A gleam of darkness, a ray of hope

Finding Our Home

My body shivered when my toes hit the cool, solid stones outside the castle doors. We quietly tiptoed around the courtyard, occasionally dodging lingering guards. Our backs had been pressed against the rock of the walls and our eyes peered for any signs of movement. Slowing, tentatively, we had made our way to the massive wooden gates that separated the royals from the rest of the world. Robins bow raised up and fixed itself, aiming at the doors, and he gestured his head for me to open them. They were heavy and it required great force to do so, I suppose it would be easy for someone who was actually feed and didn't look like bones, but I used what muscle I had left to spare and put it to good use as the gates flew open.

My eyes grew wide and awaited the worst to be on the other side. I know if it were just me, seeing as how many dozens of solders we have come in contact with, I would have never made it this far, I guess he was right...It comes in handy to have a Thief on your side. But as we watched, his arrow in hand, we found what was definitely the unexpected.

Not a single gesture in movement, not a hand or whisper in sight. The only thing that awaited us was the luscious green forest that lay ahead.

Our guards, however, were never laid to rest and we continued or slow steps, passing and gently shutting the doors behind us. That was easier then I thought.

We hoped down the hill and I was now becoming aware of the freezing weather soaking into my skin, my guess was the middle of Winter as I watched my breath echo out of my mouth in white clouds.

I took the lead not wanting to look useless, when we stepped inside the forest and wrapped my arms around my torso trying to keep as warm as possible.

After a few miles of walking and not hearing a peep out of either of our mouths, I turned around to cheek if he was still behind me. I found his eyes and said, "Well, it was nice meeting you, and thank you for the help." I held out my hand and felt the icy wind cover the warm skin from where it was recently placed.

He gave me a questionable look but I held my grin. He chuckled at first then realized I wasn't kidding, "Are you serious?" There it was. That delicious accent that I looked forward to. "And where would you be going?"

I lowered my hand and rolled my eyes, "Well I was hoping to go and find somewhere to stay for the night, preferably my castle." I said with a hint of sarcasm.

"That's a stupid idea, you can just come with me to my camp." He said it with ease, like he already planned this out in his head.

My eyes widened. "Excuse me, but I don't think so." First of all, I was barley wearing any clothes and I was not about to walk into a strangers camp surrounded by men. Second, Where would I sleep? I wouldn't feel comfortable in a tent or sleeping in the open when I don't know anyone around me. Staying with him was out of the question, so I continued my walk and turned my back to him. I could here his feet moving behind me.

"Come on, it's only a few miles north of here. And why would you go back to your castle? Wouldn't that be the first place she would look to find you, as I said... that's a stupid idea."

I laughed before ducking under a fig branch and stepping over a mossy brown rock, my feet were already starting to ache and my eyes were getting heavy with exhaustion, but I didn't what to come off weak so I played my strong card and carried on the argument. "Well how would your camp be any better. She knows I escaped with you so wouldn't that be an easier target then my house? And I need clothes. Women's clothes, and I thought you group was only men?"

He softly muttered an 'owe' but that didn't stop him from saying back, "I have women's clothes for you. And my tent is double the size of anyone else's so you can stay with me. My men are noble, they would never take advantage of you. Plus you don't even know where we are, how would you be able to find your way back to you castle? It's also been four years, from want I've seen you probably don't even have a castle anymore. And she wouldn't be able to find us, we move a lot. Trust me, the best place to be is with me." He stopped his heavy foot steps and pleaded, "Please?" This stopped me in my tracks. Why was he pushing so hard, what does it matter to him what happens to me? We met only a few weeks ago, he does know who I am doesn't he? The Evil Queen, someone feared by most if not all in the land, who doesn't hesitate to rip out someone's heart and crush it.... at least used to.

I pivoted around and faced him with a curious brow, "Why would you do something like that for me? I've killed dozens. Most of whom I didn't know. What makes you think I've changed and I wouldn't do the same to you?" He hesitated and looked at the ground searching for his answer until he looked me in the eyes and said with the complete truth,"I know we just met..." he sighed, "And I know you don't know much about me and nor I you, but something is telling me you are no longer that dreadful person. You saw me as a stranger yet you trusted me to lead you to freedom when you didn't have to. And back at the prison, when we made our way out, you put your own happiness behind mine. Even though I didn't let you, I could never see past that."

This shocked me. All my life no one has ever been able to see past the darkness and see inside my heart but one. Was I ready for him to, maybe I didn't want to give up seeing the fear and having control over the people of this land. But he made a good point, no matter how secure I would never be safe behind the stone walls. I decided against my mind and went with my gut for the first time, "Okay, but only until this threat calms down. Then you take me to my castle, and whom ever or what ever thinks it's theirs will surfer when they find out its not." I waited for his reaction and got it when he sucked in a dry breath, then I resumed, "Deal?" Once again I held out my hand and felt his palm touch mine and the soft him of his white long sleeve shirt skim my wrist.

"Deal." We both grinned and headed off on the same dirty path. By now I was okay with the cloth being ripped and no longer held it closed.

~~~

I drew in cold steady air and watched the sun sink below the horizon. We had made it to the camp about an hour before sunset and ate while everyone greeted me with a bright smile. He was right, I felt safe there, surrounded by men that would gladly protect me from danger.

The night began to fall and I sat on a fallen tree with my back to the fire. The place was sat up in a circle formation, all tents pointing towards the middle. Robins of coarse, was the biggest like he said, it would have to be to hold him and Roland. My body was shaking from the cool air and I was deciding on whether or not to go find warmer clothes, but I didn't have to 'cause when I turned, being startled by a snapping twig, I found Robin making his way over to me holding out a pair of them.

"Here." He said with a gentle smile handing them to me. "I brought you some warmer sleep wear, I could see you shaking from thirty feet away." He sat next to me and stared in the same direction, I could feel the heat coming from his body rubbing against my arm. "And there is a pallet in place for you in my tent when your ready."

"Thanks Robin, really, for everything, but I think I can just sleep out here tonight. I wouldn't want to make any more trouble."

"Nonsense. My room is plenty big and Roland is sleeping with little John tonight. C'mon, it would be just like old times but without the cages."

He made a valid point and I obliged by nodding. He smiled at me and placed his hand on my thigh, "Goodnight M'lady." then got up and mad his way back to the tent.

I looked down at my lap and wondered if I was doing the right thing. I just met the guy. Then I wondered why I keep having to make up reasons why not to do something, what's the worst that can happen, He got us out of a prison for God's sake.

I went behind a tree and dressed myself, being sure to check every five seconds if any visitors were coming. My clothes were on and I instantly felt warmer, and I definitely didn't miss my old rags, I could tell the outfit was old, it was consistent of a long night gown and a peach cover.

Once I made my way back I found the place empty of any humans outside, the lights were all blown out except for the crackling yellow fire and a dimly lit lantern hanging outside of the cloth tent.

Me feet carried me over to it and peeked inside. Robin lay sleeping on the blanketed mat next to the one I assume was made for me. A watched him for a moment as his chest kept a steady beat, rise...fall...rise...fall. It was a metaphor for my life, one moment I have all I need, someone to love, and someone to love me, the next I have nothing. I put my lips together and blew out the only light keeping me from seeing nothing, and once again faded into the darkness.

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