A whirlwind romance is started when a handsome guard begins to train for the Princess, a romance that neither is prepared to handle. Fighting to keep their romance a secret, the two deal with the flames of new love and the secrets buried in their.

Will their undying devotion be enough? Or will the harsh society of the Middle Ages tear the couple apart at their seams? Only time can tell...

[IMGLEFT]http://www.menewsha.com/forum/members/68063-albums2838-picture21206.jpg[/IMGLEFT]
It was going to be a long day, as Eva tried hard not to awaken to the bright light shining in through her window. She could hear the servants rushing about, and she closed her eyes tight. Not even a second later, she felt a light touch on her upper arm and she opened her eyes slowly. A young woman in raggy clothing was smiling warmly at her, but Eva wasn't interested. She turned her head away.

"Lady Evangeline, your father wishes to see you as soon as you are bathed and dressed." Her soft voice spoke warmly. Eva turned to look at the girl. "What has my father to do with waking me early?" Eva asked in a harsh voice. The girl simply smiled. "It's a very special day, milady. Now please get up so you can be bathed and dressed." Eva moaned and finally got up, ignoring the girl whenever she tried to talk.

About an hour later, Eva was dressed in her finest silk gown. She made her way down the halls and looked behind herself to see one of the guards following at a distance. The palace guards were always told to look after her when she wandered the halls, so that she was never alone. She absolutely detested being watched and followed all the time. It made her feel like her father didn't trust her enough to let her be alone for a day.

She walked into her father's chambers, he was already awake and dressed, and he turned to see her walk in. "Ah, Evangeline, my little princess." He spoke with a warm, fatherly voice. "Come on in, my child. I have much to say to you." Eva took a deep breath and walked further into her father's room, wondering what it was that he could possible wan to talke about. It certainly wasn't everyday that he would call her into his room to talk.

"I have decided to hire a personal bodyguard for you. There is already someone looking for getting the job. If he does a good job of protecting you, then he gets the job." Her father said simply. Eva stared in shock at her father's words. "You can't be serious! A bodyguard?! The guards already watch me everywhere I go, why do I need one just to watch me?" She asked looking entirely put out on the idea.

"Now, listen Eva. My sweet girl. I love you, and I don't want anything to happen to you. There are people who would use you in order to get back at me for things I've done. You are my only child, and I intend to keep you safe." He said firmly. "Now, I would like for you to meet the guy who is going to protect you." He said with a small smile and led her from the room. "I told him to wait in the barracks, where the palace guards are teaching him the basics."

Eva sighed and followed her father down the hallways. She really didn't want this, but if her father gave the orders, there was really nothing she could do about it. She brushed a strand of hair from her face with the back of her hand, and tried to compose herself. As the door to the barracks opened, Eva followed her father inside. She smiled at one of the guards she knew well. "Good morning, Dion." She said warmly.

"Evangeline, I would like you to meet your new bodyguard." Her father said indicating a person she didn't know.

James turned away from the guard he had been sparing with, a hobby for him. He wasn't sure just how he became accustom to sparing but he assumed it had something to do with the fact that there was nearly no risk to it and enjoyed it all the same. Maybe it was all the practice fighting which is why the King chose him of all people to protect his daughter. James had been just looking for a job as a normal guard but he saw an oppurtunity and took it immediately.

Shaking his somewhat sweaty hair out of his face, James took the Princess's hand to kiss gently as he kneeled slightly. "My Lady." He said, as was custom, before releasing her hand and standing again.

The Princess was certainly beautiful, there was not doubt about that. Though James couldn't have cared in the least. This is nothing more then a job for him and he'd heard that the Princess was quite a spoiled girl. James knew it was wrong to hold rumors true but he was going to be cautious anyways. He just had to keep telling himself that he was her bodyguard and not oneof her many servants, which in itself was probably one of the reasons for the rumor spreading.

Eva didn't pull away when he kissed her hand. There were so many men who followed the customs and greeted her in the same way that it was the norm by now. She smiled faintly, but she didn't care for the boy. She would rather have been able to wander freely than have to worry about a new bodyguard. Though, she was hoping that perhaps she could lose this guy if she went into town.

