I awake to the burning smell of fire and the gruff deep voices of men. I open my eyes to a sunny scene; I'm surrounded by trees and right in front of me is a burnt out fire with men around it. They all stop what they're doing to stare at me. It is then when yesterday's occurrences come rushing back to me. I jump up and my back wounds sting. I hiss in pain but I don't stop; I jump over the blanket I was lying on and run. I have no idea what those men want but I remember William, or Robin Hood, calling me princess Emaline. He knows. Which means he probably wants something. I hear my fake name and Emaline being called out as I run past people.
Just as I'm about to get out of the little campground someone jumps out in front of me. The impact from the person makes me lose my balance and I fall backwards. Before I hit the ground though, the person steady's me by grabbing my arms.
"Emaline!" I look up at the person and see the boy I met yesterday, Ben. A calmness pours over me as his blue eyes penetrate through mine. "Calm down, you are safe." These are the first words hes ever said to me. I look away from his entrancing eyes and look behind him. Mary and Robin stand holding each other's hands and another man holds a long bow with arrows on his back. They stare wide eyed at me like I'm a wild animal that is contemplating whether to attack or not.
Mary lets go of Robins hands and steps forward, "Uh- Emaline. I believe we owe you an explanation." Mary bites her lip. "See, your father wanted someone to keep an eye on you, you know? Like make sure you don't get whipped too badly or-"
"And if your not too bright," Robin interrupted, "then your thinkin' of who he might have sent." He raised an eyebrow at me clicking his tongue.
"My father told me no such-"
"Princess, princess, princess. He did not tell you for one reason and one reason only. He needs only a few people to know that you exist for your and the kingdoms safety. Including my men, my son, Mary and I." He finished smiling down at me. "Now that your awake we can get you dressed and can be on our way." He turns around without listening for my reply. Not that I was going too. I stand there completely speechless. I mean I knew the part of my safety but I did not know my father put someone else in danger, Mary.
"Why would he-?"
Mary smiled warmly at my speechless state. But turned around leaving me and Ben alone. Ben raises his eyebrows at me.
"Well, you comin'?" Ben asks, when I make no movement, nodding his head towards where his mom went off too. I scrunch my eyebrows together. Why are they all being nice? I avoid eye contact as I shake my head yes. "Follow me then." He leads me to a tent at the very back of the campground. Surprising me when we did not go into Mary's. We walk into the tent, him bending his head a little due to his height.
He walks over to a aged, wooden trunk and pulls out a shirt and pair of pants.
"These are the smallest clothes I have.." He holds them out in one hand while the other holds up the top of the trunk.
"Oh. Um, Thanks." I say grabbing them gently. He nods his head, but makes no effort to move. We stay there staring at each other. "So.. can I?"
"Oh! Yes! Of course! Sorry- uh your majesty."
"Its Emaline." I correct.
"Right. Sorry." he rubs a hand through his dark, long brown hair. He walks out of the tent awkwardly making me smile.
I look at the clothes he handed me and notice that due to my smaller figure, they would be baggy. I pull off my dress sucking in a breath when the fabric touches my back. I tie my uncontrollable hair back so I can inspect my body. I look pale and dirty. I turn to look at my back and I see dry blood and scabs covering it. I sigh looking at it. Surely I can clean myself some where here.
I Put on the britches quickly and delicately throw the big shirt over my head. I let my hair fall over the brownish shirt before I walk out of the tent. Ben is standing awkwardly by the entrance and smiles when he sees me.
"Before we leave, my father is-" Ben gets interrupted by a deep voice.
"Ben! Is this the Prin-"
"Shut up, you buffoon."
"Guys!"
I look behind myself to see three young men walking towards us.
"Hey Ben! And your Majesty." The tallest one says as he bows. He has light blonde hair and warm brown eyes. "Im Gregory, or Greg, as most people would call me." He says bending to kiss my hand.
"I'm Em-" I started, but only to be interrupted by one of the other boys.
"And I'm John Jr. Pleased to meet ya. Some call me JJ" The smaller one out of them all says. He has dark brown hair and brown eyes. I smile at him and move my eyes towards the other boy. The other boy stands tall and confident as he scans his eyes up and down my body. As his gray, yet tinted blue, eyes meet mine, I shiver from how cold they look. His almost black hair seems to be in perfect place on his head
"This is Nicholas, my brother." Ben says, Locking his jaw. Nicholas smirks deviously at Ben.
"What big brother? Scared to let me speak for myself?" Nicholas's stance turns automatically into one of defense.
"No, you just weren't-"
"Guys! Not in front of the m'lady!" Greg yells at them. Both Nicholas and Ben turn their glares too Greg.
I turn away from them suddenly feeling overwhelmed and walk towards the tent I thought Mary went into. She was the only person here I actually knew and I needed answers.
"Mary?" I whisper yell too her tent.
"Yes?" she yells back
"Its Danielle- uh. Emaline." I say flinching at my words. She opens up the tent and smiles warmly at me.
"Come on in, dear," I walk in through the flap too see her packing things away into a trunk.
"What can I do for you?" She asks after she puts away leather boots.
"Why are you packing?" I ask, not having an answer to her question. She smiles warmly although, looking agitated.
"My children and husband seemed to have forgotten to pack." shes rolls her eyes.
"Pack for what?" I ask, not really paying attention as I took in my surroundings. The tent is bigger than most I have seen and it has a big colorful blanket thrown over the foliage of the forest.
"Well for the journey to your home! You don't expect my husband to leave every one here all alone now do ya?" I scrunch my eyebrows at her as she begins packing again.
"I guess not.. but would that mean every one will be going?" She nods her head smiling.
"So I see Benjamin gave you some clothes. Are they comfy enough? I would have given you some of my dresses but I'm many sizes bigger and I thought you may be more comfy in pants."
"No, they are quite alright!" I smile at her. "Um, Mary?"
"Yes dear?" She says, With out looking up from packing.
"How did you do it? How did you live every day without your family just to watch me?" I asked. I was actually curious for the answer because I know what its like. To live without your loved ones and to do it willingly would never even occur to me.
She stops and turns to look at me. She smiles sadly and strides over to where I was standing. "It may have been hard to leave my boys but I went because I knew there was a scared twelve year old girl that just lost her family and who was going to become a servant. I knew that it would be the right thing to do in the long run." she winks at me before pulling me into a tight, warm hug, being sure to avoid my cuts. "And I'm glad I did it. If I never did, I'd have been stuck with men for the rest of my life. Lets just say, that would not be the best lifestyle."
"Thank you Mary. For everything." I say sincerely.
"Anytime honey. As long as you're cooking." She throws her head back laughing at her own joke. "We best be getting out there to tell everyone that I'm done packing before they throw a fit." I look around her frame to see that everything in this tent was placed into two big wooden trunks. I nod and we walk out of the tent both holding one end of the heavy trunks
