The bus came to a stop just inside an overgrown forest, so they could switch vehicles without seeming suspicious. The boys climbed off the bus and into the back of a carriage that sat just outside the forest. The front of the carriage was attached to two large hairy figures, which Damian had informed her were horses, something the richer folk used as transportation. She would be driving the cart, dressed a little more formally so she could fit the part.
Damian had found her a cute sundress in an abandoned department store, along with a hairbrush and a large pair of sunglasses so nobody would recognize her. The dress was a pale yellow, making her tanned complexion glow, and with the help of the hairbrush she had French braided half her hair.
"You look gorgeous," Damian said as he walked by, pecking her on the lips. She blushed at his compliment, still trying to get over the fact that he loved her back.
The boys climbed into the back of the carriage and inside thick burlap sacks with small air holes at the bases so they could breathe.
Once Elena had given them each a quick bit of food and tied all the bags shut, she climbed in the front, grabbing the reigns as Damian had instructed her to. Recalling his words, she whipped the ropes and the horses started forwards at her command. Slowly but surely, they traveled down the dirt paths through pasture after pasture, every time the horses wanting to stop and have a snack. She didn't stop, however, knowing that it would only slow their journey, making the 5km/h speed they were going at seem even slower.
About an hour into the final stretch of their journey, Elena could finally see the outline of the castle that sat on the hill, just the way the teachers had described it. The Palace village was built on a hillside, so everyone could look up and admire the beautiful building that sat at the top, no matter what height they were.
The castle itself was huge, larger than any building Elena had ever imagined possible, and was big enough to fit at least half the communities inside of it at first glance. (A/N: Pic in media, if it doesn't work, look up Hohenzollern Castle)
She worked the horses to their full potential as the castle became closer and clearer, butterflies fluttering in her stomach. As excited as she was to finally see the Palace in person, so many things could go wrong.
What if they find out about the boys? Or about Elena and Damian?
They were all putting their lives at stake here, and Elena wasn't sure if she was quite brave enough.
She felt a hand rest on her lower back through a burlap bag.
"You'll be fine, babe, don't worry," Damian's voice whispered, soothing her nerves.
The horses pulled the carriage through a few trees, before the entire village was in view, a thick iron gate the only thing between it.
Two burly female guards stood watch, their glares burning holes through her body. She felt Damian's hand rest on her back again, and she was filled with a sense of confidence. The horses lurched forwards for the last time, and Elena gave a firm tug to their reigns, stopping them in front of the gates.
"Where do you think you're going?" the blonde one asked, crossing her arms over her chest.
"Inside the Palace, what does it look like?" she replied with a sassy air.
"You can't just do that toots, why don't you just go back to where you came from so I can get on with my life," the blonde guard replied.
"You don't recognise me?" Elena asked, raising her eyebrows. Both guards shook their heads.
"And you said you worked for the Queen?" she asked, raising her voice a bit. They both shook their heads again.
"I'm one of the queen's advisors, on behalf of the younger generation," she said, making up an excuse on the spot, "I was just making my way back from the 22nd Camp, listening to the suggestions the other girls had to offer. Now if you'll excuse me, the queen is expecting me."
The guard raised an eyebrow skeptically but opened the gates nonetheless, knowing her status could be at stake.
Elena raised her nose as she had imagined the richer folk do as the horses pulled the carriage forwards. The other guard, a stout woman, peeked into the carriage, but Elena sent her a cold, icy glare, and she immediately snapped her head back into place, gaze fixed on the horizon.
The carriage pulled through the busy marketplace, earning the odd confused glance. In a Camp, everyone knew each other, making someone new an uncommon appearance, even in a Camp as busy as this one.
The horses struggled up the hill, panting once they arrived at the top. The castle doors swung open and a dozen women unloaded the cart. Elena breathed a sigh of relief when they didn't realize the bags were filled with boys. The castle guard stuck an arm out in front of her.
"You can only visit the queen with one object of that size," she said, "The rest will remain in a holding cell."
Elena maneuvered around the other bags, spotting Damian's easily with its bright green paint splotch.
"I'll take that, thank you very much," she said to the guard, yanking her boyfriend out of the guard's arms.
Elena followed a tall skinny woman down a hallway, and into a large room, what appeared to be a throne room. An older woman sat in a large throne, while beside her sat a small girl who looked to be Kaiden's age.
Once she heard the door click behind them, she placed the Damian on the floor, pulling the top of the bag open. He stepped out, stretching out his stiff arms and legs, still sore from the long journey.
Finally able to balance, he glanced up at the two women standing before him in, jaw dropping open in shock.
"Paisley? Mom?"
OOOOOOOH CLIFFHANGER!!!!!!
Hope you've enjoyed it so far!
Word count for the #JustWriteIt competition is 7282 total!
-Kat
