Disclaimer: I don’t own the characters I write about. They belong to JER and NBC’s Passions.

Chapter One:

Sheridan Crane rode her horse into the quaint town of Harmony. She knew a woman of her stature and nobility shouldn’t be riding unaccompanied but she wanted to explore. Each new town she visited seemed to have its own flavor and she had a need to taste them all.

She left this morning just as she always had, before anyone important had awakened. Her personal servants always readied her for her next adventure but they wouldn’t dare tell a soul she was gone. They loved their job. While she was out gallivanting all day all they had to do was sit in her room and wait for her return.

None of her family missed her while she was gone. They were all preoccupied with other things. Her father, King Alistair, had more pressing matters to worry about than her, like what kingdom to try and take over next. Her mother, Queen Katherine, was busy trying to marry off the heir to their throne, her brother Prince Julian. The governess who was supposed to watch over her was busy with her little siblings. Even though she was practically an adult, she was fifteen years old, her mother insisted she still have a governess. But Governess Kipling had her hands full with Ethan, Alexandra, Maxwell, and Krista. So basically she was ignored and she was going to take full advantage of it.

The town she had decided to explore today was actually not one in her Kingdom. She lived in the Crane Kingdom. The Crane castle was actually located in the town of Castleton but there were many other towns to the Kingdom. But she had already seen most of them and she didn’t want to be recognized so she crossed the boarder into the Fitzgerald Kingdom. She had never been to the town of Harmony before and it begged to be looked through. She heeled her horse taking it into a gallop and rode into the center of town.

Sheridan always liked to start in the center of town, where all the action was. It was there she got to meet all of the locals and get a feel for the atmosphere. But it is also where she learned of the less known beauty in every town. Each town had its own special haven that visitors seldom knew about. This is how she found out about the waterfall in Hudsonville and the caves in Georgetown. She learned that each town had something special to share.

Today seemed to be the day of Harmony’s market. There were merchants everywhere. They sold everything from shoes and clothes, to the latest cure all medicines. She brought her horse to a hitching post at the edge of the action. She tied Hunter up and retrieved her bag from his satchel. She knew from experience that she would need money. Town markets had fabulous dress designers and she had a weak spot for beautiful gowns.

She made her way past several booths, casually glancing over the fine jewelry and trinkets. It wasn’t until she met Gertrude that she became excited. Gertrude has gorgeous dresses in her booth. All were made by her and on all of them they had this most intricate stitching. One made in the color of burgundy really caught her eye. Sheridan insisted she try it one.

It took some convincing though. For Sheridan always borrowed some of her servants clothes when she went on her adventures. But when Sheridan opened her bag revealing all of the money she was carrying Gertrude nearly pushed her into the sectioned off area where she could change. Sheridan came out to get Gertrude’s opinion but it wasn’t Gertrude she ran into when she came out.

"Miss Gertrude I have finished changing but am in dire need of your opinion" Sheridan said as she came from behind the curtain.

"Although I am not Miss Gertrude, I dare say that you look marvelous in that dress" a mysterious man replied.

"Thank you sire" Sheridan blushed.

"You are most certainly welcome My Lady"

Chapter Two:

Luis Lopez-Fitzgerald rode his horse through the town of Harmony. Today was the day peddlers from the countryside came into town to sell their creations. As the prince it was a bit out of character for him to come to such an event but he wanted to buy his sister a birthday present. He knew he could send a servant to buy it but then it would not come from him. His baby sister only turned eight once after all.

His father, King Martin, would be appalled if he knew Luis was doing the things of a commoner, but there was a threat of war so he was otherwise occupied. Hi mother, Queen Pilar adored the fact that he had such a compassion for his sister. His older brother, Prince Antonio, was too busy trying to find a suitable wife to monitor what Luis was doing. His younger siblings, Theresa, Miguel, and Paloma, all loved that he mingled with commoners. That way they may be allowed to do the same someday.

Luis had decided to buy his sister her first grown up gown. Paloma always fusses about not getting to dress like Theresa, so he thought this would be the perfect gift. He knew exactly who to ask to make this dress too. Miss Gertrude Johnson was known across the countryside as the best dressmaker in the kingdom. He was going to ask her to make a dress for Paloma and who would deny the request of a prince?

Luis arrived at Gertrude’s booth just as she was returning from the back. When she recognized Luis she immediately feel to her knees, bowing to his highness. He instructed her to rise and the put in his request. She was eager to please him since adding dressmaker for the royal family to her resume would boost her repertoire. She informed him she had the perfect material for such a dress and ran to retrieve it from her wagon.

Luis looked through some of the dresses Gertrude had recently finished and was very impressed. Paloma was going to be elated when she set eye on her new treasure. Gertrude made beautiful things. Any woman would look twice as lovely wearing one of these dresses. As if on cue, a beautiful lady came from behind the curtain blowing his theory to pieces. There was no way this creature was anything less than breath taking in this dress or in a potato sack.

"Miss Gertrude I have finished changing but am in dire need of your opinion" the woman said as she came from behind the curtain.

"Although I am not Miss Gertrude, I dare say that you look marvelous in that dress" Luis replied unsure how the words were coming from his mouth.

"Thank you sire" she said graciously as her cheeks became rosy.

"You are most certainly welcome My Lady" Luis said cavalierly.

Chapter Three:

Sheridan had never seen a more handsome young man in her life. And he was smiling at her! What was she supposed to do now? She had never been around young men her age before. She was a princess. Her marriage was to be arranged by her mother and father. She was always paraded in front of her would be husbands father. She never actually met for whom she was intended.

Of coarse there were always hundreds of young men at the celebrations held at the castle. But she was never allowed to participate in the festivities and mingle with the less noble. The royal family sat in a row of chair, where everyone could see them but come in no contact with them. Interaction with someone of his masculinity was un chartered territory.

Luis looked on with adoring eyes. He could get used to seeing the site before him on a regular basis. She was most definitely the most beautiful young lady he had set eyes on. And he had seen quite a few in his day. All the young ladies of nobility came to the castle in hopes to marry the prince, not him but his older brother. But when Antonio turned them down they turned to Luis in hopes of still becoming part of the royal family. It made him feel like some sort of consolation prize. For once he wanted to be someone’s first choice.

This beauty had never seen Antonio, so maybe he stood a chance. It wasn’t like Luis wasn’t as striking as his brother, but he wasn’t the heir to the throne. By the looks of it, she didn’t even know who Luis was. She hadn’t bowed before him as all his subjects were instructed to do. She just stood there smiling back at him. It was a face he would not soon forget.

"Does my lady have a name?" Luis inquired.

"My name?" Sheridan questioned. Did she want to let him know she was a princess? It might scare him off and that was definitely something she did not want to see happen.

