The Forest Princess

Peregrin and Tilia

"My name is Peregrin," the woodcutter introduced himself, "and this is Tilia. She is only 6 months old."

"My name is Larimar," said the young huntress. She didn't tell him she was the Princess of Jasper, and he didn't ask where she had come from. He was just glad to have someone who could hold his baby for a moment and calm her down.

Larimar enjoyed being with someone who didn't recognise her. For the first time in her life, she could be herself and talk to another person, simply as human to human.

Peregrin had never seen pictures of the princess. Tilia was too young to care about gowns and hairstyles of princesses, and Larimar enjoyed pretending to be a normal young woman.

The following morning, the princess asked if she could stay a little longer. Peregrin didn't mind. She offered to make lunch and went out to get vegetables from the forest garden. When she came back with a big basket full of vegetables, enough to feed a whole hunting party, and she didn't have a clue how to prepare them, he knew that she had probably never cooked a meal in her life.

Larimar played with the baby all day. Tilia giggled and gurgled when she only looked at her. Peregrin watched them with a heavy heart. He knew this was a precious moment, and it wouldn't last forever.

The woodcutter showed the princess how to prepare potatoes, carrots, and broccoli. They cooked together and talked a lot. Or more precisely, Peregrin talked a lot and Larimar listened most of the time. He had a lot to talk about and not many people to talk to. The princess didn't want to speak about herself, and she wanted to forget about the palace for a while.

After a week Peregrin had to go to the village to get some bread, butter and soap. There he heard the great news. Everyone was talking about it:

Princess of Jasper Missing!

Crown Princess Lost in the Forest!

Royal hunters had been searching for days. They had been looking for her everywhere in the forest. It was as if the woods had left no trace of the young huntress. King Obsidian of Jasper had offered big rewards to anyone who could bring his daughter home safely.