Alice's Heart : The Serenade of the Whispering Pines

Alice yawned widely, a low rumble that did little to dispel the sleep that was plaguing her eyes. But the sound of the clanging metal was more effective in waking her.

Alice stepped out of her room, drawn by the din, and peered over the banister. She took in the sight below. Silas, her Silas, a massive figure in the middle of the training yard, his movements jerky and uncoordinated. Sebastian, sleek and confident, moved around him with an almost predatory ease. The two were locked in what appeared to be a brutal sparring match.

Silas was clearly struggling to hold his sword steady. Every movement seemed like a fight against his own body. Deep, raw cuts marked his arms and torso, evidence of Sebastian’s aggressive attacks.

Sebastian, on the other hand, was unharmed, a smirk playing as he took his advantage. It looked less like training and more like calculated torture.

A knot of unease tightened in Alice’s stomach. Silas looked lost, adrift in his own body. She rushed towards the stairs, a silent question forming on her lips, when a hand caught her arm. It was Elizabeth.

"Don't," warned Elizabeth, her gaze fixed on the sparring match below. Next to her, Zoe watched with a similar blend of concern and resignation.

"But Sebastian is hurting him, El!" protested Alice, her voice a harsh whisper. “Can’t you see? This isn't right!”

Elizabeth shook her head, her expression a mixture of sadness and understanding. "That's the problem, Alice. He is hurting himself. He's losing touch with himself. The beast… it’s taken over. He's forgotten how to fight like a king, how to move like a man. Look at him, Alice. He barely knows how to hold a sword,” She gestured towards Silas who now reeled backward, nearly dropping his weapon.

Alice stared in silence, her eyes wide with disbelief. She focused her attention on Sebastian. He seemed pleased. Almost gleeful at Silas’ struggles. A flash of anger sparked within her, a protective instinct flaring to life. "Why is Sebastian doing this?" asked Alice, turning back to Elizabeth. "Why is he enjoying it so much?"

"It's not exactly enjoyment. It’s a test," explained Elizabeth, her brow furrowed. “A harsh one, I’ll admit. But Sebastian believes this is the only way to reawaken the warrior inside the beast. He's trying to force Silas to tap into his old skills,"

Zoe shifted uncomfortably. "And it looks like it’s hurting him more than helping him; Sebastian knows it too, I am sure. Do you think this is our best option?" Her voice laced with concern.

"We don’t have time to go for a delicate approach, Zoe. As much as I wish we could," sighed Elizabeth. "The Land of Jelita is in turmoil. The creatures are being held captive, tortured. We can’t stand by and watch. Silas needs to be able to fight, to lead, even if he’s not the king anymore. He's the only one they will listen to,"

Alice’s hope fell to her toes. She knew that Silas was important to everyone, but wasn’t there any other way to achieve this? Couldn’t they try to be kinder to him?

Alice watched in silence, a wave of helplessness washing over her. It was all too much, too difficult to grasp. The sounds of clashing swords continued, each strike a sharp reminder of Silas’ pain.

Then, as if compelled by some unseen force, Silas’ head snapped up. His gaze met hers, and for a brief, heart-stopping moment, they were locked in a silent exchange.

Silas felt Alice's worry. Something stirred within him, a deep desire to stop her pain, to make her stop feeling scared and concerned.

A low growl rumbled in Silas' chest, almost pleading. New power coursed through him; a familiar power that had been buried beneath layers of beastly instinct. He felt the echo of the swordsman he once was, his hand gripping the hilt with new conviction.

Alice held her breath, her eyes wide as she watched the change come over him. The sword was no longer an extension of his arm, but an extension of his will. The way he moved… it was fluid, powerful. He met Sebastian’s attack with a newfound parry and his stance.

"I think you are the only one who can reawaken him," Zoe commented suddenly, looking at Alice with a small smile.

"What do you mean?" asked Alice, her eyes still fixed on Silas, who was now trading blows with Sebastian, each strike more precise and controlled than the last.

"Well, I mean it's quite obvious, isn't it? He clearly cared about your worries, he reacted to that." said Zoe, a hint of mischief twinkling in her eyes. "It seems like you managed to do what Sebastian couldn’t,"

Elizabeth nodded slowly, a contemplative expression on her face. "Yes, I think Zoe is right."

