Ch. 4: A Change of Heart

Edward's face paled, his body automatically taking a step away from Celeste's. But as he too a step back, he tripped on a root and began to fall. Celeste, still holding his arm to support him, tried to counter the act by leaning back, but her weight was less than his, and he ended up pulling her into him.

They landed on the ground, Edward on his back and Celeste on top of him. Her hair fell around both their faces, creating a shield from the outside world between them.

"Edward, I'm not going to hurt you. I understand what it's like to be on the run and have no one. If I had wanted to turn you in, I would have done it while I was in town. Please." Her eyes begged his to believe her, and Edward say no lies in her words. And thinking logically, she very well could have turned him in.

Hell even when the guard came to the cabin earlier today, she could have turned him in then. But she had hidden him instead. Looking up at her again, he nodded his head. "I trust you. Now..." he chuckled, glancing down between them, causing her to do the same and immediately pull away, blushing as deep red as the sunset behind her.

"Will you help me up?" Edward asked as he tried not to laugh, her hands gently wrapping around his to help him sit up then guiding him to stand. Once Edward was standing, Celeste laughed and shook her head as she saw the twigs in his hair. "Let's get you inside and cleaned up again."

As they headed inside, Celeste paused and glanced at the sunset once more, a soft smile on her lips. As Celeste stared at the sun, Edward couldn't help but glance at her, watching the peace settling over her face.

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That night, after a warm meal and washing the dirt out of Edward's hair, Celeste sat in one of the chairs she had by the fireplace, brushing her hair while humming a song her father had taught her. Edward, having been getting dressed after his second bath, his hair still slightly damp, carefully limped over and sat in the chair next to her. Realizing he knew nothing of her, he decided to ask.

"So Celeste, where is your husband? Surely he wouldn't approve of you living out here alone away from all the other women?" Celeste looked up at him, blushing a bit at the open buttons on his shirt. "I've never been married. Nor have I ever been intimate with a man. I loved someone once... but he chose a path I could not follow."

Celeste's eyes looked down, saddened at the memory of the man who had promised her many things, but those promises never were fulfilled. "What of you Edward? Do you have a wife?"

Edward shook his head, clearing his throat. "I do not. I was once betrothed to be married to the princess of a neighboring kingdom. But..." Edward's eyes darkened. "Someone assassinated her and her entourage as they were traveling to our kingdom. I was good friends with the Princess... she deserved a better death."

The room went quiet, only the crack king sounds of the fire filling the silence for a few moments before Celeste sighed and placed her hand on Edward's arm. "I'm sorry." The words were spoken gently, and caused Edward to slip out of the grim memories of the Princess.

"Thank you."

The words, although meant truthfully, came out bitter and harsh. But Celeste didn't flinch, instead getting up and starting to pull down some extra furs and blankets laying them down by the hearth. Edward watcher her curiously, wondering what she was doing before he realized. She was giving up her own bed for him!

"Celeste, you don't need to do that. I can sleep-" before he could finish his sentence she turned to him and put a finger over his lips. "You are injured. You won't heal if you sleep on the floor. You will take the bed. I'll be fine here. Now go. It's late and we have much to discuss tomorrow."

Edward, looking thoroughly chastised, stood and limped to the bed, smiling at her generosity. Laying himself down, he could hear her changing into her night dress on the other side of the cottage. He laid there, hearing the sounds of nature and trying to recall the last time he fell asleep to the sounds of the world, instead of the sounds of maids and pages running through the palace.

Lost in his thoughts he hadn't realized he fell asleep.

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Celeste woke early the next morning, just as the first light of day was rising. Hearing that Edward was still snoring, she rose, getting out her older more worn dress she used for gardening and working. Quickly s hanging into it, she grabbed the basket for gardening and her water pail, then headed out of the house.

She had been gone only about 30 minutes, and when she returned Edward was still asleep. Chuckling softly at his snoring, she started the fire and began heating some water she had brought from the river for a bath for herself. As the water started to heat on the fire, she took out the vegetables she had gathered from her little garden behind the cottage.

It was the spring season, so not much was growing, and Celeste knew she would need to travel into town again soon. She looked through her cupboards and mentally did the math, realizing she and Edward could survive a week on the supplies she already had. That gave her time to go to town another day. She really had no desire of wanting to go while she knew the soldiers were in town.

