Music is "Don't Let Me Go" by RAIGN.

Picture is Prince Charles and Princess Diana.

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CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE: Prince and Princess

{July 29, 1981 -- Thirty-Three Years Ago}

The church bells start to ring as the wedding guests pour into the chapel. I link my arm with Galahad's as we blend into the crowd. In front of us, I see Arthur walking beside Alexander. When I glance over my shoulder, I see Merlin walking beside Clem--the future Lancelot.

We find our seats among the guests easily enough. I find it hard to focus on the mission when everywhere I look is something far more regal than I've ever seen. The floors are black and white checkered tile. White columns hold up the entire building. The ceiling above me is grand and intricate, golden paintings covering the dome of the cathedral. Everything is as massive and epic as a royal wedding should be.

Galahad adjusts his glass, turning to look around us. I'm sure he's using the Kingsman tech to locate possible hostiles, but now that I'm here, it's hard to believe that anyone could be so bold. There were four thousand police officers and over two thousand military officers outside the cathedral and along the route of Diana's carriage. That doesn't include every SHIELD agent here, or the few Kingsman.

And me.

Then he turns to me. "You look amazing, I forgot to tell you before we left."

I look down at the outfit I'd brought for the wedding. It's much simpler than I would've liked if I had known I would be attending as a guest instead of a journalist. It's a simple blue 50s style dress paired with sensible shoes and a white hat that would make Peggy Carter proud. The petticoat that gives the skirt of the dress some volume actually hides both my glocks and my bowstaff.

I still blush and smile at Galahad's comment. "It's just a cover," I reply. "Can't be seen in my tactical gear."

Galahad adjusts his tie with a smirk. "You look just as much a princess as Diana."

The music starts to play, the "Trumpet Voluntary" anthem by Jeremiah Clarke, everyone stands. Lady Diana and her father John Spencer, the 8th Earl Spencer, start their slow walk into the room and down the red carpet aisle. Prince Charles is standing at at the altar, under the dome, awaiting his bride.

Diana looks breathtaking. From our aisle seat a few rows from the altar, Galahad and I can see her in her full splendor. A one-of-a-time white gown flows around her, her veil over the face keeps an er of mystery about her. The bouquet she holds falls like a waterfall in front of her. She is followed by a little group of bridesmaids and pages.

She truly is a princess.

Diana approaches the altar, standing just to the left of her Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth II, and the hymn "Christ Has Made His Sure Foundation" starts echoing from the choir and guests around the cathedral. I look up in wonder at the chorus of voices, remembering the lyrics from my childhood in the Catholic church. I always loved that part of mass, the part where everyone would sing their hearts out. I miss it.

The rest of the ceremony goes nearly perfectly. Besides Diana saying "Philip Charles" instead of "Charles Philip," everything goes without a hitch. Another few songs are sung by the choirs, the leader of the House of Commons presents a lesson on love, the Archbishop of Canterbury gives an address, prayers are sung and spoken, blessings are passed to the bride and groom, and the national anthem is sung.  I keep an eye on everything around me, eyeing anyone that looks suspicious. Beside me, Galahad does the same.

When Charles and Diana leave to sign the St. Paul's and the royal registers, the royal family follows closely behind. While the registers are being signed, an opera singer sings with the orchestra.

Galahad whispers softly into his wrist com. "How is it looking back there, Merlin?"

I look slowly over my shoulder, spotting Merlin and Clem seated on the opposite side a few rows back. "All good so far," Merlin says through the channel. "No one has spotted anything suspicious yet. Makes me nervous."

"They'll make their move when fewer people are around," I assure them. "Alexander, SHIELD is with them, right?"

"We have two members in the clergy," Alexander replies in a whisper. "They're covered. For now."

The royal family returns, and the crowd awaits the return of the bride and groom. Moments later, the pair return, greeted by a fanfare of trumpets. They walk arm-in-arm down the red carpet, back to the altar. Diana's veil has been lifted, revealing her kind face. She passes right by me, smiling in our direction. I can't help but smile when she does. The royal family follows behind them, and they head for the door.

