The Future Queen and King of Dauntless

Chapter 45

Tobias POV

It has been ten hours since Tris was taken. The sun set an hour ago. Eric and I have watched, waiting for the right time to enter the unknown camp before us. We have witnessed someone leave the tent but the shadow in the middle has remained moving very little if any. Each tent in the camp has begun to turn off their lanterns giving the campsite an eerie glow. I was thankful that Eric always packs extra food when he patrols, we were able to eat a small ration of food about five hours ago. I know I am starving, pretty sure Eric is but I hope Tris isn't. The odds are that she is. We have taken turns resting while the other keeps a watchful eye on everything. I am watching right now as Eric rests. I decide I can't wait any longer, I just need to know if Tris is here or if we have to keep looking. I lightly kick Eric in the leg to wake him. He mumbles something under his breath and rolls the other direction. I roll my eyes as I squat down to shake him awake.

"Eric, come one man it's time."

Eric slowly starts to sit up and he stretches out his arms and legs.

"What time is it?"

"Somewhere between seven and eight. Most of the camp is dark now except the tent that we are interested in and the camp fire. There are two guards in front of the tent and I can't tell if there are any behind, too dark."

Eric nods.

"So we go in through the back. If it is too dark for us to see them then that must mean it's too dark for them to see us. Plus, we are in all black that has to help out some. I'll lead you take the rear, if things go south I expect you to take care of yourself. You need to be king, we can't let these traitors win."

I leave a good three feet between us, as we make our way down the hill through the tree line towards the back of the tent. I keep praying that Tris is in there alive and unharmed. Luck is on our side as there are no guards in the back of the tent, but there is also no entrance either. Eric pulls out a long sharp blade and quickly, but quietly tears a seam of the tent from top to bottom big enough for us to enter, I guess this tent has a back entrance now. He pockets the blade when finished and holds up two fingers, his hand moves from my direction to the tent. His fingers in front of his mouth willing me to be as silent as a mouse. I nod in understanding as he grabs a side of the now torn tent opening it just enough for me to enter.

I slip in unnoticed and pull the opposite side of the tent flap for Eric to enter. He looks behind him once last time before walking into the tent.

Tris POV

I am alive. I smile at the thought. My smile falters slightly when I hear the sound of fabric being torn apart. It is behind me. I close my eyes as fast as I can and pretend to still be asleep. I hear a single set of footsteps, than nothing, than a second set of feet start to move. They are moving towards me. My heart rate picks up when I feel the cold metal of a knife on my forearm. This is it they are here to kill me I open my eyes, about to scream. Instead I release more silent tears. The difference is that these tears are happy ones.

Tobias POV

Once Eric and I are both in the tent I allow myself to look around. There is nothing in the tent other than a lantern and a small blonde figure attached to the support poll in the middle of the tent. I take a large gulp of air willing myself to continue, it must be Tris, but then again the blonde looks dead. I feel my heart begin to hurt, I shake my head trying to clear it. I look at Eric and nod towards the figure. We silently creep towards it, my breathing becoming harder to control. I just want to scream her name out. Eric gets to her first and takes out his knife again and brings it to her cuffed arms. He works on freeing her while I go to the front of this person that I now know is my Tris. I see her blink her eyes open and I am flooded with relief. She looks at me as if questioning if I am real. Tears start falling down her face, a smile on her cracked yet still inviting lips. I kiss her on the forehead and hold her by her shoulders helping to support her. I have not allowed myself to take my eyes away from hers, though I know I should be checking her body for wounds. I fear if I break eye contact with her she will disappear so I remain staring into her tear soak eyes.

Eric finally frees her arms and Tris falls forward no longer being able to support herself upright, I automatically wrap my arms around her into a hug, she doesn't seem to be able to return the gesture, her arms are most likely to stiff. I place one arm under her legs and the other behind her shoulders and lift her up. Eric is a head of us, gun back in his hand and at the ready. He opens the flap we made in the rear of the tent and sticks his head out, when he deems the area safe enough he motions for me to leave the tent with Tris in my arms. I take one more look at her and notice she has fallen asleep, too much excitement for her. I don't blame her. The three of us make our way back to our horses, luckily the three of us made it back without having to deal with any of the kidnappers. Once we made it back to the main road I allow myself to relax a bit, I see Eric do the same though not much. If we were attacked he is the only one able actually fight at the moment.

I see our horses in the distance, when I reach Ember she nuzzles mine and Tris' shoulder. She missed me and was probably worried in her own way. I hand Eric Tris so I can mount Ember, he hands her back to me as gently as he can. I wrap my arms protectively around her limp body caging her in, Eric mounts his horse and we speed off back to Dauntless. We make it back faster than I thought possible. Guards are waiting at the front for us I assume. Eric dismounts first and I hand him Tris. I jump off Ember the guards take the two horses back to the stables and given strict orders to feed, water and wash the horses before leaving them. Eric and I take Tris to the infirmary to clean her wounds, I don't know when I notice it but at some point I realized the back of her legs were bloody.

I lay her gently on the bed and pull up a chair, I send Eric off. He has had a long day as well and I am sure he wants to eat and relax. He walks out the door and I take Tris' hand into my own. I kiss each of her knuckles and then her hand. She looks so peaceful when she sleeps, I try to be as gentle as possible I really don't want to wake her. I hear the door open and am surprised to see Eric, Zeke and Hana walk in.

"What are you guys doing here?" I whisper.

Eric walks over to me and hands me a water bottle, two sandwiches and an apple. I look at him with a small smile on my face. "Thank you Eric, but shouldn't you be resting as well?"

"I ate something already, Zeke found me while I was heading back over here with your food. Hana was with him, they were worried about you and Tris, but Zeke has some news as well. I will leave you guys now. I am going to talk to a few guards then head to bed, let me know if you need anything no matter the time alright." I nod.

"Thank you for your help today Eric."

"It's my job sir, but even if it wasn't I still would have that is what friends do for each other."

With that Eric walks out of the room and softly closes the door. I turn towards Zeke and Hana. Hana is leaning over Tris, pushing her hair away from her face. She turns towards a small table beside the bed and pours some water into a bowl, takes a cloth and wets it. She squeezes out the water, I watch the water drip back into the bowl I find it oddly mesmerizing. I watch as Hana, my aunt, the queen of Dauntless wash Tris' feet ridding them of dried blood and dirt. She has a small smile placed on her face, a motherly smile. She cares for Tris as much as Zeke and Eric do. My heart swells a bit at the site. They may not be my actual mom and brother but I am so happy they see me and Tris like they were. I could never repay them for that.

"Hey Four, I have something I need to tell you."

I turn towards Zeke he is leaning against the wall his arms crossed over his chest. I allow myself to really look him over. He is slumped more than normal, his eyes are red, puffy. He has been crying. I try and figure out why, then I remember what else has happened this morning, Shauna.

"Is she..." I don't want to finish that question.

Zeke shakes his head no. I breathe a sigh of relief. I know how much Zeke cares for her. I mindlessly eat one of the sandwiches in about three bites.

"She was stabbed in the middle of her back. The knife cut through part of her spine. She won't be able to walk again. I don't know what I am going to do."

Shauna won't be able to walk again. I allow the words to sink in before speaking a word. I open my mouth but before I can say anything I hear Tris moan. All three of us stop what we were doing. Zeke pushes himself off the wall and walks next to me, Hana stands up straight arms crossed over her chest and I just stare at Tris. The three of us trying to decide what to do next and it all rests on Tris.