Chapter Text
Tomorrow, the tabloids will spread the rumors. Newly coronated Princess Gem seen with mysterious woman, possibly in a romantic gesture? Who is she? Is she another member of royalty?
Gem ignores them. She wasn’t aware Rivendell had such a chain of gossip, but it won’t do to add any fuel to the fire. Just because Gem’s heart picks up speed when she thinks of Pearl, her cheeks flush red when she even imagines seeing her again, doesn’t mean there was anything going on. As far as anyone knows, nothing happened.
It’s more difficult to travel inconspicuously now, and everyone knows when Gem has returned to Dawn. Everyone knows when she is traveling through town, if she’s been let out. Security is, occasionally, a worry for the councilmen, especially since they have little to no idea of how much Gem is actually able to protect herself (Even though she trained alongside them, fought alongside them, they seem to have forgotten her skill as soon as Gem put on a dress). Their concerns are lessened by Apollo, who does his best to stick by Gem whenever she’s within the manor and its gardens—though this is mostly because he knows he’ll get treats if he does. There can’t be a bear wandering through the bustling city streets, however, so when Gem wants to go into town she must be accompanied by a guard of some kind.
Unless, that is, she sneaks out. Gem doesn’t do it often, but there are exits to her family’s manor that the councilmen and guards don’t know about that Gem is all too familiar with, and sometimes she needs to be really, truly alone. It’s one of those days, when Gem just wants to wear a cloak and plain clothes, to be anonymous and not bothered, that she’s at the docks and a small child trips and falls on the path. They burst into tears over their scuffed knee, and Gem, without even thinking, rushes over and places a hand on the wound. The sun is bright today, and Gem can feel the warmth of it radiating over the child’s knee.
When she’s done, she smiles. “There, that wasn’t so bad, was it dear?”
The child shakes their head, still sniffling, and doesn’t seem to notice (or know) who Gem is. Their mother, however, is standing mouth wide open.
“Your highness,” she says. “I-thank you. I didn’t know you were supposed to be in town today.”
“I’m not,” Gem says, looking around. Already people are looking at her, but they don’t seem too worried. “And I’d really prefer it if it didn’t get out.” The mother nods.
“Of course. Darling, will you say thank you to Princess Gem for healing your cut?”
The child looks at Gem, eyes wide and sparkling, and grins. “Thank you, Gemgem!” they say, before beginning to run down the pier again, chasing a seagull.
Gem leaves the docks then, hyperaware of the eyes on her, but somehow happier. Maybe it will work out for her in Dawn. Maybe she isn’t an imposter after all. Maybe, just maybe, this is where she was meant to be.
