Beauty In The Blood

Aline was staring sullenly out of the window when there was a knock at the door.  “miss, are you in?” A young servant girl asked.  When she was ignored, she politely yet firmly asked,  “miss?”  After a few moments Aline answered the young girl with and uninterested;  “yes?”  with a sigh of relief the servant informed her that her presence was requested in the dining hall.  After several moments Aline answered glummely thanking her for the information and sent the servant on her way.  She got dressed but she needed the help of a servant to hold back her wavy red hair so she could slip the dress of over her slender body and then, dejected and crestfallen, walked downstairs. When Aline got to the dining hall she found no one waiting for her.  She was about to go back to her room when a gruff voice clears his throat behind her. Aline whirls around so fast that her head is spinning.  When she looked up, she sees her father staring at her in amusement.   “Aline, I apologize for my tardiness,” he says. “ It’s ok father,” Aline replies.  “The reason I have called you here is to tell you that you will wed the kings’ son from the northern territory to create better relations between the kingdoms,” the king states. “what,” Aline cries.  “Father, I refuse,” Aline continues. “Aline it is your duty as my daughter to marry into families chosen for you to create alliances between the kingdoms!” the king replies.  “If I don’t,” She asks. “I can try you for treason and have you hanged,” the king states.  After a few moments, Aline defeatedly agrees to marry the prince.  Aline wakes up to servants busily working to set out her clothing for the day. When she goes into her closet to get dressed she finds a present from her mother inside. It is a small box with intricate designs.When she opens it, she finds a beautiful necklace with a heart shaped stone and a note with it saying  “I love you. I didn’t want this either. I am sorry.”           As Aline crumbles to her feet in a heap to cry she hears a knock on her closet door.  “May I help you,” she called. Her mother answered with tear streaks down her face.  “What is wrong mother,” Aline exclaims.   “I just feel horrible about making you do this,” The queen cries.   “Oh mother, it’s ok. It’s my duty as a princess to marry princes.”  Aline said  (and I don’t want to die).  Aline thought. “Well I came here to help you get ready to meet the prince today,” her mother replied.  As Aline slipped on her dress her mother went into another crying fit. Aline tried with all her might to calm her mother down but she was not having any of it. Her attempts just made her mother cry harder. As Aline fruitlessly attempted to calm her mother down a servant heard her cries and came to help. When the queen was again calm, they made their entrance to the dining hall. As the princess peered into the young princes eyes she knew she could not marry him for he was only a young child! He was but the meer age of seven. As Aline was going to object her father butt in.  “ Hello my darlings, this is prince Aiden,” gesturing toward the small child.  “You two will be wed in a fortnight,” He continues. “It is lovely to meet you princess,” Aiden commented. ”It is nice to meet you as well Aiden,” she replied.  “Well now that we have all met, I think we should start wedding preparations,” Alines’ father exlaims. “Father may I speak to you in private,” Aline asks.  Her father who waved her off, continues to make preparations.  “Father, I need to speak with you please,” Aline says through clenched teeth.  “Yes, daughter,” her father asks.  “In private please,” Aline answers.  “Excuse us, we will only be a moment,” the king tells his guests. “What do you need Aline,” the king asks.  “Father I can’t marry him. He is only but a child,” Aline says.  “Aline, he knows his duties and so should you,” The king states. “But it isn’t fair father,” Aline cried. “Life isn't fair, Aline,” the king yells. “Father, I am putting my foot down. I will not marry that little boy,” Aline says. “Aline, I don’t have time for this, they have traveled a very long way to be here and I will not make our relations any worse than they already are,” the king yells. “Do you not care about what we want,” Aline cries. “Not really, no,” the king replies. Aline runs to her room crying. The king walks back to his guests apologizing for the inconvenience of Aline being absent. Aline runs into her room with tear streaks on her freckle filled face. She flops on her bed and cries. Soon, she hears a knock on her door. When she goes to the door to answer it, she finds her mother standing there crying. She pulls her mother into her room and her mother pulls her into her chest to comfort her. Aline cries for hours. She cries for her lost childhood, and the princes.  “Mother, if I ran away would I still have to marry the king,̈ Aline asks. “You wouldn't have to marry him, would you, ̈ the queen asks. “Mother, I am going to run away,̈ Aline states. Aline packs and leaves in the dead of night. After walking all night, dawn begins to break. Aline comes to a clearing and finds a small stream. She drinks the water greedily and deeply. She fills her now empty canteen with water and continues. She walks along a long, narrow path in the middle of the woods and hears a strange noise. Curious, she follows the sound. In a small clearing she finds a small baby wrapped in cloth. Worried, she looks around for the babies parents. When she finds no one, she scoops the baby up in her arms and continues on. Later in the day the baby begins to fuss. Realizing it is almost night she makes camp. Carefully she lays the baby down on a blanket and tries to find something to feed the baby. She finds a doe nursing her fawn and kills it with her bow and arrow.  She carefully filled a water skin with the milk. Never having fed a baby before, she had a hard time figuring out how to hold the water skin. After a few tries of accidentally spilling the milk all over the baby, she figured out how to hold it. Greedily gulping down the milk, the baby falls fast asleep. Trying her best to cut up the deer, she creates deer patties.  She cooked them and devoured them. The rest of the meat, she cut into very small pieces and smoked. She fell fast asleep with the scent of smoking meat and a small, warm body nestled against her chest. Aline awakens to the baby screaming. Realizing the baby has not been changed since she found it, grabbed an old shirt from her bag and tore it to fit the babies body. Grabbing a large cupped leaf, she wanders down to a nearby river to fill it up. When she gets back she wets the remnants of the shirt like a towel. Peeling back the clothing that was on the baby boy, she realizes she will have to bathe him. Careful not to allow the baby's body to touch her, she carries him down to the river.  When she gets there she rinses off the little boy until he is once again clean. She walks back to camp and changes and names the little boy. She names him Dillon.  ̈ ̈Dillon do you know why I named you that,̈ Aline asked. ¨It means ray of hope,̈ she says to Dillion in a soft singsong voice. Suddenly, there is a loud bang that makes Aline jump.  ”Who's out there,” Aline yells.  All she gets in return is silence. Aline then packs everything she can into her pack and scoops DIllon up in her arms. After she picks up Dillon she hears the roar of a creature and then a scream from what sounds to be a woman. Not wanting to leave who ever is out there, she shrugs out of the pack and runs towards the screams. She finds a woman with blood soaking the bottom half of her dress being stared down by the hideous creature. Aline hides behind a bush, not wanting to be spotted. She watches as the woman trembles in her wake. ”Why would you leave a defenseless baby all on his own,” the monster bellows. ”Because I can't take care of him,” the woman cries back. ”How could you just leave our son all alone in the woods,”the monster screams, becoming angrier by the second. ”So those are Dillons parents,” Aline thinks to herself. Suddenly, Dillon wakes up and starts screaming. ”Is that our son,” the monster cries excitedly. ”I think it is,” the woman exclaims. The monster draws nearer to the bush that Aline and Dillon are hiding behind. Dillon screams louder as Aline tries to shush him.  