The Forgotten Princess

Chapter Four

    The air outside is brisk, but the sun is shining brightly.  We walk for sometime before I start to smell the familiar smell of horses.

    "Finally," Ash calls, when he sees me emerge. "Did you get lost?"

    Kayden walks up behind me, making Ashton narrow his eyes.

    "Cousin," Kayden says to him.

    "I thought we were waiting till after we talked to James to tell Kayden," Ashton looks at me.

    "Kennah required a little assistance with changing this morning," Kayden grins, causing Ashton's eyes to widen. "I understand you know what I'm talking about."

    "Can we not discuss my inability to dress like a Princess at the moment?" I groan.

    "James is in the stables," Ashton grunts, turning his back to us, but not before I caught a glimpse of anger, betrayal, and a sadness in his eyes.

    The stables are huge, housing at least thirty horses.  I walk up to the first gentle creature I see and start to pet it. "Hello, my beauty," I whisper, looking into the horses eye. "What is your name?"

    "They do not have names," Ashton tells me.    

    "Why not?" I ask.

    Ashton is about to answer me when Kayden cuts him off. "What would you like to name her?"

    I admire the beautiful mare before saying the first name that comes to mind, "Ella. Short for Elizabeth."

    "Then it shall be,"  Kayden smiles.

    "Kennah?" I hear a familiar voice from behind me. I turn around to see James emerging from the shadows. 

    "James!" I cry, running over and throwing my arms around his neck. "Are you okay?"

    "I am fine Kennah, I require oxygen!" he laughs.

    "I was so worried when they took me. I knew you were going to get home and be concerned, I had no way of contacting you."

    "I was worried at first," James confessed, untangling himself from my arms. "It wasn't until Lady Marie from across the town told me she witnessed you being taken by castle guards. Something about stealing a loaf of bread."

    I blush. "You were so weak when you woke up yesterday morning, I could hear it in your words. I wanted you to have extra subsidence."

    "Kennah, dear, you always worry too much."

    I hear a cough from behind me before Kayden walks up to us. "Kayden Westerton," he says, extending a hand out to James. 

    "Your Grace," James says, bowing his head before taking his hand.

    "The pleasure is mine," Kayden says. "This is my cousin, and my head of security, Ashton."

    "Ah, Ashton," James nods to him. "So you're the famous Ashton."

    Ash tilts his head and looks at him curiously. "I'm sorry?"

    "Kennah use to mumble your name in her sleep when she was a child."

    My eyes widen in shock. "Liar!"

    James laughs and Ashton's face softens for the first time since this morning. "Am not," he teases. "I was wondering if it was you when you gathered me last night, but you seemed determined and the sense of urgency was strong."

    "You went with him without asking him who he was?" I scold.

    "A well dressed nobleman comes to our house in the early morning hours, two court horses sit outside, and he tells me that they know who you are and your are safe at the castle. I wasn't expecting formalities at that point."

    "So you knew?" I question.

    "Knew what?" James looks at me. "That you were Princess Kennah of Sierra Verona? Of course I did."

    My mouth falls open.

    "Why would you not bring her to us when she came of age?" Kayden asks. 

    "I could not," he says nonchalantly. "There were eyes all over town."

    "Wait just a minute!" I yell, causing everyone to look at me. "You're telling me you knew who I was and you never f*****g told me?!"

    "Kennah," James starts. 

    "No!" I scream. "We went through Hell! I thought you were my f*****g brother. I watched a woman who I thought was my mother starve to death. You use to get so sickly I thought I would lose you too! All the while we did not even have to live in poverty!"

    "Now wait a minute Kennah," James says. "I was not at liberty to tell you.  You do not understand the importance of your safety in this matter is."    

    "Then explain it to me, James, because I am extremely intrigued to hear about it now!" I growl.

    "My name is Jameson Matterson. I am the firstborn of Lord Alexander Matterson."

    "The first Knight of King Aidex of Sierra Verona," Ashton whispers to Kayden just loud enough for me to hear. 

