Today is the day. I can’t say I’m not nervous to see him again. But more than anything, I’m excited. I’ll finally get to see how much he’s grown since we were so tragically torn apart all those years ago. Has it really been 8 years? I’ve changed so much. Going from a weak coward who could do nothing but hide behind her guardian to probably the best and only female fighter in The Kingdom of Everglenn, my kingdom. I can’t wait to see my parents again. This is the reunion I’ve been waiting for, for what seems like a life time. But returning back to a world of responsibility doesn’t sound all that fun. I’m sure I’ll adjust. I can’t wait to see Jasper. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The fishing ship came into the docks early that morning. It was nothing fancy, just a plain wooden ship with off-white sails that wreaked of anchovies. But it suited the princess and her guardian just fine. Since getting her sea legs, Jemma didn’t have a problem with any ship they traveled on. With a final deep inhale of the sea air, the princess walked down off of the ship onto the dock. Out in the cool, crisp air it was still a bit dark but she didn’t mind a bit. Rune came up behind her carrying their things. “Rune, I’m sorry but I really don’t like this dress… Can I please change back into my pants and shirt?” Rune smirked with exhaustion in his eyes, but his humor never failed, “I’m not sure milady, can you?” It had been quite a long time since the teenage girl had worn an outfit suitable for a princess. She had grown accustomed to her “adventure clothes” that here would be considered either boy clothes or inappropriate clothes. Or both. Either way, her dress that was custom made for her was rather uncomfortable in her opinion. Despite it being elegant and beautiful with it’s sleeveless corset top, open laced back and black ruffles on the edges of the cut off long sleeves and top. The huge golden and black ruffles at the bottom hindered her speed and made her feel too exposed. The rest of the dress was decorated with four big black ribbons, neatly place one on her breasts and the other three at her waist. Indeed it was a lovely gown, which Rune helped design, but she disliked dresses now, and this one wasn’t helping at all. Still, she dealt with it and returned Rune’s humor, “I know that I can’t for ‘it is not appropriate for a young lady to wear trousers, especially not a princess’” Jemma smiled, quoting her guardian’s words to the letter. In the distance she could see a group of men in armor on horses, knights from her kingdom come to meet her and Rune no doubt. “Come now your highness, you want to see Prince Jasper and King Mitus, don’t you?” Rune asked as he led her towards the knights that he knew were some of King Mitus’s men, he could tell by the insignia on their horses’ saddles. He was thankful that they were finally going to be home and Jemma could be back with her family. On the other hand he felt a serious amount of guilt for Jemma still not knowing about her mother’s death. “And my mother of course” Jemma replied as the two walked toward the entourage of knights. Her bright blue eyes were filled with excitement as she saw them, the first sign of home that she had seen in years, she pushed back a few strands of her blonde hair and adjusted the clips that held her bangs back. It seemed that she hadn’t given much thought to Rune not mentioning her mother in his question. “…yes, of course, Queen Eileen as well…” Rune loaded their stuff onto one of the horses and gave each of the men a look that told them not to say a word about the Queen’s death. Out of respect for their old captain and for the princess they did just that, no one commented on the duo’s discussion about the Queen. “Welcome back Princess Jemma, sir Rune, a pleasure to see you back safe” One of the men said politely and with sincerity. With ease Rune climbed up onto the horse behind the princess, who he had helped onto their silvery colored horse, and rode off. He allowed the men to lead him toward the kingdom since it had been so long since he had been in the territory and things had changed, he didn’t want to get them lost. Inside Jemma’s mind, an endless amount of thoughts swirled through her head relentlessly, dizzying her. However, she tried to focus on the positives of her thoughts rather than the negatives. “Do you think Jasper will be taller than me? Long hair or short? Do you think he’s learned any special skills while I was gone? Maybe father taught him how to hunt like me. I wonder what my new room is going to look like, I know you said we can’t share the same room anymore, him and I, so I wonder which room will be mine…” She spoke aloud, verbalizing her thoughts to Rune so that they weren’t so jumbled in her mind. Rune, who was sitting behind her on the horse, holding the reigns like he did the night he took her from the castle, replied casually, “you will find out soon enough, young princess”. He knew the princess was excited to see her brother but didn’t have the heart to tell her that Jasper had changed