Law XIV Article VIII

Once upon a time in a land far, far away, there lived a beautiful princess called Elizabeth. The only daughter of King Joseph and Queen Victoria, Elizabeth was beloved by both her family and her subjects. She was kind, honest, and everything else an enlightened ruler should be.

As Elizabeth was a beautiful princess from a wealthy kingdom, she had many suitors. Nations from all over the world wished to align themselves with her kingdom, Gloriana, to secure their own prosperity. To the royal family of Gloriana, this seemed a blessing, for they assumed that it would mean Elizabeth would have a large range of suitors to choose from. For King Rudolfo and Queen Electra from Culari and their youngest son Casimir, however, it meant an opportunity for power, conquering and devastation.

“And it is because Cameron of Scots overthrew the vicious Prince Leigh that we have Law XIV Article VIII, which allows commoners to marry royalty in extreme cases, if approved by the masses,” Gabriel glanced up from the textbook and was struck again by his pupil's beauty. Ever since Elle had come of age, and, though Gabriel would admit this to no one, a little before, he could not help but notice how breathtaking she was becoming.

Elizabeth, oblivious to her tutor's scrutiny, was busy staring out the window daydreaming about riding her valiant stallion, Marty, to the stream and going for a quick swim. Her sigh of pleasure at the image roused Gabriel from his reverie.

“Elle,” he said gently, “are you even listening to me?”

“What?” she asked lazily, turning to look at him. “Oh Gabriel, it's such a nice day outside. Couldn't we please just skip today's lesson and go for a ride to the stream? Marty and Shadowfax would love to cool off after being cooped up in the stables all day.”

“What would your parents say if we abandoned your lessons and went swimming? I'm certain they would not be amused. Open your book and follow along, come now, be a good little girl...”

Elizabeth's cheeks heated up. He knew how she loathed being called a little girl. “I am NOT a little girl! I came of age three months ago and I am eligible to be married to the suitor of my choosing, thank you very much.”

Gabriel's breath caught at the thought. He tried to explain the searing throb in his chest as sadness that his young pupil was growing up, and he almost convinced himself. Deep in his heart of hearts, however, he knew that he could not bear to watch her love another man.

“Besides,” Elizabeth went on, “Mama and Papa have an advisory meeting today. They won't even notice if we sneak out through the stables. And if Gwendolyn catches us, we'll just tell her that you're showing me some plants that grow only out by Hawk Creek, and that I need a proper visual in order to identify them as poisonous or not. After all, as Gwen says, a truly accomplished princess must be accountable in each and every aspect of education.”

Gabriel laughed at Elle's imitation of her strict fairy godmother. “Alright, let's go. But you have to promise to pay full attention tomorrow!”

Elle laughed and gathered her books. “Oh, of course, I promise. Nothing could possibly be more entertaining that Law XIV Article VIII.”

***

“Don't go too deep into the river, Gwendolyn will tan my hide if we return from the stream with soiled clothing,” Gabriel warned as Elle waded into the stream.

“Don't be such a baby!” she yelled back, leaning forward and whispered a command into Marty's ears.

“If you're telling that horse to splash—” Gabriel's threat was cut off by Marty's neigh and a spray of water hitting him in the chest.

Elizabeth laughed from atop of Marty, her clear blue eyes sparkling with mirth. It was that look, the look she saved only for him, that made him lose his grip on propriety. He was no longer with the heir apparent, he was with his Elle, the girl he had watched grow up, the girl he had tutored, the girl he had slowly fallen in love with. Realizing he would not have many more precious stolen moments with her, he abandoned propriety and simply let himself be a young man in love.

“Alright, you asked for it!”

Elle squealed and tipped dangerously close to the stream as she tried to avoid the spray and mud from Shadowfax's hooves.

“You got mud on my dress!” She squealed.

“Why don't you just be a big baby about it!” Gabriel taunted, turning back to the shore. “Just dip it in the creek and no one will ever know.”