"Yes, one does usually have a name. For instance, my name is Luis" he purposely left out the fact he was a prince. If she didn’t know it he sure wasn’t going to tell her. He wanted the chance to be normal for once.

Noting that he didn’t have a title of nobility of any kind she just replied, "My name is Sheridan sire"

"What a beautiful name Mademoiselle Sheridan. It is my pleasure to make your acquaintance" Luis reached for her hand and placed a light kiss on it.

Gertrude came back with the fabric she had promised to show Luis. Luis hurried Gertrude to the side and instructed her she was not to address him as the prince while Miss Sheridan was in their presence. She nodded eager to please him. Luis agreed that Gertrude did indeed have the perfect material for the dress and instructed her to be at the castle tomorrow for the fitting. She readily agreed and went to check on Sheridan.

Sheridan was in the dressing room again staring down at the clothes she had worn today. She looked like a peasant, a commoner, in these clothes. But Luis had liked the way she looked in this dress and he although he had not said he was nobility was obviously of money. He did not dress like a peasant nor did he hesitate to spend money on fabric. She did not want him to ever stop smiling at her. And if she came out in her servant’s clothes she was sure he would. Gertrude came back at that moment and Sheridan instantly purchased the dress. She asked Gertrude to wrap up her other clothes. She returned to the front of the booth in hopes that Luis had not left yet.

He was there, looking at the jewelry in the next booth when she reached the road. And he was still smiling at her. She loved the way it felt when he smiled at her. She never wanted this feeling to end. He moved over to her when he saw her make a move towards him. He knew in that instant that he wanted to spend more than a mere minutes with Sheridan.

"Would it be to bold of me to ask what you are engaging in this afternoon?" Luis asked hoping he could persuade her to spend the afternoon with him.

"I was to explore this fair town" she admitted but suddenly it wasn’t so pertinent to her.

"And who are you to be traveling with?" he did not see any servants or escorts.

"Myself sire"

"A woman of your beauty should not be traveling alone. I would like to offer myself as your escort and tour guide"

"That would be much appreciated" Sheridan blushed for what felt like the thousandth time since she met this man. She was very pleased that she was going to get to spend the whole day with him. She imagined that this was going to be her favorite town to explore, ever.

Chapter Four:

Luis wanted to take Sheridan to a secluded part of the countryside. He didn’t want to chance running into one of his subjects. Today he just wanted to be Luis, not one of the crowned princes. One of subjects could ruin his whole plan. So took her to the most secluded spot he could think of, the hanging gardens. They were royal property so no commoners would be there and he knew for a fact his family was all occupied for the day. It would be safe there. Luis opened the locked iron gate and ushered Sheridan inside.

Sheridan was excited when she learned that Luis was taking her to a lesser known location. It was what she had wanted in the first place. That and she would get to spend quality time alone with the handsome Luis. She also didn’t have to worry about being recognized. Although she wasn’t in her own kingdom, Harmony was at the edge of the Fitzgerald kingdom. It was possible some of her subjects were in town for the market. This eliminated that chance.

"What is this place?" she asked as she moved under the arch that supported the gate.

"The hanging gardens" Luis replied and let her soak in the beauty of her surroundings.

The hanging gardens was a small fenced in forest. It was called the hanging gardens because from all the trees hung viney plants that fell to the ground. On the ivy like plants were blossoms of the most amazing colors. It was like walking threw a curtain of color. They had to move the vines aside to move deeper into the gardens. When they reached the middle there was a small opening without any trees. There sat a rock garden with rocks large enough to sit on. The sun streamed down illuminating this spot. Luis sat down on one of the rocks and beckoned Sheridan to join him. She willingly did but her eyes still were taking in the beauty of the garden. He just watched her take in her surrounds. If possible she looked even more beautiful now. The sun glistened off her hair and she wore the sweetest smile on her face. He was so lost in her sparkling eyes that he didn’t even hear her when she began to speak.

"Luis?" she asked sweetly. "Are you well?" he looked so far away.

"I am more than well" he concurred. "Being in your company makes me feel the most alive in my life"

"Then why do you look so lost?" she asked innocently. She had never had such an effect on a man.

"It is you. I could sit and watch your beautiful face for eternity and be content"

Sheridan blushed at his comments. How could one person stare at another for eternity? But as soon as the question floated through her mind it was answered. She looked into his eyes and instantly knew, that she too, could stare at him forever. The day went on and they talked lightly about their lives. Neither one wanted to admit that they were royalty but they refused to lie to the other. As darkness approached Sheridan knew that she must go back to the castle, although her heart wished her to remain with Luis forever.

"I must be off" Sheridan said sadly.

"I wish to accompany you home" Luis said hoping to spend a little more time with her.

"You can not!" she replied a little too quickly. "You have your own home to which to return. I live much to far away for you to get back before dawn" she covered.

"Alas, then we must part ways"

Luis led her to her horse and she mounted it. His lips yearned to kiss hers but he settled for kissing her hand and promising her in time they would meet again. She hoped he would keep his promise but she hadn’t a clue when she would be able to sneak away on her next adventure. And she couldn’t tell him where she resided. Things were complicated but her heart knew in time they would meet again. She began to ride off in one direction while he went in another. When she figured he was safely away she turned around and headed back to the gardens. She had a long ride and did not wish to ruin her dress. She would always associate this dress with Luis. She noticed he did not lock the gate when they left so she snuck back to change back into her borrowed peasant clothes. She wrapped her dress in the horse’s satchel and remounted her horse. Luis felt like the court jester. How could he forget something so mundane as relocking the garden gate. But then again with Sheridan on his mind it was hard to think of anything else. He saw her horse outside the gate and was pleased that he got to see her once more. But when he saw her return to her horse he was confused. Why was she wearing such an outfit? He watched her carefully place the proper dress she had been wearing into the satchel. He watched from a far with a heavy heart. She was nothing more than a common peasant. It was common practice for a servant to go to market for her mistress. Sheridan must have just tried on the dress to see how it felt. Even though she had not said she was nobility he thought at least she came for money. There was hope for them then, but now hope was lost. He would never be able to marry a commoner from the Crane Kingdom. Luis watched on as his maiden ride off towards the kingdom in which she lived and said goodbye to her as she disappeared. He felt a great sadness for the love he would never be able to pursue.

Chapter Five:

Sheridan awoke early the next morning. She didn’t usually adventure two days in a row because of the early rise and the late to bed that her adventures caused her to have. But she had this itching to return to Harmony. She convinced herself that she didn’t see enough of its beauty the day before and needed a second day to fulfill her curiosity. And maybe she would just happen to bump into a certain someone, a handsome someone at that.

