That night all the villagers sat around ban fires, dancing, and singing songs of past heroes. My sister danced around a fire with other girls her own age while I walked around the camp. It was a peaceful sight though I didn't join any of the singing or dancing. I knew how to sing from father and was fairly good at it but I wasn't in the mood for any festivities not until my brother was defeated and this land was free of him, so I continued to check in on everyone at their own little parties enjoying each other company. Everyone I passed smiled at me and some even thanked me, offering me some food and ale. Even though I didn't eat much, I still accepted their gifts to me. The whole night was filled with songs and laughter the sounds I haven't heard from them ever in my life. Never had I heard such hope and joy from my people in all my life. I felt tears in my eyes hearing their songs and seeing their smiles. I just hoped I could keep their smiling faces.
After I finished walking around I saw Bowen and father onto of a nearby hill watching the sun set and I decided to join them. I stood next to father and Bowen was stood on the other side and we all watched as the sun set. It was becoming cloudy but the clouds didn't cover the sun but inhansed the reds and oranges of the setting sun like the sky was becoming a blaze. The setting of the sun and the sounds of the villagers made the whole scene so peaceful. I started wishing for that moment to last for all eternity. Just father, Bowen, and myself just watching the sun set with the sounds of the villagers behind us.
"It's so peaceful," I said leaning against fathers shoulder, "I wish it could last forever. That would be nice just all of us sitting here and watching the sun set without a care."
"Yes that would be very nice," father said scaning the area.
"We better enjoy it now though," Bowen said.
"At morning light all Hell with break loose," I replied. We contiued watching the sun set for another five minutes before the clouds covered it up and the smell of rain blew in the breeze.
"Looks like rain," Bowen said looking up at the sky.
"Yeah I can smell it," I replied back.
"So can I," father said standing up from where he was laying down, "I think it is time we all turned in for the night. I'll go and get your sister."
"Alright father," I said and we both started down the hill together though Bowen stayed behind. I was halfway down the hill when I noticed he wasn't fallowing us.
"Hey Bowen," I yelled up to him, "You better get some sleep as well. I need my general to have all his energy to help me win this fight."
He then started to walk down the hill meeting up with me when he met up with me he asked, "Ava do you really want to fight in this battle?"
"Of cource I do Bowen," I replied, "I have to fight I have to free these people."
"But you do know that Einons men won't go easy on you like your sister or Draco do. You could die out there. His men won't hesitate to end your life."
"Bowen if you're trying to tell me something just spit it out."
"Alright I don't want you to fight tomorrow."
"And why is that Sir Bowen," I spat back at him, "Do you think I'm not strong enough to fight along side you, or do you think I'm like my brother, because let me remind you who had you on the ropes at our first meeting. Not to mention I have survived twelve years in the woods."
"But all that time you had your sister and Draco by your side in this fight you may be fighting by yourself with no one else able to help you because they will be fight their own battles somewhere else."
"Bowen tell me what you're really thinking."
"I'm thinking you and your sister should go and hide in your fathers cave during the fighting where it will be safe," he replied back.
"What are you afraid of Bowen," I shouted at him, "What are you afraid of? Why don't you want me to fight for my people for my crown. I've handle myself against more expereinced knights long before you came hunting for my fathers hide. So what are you afarid of when you know I can do this?"
"I don't want to fail you too," he yelled out. He then said in a quieter voice, "I failed you twelve years ago when you needed me the most. I failed the Old Code to protect you and your sister who was only a infant at the time. I'm afraid you'll need me and I won't be there to help you. That I'll fail you. That I'll fail your father. That I'll fail your sister who is still so young and helpless!"
I could see he was on the edge of crying. He was truly afraid of what tomorrow would bring but not for his own sack but for mine. He still cared about me even after all these years he still cared about my sister and I. He even cared about my father who had become his best friend. He even felt guilty about leaving us twelev years ago. I felt tears well up in my eyes as well, they weren't tears of sadness, no, they were tears of joy. I had my mentor back. I could feel that one piece of my heart that had been broken for twelve years start to reform and weild itself back to my heart. He had his head down looking at the ground as I jumped at him wrapping my arms around his neck.
"I trust you Bowen to find me again," I said as I silently cried into his shoulder, "I know we will find each other again on the battle field just like we did a few weeks ago. I now you won't fail me this time."
He started to sniffle then wrapped his arms around me. He started crying into my shoulder as well crying out, "I'm so sorry Cathy. I'm so sorry I left you all alone. Please forgive me."
"I already have," I cried, "I've missed you so much Bowen. Don't ever leave me again."
We held each other tighter not wanting to let go for what felt like hours. Bowen cried into my shoulder "sorry" like a hundred times before we both finally calmed down and just stood there hugging each other in a tight embrace.
"I love you Bowen," I whispered to him.
"I love you too Cathy," he whispered back to me.
"You know you are the only person who will ever be allowed to call me by that name," I said looking at his face. He smiled at me then kissed my forehead. In that moment I felt my heart swell with joy and in twelve years I finally felt whole again. I had my family, a real family. We said our goodnights then walked down the hill together till we parted ways. Bowen went to his tent while I went to a large tent at the edge of camp that was made for father. I walked into the tent to see father and Abiageal already curled up together asleep. Abiageal happily asleep in the crook of fathers neck while father was curled around her body.
"How was your talk with Bowen," father asked as I walked closer to him, "Why have you been crying."
"It was very well father and I am happy that is all," I smiled at him then curled up next to my sister, "I am just so happy that I have my whole family back. I love you father."
