The Lost Princess

Chapter 10 || I Call A Truce, Princess

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"We are almost there, Arabella," Leathan says from behind me. We walk through a sea of trees and fallen branches until we come upon a small opening. I eagerly take those final steps out of the woods. The scene before me is so peaceful. Large rocks rest up against one another, creating a shoreline, while the trees seem to be lightly brushing the water as if checking the temperature. Birds set upon the clear stream. A deer across the river sips from the water. It is nature at its finest and it is beautiful. 

I feel Leathan stop just behind me. "It's so peaceful," I whisper, trying not to disturb my surroundings.

"Yes, it is," he replies, his deep voice right above my ears. Another shiver goes down my spine. Leathan, what are you doing to me?  "Are you ready for that lesson, now?"

I nod, as he walks ahead of me tugging lightly on my hand. He stops just before the water and quickly discards his shirt, and breeches, leaving him in just his undergarments. I have never seen a man so exposed. Just then he turns to face the water, giving me a full view of his back. What should be smooth is plagued with hundreds of overlapping scars, angry lines from his shoulder blades to the dimples on his lower back. "Leathan," I gasp. He was whipped and by the looks of it worse than Dand. "Oh, God, no," I sob. My parents did this to him. "No, no, no."

"Arabella--" he started to calm me, but I wouldn't allow it.

"Tell me. Please, I need to know," I whispered.

He nods solemnly. "My town couldn't pay, similar to Grannis, and it was only my Uncle and me, left to take the debt, so I took it. We were able to pay the following month in full. My town was usually very good about taxes. It was just a hard winter, so--" God, I don't want to hear it. It sounds like he is trying to sugar coat it.  

"Stop. How much?" I asked, knowing the shilling amount would match the lash total because of Dand.

"Seventy-five," He replied. That did it. Tears were free falling down my face. I felt him grab my shoulders, but I could not meet his eyes. I could feel his pain, each lash, each shard of his once perfect back. How many more stories like his and Dand's?

God, if you can hear me please, help me. Help me, help them. All of them. 

"Arabella, listen. Arabella," he called, but I couldn't hear him. "It's not your fault. You didn't do this. It's not your fault." He repeated over and over again, as though it was the only words he could speak. "Arabella, do you hear me? This is not your doing. None of it. Please," he begged. That doesn't sound right. From the day and a half, I have known Leathan one thing is clear; Leathan does not beg for anything. He is a leader, a man of respect and pride. The please, that slipped from between his lips made me worry.

I met his guilt filled blue eyes with confusion. "What could you possibly be feeling guilty about?"

He appeared taken aback by my question. "Not telling you sooner, or warning you in advance. I didn't even think. I certainly, didn't think you would--" he began, but stopped. 

"What? Care?" I finished for him. "Have you not been with me this whole time. Have I not proven myself to you yet? Are you so completely obtuse, Leathan?" I questioned, getting angry with each word. How does he do that? I have never been so conflicted with my feelings as I am with Leathan. One minute crying and the next wanting to smack him across the face. 

"I didn't mean it like that. I just meant it didn't even occur to me how you would take it. I forgot to look at it from your perspective, and for that, I apologize, Princess," he states sincerely but ends with a smirk, so I smack him across the chest. "Shit that hurt!" He exclaims, rubbing his skin.

I can't help but laugh at the strong man in front of me, but then seriousness washes over me. "I promise to fix this," I say, pointing to his back. He knows I'm referring to lashings themselves, not his, for there is nothing I can do about his scars like there is nothing he can do about my cancer.

He nods softly before giving me a heart warming smile, "So swimming."

I smile, once again, not willing to back away from my chance to be in the waters. It was forbidden for me to swim in the waters surrounding the castle, for it meant leaving.

I see those same unfamiliar eyes from last night as he takes the coat off my shoulders, but only for a second, his face goes back to his usual expression. He stands before me. His broad shoulders, and unbelievably defined chest making it hard for me to take my eyes off him.

He clears his throat suddenly and I look away, embarrassed to have been caught. "Uh, when swimming it is best to get comfortable with the water first. Come," he motions me, holding his hand out, which I quickly take. The water is cool and welcoming. "You are simply going to float, okay?"

I nod again, smiling now.

"Remember, I have you," he adds with certainty before helping me to bend back, until I am laying flat on the water. I tense up immediately suddenly becoming scared of the new sensation. My eyes meeting Leathan's with fear. "Relax, Arabella. Close your eyes and breath." I do as he says, his arms slipping under my back, holding me. 

I listen to the music of the forest and feel a smile beginning to form. 

Two hours later, Leathan has done it, I'm a swimmer! I may not be the best, but I can at least do it. "Arabella, where are you?" Leathan calls from in front of me. I slipped under the water when he wasn't looking, and waited, staying still. Worry settled on his face, but it didn't stay long, for as soon as he is turned, I sprang from the water and jump on him.

He screams, but catches me easily on his back. "Are you mad? I thought I lost you," he scolds, but I know he is suppressing a laugh, for his lips are twitching and his eyes hold humor.

I poke him in the chest. "I got you!" I exclaimed giggling.

"Oh yeah," he asks, and I take in the new menacingly look on his face. Oh no. Leaping off his back, I swim to the other end of the river, but I'm no match for him, and he catches me by the waist easily. I take in a mouth full of water quickly. "Got you!" He replies back, laughing, but I squirt the water at his face.

I can't help the giggles that come out of my mouth at his surprised expression.

"Well, played," he says calmly before bringing me high in his arms and releasing me. I drop instantly into the water. I can't believe he dropped me! I thought coming up out of the water only to hear his deep laughter filling the air. "I call a truce, Princess," he says, using that annoying nickname, a gleam in his eyes. 

"Not a chance," I call before splashing him with water, and a fight emerges both of us laughing loudly, but after a few moments, I grow tired. The water around us settles. Leathan is staring at me and I at him. Only our heads are peeking out of the river. His rave black hair wet allowing it to touch his shoulders. He has beads of water running down his face. His blue eyes are dancing with happiness, and ever so slightly his lips rise.

"You are a wonderful swimmer," he says.

"You are a wonderful teacher," I reply.

That's when the coughing fit starts again. I want to cry. I want to scream. I want to punch something, for ruining this moment. I must keep my distance from him, or we could both be hurt by the end of this.

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