The Lost Princess

Chapter 8 || A War Is Coming

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The bright sun beaming into the tent silently brought me from my sleep. I'm still tucked closely to Leathan, and by the soft sounds coming from him, he is still very much asleep. Turning slowly out of his arms, I leave the comfort and warmth to greet the new day and hopefully begin the plan for redemption in the Kingdom.

Looking around, I find a long coat and pull it around my shoulders, sticking my arms through the sleeves. Instantly the woodsy smell of Leathan hits my nose, and I inhale deeply enjoying the relaxing scent. Should I be worried how quickly he has become a part of my life, I shake the thought of not want to think more into it. He is just a leader doing his duty to save the Kingdom, as am I.

Before I exit the tent, I turn back to see Leathan's body shifting to get more comfortable, he sighs. His raven black hair, which makes it easy for him to stand out, has shifted across his forehead, giving him a boyish appearance. His usually hard expressive face is relaxed and at peace. I've never seen such a transformation of someone from day to night. It's as though he has the weight of the world on his broad shoulders. Maybe, I can help, I think, before finally taking my leave.

As I make my way away from the tent, a rather large hairy man with arms the width of my face, and eyes the color of the mahogany furniture my mother fancies so locks on me. His dirty blonde hair seems to get lost with his beard and mustache, creating a mane of sorts. After, a moment the man begins to walk towards me with a smile forming beneath the mound of facial hair. "Princess Arabella, I am Aiden, Leathan's second-in-command. Come, you must be hungry." I nod graciously, and follow his lead to an open bunker, held up by branches and blankets creating a ceiling. Men of all shapes and sizes holler, laugh and converse with it while eating. This must be the mess, Leathan was talking about.

When I enter, the group of perhaps sixty men stop and look at me. The sound is eerie, and I instantly feel as though I shouldn't be here. They must hate me, for the pain and suffering they've endured by the hands of my parents.

"Men, may I introduce, Princess Arabella of Eralibaen!" The men erupt with excitement. I simply smile back and give a light wave. When the excitement dies, Aiden stands in front of me and booms, "As you were, men." The sound resumes to its original volume. "Sorry, about that Princess. A lot of us have been searching for you all our lives. You are safe with us," he assures me, leading me to a table filled with giant pots and pans. Behind the table a rough looking man with a dark expression that seems to hold hatred. "Princess, this is Grant, our cook."

"Please to meet, you," I say kindly, nervous to really be conversing with him.

"Sure you are. Here take your grub and leave me be," Grant replies, coldly, pushing the plate at me.

I take the plate and ready my leave, but Aiden speaks up, "That is not our way. You do not speak to our future Queen that way." Grant is stunned by Aiden's fierceness.

"I apologize," Grant says with a nod, handing Aiden his meal, as well.

Too nervous to talk, I nod with a small smile, conveying the acceptance, but Grant turns on me. Aiden takes us to a table on the far side to eat. "May I frank with you," he asks, before taking a bite.

"Please, do," I tell him.

"A war is coming, and I need to know, are you with us or against us?" He asks.

"I am with my people, and what is best for them. If that means a war, then so be it, but I would prefer as little bloodshed as possible," I reply. Aiden gives me a once over, as though analyzing every aspect of my expression, and weighing the truth behind my words.

Soon, he nods, "Good, that is just what I want to hear. Now, Princess, eat up before this meal, gets up and walks away. I'm serious, this meal could get up and leave. It happened to me yesterday," he adds, seriously. My face must have been one of shock, for suddenly a booming laugh comes out of him. "Oh, you should have seen your face," he heaved out in between fits of laughter. I join him amused by the idea of a strong man like him, pulling little pranks.

"What is happening here?" I hear the familiar voice of Leathan behind me. He takes a seat at the end of the table facing the two of us.

Aiden spoke up first, "Just conversating about the health regulation and dietary upkeep of the camp, sir," he jokes, causing me to turn into a giggling mess.

Leathan peers at me with a question clear on his face, but he seems happy. I shake my head at him subtly to say, 'everything is okay.' He seems to accept this, for he turns to Aiden, "You want to talk about dietary and nutrition. Have you seen the stench rolling off of them? We must find a waterhole soon, or the Kingdom will be able to sniff out our location in a matter of minutes."

"Aw, but you speak, truth. Davison, over there nearly killed his tent mate, just by entering," Aiden said, laughing loudly and smacking Leathan on the back.

"Oy," a man, around the same size of Aiden, but with brown hair and a shaven face, calls stepping next to Aiden, "What'd you say?"

"Simply referring to your number one weapon, Davison," Aiden replies smiling like, apparently, the feen he is, and winking at me.

Davison pulls Aiden out of his seat, and onto the floor with a great amount of force. I'm shocked. Leathan just watches as the two wrestle on the ground. "Leathan, aren't you going to do something?"

"Why?" He asks, before meeting my eyes. His are filled with humor, "Arabella, they are playing. See they are both laughing." He points to their faces, now covered with mud, and sure enough, bright smiles were on both of the men's faces. After a few moments, the fight is over with Aiden on top. He swung his right arm over Davison's neck capturing him in a choke hold, but pushing his fist into Davison's head, messing with his hair.

"Come now, we have much to discuss," Leathan, announces to Aiden and Davison. A younger man, appearing beside them. "Your timing is impeccable as always, Aster," he smiles down at the man, who looks only a year or so younger than I.

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Hey, fellow bookworms! I hope you liked the chapter! If you have trouble imagining Aiden, think Chris Hemsworth with loads more hair, haha. Thank you so much for reading, and for giving your support! I honestly can't believe it! Feel free to drop a comment about what you thought, and if you liked it, be sure to vote! I update every Tuesday and Thursday. Also, I now have readers from the Philippines and Germany! 

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