Coup d'état (Lamenting_Quill and Dax)

[Lamenting_Quill]

Her heart was racing as she paced the large cell, no sunlight entered the windowless dungeon to offer her hope. Arabella moved closer to the bars and clutched them into her shaking grip, her emerald eyes trying to peer into the darkness of the dungeon only dimly lit by a few wall sconces here and there.
She should have known something was strange when their distantly related cousin Lord Arthas, twice removed in fact, arrived to have dinner with them and toast their healthy rule over their successful kingdom. That greedy rat poisoned her mother and father on purpose, what she did not understand is why he had not poisoned and killed her too. Why on earth was she alive? The only explanation was that Arthas needed her for something, but what?

With a heaving sigh, Arabella forced herself to turn away from the bars and sit down on the cold stone bench by the wall. The pain in her heart was almost too terrible to bare, her beloved parents were gone and there was nothing she could do about it.
"I've got to come up with some sort of plan" She murmured softly to herself "There must be something I can do, something to convince everyone of the truth. I cannot believe they even believed that rat Arthas when he blamed me for my parents poisoning. Everyone knows I am not ready to be queen yet, or at least they should"

Her ears perked up when she heard the soft scape of the heavy dungeon door sliding across the stone floor, followed by leisurely footsteps. Very confident and self-assured footfalls, there was only one person this could possibly be right now. The only person whom would take delight in gloating at her in the private darkness of the dungeons. Arthas.
Fear gripped her heart with a side of rage, this monster had killed her parents and was now probably arriving to torture her or worse. Well she certainly was not going to make this easy for him, she would hit, kick and scratch all she could before the end.

Arabella frowned and stood up from the bench, she was not going to cower in the shadows like a frightened child before a ferocious monster. She strode forward and gripped the bars of her cell "Come and show your face, Arthas you coward! You won't get away with what you've done! I won't let you!"

[Dax]

Arthas walked through the cold and dark corridors in the dungeons of the castle. His plan had worked perfectly. The Kingdom lay within an inch of his grasp and absolute power was teasing him with small winks. The only thing that was left to do to get himself on the throne was the hand of a certain special someone. A certain special someone, Arabella, who saw her parents killed in front of her eyes… by Arthas’ hand. It was not going to be easy to sway her into accomplishing what was wanted of her, that’s for sure, but it was worth trying.

Arthas walked by many prison cells, some occupied, some not, and found himself disgusted by the scumbags who filled a couple of them. He made a mental note to execute everyone in these prisons once he becomes King, because he will become King one way or another, whether Arabella wants it or not. Speaking of the woman, she must have heard him arrive, because Arthas noted shuffling and movement further down the corridor in one of the cells. Then she started to yell at him, as if it scared him in any way, made him feel guilt or other such emotions.

Arthas walked right up to the bars of the cell and stood right in Arabella’s face. “Such unworthy words from such a… delicious mouth. You should not say such filth. But, I have to say I do understand your anger, but I want to offer myself and help you… to help me.” Arthas took a few steps back from the cell. He was afraid of what irrational, crazy reactions this woman would have when he would offer his proposition to her.

“No one will believe you, neither now or ever, of your innocence in the case your parent’s deaths. That is unless I personally defend you, thus proving your innocence. And, the only reason I would do that is if you could give me a little something in return…” Arthas braced himself for the woman’s reaction. “Marry me, make King, and I will let you out of this cell, giving you freedom.”

He waited a couple seconds, letting the proposition sink in. He then walked back closer to the cell door. “If you accept, you will live a long life. You will become Queen, your birth right, and you shall end your life in grace and respect. Refuse, and I can assure you the most painful of deaths. You can be assured that I will exert such terrible vengeance on you that generations yet unborn will cry out in terror of the horror committed in these hallowed halls.

Plus, you can be sure that your name, and by extent, that of your family’s, will be soiled in the history books, forever referring to you as the black sheep, she who destroyed a kingdom, brought an entire dynasty to ruin and a demon woman for being able to kill her own gentle and loving parents. It is your choice.” Arthas lifted both hands as if it were a balance. His left hand was higher than the right hand. “Redemption in the eyes of your people and god, along with living to see another winter,” while saying this sentence he agitated his right, lower hand. “Or, alternatively, shame, ruin and damnation, as with the pain and suffering yet unheard in human history and that will never be repeated because of its atrocity.” While he said that, he agitated his left, higher hand.