"Father, I understand your concern for me, I really do, but is this really necessary?" She asked as she looked up at him. "It's absolutely rediculous. If I don't need a nanny anymore, why on Earth do I need a bodyguard?" She looked rather annoyed. It was obvious she didn't intend to let this go very easy. She couldn't stand being followed and protected all the time.

"Listen here, Evangeline. There are people who would hurt you in order to hurt me, so yes, it is prefectly necessary. The palace guards can't leave the grounds to watch you when you go out into the town. Your bodyguard is allowed to follow you anywhere, even outside the palace walls. You are much older now, and fairly beautiful, I don't want those things getting you hurt." Her father said calmly. "Give it a chance, my daughter. James here is really very talented, he can protect you. Now please, just go about your day as you would normally." He said and looked to James. "I'm counting on you, James."

Eva watched her father leave the barracks and she sighed. She looked to the older palace guard. "Dion, might I ask you something?" She looked to the guard as if expecting him to answer even if he didn't want to. "Sure thing, milady." The man smiled. "Is the foreign merchant still in town, near the main gates?" She asked, trying to be interested. "I believe he is, milady. Why do you ask?" She smiled. "I wanted to go see what he has for sale today. He never has the same things out everyday. Thank you, Dion." She said, even though she didn't really like being so polite.

She was in a fairly annoyed mood, but she did want to go into town. She might be able to lose her new bodyguard in the maze of streets. She had been to town often enough on her own, sometimes with a maid or servant with her. She had done some exploring, so she knew the streets well enough. She was glad that her father wasn't overly protective of her, or else she would have never been able to go out into the town at all.

She glanced at James for a moment before she walked out of the barracks, not caring if she was leaving him behind or not. She wanted to go to town, to see if she could lose him in the streets of the town. Eva kept her posture straight as she walked the halls.

James grimaced as he followed her out of the room, obviously annoyed by her attitude. He was just trying to do his job. He'd grown up in the heart of the city where he was used to running along the maze of streets. This girl had clearly lived a sheltered life inside the Palace wals and now he was stuck taking care of the brat's life.

Shadowing the Princess's footsteps, James kept silent as he didn't know what to say to her. 'Sorry that your father's using me to take away your freedom' and 'How about a little respect for the person that's resposible for your life' both sounded a bit harsh so instead of saying either, James simply followed her through the stone hallways until they reached the foreign merchant's stall where he waited patiently for any shopping the Princess wanted to do though he never stayed more then 3 feet away from her.

"Well if it ain't Lady Eevangeline." The merchant said, overpronouncing the first syllable in her name. "What do I owe the pleasure?" He said as he smiled brightly. Eva smiled back, though not in a particularly friendly way. "I was curious to see your wares today. Do you have anything interesting?" She asked, still trying to be as interested as possible. The man smiled. "Why, of course, milady. Got eet in the back." He said and disappeared behind a curtain.

Eva stood there for a moment until he returned, holding a silver chained necklace with a beautiful dark pink gem. She stared at it, wide eyed as he held it out. "Found this in me travels. It's one of a kind. See this gem, milady. It's believed to hold special powers." Eva looked closer. "LIke what kind of powers?" She asked, curious despite herself.

"Well, they say it can protect one from evil. It can make one invisible when they feel they need it most. That's what other folks believe anyway. It's right nice and pretty too. I sell it to ye, cheap. Yer the only person I'd do this for." He said and Eva looked at him. "Well, that's awfully kind of you. How much?" She asked, really curious to see if it was really worth buying. "Not much, just fivty gold peices." He said.

Eva pretended to think about it for a moment, then she smiled. "I'll take it." She took a small pouch out of her sleeve and handed it to the merchant. "This has the exact amount in it." The merchant smiled as he took the pouch and dumped out the coins. "Thank ye much, yer highness." He handed over the necklace. "It's all yers now." Eva smiled and put the necklace on around her neck. It fit in fairly well with her silk gown, which was also a brilliantly beautiful shade of pink, a shade that complimented her skin well.

