literature

Torn - Chapter 4

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Chapter 4

"Here we are, Miss; Zanuck City." It's early morning; I ordered the young servant to keep going throughout the night, saying that I can wait no longer to see my dearest father and brother. In truth I just want to be around distractions.
    Why did I scream at him? Thinking about it now, I can see how I wronged him. He was just trying to make it easier; he was telling me the truth. There're so many things that I regret now; not saying goodbye to anyone, yelling at my true love, not taking that one last vital look at the farm.
     But, as I keep telling myself, I have to keep going forward. The past cannot be changed. If it is my fate to end up with Finley then the Fates will help me to curve my destiny towards him again. But if not…
     Well, I don't want to think about that.
     I look around me at the beautiful stone buildings lining the streets of the most luxurious city in the world. People are beginning to leave to go to work. Mothers are hurrying their children out to the early morning markets. All stop and stare as we trot gracefully through the cobbled streets.
     Thinking about it, I doubt that many of them have seen a unicorn before, let alone a high quality stallion. True to his mischievous name, Buster starts playing up. He has the attention span of a flea and I've been waiting for his excitement of riding to a new home to wear off. He starts playing with his metal bit, making him look even smarter with his magnificently arched neck.
     I've never been one for grand entrances and making a show of everything I do, but there is no shred of doubt in my mind that I won't be making a good impression on the court when I arrive.
     Speaking of which…
     The golden gates loom ahead of us. Suddenly, I don't feel quite as confident as before. If I were on Dougal I would be flying through the clouds back home to Medulla. I'd be crawling back into Finley's strong arms and begging him to forgive me.
      But I left the beautiful pegasus that I had raised from a colt at Middle Grove. Another thing to regret.
      The servant stops his horse and Buster and I are surrounded by grooms getting ready to help me dismount. Despite the customs and national belief in Zanuck that women are weaker than men and need help to do everything, I daintily dismount from my dark bay unicorn. "Sister!"
    I turn round to face the grand double doors on the high palace steps to see a familiar face come jogging elegantly towards me. Jacque. My brother. We used to be so close, he and I. Every weekend we would sneak off into the woods and play hide and seek. Every morning he would jump on my bed and wake me up. Every time I was scolded he would take the blame.
    And I haven't spared a single thought for him all these years.
    He runs up to me and we hold hands whilst he gives me a quick peck on the cheek. "I've missed you, Bella," he whispers softly in my ear. Stepping back a little he looks me over. "My god, the Muses must have had fun with you; look how beautiful you've become! Mama would be proud to have such an elegant daughter."
    I just look down and blush; away from the familiar security that the farm offered, I feel so alone and vulnerable. The best way to survive, I tell myself, is to be humble and modest. "Thank you, brother."
    "Mighty fine unicorn you got there, Miss." Two young men, twins by the look of it, come striding confidently towards my brother and I as the grooms take my Buster away to the stables. Now I am completely alone.
    I curtsy to them both, unsure as to the proper manner in which I should behave to these gentlemen. "Thank you Sir; he was one of the few that I was allowed to help train." My eyes quickly assess these two new faces from under the cover of my thick dark eyelashes. Both have soft pale skin and thick auburn hair. Their initial features are exactly identical; the nose, lips and body physique.
    "Isabella, this is Prince Sebastian and Prince Aiden." I look at the two princes. It's obvious now, the sense of power and confidence emanating from them. Only royalty could possess that.
    The elder looking prince steps forward and this time my blush is genuine. The charm of his silvery eyes is so enchanting. It's like looking into… No. I promised myself that I wouldn't compare anyone with Finley again. "It is an honour to meet the lovely Isabella Castling after all these years that we have had to put up with all the sycophantic praise that your brother has in your honour."
   I look sideways at Jacque; why would he be so full of praise towards me? "I'm sure that you exaggerate, Your Highness. Either that or my brother has been creating an imaginary image of me in his mind because we have been apart for so long."
