Aurora
I fluttered my eyes open to see the grass beside me swaying in the breeze. Grey clouds showed between the branches of the trees as I looked upward. I sat up, and instantly, a wave of dizziness hit me; I shut my eyes tight and rolled my neck.
"Good morning," Kelvin said. I looked to see him cooking some fish on the fire. "How did you sleep?" I blinked a few times and scanned my surroundings. Nicolas' blanket and the black cloak I had worn when I escaped the palace covered my legs.
"I think I slept okay..." I met his gaze again to see he looked a mix of concerned and amused. "What happened?" My eyes widened as I remembered how drunk I'd been. Blurs of the tavern and the men cheering crossed my mind, then falling asleep in his arms.
"You got a little drunk and had me thrown out of the local pub." His eyes glittered with amusement, and there was a half smile on his face. It was then I remembered seeing him bump his head as the ruffians in the bar threw him out, and I winced inwardly.
"I'm so sorry! I wasn't thinking straight!" He laughed for a few moments and then shook his head.
"Don't apologize; that was one of the most amusing moments of my life." His eyes sparkled as he smiled again, and I looked away. I rolled my neck again, feeling some tension and a bit of pain. "Headache?" I nodded. "I'll get you some water." He untied something from his horse's saddle, walked over to me, and handed me the canteen.
"Thank you," I said as I took the flask and took a sip; the water brought a cool, refreshing sensation to my insides, and I began chugging faster.
"Easy! You don't want to throw up again, do you?" I handed him the canteen and inhaled, shaking my head. I pushed myself to my feet and folded Nikki's blanket while letting my cloak hang on my arm. "Do you think you're ready to get home?" He asked, and I looked up at him in surprise.
"No! I- we have come such a long way. We're almost at the city of Alpharion." He furrowed his brows.
"Why Alpharion?" I sighed as another wave of pain went through my head.
"There are rumors that some former Kai-gons who renounced their beliefs were placed there." He nodded in understanding.
"I'll set Hercules up, and we can start in a few minutes. But first, I want you to eat some fish." He gestured to the fish hanging on a stick over the fire. "I'll get you some more water." He walked over to the stream; I noticed he wore a dark blue vest today.
The Nilsen colors. Was it an indirect message to me about his loyalty to Rose? Why did it matter? I could care less... Then, I noticed Finder lying under one of the trees; the dog's light blue eyes stared at me. I felt a little bad about running away the way I did. I hoped Nicolas was okay, too; I wondered if Camilla was taking good care of him. I grabbed one of the fish and began nibbling on it, trying not to get any bones in my mouth.
"How is it?" Kelvin asked as he returned; he placed the closed canteen filled with water next to my teal skirt. I nodded, telling him it was good. After about twenty minutes, we finished our fish, and Kelvin put the fire out. He folded Nicolas' blanket and put it in his saddle bag, and I walked over to the stream to wash my face.
I stood up and noticed some liquid on my chest. I inwardly panicked when I realized it was breastmilk. I sighed in frustration; what was I going to do now? It spread across my dress, and I covered myself with my arms. As if Kelvin sensed there was something in the matter, he called out.
"Princess, are you alright?" I didn't know what to do. I didn't have my cloak to cover myself; I'd left that near the fire. I heard Kelvin walking down the riverbank, and I turned towards the mountains, still covering myself with my arms. "Aurora, what's the matter?"
"Nothing's the matter, I'm just—" I thought about a good excuse. "enjoying the scenery." I could see Kelvin's skeptical look out of the corner of my eye, and I felt heat rushing to my face. I had to be as red as a tomato. "I'm thinking of naming it after someone important."
"It's already been named Solstice Ridge. Are you sure you're alright? You're completely flushed." I pursed my lips.
"Would you be able to bring me my cloak?" His face was a mix of confusion, curiosity, and amusement. Maybe honesty was the best route here. "I seem to have sprung a leak." I couldn't help but grin awkwardly. He took a look at my dress and then returned my gaze, a glint of understanding in his eye.
