Hello! I won't keep you any longer, but first I'd like to apologise for not submitting this in...quite a while, haha. It's been a couple of very, very busy months. Now, here I come with the chapter, though it's only the first part of it. I found myself with a lot of pages and I couldn't cut out anything, so I split the chapter in two so as not to make it a burden to read.

I hope you enjoy it!

Disclaimer: I do not own these characters, they belong to Tom McGillis and Jennifer Pertsch.

Chapter four: Wedding Bells (part 1)

It was a clear summer day, the light was bathing the green hills of Derlaven. The prince and the mage were lying under a leafy tree in the Mages Precinct, enjoying their day off in a hidden lake Gwen discovered in one of her usual trips around the Academy. No spell classes for her and no sword practice for Trenton.

'Leave that book now or I'll throw it to the water' Trent, who was lying down with his head resting on Gwen's lap, complained, pushing the book towards her face.

'Trent! My goodness, you caught me offguard! I could've dropped it and damage —do you know how important this book is?'

'Not any more important than me' he replied with a cocky smirk.

'It's Derlaven's History of Mages' Gwen nagged him, closing the book and putting it away in the basket, 'it's over 200 years old. It contains all of what we currently know about the mages who lived in the hills of Derlaven way before your dynasty began to build the city, I'm talking about nomads mages, it's a very precious book and they only lent it to me because they trust me.'

'I'll get you 'nother. I'll write it myself' he promised nonchalantly, closing his eyes.

'You'd sit and handwrite 1205 pages of magic history. You totally would' she replied with sarcasm, looking down at Trent.

He widened his smile and opened his emerald green eyes, fixing them on her coal black eyes, and remained silent for a second as he explored her face, her pinkish lips, her pale, strong cheekbones. 'You'd be the first chapter.'

'You're so stupid' she replied, laughing at the shameless boy. He rose, helping himself with his hands until their eyes met, and their lips locked in an innocent kiss, as Gwen's hands held Trent's face. And he felt there was no village, no kingdom, no Derlaven; this field was the so called paradise and all that was and had ever been were her soft hands, her perfume, her lips, the ticklish feeling of her eyelashes rubbing against his skin.

The wind, the quavering of the birds, the hum of the people gathered in the square leaving the church, far away from them in the Main Square, all of it seemed to belong somewhere else. It was a quiet morning.

They half-opened their eyes, enough to see each other's coy smile creeping up their faces. The bells of the church came to them as a quiet, slow noise in the background.

'Father will kill me when I get back to the castle. Say we can stay here forever. All I need is you.'

Gwen looked lovingly at the prince and smirked at him. 'He'll forgive you. But you know who's gonna be really pissed?'

'Siobhan. You're right, she'll have my head chopped off once she realizes I wasn't at the church. She probably has by now. I'm shivering in dread' the boy commented with a hint of sarcasm in his voice as he laid down on the grass and picked up a stick.

'I was going to say Dinehqa. Brides are usually at the verge of collapse in their wedding day.'

'I haven't even tried on my suit. They won't kill me today, but as soon as the guests leave the city they'll put my head on a spike, I guarantee it. Can't you travel in time with your powers?'

'Still can't understand?' Gwen replied, drawing the stick from his fingers without having to use her hands 'I have power over everything that exists. Time isn't something you can touch. I can't go forward or backwards because time does not exist.'

'You can't touch the wind and still you can control it.'

'Because you perceive the wind, you dumbass. But how do you perceive time? It's an idea in our minds. Time only exists in our heads.'

'…whatever, I was only joking. There is nothing you can do to help me?'

'I could get rid of the grass on your hair. But I'm not going to.'

'Do I have to convince you?' the boy said seductively, rising from the ground and approaching to her slowly.

She smiled at him and just said: 'you're so stupid.'

He kissed Gwen's lips after informing her that he was very aware of it.