Today Sheridan wouldn’t be borrowing her servant’s clothes. She didn’t care if hers came back in taters she was going to look her best today. She made sure her long golden locks were securely in place and made sure her face was unflawed. When she was satisfied with her appearance she raced down the halls and out into the stables. She readied Hunter and quickly mounted her. And before she knew it she was off to Harmony yet again.

Luis walked in the room where Gertrude was measuring Paloma for her new dress. His sister’s eyes glowed with excitement. Luis was right this was the perfect present. He had never seen her so giddy in her life. He wanted to smile. He wanted to share in her happiness but seeing Gertrude only reminded him of the one he could never have, his Sheridan. But he could never have his Sheridan and soon she would wed another. The thought sickened him but it was what had to be. His thoughts of her were consuming him and suddenly the room began to get smaller. He needed to get out.

He gave his regrets to his sister and Gertrude and quickly took his horse from the castle. He didn’t really care where he ended up as long as it didn’t remind him of her. His subconscious would not listen though. He ended up back in the center of town, right where he met her. But with the market gone the roads were barren. He reached the fountain that joined the four main roads of the town. His dismounted his horse and sat along the edge of the fountain. It was said that if you walked around the fountain, hand in hand, with the one you loved your love would last for all eternity. Why does everything seem to be taunting him today?

Sheridan rode into Harmony. Now the question was where should she start looking? For adventure that is. She decided to start where she had yesterday. After all she had a tremendous time. She galloped into the center of town but today, unlike the previous day, it was deserted. It wasn’t looking like she would find him… anything here. But that is when she saw him. He was sitting on the edge of a fountain, looking amazing but somewhat sad. She approached him but his stare didn’t raise from the ground. She got off her horse and moved to sit next to him.

"Good afternoon Luis" she greeted happily. She was all smiles.

"I wish that you don’t address me so informally mademoiselle" he snapped at her without looking her way. He had felt her coming. He didn’t need to see her.

"Please forgive my rudeness sire. Are you not at all happy to see me?" she asked as tears threatened to form. Her happiness was washed away with his one sentence.

"I would be the happiest man in the land had you not lied to me" Luis replied harshly.

"For that I will always carry the deepest regret. But would you have spent the day with me if I had told you the truth?" she asked wondering how he found out that she was a princess.

"No I would not have been seen around my country with the likes of you. Just be glad you are not in you own kingdom mademoiselle. For in my kingdom impersonation is a crime" Luis hissed confusing Sheridan completely.

What was he talking about? Impersonation of a lower class was not a crime in any country. And what was this about the likes of her. Being seen with a princess tended to be an honor. Then it hit her. He must have come back to lock the gate and seen her in her peasant clothes. But was he so easily willing to discard her because she lied to him or because he thought she was common. Common or not they still had a wonderful time.

"You not even accept my friendship because of my status sire?" she questioned.

"I can not accept anything from you. It is not proper"

"Do you always do what is proper?" she rode horses to unknown towns alone. Proper was not in her vocabulary.

"It is what is expected of me" he confessed. He always did what a prince should.

"Then I shall leave you alone sire. I will return to my kingdom and not return to yours"

Sheridan mounted her horse and rode into the rolling hills of the countryside. She had made it to the forest that separated the two kingdoms before the tears began to fall. Her perfect image of Luis was shattered. She promised her heart she would never love again.

Chapter Six:

Sheridan had arrived home safely yesterday and went promptly to bed. It was still early in the afternoon but her tears stung from crying so hard and she didn’t wish to explain her condition to anyone. She told her servants she was sick and asked them to leave. They did without question and left her alone until morning. They would have left her alone until she immerged from her room on her own but her father had requested to see her. So now she sat at a table in her father’s library with him drumming his fingers and staring at her from the other side.

Sheridan watched him curiously. He obviously had something serious to talk to her about but what could it be? She wondered if had finally found out about all her excursions. He would probably restrict her to the castle until she died. But what did she care? She wasn’t planning on taking any trips in the near future.

"Sheridan, my sweet, something has come up" King Alistair started gently.

"What is wrong father? We aren’t going to war again are we?" she wouldn’t know why her father needed to have a private conversation with her about an impending war.

"No was has been diverted this time but it did take some heavy negotiations"

"Did we lose some land?" she asked curiously.

"No we actually gained some" the king informed her.

"Then what did we have to give up?"

"Your hand in marriage"

Sheridan’s jaw dropped to the floor. She always knew that she was going to be married off but she didn’t think it was going to be this soon. Julian wasn’t even betrothed yet and he was the heir to the crown. But she knew that her father had not hesitated to give her away. When it came to the amount of land that her father ruled over he was as greedy as they came. It was probably not even a sizable amount of land. It was just more than he had now and that was enough.

"I do not wish to be married father" Sheridan protested but it fell on deaf ears.

"It has already been decided. You will be wed on Saturday"

"But that’s in two days!"

"You will not raise your voice in my presence young lady" he scolded.

"I’m sorry" she cast her eyes downwards. "But I am too young to be married"

"You are two years older than your mother was when she married me. Your mother tells me you are capable to bare children therefore you are mature enough to be married"

"But I do not wish…" she tried to object again but it wasn’t worth it. She let her protest fade on her breath.

"Your mother wished to spend the following nights with you. She will ready you for what is to come"

"Father am I being sent far away?" she loved her stables and the countryside in which she lived now. She didn’t want to be sent days away.

"On the contrary. You will be kept close to home. You will be living in Harmony"

"Harmony?" she gulped. The one place she didn’t ever want to see again and she was going to be forced to breathe that air with her every breath.

"Yes. You will soon be a princess of the Fitzgerald kingdom"

At that moment Sheridan wanted to die. She was going to be moving to a town in which lived a man who stole her heart. And now she was marrying his prince. What if they knew each other? She would have to endure the torture of seeing Luis on a regular basis then. She didn’t know if she would be able to handle it. But she had to tell herself that Luis didn’t want her and she wasn’t going to find someone else she would love as much. So this was for the best. She would settle for marrying the Prince of the Fitzgerald kingdom.

Chapter Seven:

Luis moped around the castle for the past two days. He didn’t think he would ever be truly happy again. Not since the day he learned that his beautiful maiden was a peasant had he even cracked a smile. Life was forever going to be torture.

Then he saw a flash of golden hair. He was ready to go see the sorcerer because he had to have been cursed. His eyes were playing tricks on him. He was now envisioning his Sheridan walking down the hall. She turned, making it possible for him to see her face, and it was definitely her but what was she doing in the castle? She had undoubtedly snuck in, he concluded. He strode towards her determined to put a stop to her.

"I thought I made it clear that I did not wish to see you furthermore" Luis said angrily.

"Sire?" Sheridan gasped. "What are you doing here?" Her insides were suddenly in turmoil. He and the prince were friends.