“Hmm...like this?” In one swift motion she leaped from Marty's back and tackled him off of Shadowfax and they tumbled into the water, their limbs entangled.

They surfaced at the same time, gasping for air. “Spoiled brat!” Gabriel spluttered. Elle spit the water she was holding in her cheeks in his face.

“That's disgusting!” He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her under with him, keeping his eyes open so he could see the way her long dark hair billowed around her pretty face.

She smiled at him underwater, then kicked away, swimming gracefully back to the shore. He stayed under, holding his breath, clinging desperately to this moment, wishing it would never end.

Unfortunately, basic human needs came into play and he was forced to come up for air. He began to swim back to shore.

“I'm exhausted!” She complained as he sprawled on the ground next to her. “Your lessons are physically strenuous.”

He smiled, knowing her flirting was unintentional. “Your lessons aren't half-over,” he reminded her. “We still have a botany lesson scheduled for this afternoon.”

“Yes, teacher,” she said, tongue in cheek. “Enlighten me with your wisdom.”

Gabriel grabbed the textbook from the satchel he'd left on the shore and opened it up to aquatic plants. He settled back down with his back against the tree. Elle, in the same way she had always done, crawled next to him and leaned against the same tree. He began to read, all the while noticing with amusement Elizabeth's eyelids getting heavier. The more he read, the more they began to close. Finally, she began breathing heavily and her head drooped onto his shoulder. He turned, knowing he should wake her, but at the same time not wanting to disturb her sleep. She looked so innocent, so full of happiness. He shifted so that his arm fell around her and she curled up against him, he could feel the outline of her gentle curves pressed against his body. He was utterly at peace. He leaned back, closed his eyes, and fell asleep with the ghost of a smile playing across his lips.

***

Elizabeth knew she would be in trouble if she got caught. Gwendolyn was forever scolding her for “not acting her age.” So what if she wanted to go for a swim every once in a while? Who would it hurt? And besides, Gabriel's lessons had been extremely dull lately, as had his attitude. He just wasn't as fun anymore. The moments she could steal with him when he would act like he used to were becoming few and far between. She missed the old him. The one that taught her to climb trees, the one who bandaged her scraped knees. The one, though she would admit it to no one, she'd always had a bit of a crush on. The new Gabriel was too formal and more than a little sad.
She wondered if it had anything to do with being lonely. She'd often questioned, with a little anxiety, if he'd ever been someone's suitor. He never answered, and she certainly hoped not. She got a sharp, unpleasant feeling in her stomach every time she imagined Gabriel with anyone else. She knew she was being unrealistic. Gabriel was so smart and gentle and handsome, but still so manly, it was only a matter of time before he found and married the most beautiful girl in the kingdom.

Elizabeth shook herself from her thoughts, knowing they would only make her melancholy. She needed to be in her best spirits, the suitor from Culari was coming tonight and according to her mama's ladies-in-waitings' gossip, he was quite a looker.

With that exciting thought, she slipped in through the formal entrance way, knowing that at this time no one would be in the foyer to catch her in her soiled clothes. Gabriel is so lucky to have his own quarters, she thought, no one would ever know or care if he came in with a muddy dress.

She crossed the hall and hurried to the stairs, hoping beyond hope that Gwendolyn wouldn't be lurking behind any corners. She made it up to the third floor landing and crossed over to the west wing where her bed chambers were. She hurried down the hall and sighed with relief as she closed the door to her room behind her.

“Where have you been?” Elizabeth sighed as she turned to the shrill voice of her godmother.

“I've been...having a nature lesson.”

“I see,” Gwendolyn sniffed. “And I suppose it was the textbook that soiled your dress?”

Elizabeth glanced down, annoyed, at her muddy hems. “Gwendolyn, it's so hot! I just wanted to cool off!”