"Wow, I really love it." She smiled at the merchant, then she turned to look at James. She was about to say something, but thought better of it. She turned away again and walked right out of the main gates, heading into town. The merchant wasn't allowed to go any further into the palace, which was why there was a guard posted at the end of the hall. To watch the man to see that he didn't try to sneak in.

She looked back at James, but she still had nothing to say, so she walked out of the gates. It had been a little while since she had last walked through town.

James simply followed quietly though he pondered why exactly the Princess had looked at him. She looked like she had wanted to say something but had thought better of it. His mind wandering due to his boredom of having to follow the Princess, James shadowed her carefully as he was afraid to lose her in the streets of the city. He knew the place could be a maze to anyone inexperienced with traveling there and he also knew what some of the less respectable men would like to do to the Princess if she was lost and alone.

He had to admit the gem looked good on her though he didn't believe a word the merchant had said. He'd lived long enough to know a hoax when he saw one. If he had a coin for every time someone had tried to sell him something 'magical' then he wouldn't need the job as a bodyguard to the Princess.

Saying none of his thoughts aloud, James felt odd about following the Princess so closely. He was sure that he looked less like a bodyguard and more of an admirer to the Princess in the people's curious eyes. Shrugging off the thought with some disgust, James continued to follow the Princess carefully as he watched the streets for anyone wanting to hurt her.

Eva looked back to see that James was still following her and she turned her head away to look forward. This was really annoying. She could only hope for good luck to be able to get away from him. She wanted to be alone, and she couldn't do that if he was following her everywhere. So she took a turn down a side road, being careful not to look as if she was trying to lose him. She knew where she was going well enough. She was going to see someone who was supposed to be really good at fortune telling.

She stopped at the door, a sign hanging on a pole indicating the fortune teller's home. She smiled lightly and she turned to look at James. "I'm going inside, but you need to stay out here. The door is very thin, you'll be able to hear it if anything happens to me inside." She said simply as she walked up the steps and knocked on the door.

An older woman, in her mid thirties answered the door with a smile. "Ah, Lady Evangeline, do come in, I have been expecting you." She said warmly. The woman looked at James. "You need to stay out here, boy. Fortunes are for the customer's ears only." The woman said as she stared at him and turned to go back inside. Eva smiled triumphantly as the door closed behind the woman. "Clara, I need to lose him." Eva said softly so it wouldn't be heard through the door.

"Let me tell you your fortune." The older woman said strongly enough, so that it was clear they weren't going to decieve the poor boy standing outside. Clara smiled. "I understand how you feel, princess. I really do." She said in a hushed whisper. "I see danger in your future, child." She said louder. "Someone you trust will endanger your life for monetary gain. But you will find love in the heart of your rescuer." Clara said loudly. She was looking at her crystal ball, and she wasn't really prophesizing. She was making it up as she went along.

"There is a back door. I will show you." Clara said softly. "Your love will flourish, even though it will be forbidden. Yet you will find peace and your people will name you queen, granting you a life with the man you love." She said loudly. "This is all I can foresee, my child." Clara said with a warm smile. Eva was still standing, but she moved the chair to make it sound as if she had been sitting at the table. "Thank you, Mistress Clara." Eva said loudly enough.

The woman smiled. "I can buy you some time with a doppleganger, but it only lasts for so many minutes. I suggest you leave the back way, and fast." Clara said softly. "People don't believe in magic anymore, but it is still there, hidden within all of us." She said wisely as she ushered the princess out the back door. "Here, take this cloak as well, it will hide you from him." She handed Eva a grey-brown cloak.

Eva took it and pulled it on over her shoulders and put the hood over her face. "Thank you, Clara." She said softly and walked out the back way. Clara moved over to a shelf and pulled out a book. She muttered an incantation and a mirror image of the princess appeared, and walked out the front door. It took one brief look at James and walked away back onto the main street. While Eva walked through the deeper section of town behind the fortune teller's shop. It wouldn't take long before the doppleganger disappeared and he would start looking for her. It was a good thing the cloak covered most of her dress, aside from the bottom.