    The three men chuckle and I smile slightly, confused as to where they're laugh at me or at my suggestion.
     "Please excuse us, my lords; my father will wish to see Isabella. He has missed her greatly." A calm arm draped around my shoulder adds to the appearance that our separation was a hardship on all of us. Am I to act like this for the rest of my life?
     "Of course. A game of cards later, Jacque? After your sister has settled in." My brother nods at the younger prince and they start to taunt each other playfully. I notice that the older brother is staying silent and when I glance in his direction he is staring openly at my face. It unnerves me that he feels that he can look at me in that way when he has not even known me for an hour.
    Pleasantries made, the two princes leave my brother and I to find our father in the family apartments. Jacque chats away to me happily, as if nothing has changed over the years. As if I am the same girl that I was when I was ten. "Brother, can I ask you something?"
    He keeps walking but pats my gloved hand under his arm. "Anything, Sister. You can always ask me anything."
    "What poison have you been pouring into the princes' ears about me? Why is the elder one so intent on looking at me? I may have been away for five years but I did not think that that would change me into an interesting new species."
      I look at his face and for a split second I swear that I see a trace of shame. But only for a fleeting moment. "Bella, remember that Father is a scheming fox. He has a plan for you. And I admit completely to suggesting it; he would have left you out in Medulla for the rest of your life if I hadn't intervened." Why am I not surprised? He leans in and whispers softly, "We are aiming for the highest husband for you, Sister. It has been my job to create a god-like image of you to Prince Sebastian so that you will be able to thrill him and he will want to get to know you."
    "Jacque, I am not as I once was; the life on a working farm has changed me. I don't need to live in luxury. I don't want to have to play a tiresome game where the rules always change. I don't want to be a queen."
     He keeps his deep voice hushed. "Every girl dreams of someday becoming a princess. Besides, there are rumours of a war beginning with Medulla. I know that you've changed, but you're still my sister. And what sort of a brother would I be if I didn't try to save your life? As the queen, you will be safe. And if His Majesty doesn't announce this war before his death but the royal advisors are still demanding it to Prince Sebastian, hopefully your future husband, then you will be in a perfect position to plant seeds of doubt and peace in Sebastian's mind, preventing a war."
     "You've spent a lot of time thinking about this haven't you, Brother?"
      A servant opens the door to my father's office. It takes a moment for my head to stop spinning as all the memories from my childhood in this room come rushing back at me in a flood of smells and sights. I'm glad that Father kept the same rooms. "Ah, Isabella. I've been wondering when you'd come to see me. Come, stand in the light child so that I can see you."
      Ever the obedient daughter, I do as I'm told and stand in front of the navy blue curtains. He looks old, his hair now completely white, his eyesight clearly beginning to fail him. "Ah."
     "What's wrong?" I fear that I have already done something to disappoint him. I may not like him anymore, but he is still my father. He is still the one man that I aim to please in my life.
     He smiles, tears starting to fill his silver eyes. "Nothing is wrong, Baby. Everything is perfect; you're home." We are both enveloped in a huge hug. I surprise myself with the tears rolling uncontrollably down my smooth pale cheeks. It's undeniable; I've missed him and can't bear to live without him. "It's all so perfect. We're all together again."
    Jacque stands in the corner, obviously wishing to be elsewhere.
Chapter 4 to my Torn story
:)
This is when Bella goes back to Zanuck and she's now 'Torn' about how she feels on her family relationships, where she wants to live and things like that
Or atleast I hopes that thats what it sounds like - i was kinda trying to interweave the main theme into the story in loads of different ways
O & her opinion on Finley is different to the chapter before because she's supposed to be unsure as to how she feels about him - thought I'd make that clear
:)
Please comment & don't be scared to critise - I really want to improve / change any bits that don't make sense.
:D
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valerv's avatar
just curious why did she get sent to the farm in the first place?