“Choose, milady, for I do not have all day.”

[Lamenting_Quill]

Arabella let go of the bars as if they had burned her and backed away from she was sitting down upon the stone bench by the wall, her hand clutching her chest in shock.
For a moment she could have sword her ears had deceived her when he had issued his demands for her release from this dark smelly dungeon, but it was obvious now that she had heard him right.

"Marry you?" Arabella echoed, her eyes glued to him as if he might have been just a cruel figment of her imagination and would disappear at any moment.
She wanted to scream at him that she would rather rot a thousand deaths before she would wed the murdered of her parents, but when she thought about it there really was no other option if she wanted to be able to avenge them someday in the future. She could do nothing while trapped down below in the dark dungeons waiting to die.
There was no other way...

"Fine" Arabella murmured softly, her emerald eyes turned to the dusty floor of her cell "I have no other choice other than to die down here. I will marry you"
She looked up at him then as she continued before he could respond "However, I have conditions that must be met before I will walk to any altar... One, you will not ever strike me. Two, you will never attempt to treat me like a prisoner. Three, you will not attempt to take me to your bed. Which brings me to condition number four, we will have separate bedchambers. Will you accept my conditions?"

She certainly hoped he would, because she really did not find the ides of carrying his child, let alone sleeping beside him appealing. It would not help her at all to convict him of his crime if she carried his heir inside her, it would make her look like a fellow conspirator.

[Dax]

Arthas chuckled as Arabella ‘demanded’ that her wishes be met. He didn’t think she understood the fact that she was his prisoner and was in absolutely no position to barter. She should be grateful he was offering this whole compromise in the first place. Arthas immediately began to vision how his life would be with this woman who was already demanding when she could not, trying to receive when she could not receive. It would be… rocky, to say the least. Arthas licked his lips and crossed his arms.

“You are in no position to be negotiating… milady,” Arthas said that last word with a touch of sarcasm. “I have to say, however, that I am sincerely saddened by your grim opinion of me. I would never, ever hit you.” Arthas took on the voice on an innocent child as he said that sentence. His voice then deepened harshly, becoming dark and guttural. “That is why I used poison to kill your parents!” Arthas erupted in laughter.

After a couple moments, Arthas calmed himself and eyed Arabella once more. “Here is what I say to your demands.” He brought up his hand with a raised index finger, indicating one. “I won’t hit you if you don’t EVER try to unveil the truth about your parents,” Arthas lifted his middle finger, indicating the number two with his hand, “you will be able to travel freely however you will be escorted by some of my men,” Arthas then lifted his thumb, indicating the number three with his hand, “You may have your own room, but I will have a key for that room at all times.” Arthas then brought his hand down. “As for ‘demand’ number 4, that is your decision: whether you would to end your bloodline here or see it continue afterwards. That is up to you.”

Arthas unhooked a large keychain from his belt and picked key, holding it up to the cell lock tentatively. “Do you agree? Freedom is but a word away…”

[Lamenting_Quill]

Arabella took in a deep breath and ran a nervous hand through her long auburn tresses, her emerald eyes glued to Arthas as if she was debating whether or not she should trust him.
Releasing the breath, she stood from the cold stone bench and moved towards the cell door, she prayed that with her decision she could someday gain revenge for her parents. Until then, there was no meaning in dying here in this dark cold dungeon.

"Agreed" Arabella replied reluctantly "I will marry you as you request"
Despite the fact that Arthas was indeed very handsome, she could not help but feel sick to her stomach when she thought about what he had done. Not to mention what he was now doing to her.
There was no choice now however, it was marry this madman or stay down here in this dungeon accused of murders she did not commit. Arthas had her where he wanted her and he knew it, the rat.
"Now please" Arabella said softly, having had quite enough of this darkness "Let me out of here"

She wished she knew how he convinced everyone that she had been the guilty one, Arabella just could not fathom why they would trust this stranger over her. Perhaps because she was a woman or maybe Arthas really was that persuasive.
The look of victory on Arthas's face when she agreed to be his wife made her want to slap him, she wouldn't doubt if he already had a ring waiting in his pocket. The dirty scoundrel.