    "I was in the carriage the night we retrieved you from Arcadia. My father brought me along because he thought it would give you some entertainment for the days ride home. I was ten at the time. I remember everything.    

    "We were a half days trip from Sierra Verona when a rider caught us on Kings Road and informed us that the kingdom had fallen from the Pallatans.  They rebelled against King Aidex because they wanted you to marry their heir, Prince Zander. They ambushed the castle in the dead of night, taking everyone off guard. They had gone there to kidnap you when they learned of King Aidex's decision. They were going to hold you for ransom."

    I stood there, shocked. I looked over to Ashton who's face was dark, angry.

    "They got all the way to your room without anyone even realizing they were on the grounds. When they found that you weren't in your room, two of the four men who were sent to retrieve you went to a side gate, killed the guards on duty, and opened the gates to the rest of the waiting Pallatians.  The other two got to the king and queen."

    "How is that even possible," Ashton snarls. 

    "I don't know," James says. "We were not there. I remember my father looking at me with sad eyes. He didn't think I heard everything the rider told him. He told me he had to go back to protect the king and queen, and that it was my duty to protect the princess. He named me head of her security that night, where I spoke the Knight's oath and made a promise."

    "The Knights Honor," Kayden says. 

    "Yes, the Knights Honor."

    "I didn't know you could be Knighted at ten," Ashton says, shocked.

    "I did not either," James confesses. "I don't even know if it's legal. I just know I took a vow to and was given directions by a Knight. So, Elizabeth , Queen Zarabeths hand, turned the carriage around and we were heading back to Arcadia. My father told her that Kennah was to be concealed and kept hidden from the world until she came of age. They did not want the Pallatians to infiltrate Arcadia and take her, they were not sure of their power. He told me he was going to find me in a week or two, but that was sixteen years ago."

    "He died," I whispered.

    "Probably."

    "James," I say, softly, reaching out to him.

    "Why was Kennah not brought to us when she turned sixteen?" Kayden asks him. 

    "Elizabeth was the only connection we had to Arcadia, and I could not risk being captured trying to explain myself to the Court. I still do not know how many people in this Kingdom can be trusted, so I've been working to exploit those who show loyalty to King Zander.  If I brought Kennah to the gates without proper authority or proof of her existence it could have ruined her cover, and if we were denied an audience to the King and sent away, everyone in town would know who she was by morning."

    "Why didn't you tell me?" I ask.

    "Your lack of knowledge was essential in your role as a commoner.  Your strong will to help us survive displayed more common attributes to a young girl of poverty.  Whenever anyone would talk about the missing princess of Sierra Verona, your genuine concern for her well-being was the greatest lie we could produce," he explains to me. 

    "You used me," I snap.

    "Yes," he says, curtly. "For your own protection.  It was hard at first because you wouldn't stop talking about Kayden and Ashton, and the palace. You were only four at the time. It was a big adjustment for you. Elizabeth would tell you to never talk about the kingdom, and eventually you thought it was all a dream."

    "You erased my childhood?"

    "We could not risk you being found out. King Zander is still looking for you," he says.     

    "When did he become King?" Ashton asks. "And why is he not married?"

    "Sierra Verona is a proud country, and it has proud people.  Those who survived the attack have been silently rebuilding the kingdom. King Zander knows this, and he's been trying to find Kennah so he can claim both thrones and rule.  He knows they will never succumb to his reign without the rightful Queen," James states. 

    "Zander took rule about three years ago," Kayden says. "Right around the time Kennah would have turned sixteen. His parents perished at sea, if I remember correctly."

    "Yes," James replies. "He gained the throne at twenty-eight, which is late for a King. I believe he was never meant to take the throne, especially unwed. The first decree he made as King was to send his army out to find the missing Princess when it was discovered she had never been found, dead or alive. There are people in outer Arcadia who still look for her to this day."

    "Do you think it is possible that they are in Court?" Ashton asks. 

    "I do," James says, making my stomach knot up. "Which is why it is of the utmost importance that she remains hidden."

    Kayden and Ashton look at each other, fear in their eyes. 

    "What?" James asks. 

