Tainted Victory

Arabella held her skirts above her slippered feet as she mounted the spiral staircase. Anticipation fluttered in her stomach when she thought of the escape that was going to take place that night. Veering off to her right Arabella entered into her bedroom. She sat on the floor next to her spacious closet and exchanged her slippers for riding boots.
Her life had been made up of frivolous wants and desires, up until a few weeks ago when she had met Darius.
The vagabond Darius arrived at the castle disheveled and exhausted. He did not fully become part of castle life until a few days later, when he emerged from the dense cloud of suspicion that had been cast over him in the few days he had been out of contact with the world.
Some had said he was a spy from King Ezra. Others had said he was one of the famous Riders, who sought only for the freedom of everyone around them. Whether he was a rider, a spy, or some mysterious third thing, he was a threat to King "Arabella's Dad."
When he emerged from his isolation the King threw a grand party for him. And that was the place Arabella first set eyes on this dashing young stranger who changed her life for the better.
He drew her aside and told her of a life where a person could work with their own two hands, where there was something special about finishing a project, a sense of accomplishment.
She fell in love with his idea’s and in turn with him.
But their love could not last. He was soon banished from the kingdom upon penalty of death. One of the Arabella’s admirers told her father, the king, that Darius had only come to the castle to take Arabella away from the king. Outraged, the king forbid Darius to set foot in his kingdom ever again, forcing Darius to leave that very evening.
Before he left however he was able to contact Arabella one last time, pleading with her to come away with him. No matter how much she wanted to, Arabella could not, for her father was watching her every move and would kill Darius if she left the castle that night. Darius left with a promise to return for her before the first snowfall.
Finally that day had come. The leaves had changed and fallen, and a page came bearing a letter for Arabella. A letter from Darius. She was to leave that night, claiming she was going for a nighttime ride. He would meet her 42 strides from the edge of the southern tip of the forest.
Arabella donned a plain, brown riding dress and exited her room. She walked excitedly to the kitchen, asking for a few rolls and some jerky. The items were handed to her wrapped in a pastry cloth.
Walking out to the stables Arabella tried her hardest to not run.
While mounting her steed a stern voice called out to her.
“Arabella!”
Her heart sank as she recognized her father’s voice. Turing in the saddle, she donned a fake smile.
“Hello, father. I was just going for a short ride.”
“ Ah, is that so? Why then did I find this letter on your desk?” The king answered with a smug look on his face, waving Darius’s letter in front of her.
Arabella gasped, searching for the letter on her person, as if the letter her father held in his hand was not the real letter.
“ It hurts me to do this dear, but I cannot have my kingdom ransacked by my own daughter and some crook she happened upon.” He frowned slightly, then took a torch from the soldier to his right and cast it at Arabella’s feet, setting the hay instantly on fire.
Arabella’s horse reared and sparks flew up when he landed on the burning hay. The sparks flew into Arabella’s eyes, causing her to scream and her horse to bolt forward.
Galloping away from the stables, Arabella struggled to remain on her horse. Instinct begged her to rub her eyes, to ease the burning. But she could not; her horse was galloping so quickly that if she let go, she would be swept away with the wind.
What seemed like hours later, the horse came to a labored stop and Arabella slid from it’s back. She landed on the ground and began sobbing. Surly she would have missed Darius, even if she had passed him, he could not have stopped her horse. Her eyes hurt so badly, and when she opened them they just hurt worse.
Arabella cried herself into a fitful sleep. Dreaming about Darius and the sun.
Arabella was startled into wakefulness by strong hands lifting her into a warm embrace.
“Darius?” She asked hopefully, knowing it was not, he was much slighter.
“ No, Lady, my name is Leander of the elves. I have come to give you solace with our people.”
Leander carried her for miles, never seeming to tire. Arabella could tell when they neared the elves city, because from the steady stream of cheerful voices she heard coming from somewhere in front of her. She felt happier just by listening to their voices.
Leander set her down, letting her lean on his arm as she walked through the city. Suddenly he stopped and she felt him turn toward her.
“Lady Apparition, this is where I leave you.” Leander said as he let go of her and walked away.
Arabella sighed, feeling more alone than she had since Darius first left. Once again, she sank to the ground, feeling the tears threaten to overwhelm her. Cradling her head in the crook of her arm, she slowly opened her eyes for the first time since the night before. The expected brightness did not come, no bright colors, no people walking to and fro, nothing but black.
The tears cascaded down her face as she realized her sight was gone forever. Never again would she see the sun, a leaf, or Darius’s beautiful face.
Crunch. Arabella’s head snapped up as she searched with her ears for the direction the noise had come. Crunch. It sounded closer this time. Arabella stood up shakily and backed away only to trip over a fallen branch, landing on the crunchy leaves.
The crunching increased in pace and Arabella screamed. But her scream was cut off as a hand covered her mouth.
“Shh…. Shh, my love, it is me!” Darius cooed as he gathered her into his arms and rocked her back and forth. Arabella laughed breathlessly running her hands over his flawless face, reassuring herself this was actually him. He kissed her lightly once, then pulled away. Arabella, whose hands were still on his face pulled him to her again and she kissed his cheeks, his nose, his mouth.
“Did you miss me?” Darius said laughing. But the joyful sound died as his eyes rested on hers.
“What is wrong?” Arabella asked when she grew silent.
He touched her eyes gently, wishing he could give her back her sight.
“What happened?” His pained voice cut through the silence.
Arabella sighed and told him of her father causing her to lose her sight.
“I wish I had gone with you that first night you asked me too.” She said quietly after a moment of quiet.
Darius did not speak for a few minutes then suddenly, in a much happier tone, he said “ If you were my wife, you would never have to leave my side.”
Arabella’s breath caught in her throat when she realized what he was suggesting.
“ Yes!” she replied breathlessly. “ Oh yes!”