The monster peers behind the bush and stares at Aline and Dillon for a moment and then a broad smile spreads across his face. ”You have brought our son back to us,” the monster cries. ”No, I have come because I heard screams coming from here and saw you two,” Aline replies. ”So that isn't our son,” the monster asks. ”I have no idea but I have grown to love Dillon and will not be giving him back. You two are horrible parents and obviously don't know how to raise a child,”Aline says. ”What did you just say,” the woman finally pipes up. ”I said, you guys are horrible parents but especially you,”Aline spits back. ”I am the best mother ever,” the woman shouts. ”Coming from the woman who abandoned her child because she couldn't handle the responsibility,” ”She's got you there,” the monster chuckled, without humor. ”Oh shut up Dan,” the woman screeches. “How could you say my name out loud,” Dan yells “Because you agreed when she said I was a horrible mother,” the woman screams at him. Ignoring the screaming woman, Dan turns to Aline. “So, will you give us our son back,” the man asks. “No, I will not. I have taken him in when you two abandoned him. It is just as much your fault as it is hers,” Aline states. “Young one, you are right but that is still my son and I would like him back,”  “When I wasn’t here, you should have been looking for your son instead of fighting with that woman about leaving him,” Aline says calmly. “You’re right, I shouldn’t have done that. But I would really like my son back,” Dan pleads. “No, I have grown to love Dillon and am going to raise him as my own,” Aline states. “Fine, but are you prepared to raise a potential monster,” Dan asks. “He may look one way but it is all in how you raise him,” Aline says. “ Not with us. When we become angry, it doesn’t matter who you are. He will destroy you when he is older,” the monster states. “Well, I will just have to “ baby proof” myself, Aline says. “Oh haha, very funny,” Dan replies. “That is my baby and I want him back,” the woman finally pipes up. “Says the one who abandoned him,” Aline sneers. “My name is Alexandria by the way, so now you can quit calling me “the woman”,” Alexandria says. “Alexandria, I don’t care what your name is. I am still keeping Dillon,” Aline replies coldly. “If you try to take my son from me, you will die,” Alexandria screeches. “Then so be it,” Aline replies with a smile Suddenly she pulls out a silver dagger that she had hidden in her thigh holster. She puts the sharp knife to the womans’ throat. “If you really want me to fight you, I will,” Aline purrs. “Fine, take the baby but please don't  kill me,” Alexandria pleads. Aline then slides the dagger into the woman's throat. The woman gurgles up blood and dies. Hovering over her body Aline says, “If you are willing to sacrifice your baby for your safety you don't deserve to live.” The beast just stands in utter shock. “I will be taking my son now,” Aline says to Dan. “I am sorry about killing her but she needed to die,” Aline continues. “She was not the best person in the world, so you probably did everyone a favor,” Dan sighs. Aline runs back to her camp with Dillon in tow. When she arrives back to her camp she finds it destroyed with everything scattered. She runs into her now ripped up tent and starts packing. Making a makeshift baby carrier with the torn up tent pieces, slips Dillon into it and continues packing. When she has the necessary supplies she runs down the path and goes to a nearby village. When she gets there everyone on the street stops dead in their tracks. They all look at her and wonder what their princess is doing so far away from home dressed like a huntress with a baby slung across her chest. One woman pipes up. “Your highness, why are you so far away from the castle,” she asks. “I am away on business,” Aline replies. “Your highness, we have heard you ran away and that if you were found to be turned in immediately,” “Get the princess,” A man in the background screams. They all surround and grab at her until the royal carriage arrives to take her back to the palace. Aline tries to run but is held down by all of the people. She is forced into the carriage. When she sits down in the carriage she is met by her mother, father , and a guard. She looks at her mother for help but her mother looks away in embarrassment. After a short while of riding in silence Aline speaks up.  “Father, you know why I ran away. Why would you push me to the point of running away,” Aline cries. “You know why I am making you marry Prince Aiden,” The king replies. “I am not marrying a seven year old,” Aline yells. “Really Aline? You are really going to risk our entire kingdom for your problem with his age,” the king asks as if the idea is the most absurd thing he has ever heard. “Yes father, I will. He is too young to worry about politics and governing. He needs to worry about not eating his brussel sprouts and if he will brush his teeth before bed,” Aline yells breathlessly.  