The Princess Wars

Chapter Three

We rode until late noon, then stopped for the sake of the horses and our stomaches... especially mine.  The three of us ate under the protection of the emerald forest trees.  It was such a peaceful day.  Not that I noticed, I was too busy hogging down our prepacked treats.

Will watched me, his olive eyes full of amusement.

"What?" I asked, mouth full.

He laughed, "I guess you don't plan on leaving us any.  Look at poor Liza, you' ve scared her from eating!"

Looking at Elizabeth, I could tell he was right, the girl stared at me with huge orb eyes.  Her expression showed that she wouldn't dare take a thing from the food basket as long as I was near.  It was then I realized, half of our meal had dissapeared and yet, I didn't recall either of them eating a thing.

I took a second to swallow, then sheepishly smile. It has always been a wonder how I could eat so much and contain my slim figure.

Will smiled and shook his head, then reached over to wipe a crumb from my face.  Before letting his arm fall, his hand wavered near my lips.  He looks deep into my eyes as if thinking of something.  I forget how handsome he is at times.  His set jaw, and wavy golden locks matching the sparkling gold flecks in his eyes would fluster any fair maiden.  I could only hope whom ever he chooses as his bride is at least half as decent as he.

"I doubt they will appreciate my eating habits at the palace," I say still smiling.

My words seemed to bring Will out of his thoughts.  His face darkened and he leans back against a tree.

"I'm not sure I like the idea of you running off with some foriegn prince.  He could be a complete oaf for all we know!"

"You never know.  He could be a good person," I said.

"Since when have you been in favor of all this?" he snarled.

"Since I learned that I do not have a choice!  Besides, why are you so against it now?  This morning you were already acting as if I was  royalty," I say irritated.

Why did he care what I was going to do?  He hasn't before.

His sour expression deepend.

"Hmph!"

I sighed.  I could't think of a worse time to be fighting.  I really didn't need him angry at me, not when I was about to go off into unfamiliar territory, not when I needed him most.

"Will," I said softly, touching his arm.  He brushed my hand away and quickly got to his feet.

"We should keep going," he said tonelessly.

"But you and Elizabeth have not yet eaten," I said, turning to the girl.

"She will eat in the carriage, but we have a long journey ahead."  He headed to the front of the carriage.

I was not sure who this boy was, but he certainly was not the Will I knew.  I grabbed the food basket after handing Elizabeth a roll and headed towards the carriage myself.