The day was more than ideal for a wedding to be celebrated: the weather was pleasant, the fields were green and the wind was but a soft breeze playing with the long strands of hairs of the women of Derlaven. Everyone was looking forward to the event that was going to take place that night: the oldest daughter of the king Donovan the Peaceful, a beautiful sixteen-year-old brunette girl —whose height and facial features resembled quite a lot her father's— called Dinehqa was getting married with a prince from the brother realms. An Alexander from Bestand, rumor had it. Just a month ago the Brother Regale had taken place, where the girl met her claimants and the king chose the rightful one for her, then sealed the deal with the boy's father.

Excitement, expectation and joy all around the place: the people wouldn't talk about anything else. The mothers bragged about their daughters and the dresses they tailored for them in hopes that a boy from a rich family would choose to wed them; the girls, talking about dresses and make-up, those who could afford it; the men, about the food and the beer they would eat and drink, and the children, about the opportunity to see the royal families and dance all night.

Among the crowd two young boys walked across the Main Square. They couldn't have been more than fifteen years old, both of them, even though the boy was tall and well built. The girl on the other hand looked sickly, as she was very skinny and pale. The boy was carrying a basket which seemed heavy, for the way the boy was holding it, making efforts to lift it.

'We can carry it together' Gwen proposed 'One handle each.'

'Don't worry' Trent replied 'I got this. Really. How were you able to carry this from the library?!'

'It was heavy but the trip from the library to the lake was short. We have walked about a mile by now, I think' she explained 'It's only normal that just now you're not being able to carry it.'

'Shut up. I can do this. I'm carrying it, don't you see?'

'Barely!' she laughed.

'…okay, I can't do this' Trent resigned, sitting on a fountain and leaving the basket on the floor, exhausted.

'Told you' Gwen replied, sitting next to him. 'But thank you for offering to carry it.'

'This is the last time I'm carrying something this heavy for you. Can't you read thinner books?!'

The girl kept laughing as a response. Then she looked at the sun above the church.

'The sun is already up. We should hurry up, maybe you still can pretend you were practicing with the sword in the basement' she pointed out at the boy, who was wetting his face with water from the fountain '…and now you look completely messed up. As if the mud in your pants wasn't enough reason for Siobhan to nag you.'

As the two got up again and walked towards the castle, a shadow followed them amongst the crowd, until it took an alley. This shadow knew the fastest way to the castle, and it had a great reason to rush.

'Donovan, Trenton missed the Mass. Again' the woman said, talking out loud, entering the room and walking straight towards the desk where the king was focused in writing a letter. 'This can't keep happening. Your son has been getting distracted from his chores and his duties as a prince, don't you find such behavior unacceptable?' she questioned him, leaning on the desk with both hands towards the King, who was sat down on his chair 'He is barely to be seen at the castle. Wasn't he supposed to be writing down the money spent on the restored fountain you told him to supervise yesterday? Well, you can take a look at it yourself' she pointed out sarcastically, fetching a book from a shelf, opening it and leaving it on the wooden desk 'There you have it. No notes at all!'

'Siobhan, my dear' the king tried to calm down the woman as he rubbed his forehead' I know my son. Trenton is a smart kid, and I trust him. The only reason why I don't think I should put more pressure on him is because I know he's capable of committing with what he's been ordered' he replied, emphasizing the I in that sentence.

'I can't believe what you're saying, Donovan, I really cannot' the woman replied, outraged, and pressed her index finger firmly on the pages of the book 'Look at this! Do you think this is committing? Because I cannot see your reasoning!'

'I know my son, Siobhan' the King replied, exhausted from listening to his wife's complaints all day long 'I am the one who judges his doing. I've let him go free from his responsibilities and I am not taking that permission for leisure back.'

'It's extremely funny that you use the word leisure because that's exactly what Trenton is spending his time on. Fun! This is your heir, Donovan,' she exclaimed, pointing at him with her bony finger' this is the future king of Derlaven. He's already fifteen years old and I really doubt whether he even knows how to lead a small squad of infantry.'