'Well' Arabella thought bitterly 'Here comes the bride'
Ugh, the very thought of marrying someone she did not love or even like was vile to her. She would have to take all measures to avoid having to be alone with him, Required public affection was going to be a pain in her rear end for certain. She did not doubt that Arthas was going to enjoy every ounce of her discomfort while he reveled in his triumph.
"A bath would be appreciated as well" Arabella added as he picked through the keys "It is filthy down here"

[Dax]

“Quite filthy,” agreed Arthas. “However, your presence here makes this part of the castle so much more agreeable!” He said that partly sarcastic, partly sincere, not even he was sure as to how exactly he meant it. He then followed through with a charming smile. This woman was to be his bride after all, so the least he could do was hold back the insults… for awhile.

Finally, Arthas got the right key from the keychain and unlocked the door. As he opened it, it made a terrible high pitched screeching sound. The ruckus attracted the attention of all of the inmates in the dungeons. They all, in turn, screamed and yelled, all wanting to be freed. Arthas let out a disgusted sigh. He tried to ignore the scum as much as he could.

“Shall we?” asked Arthas. “Close the door behind you. Keep up.” With that, Arthas made his way out of the dungeons, hoping that Arabella would be right on his heels. In a few moments, Arthas was face to face with the door leading to the courtyard. He took a deep breath and flung them open with all of his might. That sudden action attracted the attention of every soldier and guard posted in the surroundings of the area. Civilians of all stripes, from the poor to the rich, to the mightiest knight and soldier turned their head to seek he who disturbed their daily routine.

“Hear me, people of the realm!” yelled Arthas. He commanded full attention of the crowd. “Arabella, our beloved Princess, charged with the heinous murder of her parents, the King and Queen, was found innocent of the deed!” There was dead silence. The princess was loved, that was for certain, and the news that she had killed her parents was very hard to swallow for many. Now, they were being told she was innocent and no one was sure how to react to that.

“However, allow me to be bearer of even more good news! The Princess has graciously accepted to marry me, and take her rightful place as Queen, and I as King!” Now, the crows erupted into applause and cheer. Good thing none of them new of the details of exactly how Arthas had gotten Arabella to marry him. Besides, even the most mundane anouncement of marriages were subject to instantaneous cheers, even if no one knew the bride or groom. “And, as your future King, I will officially launch a thorough investigation to find the true culprit of the horrendous murders against our beloved, late monarchs!”

The crowd was now ecstatic. Hats were thrown in the air, whistles were heard and many young people started running out of the courtyard to announce the good news to the rest of the city and soon to the entire kingdom. Arthas turned around with a smile, hoping Arabella would be right behind him…

[Lamenting_Quill]

With a sinking feeling in her stomach, Arabella followed Arthas up the dungeon steps all the way to the courtyard doors. It took all she had to keep from groaning as he thrust them open in a manner to gain attention of all those behind them.
She could feel the curious stares of the people upon her as Arthas proclaimed her innocence as well as their upcoming nuptials, it was obvious that a great many of them felt the tension arcing between herself and Arthas. They had to know something was going on if she had agreed to wed the man whom had only recently accused her of murdering her own parents.

She wanted to strangle him as he announced that he was going to find the true murderer of her parents when it was in truth himself that was the culprit. Arthas would most likely pin the crime on the first poor sap that irritated him in even the smallest measure.
She refrained though when her people began to throw their hats and rakes up into the air with glee at the idea of royal wedding and all of the festivities that came with it. It had been a very long time since these people celebrated over anything.

When Arthas turned around and smiled at her, Arabella frowned at him; there was no way he was going to make her play the blushing bride. If he wanted her to keep quiet about the murder, he would get silence. Though he never said she could not play the marriage off as just an alliance of sorts to bring the true murderer to justice, he never said she had to act as if she was in love with him or that she even liked him.
From the corner of her eye, Arabella spotted the one peasant whom was not celebrating. She shared his misery as he gazed upon her with sorrowful eyes full of love and adoration. Jacien Wyern, the man she'd loved since she was a young girl of only thirteen.

Her parents had promised that if Jacien could prove himself just as noble and honorable as any other royal, then Arabella and Jacien could marry by Arabella's twentieth year. Now all of that was stolen from them, it was obvious that Jacien knew that this marriage was not of her wishes judging by the way he glared hatefully upon Arthas and not her.
Arabella could only pray that Jacien knew that it was him and him alone that she loved and not even a hundred years of being Arthas's wife would change that.
When she realized she'd been gazing at her beloved for far too long, Arabella switched her emerald gaze back over the her betrothed.
“I hope you are satisfied... murderer....” Arabella murmured to Arthas soft enough for only him to hear.