"Doing here? You should know mademoiselle. You followed me here!" he accused.

"I most certainly did not!" She rebuffed. "I am here by invitation"

"I highly doubt that" Luis snapped. "No one would invite you to MY castle!"

"Your castle!?! You could only dream to live in this palace! I however will be living here on the morrow!"

"What a ridiculous thing to say! You will not be living in my castle. And this IS my castle for I am Prince Luis Fitzgerald!"

"You’re the prince?" Sheridan couldn’t believe her ears. Surely she couldn’t be expected to wed the man that broke her heart. He was too proper for her. God wouldn’t be that cruel.

"Look who’s candle finally got lit!" Luis barked. "Prince Luis Fitzgerald at your service" he bowed to her mocking her economic status.

"It’s a pleasure to meet you your highness. May I introduce myself? I am Princess Sheridan Crane" she curtsied with grace and was amused to see his astonished face.

"You’re a princess?" Luis’s heart began to beat a mile a minute. "But I saw you…"

"I never ride in my dresses. I do not wish to get them soiled. I often borrow my servants clothes" she explained in a very unemotional voice. She could tell by the sparkle in his eyes that he thought he was going to win her heart again but she wasn’t about to let him.

"This is terrific!" he mused.

"Why is that?" she questioned.

"Because now we can be together!" he said drawing her into a hug and lifting her from the ground and spinning.

She fought to get free, finally escaping from his grip. "I might have to marry you sire, but you will never win back my heart. I am the same person I have always been. Just because you now know I am a princess and not a commoner does NOT change the fact that you hurt me terribly. When you thought I was a peasant you brushed me off lick an infectious tick that will not be forgotten or forgiven" she drew in a deep breath because she had spouted that all at once.

"Marry me?" Luis had only heard that part of her monologue. He wasn’t getting married.

"Yes it has been arranged by our parents"

"Sheridan, my parents arranged for my brother Antonio to marry the Crane Princess not me"

Luis felt like he was on a boat that was sinking quickly. First he was happy, then completely crushed and just when he thought he was going to be happy again he was more depressed than before. It wasn’t right for her to marry his brother. Antonio would crush her free spirit. He expected his wife to obedient and respectfully. He would have had her whipped had she fought with him like she just had Luis. Luis in turn liked a good argument. He liked to be riled up. But Antonio was a whole different story. From what Luis knew of Sheridan he knew she wouldn’t survive in such conditions. He knew she meant what she said about not forgiving him but he couldn’t let her wither away under Antonio’s control. He had to put a stop to this wedding if not for his sake for hers.

Luis stormed off leaving Sheridan in his wake. She was going to marry Luis’s brother? How could that be possible? God really was cruel. She hated to admit it but marrying Luis sounded just a tad bit appealing. She chastised herself for even thinking that being betrothed to Luis would be enjoyable because now she was to marry his brother. She was going to have to watch Luis court other maidens and eventually marry one. She would have to be at the wedding. She wished she could awaken from this nightmare.

Chapter Eight:

Luis marched into his father’s bedroom where he was enjoying his afternoon tea. Luis walked right up to the table and swiped it clean from its contents. Cups, tea, and pastries went a flying.

"Antonio will NOT marry the Crane Princess" he slammed his fist into the table.

"What has gotten into you Luis?" his father questioned. "And the marriage is none of your concern"

"Antonio doesn’t deserve her!" Luis yelled.

"SIT DOWN" Martin commanded. "You will not come in here and disrespect me this way. I will not have it!"

"I am not a boy anymore" Luis protested still in his fiery tone.

"You are still my son and you will show me respect" Martin demanded.

In all Luis’s years he had never acted this way towards his father. He had always been the perfect son and the perfect prince. He didn’t know what was coming over him. But then he realized it was she. He would do anything to protect her, including going against his father. She had him in the palm of her hand and she probably wanted to squish him like a bug. But he didn’t care he was going to save her from a life of misery if at all possible. Luis took a deep breath and slowly let it out. Out with it came some of the anger that was bubbling inside him.

"Father" he started calmly. "I am sorry but I can not let Antonio wed the Princess"

"She is a perfect match for him" Martin explained.

"But she isn’t" Luis protested.

"She is quite the beauty and when Antonio becomes the King she will make the perfect Queen"

"NO!" Luis shouted in frustration. "Sorry" he apologized for his outburst. "The Princess is a free spirit. She will not mind Antonio"

"She will learn" Martin assured Luis.

"No it will be the death of her. The country can not survive with an unhappy Queen"

Luis threw out explanations one after another but his father didn’t seem to be getting the picture. All he seemed to care about was the treaty he struck with the Crane King. His father better have gotten a great deal from the negotiations because Sheridan’s life was at stake.

"Father what did you get from this treaty? Land?" Luis was curious.

"No" Martin said without further explanation.

"Then what?" Luis probed.

"Food" Martin replied. "Our land is fertile for the crops we grow but we are unable to grow any fruit. So in exchange for half the fruit they grow we gave up some land to the west along the boarder. For good measure we threw in the marriage of our children. Then there would not be a chance for future wars"

"So the marriage isn’t actually part of the deal?"

"No. Luis what has gotten into you? Why do you now wish your brother to marry the princess?" Martin prodded.

"It is not that I do not wish Antonio to marry. I just wish him not to marry THIS princess" Luis learned long ago never to lie to his father. "I saw her FIRST!" he said in a childish tone.

"Ahh, I see. You are in love with the fair Sheridan" Martin smirked. So this was the reason for his usually obedient son’s outburst.

"But she hates me" Luis slumped his head in his hands.

"Why go to all the trouble for a woman who does not even like you?" Martin questioned.

"Because even though she does not enjoy my company I do not wish her to be unhappy in any way. She deserves the world and Antonio will not give it to her" Luis confessed.

"She will learn to adjust my son. Now the marriage has already been arranged. But perhaps Sheridan has a sister" Martin suggested.

Great! Luis thought. Just what he wanted a miniature Sheridan so that he could be reminded day after day that he couldn’t have the real thing. He did not even want to contemplate marrying Sheridan’s sister. And Sheridan would not adjust. If anything she would run away the minute Antonio barked his first order at her. This situation just seemed to be getting worse and worse.

Chapter Nine:

Sheridan wandered the halls trying to figure out which way her mother had gone. Before she had run into Luis she was following her mother and his to meet all of the Fitzgerald girls. She wasn’t supposed to meet the man she was supposed to wed until she walked down the aisle. But she was so into her argument with Luis that she had failed to see the direction her mother had taken. She past door after door and still she wasn’t having any luck.