"We have people outside, right?" I whisper to Galahad.

He nods. "Alexander has several SHIELD teams outside."

"Then when will HYDRA move? The wedding's nearly over."

"There's a huge crowd outside," Galahad speaks, looking as the royal family passes. "The bride and groom will get into a carriage to make their way back to Buckingham palace..." He trails off, and I see a look of realization cross his face. "The carriage. HYDRA will move in there. No guards, no security beside the driver. It's exactly what they needed."

I grip his hand, looking for a way out. "We need to get out of here."

"I heard you both," Merlin states over the channel. "Clem and I can slip out with Alexander. Arthur will stay here, just in case. We're closer to the back. You two are at the front. It'll be harder."

I turn to Galahad. "Catch me."

The brunet's brows pull together in confusion. "What?"

I don't reply, only stumble in my stance and trip into Galahad's arms. My eyes roll back into my head, and I let myself fall limp. "Oh my lord," Galahad exclaims softly, catching me and holding me up.

The people around us make sounds of concern as the wedding bells ring around us. "Is she all right?" one of the guests asks worriedly.

"She's quite fine, just feinted from the heat, I believe," Galahad replies.

"Make way towards the side of the cathedral," another says. "Let him get her to a hospital."

"Thank you very much." Galahad swoops me up into his arms, carrying me bridal style. I peak an eye open, seeing him move to the side of the room, out of the way of the royal family and clergy. When we're out of earshot of the other guests, he whispers, "That was bloody brilliant, Emma."

I hide my smile and wait for Galahad to get me out of sight. He ducks into an adjacent hallway, setting me down on my feel when we're hidden from the guests. We run for the exit, able to see the Prince and Princess our space next to the cheering crowds. I stand a head above them, trying to spot any potential shooters.

"Do you see anything?" I ask Galahad, who stands a head over me.

He shakes his head, pressing a button on his glasses. He scans the crowd again, using the Kingsman tech to search deeper than what I can see.

He freezes in the direction of the coach driver. I follow his line of sight, seeing Alexander, Clem, and Merlin standing on the other side of the crowd. They're looking around, trying to find the threat, just like we are.

"Emma," Galahad mutters softly. "The coachman, he has a gun on him. It's upgrades with a silencer."

I look at the coachman, not recognizing him from anywhere. When I look closer, I can see the outline of a weapon under his traditional garb. "Is he the one?"

Galahad nods. "Has to be."

"Are we sure? Because all the cameras, all the eyes, are on us. I'd hate to be the one that tackles the royal carriage driver without cause."

"It's not him," Alexander says in my ear. "He's SHIELD. It's not him."

"Then why is that a HYDRA gun?" Galahad inquires. "I've become very accustom to their weapons. That's a weapon only HYDRA carries."

"Looks like HYDRA has a mole," Merlin states. "Galahad, I can--"

"--No, I'll do it." Galahad turns to me, eyes pleading. "Watch my back."

I nod, assuring him. "Always."

Galahad leaves my side, using his fake Scotland Yard badge to slip past the line of security guards and police. He walks past the royal family and coachmen, pulling a pistol from his pocket. He holds it low, out of sight, and walks up tot he coachman as the man mounts the carriage.

"Hands up," he whispers to the man, not showing the gun yet. The only reason I can hear it from my spot in the crowd is because of our com link. "I know who you are. Surrender and I'll spare you."

The coachman looks at Galahad with confusion. "Pardon me?"

Galahad slips the gun from the hiding place, showing it to the coachman. "You're HYDRA. Give up."

Before Galahad can pull the gun, the coachman reaches for his glock and dives into the backseat with Charles and Diana. The crowd yelps, fearing that the man fell. Diana tries to help him up, but the man pulls the gun on her.

Before he can do the unthinkable, I push through the crowd and pull a glock from under my petticoat. the crowd screams at the sight of the gun aimed at Diana.

I do the only thing I can think to do. I aim my weapon at the coachman, steadying my shaking hands, and pull the trigger.

