The Warrior Son and the King's Daughter // Rainimator AU //

Chapter 8

\\April 25th, 4:43\\
The Frostbourne Kingdom, Overworld.
Rain

The sky was starting to change from dark to early dawn when we made it to the front gates. The gatekeepers had recognized me, but asked about Stella. I told them the fake story, and they easily bought it. They even offered to call for a doctor.
  I walk through the Frostbourne with Stella being less than a foot behind me, and has my hand in a death-grip so hard I could be convinced she was trying to take the thing off. I can presume she's absolutely overwhelmed and horrified at the thought of getting caught, and no wonder why. Maybe I scared her a little too much, after all, not much of the townfolk is out at this hour, just the mass amounts of guards on duty. They see me and ask few questions, and just go back to work.
  By now, we're just about in the entrance to the castle. "We're almost there." I squeeze her hand comfortingly, before releasing slightly.

  "Rain? Is that you?" I heard a voice from behind me, one that wasn't Stella's. I turn to face the voice to see the Warden standing right there. I could feel the blood drain from my face. Of course, because the fates have to have their little laugh at me.

  I turn to face the commander. I stand a little straighter, and my hand grasps Stella's. "Yes Commander." I answer loudly, straightening up, "I was headed to Lord Patrick in order to explain the information I have gathered."

  She shrugs before gesturing to Stella. "And who's this?"

Stella turns to me, her face twisted in a horrified look. I can see a slight white glow from her irises underneath giving a worried look. I squeeze her hand. "It's okay, she's one of my superiors; Commander Hilda. She can help." I try to state in the most reassuring voice I can muster, despite the reality of the situation. She looks a little more fearful when I say Hilda's name.
If Hilda knew who Stella is—with everything that has happened—her joking, half-sarcastic, yet comforting tone and attitude about things will change to a tragic Mother Bear, one who's ready to protect her home and avenge whom she has lost at the hands of Stella's father. But if we can get past her, we can surely make this work.

Stella squeezes my hand back, and takes a careful more into view of Hilda, but still has our hand linked as if we're stuck together with adhesive.
"M—Ms. Hilda." Stella pauses, her voice sounds shaky. "I am Estelle, I am of Saltborne residence. I—I'm a traveling lib—brarian... I was making my way home when—"

"You were attacked by a band of Herobrine's Horde of Zombies? I know the rest." Hilda cuts her off, catching us both off guard. This was when I could see her entire demeanor changed. The dark circles under her eyes, her braids loosely tied together, and shoulders slightly arched. This kind of situation must be picking up again.
She sighs heavily. "That makes it four times this past month." Three others? I knew it was getting bad again, but how come I didn't know about this? No wonder several troops have been stationed in Glacierford, Herobrine's men must be getting restless. "I doubt you brought any legal documentation with you while running for your life, did you Estelle?" Stella shakes her head, as expected. Hilda sighs. "You must be freezing doll, your lips are blue." The Commander points out. "Come on, let's get you inside. Both of you." She states, signaling for someone to take over her post. We walk towards the palace, and I'm still hand-in-hand with the Princess.
"Ser Patrick can find some housing for you here until you can get a way back home; and you, Rain, he's been worried sick since your communication was cut. He'll be glad you came home unharmed."

I raise a brow, "I didn't know my device was cut?" I ask her, genuinely, as we walk. The tapes always did say that our connections between the realms are thin, very thin. Despite our advances in technology, without a suitable power source, the connection could be easily broken.