"Aidan!" there came a shriek.
Regina jumped and looked in front of her. It was the princess, Calantha. Now that was odd. What in the world was she doing here? She looked like she'd been running for days, her hair was all tangled and falling around her face. She was covered in dirt, and her wrists had rope burn on them.
Aidan ran to his sister. "Calantha, what are you doing here?"
She stopped in front of him, breathing hard. "Aidan, it's—it's Mother, she—she's evil! And she's teaching Amalia, and—and they whipped me and tied me up and they—they want to rule the country all by themselves! So I ran—and—and—" she swooned and fell over.
Aidan caught her. He looked at the army. "We're not leaving yet," he said.
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"So start over. What happened?" Aidan asked Calantha, who was now awake and much calmer.
She nodded. "After you left, Mother said she wanted to talk to Amalia and me. She—well, she basically told us she was a witch and she said that she would teach us. Amalia was interested, but I was not. So—she beat me and locked me up. She said that her and Amalia would rule, that she had sent you and Father to your deaths," Calantha's eyes filled up with tears. She now knew that it was half true. King Devin was dead. "But somehow I got away and I ran here."
"You ran, all the way here?" Aidan asked.
Calantha nodded. "I thought I was going to die, but I made it. I had to."
Aidan nodded. "Going back might be harder than I had thought. I'll be right back." He stepped out of the tent. Most of the army was within hearing range. "We leave tomorrow at sunrise! And now we have two witches waiting for us. It may be difficult."
The soldiers just nodded. They didn't look worried. Most of them probably didn't really buy the story. They would be in for a shock. Aidan ducked back into Calantha's tent.
"Aidan, the soldier that brought me food, Alex, was his name, he said that you gave them all freedom. But what are we going to do then?"
Aidan smiled at his sister. "Don't worry, I think I have a plan. First we'll just see about Shaylin."
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The sun was just coming out over the hills, turning everything a bright golden color. The camp was all awake and heading out on horses. Aidan and Regina rode side by side at the front. Alex rode by Calantha, just behind them.
They made much small talk, taking their minds off of the task in front of them. They rode long into the afternoon, when they came over and hill and saw the palace, tall and majestic, in front of them.
"Well, here we are," Aidan said.
Calantha bit her lip. "I really don't want to go."
Alex looked at her. "It will be alright. I promise."
They looked at each other, and Aidan and Regina smiled at each other.
They continued to ride up to the palace. Queen Shaylin came out onto the balcony. She was dressed fancily, with odd-shaped jewelry in bright colors.
"Aidan. You have returned. And Calantha," she said with a slight smile. She was followed by Amalia, who stood next to her. "What of my husband?" Shaylin asked. "Tell me, is he well?"
"He never was your husband, Shay," Aidan said. "You stole him from another."
Shaylin stared down at them disdainfully. "Shay. I have not been called that in a long time. So you have heard the story? From your little friend, I suppose. Hello, Regina, daughter of Raphaela. Tell me, how did your mother die?"
Regina said nothing, just bit her lip.
Aidan glanced at her, then looked back up at Shaylin. "Step down, Shaylin, you know you can't make it. There's two of you and many more of us."
Shaylin laughed. "I see that. You have somehow recruited the entire Rebel army to help you. How clever," she said mockingly. "However, you have failed to realize that we are more powerful." She nodded slightly at Amalia. A ball of fire came roaring down at them. It missed the side of the army by less than an inch.
Aidan moved his horse closer to Regina's. "Hold my hand," he said in a low voice. "We stand together."
Regina nodded and slipped her hand into his.
"Fools, are you just going to stand there and die?" Shaylin asked, as another fire ball came rolling down.
This time it hit the army. They could feel it, hot and scorching. Everything was lost in orange flames. Aidan and Regina continued to hold hands tightly. In a minute, it was over. They glanced around; no one seemed to be harmed.
Queen Shaylin looked a bit disconcerted by this, though she tried not to show it.
Then there was a blast of wind. It blew hard and freezing cold. It circled around Aidan and Regina's hands, trying to rip them apart. It felt like their hands were being torn to pieces, but they wouldn't let go. In time, it passed as well.
Shaylin frowned deeply, as did Amalia. They whispered to each other, then a wall of water came down all at once on the army.
