Aros sat in the back of his cell holding his head in his hands as a sigh slipped over his lips. â€œWhatâ€™s going to happen now?â€ he asked the darkness surrounding him. His heart wassinking as if he had no hope of further helping the princess, but luckily Aros wasnâ€™t one to stay on the negative side of the half empty cup situation. His mind began working on how to fix the problem at hand and ways to occupy his mind on the positives of the day. â€œI got to meet the princessâ€¦â€ he smiled at this thought kindness and joy spreading through him as she always made him feel so warm and like someone who could make a difference, â€œShe was as amazing as I had hoped I just wish it had been on better termsâ€¦â€ he chuckled to himself and looked at the wound he had re-opened. Using his teeth he tore a small piece of fabric from the bottom of his shirt that was slightly sticking out from under the armor and mail. He used it to wrap the wound and try and keep the blood from getting everywhere further. â€œMost of all.. I got to give her at least a little bit of the cureâ€¦â€ he smiled and laid his head back lost in thoughts and dreams.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic"> The king looked furious at the thought that somehow the guards allowed this stranger to come into the castle ground in the first place. He felt the clutching embrace of his wife and turned his attention to her. â€œMy Dearest ease your fearsâ€¦ as much as I do not like the situation like I am sure you do not I have a strange feeling within me that he was not trying to harm our daughter. There was something in his voice that leads me to want to investigate him further and to learn more about him. I plan to go down to his cell and have a talk with the man. The fact that the man did not struggle or complain as we had him taken away gives me hopeâ€¦â€ he sighed rubbing her back thoughts going against what he just said raced through his mind quickly.<br/><br/>What if the boy had finished the job and was now accepting his fate? How was he here at the right time even if he was just curing her, how did he know where she would be and how did he know how to get into the castle ground by jumping like that. Where di he get the armor he was wearin, and why did that armor look so familiar to himâ€¦ these thoughts were troubling the kingâ€™s mind to no end and all he wished was to put them ro rest. His gaze went back to his wife as he spoke clearly and as confidently as he possibly could.<br/><br/>â€œMy beloved, it seems all the evens have left you drained and ill to the features of your lovely face. Allow me to handle this intruder in our home. I will go down with some guards and speak to him with all hastâ€¦ I ask that you go to our chamber and rest. Let your mind calm and be at ease while I get to the bottom of exactly what is going on. Either our daughter is saved or that manâ€™s life will end on the morrow. Go rest your head and wash the fears from your face all will be ok. I will speak with him and then our daughter and make my descion based on the information I am given.â€ He lifted her chin slightly and pressed his lips to hers. â€œAll will be okâ€¦â€ with that he turned his wife and pushed her lightly encouraging her to head to their room and rest while he himself then turned and began to walk to the dungeon.</span><br/><br/>Once he arrived The king walked about looking for the cell in the back which the beast had been placed in. He stood before the cell and looked in several guards behind him just in case. Aros lifted his head as he heard the steps, his eyes meeting that of the kings. â€œCreatureâ€¦ if what all you have said is to be tru then I wish to ask some questions of you.â€ Aros nodded to the king, â€œMy Liege, I will answer anything you ask of me. However I can not promise that what I have to say will be useful in your descion making.â€ The king seemed to smile at how the man was reacting and speaking. It made him feel as if this man was someone he could trust, â€œAlright, What is your full name, where did you come from, and how old are you?â€ The king motioned for a guard to bring him a chair. The chair was retrieved and the king sat listening to the boyâ€™s story. â€œYour Higness my name is Aros De LeMar, I am but a street in your kingdom with nothing but a small cottage and fordge to my name. My father was once of noble blood and my mother from a merchant family however in my life I lost them at the age of five. Since then I have raised myself and turned through many situations that lead me for a while to a life of crime. I stole and broke into homes in search of money and food so that I could survive. Then I saw your daughter while I was sitting on top of a house. Her grace and beauty sparked something within meâ€¦. As I pursued more information about her I learned of her sickness and it broke my heart. That day I vowed that if someone as ritchous as her could get through what she was suffering then so could I. I began to work hard and earn money preforming till I got a job at the blacksmith. With the money there I saved and bought my cottage and built my forge. I created my blades..â€ he patted the rapiers on either side of him. â€œI am twenty nine my lord.â€ He continued to stay in a bowed position as he waited for the next set of questions.<br/><br/>â€œHow far out in the woods were you and what kind of demon have you made a deal with?â€ â€œYour Highness, I was unable to track that. What I do kinow is I was beyond five miles and the kingdom should be safe, if not you can behead meâ€¦â€ he swallowed feeling extreamly nervous now. â€œI am also unaware of the type of demons, that was my first incounter with one and I must say I never wish to see one again..â€ Aros drew a shaken breath and let it out as a relaxing sigh. The king looked to the man before him and rubbed his chin. â€œI see, if you are honest about your face then show it to meâ€¦â€ Aros looked to the king â€œYour Majesty, I will do as you wish but I must warn how hideous it has made my featuresâ€¦â€ The king simply tapped his foot waiting eagerly. Slowly Aros reached behind his head and untied the mask letting it fall fully to the ground before he lifted his face. The guards gasped and the king took a staggering step backwards, â€œYour story is true thenâ€¦â€ Edmund had no clue what to think or do in this situationâ€¦So he turned on his heals and began to leave the guards walking with him, he spoke over his shoulder â€œYou will stay here till morning. That is when I shall decide your fate beast.. and know that no matter what I decide you will only be a beast in the eyes of the court. Am I understood?â€ Edmund paused waiting for the reply â€œI accept and fully understand your majesty. I am but a servant under your merciful command.â€ Aros couldnâ€™t help his heart as it broke. He was a beastâ€¦ and now everyone would call him that.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic"> Edmund leaned against the wall as soon as he was away from the door to the dungeon, his heart racing and fear in his eyes. â€œThat creatureâ€¦ was allowed in our kingdom and no one knew!â€ he thought to himself before he shook his head and walked to his daughterâ€™s room. He knocked and walked in to see her awake, â€œI am glad to see you are unharmedâ€¦â€ he walked to her and hugged her holding her close. â€œYour mother and I were very worried that man poisoned youâ€¦â€ he looked to her and spoke of the story he had been told. Forgetting he had not wanted her to know of the demon part, he felt as if she needed to know and make a descion. â€œI will let you decide whether he should be permitted to stay alive or removed from our land. After that I will decide what courses of actions need to be takenâ€¦ based on your choiceâ€¦ I have faith in you. After all you are a grown woman and can choose things on your own. Just if you go to see him bring guards with you and do not look at his face. That is my only request..â€ without another word the king stood and left to go find his wife.</span>