "King Anthony as in…who Syd is betrothed to?"
"Yes."
"You mean I have to marry Sky?"
"That is how it was arranged. Elizabeth was to marry Jack and Sydney you were to marry Sky."
"But I don't want to."
He nodded slowly, "I realize that my dear, but things are as they are. I can not just change contracts."
"Why not?"
Z didn't have to look at her sisters' face to know that there were tears in her eyes. "Because Syd, that's how it is for us."
"But…" Syd looked down and then shrugged, "May I please go to my room? I'm tired."
"Of course."
Z watched as her sister quickly left the room. She wasn't sure how much time went by before her Father spoke, "She's in love with Bridge isn't she?"
The older Princess looked at her Father and nodded, "But there isn't anything that can be done, so there's no point in speaking to her about it." She stood up, "I'm going to my room, I'm tired as well."
Z left her Father in his study and began her walk back to her room. She was taking her time and going down different halls when Z noticed Sky leaving a room. He saw her and nodded to her, "Your Father sent for me."
As she looked into his eyes she realized that she had been hoping for more time with him, just not with him as her sister's husband. "Did you know?"
"Know what?"
"Your Father is King Anthony. Did you know that you were betrothed to me or my sister?" She watched as his jaw tightened, "You knew. Couldn't you have said anything? Or were you just playing around?"
"Z." He reached out and touched her arm, "Look, I wasn't—"
"Just forget it. It doesn't matter anyway, I'm sure you'll be just fine." She moved out of his light hold and started to walk past him.
He grabbed onto her arm, "What is your problem?"
"Nothing, okay, just…nothing." She pulled her arm from his grasp, "Go see my Father."
She stormed away from Sky and quickly turned to the next hallway. She had realized that she shouldn't have taken it all out on him, but he knew who they were and that he was supposed to marry one of them. So why didn't he tell her?
Syd was going to marry Sky. The idea of Sky and Syd together didn't sit well with her. It just didn't go together well. And the look on Syd's face when she finally realized the full horror of marrying someone you didn't want to…Z really wished she could have spared Syd that pain. She wasn't upset at her sister; she placed no blame on her.
Her thoughts kept going in a cycle, Syd and Bridge, Syd and Sky, Sky and Z, Jack and Z. All possibilities and only two were going to happen. She had to get used to the fact that she and Jack were going to marry and she would then have to watch her sister marry Sky.
Why did that bother her so much?
It wasn't until she reached the door to her room when she realized why. She had completely fallen in love with Sky.