Sheridan heard shouts coming from the next door she past. It sounded like Luis and when she heard the other man reprimand him she knew it was also his father. She wondered what they were talking about to get such a rise out of Luis. She thought only she had such an effect on him. But then she heard it. They were arguing about her. Luis didn’t want her to marry his brother and he was quite adamant about it. Now her curiosity was piqued so she sank to the floor and pressed her ear to the closed door.

Martin stared with amusement at his son’s face. He could tell by the cross look that Luis was misinterpreting what he had said. Maybe he would let his son squirm a little before telling him he meant the sister for Antonio. But he quite enjoyed having the upper hand in the situation. Then again when he thought about it, he remembered when he had first met Pilar. He didn’t want Luis to have to go through the same obstacles he had to endure.

"Luis, do you not think it would be marvelous if Sheridan had a sister?" Martin tried not to laugh.

"No" Luis whined. "I think that to be your worst solution ever"

"Why is that? I would have thought you would be overjoyed if Antonio was to marry Sheridan’s sister instead of her"

"What?" a sparkle started to form in his eye.

"If Sheridan had a sister she wouldn’t have to marry Antonio and she would be free to marry you" Martin smiled broadly.

"I would like that a lot. About her not marrying Antonio I mean"

"I will arrange for you to wed Sheridan when King Crane comes tonight" Martin didn’t get the reaction he expected.

"That won’t be necessary father" Luis bowed his head. "She does not want me either. I will be happy knowing that her liveliness won’t be taken from her"

"But Luis another man like Antonio will come alone and marry her and you will have no way to stop it the next time. The only way to protect her is for you to betroth her" Martin rationalized.

"I can not marry someone that does not love me" Luis protested. "I can not make her happy. And that is what matters to me most, her happiness"

"Luis you mustn’t give up. You would not have been born had your mother and I given up and young William wouldn’t have been given the idea for…"

"His most popular play Romeo and Juliet. Yes father we have all heard the story many a time. I am just glad you didn’t die like the play in the end"

"Yes William just added that for dramatic affect" Martin chided.

Sheridan sat outside the room with tears rolling down her cheeks. How could the same man who had treated her so badly be so kind to her at this moment? She didn’t understand him. He seemed so sincere when he talked about her happiness. He protected her when he found out she was intended to marry his overbearing brother. Luis was right she wouldn’t have survived being treated like that. She needed to be free and live life to the fullest. But immense sadness overwhelmed her because she knew their plan would not work. Her sister who would be next in line for marriage was only ten. And her father never went back on a treaty he signed.

Sheridan thought about running down the hall before anyone caught her in tears but she couldn’t seem to tear herself away from the door. Hearing Luis talk about her this was made her feel special. She was never treated in this manner before. She was always an overlooked middle child. Not to mention a girl granting her absolutely no attention from her father. He had the boys to tend to. Suddenly she wanted to hit herself. She wasn’t supposed to be thinking of Luis this way. He broke her heart. She wasn’t supposed to love him. But the problem was she did love him and that made it all the harder to hate him. She turned her attention back inside unable to make herself leave.

"Luis what do you wish me to do? I want to help you but I am afraid I am not sure how" Martin heart went out to his son.

"I do not wish her to marry Antonio" Luis said firmly. "But I want to be able to ask for her hand in marriage and not have her spit in my face"

"I think you are exaggerating Luis"

"I wish that were true but I am afraid it’s not" Luis hung his head. "I did something terrible and will regret it until I take my last breath"

"Have you told her how sorry you are?"

"I can not seem to get out the words when I am near her. She seems to bring out the fighter in me"

"If you feel the way you say Luis, I suggest you try harder" Martin pushed.

"But she is as stubborn as a mule. She will not listen"

"That is why you love her so much Luis. You have met your match"

"I’m going to take a walk father. Thank you for listening" Luis rose from his chair and headed to the door.

"I will see what I can work out tonight"

Luis just nodded as he left. Although he had made some progress he still felt defeated. He still didn’t feel like he had come out a winner. And he knew that was because he hadn’t gotten the most important prize of all, Sheridan’s heart. He shut the door behind him and took a step down the hall but didn’t see the obstacle in his way. He was sent tumbling to the floor when he tripped over Sheridan’s leg. He looked over to see what had caused his fall only for his heart to be broken when he saw her tear stained face. She said nothing but crawled over and made her way into his arms. He embraced her and she took comfort. The tears continued to fall as he held her on the hallway floor.

Chapter Ten:

Luis wondered what had made Sheridan so emotional but didn’t dare to ask for fear of breaking up this moment. He quite enjoyed holding her in his arms. She fit perfectly. He continued to rub her back in attempt to sooth her. Her cries seemed to be subsiding but she made no effort to move away from him. If anything he thought he felt her move closer. And he didn’t mind one but. After a while of just holding her, he decided he needed to find out what her troubles were.

"Sheridan?" he said lightly but she gave no response. "Sheridan?" he repeated a little louder but still he received nothing. He shifted her in his arms only to find her eyes closed. She had fallen asleep in his embrace. Without thinking he stood taking her with him and carried her down the hall to one of the guest rooms. He placed her gently down on the plush bed, running his hand over her cheek before he left her to sit on a chair and watch her sleep. Her rhythmic breathing hypnotized him. She was his sleeping beauty. He had no idea how much time had passed but she began to stir on the bed.

"Luis?" was the first think she said making his heart swell. Was it possible she was dreaming about him? Like an arrow he shot to her side.

"Yes?" he answered, taking her hand in his.

"Where am I?" she asked as she rubbed her eyes with her free hand.

"You feel asleep so I brought you to one of the guest rooms"

"Thank you" she chastised herself for not being awake when he had taken her in his arms. It was just her luck to miss it.

"Anything for you" Luis smiled his famous smile at her.

"Luis?" She asked again.

"Yes?"

"I do not hate you. I have tried but I have learned I can not"

His hazel eyes seemed to light up with her declaration. She might not return his feelings for her but she didn’t hate him. It was a start.

"I am truly sorry for the way I treated you. I’m afraid I took out my frustrations on you" he finally allowed himself to apologize.

"What frustrations?"

"At first sight I fell in love with you and when I thought you were a peasant I was torn. I would never be allowed to marry you had you truly been a commoner. It was more than I could handle. And when I saw you again I grew angry at the world and god for producing such a beautiful creature but not allowing me to have her"

Sheridan was shocked beyond words. She though what he said to his father earlier were the sweetest words she had ever heard. But these were infinitely more so. She felt her eyes become glassy as tears threatened to spill.

"Please don’t cry" he pleaded. "It breaks my heart to see you so"

"I’m sorry" she brushed away her tears. "But I love you so much" she threw her arms around his neck and pulled him into a tight embrace.