    "What if I tell you I was announced as the missing Princess of Sierra Verona last night at a banquet full of nobleman and high ranking officials?" I grimace. 

    "Then I would call whoever decided that was a good idea a f*****g i***t!" James snaps, looking directly at Kayden.     

    "Excuse me?" Kayden growls. "If you had just done your job and brought her to us when she came of age, I would have known why her secrecy was so important."

    "And if we were turned away at the gate? Or a messenger sends out a crow that the missing Queen of Sierra Verona has arrived in Arcadia, then what? Zander knows where she is and that she is alive, and starts planning his attack on your kingdom."

    "Wait," I say, "what did you just say?"

    James looks at me, c*****g an eyebrow.

    "Did you say Queen?"

    James face softens, turning his body towards mine. "I still speak to an old friend from Sierra Verona, Mitchell.  They've started rebuilding for you. You are their Queen."

    "I can not be a Queen!" I shriek. "I can barely function as a Princess!"

    "Your people are loyal to your family," he tells me. "They've known you were alive, but they did not know where you were. They've been awaiting your return."

    "We have to tell my father of this," Kayden says.

    "Only the King," James warns. "I am still scouting to find those loyal to Zander."

    "Understood," Kayden says. "Mean while, you must return to the castle with us. You must be made known."    

    "I can not," James replies. 

    "Why the Hell not," I snap, anger fully taking over my emotions. 

    "I can not be known as the Knight of the Queen, or I will never be able to discover the traitors amongst us. I must remain hidden in plain sight if I wish to protect her fully."

    "Then we shall get her a head of security," Ashton says, finally. "Someone who can guard her while she is inside the castle." 

    "This is ridiculous," I groan.     

    "My Queen," James says, reaching for my hand. "You are the strongest woman I've ever known. You are compassionate, fair, and just. I know you will bring honor to your family name and rule Sierra Verona the very best you can. Please, for me, remain safe until the day I can bring you back to your kingdom."

    "Jameson, until the day I wear a crown on my head, you will only refer to me as Kennah, your sister," I tell him. 

    He smiles, squeezing my hand lightly.  "Of course, Kennah."

    "Thank you," I whisper. "I am forever grateful for what you've done for me, and continue to do."

    "You are my Queen, and I've loved you like a sister for the last sixteen years. I would have protected you regardless of some silly Knight's Honor."

    "Never be far," I tell him.

    "I promise," he says, kissing my cheek. "Goodbye for now, little Kennah. Stay strong for us."

    "James," Kayden says. "You are an honored guest here. I hereby give you full access to Arcadia. You are a welcomed citizen of court."

    "I'm happy to hear that," James says. "Can I stay here?"

    "At the stables?" I ask. 

    "Give me a position as a stableboy, that way I am close enough to Court, but free enough to move about. No one suspects a stableboy."

    "Done," Kayden agrees. "You will have a house on the stable grounds."    

    "Thank you, Your Grace," James bows his head. He then grabs my hand and pulls me away from Ashton and Kayden, speaking softly. "Listen for the whispers Kennah, I do not believe you are safe inside the walls of the castle."

    "I will," I say, "Be safe."

    He gives me a small smile before turning back to the guys. "Take care of her," he nods to them, they nod back. He retreats to the back of the stables, never turning back around to look at me. 

    I look over at the boys; Kayden's expression is still something of shock, Ashton's is filled with worry and anger.

    "Come," Kayden says, looking over at me. "We must talk to my father about this."

    "Right this second?" I ask. 

    "The entire Kingdom is aware of your appearance here. The more we can keep you out of the company of untrustworthy people, the better."    

    "Sounds like a great plan to me," I say, snidely. "I already do not feel like I belong here."

    "People will talk, Your Grace," Ashton says. "They already know she is here."

    "Exactly," Kayden says. "The sooner we prepare for war, the better."

    "War?" I gasp.

    "If King Zander wants to take you from me a second time, he will have to fight me for you," Kayden snarls. My heart flutters in my chest, his domineering outburst bringing knots in my stomach.