Alice’s heart pounded in her chest. Her gaze went back to Silas. He met her eyes again, a spark of something akin to gratitude in his gaze.

Silas met Sebastian's sword with ferocity. He parried and countered with a skill that had been absent before. Sebastian, taken aback, was forced to stop smirking. His movements, so dominant until then, now looked panicked and defensive. He was no longer a predator, but a prey.

The sound of their swords clashing filled the training yard.

Alice looked at Elizabeth and Zoe, their faces a mixture of relief and awe.

"He’s found it again," Elizabeth breathed, her voice filled with a mixture of hope and wonder. "He remembers,"

Zoe nodded, her eyes wide. "It’s incredible, Alice. You did that,"

Alice had been so worried, so desperate to help Silas that the possibility that she could help in this way had never crossed her mind. It was as if the concern she held in her heart had finally broken through the layers of beastly influence and touched the man beneath.

Silas lunged forward, his sword disarming Sebastian. The clang of Sebastian’s sword hitting the ground echoed through the silent yard. Sebastian stared at his empty hand, disbelief etched on his face.

Silas stood over him, the tip of his sword inches from Sebastian’s throat. He stood tall, his chest heaved, but his gaze was now clear, devoid of the ferocity that had once consumed him. There was a look of exhaustion and determination in his eyes.

"Enough," Silas’ voice rumbled, the sound holding a newfound authority, a tone that had been lost in the growls and snarls of the beast.

Sebastian nodded, slowly, his eyes not leaving the tip of Silas’ sword. “Yes, enough.”

Silas lowered his weapon, stepping back. He turned and his gaze met Alice’s and this time the gratitude in his eyes was undeniable and it washed over her like warm water.

Alice’s heart soared. The relief that flooded her was almost overwhelming. She rushed down the stairs, not caring about the propriety of running, and made her way to Silas. Elizabeth and Zoe followed slowly behind her, giving her space.

Alice wanted to touch him and make sure he was okay, but when she reached him, she hesitated.

Silas seemed to understand her hesitation. He stepped towards her, moving with the same grace he had shown in the duel. He reached out, his fingers gently cupping her cheek.

“You pulled me back, Alice.” murmured Silas, his voice still rough, but gentle. “I heard your worry. It cut through it all,"

A wave of warmth spread through Alice as she felt Silas' touch. “I was so afraid for you, Silas."

"I knew, I could feel it. Since your blood merged with mine, I can feel what you feel." Silas looked hesitant as he said that, but Alice's reaction was not what he expected.

Alice's eyes widened in surprise, but then she just smiled.

"You okay with that?"

Alice nodded, still smilling.

Silas dropped his hand, a ghost of a smile playing on his lips. Elizabeth and Zoe stepped forward, their expressions filled with relief and understanding.

“You were incredible, Silas.” Elizabeth began.

The moment was interrupted by the sound of hurried footsteps. A figure appeared, Ginny, the lady-bear, this time wearing a bright purple bow, looking nervous, her eyes wide with a mixture of worry and urgency.

"Silas! I have news, and it's not good." Ginny announced, her voice clear. "The lions are here to visit and they're expecting you,"

A silence fell over the training yard. The previous sense of triumph suddenly evaporated.

"What lions?" Alice asked, confused. Her face clearly said she had no idea what kind of creature would appear this time.

Silas stared straight, sharply. "I'll meet them soon,"

"I'll come with you, if you don't mind." Sebastian suddenly spoke up which Silas replied with a nod.

Silas' attention returned fully to Alice. The softening of his gaze made Alice dare to ask. "Who are they?"

“They were former prime ministers in the kingdom,” Elizabeth explained before Silas could speak. “They’ve never come before. I’m sure they already know about Alice’s presence,” Her eyes flickered to Silas, a hint of apprehension in them.

Zoe sighed. What else would they have to face?

“...or more than that,” Ginny muttered. “I’m sure there’s something else that attracted them to come,"

“We’ll find out soon enough,” Silas said firmly, preparing to leave when his steps were halted by Alice’s tiny fingers. He turned, the beast within him roaring at her gentle, beautiful gaze. A fierce protectiveness welled up within him. “Yes, Alice?” His voice was soft, almost a murmur.

“Can I come with you to them? I don't want you to face them alone. Let’s do it together,” Alice pleaded, her eyes mirroring the worry that had returned only moments ago.

