Lost but Loved

Chapter Twenty: Sacrifice

After Lucy had eaten with Jayce, she dressed properly, (in men's clothes of course) and escorted King Henry and his banner holder to the gates back to their army which had set up camp uneasily with no word from their king. Lucy strode out on the valley floor with her back straight, arms behind her back, chin high and a tough look on her face. Her sword was at her hip, quiver on her back with her bow and a secret dagger tucked into her boot. She may trust King Henry, but that didn't mean that she trusted his people.

"My good men, gather 'round." All the wolves and giant cats prowled forward, interest gleaming in their amber or gold eyes. Lucy stood uneasy, and her hand went instinctively to her sword's hilt.

"This is a friend. Treat her with respect."

"I am Commander Lady Lucy of Fallor. I am your answer that you have been searching so desperately for. You may take me back to your kingdom and palace." All ears perked at her words. "On one condition." She glanced at Henry. "I stay for the royal wedding. My friends are getting married, and a dear friend of mine is attending the wedding. I stay for the wedding, and a day after the festivities, we can leave. You've waited five years, a few more days will not hurt you."

 All the eyes turned to Henry. "But your majesty," a lone wolf prowled forward. "We cannot stall any longer. We want to be human again."

"I understand, but we must wait."

"Let's just cut her open now, spill her guts on the ground!" supplied a scrawny wolf that looked half crazed with his eyes wide and ear tips missing.

"Dear friend, that won't work," Lucy told him, as much as everyone else. "Henry has already tried that." She held out her arm and pushed her sleeve up, showing the bandage. Blood had already leaked through slightly. The crazed man-turned-wolf edged forward, sniffing the air.

"The scent! It's like wild flowers in the summer!"

Another one shouted, "The smell of fresh rain!"

Lucy rolled down her sleeve again, thinking maybe she shouldn't have showed them. "I will offer my blood to you, but you must behave. No attacking me."

"How could you stop us? You are but a puny human." A huge cat stepped forward silently, his coat dappled with gray spots. His eyes were watchful and a bright amber. "You could do nothing to hurt us."

He stepped closer to her. In one fluid motion, Lucy reached behind her back, drew her bow and had an arrow nocked. She let it fly through the air and it struck his shoulder. He roared in pain and his eyes blazed angrily. "Who are you?" he hissed angrily as the banner holder nimbly plucked the arrow out of his shoulder.

"I am your answer. Listen all!" Lucy threw up her arms and raised her voice. "I am the Lady Lucy of Fallor, Tamer of Wolves, Thrower of Knives, Giver to the poor. No one messes with me and goes unscathed."

She stepped forward and placed a hand on the big cat's furry cheek. "We could become great friends, if only you do not judge me by my status. You once, were a puny human too. Or have you forgotten?"

"I was not puny!" He roared as he stood on his hind legs. Lucy backed away and Henry stood in front of her.

"Lucy, this is Baron Aaron, one of the fiercest men you will meet."

"Hello, Baron Aaron." She smiled pleasantly at him while there was a deep thunder rolling in his chest. She stepped back, her smile never faltering. "I must go now. My friends await for me."

She turned around, grabbed her arrow from the banner holder. "King Henry, would you like to come?"

"No, I believe I will stay here with my men for a while."