[Dax]

“I am satisfied. Satisfied as a king.” Arthas laughed at his own joke and, with the flick of his hand, instructed the princess to follow him to the throne room. Arthas had a sadistic pleasure in waving at the cheering crowds and saluting guards as he walked by. If only they knew the truth. If only they knew what had happened. What he had done. Arthas chuckled. They will never find out that he had murdered the old monarchs.

Arthas walked into the huge, majestic throne room. It was one huge hallway with pillars to each sides and a royal blue carpet with golden embroidery. Guards were sitting near the thrones, protecting their kingdom’s seat of power from any enemy that could think to assail it. ‘Well, they failed terribly in their task,’ Arthas thought as he walked up the three steps leading to his new throne. ‘I am sitting on them right now.’

Arthas moved his hand to the seat right to his left where the queen would take her place. “This is for you, my queen,” Arthas said, sarcasm drooping off his lips. “Guards,” Arthas addressed all the guards in the huge throne room, “leave your princess and future king for a moment. We have much to discuss.” Before all of the soldiers left, Arthas pointed to one of them. He then signaled for the boy in armor to step forward.

“You, I wish for you to tell the captain of the city guard to start the investigation on the murderers of Arabella’s parent’s. I suggest you start looking to her brother. No one has seen him since the killings and he was always a weak disappointment to this kingdom. Go.” With a bow, the guard vanished into a side door. Soon after a loud thump was heard. That was the door closing, leaving Arthas and his wife to be alone in the throne room.

“How does that seat feel, princess?,” Arthas spat out. As he spoke, the prince put his hand on his sword, just in case Arabella tried anything funny. Smarts weren’t exactly her middle name. Neither was it her parent’s. It had been so easy to kill them. They were so trusting and oblivious to his hate and plans. He could bet that Arabella was just dying to hear how he had killed her parents…

[Lamenting_Quill]

Saying nothing to the man whom much to her dismay would soon be her husband, Arabella stood from where she sat on her mother's throne and strolled towards one of the tall windows and looked out.
So Arthas planned to try and pin all of this on her poor younger brother, the one person in the whole world she really knew she could count on.
Being only one year apart, Arabella and Aurelius had always been close; She was furious inside that Arthas dared to lash out at yet more of her family, but what could she do?
It was Arabella's guess that Aurelius must have seen something that could incriminate Arthas, so he had no other choice but to flee before he was silenced. Aurelius must have some sort of plan to stop Arthas, she just didn't know what it was exactly.

She turned then to face where the scoundrel she hated more than anything was sitting upon her father's throne “Why are you doing this to Aurelius? Why my brother? I am the heir, so he is no threat to your plans to become king”
Arabella paused for a good while before she cut to the chase “Perhaps what I should be saying, or rather asking... what do you want in exchange for my brother's freedom? I gather this is how you operate, an eye for an eye”
As she stared at his face, she swore she could almost see the evil little wheels turning in his head as he tried to find something useful he could get from her that he didn't already have; It was then she just realized how she had just screwed herself, he could ask for anything and he knew she would do it too in order to protect her brother's life. Dammit.

What was a cornered princess to do?

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"Not yet" Aurelius ruled as he stared down at the plans put before him by his trusted strategist "Lord Arthas still has my sister in his greedy little grasp, we must rescue her first before he follow through with trying to assassinate Lord Arthas"
Arakeil, Aurelius's strategist nodded somberly; their princess was well loved and no one wanted to risk Arthas harming her if the situation grew dire for the devious Lord "Yes, your highness, the princess will come first. How should we go about rescuing her?"
"Leave that to me" Aurelius said, nodded with certainty "I can get inside well enough on my room undetected just long enough to locate Arabella and get her to safety. Then we make the move for Lord Arthas"
The red headed prince lifted a hand to silence his strategist whom was about to try and argue, making his word final. He turned then and exited the tent, disappearing into the forest to make his way to the castle and save his sister from the wicked Lord Arthas's matrimonial plans.