Luis thought he had to be the one that had fallen asleep. And he still must be in dreamland. She couldn’t have just admitted she loved him because that is what he want most in the world. He was waiting to wake and find this to be another cruel fantasy. But it wasn’t so because she whispered those treasured words into his ear again as she clung to him.

Chapter Eleven:

Martin and Pilar waited in the dining hall for their guests to arrive at dinner. He had filled his wife in on the current situation and she was pleased that Luis had found the love of his life. She just hoped it could be arranged for them to wed. She had heard that Alistair was a rigid king, unfaltering when it came to his decisions. Maybe he would make an exception for the happiness of his daughter.

Alistair walked into the room, his head held high. His arrogance and ego seemed to swirl around him. His wife followed close behind. She did not seem to convey these traits. Alistair whispered to his wife as they sat at the table. Katherine promptly rolled her eyes. He mentioned the out of date décor of the whole castle. But the truth was it was classic. Not to mention twice as big as theirs. He was just jealous, pure and simple.

"Good evening" Martin welcomed them.

"Good evening" Alistair replied not half as warmly.

They managed to finish their soup while engaging in polite conversation. Pilar, Katherine, and Martin seemed to talk freely and Alistair added a few snide comments here and there. It wasn’t until the main coarse was served did Alistair seemed to warm up. Little did anyone else know it was because a plan had formulated in his head. One that made him glow on the inside.

"I am so happy we avoided war and sign the treaty" Alistair said as he nibbled on some beef.

"Yes well…" Martin was unsure how to continue but he felt a squeeze on his hand from his wife, giving him the strength to continue. "For the most part I am happy with the treaty"

"You shouldn’t have signed if you weren’t completely happy" Alistair shot out quickly. He refused to give back the land he had just gained.

"There have been some unforeseen complications" Martin explained.

"And they might be?" Alistair was almost afraid to ask.

"The wedding. I no longer wish my son Antonio to marry your eldest daughter" Martin dropped the bomb.

Alistair about exploded. This didn’t fit into his plans at all. Sheridan marrying into the Fitzgerald kingdom and becoming Queen one day were the key to the overall success to the plan. He wished to eventually over take the kingdom. When Sheridan was Queen it would be simple. He would just have to off the current King and Queen after the wedding. How hard could that be?

"I was what clinched the treaty. It must happen" Alistair insisted.

"Well we were hoping you had another daughter for Antonio" Martin continued.

"Why? Is Sheridan not good enough for your son?"

"I assure you that Sheridan is quite lovely. But, you see, I was not aware that she was acquainted with my other son Luis. And apparently he is quite smitten with her" Martin explained.

"I wish my daughter to become Queen. Thus she must marry Antonio. I will have it no other way" Alistair was adamant with his decision and refused to relent.

"And Sheridan, does she feel the same as Luis?" Katherine asked. She did not want her daughter to end up in a loveless arranged marriage if it could be helped.

"Katherine this is none of your concern" Alistair scolded. "Sheridan will marry Antonio tomorrow as planned. There will be NO further discussion"

Alistair rose from his chair and stomped his foot commanding Katherine to move from hers. Alistair led her from the room leaving a very worried Martin and Pilar in their wake.

"I think that went well don’t you?" Pilar asked sarcastically.

"How are you going to tell Luis?" Martine asked.

"ME?" she was astounded that he was going to let this fall on her shoulders, and hers alone.

"Yes, Luis always takes things better from you" Martin tried to weasel out of his responsibility.

"Coward" Pilar concluded. "But I shall go tell him. If you do not hear from me again, you know that I was in the way when Luis exploded"

Martine chose to ignore her last statement and just let her go. She walked as slow as she could to the door, hoping he would stop her or offer to go with her but no such luck. She got to be the barer of bad news. This was going to be worse than watching a jousting match. For her son was going to be the one hurt not some nameless man.

Chapter Twelve:

Luis sat on the guest bed with Sheridan still snuggled in his arms. The world seemed perfect now. He just wondered how the meeting had gone off with their fathers. How he hoped they had come to a new agreement. He didn’t think he could live without Sheridan by his side.

"Sire?" she whispered in his ear.

"You mustn’t call me sire any longer. I am yours, your Luis" he said as he placed a small kiss on the top of her nose.

"Ok" she smiled. "Should we not go find our fathers Luis?"

"Your mind works just as mine. Let us go talk to them"

Luis rose from the bed first and then extended his hand for Sheridan to take. She gladly accepted it and then she moved herself from the bed. They walked as slowly as they could as they went in search of their parents. Neither were quite ready to give up on their alone time. They were quite fond of being in each other’s arms. But they needed to know what the morrow would bring. Would the wedding be as planned? Both wished that not to be true.

"Luis!" Pilar called as she saw him and Sheridan in front of her in the hall.

"Mama!" he relied happily as they closed the gap between them. He kissed both of her cheeks. "Please tell me you have good news"

"I wish I could Luis. But let us not dwell on that here. Have you two eaten yet?" She asked trying to lighten the mood.

"No we have not" Luis answered for them.

"Good then I will have the cook prepare something for you and we shall talk"

"Mama, why do I get the feeling you are trying to distract us before you pull the rug out from under us"

"In time Luis"

Pilar led them to the dinning hall in which the dreadful meeting had taken place. She hoped that Martin would still be there but he had flown the coop just like the chicken he was. She motioned for the two to sit while she went into the kitchen to get them some food.

"She’s hiding something Luis" Sheridan said nervously. "Her eyes held empathy. She has something dreadful to tell us"

"You sensed that too?" Luis said regretfully.

"I will not be able to wed your brother. It is you who have stolen my heart"

"I will not let that happen!" Luis said adamantly. "You will never betroth another besides me"

"You wish to marry me?" Sheridan felt her cheeks turn rouge as the corners of her mouth began to curl up.

"If you will have me" Luis replied shyly because he was not secure of himself at this particular moment.

"I want nothing more" she broke into a full-fledged smile.

Pilar returned to the room breaking up the tender moment. The cook followed her placing a plate of food in front of each of them. Pilar sat across the table and waited until the both had a full mouth before breaking the bad news.

"King Crane has refused the cancellation of tomorrows wedding" she announced and then bit her lip waiting for Luis to explode.

Chapter Thirteen:

Luis stared at his mother. She did not just say what he thought she did. The kings had to have worked something out so Sheridan wouldn’t have to wed his older brother.

"Could you say that again please mother" Luis took a gulp of wine out of his goblet.

"Antonio will become Sheridan’s husband on the morrow" Pilar repeated.

"NO!" Sheridan burst into tears. "I do not wish to marry Antonio. I love Luis" she cried.

"Shh Sheridan" Luis rubbed her back. "I will not let the wedding happen" he promised.

"Luis, King Crane is relentless. He is going to make sure this wedding happens" Pilar wanted to give them good news but there wasn’t any to give.