The coachman falls over and out of the coach, not a drop of blood splattering onto the royal couple. A set of guards jumps into action, shielding the Prince and Princess. Another group takes the Queen and Philip, as well as the rest of the royal family, back into St. Paul's, away from any further harm.

Then I hear it, another gunshot from across the street. This one's a sniper, I can tell from how it echoes. It hits one of the guards, knocking him off the human shield protecting the crowned prince and his bride.

Then there's another shot. This one misses, but not my more than an inch. The crowds start to dissipate, running for any cover from the weapon-fire. Clem, the future Lancelot, jumps into action, running at the carriage with full speed. When she rounds it, she looks to the other side of the street where the bullet was fired. She pulls out a weapon, firing back.

Another shot rings out, and the bullet strikes Clem in the chest. She falls backwards, blood pouring from the hole in her chest. Galahad runs to help her, but there's nothing he can do. She's already dead when she hits the ground.

I turn, my eyes following the trail of the bullet. I see the glint of a sniper scope a few hundred meters away, in the window of a building across the street. I lock eyes with Galahad, and we take off running as Alexander and Merlin help get the royal couple to safety.

I hear another shot when we get through the door. We push past the fleeing people, running up the stairs of the building to the third floor where the shooter is. I push open every door we pass on the floor, aiming my weapon at each window.

As I move to the next, Galahad wraps an arm around my waist and pulls me backwards, just in time for a bullet to fire through the wooden door. "Thanks," I mutter.

Galahad pulls me behind him, using his umbrella as a shield. He throws open the door, and we finally see the shooter.

The HYDRA assassin has dark hair, extremely short, almost a buzz-cut. His entire face is covered by a mask, keeping his identity a secret. He's dressed in a black tactical suit, one arm of the suit cut off to reveal a metal appendage.

And even though I've never seen a picture of him, I know this is the infamous Winter Solider. He's the monster that killed Zelma. The one I hunted for almost a decade with no luck. Now I finally gave up on my crusade, and he's standing three feet away from me.

He pulls a handgun from his hip holster and fires multiple rounds at Galahad's umbrella shield. They ricochet away, causing no harm. I lean out to the side, firing back. One of the bullets lands on the metal arm, causing a scratch. The Winter Soldier fires back, and one of his rounds grazes across my cheek. I duck back behind Galahad's shield.

Galahad charges forward, pushing the Winter Soldier towards the open window. The assassin dodges, moving around Galahad so that he's closer to the window. He kicks Galahad's back, throwing him from the building.

"Galahad!" I scream.

Galahad uses the handle of his umbrella to catch himself on the window's ledge before he falls completely. I distract the Winter Soldier with bullets while my companion pulls himself back in. The Winter Soldier turns to me, blocking my fire with his metal arm. He marches over to me, knocking my gun from my hand, grabbing me by my neck, and throwing me into the hallway.

I crash into the wall, cringing at the pain. When I open my eyes and pull myself together, Galahad is still struggling to get inside. He's on the edge, dodging the Winter Soldier's bullets. In a last resort, Galahad jumps from the building, turning as he falls to fire two guns at the same time at the Winter Soldier.

One of them lands a hit as Galahad falls out of sight. He's Kingsman, I know he's okay, but the Winter Soldier is bleeding from his stomach region. I lunge for my gun on the floor, but the Winter Soldier gets to it first, kicking it out of the way and then landing his metal fist on my jaw.

I feel agony in my face, trying to focus on anything except for the ringing in my ears and the pain in my jaw. I pull myself up, opening my eyes. The Winter Soldier is gone. Not in the room, not any other I check. The hallways are also completely vacant.

Galahad runs back up the stairs, helping me stay upright as I cradle my injured jaw. "Are you okay?" he asks, hurriedly. "Where did he go?"

I shake my head, sighing in defeat. "He's gone. He hit me and just...left. He got away." I throw my hand down, tears pricking my eyes. All that searching and the Winter Soldier slipped from my fingers. "Damn it!"

END CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE: Prince and Princess.