[Dax]

Arthas eyes Arabella for a moment, not really grasping what she had just said. It seemed obvious to seem as for what he wanted. It had nothing to do with money or land, for he was already rich and was to become even richer as king. No, what he wanted from her brother was closure for the people. He knew that they will not be satisfied if they hang a random, worthless scrub on propped up charges. They will demand more blood and perhaps some from the aristocracy won’t even believe the fake allegations. Arthas needed someone close to the family who has been doing suspicious actions ever since murders happened, which is what Arabella’s scum brother did, like a foolish, unknowing pawn.

“Do you now understand,” Arthas purred, “I don’t want money, I don’t want favors, I don’t want material objects, I want closure. I want the fulfillment of my igneous plan. I want your brother dead, no questions asked, to finally end this make-believe investigation. That’s all I want, and there is nothing you can do to change my min-“ Arthas’ faced darkened with a sinister thought. An eerie smile crept up his face.

“On second thought, there is one thing you can do for me. Something I can’t do on my own.” Arthas stared at Arabella in the eyes. “Do this one thing for me, and I will spare your brother and perhaps even restore him his titles and rights.” Arthas paused for dramatic emphasis. He was indeed enjoying the sadistic pleasure of seeing Arabella die of anticipation.

“Give me a son.”

[Lamenting_Quill]

Her heart slammed in her chest as those fateful words left his thin sensual mouth, her worst fears out of this whole thing had been realized. When she had agreed to this madness, she had hoped to keep herself out of Arthas's bed; Though the cunning slime had found a loop hole in her requests.
A son, he wanted a son; Arthas wanted Arabella to lay with him and give him a son. He knew how much she did not want to be intimate with him, how much she hated him.

"A... a son? You... you want a... a baby?" Arabella stammered, taking a few horrified steps backwards until her back met the cold glass of the window she had prior been gazing out "We... we agreed though... There must be something else, anything else"
She knew there wasn't, especially not with the way that Arthas was staring at her with those cold blue eyes; He really was an evil man, he didn't care about anything or anyone else so long as he was getting what he wanted.
Arabella wanted nothing more than to slap that cold blooded smile off his handsome face, but she knew that it would do nothing to help her or save Aurelius's life and reputation. She was cornered and the worst part of it was that he knew it.

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Arabella's chambers were dark when Aurelius snuck inside silently through her balcony window, finally all of those years sneaking out of the castle and back in had paid off. Now he and his sister would leave this place for good until Arthas was taken down.

"Arabella?" Aurelius called out softly, but he heard no reply and saw no movement in the darkness; He was alone and would have to wait until his sister returned to her chambers.
His emerald eyes peered through the darkness as he crept softly across the marble floor, careful that his boots made little to no noise as he walked; He reached for some matches and a candlestick upon his sister's vanity and lit it, the soft light providing some illumination while he waited.
Aurelius sighed softly as he leaned his back against the cool wall, thinking over everything that had gone down since the night his parents had been murdered; Aurelius had seen the servant of Arthas sneak into the kitchens and poison the wine the king and queen would drink, but not Arabella's.

It had become clear to Aurelius at that point what Arthas had planned to do, he was going to murder the good king and queen; Then force the grief stricken crown princess to marry him.
He had tried to sneak away from the kitchens to warn someone, but he had been seen and was chased from the castle by Arthas's men; No doubt they had meant to kill him, but Aurelius was too quick on his feet and had escaped.

He swore he would return for Arabella and then when the time was right, he would return for the head of Arthas.
"Vengeance will be had" Aurelius whispered softly to himself.

[Dax]

“Is there anything else?” Arthas’ eyes darkened. He quickly and angrily added: “No there is nothing else you insufferable woman.” The Prince stopped himself right there and took a deep breath. He repeated his words calmly. “No, Arabella, there is nothing else I want.” The man’s face sprouted a small smile. “I thought you had more honor than going back on a proposition, princess. What you just did there is common for the rabble, not someone with noble blood like you and I.”

“If I am to be King, I need a son to ensure my lineage of great kings, that I will begin, continues for a thousand years. It will be a golden age for the kingdom. For that, for the happiness of your people, for the safety of your brother and for your future joy as a mother… I want you to do this one favor for me.” Arthas stood up from his chair and walked towards Arabella. He got up real close and looked her directly in the eyes. “Do this, and I will never ask anything from you again…”

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Two guards walked past Arabella’s closed room, strolling along their boring assignment that is guarding the insides of the castle. The guards were about to steer clear of the room when they heard something. Footsteps. It couldn’t be the princess because she was downstairs with Prince Arthas and it couldn’t be the maid because none of them had let anyone in… the guards panicked. One of them ran off the alert Arthas while one stayed behind to guard the door.

