Elena's P.O.V.
An escape plan.
That was the only thing on my mind when the ship began to dock. There wasn't much time left if I was to succeed in my plan.
Every detail was thought through at least three times, but the plan was not flawless. The part with Ethan was destined to be imperfect, however, he would forgive and forget. After all, it's his kind of character.
Now, you might wonder 'What happened?'
Nothing. Absolutely nothing. Which is weird, considering what Ethan and I have been through. Although the bridges between us have become stronger, and are entwined at places that I only shared with Hazel, we still had not lost the old game between us.
A game I like to call: 'You might not catch me, but you can certainly find me'.
Most of my strength had returned back to my muscles, joints, and heart. Of course, some bones were still healing and aching, but it wasn't anything I couldn't handle.
I listened to the footsteps from the deck, hearing how orders were thrown from person to person. Different voices; light and deep, angry and amused, tired and lively â it was a diversity of tones.
But my attention was tracking Ethan's voice, listening to his steps that went to aid the ones who needed help. He told me he would get me out the moment the ship stood still. It was a sweet gesture, but unfortunately, he would find an empty cabin.
"Here we go." I picked up the dark cloak Ethan had given me the day of my rescue. It still smelled like him; a sweet forest-like scent with a hint of roses. However, it was now haunted by a whiff of wood and rain, caused by the adventure the clothing had been on.
"I miss my cloak," I said out of the blue, looking at the roof with the longing feeling to have a cape hanging after my shoulders.
Ethan did not move his eyes from the book he was reading when he answered my random covetous. "You can have mine."
It wasn't before I turned my head to him that his attention disappeared from the pages. "But don't you want yours?"
"Taking into consideration that I have two of your cloaks, I believe it will be more than fair if I give you at least one of mine."
We laughed really hard at that. It felt nice to create happy memories to shadow the bad ones.
It was something elegiac about how my cloak was left in Ethan's hands when I was kidnapped, and I was given his cape in return when I was rescued.
Perhaps it was a mnemonic to the lost time, or perhaps it was a hidden symbol supporting our game.
You might not catch me, but you can certainly find me.
"Heave and ho!" It came from the upper deck.
I pulled the wooden chair to the window, the same chair I always found Ethan sitting on every time I woke up and every time I fell asleep. He was literally glued to that furniture, and sometimes it made me wonder if he had become one with it.
"Ethan!" I whisper-shouted to the sleeping brunette, finding him scrunched over the edge of my bed with his arms used as a pillow. "Ethan!"
He woke like a lightening, "W-what happened?" The slumber was still hanging after him. "Are you okay? Do you want some water?"
I sighed, "Ethan, you're going to end up with a hump on your back if you continue to sleep like that. Unless you plan to be the king of camels, I suggest that you rest your back."
Through the darkness, I could not see his face, but that did not hinder my radar from detecting his small smile. "I'm fine, Ella, don't worry about me. Just go back to sleep, I'll be on the floor if you need me."
With another huff of air leaving my nose, I wiggled towards the other side of the bed, pulling the warm blankets from the empty space next to me. "Hop in, you stupid prince, this bed can room at least three people â and that's a fact Aramis proved. Besides, it's warmer and comfier than the floor and chair."
Instead of waiting for him to answer, I turned to the side that faced the wall. Whether he chose the soft and warm bed over the cold and hard floor, it did not affect me whatsoever; I would still wake up in this comfy mattress.
I heard him sigh, which was followed by the sound of his feetless shoes meeting the floor. A weight grew heavy next to me, and I turned around to see the prince closing his eyes in delight.
"You're right. This is so much warmer and comfier than any floor or chair."
A quiet giggle left my lips, something that made him open one eye to meet my amused smile. "Told ya."
That night I slept as if it was Hazel by my side; it felt homey and cozy.
The ship abruptly stopped moving, almost knocking me off my balance. I wrapped the cloak around me to conceal my identity and bruises. With one last glance absorbing the room that had filled me with warmth and pain, I stepped on the chair and climbed out of the circular window.
Although I had overestimated my rehabilitation and healed wounds, I still managed to slip through the crowd's eyes, unnoticed.
"Elena!" I heard Ethan's voice shout from the open window, his cry loud and clear.
I could only imagine his panicked expression mixed with surprise to see my absence. He might be irritated, but it would soon pass when our paths cross again.
