CHAPTER 126: RECONCILIATION

Prince Tristan could not believe what he was seeing. His head couldn't fathom what he beheld, with relativity to what he thought had been the reality of things.

He walked slowly to Olexa, with a perplexed and astonished look.

Jon, Lieutenant Silka, and Commander Glenn all looked at her in utter shock and disbelief. They never imagined Olexa could have survived the fall, after not finding her body.

"Olexa? Is this- Is this really you?" he asked softly, as his eyes welled up with tears.

Olexa gulped, trying really hard to comport herself in front of everyone. She was amazed to see him on both his feet, walking normally. She looked at him from head to toe analyzing him.

Her head was filled with a lot of questions. But she didn't say a word. She looked at him with disdain. Although in her head she was mad at him, her heart yearned to hold him in a tight and loving embrace.

"I see you made it to Moonville," she said, turning to Roweena, ignoring the Prince. She moved away from where he stood, as she approached Roweena.

"Yes, circumstances compelled us to leave the First Kingdom, and the only place I could think of was here," Roweena responded.

"I see. What circumstances, if I may ask?" Olexa enquired.

Roweena turned and looked at the Prince. He nodded at her, giving her the go-ahead to answer the question.

"Alright," Roweena sighed, "So, everyone you see here, are either members of The Rebellion, or have been implicated with The Rebellion. But Prince Tristan is the leader of The Rebellion."

Everyone gasped in surprise, looking at the Prince. Olexa turned and looked at him furrowing her brow.

"I see. So what then happened?" she further enquired, turning back to Roweena.

"The King discovered that the Prince could walk, and had dealings with The Rebellion, so he hunted him and everyone down who is a part of the Rebellion, but we were able to escape," Roweena replied.

"And you thought of no other place to go to, other than here right?" Mona asked, fuming.

"Yes, that's what happened," Roweena responded.

"Well, you all are not welcome here. Am sure the trouble you caused followed you here, and you're just trying to endanger us also," Mona challenged.

"Do you think you all would have made it back alive if it weren't for me, on the night you were at the Mountain of Bones? I made sure no reinforcements would come and also helped strengthen the weak cloak your witches cast as you all returned," Roweena responded.

"So, you did that for us to be indebted to you, and now you want us to return the favor?" Mona challenged further, approaching Roweena in a daring way.

"Oh, but I thought one good turn deserves another," Roweena replied.

"You piece of-"

"That's enough, the both of you!" Olexa yelled authoritatively.

"Moonville is a haven to all who stand against the monarchy, so you're all welcome to stay," Olexa said, to the disappointment of Mona.

"Tully, please see to it that they are settled in," Olexa instructed, and walked away.

"Please, if you would follow me this way," Tully addressed the people, leading them off to a different direction from where Olexa was headed to.

She avoided having a confrontation with the Prince as she didn't want to break down in front of the people.

"Excuse me," Prince Tristan said, pushing through the crowd of people, trying to reach Olexa.

"Sorry, but you can't see the chief now," one of the men refrained Prince Tristan from going further.

"Chief? But it's important I talk with her," he protested.

"Well, you can't. Not now," he insisted.

Prince Tristan stood there frustratedly, as he looked at her leaving. He had no choice but to turn back and join the rest of his company, as they were helped to get settled in.

Olexa got into her residence and shut the door behind her. She got into the bedroom and also shut the door, and leaned against the door.

Squinting her eyes, she broke down in tears, slowly slumping to the floor with her back against the door.

It was the most unexpected encounter she ever anticipated. The person she loved and believed betrayed her love was right within her vicinity now. And she didn't know how to react.

Olexa sat there, crying for a while.

***

By evening, all the new guests were assigned places of residence, and they had freshened up.

The people of Moonville were out sitting together as usual, enjoying the evening. Some of the elders sat together conversing. But the new group of people were still at their residence. They felt like they didn't belong there.

"How are we going to be able to sustain our community? The carnage of the King disrupted the spirit flow in the land, and we seem to be growing at an exponential rate," one of the elders asked Thian.

"I don't know how, but I know we will be just fine," she replied smiling.

Prince Tristan sat, looking out at Olexa's residence. He had not seen her come out ever since. He was really eager to see her and speak with her. He could tell Olexa hated his guts at that moment.

Feeling restless, he got up and took a walk, leaving the company of his people. They watched him leave but said nothing to him. They understood the situation he was in.

Prince Tristan instinctively decided to head to the waterfall he had seen earlier, when they made their way in through the barrier.

As he approached the waterfall, he saw someone sitting there quietly. His heart began racing immediately, and he could tell it was Olexa.

He sighed and walked, standing beside her.

"It's a beautiful sight," he said softly.

"It is," she replied calmly.

"Do you mind if I join you?"

"Not at all."

"Thank you." Prince Tristan sat down not too close to her, trying not to push his luck too much. "Olexa, I just want to let you know tha-"

She interrupted him with a hug. He was stunned and didn't know how to react. He then gently wrapped his arms around her, holding her tight, as he teared up.

Olexa also was in tears as she hugged him. They both held each other tightly, not wanting to let go of the other.

After a while, they released their grip, looking right into each other's eyes, affectionately.

"Olexa, I swear to you that I never thought you were alive. We searched for you but didn't find you. This was the only thing I found," Prince Tristan raised his wrist, revealing Olexa's bracelet.

"You did search for me," Olexa realized. "I knew you wouldn't have left me just like that."

"I would never! Not in a million lifetimes. I'm sorry you felt that way, and it's all my fault. I should have opened up to you earlier. I am truly sorry Olexa. Please forgive me," Prince Tristan apologized.

"It's okay. I understand. I didn't want to talk to you there because I would have been emotional, but spending a little time with myself made me realize you had a responsibility, being the leader of The Rebellion, so you needed to be discreet and cautious," she explained.

"You were always so understanding," Prince Tristan smiled. Olexa smiled back.

"So, you could walk, all along?"

"Yes. It helped me keep prying eyes off of my back."

"That was clever," Olexa nodded pursing her lips, in admiration.

"Well um, Olexa, I think it's time I tell you everything I was about to tell you, before the attack on our way back from the Fourth Kingdom," Prince Tristan said.

"Okay..." Olexa's voice trailed off, as she furrowed her brow.

"What is it?" she asked.