'You know nothing Siobhan' the king walked away from the desk in order to go and grab a paper roll 'You've got nothing to do with Trenton's training. I know what's best for my son, and I am going to be the one who will force him into certain situations, given the time, when I require it' he turned away to face her, and looked at her with his fiery eyes under those thick black eyebrows. 'Perhaps in Glavan your princes learn how to lead an army into battle at Trenton's age. But that's not how we do it in Derlaven. And you, Siobhan, are a Gregoir from Derlaven now, which is why you will apply to our ways of living. I do not desire to raise Trenton like that. He's too young' he sentenced, finally, sitting back on the chair.

'You are too kind, too soft with your son, Donovan. I am looking out for your interests here, as your queen' she emphasized, putting on a more peaceful tone of voice 'What if something happens?'

'It is not your concern to worry about that. Go with the girls. Lyane surely needs help with her dress.'

The woman scowled, disgusted at the way the king was treating her, as if she was a maid.

'You just made me remember the reason why I came all the way here in first place' she added, bitterly 'The tailor showed up at the door just an hour ago. He wanted to know if Trenton was ready to try on his suit. He hasn't tried on his suit yet, Donovan. May I remember you the wedding is today?'

'I'll get someone tell Trent to come immediately if that's what you're suggesting.'

'I am not suggesting it, I am —'

'You're making a fuss out of everything, that's what you're doing' Donovan replied with a tired note on his voice, not even bothering to raise his voice. 'Now if you don't mind, I'd very much appreciate if you could leave me alone for I have to redact a letter of which the monthly gold income, the gold your jewelry is made of shall I point out, depends on. I will see you later.'

She crossed her arms, profusely irritated by the king's invitation for her to leave the room.

'I'll have you escorted your way out then' he informed her without detaching his eyes from the letter.

'I know my way out. Thank you very much.'

The redheaded, pale, bony woman left the King's desk, annoyed to the bones. She was used to having control on every man she met, but Donovan was a tough nut to crack. He was too proud and too determined, and dedicated to his job and to his children. Her subtle suggestions, her charming touches apparently failed at having an effect on him. Stubborn old man.

'I am the Queen, right?' she convinced herself on her head as she walked down the stairs and the tail of her green silk dress slid down the marble steps. 'And I have been for about three years now. One would think I have a say on the kingdom's matters.' Ah, but Donovan didn't know anything. She was very capable of maintaining order in the mess, and Trenton was decidedly a messy boy. Always playing, always not doing what a prince is expected to do. And always walking around like if he hadn't done anything wrong, when actually, even the way he walked was wrong for a prince.

'Madamme' a tall uniformed man, whose armor was made of bright silver (which was the uniform worn by the gate keepers), walked into the room and bowed before the woman, then continued talking 'A boy is waiting for you at the door. He claims to have a message for you. Should I expel him?'

'No, no. Show me the way' the Queen Siobhan commanded solemnly, walking out of the castle. Outside the fence that separated the Castle's frontyard from the city centre was a small, sickly boy, stained in mud and sweating. Although his clothes weren't torn apart and he was not going barefoot, like Glavan's poor kids, she recognised the boy as a child from the plebs. The kid took his beret off his head and held it in his hands as a sign of respect for the loyalty.

'Guards, dismiss. Leave us alone' and synchronously, they all turned around and walked away.

The woman bent down towards the child.

'Do you have anything special for me today?'

'Yes, my Lady' the boy said, taking a bow. 'I saw the prince at the Square.'

'Oh, you saw Trenton? That's important. Was he with anyone else?'

'He was with the girl with the red gown, m'Lady' the kid replied, sure of what he had seen 'They were sitting on the fountain, chatting. I almost didn't recognise him, as he was covered in mud and his hair was wet, and had twigs entangled in his clothes. But I noticed the girl with the gown and the basket, which lead me to recognise the prince.'

'Did they see you?'

'No ma'am. I took a deserted alley, the one I always take to come here.'

'Well done kid. Here's what you've rightfully earned' the Queen said, smiling at the boy, taking three gold coins out of her pocket and handing them to him 'If you see anything else, do not hesitate, come and tell me.'