A shiver ran down her spine as she remembered the soldiers threat. She had been lucky. Many of the people in this village knew Celeste from her childhood, when her and her father would come here during the summers. They had even gladly accepted her and protected her as she had fled here, like she had been told by her father.

The village people never knew why she didn't move to village and live with them, but they also admired the determination and courage Celeste had for living in the woods alone. For the past four years, many of the boys had tried asking for her hand, but many were crushed by her refusal. The other young ladies, however, did not always like the fact that she was so desired. Especially when the young man they fancied proposed to her right in front of them.

Celeste chuckled as she remembered one such proposal from the blacksmiths son.

~Flashback~

"Celeste, can I speak to you a moment?" She turned, hearing David's voice behind her.  She had been walking through the village square, and she stopped, smiling that gentle smile everyone always saw. As she turned, she hadn't realized everyone else in the square had stopped to watch the two as well.

She looked at David, smiling softly as he blushed and rubbed his neck, smiling back at her. She had come to think of the young man as a friend. "C-Celeste, I-I want you ask you something." His words came out a bit shakily, as if he was nervous, and Celeste cocked her head curiously. Somewhere to her left, she heard a scoff, and glanced over to see Lydia, one of the young women who often visited the smiths shop to admire the young man.

Celeste looked back at David, her eyes running up and down his form. She knew he was attractive, with his strong arms and muscular chest. He was tall and lean, but strong. His hair was a dark black, and his eyes were a deep green. His mouth was firm, yet always held a smile. It was no wonder many of the girls were attracted to him.

"Go ahead." Celeste spoke the words softly, curious what he had to say. She hid her surprise as he knelt down on one knee, and took her hand.

"Celeste, will you marry me? I will provide for you, and take care of you. I promise I will protect you and keep you fed and loved."

Celeste's face still held that gentle smile, but her eyes showed a hint of pain, as well as sadness. But David missed that, instead looking down to pull something out of his pocket.

"I-I even made this for you myself, Celeste. I-I know it's only a simple necklace, but I promise it was crafted by my own hands."

At his words, she heard someone sob, then footsteps running away. Glancing to the side, she saw a young girl of about 17, who's name was Sylvia, running off down the street.

Celeste's heart felt heavy as she turned and admired the silver necklace in his hands. It was quite beautiful, and delicate even. She sighed softly and knelt down beside David, surprising him. Leaning forward, many thought she was going to kiss him.

But instead, she whispered gently in his ear. "David.. please do not be offended. Your proposal was beautiful, and the necklace is gorgeous, but... I cannot accept." At his words, his head hung heavy, and he sighed, standing and helping her up.

"You should try asking Sylvia to the summer festival." She suggested before giving him another of her smiles and patting his hand. Turning to walk away, she paused as he called after her. "Why? Why do you reject everyone who tries to become close to you?"

Turning, he saw an emotion he never thought she would have on her face. Fear. "Because you will get hurt, if you get too close. It is safer for all, to stay away." That last part was addressed to all who were in the village and could hear her. Many were confused by her words, but none had the chance to ask what she meant before she turned and left, heading off in a different direction.

~End of Flashback~

Celeste sighed as she remembered those words she had spoken. After that, the proposals had stopped, but the young girls were still jealous of her. They had begun to spread vicious rumors, which over time had faded at the lack of response from Celeste.

Shaking her head of the memories, she turned, the water for her bath heated. Pouring it carefully into the washbasin, she added the cool water, enjoying the steam on her skin. As she worked, she hadn't noticed that the snoring had stopped, nor that she was being observed.

That resulted in her jumping as the throat behind her cleared. "Good morning, Cel. May I call you that?" Edward's voice made her blush, turning to look at him. He was leaning against the wall on his good arm, smiling gently at her.

"You may. Good morning Edward." She smiled back, her eyes trailing down his figure. He was shirtless, making her blush, but her eyes showed curiosity as she noticed a large jagged scar running down the side of his chest, along his ribs. She was curious how he got it, and when. It looked to be newer, but it was fully healed.

Clearing his throat, she was broken out of her thoughts, immediately blushing at his smirk. "I'll be in the bedroom. Call me when your ready for me to come out." He chuckled and said politely, turning and walking back.

Celeste stood there for a moment, a dark red blush on her cheeks. Her lower stomach was twisting and turning, making her feel as if fairies were dancing in her stomach. She hadn't felt like this in years.

She was beginning to like Prince Edward!