(( I just have to stir up trouble. ^ ^ ))

James followed the doppleganger with out question through the main street and into a side alley where he watched it carefully, wondering. The image started to fade and James heard himself cry in outrage as he curled fist and hit a side wall. The Princess had tricked him! And with magic no less, something he had assumed until this point was not real.

Running back to the small fortune teller shop, James knocked on the door once before he realized what he was doing. Why should he need to knock? Kicking the door open, James yelled angrily at the old woman. He didn't bother for a response as he knew that the Princess had done this of her own accord.

Turning out of the small shop, James ran through the maze of streets as he tried to panic. Stopping for a brief moment, James took a few deep breaths to calm himself down. He was never going to find her if he panicked like this.

James began to race through the streets again, having no luck in finding the Princess. She must be hiding somehow... He pondered. Someone would notice if the Princess was running through alleys to get away from him...

Eva wasn't sure if the cloak was magic or not, but she felt safe under it's protection, and the necklace felt warm on her neck, rahter than cold. She smiled lightly as she breathed evenly, walking among the streets, looking similar to a young beggar in the grey travelling cloak. She noticed a small group of people up ahead, but they looked shady, so she turned to go down another street.

"Hey lady, where ya goin?" A voice called out, but Eva ignored it as she kept walking. But only a moment later, a large hand gripped her upper arm rather tightly, causing her to cry out in pain. "Please, sir, let me go." She said softly, trying to sound nothing like herself. "I'm just a humble girl, trying to get home in time for breakfast." She said with a weak voice. The guy smirked. "I think we have time." He said with a wide grin.

He pulled her back further into the back alley, pulling at the cloak. The hood fell off of her face and the other guys all began shouting at once. "That's the one the boss wants, ain't it?" The guy holding her arm looked at her. "Yeah, it is. Lady Evangeline." She didn't like the way he'd said her name. "Well, well, princess, we need to take you to our boss." She lifted her right leg behind her a little before swinging it full blow into the man's crotch. He fell to the ground, letting go of her.

Eva ran away from the alley as fast as she was able, but the men were faster. She was tackled to the ground, hitting her head hard against the stone walkway. She heard and felt nothing else. The men all smirked as the biggest of them picked her up and put her over his shoulder, the hood on the cloak falling over her face again. "Let's get her to the boss, pronto." He said and they walked off through the back alleyways.

"Hey, James!" James heard a familiar voice yell. It was one of his shadier friends from when he'd lived in the city.

"I don't have time to talk." James said. "I'm looking for someone." He said as he turned to leave.

"But James, I just got word from my boys that they found a princess." The man laughed, casuing James' blood to run cold. "I know you're not really into play things but you should come and enjoy the show." He smiled.

"Maybe I will." James said carefully as he turned to enter the man's house. "Where'd they find her?" James asked as he hovered awkwardly near the living room furniture while his old friend laid lazily across the couch.

"Some alley behind the old saw mill." James heard his friend say. "Come on, James. You're making me feel like a bad host here. Take a seat." He encouraged and James quickly obliged as he pondered how he was going to get the Princess safely out of this.

"Evenos!" Cried out a familiar masculine voice. Eva could hear it, but she was still out, but it sounded so familiar. Who could it be? She thought wildly. "Hey, Dion!" The guy holding her shouted back. "Look what we found, just what the boss wanted." The man called Evenos laughed loudly, giving her a headache. But had she heard correctly. She began to wake up, stirring lightly.

"I think she's waking up." Dion's voice said again. Is that really Dion? Why is he here? Is he rescuing me?" "Better give her another good knock to keep her out." Dion said. What? He can't mean that!! She thought frantically. She opened her eyes and saw that is was indeed Dion, the palace guard. "Dion?" She asked softly.

"What is it, milady." He answered, sounding overly sarcastic, his voice dripping with acid. "Why?" It was all she could manage to ask as she lay bent forward over the man's shoulder. "It ain't nothin' personal Princess, but I do have bills to pay. And your father don't pay me enough." The man said and smirked. "You are too beautiful. I might ask the boss if I can get a knock at ya." He said, a wide, sadistic grin on his face.

