Going To Town With Princess Emma (2)

"Are you alright princess?" She asked as Luna happily trotted a long giving them time to watch as the spice, canary coloured leaves fall from the trees branches blanketing the ground.

"I'm fine big sister," the young princess replied looking back at Diana with a warm smile.

"Alright then princess,"

"You know you don't have to be formal with me you can just call me Emma especially when we're not at formal gatherings. Just like you call my big brother by his first name."

"Alright then Emma," Diana gave her a smile that like all her other smiles doesn't reach her eyes.

"Big sister?"

"Yes Emma?"

"Why do you never smile?"

"What do you mean? I am smilimg,"

"But it never reaches your eyes," she replied innocently.

"Well I guess because I was taught that emotions are a weakness and back in Malum I learnt that my emotions can be used against me. So I became so used to putting on a fake smile that now I normally do that instead of smiling properly."

"But that's so sad," Emmas pouting face was so adorable Diana couldn't help but giggle slightly under her breath to quietly for anyone to hear it though.

"Don't be sad Emma, there's nothing to be sad about." Diana reassured her and before the young princess could reply a broad smile came to her face as they reached the town. Diana skilfully guided Luna through the crowds of people and to a stable before they began wondering around the town.

"Wow! It's beautiful," Emma beamed as she gripped Dianas hand "Could I look at that stall please?"

She asked pointing over to a stall with various sweets on it "Of course,"

"Yay!" Emma pulled Diana over to the nearby stall where they found an array of sweets such as bright pink swirls dotted with yellow spots to rainbow coloured balls which when you put in your mouth melt and fizzle. Emma chose three lolly pops which were bubblegum blue, scarlet red and mint green. As well as a handful of rainbow coloured balls which went in another bag and finally multicoloured worm like jellies. Diana happily payed for it all before she put it in her satchel she handed Emma the bubblegum blue lolly pop.

"You can have this now but you have to wait until later to have the rest," Diana told her. They went and explored different stores but when they reached one store with pieces of jewellery on display Emma was instantly enchanted by them. Across the table are an array of beautifully crafted earrings some in the shapes of flowers others in the shapes of hearts exc. There are necklaces with pendants such as dolphins and birds or crystals. Bracelets with swirls carved into them or jewels imbedded deep in their centre. Even hand crafted rings with diamonds and rubies of all sorts.

"Can I get something?" Emma asked tugging on Dianas hand, the young girls eyes glistening brightly as she looks up hopefully at Diana.

"Of course, get anything you like."

The two she chose are only simple, silver bracelets with a few engravings and a beautiful gem in the centre. After paying Emma handed one of the bracelets over to Diana its gem an aqua blue which shines in the sunlight. "I have one two, so this way you can always know that no matter what I'll be by your side," Emma smiled as she spoke her tone full of cheer and sincerity

Diana happily put it on her right wrist and it fits perfectly "Would you like me to help you put yours on?"

"Yes please," she continued to beam handing Diana her bracelet and held up her right wrist. The gem in hers is a brighter blue almost as blue as the sky. Diana put it on her wrist and Emma continued to beam as they continued looked at different stalls. By lunch Dianas satchel was full of different things Emma had brought as well as a few things Emma had insisted Diana get for herself.

"Can we get some lunch now?"

"Of course Emma, what do you fancy?"

"Hmmmm, I'm not sure. What do you think we should have to eat?" she asked looking up at me.

"How about we go over to the food stalls and see what we like the look of?" I suggested as we headed towards them.

"Ok!" Emma cheered happily as she looked at the different food stalls that surround them. "Let's get that," she said happily pointing over to a food stall which is selling pork with some fries. They paid for the food and then found a bench to sit on where they happily ate their food before continuing their adventure through town.

"Diana, can I ask you a question?"

"Of course Emma," Diana said as they looked at a few more stalls.

"Why did you choose to come today?"

"Because you asked me to," she replied as they continued walking down the cobblestone pathway past the large shops and houses and stalls.

"No, I mean you didnt have to come you could have said no afterall your jobs to protect my brother not anyone else. So you could have just said no and it doesn't seem like your doing this out of sence of duty."

This time Diana stopped to consider her answer "I guess because I wanted to and it seemed like you really wanted to come today so I decided I'd accompany you and make sure your safe so you could enjoy yourself."

"Really?"

"Of course, your brother and the others also seemed surprised with my decision to accompany you today," Diana explained to her as Emma brought a few more things.

"Well I think it's because you always seem so distant and aloof,"

"Maybe, but that's just how I protect everyone," for some reason Diana couldn't help but to tell Emma this and as she said it, it felt as though a weight was being lifted off her shoulders.

"Protect us from who?" Emma asked curiously as they headed for the lake.

"My....family," the word was forced they hadn't been Dianas family in a long, long time.

"Your always trying to protect us, but who will protect you?"

"If the time comes when I need protecting then I'll just have to protect myself,"

"But isn't it lonely being alone all the time?"