"One of the many joys of motherhood?" His voice had a twinge of humor, but I was slightly annoyed. I tried not to show it as I grinned kindly, trying not to be short with him.
"Please get me the cloak."
"On it." In a moment, he was back and handed it to me, and I quickly wrapped myself in it. "Once we get to Alpharion, I can take you to a dress shop." He had his hand on my back as he led me back to his horse. He easily lifted me to the saddle, and we were back on the road. Finder following us close behind. He was a cute dog.
"Is Nicolas okay?" The situation I was in reminded me of my son. Kelvin sighed.
"He's okay, he obviously missed you. He cried when you were gone." I furrowed my brows, instantly regretting leaving him behind.
He wouldn't be safe on a journey like this; it was the best decision to leave him at home. I told myself. But I couldn't help but feel some of the separation anxiety myself. We'd always been together since I knew he was inside of me. This was the first time I'd left him alone.
"We can turn back home if you wish." I thought about it for a moment; I was scared of Morgana and what she would do if she could get her hands on the Snow Queen's magic. I once again had the urge to take Nicolas far away from this place and never return. Kelvin pulled the horse to a stop. "Aurora...?" It was tempting to go back. I looked ahead and saw the priest I spoke to a few months ago standing beside a dead tree. He stared into my eyes ominously. Was I hallucinating like Kelvin had thought? Then I looked to the left and saw the Snow Queen's ghost staring at me.
"No, we keep going." We stayed stopped for a moment and I knew he still wasn't entirely on-board with my quest. "The kai-gons have answers that can help us defeat Morgana. I must do this; for me, my people, and my son. I'm staying steadfast to what I said before. I'm going with or without you." Hercules began clopping again, and a moment of silence passed before Kelvin broke it.
"We're in this together, Princess; I'm not going to let you try to defeat Morgana or the Snow Queen alone." His words were genuine, and I felt very grateful to have him then.
"Thank you, Kelvin."
After a few hours, the dirt road turned to cobblestone, and the city came into view. There was a castle in the middle of the city, and it was then that I saw the fjord and the ships. The white sails flapped slightly in the breeze, and a new sense of adventure overwhelmed my soul.
I would have been on one of those three months ago if I had left. I suddenly wanted to get off the horse and explore the city on foot. Kelvin tightened his arm around my waist, and I pursed my lips.
"When we get to the city entrance, I'll cut you loose, but you are to always stay within ten feet of me, understood?" I nodded. I remembered I still had to change my clothes because of the stain on my dress. After what seemed like forever, we finally entered the city gates, and I hopped off the horse. I saw Kelvin had placed my sword into a strap hanging from the horse's saddle.
"You won't need that sword in the city unless you plan to run off on me." He cocked a brow at me, and I shook my head. He smiled and winked; he unhooked my leather bag off the saddle's horn and set it over my head. We made our way through the bustling city. Kelvin tied Hercules to a post, and we began to scan all the shops and buildings for a shop that sold clothes.
Kelvin and I decided to split up temporarily and try to find the shop. We took opposite sides of the street, and after I didn't have any luck, I stopped a woman on the sidewalk.
"Hello, ma'am. Can you direct me to a clothing shop?"
"Что?" She was speaking the native language of the mainland. I repeated the question in Juvelian. "Да." The woman pointed behind me and told me to turn left to the shop with the purple sign.
"Спасибо" I quickly walked around the corner, keeping myself covered. People began bowing and curtsying, and I smiled awkwardly at the onlookers as I came to the clothing store. I walked in to see a man and woman behind the counter. There were many different kinds of dresses on display, and the fabric was rolled up and displayed on the shelves in the back. I walked to the counter; the woman noticed me and instantly curtsied. The man bowed.
"How may I serve you, your highness?"
"I need two changes of clothes." She smiled and gestured for me to follow her. She took me to what looked like a dressing room. There was a mirror on the wall and a bench and chair. "Any color preferences?" She asked while undressing me; she took a string and began measuring my waist.