Eva looked away, tears brimming in her eyes. Was it possible, that the fortune teller's fake fortune was actually very real? But then, who would be her rescuer? Who would save her from this? She closed her eyes as the tears streamed down her cheeks, landing on the cobblestone path as they carried her to an unknown destination.

"What have you been keeping yourself busy with?" Jared asked James as they waited for his men to come.

"A little of this. A little of that." James smiled, not wanting Jared to catch on to his new job.

"Always the mystery." Jared smiled at his friend who was secretly fuming. When James saved the Princess then he'd be crossing Jared and lose connections to half of the city. Sighing, James leaned back int he chair as his mind raced of different escapes route. "You know, James. I got myself a new connection. Works at the Palace as some kind of guard." He smiled proudly.

"A guard?" James asked as he masked his curiousity as being impressed.

"Yes sir." Jared smiled happily. "He's a personal friend of the Princess. And now she's all mine." He laughed. "Well, hey. Now that I think of it. I don't think you've ever played with any of my toys. I think you deserve the royal treatment." He grinned at James.

"I'd appreciate it." James smiled at the oppurtunity to get the Princess alone so they could escape.

"Here we are." Dion said, ignoring Eva's cries of protest. For the past several minutes, she had been pounding the back of the man carrying her, but he hadn't budged or even shown that it hurt at all. I guess that's what I get, being a woman. She thought dryly. And for ditching James. She sighed as she just held her head up, she didn't want to pass out from being dizzy.

Dion knew the door was open, but he knocked loudly. "Hey boss, we got her!" He said in a very proud manner. Eva tried to swallow the lump in her throat. She closed her eyes as Dion opened the door and they brought her into the room. Dion stopped short at the sight of James. "Hey, aren't you that kid-?" He stopped short. "Nah, that's not possible." He let it go so easy. Eva couldn't even tell what he was talking about. "Where do you want her, boss?" The big man, Evenos asked, still holding her slung over his shoulder.

"You people are really going to get what's coming to you. It's a crime to take someone against their will. And my father will have you all killed!" She said loudly, making sure that whoever their boss was, he could hear her. She was not a happy camper. Why did I have to go ditching James? She thought to herself.

"Give her to me." Jared ordered as he roughly pulled Eva out of the man's grasp. "I think we're going to let James have some fun with her." He smiled cruelly as James sat with his face platonic. "Its his first time after all and he's one of my dearest friends. He deserves something special." The man hissed as he held Eva's head back by her hair. "Take her." Jared smiled cruelly to James who prompty followed orders and grabbed Eva roughly, for Jared's sake, and pulled her into a side bedroom.

"Have fun James!" Jared called to him just James shut the door behind them.

"Are you insane running off like that?" James hissed under his breath. "This is going to ruin their trust. They have connections in half the city." He ranted before closing his eyes and taking a deep breath to calm himself down. "I'm going to get you out of here. But if you ever run out on me again, I won't come looking." James said as he brought Eva to the window. "Go straight to the castle. No back alleys just the main road and go fast." He said as he cracked the window open enough for her to slip out.

Eva cried out as the man held her head back by her hair. Tears welled in her eyes, but then she was shoved into the arms of James, of all people. He had come looking for her. Or was he with them. She was scared as he took her into a side room. She kept her head lowered, staring at the ground as he scolded her for running off.

She looked at him shocked as he broke the window. She nodded weakly, making no complaints as she slipped out the window between the broken glass. She could feel something sharp on her skin and then something wet and warm, but she ignored it as her feet hit the ground. She took off running as fast as she was capable. She ran out onto the main road, keeping the hood off, people watching her run by.

She ran straight up into the palace, running nonstop until she found the barracks. Her father was inside yelling at one of the head guards. "Eva." He said softly noticing her entrance. Eva was out of breath. "Father... in town... Dion... bandits... JAMES!!" She shouted, panting as she tried to get the information out. She hoped that James would try to make it look like she had been a little too feisty or something. She had more fire in her than those bandits would ever realize.

