Sarah Takes Amelia to Safety - Chapter Fifty-One

Sarah knew she only had a few hours before the sun would be at its strongest. She knew her sister could not withstand that much sun, so she pushed the horse until she saw the cottage James described. Her husband, John, was waiting for her. "Did you make sure no one followed you?" he asked. "Yes, I made sure," she told him as she helped lower Amelia down to him.

John followed Sarah into the cottage with Amelia who was still out of it, limp in John's arms.

John placed Amelia on a bed in a prepared room and followed Sarak back outside so they wouldn't disturb her.

John was so happy to see Sarah. "I have missed you. I was so worried when you went to the castle. I thought for sure your plan wouldn't work," he told her as he embraced her.

"These are for you," John said, handing her some red roses that he had picked earlier. "Oh, you're so sweet," Sarah replied, smiling at him.

Sarah went in and got Amelia settled into bed. She was still not responding to her. Sarah worried that Amelia wasn't going to make it through the night. The days passed, and still, there was no change.

"I'm so worried about Amelia. I'm not sure what they did to her, but her condition is still the same. I just don't know why they would do such a horrible thing to her!" she told John. "You're a wonderful big sister to her. I think there is still hope; just give her some more time," he replied calmly, trying to soothe her worries.

In the middle of the night, Amelia finally woke up. She tried to sit up but was too weak and fell back down on the bed. She looked around and noticed she wasn't in the dungeon anymore. "Hello!" Amelia cried out, alarmed that she had no idea where she was or how she got there.

Sarah heard Amelia cry out and jumped out of bed. She ran into the room and saw that Amelia was finally awake. "Sarah.... is that really you?" Amelia called out to her sister, afraid that she might be dreaming. "Yes, it's me," she replied as relief filled her. "Where am I?" Amelia asked. "You are safe now. We have hidden you from everyone," she replied, taking Amelia's hand in her own.

Sarah helped Amelia out of bed. After getting Amelia steady on her feet, Amelia hugged her sister. "I have missed you and the rest of our family so much," she told Sarah.

"What happened to you in that dungeon?" she asked Amelia. "The only thing I recall is that the wizard gave me something to drink, and that's the last thing I remember," she replied. Amelia looked around the room. "How did I get here?" she asked her sister. "James and his father unlocked the dungeon and arranged this place to hide you. I brought you here by horse," she replied. "James!? Did this for me?" she asked, shocked to hear James' name. "Yes, he did. He really must care about you to commit treason," she replied, smiling at her sister.

"Here, lay down and relax while we get you something to eat," Sarah told Amelia as she helped her back to the bed. Sarah headed into the next room, leaving Amelia to ponder her thoughts. "I can't believe James found me down in that awful place. He risked everything for me," she thought to herself. 

Sarah helped Amelia get dressed and to the kitchen, where they had prepared food. 

After a week, Amelia was doing better and began to settle in the cottage. She began to enjoy reading again and spending time with her sister and John.

After Amelia disappeared, James waited to see if his mother would reveal her disappearance to the court. The only talk was among the guards sent out to find her. A few weeks passed, and no one seemed to catch on that it was his plan. When night came, he found his opportunity to go and check on Amelia without raising any suspicions of his involvement.

James arrived at the cottage he had sent them to. It was very secluded, and not many people knew of its existence. 

Sarah heard someone ride up. She looked out the window to find it was James. She headed outside to greet him. "I see that you made it ok. How is Amelia?" James asked Sarah. "She's still recovering, but she's awake and doing better," she replied.

Amelia came outside to see James standing there. "I'll leave you two alone," Sarah told them, returning to the cottage. "You're alive! I was so worried that the wizard had killed you," James told Amelia as he went to pull her into his arms.

Amelia stepped back. "I want to thank you for your kindness. You didn't have to do this. I'm a nobody, and no one else would have risked so much to save my life," she told him. "I would risk my life and everything I have to save you. I still love you even though you don't want to be with me anymore. I just ask one thing. Please don't hate me anymore," James pleaded.

Amelia's heart shattered once again with all the feelings she still had for him. No matter how much she wanted to hate him, she couldn't. "I never hated you. I just couldn't bear to be around you and not have you as mine," Amelia said. "I have always been yours. You have my heart," James replied as he pulled her into his arms. He sighed and finally let her go. "I promise we will be together one day, and no one will stop me from making you my wife. Until then, I need you to stay hidden to keep you safe. I have to get back before someone misses me. I'll be back as soon as possible, I promise," James told her before he rode off in the darkness.