In The Arms Of The Beasts

Within These Walls

A few minutes later

Instead of heading straight inside for my safety like I was advised, I helped the people off the wagons and into the main hall where a warm meal and blankets were waiting, we had more than enough room for everyone but our scouts had spotted more hunters and humans on the roads towards the kingdom

"Babe, I swear if you don't get inside - I will carry you!" The king's temper had only risen since the game of 'I spy' Kiri and I had played on the way back which had gone on for a little while longer than he had imagined or desired. Let's just say we got creative and desperate at the same time

"The people come first, either lift faster or park the wagons closer" I helped the leader down pointing to the big doors where everyone was headed "my hand can wait" I didn't miss the side eye Bakugo gave me before lifting down a couple kids who followed their parents like little lambs, this must've been scary for them

"Your majesty, the hunters are nearing the edge of the forest" sometimes I wished the soldiers weren't so loyal to their king and would've given me a little more time to aid the stragglers so I'd know for sure they'd be okay. These people meant more to me than I was letting on, most of them were like family or had watched over me as a kid

"Arisu..." I waved him off reluctantly taking all the remaining catfolk with me inside the castle lingering slightly to see if he'd change his mind or if Kiri would help me however at this moment in time, they just so happened to be on the same page. Both wanted me out of sight inside the castle walls where I couldn't disappear without their knowledge

"I know, I know - 'get inside and stay there until safety returns', yea you said before" out of nowhere, Kiri threw down a jingling ball which rolled across the floor and through the castle entrance to where I was meant to follow "you're kidding, shiny balls?! That's just insulting" Bakugo was on his last nerve growling lowly while staring me down

My ears flopped down as a sign of submission, I knew it was to keep me safe but I despised missing out on all the action! It was no fun in the cellars! Sure I could drink all the wine we had but all that would do is make me look like I was a bad future monarch so I'd get kicked off the throne before I even saw it.

I picked up the ball and followed the group down to the barrels and sat against the wall thinking about how far I'd come...but waiting here - it felt like an inevitable death that had found it's way to the tavern and was currently drinking it's sorrows away until the due date came, and it was coming! It was these kind of orders I hated receiving

The ones that protected me and threw them in danger to the point where I could do nothing but sit idly as time passed by. I was no stranger to the sound of conflict, to be honest - I sought comfort in it, the clash of swords, the yelling of battle cries, the warm adrenaline that wouldn't let my body rest...and the way everything moved at once

Village life was never for me which was why part of me agreed with the dryad leader, who knows if I was ready to lay down my blade and receive a crown? Battle ran through my veins, not sitting inside on a throne sorting small debates through verbal agreements. There was no aggression to it, not in the way I needed it! Anyone else would've killed to be in my position

Recently I'd had this urge to travel unlike I'd ever known yet at the same time, the desperate need to stay home and I didn't know which to do! I was restless day, night and any hour that was picked at random - I would always have people to lead in some form, but in order to lead - I'd have to settle down for a change instead of running for a fight

For hours, we awaited our fate whether it was life or death. The elders told stories of how our ancestors hid in caverns to preserve the lives we led today, how they journeyed into the beyond - the kits couldn't of listened any harder if they tried. It was nice not be the centre of attention for once, to have someone else entertain my guests

Somehow I ended up with someone's baby rocking in my arms, the woman next to me suggested wet nursing the infant but I had no idea how to do that so I just moved my arms hoping it wouldn't cry or throw up. This was the worst time to give a child to someone who wasn't a mother since any sound could alert the hunters of our location

After awhile, it reminded me of how my own mother had flushed me down the river - I must've been about this age. The child seemed so pure and innocent, how could she have done such a thing? Was there something wrong with me? I bet I was a biter! That must've been it! I-I wouldn't know what I would've done so I'm back where I started

Silence had fallen and not that I could really tell but the atmosphere told me so had the night outside. I was still holding the kit as the mother slept across the room, she looked exhausted and was clearly in need of rest even if it was in hiding. A few of the older kits were getting hungry but we had no food down here - it must've been very hard to understand

Just as I began to drift off to sleep in the corner, the cellar door banged the stone wall and Kiri peaked down to find almost everyone passed out. My eyes were only open enough to see faint movement, a few of the kids scrabbled up the steps and past his legs in search of something edible "Uh coast is clear I guess?"

A small gasp came from his lips before his hands flew to his mouth in hopes of keeping quiet as he noticed the being I was holding "you weren't-" I shook my head tiredly "oh, good. That would've been hard to explain to Bakugo" he crouched down careful not to wake the child "So how are you?" What he was really asking was whether I was still mad at him

"Trying to sleep here" he got the message not to bother me any further so he turned to the other catfolk slowly waking them and announcing the great hall was still open with hot meals and warmth. The mother noticed I still had her baby and crawled over thanking me quietly and proclaiming how indebted she was to me

Then the dragon dared to come back but he just sat there cross-legged watching as I attempted to sleep in an uncomfortable position until I moved onto him in a hug position but with my legs wrapped around his waist "I'm sorry I used your instincts against you, and that you had to hide away. We just couldn't lose you against- I couldn't-"

Miraculously, he somehow stood up with me like that and carried me up the stairs to where our king awaited and was still flooded with a dangerous temper caused by myself earlier on. This was the only opportunity where the knight shushed the monarch for my sake "it's been a rough few days for everyone, but now we're home...and so is she"

That was the last thing I heard that night...