"Eva, what are you-?" Eva screamed in frustration. "Father, there's no time. We need to send a troop into town. I know where the bandit hideout is. I'll explain later, but James is there all alone now, because he helped me escape. We HAVE to save him!" She cried out. She looked at one of the guards. "Round up all of the best men and I will show you where I came from." She strode over to a map of the city that was hanging on the wall. She pointed to the spot. "Dion is one of the bandits. He should be arrested."

They all just stared at her. "GO NOW!!" She yelled, even more frustrated than before. She noticed a thin sword nearby. "Fine, if you won't go, then I will." She grabbed the sword but the guard took it from her and got moving. "I will handle it, Princess." And he was gone. She sighed and sank to the ground, her back against the wall.

James sighed as he heard Jared come in through the door at the sound of the broken glass. "What happened to my toy?" Jared asked angrily. James clutched himself as he grimaced in fake pain.

"I'm not as experienced at playing as you are." James said, hoping his facade would be enough.

"I know you're stronger then that, James." Jared taunted as he shoved James across the room and into the wall. James felt the familiar adrenaline rush as Jared challenged.

"Guess your right." James said angrily as he straightened himself upright, his facade having failed. "Only problem is I switched sides." He said as he lunged in the air to tackle Jared to the ground with his hands wrapped aorund his neck. "You're slime and its about time someone put you in your place." James sneered as he raised one of his hands to punch Jared in the jaw and was satisfied by the small pop he heard.

Jared however would hear nothing of a defeat. He lifted his own fist in the air to take a small shot at James. It wasn't strong enough to cause any real damage but it startled James enough who fell sideways at the blow, giving Jared the oppurtunity to stand. Sending a kick into James's stomach, Jared sneered at the pathetic boy he used to trust.

James snaked his hand outwards and grabbed Jared's ankle, forcing him to lose balance. James climbed atop the criminal before taking the man's hair in his fingers and slamming his head backwards to knock him out. Grinning in satisfaction, James slid backwards and used the wall behind him to stand as he waited patiently to see if Jared's newest lackey would come to see his master lying uselessly on the floor.

Dion ran into the room when it sounded like the fighting was over. He wasn't surprised to find the 'boss' lying on the floor. He smirked, in fact, and looked at James. "Impressive, kid. But you have yet to take on someone with real skill. Prepare to die boy." He said with a sneer.

***

Eva couldn't sit still while the medics attended to her wounds. The gash from the broken glass that she'd recieved from squeezing through the window. She was too concerned for James' safety. She was worried about him. He had saved her. "Someone you trust will endanger your life for monetary gain. But you will find love in the heart of your rescuer." Weren't those Clara's words? Eva thought as she looked around.

The young woman who had woken her earlier was passing by outside the room. "Sarah, can you come here a moment, please?" Eva asked. The young woman came in a warm smile on her face. "Sure thing, milady." She said softly. Eva groaned. "Ok, first off, no more 'milady' or 'princess' or 'lady Evangeline'. I like to be called Eva. Secondly, can you do me a favor? I need to get my mother's bow, the elven one." She said.

Sarah smiled. "Ok, Eva. I'll get it." She left the room and Eva tried to be as patient as she was capable of being. Sarah returned quickly and handed the bow and quiver, still full of arrows, to her. Eva smiled. "Thank you so much. I will talk to you more when I return. I simply cannot leave James there alone." She said as she walked out of the room and ran off down the halls.

***

Dion flipped the sword around in a circle, without releasing the hilt from his hand. "Come on, boy. I'll give you first go. Draw out your sword, and let's fight like civilized people." He said, still with that devious grin on his face.

"Swords." James smirked. "Interesting choice. But if you want to die at the end of my blade that's your own choice isn't it?" James asked as he pulled his sword out of his belt. "You know, you're pretty confident for someone who takes orders from a guy who's currently, shall we say, sleeping." He smiled. "Obviously you lack a sense of judgement. But no worries. I'll let you beg for mercy." He winked as he held the hilt confidently before striking out his sword, cutting the man's leg before leaping backwards, never wanting to stay in one place for too long.