since she had been gone, according to the King and the Prince’s former wingman and faithful servant. The servant, named Raven for his jet-black curly locks that contrasted his pale skin and golden eyes, had served Jasper loyally for years since Jemma had left, only to be released from servitude by the Prince a year prior to the Princess’s return. Soon after that Raven was sent to serve in another Kingdom, away from the Prince that he would have died for. Raven often sent messages to Rune for the King about the Prince just so Rune could tell Jemma that all was well. But all was not well, Jasper had become cold and callus, an arrogant and merciless shell of his younger self. This was due to the fact that his mother had died and Jemma was not around when he needed her most. Rune knew that when Jemma found out the truth about Jasper, and about their mother, she’d be devastated. It was only a matter of time. Night began to fall and they would not risk traveling with the Princess at night, not even on their own land, the Zanonians would never miss a chance to get at the young, supposedly defenseless, golden child of Everglenn. While the others set up camp in the damp forest at the foot of a number of large mountains, Jemma looked around at the trees smiling, this reminded her of Calorean, she wished only for a moment that she could go back. That night in the tent that she slept in alone, she couldn’t stop thinking about her brother. Over the years she had learned to push thoughts about him aside so as to not cause an incident with her curse, but since it was gone her need to disregard these thoughts was no longer there. Her mind was worried that Jasper wouldn’t know who she was, or wouldn’t want her around because she hurt him. There was no way he would want her around, right? Rune, who was keeping guard outside her tent, heard her whimpering quietly in her sleep and wanted so desperately to comfort her, but knew not to leave his post or show certain feelings toward her. Though they had grown quite close, like family, he could not express this for it was improper. Finally, the sun rose and they were met by a carriage when they got to the dirt roads leading toward the kingdom. On the way there, with just her and Rune in the carriage, Jemma rested her head on his shoulder and slept quietly, knowing she was safe and that her bad dreams were untrue as far as Rune had told her. His words drifted into her head fading in and out like her consciousness, she didn‘t want to wake up. “Your highness, we’ve arrived” Rune had stiffened up and leaned her gently back against the seat, preparing to get out and hold the door open for her. “Time to awaken, your majesty” Rune fought the urge to wink playfully at her when she opened those pretty blue eyes of hers to look at him. “S-say again?” Jemma was proper even in her sleepy daze. “I’m sorry but, I didn’t hear you, did you say we’ve arrived?” She asked, rubbing her eyes trying to wake up more. “Yes princess, now please, step this way so we can get you in to see The King and The Prince” Rune smiled sweetly at her, a look she knew well. Jemma nodded slowly and took one part of her dress in her hand so she could carefully step out of the carriage without her dress tripping her or dragging on the ground. It almost pained her to have Rune being so formal toward her, but it was the way it had to be. “Can we go see Jasper first, please Rune?” Jemma asked, her childishness showing once again, she was still very young and wanted nothing more than to see her twin and have things be the way they were before she left. Before Rune could reply a guard came out and informed them both that Jasper was currently in the middle of a duel and wanted not to be disturbed. The man also added that her brother sent his regards. That last part was what got her the most, but she calmly processed it and stared up at the blue sky, making a clicking noise with her tongue as she thought. “That’s all well and good, but I’m going to see my brother, I don’t know why he won’t come out to see me” It was not an angry tone she used, more of a questioning one. The young but independent and fearless princess walked past Rune and the man toward the dueling arena that she had never actually seen a duel in before. Rune chose not to follow and didn’t allow the guard too either, this was one problem the princess would have to face on her own. The princess approached the door to where Jasper was and saw a blade sticking through the broken and splintered wood of the door. “Jasper…?” She spoke to herself. A guard rushed to open the doors for her and she walked in, still holding her dress up like a proper lady should. That’s when she saw him. Her fourteen year old twin brother Jasper looked almost exactly as she imagined he would, a lot like her, only as a male. His lovely blonde hair was tied up, he had grown tall, taller than her and his stance, his aura… Everything about him was different. “Jasper?” She called out to him whilst he was in the middle of a duel, something she knew little to nothing about.