“Be that as it may, a princess of your age should know better than to go frolicking about in the streams in the middle of the day. But we haven't time for this, the royal family of Culari will be here soon and you need to make yourself presentable. Come now, hurry to your bath while I pick out your dress. Run along!” Gwendolyn scooted Elizabeth through the door to the powder room and shut it with a snap. After making certain her godchild was satisfactorily primping herself, she hurried to her own quarters to prepare herself for the evening, unaware that her whole world was about to shatter.

***

“After spending the evening with Elizabeth, I have decided that she is suitable for me and we will be married in three days time.”

The prince of Culari's announcement was greeted with astounded silence throughout the dining hall. Casimir looked about him and smiled, catching his mother's eye. The plan would be executed perfectly.

Elizabeth's mouth dropped open. She had barely spent an hour with the boy and he already claimed to want to marry her? For her own part, she didn't think they'd had much in common.
He'd hardly spent a second of their time together talking about anything but himself. He didn't laugh or play like Gabriel did, he didn't do anything like Gabriel did. And she didn't get that feeling with him, that feeling that everything was right in the world, that nothing else mattered but the moment and who were you with. She got that feeling with Gabriel all the time.

Her father stood up. “I am sorry, Casimir,” he began, “but I believe you are a little hasty with your sentiments. Elizabeth has not met any other suitors yet, and while I respect your readiness for commitment, we would like our daughter to have a choice and to fall in love. If you would kindly...”

“Excuse me, Joseph, but I believe you and I should have a conference before you make any, erm, hasty decisions.”

Taken aback, Joseph stared at Rudolfo with his mouth open. No one had ever dared to address him like that. Nevertheless, he summoned Victoria and the two of them followed Rudolfo and Electra into the adjoining meeting room.

Elizabeth looked up at Casimir and was surprised to see the smug look on his face. She wondered what was going on, but she knew with complete certainty that her parents would not force her to marry a man that she did not love. Still, she shied away from Casimir when he sat back down next to her. Try as she might, she could not avoid the eerie feeling that consumed her whenever he looked her way.

***

After what seemed like an eternity, Elizabeth's parents returned from the conference room looking grim.

“After careful consideration,” Joseph looked at his wife who nodded sadly before going on. “We are pleased to announce the engagement of our daughter, Elizabeth Aurelia, to Casimir Allan. The wedding will be held in three days time.”

Elizabeth was shocked. She looked from Casimir to her parents with horror. What could possibly be going on? She tried to stand to talk to them, but Casimir put a restraining hand on her chest.

“Stay back, my love,” he snickered. “You belong to me now.”

She could do nothing but watch as the court emptied the entrance hall, leaving her alone with her parents and the royal family of Culari.

“Well, this about settles it,” began Electra, smiling wickedly. “Just a few minor details to dispose of...”

“What is going on here?” Elizabeth asked, terrified.

“Oh shut up!” Casimir smacked her across the face, hard. Elizabeth fell backwards, a red hand
print already visible on her face.

“Casimir, do not bruise the princess,” Rudolfo sneered. “We must have her looking presentable for the wedding.

“I would never marry you!” Elizabeth yelled, ignoring the pain.

Casimir lifted his hand again, but Electra stopped him. “Casimir, after you marry her you can hit her as much as you like for as long as you keep her around, but until then, you must restrain yourself. How would it look to the people of Gloriana if their precious queen was bruised during her wedding? Because you will marry him,” she said, looking at Elizabeth. “As we have just told your lovely parents, we have a trained killer in your bedroom right now, and others stationed around the castle. If you so much as make a mild protest, you and your entire family will be killed, leaving Gloriana defenseless against an attack from Culari. Now, Alabastor, James,” she summoned two guards who had been standing outside the doors. “Kindly lead these two,” she gestured at Joseph and Victoria, to the woods, where you can keep them until we deem it necessary to dispose of them.”

“No!” Elizabeth cried. “Take me instead! Please! Don't hurt them!”