Two days later Arabella stood in a gown made of silk holding Leander’s arm.
Leander urged her forward and she stepped in time with the music that began to play. She reached the steps, wishing she could see Darius’s glorious figure standing before her, and let go of Leander taking hold of Darius.
A man with a glossy voice of honey performed the wedding, and announced them man and wife. Darius embraced Arabella pulling away only slightly to kiss her.
“I wish you could see how beautiful you look.” He whispered in her ear when he broke the kiss.
Arabella laughed quietly, “ It is enough to know you are mine forever.” She took his hand in hers and turned to the cheering crowd.
“ Does it not feel like a tainted victory to you? We have each other, but you have lost your sight.” Darius sounded as if he would give anything for her to be perfectly happy.
Suddenly the cheering stopped and soft footsteps echoed through out the hall.
“Lady Apparition, I am humbled by you.” The lady speaking broke off.
Darius whispered in Arabella’s ear, “ She is bowing to you.”
Arabella extended her hand, “ Lady, who are you, and why do you bow to me?”
There was a rustle as the lady stood and took Arabella’s hand, “ Lady Apparition, I have known many humans, and all have yearned for more than they have, but you my dear lady, you are content to be with the one you love, and for that, I bestow a gift on you.” The crowd gasped, but grew quiet again and the lady spoke again. “ My gift to you, is sight!”
Suddenly there was a silent chill ran through the base of Arabella’s neck and went up to her eyes. Suddenly a bright light intruded upon her closed eyelids. Arabella blinked instinctively, then opened her eyes slowly, a smile growing on her face as the bright yellows a whites entered her eyes. Wanting to thank the lady, she grasped her hand tighter, but no one was there, and the hand which had been in hers a moment before had gone. Full of questions, Arabella turned to Darius, but forgot her unspoken questions as she gazed upon his glowing face.
“Darius!” She exclaimed, taking in how the deep brown of his eyes seemed to reflect her every feeling of peace, joy and happiness. Seeing his face again, she knew her joy was as full as it could ever be.

~ Know that I had to keep this 6 pages or under, and at it's current length it is 5 1/2. That is why it seems rushed!
~Please Feel Free to comment on spelling, grammar, or things that you think should be changed! thank you!
~~ And just to let you know, I will be expanding this story, so it contains more detail and such. so Don't worry! :D