'Right away my Lady. Thank you!' the boy said smiling, running away with the coins in his hands, thinking about whether he should spend the money on the new horse at the toymaker or wait until he had more coins to be able to afford the royal carriage.

The two resumed their way to the castle by taking a shortcut that involved walking through narrow alleys until they found the service gate where they could sneak into the castle's terrains, as if they never left. Hopefully Trent could change his soaked and stained clothes before his father and his wife noticed something was wrong. And then he would have to make up some excuse for not having attended to the Mass as he was obligated to do so every Day of the Lord.

Both teenagers entered the castle through the service door and started walking through the kitchen, but stopped on their way as soon as they saw it was full of people. 'Of course' Trent thought, 'They're cooking for tonight's banquet.' A glance between the girl and the boy was enough to inform each other they needed to make up a new plan.

'Follow me' Trent whispered, and both exited the kitchen's entrance. Again in the backyard, Trent leant against the wall, trying to think of a new way to get into the castle unnoticed.

'The front door is more than out of the scheme' Trent clarified to Gwen 'Not a viable option.'

'What about the greenhouse door? It leads to the back hallways…'

'The only exit for the hallway is the kitchen. It's not a good idea.' He looked at the wall behind him and let out in a whisper: 'It was ten times easier when I was a boy and I climbed down my bedroom with a rope. Only I had to come down, not to go up, which is a bit…'

He interrupted himself, and fixed his eyes on the grass. Then they widened, as if he had realized something obvious, or found the Holy Grail just before his eyes, hidden at plain sight.

'I've got it. You moved a stone today'

Gwen noticed Trent's plan right away, and took a step backwards instinctively.

'I can't do magic outside the Precinct, and you know it.'

'C'mon! No one is watching, you won't get caught' he insisted.

'Something could go terribly wrong if I…'

'Nothing, nothing will go wrong, I promise' Trent said holding one of her hands between both his hands 'Are you afraid you'll make me fall? I know you won't. I trust you, you're more than capable. I've seen you doing greater things. It's just moving a few bricks, only that. Nothing difficult.'

'…Are you sure? Trent, that's a seven feet drop. If something goes wrong…'

'Nothing will' the boy said, approaching to the wall. 'Take your time.'

Gwen swallowed and took a deep breath. She had never done anything outside the academy, where everything was done by trial and error and you could try again until you succeeded. This, this was something of a whole different level. Trent's life was depending on this, actually, and there was no other chance. And to top it all, they were short on time, as surely Trent was being looked for all over the place. But she tried to get rid of these thoughts and to trust in her abilities. Tried to leave her mind blank and focus. It was useless to even try if she thought she would fail right from the start.

She fixed her eyes on one block above Trent's head, and another at the level of his waist, and with her mind she managed to make them project from the wall. He gave her a compliment and urged her to continue, as he climbed these bricks as she made them protrude all the way up the wall. Minutes later, after hanging and climbing, he finally reached his window. He sat on the ledge and looked below. Gwen was a little violet point on the ground, but he could notice her wide smile.

'You did it!' he shouted at her right before realizing that probably put him in evidence, and drew a hand to his mouth. Quickly, he jumped into his bedroom, but leaned out of the window to blow her a kiss and to watch her enter the service door.

Once inside, Trent quickly changed his damp clothes and shoved them under the bed. Undressed, he rummaged through his clothes in the wardrobe to find the pair of pants and the blouse he usually put on for his swordplay lessons. He dressed up again quickly, put on his boots and fetched his sword as he strode outside his bedroom. He walked down the stairs, feeling triumphant because no one had seen him getting out of his bedroom; now all he had to do was walk straight across…

'Trenton. I need to have a word with you.'

He cursed on the inside, he had been so close.

Well well! A couple more chapters and the real action will begin. I promise.
I have something under my sleeve.
Thank you all for reading! I'll try to be 'round here more often if school spares me.