Bent But Not Broken

Chapter 2

I didn't go back to my room after everything that happened I knew that would be the first place that Gareth would look for me. Instead, I went to the stables the one place where I had ever felt happy. The old stable master James is one of the few people in the castle who had always been nice to me. When I couldn't take the teasing, sideways looks, and the whispers anymore I would go to the stables. James didn't treat me how everyone else did I wasn't the half-elf, the half-breed, or the freak to him. He treated me as if I was one of his own. He taught me everything I needed to know about horses from how to feed them how to brush them clean out their stalls and even ride. More than anything more than anywhere else the stables for home and they were safe. Entering the Stables it was as if all the tension and anxiety, seemed to melt away. Walking from the stall to stall I greeted the horses while looking for James. Finally found him in the last stall cleaning out the old droppings and hay. Walking in the stall we didn't speak. It was quiet as I helped him clean the stalls and feed the horses. Although we didn't speak we didn't have to the quiet said just as much as any words would have. This is how it was with James there were times I thought he knew me better than I knew myself. We worked through the day like that only stopping to eat lunch or drink water. Once everything was done and I could no longer avoid heading back inside the castle I helped gather all the tools we had used. Before moving to leave when James' hand on my shoulder stopped me his voice low as he whispered "Whenever you come to your decision I will be here come find me and I'll do what I can to help and remember no matter what I love you as if you were my daughter.

James's words seem to bounce around my head. I couldn't figure out what he meant what did James mean when I came to my decision? What did he mean he would do what he could to help? Help with what!? Did he know something I didn't!?

I was so caught up in my thoughts that it seemed to take no time at all to make it to the large dining hall. Pushing my way through the doors I was shocked to see it was filling with people eating and drinking. The hall was normally just where the royal family had dinner unless there was a special occasion to celebrate. Moving through the hall everyone seemed to stop and stare. While that wasn't unusual what happened next was. As I approached the royal table I noticed that my normal spot next to my half-sister was gone. Instead on my dad's left next to where Gareth sat was an open seat. Not only that my father was smiling at me as I approached. He stood as I grew closer calling the hall to order.

"You all know my daughter Anna well I am proud to announce that tomorrow she will be married to our very own Gareth!!" My father finished his announcement the hall erupted into cheers. Looking from my father to Gareth my stomach fell to my feet while dread and fear seemed to fill the void. This couldn't be happening it couldn't. Right? He couldn't be forced to marry Gareth? The realization seemed to hit me like a ton of bricks. He could make me cause he is the king. I may be his daughter but I have no choice. As I looked from Gareth and my father Jame's words ring through my mind so clear I could almost hear him saying the words. "Whenever you come to your decision I will be here come find me and I'll do what I can to help and remember no matter what I love you as if you were my daughter." The realization me hard enough it felt like a punch in the I couldn't stay here I couldn't marry Gareth I would rather die. I have to leave. I have to leave tonight.

The celebration felt like it went on forever that night. People took every opportunity to come up and congratulate Gareth while at the same time ignoring me. As the night wore on Gareth drank glass after glass of the alcohol my father provided for the occasion. As the night wore on I found myself in the position I didn't consider. When I left we could try to follow me to my room? If you didn't follow me would he try and enter later? The biggest question of all was how was I going to get away if he did try anything? The Gods above must've been watching out for me because when excused myself he didn't follow. Instead, choose to stay. Then even as I crawled out of my window I thanked the gods and the stars above. Gareth had not come to my room but also there were very few guards seem to be around the Castle. Creeping from shadow to shadow was normally very easy for me as it took no effort at all. But just as I reached the closed gates ready to climb the wall and escape into the woods outside the castle. Tucking my knives into their sheets the sound of footsteps sent me scurrying into some bushes just ask two guards rounded the corner. They didn't bother to be quiet as they made the rounds. They spoke loudly with no fear of being heard even after the events of the day. I couldn't see much other than their feet as I lay on the ground in the bushes afraid if I tried to get a better look they would hear me and I would be found. They stopped in front of my hiding place my heart pounded in my ears so loud I was afraid that they would hear they would surely hear it. When they finally moved it seemed to register what they have been talking about when they paused they spoke so quietly for a moment I almost missed it. The elf prisoner the one who I had knocked out was due to be executed in the morning. As they rounded the corner I dashed to the wall once again but then I stopped. What was I going to do once I got over the wall? I had never been outside the castle. The only reason I knew there were trees was that you could see the tops of them when you stopped at the window the elf had come through earlier this morning. Looking back to where the guards disappeared a dangerous yet exciting thought occurred to me. Elves were bound by duty and they could never break their word once it was given. I would free the elf and in exchange, he would take me far away far enough away even my father the great king would never find me again.