It wasn't at all like rain, it was more like a brick of water that hit them. Then it was like they were swimming in it, but they couldn't get to the top. No one could breathe; they were drowning. Regina felt like she was going to pass out. She couldn't see, couldn't hear. But she could still feel Aidan's hand, firmly clasping her own. They would never let go. After several moments, the water was gone. They were all still on their horses, though coughing and sputtering.
"You're controlling the elements, Shay," Aidan said, "but some things are stronger than the elements."
"I don't know what you mean," Shaylin said coldly.
Suddenly it felt like the earth was being ripped out from beneath them. Dirt and grass were flying everywhere. It was a whirlwind, like a tornado. No one could see anything, they just kept getting hit and things blown into their face and eyes. The horses fell over, as the ground was no longer steady. It felt like the earth was folding in on them. Regina fell off of her horse and onto Aidan, who was on top of his own horse. Everything flew about, hitting them hard, blocking their sight. There was a splintering crack like the earth was going to open up and swallow them, then a bloodcurdling scream. Everything went still.
Regina opened her eyes. Everything was a mess, but everyone seemed to be alright. Her hand was still linked with Aidan's. She moved closer to him and kissed his cheek. He opened his eyes.
"Hey," he said.
"Hi."
"We're alive?"
Regina laughed slightly. "I guess so."
"Well, that's good. Shaylin and Amalia?"
"I don't know," Regina said, getting up and disentangling herself from Aidan and the horses. Aidan stood up as well and looked around. Everyone was getting up.
"Look," Aidan said, pointing to Alex and Calantha, who were holding hands.
Regina smiled. "They make a good couple."
Aidan nodded. The soldiers were looking to him for instructions. "People!" he shouted. "Let us go and see what has become of Shaylin and Amalia!"
They clambered through the palace and up to the balcony where Shaylin had been standing with Amalia. There was ashes upon the ground, but nothing more.
Aidan frowned. "I don't get it, they just disappeared."
"Do you think they're still alive?" Regina asked.
"I don't know," Aidan replied.
"I think I do," Calantha said. "They burnt up. I remember them talking, they said that you needed to be in control and go slowly. Trying to wipe out the entire army must have been too much for them. They burnt up."
"I see," Aidan said. "Well, somebody clean this up."
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"What are you going to do now?" Alex asked Aidan. A crowd was gathered around him and Regina. They were discussing what exactly was to be done now that they had freedom.
"Well," he turned to Regina and bent down on one knee, grabbing her hand. "Regina, I love you. Will you marry me and travel the world and have grand adventures with me?"
Regina laughed at the ridiculousness of the way he put it, but there were tears of emotion in her eyes. "Yes, Aidan, I will."
"Good!" He stood up, kissed her, and whirled her around in his arms.
There was loud cheering and laughing.
"What about government, though?" Alex asked when the noise had died down. "We wanted freedom, but now what will we do?"
"I have an idea for that, too," Aidan stated. "You should have two...governors of a sort. You and Calantha. You both seem fit for it, and it will represent the royalty and common joining together. Besides, that way you can see each other more often."
They both turned red, but smiled shyly at each other.
"Have a handful of advisors each and pick people to make laws, deal with crimes, and such. You can figure out most of it yourself, but that's mostly how I would do it. Does everyone agree?"
There was a loud, "Aye!"
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Lena sniffed. "I'm going to miss you, Regina!"
Regina smiled. "I know, I'll miss you, too. But...you have Jack now."
"I know, and you have Aidan, but...they're not girls!"
Regina smiled, tears in her eyes. "I know. And you will forever be my best girl friend."
They embraced tightly. "Why are you leaving?" Lena asked.
"Because...this is what freedom is, for Aidan and me. It's what we want. We would never be satisfied here."
"Will you ever come back?"
"Maybe. Someday." Regina moved to say goodbye to Alex and Calantha.
"Alex...you'll be my brother forever," she said.
He smiled and hugged her. "And you'll always be my sister."
She turned to Calantha. "Well, I wish I could've gotten to know you better, but...maybe I will someday."
Calantha nodded and shook her hand. "Aidan is lucky to have you."
Regina smiled. "Thank you." She then turned to Aidan. He had already said his goodbyes, and was waiting for her.
"Ready?" he asked.
She nodded. They both mounted their horses and made them start walking away. They waved goodbye to everyone, then turned to each other.
"To freedom?" Aidan said.
"To freedom," Regina replied. They galloped off into the setting sun.
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The end! I hope you all enjoyed this last chapter. Thank you to all of my lovely reviewers, you're all so helpful and encouraging! Feel free to read any of my other stuff!