“Hush Elizabeth!” Victoria said severely. “Do as these people say. We need you to stay strong, we need you to fight, we need you to survive, to be their for our people. We need you to carry on,” Victoria finished her plea with tears streaming down her face.

“Well, isn't that just touching,” Electra said, gesturing to the guards. They wrapped their arms around the king and queen and carried them out the back entrance. “Have as much fun with Vicky as you want,” Electra called out to them. The guards laughed viciously, shutting the doors behind them.

“Now, Casimir, take your little wifey there and show her to her new quarters. And do try to be gentle,” Rudolfo commanded.

Casimir grabbed Elizabeth's wrists and twisted them painfully behind her. He half carried, half dragged her through the doors, but instead of leading her up the stairs to the West Wing, he turned East and carried her down the stairs to the ancient dungeons.

Elizabeth, though frightened and in more pain than she had ever experienced, did not cry. She
followed him silently to the farthest cell. Casimir opened the door and threw her to the ground.

“This will be where you stay until I'm ready for you.” He walked into the cell and with one swift motion kicked her in the stomach. “Maybe that will teach you to disobey me.” He turned on his heels and stormed out of the dungeon, locking the door behind him.

Elizabeth laid on the ground, struggling to breathe. She had never been so afraid in all her life, but still she did not cry.

***

She was left in the cell for the next two days. Casimir's henchmen brought her stale bread and
tepid water twice a day. On the third day, resigned to her fate, she got up without question when the guards summoned her to her wedding. She was led upstairs to her bedroom where a plain white dress was laid out for her.

“The ceremony begins in twenty minutes,” the guard barked, stationing himself in front of her door.

“Aren't you going to leave so I can get ready?” She asked.

“Dignity is a luxury you can no longer afford,” he chuckled menacingly. “I was instructed to stand guard and make sure you don't run away, and that's exactly what I am doing. I'll observe you, alright.” He walked forward and put his sweaty hands on her.

“The royal family would have your head if you violated Casimir's wife the night he was to marry her,” she said more bravely than she felt.

The guard's face fell. “I suppose you're right. So I can't touch, but that doesn't mean I won't look.” He sat himself down in front of the door. “Now, take your dress off real slow...”
Elizabeth turned around and did her best to salvage her pride. She ignored his rude comments and instead thought of Gabriel. She hadn't heard of him or of her parents or Gwendolyn or anyone else in three days, and as worried as she was for them all, she could think of no one but Gabriel. She thought of the way he looked at her when she smiled, the way his arms felt around her when they were entangled underwater, the way her body felt curled up next to him. Lost in her memories, she barely noticed as the guard grabbed her around her waste and dragged her to the palace's private chapel. Her mind was at peace, filled only with love and her Gabriel.

***

It was a private wedding, the only people in attendance were the ignorant priest, Electra, Rudolfo, the guards, Casimir, and of course Elizabeth. Electra had planned the wedding in secret, she knew that if the townspeople or the standing army knew anything about the wedding it would be stopped. She planned to announce the marriage of her son to Elizabeth as soon as it was over, so the subjects would have no choice but to accept it. Her plan demanded secrecy, and she was certain that it would work. Nobody outside of the chapel knew of the wedding. She had seen to that. Every other person who had known of the engagement, the king and queen and their court, was dead. They had served their purpose. Elizabeth was the only one left. In a matter of moments, her son would be king of Gloriana and everything she had worked for would be realized.

“Do you, Elizabeth Aurelia, take Casimir Allan, to be your husband?” The priest asked.

“I, I...” Elizabeth stuttered, praying for a miracle.

“We don't have all day!” Rudolfo snapped, getting nervous.

“I...”

Just then, the chapel doors burst open and a large band of soldiers bearing the Gloriana emblem burst in, commanded by the most handsome man in the entire kingdom.

“Gabriel!” Elizabeth exclaimed.

“What are you doing? You're ruining everything!” Electra shoved Elizabeth into Casimir. “Marry him!”

