Her Hero

Chapter 13

*Hannah's P.O.V*

I trecked steadily up the mountain in search of some shelter. The cold wind knawing at every part of my body. Though living in the palace wasn't my favorite thing, I sure missed sitting by a fireplace. Now, I was back to the life I was living before I ever met the princess. Well, not really. The house I was living in before was sold, which was going to happen eventually since I hadn't paid my rent in a few months. That didn't matter now. My first priority was finding shelter, then a job. But shelter first, I'd need to survive the night before I could even think about working.
As I got about half way, I found an old abandoned cabin. I let out a shaker sigh of relief. Maybe someone up there really was looking out for me.
I opened the door and found the place completely barren. Not even so much as a log of wood in the fireplace. I sighed as I reached into the satchel I had been carrying and pulled out a blanket. Laying it in front of the fireplace in preparation for the warm fire I was going to have tonight. The trick though, would be to find wood that wasn't soaked from the snow.

"Damn it."
I whispered. I needed to find some dry wood and soon or I was not going to survive the night. My only other option was to chop down a tree and that would take too long.
I decided that I would just make due with what I had and wrap myself in the blanket. The warmth of the fabric and my own body heat should keep me until the snow stopped. Looking back now, going up into the mountains probably wasn't the smartest idea.
As I drifted off, I could only think of Grace. Was she alright? Had Chester hurt her, despite his promise? It hurt to think about, but I couldn't get the thoughts to leave my mind.
Grace is fine. Grace is fine. Grace is fine. I told myself this over and over until I fell asleep. Best lullaby ever.

I awoke the next morning to the sound of birds chirping and a loud scream.

"What the hell?"
I said as I jumped up and went out to investigate.

I headed down the mountain a bit and found a girl hanging off the side of the cliff.

"Hold on!" I shouted.
She wasn't too far down, I could reach her. I was just worried if I had the strength to pull her up. 

"Grab my hand!"
I scream as I stretch out my hand. She hesitates, her eyes wild with fear.

"You have to trust me."
She reluctantly reaches out takes my hand. I yanked as hard as I could, trying to bring the girl to safety. It took every ounce of strength I had,  but I did it. Breathlessly, she clammerd to solid ground.

"Thank you."
She whispered. I nodded.

"No problem."
She was beautiful. Her hair was long and dark. Her eyes soft.

"What are you doing all the way out here?"
I asked as I helped her stand up.

"I kind of got lost and was looking for a way back down the mountain.."

I laughed internally. I couldn't resist.

"Well you certainly found one way."
She giggled and I felt like I couldn't breathe.

"Yeah, that would have taken me down real quick."

I smiled. I liked this chick.

"What's your name?" I asked. She ran a hand through her hair as she responded.

"My name is Ella."

I smiled.

"Nice to meet you Ella. I'm Hannah."

*Mamrie's P.O.V*
Life kind of sucked without Hannah. Grace moped about the palace s I often, it was rare to see her smile. I missed the little dork too. I felt lost without going out and sparring with her everyday. It was a good confidence boost.
One day, as I was coming back from a long ride, I ran into the sad princess. Enough was enough.

"Hey Grace. How's your day going?"
I said as I leaned on her shoulder.

"Not now Mames. I'm not in the mood."

I smirked as I pulled out a bottle of Jack Daniels from my bag.

"Not in the mood for a little pick me up?"

She glanced at the bottle and a ghost of a smile graced her lips.

"Ok. That's better."
She unscrewed the bottle and took a long swig.
I laughed.

"Calm down, princess. Don't get ahead of yourself."

She giggled a bit as she wiped the excess from her lips.

"What do you say we take this up to my room?"

I raised my eyebrow at the suggestion and decided to joke around with the slight dirtiness of the sentence.

"Woah. You're pretty and all, but I'm straight."

She slapped me hard on the arm.

"You know what I mean."
~~~~~~~~~~~
We say and talked for what felt like hours and downed the entire bottle of  Jack.
Once we were both significantly drunk, I decided I would try and dig into what happened that night between Chester, Grace and Hannah. I knew bits and pieces, but there were some things that didn't add up. Like why Grace was so sad? But I wouldn't get into that just yet. Let's start slow. 

"So, have you heard from Hannah yet?"

The smile disappeared from her face at the sounds of her name.

"No. I haven't."

The tone of her voice was cold and stern. Very un-Grace-like.

"What exactly happened there? I mean I know Hannah left, but why?"

The princess sighed and took a long sip of the glass if water that sat beside her.

"Chester made a deal with her to save my life. She was to leave the kingdom and never come back. If she did, I got to live. If she didn't, he would kill us both. She chose to leave."

My brow furrowed.

"You aren't allowed to see her, but can't you write her? Or have her write you?"

She laughed, but I knew it wasn't genuine.

"I don't even have a clue as to where she might have gone. For all I know, she could be lying in the woods somewhere being mawled by wolves."

I placed a sympathetic hand on her shoulder.

"That's not true. Sure Hannah might not be the best fighter, but I taught her enough. She can take care of her self. Cheer up, Princess, your crown is slipping."

She smiled at my cheesy saying and gently nudged me. It only took a whole bottle of scotch, but the princess was finally beginning to smile. If Hannah didn't find a way to contact her soon, the last bit of happiness that Grace had may be gone forever.

A/N: Hey guys!  Sorry for the long update wait, but I had a bit of writer's block. Hope you enjoy the chapter. Love you guys!

~Liz