[ IP ] The Return of the Princess

It's been a damn long time, but here we are. Camar's gate looms large before us again, friendly faces in the guardhouse. My oath is near fulfilled. Lady Arcadia rides behind me to reclaim the throne that's rightfully hers. 
 
 I only wish her parents were with us. Damn murdering rebels. I did n't think it'd be as easy as me waltzing up and them handing over the hostages, but I did n't expect them to execute Free Highlord Gareth and his wife in front of me. 
 
 Arcadia's become everything they could have hoped for, though. She grew up too fast after the coup back in Camar, when I [ led her from the city in the face of a jeering crowd, ] ( https: //www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/comments/3xo5lq/ip_guard/cy6exr7 ) but since that dark day, she's grown so much. I'm as proud of her as if she were my own. 
 
 It's been a long road for me too. I resigned my commission as soon as Lady Arcadia was safe, and I've spent my days since then working to restore her to the throne. Almost started another war in the process. I've been in Camar since the abdication, helping to sow discontent, and I've met the rebel forces on the battlefield. I do n't think Arcadia will let me continue serving her once she gets the High Seat back. She's promised me a nice, quiet countryside villa. Sounds terrible. But, deep down, I know I'm too old to keep carrying a sword in her name. And apparently sentimental in my old age, blast my eyes. 
 
 The breakthrough came last month. We'd been running a propaganda campaign in Camar and the surrounding country for months, trying to sway public opinion back toward the d'Faan family from the rebels. It was easier than I expected; the rebels were so caught up in deposing Gareth and his family that they had n't stopped to think of what might happen if they succeeded. Camar is in a state of near-anarchy right now, and while Arcadia will have a hell of a time restoring order, I and her other counselors agree that she should n't have a hard time actually holding the High Seat. Anyway, we'd been shifting public sentiment for a long time, but then we got a tip from some loyalists in the city that the rebel leaders were going to be touring the country. It was too good an opportunity. We ambushed them and cut the head off the snake. Worked like a charm. The rebellion fell apart, aided by our loyalist friends, and when Arcadia's return was announced, the city celebrated. 
 
 Now all that's left is to arrive and for her to formally claim the High Seat. It'll be good to be back home. 
 
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 This is an impromptu continuation of sorts to [ this story ] ( https: //www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/comments/3xo5lq/ip_guard/cy6exr7 ) that I linked earlier. /u/T3chnopsycho, you might be interested since you liked the first one.