"I love you too Ava," father said nudging me with his nose then we both fell asleep.
Morning came sooner than I would have liked, though it was the first night in a week were I didn't wake from a nightmare so I couldn't complain too much. The early morning was very foggy and wet, but everyone was ready for battle even some of the elders were all set on fighting though I had them leave for fathers cave. We all set to work getting ready for the battle. I was in my family's tent putting on my armor while everyone else was getting ready as well.
"Your majesty," a male ruff voice came from outside the tent.
"Yes come in," I said as I tightened my sword belt. My tent flap opened and a tall,square jawed man walked into my tent caring somethine round and large in a brown cloth.
"Black Smith I'm happy to see you," I said excitley running up to him, "Are they done? Let me see."
"I made them just as you asked," he said setting the object on a near by table then removed the cloth to reveal three cirle shaped sheilds with fathers face on them. I was in awe at the sight of them. They were well crafted light weight and steerdy.
"Well done Black Smith," I said picking up one of the shields, "I'm going to have to pay you double when this is all over."
"No need to your Highness just win this fight for us," with that he left the tent. I smiled at the shields placing one on my left arm and picking up the rest then left the tent. I went through the camp till I found father, Abiageal, and Bowen near the center of the camp. Bowen and Abiageal were saddling there horses as well as mine. Abiageal was fullly cladded in her armor.
"Are you guys ready,"I asked walking up to them keeping the front of the shields facing me.
"All set sister," Abiageal said mounting her horse.
"As am I," Bowen said grabing his dragon toothed sheild.
"You're not really going to defend the Daughter of a Dragon with that old thing are you," I asked walking up to him. He looked down at his shiled then at me, "How about something more befitting a knight of your status."
I then took his old shield toshing it behind me then placing his new sheild on his arm, "There that is much better Sir Bowen, Knight of The Old Code and Defender of The House of Dragonscale."
"Dragonscale," Abiageal said raising an eyebrow.
"Yes, our sir name for the scales that father gave us," I said untucking the scale necklace from under my collar.
"Awesome do I get one," Abiageal asked beeming.
"Of cource you do what kind of sister would I be if I didn't make sure my sister was well protected," I said presenting her shield to her. Abiageal jumped off her horse rushing to me taking her shield grining from ear to ear.
"Thank you big sister," she said putting on her shield then hugging me then turning to get back on her horse.
"Abiageal," I said stopping her from mounting her horse, " I don't want you to go into the battlefield with us I want you do stay with father."
"How come," she asked stepping awa from her horse to face me.
"If something happens to me then you will be Queen and I don't want anything to happen to you. If you are with father during the fighting I can at least have the thought of you being safe when I am at war."
"Alright," she said grabbing her ax then started towards where father was but before she left she turned back around rushing to me and hugging me, "Please come back to me big sister."
"I will,"I said hugging her back. We hugged each other for a moment then we separated. I kissed her forehead and she kissed me nose before she ran towards father.
"Bowen if any of you die I'll kill you," Abiageal yelled over her shoulder.
I chuckled at her then mounted my own horse, "You ready Bowen?"
"As I'll ever be," he replied mounted his own horse.
"Your Highness," a young man came running up to us, "The archers are ready and all squads are in posiston waiting for your singal."
"Well done all of you," I said to him, "Inform our groups in the forest that we are now leaving the camp and to be ready."
"Yes your highness," the man said bowing at the waist then ran back into the forest.
I then rode my horse to the front of the villagers that would be with Bowen and I when we went to the castle.
"The time has come my friends," I shouted so all could hear me, "It is time to fight for our freedom. To fight for our children and our children's children. Let us look on this day as a day all are free from the evil of King Einon. Down with the False King.
"Down with the False King," everyone chanted back.
"Now,"I said drawing my sword from its sheath and pointing the tip towards the castle, "To the castle let all Hell loose. Fight all of you do not let them see you break but instead break them. Let them see our might for together we are stronger than any of them. Let them see the courage in our hearts!"
Everyone cheered as we matched towards the castle Bowen staying by my side the whole way there. When we arrived to the castle the morning fog was starting to disappear. Our battle was soon to begin. I rode ahead in front of the group as we made our way out of the trees Bowen by my side. WE sat high on our horses riding back and froth in front of our soldiers in a mocking way to my brother. The people cheered as I lifted my sword into the air which unknown to everyone else was a signal to my father. He flew from behind the castle my sister on his back laughing and cheering as he breathed fire at one of the castle walls knocking down several knight. Einons men soon after fathers appearances left on their horses to meet us they on onside of the field in front of the castle. Einon led the charge, Bowen yelled to the forset and we all ran into the trees Bowen and I staying behind everyone.
My brother and his army fell into our trap as a ring of fire was lite trapping my brother and his army and more of our forces showed themselves though the archers stayed hidden in the trees. The battle soon began and we had the advantage, many of the knights were dismounted and killed. I fought on my horse cutting down knights left and right as my horse raced through the battle ground cutting them off of their horses. It was not long before the knight took to the ground seeing if they could fight better on the ground than on horse back. By that point Bowen and I had become separated in the battle. Though I didn't focus much on finding him instead giving any villager aid if needed. Then I saw Einon riding through the battle cutting down any villager that crossed his path.
"Your mine," I said as my horse ran towrads him. It ends here.
Sorry this chapter is sorter than the last one. Thank you for your reviews and I'll try to post the next one soon but it will be hard cause first day of college is coming up. Enjoy and please review.