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Arthas’ voice lingered in the room, vibrations bouncing off the hallowed, marbled walls of the throne room. It was just at this time where one of his guards entered the throne room, panting. “My lord! An intruder! In Princess Arabella’s room, it seems! Do you give us permission to investigate?”

Arthas closed his eyes in annoyance as the guard ruined the moment with Arabella. He then sprung them up again quickly, a glinter in them. It must be her brother, Arthas thought. No one else would conceivably break into this castle in this state of lockdown unless they knew the grounds inside and out. Arthas ran towards the guard. “Yes, you fool! Why did you wait to ask permission! It could be the murderer! Get him!”

The two men sprang up flights of stairs and ran through mazes of corridors. Arthas was yelling. “Get the intruder! Get him! Murderer! Murderer! Guards, do your bloody job!”

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The guard heard the screams of Prince Arthas. He knew he had to do something or risk losing his job, and, more importantly, his honor. He took his courage with the both of his hands and charged through the door, opening it. The guard yelled: “Intruder and murderer, you are under arrest by decree of Prince Arthas for conspiracy against the crown and murder!”

From a few corridors down, quickly closing in, Arthas was still yelling madly. “I know you’re there, Aurelius. I won’t hurt you. Turn yourself in and everything will be alright.”

[Lamenting_Quill]

“Do this, and I will never ask anything from you again…”


Arabella was speechless, Arthas was not to be swayed with this ultimatum; He was going to have her in his bed or her brother would pay the price
She could only pray that Aurelius would forgive her someday, because she could not let him take the fall because she did not want to sleep with Arthas; She doubted she would ever be able to tell him the full story of what had happened if he did not already know. If he didn't, he would hate her.
Aurelius had always been there to protect Arabella from so much and now that it was her turn to protect him, she knew she could not turn away from that responsibility; Her brother needed her. More than ever before, Arabella knew what she had to do; there was no other way.
With sorrow in her heart, Arabella opened her mouth to agree to his ultimatum before the doors of the throne room were thrust open and in came frenzied guards.



“My lord! An intruder! In Princess Arabella’s room, it seems! Do you give us permission to investigate?”


Arthas's face grew angry with rage at the sheer stupidity of his men and his wrathful orders were barked at them mercilessly, making Arabella jump a little bit at the sudden rise of volume in his voice.
“Yes, you fool! Why did you wait to ask permission! It could be the murderer! Get him!”

Arabella watched the guards scramble out of the room with eyes of horror, her brother was in terrible danger and there was close to nothing that she could do to save him or warn him of the danger.
Arthas continued to scream after the guards, causing Arabella's eyes to fill with tears that something horrible could happen to Aurelius this day; It was too much to bare, she had to stop this while she still could.
Maybe someday after she and Arthas had married, after she was pregnant; Maybe then Arthas would not feel threatened by Aurelius and he would let her see her brother again, let Aurelius be an uncle to her child.

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Aurelius cursed his luck as he fled through the halls of the castle, searching for the throne room; If he could just find Arabella and grab her, then the two of them may stand a chance of escape through one of the secret passages in there.
One of the guards, the one that had burst into his sister's room, tried to throw a spear at Aurelius; Thankfully though, Aurelius was as atheletic as ever and jumped forward and out of the way just as it was coming down towards his ankle "Missed me!"

The throne room came into site, he could see the doors; Perhaps the Gods had not spat on him this day after all, he threw the doors open and quickly locked them behind him. He was not however prepared for what he turned around to see.
The murderer Arthas standing beside his sister, the blonde bastards hand grasping her forearm tightly as she tried to run forward to her brother. Aurelius glared at Arthas coldly "Let her go! Now!"
In his moment of distraction, the doors of the throne room were broken down by two of the burliest guards in Arthas's men; They tackled the young auburn haired prince the marble floor.
Aurelius could hear Arabella scream and begin to weep, Arthas had to have threatened her with him because she was now begging the cad for her brother's life.

