Hazel's Royal Plight

Chapter 10

I bounced along in the cart hidden listening to Robin sing. I peeked out once to see that we were in town still and it would be a few hours until we reached the forest. I wish he went faster, but I know going faster would only rise suspicious. He did not want to get caught and neither did I.

I decided to try and get some sleep. As long as I had a ride might as well get some rest. The bouncing of the cart on the Cobblestones and Robbins singing, was just soothing enough to lull me to sleep.

"Hazel!" I heard Robin shout. "The forest is 5 feet away. I am going to water the horse at the creek. You can jump off at any time."

I looked up and around at the forest. I knew this place. I did not want to jump off just yet. I decided to stay on until I did not recognize a part of the forest. The village Robin was going to was a nights ride, through the forest. The cart stopped and I felt Robin leave his seat. I was still as I listen to the night sounds. They were soothing and comforting to me. Robin was gone a long time, but soon the cart rolled forward again. I watched out of the back waiting for just the right moment.

The trees grew closer together, and the foulage looked less traveled. I heard the leaves move from the tree tops. Then I remembered my slippers. I took them off and replaced them with one of the men's work shoes Christopher put in my bag. I put the right foot in first and felt soft fur, I touched it with my hand, bear fur! He put bear fur on the inside of the shoes. What a great idea. While I put on the left shoe my foot touched something cold. I put my hand in and pulled out a campus.

'Perfect!' I thought to myself. 'Thank you Christopher' I said in my mind. 'I wondered what is happening at the castle now?' I shook my head and remind myself I got out of a marriage to my father. I then tied up my shoe and looked back to the forest. I would have to take my slippers with me. I did not want to get Robin in any kind of trouble.

Placing the slippers back in my bag I went to the edge of the cart. I dangled my feet over the side and waited for the right rock to jostle the cart. It did not take long. The moment the wheel hit the rock I jumped off, then rolled to the side of the road. I looked up a little bit and noticed the cart rolling forward. Robin did not notice I had left. I then took out my campus and headed East. I was going to Jasper's castle. All month I avoided him as best I could, but they were moments I cough his stare. My heart yearned for him. If only I did not have to travel alone.

Then I rememberhim telling me it's a 3 months journey by carriage. It would take me more than a year to reach him. That is perfect! My father will think I am dead and a beautiful blonde by the time I reach the castle. I picked myself up and set across the road and into the forest. No roads, no people, no village, just me and the wilderness. I was excited.

I walked for an hour before I found a stream. I stopped for a drink and keep on going. Christopher said he packed me a flask of water, but if water was available, I would save his water when I needed it the most.

After I had traveled a while the sun started to come up. I was sore and tired. I decided to find a place to sleep. I walked a little more and found a hollow out tree. It was perfect. I climbed in, took my shoes off, stuffed them in my bag, pulled the fur cloak close around me and fell asleep in an instant.

When I woke the sun had set. I put my shoes back on, had some breakfast and set out. I did this every day. Slept while the sun was up and walked while the sun slept. I kept heading East. Occasionally I would run into animals mostly deer, antelope, skunk, rabbits, elk, and owls. I even saw some baby bears sleeping, thank goodness I did not see a momma bear.

One night I had to stay my tree. It was raining. I took the time to relax and look through the bag Christopher gave me. I had eaten very little of what he had packed. I had eaten 3 apples, 4 pears, one cube of cheese, half a loaf of bread, and 4 ropes of meat. That put me out here for about 5 days maybe more. I needed to keep track of days. I found some small sticks. And started to poke them through my cloak. Each stick would be a day.