"Surprise me." She curtsied again and left me in the dressing room. I sat on a wooden chair and used the inside of my skirt to dry off my chest area. I would have to manually empty my milk now that Nicolas wasn't with me. I then wondered how long this trip would take; hopefully, not too long. He needed me, and I didn't know how long I could stay away from him. Was I cut out for this mission if my attentions were this divided?
This isn't the time for emotions, Aurora; lives are at stake. She came back in with three different dresses and some white overshirts. She hung them on a rack and set a couple of corsets on the wooden bench beside me.
"Would you like any help?" she asked as I stood up to examine the dresses. I shook my head, and she left. I tried them all on to see which one fit, and I finally decided to wear a white shirt with a tan skirt. It came with a belt and a silver belt buckle; I had seen some women wearing corsets outside their dresses on the street, so I decided to try it. I turned full circle in the mirror and smiled. The shirt was somewhat off the shoulder, but I didn't mind.
Wow, I look good. I took my hair out and let the blonde curls fall to my shins. I then braided my hair in a five-strand braid. After I was done, I put my leather bag back on my shoulder and took out my coin purse, which was partially open, out of the bag. I grabbed my other dress of choice, which was grey. It would be a nice blend in with the mountain range when we trekked through the mountain. I folded my previous clothes, and with that, I exited the fitting room.
The woman looked at me with a smile as I laid the folded clothes on the counter; I handed her the coin purse, and she took out ten coins and then returned my wallet. She went into the back of the store and returned with another leather bag in her hand. She put my clothes in it, and I furrowed my brows.
"Do you need more money?" She shook her head.
"The bag is on the house, Your Majesty." She pulled the strings, closed the bag, and handed it to me. I nodded in thanks.
"Do you know anything about Kai-gons who live in the city?" It wouldn't hurt to ask; her eyes widened, and she shook her head.
"No, I don't know any Kai-gons, Your Highness. They were massacred years ago, and any who survived either renounced their ways or left the kingdom." My heart sank.
"Are you sure?" she nodded.
"There are no Kai-gons here, not anymore." Her lips were in a line, and her facial expression told me she wanted this conversation over. Was it because of the stigma against the Kai-gon people, or was I missing something?
"Thank you, miss." She smiled as I turned to leave.
"Have a wonderful day, Princess!" I walked out of the shop with a weird feeling.
I returned to where I had come from and scanned the people looking for Kelvin, but I couldn't find him. I tried retracing our steps back to his horse, but he wasn't there either. Both Finder and Hercules were tied to the post. I walked back through the street, and after a few minutes of searching through the same street, I decided to give up and wait near the horse and dog. As I walked back, more and more people were leaving their houses with their children, and the Juvelian flag banners were being hung everywhere.
I wonder what the big event is.
"Aurora!" I heard someone call out. I looked around, thinking it was Kelvin. I listened but didn't see him anywhere.
"Princess Aurora!" A child walking with his mother waved to me from across the street. I waved back with a smile; it was then that I heard running footsteps. I turned to see Kelvin not a few paces away; he gently grabbed me by my arms.
"There you are," he said, panting. "I was worried for you." He pulled me into a hug, and I squirmed away after a moment.
"I'm fine; I don't know why you're having a cow." He narrowed his eyes and huffed.
"I've been looking for you for the past twenty minutes or so. I thought you'd run off on me." I cocked a brow, a little annoyed with him.
"I gave you my word that I wouldn't run off on you. I always keep my word." I stared at him hard.
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have assumed." We stared at each other for a moment. "You look good; you'll have all the men staring." His eyes were scanning me up and down, and I knew my cheeks had to be pink. I cleared my throat awkwardly.
"Thank you."
Violins began playing a lively tune in the distance, and I looked to see some men playing a song in the town square. There were people dancing; I tapped my foot subconsciously. It was like my feet were itching to dance.
"They're holding a festival in your honor for gracing the city with your presence." I looked back up at Kelvin, who moved a strand of my hair back. I looked down awkwardly and pushed past him.
"I'm hungry, and we need to start asking around about the Kai-gons." He followed me with his hand on the hilt of his sword as we made our way to the nearest restaurant.
