Kristen Learns That James Is Alive - Chapter Nintey Three

James, Amelia, with Jamie in front, rode alongside Nolan and Annabell. They slowly approached the castle. Keeping watch, he knew the guards would soon spot them. He had to be prepared for anything.

Two guards stepped out to greet them. As the group approached, they were a little shocked by what they saw.

James dismounted the horse helping Amelia and Jamie down. "Who are you, and what is your business here?" one guard chocked out. "I think you know who I am. I need to see my mother at once," he demanded. "Wait here, I'll go let the queen know you're here," the guard spoke as one of them headed into the castle while the other watched them cautiously.

The guard found Kristen with William in the throne room doing court duties. "Sorry to intrude, but there are some people here to see you," the guard explained as he bowed. "Then show them in," she spoke.

"You might want to come and see this for yourself," he added.

Kristen looked at him with a puzzled look." I go to no one, what is this all about?" she asked as she started to get angry. "I can't really say for sure, but you are going to have to see this with your own eyes," he pleaded. "Very well then, stay here with your grandfather. I'll be right back, she told Arthur.

Kristen, now confused, headed down the corridor with a few guards following her. 

As soon as she saw him, Kristen ran right up to him. "James!, she shouted. Before he could get a word out, she started in with more questions. "What, you were............No this is a trick, your a ghost..........I saw you dead, we buried you, it's been years. Where have you been, and what's going on?" she asked, now breathless.

"I think it was when I changed back. I guess I fell into a deep sleep that appeared like I was dead. When I awoke, I had no memory of who I was or where I had been. I was scared that someone had tried to kill me, with what I am, I didn't understand it. So I fled into the woods staying there until Annabell and Nolan found me. They took me to Amelia, where I regained a lot of my memory back," he explained to Kristen, who stood there in shock. "Now, my next question is, why would you do that to my family if you really loved me?" James asked with a grim look on his face.

"I thought she killed you. I was in shock and thought that if I protected Arthur that there would be someone that would be able to carry on the family name. Every time I looked at Arthur, all I could see was you. It was the only piece of you I still had. And  I knew she would try to take that away from me too. I didn't know what she was capable of," she told James. "I know how cruel you can be at times, mother! But to even banish my daughter, what did she ever do to you?" he asked now with an angry look on his face.

"I didn't know what to do at the time. She looked so much like Amelia with the curse. I wanted nothing to remind me of what she did to you. Please don't be mad at me, I love you! I would never do anything to hurt you. You have to believe it," she begged. "Well, no matter, I'm sure you will never do that again. They are my family, as you are. It will take me some time to get over what you did, no matter how you felt. It was still wrong," he added. "You and your family and guest make yourself at home. I'm going to go tell your father, and let Arthur know, so they can be reunited with you," she told James. He watched as she headed back into the castle. James looked over at Amelia, which now was a little more content than what she was when they first left to come here.

Kristen meets up with William that was curious about what all the fuss was about. "I know why they wanted me to see for myself,"  she began to tell William.

"James, he's alive...............," she told him. William almost went into shock as tears streamed down his face. He tried to cover his face to hide the tears. "Are you sure?" he asked between his sobs. "Yes, I'm sure. You can check the grave if you want," she replied. "I want to do that before I even look at him. I don't want this to be someone that just looks like him," he told Kristen.

With a guard, William headed down into the tomb where James and a few royals had been entombed. Arthur, with curiosity, followed behind them. Arthur wasn't sure why there were down into tombs, but his curiosity was intrigued.

Kristen followed them only moments as they descended the stairs leading to the tomb. 

Here it is, James's tomb," the guard said. The guard went to start to open the tomb. "No, I want to do this myself," called out William. The guard stepped aside to let William by.

William bent down to push the stone top aside to be able to peer inside. It took several tries, and the stone finally gave way. Dust flew as it fell aside. The guards opened the coffin to reveal that there was nothing inside. There were claw marks on the lid. Arthur and William stood there with their mouths hitting the floor. "Told you," Kristen spoke from behind them.

Placing the lid back on the tomb. "I want to see my dad," Arthur spoke. "Then what are we waiting for," Kristen said as she headed up the steps, its time to celebrate," she told them. William and Arthur, with the guards, followed still in shock with disbelief.

As soon as they reached the top of the stairs, William and Arthur took off, running toward the castle. They raced across the bridge, wasting no time to find James. 

William ran down the corridor. Many darted out of the way as he paid them no mind as he passed them.

Standing in the doorway gasping for air from the running, William looked at Amelia, holding a small child with James standing beside her.

"I can't believe my eyes. I never got over your death, and now you stand right here before me. Your mother filled me in on what all had happened. I hope you can forgive us," he told James. "I know, and I appreciate what you did for Amelia and Annabell. You truly saved their lives. I will never forget what you have done. I will someday forgive my mother for her insanity and cruelty to many, including my family. I'm just glad to have my family back and to be where I belong," James told his father.

As soon as Arthur saw James, he ran up to him, hugged him as he began to cry. "Well, look at you, a young man that has grown up," James told Arthur as he smiled with such pride.

"I still can't believe it. I visited your tomb many, many times, I never noticed that you weren't there," I wish I would have known that you were out there somewhere. I would have found you myself," he told James. "I know you would have. I didn't know either until your sister found me. I didn't even believe it until I saw your mother. She brought me back from the blackness that I was living in," he replied.

Amelia stood there, holding Jamie listening to their conversation with tears running down her cheeks. It was like looking at James when he was that age.

Pulling him into her arms, she began to cry with happiness. "I love you so much. We have a lot to catch up on." Amelia had missed out on so much of his life. Seeing him all grown up now warmed her heart. She hated missing out on so much. She resented Kristen for what she did, but with her love by her side, she would be able to have her family reunited, a dream that she thought would never happen.