“Never!” Elizabeth yelled.

Electra looked at the pandemonium breaking out around her and realized her plan was unraveling. She grabbed the sword from the guard next to her. She lunged forward, aiming for Elizabeth's heart.

Acting on instinct alone, Elizabeth dropped to the ground and rolled at the last possible second.

The sword went over her head and plunged into Casimir's heart. Electra watched her son fall to the floor, dead at her own hands. Wild-eyed, she watched as her husband fell to one of Gloriana's soldiers. Her guards were falling as well, one by one, to the more skilled hands of the royal soldiers. She pulled the sword out of her son's chest, and, with one last look into his cold, dead eyes, plunged the sword into her own heart.

***

Elizabeth leaned into Gabriel's arms. “How did you know where to find me?”

Anger clouded Gabriel's eyes. “I heard the guard talking outside of your window.”

She looked at him, confused. He sighed. “I hadn't heard from you, and we always talk every day. I hadn't heard from your parents, or Gwendolyn, and I couldn't take not knowing. I climbed up to your window earlier today and I heard a voice I didn't recognize. I heard what he was saying to you. I almost broke in and killed him with my bare hands. But you were so brave and so strong.” His arms tightened around her. “When you left, I hurried to the army base. It turns out they were one step ahead of me. Someone found the bodies of the royal court in the woods. I'm so sorry Elle, but Gwendolyn and your parents are dead.”

For the first time, Elizabeth began to cry. Gabriel simply held her and let her tears fall.

***

“What is going to happen to Gloriana?” It was a week later, Elizabeth, dressed in mourning black, was at the head of the advisory table at the seat reserved for the king.

“It is against the law for a queen to rule Gloriana without a husband,” the royal advisor explained. “If you wish to rule Gloriana, you must be married before a fortnight. Otherwise the kingdom will fall to the rule of your distant cousin Rinaldo.”

“Elizabeth's cousin is a simple man, he does not have what it takes to rule a great kingdom, especially during this time of tragedy. We need Elizabeth. You must get married,” the count of Carlstat looked pleadingly into Elizabeth's eyes.

“Very well. I shall get married, if that is what is best for my people,” she agreed.

“But to whom?” asked the Count.

“We will take a short recess on this meeting, during which time a council will review the available princes for marriage. We will reconvene when we have suitable possibilities,” said the advisor.

Elizabeth let out the breath she didn't know she had been holding. Since her parent's death she had been forced to grow up and take responsibility for her entire kingdom. She pushed her chair away from the table and left the palace. Thinking to clear her mind, she walked down to Hawk Creek.

It was a peaceful day, the sun shining, and it reminded her of the last time she had come here, two lifetimes ago. She sat down next to the edge of the creek, dangling her feet in. She wished life could be as simple now as it had been back then.

“Elle.” The statement was simple, without question, as if he knew he would find her there.

“Gabriel.” She smiled, thinking it was fate.

“I came to say goodbye.”

“What?” She asked, completely taken aback. “Why?”

“Elle, you are the most important person in my life. I love you. I've always loved you. You are the most beautiful girl, woman, I have ever met. I care more about you than I do myself. You're everything to me. You've always been everything to me. That's why I need to leave. I can't be here when you marry someone else. Not after everything that has happened. And I can't marry you. You are going to be Queen and I am nothing but a tutor. I need to leave so that I can live. I am so sorry.” He turned to leave.

“I love you too, Gabriel.” He stopped in his tracks. She walked over to him and put her arms around him. “I've always loved you. I always will. You've taught me everything and without you,
I wouldn't be alive. I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”

“But it's impossible!” He was trying desperately not to cry.

“Gabriel,” she said gently, “are you even listening to me?”

“What?”

She smiled. “Law XIV, Article VIII.”

***

Gabriel and Elizabeth were married that very day, thanks to Cameron of Scots and the law he had helped to pass so many years ago. They ruled peacefully, had many children, and lived happily ever after.