My feet encountered the underwater sand when I landed, and I quickly began to swim and run at the same time to get to my destination as quickly as possible.
The cheering from the crowd indicated that Ethan had landed on the dock as well, but it was faint in my ears due to the huge distance that I was creating between us.
I ran clumsily, something that hit my inner bone upon seeing how I had lost some of my speed.
Perhaps some weeks of training will regain my agility? I hopefully thought to myself, relieved that my stamina was as strong as before.
Finally, after bumping into people and apologizing, I reached the theater that had been on my mind for weeks. At last, I was finally home.
It was obvious that I had overestimated my recovery when I found my feet bleeding in pain. Yet, it did not stop me from slamming the doors open to reach the beginning of my nightmare and the end of my dream.
And there he stood; not strong or majestic, not lively or happy, not calm or trouble free, but weak and wretched. Although he seemed to be skittish and jumped at any sudden action, he was still alive and moving.
"Elena? My child?" His whispering voice broke, and tears filtered his wounded eyes as a smile slowly grew.
I grinned and limped the rest of the way to him, attacking him in a tight hug. "Francis," I breathed out, feeling how his thin figure shook in my arms. It felt so good to be back in his familiar embrace, to feel the warm love.
Tears doused my dress. "God, I have missed you so much, my dear. There was never a day that I did not pray for you, Elena," he pulled back to see my face, which I took an opportunity to dry his tears that fell parallel with his wrinkles. "Oh, the things they have done," he gently brushed my bruised skin, his gray eyes dishearted to see the injuries.
"I was worried sick about you," I spilled my old worries as feelings began to swirl around us; both happiness and grief. "I thought they had. . ." My heart could not find the strength to finish the sentence.
"It is okay, my child. You and I are here, alive and reunited." He pulled my loose hair locks behind my ear, his colorless orbs meeting my troubled green ones. "And I could not ask for more."
The door opened again, but I didn't have to see who the person was to pin the warm presence.
Both Francis and I turned our heads towards the prince who made my return possible. "Thank you, Your Majesty," the monk spoke with a teary gratitude, looking almost as if he was going to break out in tears again.
Ethan waved the knights away to give us some space, followed by him giving a smile and a nod to the overwhelmed Francis. Then, he turned his attention to me. "If you'd like, I can bring some blankets and pillows for you if you want to spend your night in the theater. Of course, I will have some guards to watch over as well."
The monk and I exchanged gleaming glances. "That would be lovely, Your Highness," Francis answered, drying his glasses while hugging me from the side. "Unless you wish to go with Prince Ethan to the castle that is."
"I'm not up for much moving," I stretched my burning foot, wincing when the pain kicked in. "But thanks for the offer though."
"Always," the brunette replied. "If you need something, whether it is some food you long for or just. . . someone you want to talk to, remember that I'm always here for you, Ella."
A gleam grew in my chest, spreading warmth to my sore joints. "Of course, Ethanie. How could I ever forget that the Prince of Areadan offered me such generosity?"
His smile grew. Our inside joke finally fell to his advantage instead of mine. I knew it meant something; a sparkle that moved us towards something new.
"Your Majesty," one of the knights called across the room, catching the prince's attention. "The king and queen are asking for you."
He nodded to the woman before his brown eyes fell on us, "I will see you later then. Farewell for now."
And then his long legs took him to the other side of the room, striding quickly without any effort.
"Wait!" My call echoed, causing Ethan to stop and turn. After painfully regaining my balance, I limped quietly to the prince.
Although we had shared a bed (in a child-friendly way, let me just put that straight ahead), this vicinity is the closest thing I've ever been around him.
Perhaps he saw what I was doing, or perhaps it was just an uncommon reflex. Whatever it was, he did not hesitate to dip his head when my hand, that rested on the side of his face, pulled him down to my lips.
I placed a gentle kiss on his cheek, feeling a softness and warmth embracing me into something cozy.
"Thank you, Ethan," I whispered and looked up into his warm, beautiful eyes. Only glancing at him made my stomach twist and turn in a pleasant and joyful way, something I only experienced when I was looking forward to something that overwhelmed me immensely.
His palm almost swallowed my hand when he held it, holding it close to his chest. A genuine and wide smile took over his features, "Always, Elena."
It may have looked like a quiet and peaceful exchange, but behind this scenery, there was a colorful explosion of feelings and warmth.