Silas paused for a moment. A conflict raging within him. The lions weren't bad creatures before, but they were his confidants, advisors that he trusted. He didn't want to risk her safety. But he knew, with a certainty that went beyond reason, that he couldn't refuse her.

"Of course, you can." Silas finally said, his voice a husky murmur. "We face everything together now,"

A relieved smile bloomed on Alice’s face.

“We all go,” Elizabeth said, taking a step forward, Zoe following suit, and Sebastian nodding his agreement. They were going to face whatever came next as a united front.

Silas glanced at each of them, a rare smile gracing his features. He was no longer alone. He had found his strength, and his place, and it was with these people, his family.

The lady-bear nodded. “Then, let’s go meet the lions.”

They entered the main room, the lions already there, sitting and waiting. The presence of Silas and his companions drew their attention. They stood, bowing respectfully despite Silas' current state. Their eyes widened in shock at the sight of the former king, now a large creature covered in fur and looking nothing like he had. Then their gaze fell on Alice, their mouths dropping open in surprise.

“Your Majesty, I assume this is Princess Alice. The princess we’ve been waiting for,” one of them said, the awe evident in his voice.

Alice just smiled, unfazed by the sight of the lions standing upright in black robes. She had seen stranger things, after all.

Silas nodded.

Elizabeth invited them to sit as Ginny prepared a banquet, while Zoe sat between Alice and Sebastian, her fear still lingering.

“We heard rumors about the birth of Princess Alice and how beautiful she is,” one of the lions said politely, breaking the uneasy silence.

Alice smiled shyly, as Silas cleared his throat. “And then?” Silas asked, his voice carrying an edge. “I don’t think that’s all that brings you here,"

Another lion sighed, shifting uncomfortably. “We sensed that your blood was mixed. You were injured and allowed Princess Alice’s blood to act as a cure by dripping her blood on your wound,"

"And?" Silas pressed, his voice low and dangerous.

The lion cleared his throat, the air thickening with tension. "Princess Alice's blood… it's pure. Untainted. Your blood, Your Majesty, is… complicated. The curse that binds you, the beast within… it's a potent force. Mixing the two… it's created an instability."

Another lion chimed in, his tone grim. "We've sensed a darkness growing within you, Your Majesty. A shadow creeping through your mind. The princess's blood, while initially healing, has reacted with the curse in an unforeseen way. It's amplifying the negative aspects, the rage, the hunger... the potential for corruption."

Silence descended once more, heavier than before. Silas's face remained impassive, but Alice could see the storm brewing behind his eyes.

"You're saying…" Silas began, his voice a low growl. "... that I'm becoming evil?"

"Not yet," The first lion corrected quickly. "But the path you're on, it leads to a place where the beast consumes you entirely. Where you become a mindless monster, devoid of compassion, driven only by primal instinct.

"... And because it is her blood, Princess Alice… she will become your ultimate enemy."

Silas' eyes snapped to Alice. He saw the fear in her face, the pain that mirrored his own. The beast within him roared at the thought, a primal scream of denial. He would never hurt her, never!

"We came to warn you," The lion continued. "We know how much you cherish the Princess. We knew you’d risk anything, everything, even becoming a beast. But this is beyond anything we anticipated,"

"Is there a cure?" Silas asked, his voice strained.

The lions exchanged a somber look. "There is no cure we know. Only a preventative measure. You must return to the Land of Jelita, Your Majesty. Away from Princess Alice. The further you are, the slower the corruption will spread. Perhaps, in Jelita, ancient texts or forgotten remedies may offer a solution."

The words hung heavy in the air. They had only just found each other. After a lifetime of loneliness, Silas had found his family, his reason for being. And now, he was being told he had to leave, to abandon them all, to save Alice from himself. His heart clenched in a vise of agony.

He knew what he had to do.

"I understand," Silas said, his voice flat, devoid of emotion. He couldn't afford to feel anything right now, not when Alice needed him to be strong.

Elizabeth stepped forward, her voice trembling. "Silas, no! There has to be another way!"

Alice, however, remained silent, her eyes fixed on Silas. She saw the pain in his eyes, the pain he was trying so desperately to hide. She knew him well enough to understand the impossible choice he was facing.

Silas met her gaze, his own softening imperceptibly. "Alice," he murmured, his voice barely audible. "I have to do this. For you,"