And now, after a loooong break...
Part Two
Nimble was a very determined man, and was desperate to get his newly wed back in his arms. He hugged his squishy teddy bear closer to his chest, pacing to and fro around the court room as the king and queen debated the issue.
"Why would he kidnap the princess, dear? Maybe they needed a holiday," the queen surmised in her soft, sweet voice, twirling her curly golden hair with one delicate index finger. The king heaved a long, heavy sigh that made his beard quiver.
"It
was a kidnap, dear. He took Elowen against her wishes after Nimble took her hand in marriage!"
"Aah, then perhaps he thought she needed a holiday before coming back with Nimble?"
"Enough with your blasted holidays, woman!"
"Mum, dad...what could he be doing to my wife?" Nimble whispered, having come to the steps that lead up to the thrones. He was still holding his teddy tight, a glum expression on his handsome face. "I want her back."
"Now there, my son." the king said, feeling bad for the pitiful site before him. "We'll get her back...even if it means war."
"Oh, lovely!" the queen squealed, clapping her hands. "Are they going to wear the tight armor that--"
"
Mum! Don't embarrass me!" Nimble sobbed, sitting down on the steps and brushing his feathery hair away from his face. He took a deep breath, and suddenly jumped to his feet. "Alright--father, i declare war on the brunt actions of the wizards!"
"Oooh, what about the armor?"
"...Mum, just stop."
In the woods...Elowen hardly slept that night, plunged into an uncharacteristic silence that actually alarmed Larken. Many times the wizard tried to get her to open up, to speak what was on her mind. But all she did was turn away from him, gazing off into her own world of thoughts. Larken was just about to give up and call it a night when the princess finally spoke.
"I want my prince Nimble."
"Gah! After all of that, all that I said--that's all you have to say back to me?!"
"Yes. Take me to him...right now."
Larken gazed at her with disbelief. By her expression and sudden seriousness to her eyes earlier, he had thought... "You know what? Forget it. You-you're just not worth the sanity!" Larken glared at her and stomped over to his horse, swinging up into the saddle. He was finding it very hard not to crack a smile as he roused the poor horse awake.
"You can't leave me here!" Elowen yelled, panicking.
"On the contrary, I can."
"But you promised to--"
"No. Not until you make a promise to help my people."
There was more silence, at which Larken once again saw the more serious side to the princess.
"Fine, so be it. But..." Larken slid off his horse, willing it to go to sleep before returning to his spot next to the dancing fire. "...I still want Prince Nimble."
(Sorry for any typos--I'll fix them later)