"I’m going to talk to my father" Sheridan wiped fiercely at her tears and stood up.

"No Sheridan" Luis refused.

"Do not tell me what I can or can not do Luis" she became quite angry.

"I don’t want you to go near your father" he became just as irate as she.

"I will if I feel it necessary!" she shouted.

"No!"

Pilar sat back in the chair. She thought about putting an end to the fight but she missed the lover’s spats she used to have with Martin. She reminisced as the two continued to quarrel. She tried hard to suppress her laughter but it finally bubbled out.

"What are you laughing at?" they both glared at Pilar.

"You" Pilar continued to laugh. "You are so in love it is heart warming"

"Too bad she is to marry my brother tomorrow" Luis screamed in frustration.

"I will run away before I marry a man other than you" Sheridan shouted.

"You will not run away from me" Luis yelled back.

"Then come with me" Sheridan screamed back at him.

A knock on the door interrupted their shouting match. Sheridan recognized the men that entered the dining hall as some guards from her castle. They marched over to Sheridan and took her in their arms.

"Let me go!" Sheridan shouted.

"You father has ordered us to contain you until the wedding tomorrow" one of the Neanderthals informed her.

"Luis!" she called for help as they led her to the door.

Luis tried to go save her but some of the guards stepped in front of him blocking his path. Sheridan kicked and struggled but they were too strong and it was impossible to get free. They screamed back and forth professing their love for one another and then Sheridan was finally a safe distance away they moved from Luis’s way. They were going to guard her through the night so it would be impossible for Luis to get to her. Luis took his goblet in his hand and hurled it against the wall. His happiness was quickly slipping away from him.

Chapter Fourteen:

Sheridan had cried throughout the night. Luis being taken from her again was more than she could handle. And now in a few short minutes she was going to marry Antonio. She didn’t know how she was going to be able to see Luis on a daily basis and ignore the love they shared. It was going to be torture. She had once more asked her father to reconsider his decision when he came to check on her moments before. But he told her this was for the best and not to second guess him again or her mother would pay for having such a headstrong daughter. That immediately shut Sheridan’s mouth. She didn’t care if he hurt her but she wouldn’t be responsible for causing harm to her mother. She smoothed her wedding dress as she looked in the mirror. She looked atrocious. Her eyes were red and puffy from the tears that still fell from her eyes. She wiped her eyes one last time before she secured the veil on her head. Her father was once again in the room. It was time to escort her down the isle.

"It’s time" Alistair announced and held out his arm. Sheridan just nodded, tired of fighting, and linked her arm in his.

While he walked his daughter to her intended Alistair thought of ways to make his daughter Queen. Arson was always a good choice but he didn’t want to take the chance of Sheridan getting caught in it. That would ruin his plan. Poison was another of his favorites but he resorted to that method too often already. Finally he decided on inviting the King and Queen Fitzgerald to his castle. He would arrange for a band of thieves to intercept their carriage on the way. The thieves would kill them for him. With that settled he focused on the ceremony.

With each step Sheridan took she searched the crowd for Luis but she could not find him. She doubted that he had even come. She knew it must hurt him terribly to see her marry his brother. She wished wasn’t here herself. She looked the isle to see her intended but she could not see his face. He stood facing the priest unwilling to watch her walk down the isle. Why did she have to marry this Fitzgerald prince? Luis would watch her every move, his smile inviting her closer to him. Her father stopped and kissed her cheek at the end of the pews. He let her climb the stairs to the priest and Antonio alone. Alistair took his seat next to Katherine while Sheridan made it to the top of the stairs. When she was finally side by side with the prince she could finally see his face. She must be hallucinating because on Antonio’s body she saw Luis’s face.

"Luis?" she whispered while blinking trying to make her eyes work properly again.

Chapter Fifteen:

Maybe all of Sheridan’s crying had driven her to become insane. Luis was so embedded in her mind that she could see him standing in front of her. She was sure the similarities between the brothers were just clouding her judgment or maybe her veil made it harder to see than she thought.

"Sheridan, don’t smile" Luis told her careful not to turn his head.

"Is that really you Luis?" Sheridan asked through a forced frown.

"I told you I wouldn’t let you marry Antonio" Luis smiled brightly. "Now enjoy the ceremony" he linked her fingers in hers and gave her hand a reassuring squeeze.

The priest gave a flawless service. Luis had even worked it out so that instead of ever saying his first name the priest would say Prince Fitzgerald. No one in the audience knew Sheridan was marrying Luis not Antonio. From this far away his own family wouldn’t be able to tell. And with Antonio safely locked away in a broom closet he’d never tell a soul either.

"Prince, you may kiss your bride" the priest announced allowing them to share their first kiss.

As their lips connected the outer world melted away. They didn’t even hear the gasps from Luis’s family when they saw it was he and not Antonio. All Sheridan and Luis cared about was that they were now husband and wife and the magic they felt when their lips connected. It was the best feeling in the world to be so connected. They finally broke apart and the priest welcomed the new Prince and Princess to the Kingdom. The crowd was shocked to see Luis escorting the princess down the isle but that didn’t stop them from showering the newlyweds with rose petals as they passed. Sheridan and Luis made their way out of the church and across the street to the castle. They proceeded to the dinning hall and got settled at the head table before anyone else was allowed in. Luis took the opportunity his second kiss with his new wife. The second one was just as magical as the first, so he snuck in the third, forth and fifth. All were equally as wonderful.

"Luis, your kisses are miraculous but please explain to me how you managed this" Sheridan asked while tracing her finger across his perfect lips.

"I locked Antonio in a closet" Luis laughed as he remembered the look of horror on Antonio’s face.

"You didn’t!" she exclaimed.

"I did" he kissed her hand. "And I bribed the priest"

"And he accepted?" she asked in disbelief.

"The church needs a new roof" he was smiling like the Cheshire cat.

"I didn’t think you had it in you" Sheridan giggled.

"You’d be amazed what I would do for you, my sweet"

Luis couldn’t help himself. He had to indulge in another kiss. He brought his lips to hers and stole more kisses his from his bride. They would have continued this way for all eternity if their families hadn’t come barging into the room causing a ruckus. They made the other guest wait outside while the ‘welcomed’ the new couple into the world.

"What the hell is going on here?" Alistair boomed.

Saying Alistair was happy about the nuptials was the biggest misconception of the 16^th century. This was not going to be the party it should be.

Chapter Sixteen:

Luis had expected Alistair to explode but he couldn’t help but hope that since he and Sheridan were already married he might just accept it. That was not going to be that easy though. King Crane was about to erupt like a volcano.

"I told you Sheridan was to marry Antonio!" Alistair fired at Martin.

"I thought she was until Luis turned and I saw his face!" Martin yelled back honestly.

