The Archer Princess

Chapter Four. The Protective Twin.

*Cassy's POV*

It was already getting dark by the time Dastan and I arrived at my house. The harsh downpour from eariler had calmed down and was now only a light drizzle which I was happy about. Dastan and I were getting on quite well. I found out that he is a warrior in Lord Dain's personal guard and was second in command of the Dwarf Army in the Iron Hills. It turned out that his father was close friends with my father when my father used to work for Lord Dain many years ago, at least until he met my mother and fell in love.

Dastan was specialised in knife throwing like my brother, Caspian, so I could already tell that they were going to get on well except for the fact that Caspian would get very competitive when he found out and would immediately want to have a knife throwing competition with him. I also found out that Dastan had an older brother called, Hemdell, who was first in command of the Dwarf Army in the Iron Hills. His father's name was Tobiaz Elizar and is an advisor to none other than Lord Dain himself.

The strange thing was that my father had told Caspian and I numerous stories about battles and the people he had met in the past but he had never told Caspian and I anything about what his life was like in the Iron Hills so I had never heard of anyone called Tobiaz Elizar. I knew my father never kept secrets from Caspian and I but I couldn't help but think that he was actually keeping something about his past a secret... I just hoped that whatever it is that it wasn't something bad.

"There it is." I said pointing to the clearing ahead that my home was built on.

"Thank Dürin for that! I was wondering how much longer I'd have to sit on this uncomfortable saddle for, but at least I had a beautiful woman riding with me." Dastan said with a grin as he turned and winked at me causing a light blush to cover my tanned cheeks as I bursted out laughing.

"You flatter me, master dwarf, but I am only sixteen years old." I said as I grinned at the handsome dwarf.

"Oh really? I am nineteen years old." He replied as he continued to steer the horse further into the clearing.

"Only nineteen? And you're already second in command of the Dwarf Army of the Iron Hills? How?" I asked with slightly wide eyes. He must be the youngest dwarf warrior ever.

My family are quite highly thought of by Lord Dain so as soon as I was old enough I asked Dain to join his guard and he said yes. After the way I saw you fighting earlier I would guarantee that Dain would enlist you into his private guard if he saw you fight like you did." Dastan said.

"Really? I've always wanted to travel but I've dreamt of visiting the Iron Hills and fighting for my kin. You really think I'm good enough?" I asked, my heart soaring at the thought of possibly following in my father's footsteps.

"Of course! You did save my life and the way you fought was incredible! Truly incredible!" He said loudly.

I was just about to reply when I heard Caspian's voice. "Where were you Cass?!" He yelled as he ran over to Dastan and I as we were still sat on the horse.

"Its a long story!" I said as my twin came to a stop and immediately pulled me off of the horse and stood in front of me protectively as he raised a dagger threateningly up at Dastan.

I rolled my eyes at my overprotective twin and mouthed 'sorry' to Dastan who looked quite taken aback at the dagger that was pointed at him.

"Who in the name of Dürin are you?! And why are you with my sister?!" Caspian ordered. I could see the mucsles in his back tensing as Dastan dismounted and smiled at him.

"The name is Dastan Elizar, I am a warrior from the Iron Hills. I was sent here by my father, Tobiaz Elizar to give a message to your father, Marcus Mandaria. On my way here I got lost and I was attacked by Orcs but your wonderful sister, Cassandra, saved me and showed me the way." Dastan explained as he sent a quick wink towards me when he called me wonderful.

The wink was a bad idea on Dastan's part because my dear brother took it completetly the wrong way and lunged at the unsuspecting dwarf and tackled him to the floor.

"Caspian!" I screamed as my eyes widened as I watched the two dwarfs punch and fight each other.

"Stop it! Both of you, stop!" I yelled but I was ignored as they continued to fight and I was surprised to see that they were quite evenly matched, neither was beating the other.

I growled to myself and grabbed the back of Caspian's shirt and dragged him backwards and away from Dastan. "Stop being so overprotective, you idiot!" I told my crazy twin before I turned to Dastan who was just standing up. I grabbed the front of his tunic and pulled him so that we were stood nose to nose and I sent him a firm glare, "No one touches my brother... understand?" I told Dastan before I smiled and straightened his collar and shirt. "Sorry about him, he's crazy." I added causing him to laugh.

"I'm not crazy." Caspian mumbled.

"Say sorry, both of you." I said as I folded my arms across my chest. i seriously felt like a mother telling her two children off at the moment but I had to admit that it was funny, at least it was funny to me.

"I'm sorry for fighting you, Caspian." Dastan said as he held his hand out for my brother to shake but Caspian stared at it stubbornly... at least until I punched him in the ribs as motivation.

Caspian coughed to cover up the painfilled groan from my punch and shook Dastan's hand firmly and said, "I'm sorry for attacking you, it was wrong of me to do so," Caspian stepped forwards threateningly and added, "But I'm warning you to stay away from my sister, or else."

I rolled my eyes but I couldn't help but smile at the them. Caspian may be way too overprotective but I do love him. After all he was my twin brother, my other half and I couldn't imagine what my life would be like if he wasn't in it.