The Secrets of Llawnech

"We shall see about that." Jasper told him as he walked away.

Leo watched him go, before glancing over his shoulder at both Alicia and Gwen. "Are your highness' ok? I think you described him perfectly well, a bully."

"I'm fine." She looked to her sister, and then she noticed that people were still staring. "You can turn around now." She watched most of them look away.

Gwen was watching everyone else quietly, on high alert once again. Jumping when Leo touched her arm.

"Sorry, sorry." Leo frowned. "You are allowed to say no to a marriage proposal, especially on the grounds of him being violent. You do not have to live in fear."

"You don't understand," Gwen whispered, "I- I am going to go. I am exhausted."

Alicia looked to her. "I'll come with you." She told her. "Good night Leo."

"Goodnight,"

Gwen wandered out of the room, heading toward her sleeping quarters.

Alicia followed her.

As soon as they were alone, Gwen pulled her into a hug. "I'm so sorry."

She hugged her back. "It's alright, it's better me than you."

"No, no it isn't. It is better me, I will have to live with him soon - spend every moment with him. His violence is mine to get used to."

"Leo was right you don't have to marry him, we can keep Hayden safe together."

"How are we supposed to do that, hm? I do have to do it. I have to keep Hayden safe, I have to keep you safe. This is my burden to bare."

"It's Hayden too."

"I- Maybe I would be kinder to him, be able to keep him safer if I just... stop. Maybe it is kinder to everyone if I just do what Jasper wishes. Safer for everyone. Bare my burden."

"Do you think he is. Going to let you go that easy?"

"I don't want people hurt because of me."

"Hayden is in love with you, he isn't going to let you go just because a Prince has tried to stake his claim."

"I'm tired," Gwen whispered, moving to the bed and sitting down on the edge of it. "May I sleep?"

Alicia nodded. "Sure, I was going to ask Carol to help. Me out of my dress anyway."

Gwen nodded, "Goodnight, Alicia,"

"Goodnight Gwen." SHe walked to her own room that was next door and she found Carol already there.

Gwen waited for about an hour, before she left her room. Sneaking down to the stables and tacking up her own horse, within only a few minutes of leaving the Palace, she had arrived at Hayden's.

Hayden was out by the lake, chopping firewood to heat the house.

Gwen slid off of the horse, walking over to him and wrapping her arms around him from behind.

He put the axe down and he turned around to hug her back. "What are you doing here?"