"Where IS Antonio?" Pilar asked her eyes squarely focused on Luis.

"I locked him in a closet" Luis replied passively. "Not to worry Mama he is fine"

"Then this is all YOUR doing" Alistair turned to Luis ready to pounce.

"Yes your highness, even Sheridan hadn’t a clue" Luis stood up to defend himself.

"Why didn’t you put a stop to this?" Alistair questioned Sheridan.

"I did not wish to" was her snotty reply.

"This can NOT be official. I am going to find the priest!"

Alistair left the dinning hall in a fury. His plan would be put to shambles if Sheridan did not marry the next in line to the throne. He could kill off Antonio too but then people might get suspicious. The Fitzgerald Kingdom might declare war. And his armies, which were once strong, were very depleted at the moment. The peasant women only seemed to be able to conceive daughters at the present time. Alistair found the priest and began to drag him to the dinning hall without explanation.

Back at the dinning hall the rest of the families congratulated the newlyweds. Although he wouldn’t admit it, Martin was happy that his son deceived him. Sheridan was relieved to see the room fill with happiness in the absence of her father. Katherine was most joyed to see her daughter glow the way she did. She wished she had Sheridan’s courage to stand up to Alistair. She did not wish to split up this pair. The families took the chance to congratulate one another on such a perfect union. The younger princes and princesses were already off in a corner playing. While the parents sans Alistair were conversing Luis thought it wise to discuss something with Sheridan.

"Sheridan, I wish to talk to you about something important" Luis said taking her hands in his.

"Of coarse Sire… I mean Luis" she blushed at her mistake.

"Do you wish to become Queen?"

"Not a’ tall. I have never had the desire to run a kingdom. I thrive on the freedom of just being a princess" she answered honestly. Being Queen was never one of her dreams.

"You just made me infinitely more happy" Luis quickly pecked her lips.

"What is the cause of this jubilation? Do you not wish to be King?"

"I never thought it to be a possibility unless I married into a kingdom with only daughters. But it is my rationalization that your father wanted you to become Queen. Thus insisting you marry Antonio"

"Why would he care? He has never once cared about my well being"

"I would venture to say that he wished to take control of our kingdom and with his daughter at the helm it would make it infinitely more easy"

"But your parents are very young. It would be years before Antonio would have taken the thrown. My brother would probably have been king by then"

"Not if he had them murdered" Luis knew that all kings, including his father, were greedy for more land. Killing to obtain more would not phase them. Sheridan seemed to finally understand. She was deeply saddened because she knew this to be the truth. "I want to denounce my spot on the thrown" Luis announced. "It is the only way to protect my family"

"That is very noble Luis. But perhaps you do not wish to stay betrothed to me. I seem to only cause trouble" Sheridan admitted sadly.

"Yes maybe that would be for the best" Luis replied and tears instantly began to spill from Sheridan’s eyes.

Chapter Seventeen:

Luis watched Sheridan panic over what he had said. Did she actually believe he would just give her up? He used his thumbs and gently brushed away her tears. Then he place a tender kiss on the tip of her nose.

"You are so easily fooled" Luis chuckled. "That solution may be for the best but it does not give me you so it will never do"

"You are not going to give me up?" she asked still shedding tears of fear.

"Never" he assured her. "If I am not in line to become king your father will not come after my family or you. I have already had the papers drawn up and all I need to do is sign and have my father and the priest sign as well"

"And then we are free?" Sheridan asked hopefully.

"Yes, free to love each other for all eternity"

Luis couldn’t help but kiss her sweet lips again. He seemed to be addicted to her touch. But as always the tenderness was short lived. Alistair came back to the dinning hall, dragging the priest behind him. You could still see the smoke steaming out of his ears. He hadn’t calmed at all. And seeing Luis kissing Sheridan was not going to help.

"DO NOT TOUCH MY DAUGHTER!" Alistair boomed. "Now tell them they are NOT married!" he ordered the priest.

"I can not your highness" the priest trembled.

"Why not?" Alistair seethed.

"Because they are married your highness"

"That can not be! She was supposed to marry Prince Antonio. You can not just switch them and expect the marriage to be legal" Alistair became more and more irate.

"But in the service I only said Prince Fitzgerald. Luis is a Prince Fitzgerald is he not?"

"Yes" Alistair replied through gritted teeth.

"Then according to god, Luis and Sheridan are husband and wife"

Alistair let go of the priest when he figured he wasn’t going to get any help from him. The priest scurried to the corner of the room with the younger children. The old priest knew he couldn’t protect the children but maybe they could protect him.

"Fine! Stay married!" Alistair screamed. He would just have to kill off Antonio too.

"Father, I have something for you to sign" Luis announced and proceeded to bring the paper to Martin.

"Are you sure?" Martin asked as he read over the document. Luis nodded yes and Martin signed. Next Luis walked to the priest.

"I need your signature too Father"

"Of coarse my son" the priest smiled as he scribbled his signature. This prince was a smart boy.

"What is that?" Alistair demanded to know.

"Here" Luis handed over the now legalized document.

"This is an outrage!" Alistair shouted. All his plans had just gone up in smoke. "I declare war on your kingdom!" he said hastily.

"Alistair, I am sure this is not worthy of declaring war" Martin placated.

"Let him" Katherine said softly.

"What?" Martin asked not sure what the Crane Queen was getting at.

"Let him declare war" Katherine repeated this time loud enough for everyone to hear.

"SHUT UP KATHERINE!" Alistair warned.

"No!" she objected. "Let him declare war. Soldiers are scarce in our kingdom. You will win"

"How?" Alistair gasped not knowing how she knew such matters.

"Do you think I have no ears Alistair? I know of all the happenings in the Crane Kingdom. For it is my kingdom too!" she shouted sick of being quiet. Her daughter deserved the happiness she did not have.

"I’d say you are all out of ammunition" Martin smirked. "Now I suggest you shut up and enjoy the celebration of my son and your daughter!"

Alistair had no choice but close his mouth. He had been had and there was no way to fight it. The doors were finally opened and the rest of the nobility and the rich filtered into the dinning hall to join the celebration. And it what a celebration it was. It did not end until the sun rose on the next day.

When things quieted down Sheridan and Luis settled into their lives as prince and princess. They went on the adventures Sheridan used to take alone together. She enjoyed seeking out secret nooks of towns with Luis. It was so much better sharing it with him than exploring alone. She was glad her prince came to save her from her solitude and made her feel special. Luis was equally as glad to be saved from his loneliness and was happy for once he had something his brother wouldn’t take away from him. They mounted their horses and took off for their next endeavor. They were going to spend the day in the hanging gardens and relive the day they first fell in love. Together they lived happily ever after.

THE END