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"Please Arthas, let him go! I will do as you ask, I will give you an heir!" Arabella pleaded desperately to Arthas, her elegant hands grasping the front of his emerald silk tunic "Please let my brother go, please!"
"Arabella, no!" Aurelius growled as he struggled with the guards "Don't give in!"
"I have to" Arabella sobbed, "He'll have you blamed for mother and father's deaths, I have to save you! Please understand..."
"Bastard" Aurelius snarled in the direction of Arthas.

[Dax]

Arthas smiled as Aurelius was pinned down to the floor in front of him. This was pleasing. The castle guards had made up for their idiotic mistake earlier of wasting precious time by feeling obliged to come to throne room to tell him that they thought there was an intruder in the Princess’ chambers, instead of bursting in and laying down the law. In fact, Arthas as almost happy that Aurelius was given that delay, because it brought him straight into the throne room, before Arthas himself. Now that was some service.

The evil Prince tuned out all of the mewlings from those around him, especially Arabella, and walked quickly towards thee pinned-down Aurelius. Arthas unsheathed his sword and planted it firmly on Aurelius’ forehead with just enough force to cause a considerable amount of pain, but without fatally injuring him. “Traitor. Traitor to the Kingdom. Traitor to the FAMILY. You deserve not to live, spawn of hell, and should be beheaded for the crimes you have committed against your very parents.”

Arthas turned to Arabella with a toothy smile, and then shot a quick glance at the guards in the room, making sure he had all of their undivided attention before turning his attention back to Aurelius. “However, since I am a merciful lord, I shall spare your miserable life. For now.” Arthas removed his sword’s point from the fallen prince’s forehead and re-sheathed it. “There will be a trial in your name so that you may be given a chance to clear your name. But beware, if you dare to spew more lies while under the watch of God, your fate will meet a terrible end.” Arthas gave a condescending, grace look to Aurelius. He then spoke: “May the Lord have mercy on your soul.”

With that, Arthas, with the flick of his hand, signaled the guards who then hauled Aurelius away into the dungeons to wait for his trial. The fallen prince was yelling, screaming, trying to get away from the guards… but to no avail. There were simply too many of them for him to wring loose.

A few moments later, Arthas was once more alone in the throne room with Arabella. He was all smiles. Dark, evil and cunning smiles. “There, I have kept my promise. I have not, and will not, kill him. I trust you will uphold your part of the bargain?” Arthas chuckled slightly as he waited for the future mother of his child to answer.

[Lamenting_Quill]

Arabella was wracked with Torment as she watched her beloved brother being wrestled down to the ground by Arthas's thugs, it was worse yet that she knew there was absolutely nothing she could do to stop what was happening before her without sacrificing herself to Arthas; The bastard knew it too, the cad!
Forced to watch Arthas point at sword at her brother's head, she found she could not prevent the tears from flowing down her lily soft cheeks; She would have given the moon and the stars to protect Aurelius from this whole entire mess, let alone to have their parents back.

A cry of relief escaped her throat as Arthas withdrew the sword from Aurelius's face, though it was unfortunately short lived as Arthas ordered his men to take Aurelius down to the dungeons to await trial; which of course Aurelius would be found innocent as long as Arabella gave him Arthas what he wanted from her.
She could heard Aurelius screaming her name endlessly until he was taken too far down into the depths of the castle to be heard, it tore her heart to shreds that she could not do more for him; She was helpless right now and she knew it well.

The soldiers were then sent away from the throne room by Arthas, his whole body language spoke of victory and triumph; he knew he was getting everything he wanted.
Her heart froze with fear when Arthas turned around to face her, a cold and chilling smile pasted on his handsome face “There, I have kept my promise. I have not, and will not, kill him. I trust you will uphold your part of the bargain?”
All Arabella could do was nod numbly, her whole being felt numb with fear and regret; Her regret being that she would never know the joy of becoming Jacien's wife, heaven forbid that Arthas ever knew of the man whom loved her and held her heart in return; Arthas would surely have Jacien killed out of sheer petty jealousy, he did not seem the type to share anything. Let alone a woman.

"I will retire to my chambers now, I pray you will find the decency to refrain from taking me to your bed until our wedding night" Arabella murmured softly, her emerald eyes not meeting his face "I am tired, I shall take my leave now"
With that, the grief stricken princess skirted around Arthas and in a flurry of skirts hurried in the direction of her bedchambers.
Arabella knew the dark corridors like the back of her hand and therefore did not take the time to request a torch or candle, she was in far too much of a hurry to escape the monster she would soon call husband.
Once within the safety of her chambers, the door would be barred and she would not leave her bed for the rest of the night for the fear that Arthas might assail her in the night when no one could assist her.

