In This Life And The Next

Phil’s hands were around her neck and he was so much taller than her. It wasn’t so much as a dream more like a memory that had been a frequent display during her childhood. She wanted to fight back, she tried and then she was awake, on her feet and there was someone else next to her.

“Where are they?” The voice asked. “Who’s there?” It shouted.

“I can’t- I don’t know-” Aurora whimpered, her voice sounding thick and hoarse even to her own ears.

The doors were thrown open and Victor came charging in with a crossbow in hand along with Ben right behind him, sword in hand.

Reality filtered in as Alec raised a candle and Aurora was able to see around them. He dismissed Victor and Ben, they left giving Aurora sympathetic smiles on their way out, quietly closing the door behind them.

Aurora stood in the middle of the room, the stone floor beneath her feet warm and smooth. She looked down at her hands and opened her mouth to explain, but found herself at a loss.

“I’m so sorry.” She finally managed t whisper, she felt terrible for waking the prince, after all Prince Alec is a busy man and does all he can to keep his family and men happy and healthy, working hard alongside Liam to keep the borders secure from Roman’s army. And now Aurora was waking him up in the dead of night.

Alec sighed and Aurora flinched at the sound.

“Would you like your own room?” Alec offered.

“I can leave,” Aurora murmured.

“That isn’t what I asked.” Alec pointed out.

“I can leave if you’d like,” Aurora said, slowly. “But I’d prefer to stay, If that’s okay.” She still hasn’t looked up from her hands.

“Well, then, come.” Alec murmured. “We can still sleep.”

“Are you sure? I can-” Aurora gestured to the door.

“Aurora, come and sleep. No one can get you here, not anymore.” Alec whispered.

Aurora did as she was told and climbed into bed next to Alec and pulled the thick blanket up and over her shoulders. Alec turned onto his side, facing Aurora.

“Was it him?” He asked softly.

Aurora nodded.

“He’s gone.”

“It doesn’t feel like it.” Aurora admitted.

***

When Aurora woke for the second time, all she needed this time was a hand up from Jess to make it to the bathroom. She washed and Jess handed her a pale blue gown that made her feel a bit out of place and socks so think that she wonder what she even needed boots for.

When she came out, Sam and Victor were the only ones left in Alec’s room, aside from a girl who was making the bed.

Victor cleared his throat, “The royal family has requested you’d join them in the dining hall.” He said, handing Aurora a cloak. Fall had started earlier than everyone thought and although the castle wasn’t cold by any means, Aurora’s thin frame didn’t have much insulation to keep any kind of chill out. She settled the cloak over her bony shoulders and slipped on her new boots.

She followed Victor and Sam out of Alec’s room and realized that it’s the first time she’d seen the castle, they walked at a leisurely pace and Aurora guessed it was her as she still felt a little bit weak.

“I want to apologize,” Aurora spoke up, looking at Victor.

Victor looked over at her, his bushy eyebrows raised. “For what?”

“For waking you up, last night.” Aurora clarified.

“Everyone who’s been to war, especially a long and hard fought one, has nightmare. You are no exception.” He said gently.

Aurora looked at him confused. “I wasn’t at war.” She stated.

“Are you sure?” Victor asked.

Aurora fell silent and thought about her answer, before she could think of it, Sam was pushing open a large door.

The hall went quite as the three of them entered, it was only for a few seconds before it was picked back up again.

There were four tables, at one. Princess Hazel ladies ate daintily among themselves, their manners were impeccable as they spoke in soft voices. At another, knight’s Aurora had become slightly familiar with; Ash Josh, Blake, Ben and Sam and Victor joined them. At the third table, there was an assortment of servants eating. They ate quietly and had their eyes on the royal family in the event that they needed something. Aurora was surprised. In her own household, the servants weren’t allowed to eat until the family had and had to wait on them, standing over their shoulder.

The fourth table was raised just above the others. Laura sat in the center, Alec to her right, Liam to her left, Hazel across from Alec, and Caspian across from Liam.

Aurora hesitated at the door, unsure of where to sit. She took a step in and Hazel saw her. She smiled brightly and patted the seat next to her. Aurora made her way over to Hazel and as she sat, a man showed up next to her. Aurora startled a little bit.

“Water or juice, ma’am?” He asked.

Aurora looked around at who he was speaking to and everyone stared at her. “Me?” She asked.

The man smiled. “Yes, ma’am.”

“Juice.” Aurora said and then man turned to a small table behind him and poured her a cup.

“Eggs, ham, and potatoes alright with you, Ma’am?” A young boy said. He was practically vibrating with energy and his blinding smile was contagious.

“Yes, that’s fine.” Aurora said.

“Right away, ma’am.” He said and ran off, jumped off the dais, stumbled a bit, and disappeared through a door tucked away in the corner of the room.

“It’s a wonder that kid has only broken his arm.” Caspian muttered.

“How are you feeling?” The Princess asked.

Aurora shrugged. “Good, I cannot thank you enough.” She said honestly, looking around.

“Get better. Completely better. That’ll be thanks enough.” Alec said, and winked.

Before Aurora could say anything else Laura turned back to Liam. “So how much is there left in storage?”

“About seven hundred pounds.” Liam said, looking at some papers by his elbow. “Seven hundred and thirteen.”

“In one silo?” Laura asked.

“Yes.”

“We have seventeen silos. If they all have seven hundred pounds or thereabouts, where does that put us?”

“Uh-” Liam said and began to scratch the problem out on paper.

“Eleven thousand, nine hundred pounds.” Aurora said, without missing a beat.

Everyone turned to look at her.

“Your Highness.” Aurora finished meekly.

Laura looked to Liam, and he nodded.

“And if we were to use three percent in the castle, and an additional seven percent on the citizens?”

