Rallying for James

The candlelight flickered weakly against the stone walls as I paced the length of the room, my thoughts a chaotic mess of worry. A cold draft slipped through the window’s cracks, but the heat of my anxiety seared through my chest. It had been days since I last heard from James.

I stopped at the window, staring out at the dark expanse of forest stretching into the horizon. Somewhere beyond those trees, James was fighting, protecting the kingdom that was crumbling under the weight of Alec’s war. Not a single word had reached me. That silence pressed down on me, suffocating, growing louder with each passing hour. The door creaked behind me, cutting through my thoughts. I turned to find a soldier entering, his face pale, his expression grim.

"My lady," the soldier began, his voice barely more than a tremor.

He avoided my gaze, his eyes dropping to the stone floor as though the words themselves were too heavy to look me in the eye.

"There is news."

My pulse quickened. Every fiber of my being braced for impact, but nothing could have prepared me for what he said next.

"It is Lord James... his forces have been surrounded."

The words struck me with brutal force as if an invisible hand had punched the breath from my lungs. The room, once dim and still, seemed to tilt as I struggled to grasp the full weight of what I had just heard. My hand shot out, gripping the edge of a nearby table to steady myself.

"Surrounded?"

The word came out strangled, barely audible, as though my throat refused to cooperate. The soldier nodded solemnly, finally forcing himself to look up. His voice was hushed, laden with a kind of hopeless resignation.

"Alec’s army... they have encircled them on all sides.”
“Lord James has held them off, but..."

He trailed off, unable to complete the thought.

"There is no way to break the siege."
"How long?"
"Three days, my lady," the soldier said, his tone laden with regret.
"They have not attacked yet, but they are vastly outnumbered.”
“Supplies are running low.”
“It is only a matter of time before Alec makes his move."

Three days. For three days James had been trapped, surrounded by enemies, without reinforcements or relief. During those same three days, I had been here, useless. My body, already heavy with the child growing inside me, seemed to weigh even more as the enormity of it all settled on my shoulders. A gentle flutter stirred within my womb, a delicate reminder of the life I now carried, the future I was supposed to be protecting. My hand instinctively went to my belly. I turned to the soldier.

"Leave us.”

He bowed quickly and exited without another word, as though relieved to escape the storm brewing inside me. I stood frozen for a moment, wrestling with a storm of emotions. James was out there, fighting for me, for our kingdom, for the child inside me that was not even his. That bitter truth stung, twisting like a dagger in my heart. He had taken on this burden knowing the weight of it, knowing the dangers, and still, he had gone.

I clenched my fists at my sides, nails biting into my palms as the rage simmered just beneath the surface. I would not, could not, stand by while Alec slowly closed in, squeezing the life out of James with every passing hour. I had to act.

Without hesitation, I crossed the room to the desk. My movements were swift and purposeful. I snatched up a quill and parchment, dipping the quill into the ink with hands that trembled only slightly. My mind raced, but I forced myself to focus. The words I wrote now had to matter.

**James,

I have learned of your predicament. Alec’s noose is tightening around you, and I cannot bear to wait any longer. I know you will not retreat, but I need you to understand this: you are not alone. Help is on its way. I am coming.

I paused, the tip of the quill hovering over the parchment. There were so many things I wanted to say, but I knew James. He did not need to hear words of caution or my fears for him. What he needed was strength. What he needed was hope.

Do not give up. We are stronger than Alec believes. We will take back what is ours, together.**

I signed my name and sealed the letter, the wax still hot under my fingers as I pressed the stamp into it. Without wasting a moment, I called for one of the messengers. He arrived quickly; his expression startled but serious.

"My lady?" he asked, bowing as he entered.
"Take this," I thrust the letter into his hands, my voice leaving no room for hesitation.
"Ride with all haste.”
“Ensure that it reaches Lord James."
"Tell him I will be with him soon."

The messenger gave a quick nod, his face tightening with understanding. He tucked the letter into his tunic and hurried from the room. I watched him disappear down the corridor, my heartbeat loud in my ears. Then, without another second to lose, I turned to where my sword leaned against the wall, its steel gleaming in the flickering light. I reached for it, the familiar weight of the blade anchoring me, calming the firestorm in my chest.

I had trained for moments like these. I had fought beside James before, and I would fight beside him again. James needed me, and I would not let Alec take him from me. I called for my most trusted guard. Rowan entered the room soon after, his brow furrowed in concern.

"My lady, what is it?" he asked, taking in my appearance with alarm.
"I am going to James," I said simply, strapping my sword to my side.

The words left no room for argument. Rowan’s eyes widened in shock.

"You cannot!”
“You are…"
"I know what I am," I interrupted, my voice sharp, cutting through his protest.

"That changes nothing.”
“James is surrounded.”
“If Alec strikes, he will be overwhelmed.”
“I will not allow that to happen."

Rowan stepped closer, his voice softening in an attempt to reason with me.

"Think about the child, my lady.”
“If you ride into battle now—"
"This child will grow up in a world where their father is free," I interrupted again, my gaze hard and unyielding.
"Or I will die trying to make that world for them."

Rowan hesitated, seeing the fire in my eyes, but he nodded grimly. He knew better than to argue when my mind was set. I had made my choice.

"Ready my horse," I commanded.
"We are riding to James right now."