"It can be, but then I just have to remind myself that I have to be alowne so that I can protect everyone else,"

Emma became silent for a while and then looked up at Diana with eyes full of conviction "Well you're not alone anymore, you have all of us now and we'll always protect you."

Her words surprised Diana it's been so long since anyone wanted to protect her "I have no doubt you will," she smiled her tone light "Why don't we go see some fireworks? They're suppose to be some tonight to celebrate our win in yesterday's battle."

"Can we?" her eyes began to sparkle at Diana's suggestion.

"Of course they'll finish at seven fourty five and that will give us plenty of time to get back to the palace in time,"

"Will it be dark enough?"

"Well it is getting chillier out and its getting darker out far earlier so it will be perfect for fireworks."

"Yay! Let's go, where will they be?" Emma happily skipped along holding Dianas hand.

"Well actually they'll be held here," she explained pointing down by the lake where other people had already began to gather for the fireworks as they'd be starting soon.

"Let's find a good place to sit," she exclaimed dragging Diana to a spot nearer to the lake where Diana happily sat down on the lush green grass.

"Would you like to sit on my lap Emma?" Diana asked her after she noticed the look Emma's giving her.

She beamed at the offer "Yes please!"

"Come on then," she patted her lap and Emma took the invitation sitting down happily as they waited for the fireworks to start. The fireworks started soon after and she happily watched them with sparkly eyes and pointed to the ones she found most beautiful. Diana couldn't remember the last time she'd felt so....happy. Being here in Fortis with Emma and Alex and the others she's started to finally feel happy.

The sky filled with sparks of red, blue, green, gold, silver, turquoise and far more its beautiful. After it ended Emma and Diana stayed sitting and watching the sky with the breeze blowing and the water calmly flowing. "Thank you for today I know you'll probably not except it but I still want to say it so thank you."

Diana just continued looking out at the stars and shining moon which fill the darkness of the night "We should head back Emma otherwise your parents will send out a search party and I'm not up for a lecture from your brother."

She began to giggle with Diana's words "True," she then got up and offered her a hand which Diana took it, but in truth it isn't helping but it is sweet of her to do this for Diana. They walked back to the stable with idle chatter and then Diana helped her get onto Luna before they began the ride back to the palace.

"Big sister?"

"Yes?"

"I'm happy you came to Fortis. Everyone seems more complete with you here and I think we can now definitely win this war. Not to mention Alex seems happier since you came here."

"I wouldn't give myself that much credit,"

"I would you may not want them but you have friends here now and your not alone anymore."

"Thank you Emma," this girl is truly smart for her age with her and Alex it's clear this kingdom is in good hands. They arrived at the palace dead on eight and found Alex, Hunter, Kylo, Maddy, Crystal, Queen Valerie and King Brian waiting for them.

"You cut it close," Crystal teased as Diana brought Luna to a stop in front of them all and dismounted.

"Well we're back in time so I still kept my promise," Diana replied nonchalantly while helping Emma down.

"Fair enough," Kylo agreed with her point.

"Mum! Dad!" Emma cheeted happily running over to her parents and giving the each a big hug "Thank you for letting me go today, it was so fun I loved it!"

"Hehe, I'm glad you enjoyed it," Queen Valerie giggled at her young daughters actions.

"I really did! Big sister Diana even took me to see some fireworks and we saw so many cool things it was incredible!" Emma happily cheered, her smile broadening. "Can we go again soon, please?"

"Well you'll have to check with Diana and your big brother first, don't forget she is your brothers personal knight and we're at war still," King Brian answered his youngest child while patting her on the head.

"Ok..." with that she wiggled out of her parents embrace and over to Alex jumping up and extending her arms causing him to have to catch her. "Thank you big brother," she said planting a kiss on his cheek.

"What are you thanking me for?"

"Because you let big sister Diana accompany me today, she is your personal knight after all,"

Alex just chuckled at his sisters words "Want to know a secret?" Emma's eyes gleamed at this and she vigorously nodded her head which caused everyone to chuckle. "Even if I say no if Diana really wants to do something she'll do it without a care for the consequences,"

"Really?" Emma's eyes grew wide after hearing this.

"Just ask her yourself," Maddy butted in.

"Really big sister Diana?"

"Of course," Diana answered nonchalantly its not like she'd lie about it after all it is the truth.

"Big sister let's go put my things in my room," Emma cheered after a moment.

"Okay but I need to put Luna away,"

"We'll do it for you," Maddy piped.

"Yeah, afterall what are friends for?" Hunter agreed and before she could say anything he, Kylo, Maddy and Crystal came over and took Luna heading for the stables.

"Crystal!" Diana called causing them all to stop "take this, feed it to her when your done putting her away," tossing Crystal an apple.

"Ok, see you later," they all called back before heading off. In the next instant Emma was by her side grabbing Dianas hand and dragging the young knight to her room before Diana could get a word in.

"Come on," Emma happily cheered.

"Ok, ok I'm coming," Diana giggled internally with her actions.