“You would consume one thousand, one hundred, sixty five pounds in a month between both the castle and the citizens.” Aurora cocked her head to the side. “Leaving in storage ten thousand, seven hundred, thirty five pounds.”

“Holy shit. I think Alec found a bigger nerd than Liam.” Caspian said.

“Prince Liam is significantly taller than me.” Aurora pointed out.

“Oh, lord.” Princess Hazel said. “It’s a good thing you are pretty.”

Aurora blushed.

Laura ignored her children, her eyes fixated on Aurora. “Can you read, Aurora?”

Aurora nodded, “Yes, Your Highness.”

“And do math as well.” Liam said, looking a little bit relieved.

“Once you are well, I believe I have a job for you.” Laura said, a small smile on her face.

“I can start as soon as you’d like.” Aurora said.

Laura smiled, “You’ll need all your strength, Aurora.” She said. “You’ll get there, in time.”

A plate appeared at Aurora’s elbow and the same boy smiled up at her. He was missing a front tooth and Aurora found that irrationally endearing.

“Thank you.” Aurora murmured.

“Ma’am.” He said and left. As he passed behind Alec, Alec put a hand out and stopped the boy. He spoke to him seriously for a moment and then held out his open palm. There was a small candy there and the boy looked delighted, before he scampered off.

“You spoil him.” Caspian accused.

Alec shrugged. “Yeah.”

“That’s why everyone likes him the best.” Caspian told Aurora. “Even if we do the same thing, it’s after Alec’s has done it, so it just looks like we are copying them.”

Everyone glared at Alec as he smiled back at them.

Aurora laughed, throwing her head back and clutched her sides.

Everyone turned to her in surprised. Laura smiled at her and Alec’s eyes were searching Aurora’s face. Aurora stopped laughing as a blush took over her face and she bowed her head.

The conversation continued.

***

“What are your plans for the day?” Caspian asked, as they left the hall.

“I don’t know.” Aurora said honestly.

“Alec has training for the morning and most of the afternoon. Liam and I will be there, along with the men. Hazel will-” He paused and looked confused. “I don’t actually know what the women do during the day when we are training.” Caspian said and looked at the others in front of them. “I’ll get one of the guards to find Hazel, you’re more than welcome to come sit with us while you wait.”

“Actually, there is something that I wanted to show Aurora.” Alec said, as he fell into step next to the two of them. “Get the men ready. I’ll be there soon.”

Caspian left them and Alec stopped Aurora in the hallway. “What are you interested in, Ro?”

“Interested?” Aurora asked, and then looked at Alec. “Ro?”

“I like nicknames.” Alec shrugged, looking uncomfortable. “Never mind, I can call you-”

“No,” Aurora interrupted softly. “I like it, no ones ever gave me a nickname before. Not unless you count all the horrible names Phil gave me , no, but I like it. And oh god, why are you still letting me talk.”

Alec chuckled, “Because I like listening to you.” He admitted, before looking away and clearing his throat. “What do you like to do? Like, for... enjoyment? For fun?”

Aurora furrowed her brow. “I like to sleep.” She finally said.

Alec frowned. “When was the last time you had fun, Ro?”

Aurora thought for a moment as the silence stretched out. “I had a horse once, my mum, before she passed she gifted me the most beautiful horse.”

Alec’s face went through a series of emotions before he finally nodded and said, “Okay, I can work with that.” He turned and gestured for Aurora to follow him.

When they left the castle, passed some knights on the way as Alec guided them towards the stables, inside was a gruff looking older man with a beard, tenting to one of the many horses.

“Boy, you better not be here asking to get horse ready.” The man said, raising a finger. “You have training, I’ll go straight your mama.”

“Whoa, George.” Alec interrupted, raising his hands. “I know, and I was actually here to ask you something else.”

The man, George, was eyeing Aurora. “What do you want?” George asked Alec.

“A horse, one that doesn’t get used often but is kind and gentle.” Alec said.

“Hmm.” George muttered, thinking. “I have the perfect one, follow me.”

Both Aurora and Alec followed George until he stopped near the far end of the stable. “Will this one do?” He asked.

Aurora peeked round from behind Alec to look at the horse who stood looking at all three of them curiously. It was a beautiful mix between grey and white and stood as tall as the stall door.

“What do you think?” Alec asked, looking at Aurora, smiling.

“What’s it’s name?”

“Dapple, she doesn’t get used much as she’s on the slow side.” George responded. “But she’s kind and gentle, loves to please people.”

“I love her.” Aurora murmured, leaving Alec’s side to stoke down the mares nose.

“Then its settled, Dapple belongs to Aurora, no one rides her without Ro’s permission. And make sure they do have her permission.”

George nodded, looking at Aurora. “That you, then?” He asked Aurora.

“Yes, sir.” Aurora replied.

“You better look after her, muck her out when you can. Aurora.”

“Yes, sir.” Aurora murmured, looking at him with wide eyes.

“Do you have anything in you besides those two words?” George asked. Dapple snorted, nudging against her shoulder.

“Yes, sir.” Aurora said, and Alec snorted from behind her. “I’ll look after her, sir.” She clarified.

George looked at her skeptically for a moment before turned around to address Alec. “I need to you sign off on some papers, stating that the horse now belongs to Aurora here.”

Alec nodded and followed after George, leaving Aurora alone with the mare. No one apart from her mother has ever gotten her something she really wants.

After a few minutes, Alec and George arrived back, papers in hand. “She’s all yours.” George announced, handing the papers over to Aurora.

Aurora stared down at the papers before taking them off George, at a lost for words.

“Oh lord.” George muttered. “Get that kid out of here.” He told Alec.

Aurora was barely aware of the hand on her shoulder that guided her back into the castle.