·✧•· 𝑭𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑭𝒐𝒓 · 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑪𝒓𝒐𝒘𝒏 𝑻𝒉𝒊𝒆𝒇 ·✧•·

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Climbing down the mountain at remarkable speed, the girl's lungs began to scorch as she tried to match the mumrik's impossible pace. She nearly stumbles over her heels as they finally reach the village's border. Snufkin urges Esmeralda to conceal her face as he hauls her through the dense crowd. Guilt and concern infect him as he feels her stride slowly stagger behind his.

"Come on! If we make it back to my camp in time, we may still have time to─"

A dark figure emerges from the crowd, knocking the outlaw off his feet as he crashes into its towering build.

The Princess nearly trips over the criminal as he tumbles to the ground. She stumbles but quickly catches herself.

She veers around, reaching out to the fallen felon.

She swiftly draws her hand back into her cloak as a brutish knight prowls in her direction.

The beast dismisses the maiden, brushing past her, he continues to stalk toward the mumrik.

Dazed, Snufkin slowly sits up. He hisses as he rubs the fresh scuff under his chin.

He peers up at the shadow looming over him. His eyes widened as his split vision eventually fuses. He had little to no time to react as he was harshly plucked off the ground by his collar.

"Hey!" Esmeralda roars at the knight who struggled to keep the thief from squirming in his clutches.

"Thought you could slip right under our noses another time did ya? Well, I've got you know, Robin Ho─'' The knight's victory was briefly cut short as a stick bounces off the back of his head.

He didn't flinch as the echo of its impact rattled around his helmet. He looks down at his attacker. He is slightly amused to see a tiny, feisty-looking woman stomping toward him.

The guard's powerful build easily towers over her fragile figure. He searched for a hint of hesitance within her, only to face the inferno blazing within her lethal glare.

"You let him go this instant! Or I swear I WILL─"

The knight raises his hand in front of the royal's face, shoving her venomous hiss back into her scowl.

"You don't want any part of this lassie. This boy is a wanted criminal."

The felon's jaw clenches as he is yanked around like a rag doll in the hands of a devilish child.

"A dangerous enemy of the crown!" The guard bellows, his victorious chuckles ripple through the town square.

The men's quarreling captures the village's attention.

Esmeralda looks over her shoulder, growing nervous as waves of town folk flocked to witness the dramatic scene forehand.

The knight rips off the thief's veil, exposing his bitter grimace. A chorus of gossip and gasps tore through the festival. All gawked at the murmik.

The Princess's heart sinks into her stomach as the knight twists Snufkin's arms behind his back. Fear and fury rage within her as she catches him stiffen and winces in discomfort.

Another guard joins the enforcer in containing the slippery fugitive. As they dragged him further and further away from her reach, she trails behind them in relentless pursuit.

She halts her chase as they suddenly cease their march.

Peeking over the creature's towering statures, the royal catches sight of a high-class-looking woman standing before them.

She looked around the same age as Moominmamma. She had cream-colored fur, brown markings around her eyes and nose, and dark-blue eyes. She wore a lavish red dress and a jewel-adorned bonnet. Her straight, ginger hair curtained the sides of her furious scowl. She scoffs at the criminal displayed before her, the corners of her frown curl ever so slightly in satisfaction.