We ate a quick lunch and then began going around the different shops and getting to know some people living in Alpharion. Everyone was so kind and showed great hospitality. But when I asked about the Kai-gons or a Kai-gon woman named Willow, with every person, it was the same.
"No Kai-gons here."
"They've all been converted or executed."
"The Kai-gons were a weird people; their predictions and visions of the future were disturbing."
"I don't know anyone by the name of Willow, sorry."
Kelvin and I walked back to the city square as the sun descended in the sky, and I sighed, looking at the people dancing in the city square.
"Maybe we should call it a day; I'm getting pretty tired." Kelvin yawned dramatically and smiled down at me. I nodded in agreement.
Maybe taking a break from the Kai-gon searching will help clear my head. I set my bags down.
"Aurora?" Kelvin asked.
"I want to dance!" I began twirling and kicking my legs on the outside of the square. Some men requested to dance with me, and I obliged them. The rhythm of the dance brought a sense of happiness, and I continued switching partners, not wanting to stop. The thrill of the wind in my hair and my skirt flowing as I twirled almost made me forget the mission. The dance ended, and everyone cheered; I panted, nodding to the man I had just danced with. I felt a tap on my shoulder and looked to see Kelvin holding his hand out. I took it, and we went through a similar dance as before. I laughed as he grabbed me by the waist and twirled me in the air. I didn't want the dance to end, but it did. And once again, everyone clapped and cheered.
Kelvin bowed and kissed my hand, and I blushed awkwardly. I quickly walked away and sighed, suddenly feeling very tired. And I didn't want people talking about us. I sat on the sidewalk next to where I had placed my bags.
"I'm up for some bread and cheese; you hungry?" I nodded, and he walked towards one of the booths. I stood up, feeling a little funny in my chest again. All the sound seemed to go quiet, and I scanned around. I couldn't see anything unusual, but the eerie feeling wouldn't disappear.
Richard and I made eye contact then; he was coming from one of the alleyways behind one of the booths, and I instantly regretted even scanning the crowd. He was on horseback, and within a moment, he was a few feet away. He had grown a beard since I last saw him.
"Your majesty, how are you? It's been a while since we've had a chance to speak." I subconsciously put my hand on my other bag as he dismounted and approached me. Kelvin took a piece of cheese from the woman at the booth. He wasn't too far away from me, so I decided not to panic.
"I'm doing fine, thank you."
"How's Nicolas?" he asked quieter.
"He's doing well." Kelvin returned and handed me the bread and cheese and cocked a brow at Richard.
"I thought you were up north with the others," Kelvin commented.
"I was, but when word spread that the princess was missing, I volunteered to come down and help with the search." Richard and I looked at each other for a moment; it was like he could see into my soul. I didn't like that feeling. "Anyways, I'd like to help take her back to Imperia, where she'll be safe with her son."
"That won't be necessary, captain." Was that hostility in Kelvin's voice? "Lord Fergus' wife has already invited the princess to stay the night in the castle yonder. Then I'll be leading a battalion of men taking her home tomorrow." I looked at Kelvin in surprise, but his eyes were on Richard. It was a male form of a staring contest. Who was more intimidating than the other; who would break eye contact first?
"Funny you should mention the Lady Fergus; she offered for me to stay the night as well. Perhaps I should take her up on the offer."
"We shall meet you there then." With that, Kelvin led me through the square and back to where he had tied the horse and dog.
"Was that your plan all along? Humor me for a day and then take me home?" I asked Kelvin angrily as we reached Hercules.
"No," he looked genuinely offended. "What Richard doesn't know won't kill him, right?" I wondered if it was a good idea to believe Kelvin; after a moment, I decided I'd have to take his word for now. He lifted me to the horse and then mounted himself. I held on to his waist from behind. I rested my head on his back, relishing the moment as our breathing synced. But as we joined Richard on the main road on our way to the castle ahead, all the dancing and happiness from before faded. I was left questioning if I could trust Kelvin and if I would be safe tonight, being in the same castle as Richard.