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"Cook, I need to see Princess Arabella, I must know that my love is safe. I need to hear from her own lips that she has not been harmed" Jacien pleaded, clutching the old woman's hands over the potato peel covered counter "I do not trust this
Lord Arthas and I do not believe that Arabella truly wishes to marry him. Will you help me?"
"I... Jacien, I want to... Lord Arthas... he has the princess watched like a hawk" The cook murmured as if frightened her words might be heard by any of Arthas's spies "No one sees her without him knowing first, she has become a prisoner in her
own castle"
"So he truly is not what he seems then" Jacien replied, his suspicions confirmed "Prince Aurelius, has there been any news about him? I heard he disappeared"
The cook looked worried "No, no one has heard anything about the prince. However, Lord Arthas's men have gloating look on their faces whenever we see them. I do believe something is happening that they want no one else to know about, something important"

"Arabella has no doubt been forced into the very middle of it" Jacien grumbled frustratedly, running a hand through his neck length dish-water blonde hair "There must be some way I can see her, I have to think of something. If I can get to her, perhaps I can take her away from her until something can be done about Arthas, whatever it is he is up to"
"You could try the passageways, but I have no idea whether or not Arthas's men have discovered them yet" Cook replied, fingering her bottom lip thoughtfully "We servants try to hear what we can, but they are being very careful with their information; It's all very secretive"
Jacien nodded "Thank you, I appreciate everything you've been able to tell me. I will do my best to reach Princess Arabella, I will rescue her if I can"
"Thank you" Cook managed to say before the young man fled the kitchens, though she knew he wasn't being rude; he simply could not risk being seen by any of Arthas's men.

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Something the sounded almost like the pitter patter of a field mouse in the wall awoke Arabella from her tense sleep, her gaze following the sounds to a portrait hanging upon the wall of her and Aurelius. It took her a moment in her drowsiness to remember just was exactly was behind that portrait... a passage!
Aurelius used to use that all the time to sneak into her room any time she was ill, he wanted to help care for her when the maids were busy but the dizzy headed Misses barred him from the room claiming he could catch it; Which was preposterous when Aurelius was never sick a day in his life, his health was pristine.
She quickly got out of bed and raced to the wall, her shaking hands reached of the portrait frame; There was only one other whom knew about this passage and the ways to reach it...
"Jacien!" Arabella exclaimed softly as she swung the portrait off the wall, revealing her beloved's face in the dim light of her burning candles "Oh Jacien!"

Arabella fell into his arms as he jumped down gracefully from the hold, her slender arms wrapped tightly around his waist and her lips sought his in a kiss of love and adoration.
"I was so worried about you Arabella, I knew from your face in the courtyard that you did not want this with Arthas" Jacien murmured into her auburn hair as he reluctantly broke the kiss "I have come to take you away from here, my love"
"I can't!" Arabella exclaimed softly "He has Aurelius, he threatened me with him. I have to do what Arthas says or he will have Aurelius killed!"
Jacien cursed under his breath, he should have known that Arthas would seek further leverage against Arabella to prevent her from rebelling "What is going on, Arabella? Why is this Lord Arthas doing all of this to you?"
"To be king... he murdered my parents" Arabella explained sorrowfully "He spared my life to marry me and claim my throne, but it has gotten more complicated now... he has developed a desire for me, he wants a child... Oh Jacien, what am I to do? he blackmailed me with framing Aurelius with murder and treason"
Jacien was silent for a good couple of minutes "Play along with his sick game for now until something can be done about rescuing Aurelius, we must first remove the leverage he has against you"

Reluctantly, Arabella nodded "It will be difficult trying to tolerate him, but I will try"
Jacien smiled at his brave love and embraced her hard "I must go before my presence is discovered... Arabella... I love you"
"As I love you" Arabella replied adoringly, caressing his sun-kissed face with a gentle hand "I pray we shall soon be together again"
Before he turned back to the passage in the wall Jacien claimed one more kiss from the sweet lips of his beloved, then before he was tempted to stay longer he jumped back into the hole and was gone.
Arabella quickly replaced the portrait back to where it was meant to hang and gave a great sigh, she could only hope something could be done before Arthas arranged a wedding ceremony.

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