We spend the rest of the evening getting to know each other. We divulge so much personal information to the other but I can sense deep down, we are both purposely hiding the sensitive memories of our families. Those penetrating memories are like perpetual scabs that never heal. Once they are spoken it's as if the old wound holding in all that pain is being torn open wide. It heals with time, but then gets ripped open again with each aching word reminisced.
The following day I am awoken by a scream. What's going on? I shoot up out of my bed and look at Lee whose face is covered with intense worry.
"Get your boots on quick!" Lee shouts. I nod and immediately pull up my new brown shoes Marjory lent me. Lee signals me to halt before I exit the tent. Out of the corner of my eye, I spot her grab a sword. Oh no...will we really be needing a weapon?
"Stay behind me, Jude," Lee warns. I nod again silently.
We step out of the tent into a world of complete chaos. Humans,animals, everyone is running.
A large horse shouts, "The Queen is here!"
Lee grabs my hand tightly and I'm shaking. I've never been in a battle. Hell, I've never been in a fight! What am I going to do?
"TRISTAN!" Lee yells. And the man who rejected me and my story one day prior stops and runs to us.
"What's going on?!" Lee shouts worriedly to Tristan.
"It's Lady Raven...she's here at the camp. She brought a small army. We're trying to hold them off, but there's just too many. We need to evacuate...now." Tristan calmly replies with a slight taste of haste in his voice.
"Tristan, you need to get out of here. I'll do my best to direct everyone towards our haven in Twin Peak. Please take Jude with you. She won't survive out here alone and I promised Hazel I'd keep her safe." When did Lee make that promise?
"Lee, I need to make sure everyone is out before I retreat back."
"No, Tristan. You are our last hope - our King. We need you alive to lead us. We can manage here. Just get out now." What? Tristan is the prince? How did I miss that!
I see Tristan look around and I can now sense his worry and fear. He doesn't want to abandon his people, but Lee is right - he needs to find refuge. He nods to Lee with a small smile and takes my hand rather roughly.
"Come on, Jude. We'll grab a few of the young and old and head out." Tristan speaks ever so confidently.
"Ok," I murmur. I don't know what to say. I'm still in shock that this young man is the prince of Althion - the true heir to the throne.
As I run beside Tristan who is hurriedly grasping a few of the weaker inhabitants of the camp - children and the elderly, we continue to run towards a dense green wood in the southernmost part of the valley. As we run further from the camp, the cries and screams are less audible to my ears. I hope Lee is okay. She was so brave and selfless - to stay behind to help fight and get more out safely. I pray I see her again. I've gotten to know her so well. We share a bond. Maybe because deep down we are both broken - broken and scarred from tender memories of our families - but broken together nonetheless.
Once far enough in the wood and safe under the protection of countless trees, Tristan stops and instructs everyone to rest.
I realize then that Tristan is still holding my hand ever so tightly. He notices once I look at him and releases me swiftly.
"Uh..sorry, Jude." Tristan smiles embarrassed and I can feel heat begin to fill my cheeks. He is actually quite handsome. Strong, moral, young with deep green eyes...Jude, stop. This isn't the time to get all mushy over a prince. A prince who thinks you're a liar. As the moment we shared in the tent with Hazel floods back to mind, my brows furrow and I'm livid.
"Are you alright? Did I hurt you, Jude?" Tristan softly asks with widened eyes.
"Uh no...it's fine." I abruptly mutter. I know I'm being ungrateful and I should be thanking him for saving me, but my sub conscious is taking over and acting like a silly spoiled brat. I shake her off the best I can. As I take a deep breath, my anger slowly subsides.
"Sorry, uh Tristan. I think it's just the adrenaline. Um...thank you," I weakly smile.
"It's okay. I understand. You're safe now." He reassures me with a glowing smile. Damn that smile. I feel weak in the knees - completely cliché I know. His sweet words joined with that perfect toothy grin completely dissipate my once fury-filled sub conscious.
He stands up straight - very regal-like, confidence-oozing and voices, "Everyone - we need to start our way towards Twin Peak. It should only be a day's walk if we keep a steady pace, but do not be afraid to request a rest. I promise you all we will get there safely and I will protect each one of you. You have my word." As I scan the small group, their once worried faces now hold small soft smiles. He's planted a seed of hope in us all and we are all so thankful for it.
As we begin our trek with Tristan in front, I join him by his side. He is silent yet it looks like he's lost in a maze of thoughts. He does not notice me next to him until I clear my throat. He doesn't look at me but I see the corner of his mouth twitch into a small faint smile. I think he appreciates my unexpected company but doesn't say it aloud.
"Why do you think the Queen attacked the camp?" I mutter attempting to fill the void of silence looming in the air.
"Some would probably say to get to me. Others may say it's another attempt for her foolish endeavor to find the so-called savior."
"Yeah...Hazel mentioned that to me. She's been taking people suspected of being uh the Chosen One." Tristan senses my uneasy tone and looks at me apologetically.
"I should say sorry for that. I did not mean to brush you both off in the tent so rashly, but every time that myth gets brought up, I - I just have no more patience for it. Sitting around waiting for some old tale - some fool's wish to come true, is not what is going to save us. It's the people who believe in our cause that will win for us in the end." His well-spoken rant strangely comforts me. He does not believe that I am Althion's savior and that lifts a huge weight off of my shoulders because I do not want to be the Chosen One - I don't want to be responsible for all of these people. I know if I ever was - I'd let them all down.
"Thank you, Tristan," I sigh appreciatively.
"For what?" his brows raise confused.
"Oh, nothing." I smile with a faint warm pinkish glow in my cheeks. He returns my smile with a small laugh. I've never heard him laugh. It's so soft and youthful. Underneath that hard exterior lies a young man who's probably feeling the weight of the world but holds it so lightly and effortlessly on his back. He's putting on a strong hopeful front for his people because - in all honesty - they need it. I need it.