"That's just a taste, Dion." James smiled, pronouncing Dion as he would the word dirt. "Feel free to give up anytime you like." He smirked as he watched blood flow from the cut in the man's leg.

Dion cringed lightly as the sword nicked his leg, but he smirked. "I've got more than one boss, kid. Your friend here was only one of 'em." He moved fairly quick now, wanting to stay on the move as well, to avoid letting the boy cut him again. He lunged forward and slashed at James, trying to cut his arm to make it useless.

***

Eva knew she had to hurry. She ran as fast as she could, making her way back to the alley where the building was. The guards were still busy organizing the raiding party. She had no time to spare. She found her way there, but the big guy, Evenos, was standing guard at the door. She mumbled softly and drew out an arrow, notching it quickly on the bow. This would be an amateur shot, but she hoped she would be able to hit her mark.

She let the arrow fly, cringing as the string shot back into position, whipping her unprotected arm. She held her eyes closed tight until she heard a grunt and a loud thumping noise. She glanced around the corner and saw the arrow sticking out of the man's neck. She nearly lost what little she had in her stomach as she turned away. She could hear the souonds of sword fighting. "James..." She said softly and ran into the building.

***

Dion struck out again, this time managing to land a similar slash to Jame's leg as the boy had cut his own leg. He smirked as he kept moving around, not giving an opening, or letting the boy get too close. Dion charged at James. "NOW DIE!!" His sword raised high above his head. He stopped short, looking bewildered for a moment, his yell died on his lips. He looked down and there was an arrow through his chest.

Dion turned around, the last of his will to live causing him to perform his final act. He ran at the princess in a rage, slamming her against the wall, trying to cut off her air supply. Eva choked and the bow dropped to her side. She closed her eyes and pictured what the end must look like. She hoped that she would be able to see her mother.

James felt outrage as he saw the man hurting the Princess. This job was certainly more exciting then he thought it would be. Grabbing his sword, James was glad the Princess had closed her eyes as he slashed the man's throat and pulled Eva away and under one of his arms.

"You're insane." James murmured as he turned her away from Dion. "You can open your eyes now. Its over." He assured her as he placed his sword back in its place around his waist.

Eva felt the release, but kept her eyes closed. Until James told her it was ok. She opened them and glanced down at Dion, before looking away. "I-I was worried. I know Dion's reputation. I-I kn-knew him." She shook her head, tears still welling in her eyes. "I couldn't let you face him alone." She said softly, covering her face with her hands. "I'm so sorry."

"Its alright." James assured her, leading her out of the bedroom where to two men lay. "Its over with now. But no more running off on me." James warned, his vocie low as he brought her outside. "Promise me." James said as he turned to face her. "Promise me no more running when I'm suppose to be watching you." He said sternly.

Eva nodded slowly and looked at James. "I'm sorry I did it to begin with. I just... I can't stand being watched and followed all the time. It makes me feel like no one can trust me to take care of myself. But I promise I won't run away again." She said as she tried to stay calm, but her whole body was shaking lightly. Mostly from knowing that she had shot an arrow at Dion and that he was now dead. Someone who had actually been her friend.

Could it really be possible that Clara's false prophecy could really be true? And if so, did that mean that James was really her rescuer? She tried to push the thought away, but it stuck in the back of her mind and she closed her eyes. She didn't normally believe in the possibility of magic, but sometimes she couldn't help it. She looked around and she realized she left the bow on the ground. She ran back into the house and grabbed it from the floor near Dion's body. She immediately returned to James.

"I can't leave this behind. It was my mother's." She said as she held onto it tightly. She was trying to hold herself together, but she broke down, crying. How could Dion do such a thing? How was it possible? He had been so nice. Her crying continued.

James sighed as the Princess started to cry. Putting his arms around her, James rested Eva's face in the crook of his neck as he stroked her back soothingly. "Its alright." He said, he'd wanted to feel angry again and scold her for the trouble she'd caused. But as he heard her sobs, James felt his anger crumble and be immediately replaced with wanting to comfort her.

"Let's get you back to the castle." He suggested as he rested his cheek against her hair. "You'll feel better once we're safely behind the gates." He urged her softly.