The Lost Princess

Chapter Twenty-Five: The Truth

"Amara?"

The lost princess looked up, squinting in the bright sun. The king stood above her, his blue eyes smiling gently.

"Your Majesty," she murmured, ducking her head in respect.

"Let us walk," he said, and he held out his arm for her to take. She was stiff as he led her through the garden. It was uncomfortable to be so close to a person she hardly knew, and the formality of it reminded her of her rarely used etiquette she had been taught so long ago.

"You spend much time in our gardens."

Amara tried to relax her body as she analyzed the king's statement. He wanted something from her but was trying to attempt normal conversation first. She had had few interactions with the king, and the topic of her father or anything else personal had not been broached. She had been glad of this but knew one day she would be forced to talk. It looked like that dreaded day had come.

"Who sent you to speak with me?"

The king looked at her, an eyebrow raised. "You are shrewd, my dear. Or I am completely tactless."

Amara smirked. "Perhaps both."

Olphan laughed, and they continued on through the endless greenery. Finally noticing her discomfort in the way they walked, he released her arm, and they moved much more comfortably.

"I suppose I may be blunt with you. The council wishes me to probe you for answers to their curiosities about how you came to be here and what strange abilities you've brought with you."

"Strange abilities?"

"Fire magic is almost unheard of, and kyllaroses are said to be extinct."

Amara stopped at a fork in the hedgerows and studied her hands. "I have many sad stories, Your Majesty. Most I would prefer not to tell."

The great elf king nodded solemnly. "I understand better than you might imagine. But, Amara, we cannot help you if you will not share with us and direct us on the right path."

Amara glared at him. "Why do you expect me to lead you? Why should I know any better than the council what to do about Goroth?"

King Olphan looked confused by her questions. "They haven't told you?"

"Told me what?" Amara could feel her frustration rising. "What are they not telling me?"

Olphan looked at the castle, expression puzzled, then at Amara. "The vision that Eramire had. It told her to find you."

Amara crossed her arms impatiently. "Yes, I've gathered that much. What I don't understand is why."

The king looked at her sadly. "Because the Forgotten One has said you are the one who will decide if Rhovamben survives the coming war, Amara."

Amara looked at the elf king in horror as he repeated the words of the Forgotten One, and she fled. She heard him call after her, but she didn't turn back. Her heart pounded in her ribs. Bile rose in her throat.

***

Earwen sat serenely in her room, a book in her lap, when the doors of her chambers flew open. She jumped to her feet as Amara, eyes wild, burst into the room, gasping from sprinting.

"Amara, what—"

"Why didn't you tell me?"

Earwen blinked at the accusing tone. "Tell you what, Amara?"

The lost princess paced the room. "That it was me. Only me, who you believe will decide the fate of Rhovamben. That my kingdom will fall no matter what I do. Not that I want to rule a kingdom full of traitors anyway, but how could you withhold such vital information from me? My destiny."

Sighing, the elf girl sat back in her chair, placing her book on an end table. "Prophecies are not always as clear as they sound. Eramire didn't think it wise to burden you. There may be hope—"

"Oh, and the Lady Eramire always knows best. How long were you going to keep this from me?"

"Until we thought you were ready."

Amara snorted in disgust. "You want me to be your savior!"

Earwen said nothing, waiting patiently.

Amara stepped toward her, eyes like burning coals. "I don't want to save you! Why would I, when your people didn't lift a finger to save me?"

"I wasn't here, Amara. I didn't fail you."

"But you will."

"Are you even going to give me the chance?"

Amara looked stung. "You don't trust me."

"Quite the contrary. I trust you implicitly."

"Why do you lie?"

"I will never lie to you, Amara."

The young woman screamed in fury and pain. Earwen could see her torment. Amara clung to her anger and self-righteousness so tightly it broke Earwen's heart.

"We aren't looking for you to save us alone, Amara. We will be with you every step of the way. We will not abandon you."

"Why should I believe you?"

Earwen smiled at her sadly. "Frankly, because you don't have any better option."

Amara looked so grim Earwen ached for her.

"I guess you're right."

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