Upon all of the yelling, Dillon wakes up and joins them. “Oh Dillon, don’t cry. It’ll be ok,” Aline coos in a gentle singsong voice. “Who is this,” the king asks. “This is my son, Dillon,” Aline replies sheepishly. “Your son?! You have never even layed with a man, let alone have a baby,” the king exclaims. “Father, I adopted him,” Aline replies. “Aline, you will not raise that ignoble child,” he says. “He is mine and I love him very much, don’t you know what it is like to love a child so much that you would do anything for and never let go without a fight,” Aline asks. “Yes, I did once. But then he died. Then we had you to replace him,” the king replies coldly. “I had a brother,” Aline asks. “Yes you did, but then he went to war and died on the night watch when his camp was attacked,” the king replies sadly. “Wait, are you saying that you don’t love me enough to never let me go and to always want me to be happy,” Aline asks. “No,” is all the king can say. Suddenly, Aline attacks the guard and makes him go unconscious. The king and queen stare at her in disbelief. When they snap out of their shock Alines’ father yells “What did you do that for Aline.” “So nobody would be here to stop me,” “Stop you from what,” the king asks. “From this,” Aline then jumps out of the carriage and starts running at top speed. From behind her she can hear her father scream, “Aline, come back!” Aline heard him but she just ignored him and kept running. After running through what felt like hours, Aline finally slowed to a stop. Looking at a now wide-awake Dillon, smiles at him and sits down. “You know Dillon, I had no idea that I had a brother but I always suspected that father as much as he told me he did,” Aline sighs. Dillon just looks at her and giggles. Aline then realizes that she has not fed Dillon in a while, so she gets out her water skin full of deer milk and feeds him. When she is done she makes camp. Aline is hungry so she goes hunting with Dillon strapped to her chest. She finds a doe and takes aim to kill it. She is about to release the arrow when something russells in the bushes and scares it away. Wondering what scared off her dinner, she investigates. She finds a man hiding behind the bushes. “What are you doing in the bushes scaring off my dinner,” Aline exclaims. “I am looking for you so I can take you back to the palace,” the man states. Realizing what is going on, Aline turns to run but is held down by two men that have surrounded her. She is forced onto a wagon and taken back to the palace. They are on a bumpy road for a few hours. When they arrive at the palace they are greeted with an army of guards. Aline is put in cuffs and Dillon is taken from his carrier.  “No, give me Dillon back,” Aline screams. The guards just laugh at her and ignore her. “I am serious, give me my son back,” she continues. The continue to ignore her and continue down the path to the palace. They walk into the throne room and force Aline onto her knees to kneel before her parents. “What do you have to say for yourself Aline,” the king shouts. “I say that I am not sorry for running away from you,” Aline replies. “You are hereby tried with treason and will be hanged tomorrow at dawn,” the king bellows. The guards wisk Aline away. They take her to the dungeon and chain her to a wall. They then take out clubs and beat her until all she sees is red. Soon after, she passes out from the pain. She is jolted awake by rough hands shaking her. Aline sits up to see her mother sitting by her cot. “Mother, what are you doing here,” Aline exclaims. “I have come to retrieve you,”  “Retrieve me?! What about my execution,” Aline asks. “I have convinced your father not to kill you. When I convinced him he sadly decided to kill, what was his name? Dillon? I am sorry Aline,” her mother says Aline lets out a blood curdling cry that would shatter windows.  “How could you let him do that to a baby,” Aline screams. “Another part of your punishment is watching,” the queen continues. “So he is not dead yet,” Aline exclaims. “no , but he will be soon,” Her mother sighs. “Mother, we need to go now,” “Aline, there is no saving that baby,”  “Mother, we have to try,” Aline cries. “Aline, there is nothing we can do,” she replies. “Mother, if you love me you will help me try to save my son,” Aline screams. “Fine Aline,” her mother replies. They go to the execution room and find Dillon sitting on the table. He is swaddled in cloth. A woman is standing over him, presumably to guard him. Aline runs up to Dillon. “Dillon,” Aline calls. “Halt, you must not touch him. He is to die and cannot be shown affection right now,” the woman guarding him states. “I am his mother and your future queen so I suggest you allow me to hold him,” Aline growls. The woman fearfully steps aside.  “That’s better. Dillon! Oh, I hope your ok,” Aline cries. Aline scoops up Dillon and cradles him. Just as she picks him up the king comes in to view the execution. “Aline, what are you doing holding the baby,” The king shouts. “I am holding my son,” Aline challenges. “Aline, that baby is to die,” the king shouts. “Father, that baby did nothing wrong,” she exclaims. “Aline, it is either the baby, or you,” he replies. “Fine father, take my life instead. Dillon has done absolutely nothing wrong,” “Aline we are killing “Dillon” weather you like it or not. Guards, seize the baby,” he replies angrily. The guards then rip the baby out of Alines’ arms and put him on the table. They then bring the executioner over to the table and put the baby in the guillotine. The executioner is about to let the string go but suddenly there is a crash and Dan, the babies' father is pulling Dillon away from everyone all while Aline is screaming, “No.” Dan grabs Aline and runs out of the castle and into the woods. “Are you ok,” Dan asks. “I am, but is Dillon,” Aline replies. Dan lays Dillon on the ground and unswaddles him. Both Dan and Aline inspect Dillon with worried eyes. When they conclude that he is fine, Dan puts Aline on his back and runs. He runs for what feels like hours. When he finally slows, they are in a part of the forest that Aline doesn’t recognize. Dan then sets Aline and Dillon down gently and leads them away. Dan takes them to what looks like a small camp with a few people that look similar to Dan. The monsters look at Aline and Dillon and lick their lips. “These two are not for eating boys,” Dan says. “Why not,” one asks disappointedly. “Because the baby is my son and the woman is his mother,” Dan replies. “Dang it Dan! We are hungry and need food. You said you would come back with food but all you came back with is something that we can’t eat,” another one states. “Well I am sorry that I had to save my sons’ life,” Dan replies angrily. “What is your name pretty lady,” The tallest of them asks Aline. “My name is-,” Aline is cut off. “Damn it John, You almost bound her to you,” Dan shouts. “Maybe that is what I wanted to do,” John states with an innocent smile “Wait, what,” Aline asks. “When you directly give him your name you are bound to him. He is the only known one of our kind that can do that,” Dan states. “My name is Aline,”she whispers to Dan. “Her name is Aline,” Dan announces.  “What a lovely name,” John says. “Thank you,” Aline answered him. Over the next few months Dan and Aline grew extremely close. They watched Dillon grow up happy and healthy. Eventually, Aline and Dan fell in love. They decided to get married and extend their family. Aline fell pregnant. “Dan, I think it is time,” Aline says fearfully. “Ok, we need water and towels and blankets,” Dan states  After about two hours, two babies were born. “Dan, they’re beautiful,” Aline exclaims. “I can’t believe that I have such perfect children,” Dan states, beaming with pride. Even Dillon loved his new brother and sister. He played with them all of the time. They are now 5 and 6. “Mommy, when are we going to go hunting,” Dillon asks. “Hunny, me and daddy are going to go with the others and John is going to watch you,” She replies. “Mommy, why can’t we go,” Isabelle asks. “Because you are only five and can’t handle hunting just yet,” She tells her daughter. “Mommy, when will we be old enough,” Henry asks. “I don’t know sweety, Dan,” Aline says turning to Dan. “How about when you are ten, does that sound like a good age Aline,” Dan asks. “That sounds like a good age for you guys to learn,” Aline states. When they turn ten, they learn to hunt.  All of them grow up and are integrated into the society of the kingdom so they can have a family and a normal life.  Every once in a while, one of the children would get mad but they could sense what their inner monster was going to come out and would run into the woods and would lock themselves in a reinforced cage where they would calm down and could then return home. Dan and Aline grow old and pass on. The children were called home and brought their families to their home. After the funeral they grieve and then go home where they live out the rest of their days.