Time To Prepare

Aidan sat twirling his thumbs in a circular motion. He had been the first to arrive to the courtyard. Soon people of the castle began to file in. He noticed it was mostly knights, young men and women of the castle, and royals. Rumors buzzed like bee's. Some said the kingdom was going into war, and others said that the king was announcing the betrothal of Erec and Kairi. The last rumor made his stomach churn. He had to stand up and walk, he fingered the branches the nearby trees and smelled the roses.

He wrapped his rough fingers around the last-to-bud crimson red rose and ripped it in the middle of the stem, the sharp thorns pricking his fingers. He licked the blood from them and turned his gaze towards the front, on top of the podium.

The warm spring wind blew past his face as he watched Kairi enter and sit to the left of the king. Next followed Autumn and beside her, Luke. Aidan looked around at the large crowd and climbed up on top of the stone walls, legs dangling off the edge, he clentched his teeth at the sight of Erec following her like a saddened puppy. If looks could kill, the prince would have fallen backwards dead. They met eye contact for several seconds and then he was seated in the front row. His dark eyes gazed upon Kairi, soakign in her beauty. His mind was blank. He was not worried about taking the throne or how sore his bottom was from the two day ride to Grayson and back where he took the throne. He twirled the rose in and out of his fingers and waited.

Suddenly the King rose and began to speak. Even though Aidan was far away his ears could hear every word. War? he repeated in his mind. He had suspected it. Why else would his father have insisted on him taking the throne so quickly. His head pounded and hands quaked. What about Kairi. After he left for battle would he ever see her again. Why was this happening. Thoughts flooded his head.

At the mention of Aidan's name his head flew up and squinted at the king. Every head turned backwards as the King jestured for him to stand. He hopped off the top of the six foot wall and gracefully landed, his boots barely making a sound against the stone floor. He bowed slightly, cheeks turning red from the attention. He remainded standing, back against the wall, he met Kairi's gaze once more before she turned around. He hated hearing her cries, her protests of war. Aidan was forced to fight, he was no coward and would never refuse. War was a part of life. Just as death and heart break. He wished she would just remain seated. He wished she would stop yelling, for it only broke his heart more.

"So, with this brings me to name our generals." He paused. "Erec Andrewes, and Aidan Thatcher. They will lead our armies in for a great victory that we will share with Reamous."

Aidan's eyes grew wide. Not only was he a King, he was now incharge of two armies....Grayson's and half of Amoare's.

Erec followed Kairi in walking into the Courtyard. He knew that she had chosen Aidan, and he was heartbroken. He was looking forward for him to be spending his life with a woman that truely loved him. But he was wrong. His eyes met Aidan's too many times. He knew that Aidan didn't like him. not in the least.

War...Would he fight with the Enemy that he is trying to make peace with? Hah, no. Erec had plans...plans for the downfall of Amoare. It's his for the taking..and nothing is going to get in his way.

"General? But Sir...With..That?" He pointed to Aidan as he stood. "Sier. You must be joking." He said in a sincere tone. His eyes found Kairi's who he could have swore her eyes were a piercing blue. He knew his mind was playing tricks on him. And he brushed the thought away.

Autumn sat quietly as her father spoke. She squeezed Lukes hands and her eyes quickly filled with tears but she wiped them away. She looked at Luke and then at the screaming Kairi. Then Riley stood and defended her. Autumn found herself standing also, but she was speechless. She just stood at her father. How could he do this? How could her father make the man she loved so dearly, the one she was about to marry in a matter of weeks go off to war?

Aidan and Erec as generals? Autumn looked back at her sister's love and then to Kairi. She looked up at Luke and her tears streamed down her face. SHe hated him seeign her cry, but she couldn't hold it back.

Then Erec spoke. He questioned the king. Autumn stood listening to Luke's heart beat grow rapid and blood pulse through his veins. He loosened his grib on her hand and before Autumn had time to blink he had withdrawn a dagger from his boot and was holding it to the Prince's neck.

"LUKE!" she yelped. She ran to him and stood beside him. "Think! Think about what you are doing? Come on," she whispered tugging on his strong arm. "Come, sit, please?" she begged looking up at him with bloodshot eyes.

"General? But Sir...With..That?" Erec pointed to Aidan as he stood. "Sier. You must be joking."

Aidan crossed his arms and let out a sarcastic laugh. He glared at the man who thought of himself better than everyone else. His eyes quickly flashed from brown to red and then back again. But he was almost certain no one noticed.

His lips formed words but they never made it out before Luke jumped up and pulled a dagger on Erec. Aidan's eyes grew wide and then he smirked. For a split second he sensed fear in Erec's eyes. But it was probably because of his friend's extreamly quick movements.

Then his attention was directed towards the weeping Autumn and then to Kairi. He hated leaving her to worry.

The kings words echoed through the courtyard and everyone jumped, including Aidan, as he raised his voice. Yes, Autumn and Luke would have to postpone thier wedding to after they get back....if they all get back. Aidan's heart stopped. If? He clentched his jaws and swallowed down the horrible thoughts. He was not invicible...he definitely had his weaknesses. As did everyone else. His dark brown eyes glanced toward his love once more and thier eyes locked.