Stuck in a Fairytale - Chapter 6

Chapter 6

As we rode side by side, I saw the castle coming into view on the horizon. It glowed magically in the summer sun, a scene so picturesque it took my breath away.

"Wow!" I finally exclaimed out loud.

"It is quite beautiful, isn't it?"

"I think that's an understatement," I noted. "You're a very lucky guy to have grown up in such an incredible place."

"It may appear luxurious on the outside, but I have many responsibilities. The whole kingdom relies on me to be the source to their solutions, their freedom." I could see the sorrow in his eyes.

"It must be hard to have that on your shoulders but you seem to be handling it pretty well. You're always strong and look so calm all the time, like with that ogre. You took him on headstrong without even a blink."

"I have to be that way, focused I mean, or everything will crumble beneath me. I sympathized with him.

As we got closer, I began to notice hundreds of soldiers surrounding the castle, all suited in metal armor.

"Hey, um William, I think we got trouble," I pointed towards some of the men.

A look of panic crossed his face.
" The daharians, they've overtaken the castle. "

When we got a closer look, I saw two heavily muscled guards blocking the main castle doors. Several other men were leading what seemed to be castle servants toward the dungeon, their hands tied behind their backs. It was a horrendous scene, making me want to cry knowing my father was in there.

"This is all my fault. I changed everything!" I meant to say this to myself but accidentally spoke the words out loud.

"What are you talking about? You did nothing wrong," William said to me with a confused tone.

"I...I...I..." I could feel my heart racing and my cheeks burning. Ok, it's better late than never Elizabeth. You have to tell him. This has gone too far. I let out a deep breath.

"Ok. Don't freak out, but you should know a secret I've been keeping from you." I braced myself for his reaction and very quickly let out the truth. "That book I have been holding is not about our adventure, but a story about you and your fight against the daharians. My father made this invention that somehow created this black hole that brought him here to your world and now me, which has changed everything. You're supposed to meet and fall in love with princess Isabel, and you and your soldiers are meant to defeat the daharians before they even get to the castle. This wasn't supposed to happen like this. I'm so sorry William. It's all my fault we got into this mess."

I caught my breath as a tear ran down my face. William turned my chin up sweetly wiped the tear away.

"Precious Elizabeth, I don't really understand what you're going on about but don't you dare think any of this is your fault," he said, brushing some hair out of my face and pushed it behind my ear.

"I wouldn't expect you to believe me. I know it sounds strange. How about I show you?" I took out my most valuable item and handed the book over to William. He slowly flipped the pages and saw all the events that happened till now. Then he landed on the page showing the present with us hiding among the trees and the castle surrounded by guards. By the look on his face, I knew he was finally grasping the truth of it all. He had a look of shock mixed with utter confusion. After what felt like years of silence, William finally came through letting out a sigh.

"Dearest Elizabeth, I admit this is a complete shock. However, I frankly don't care how you got here. I am deeply in love with you and nothing could ever change that. You hear me?" I nodded. "We will defeat those daharians if it's the last thing I do and we WILL get your father out of there."

I smiled. Right then I just knew no matter what happened everything would be ok as long as William was right here by my side. I reached out and hugged him with all my might and then turned and kissed him sweetly on the lips. He smiled at me. "Now we need to come up with a plan to get past those guards. Let me think..."

After a few moments, William looked like he had an idea.

"Ok. Here's what we'll do. You'll be the diversion and distract the guards while I sneak around to the dungeon to get your father. Then we'll meet back here. You think you're up for it?"

Honestly, I was scared to death but I knew this was the only way. I nodded in agreement. "But what if it doesn't work?" I asked sincerely.

"Let's pray that it does."

I gulped and looked up at the sky towards the heavens.

I closed my eyes for a split second and braced myself for what was to come. Ok you can do this Elizabeth. You're father is counting on you. I took a deep breath then proceeded to run towards the castle.

"Excuse me. I was wondering if you kind gentleman could help me. I seem to have gotten lost in the forest and I can't find my way back home. Do you think you could point me in the right direction?"
I gave the guards a smile, twisting my hair between my fingers. In the corner of my eye I noticed William working his way to the side of the castle where the dungeon was.

"Anything for a beautiful lady as you," said one of the guards blocking the main entrance.

"Why thank you. You're such a gentleman." I curtsied, trying to play up the part.

"Where did you come from miss?" the other guard asked me.

"Well...um... Eulicius." I said the name of the only town I knew of. "Do you happen to know where that is sir?" I heard a crunching sound to my right and I had to think quickly. Before the guards started to look towards where the sound was coming from, I knelt down putting my hand to my ankle. "Ow! My ankle. It hurts! I've been walking for days. I don't think my poor feet could take it anymore."

"Why don't you come inside and we'll ice that for you? Then we'll have someone give you a ride back to town. We don't want you making that long journey. "

I smiled but it quickly faded when I saw a guard pushing William violently towards us.

"Look who I found sneaking around," he said with a smug look on his face.

The two guards I was talking to pulled out their swords toward me. "You tyrant! You try to make a fool out of us! Bring them to the dungeon where they belong!" Before I knew it a guard took grip of my hands and led me toward the dungeon along with William. I screamed and tried to get away but couldn't. He was too strong for me. I looked to William. "Everything will be alright," he shouted to me.

Tears rolled down my face. I hoped he was right...