Runaway Princess

Chapter 6

I woke up to a silent environment, the only sound the chirping of the birds. The sun was slowly coming up and with it waking up the animals present in the forest. Unlike a few days ago, I didn't wake up in my warm bed, to the usual routine. No, instead, I was on a tree branch because I was surrounded by a bunch of scary soldiers who were ready to kill me or even torture me for all the horrible things my parents had done.

I looked up at the sky and thought about the perilous situation I was in and how drastically my life had changed, in one day. I'm no longer caged in the castle, waiting to be wed off to some rich lord. Now, I'm orphan, on the run, apparently- some kind of criminal and I have lost the only person who ever cared for me.

This did not affect mother nature, as it looked as vivacious as ever. The sun was as dazzling and ever the birds were singing in harmony to a jubilant melody. I tried to listen to their melody, trying to relax and give into their serenity. I closed my eyes and quietly hummed along.

In spite of it, the sun did nothing to warm my cold body. I licked my lips, soothing my cracked lips which were surely be purple by now. I decided to drink some water but was only able to swallow a few gulps. The cooling sensation going down my throat was making me even more feeble.

I thought about my atrocious situation. About how to get away from these soldiers alive. Which was proving more difficult than I initially thought. I had been thinking of a plan for hours now, but each plan seemed to end up either with me being killed or me killing someone, which were both not an option.

While I was thinking about it, I blew in my hands but later felt remorseful about it.

Suddenly, I heard voices shouting. I gazed down to see the soldiers packing up and looking ready to take off. I had to double check that my eyes were not betraying me, that I was not hallucinating. When indeed, they were, I let a small laugh escape me and slightly leaned to my right.

In a second, the soldiers necks snapped towards my direction. It was then that I understood that during my small victorious moment I had shaken a big chunk of ice of a branch. This small commotion had instantly grabbed their attention.

My heart started beating inhumanly fast and I stopped breathing for a moment, afraid they would hear me. Their eyes were curiously searching my way, this made my hands shake and my anxiety shoot up. Their curious eyes assessed the area around but they seemed to almost look past me.

When they stopped looking, I let out a relieved sigh.

Almost instantly, dark brown eyes snapped to mine. My breath hitched. Their eyes pierced my green ones and recognition seemed to hit them, quickly he looked away and acted as nothing had happened. I just kept staring at the soldier. Why did he not report me?

Although remaining a mystery, it was still a miracle. I guess not all rebels were bad like Clarissa portrayed them to be. Still, I remained a bit hesitant that this was all a trap and that they would sneak up on me.

But after what seemed to be like hours after their departure, I decided to head down. I carefully climbed down the tree, scraping my hand and knees in the process. Still, I landed safely on the snow covered floor. I walked around a bit, noticing my shoes were leaving footprints on the snow. I chuckled at the sight.

I looked up at the sky and whispered quietly: "Even if in your death you look out for me"

I started walking the opposite direction of the soldiers, having enough of them for now. I just hoped there weren't any more bases like that.

I was walking for about 10 minutes when I saw a strangely familiar picture on a tree. It showcased the untamed brown curls and green eyes I looked at in the mirror. In horror I looked at the picture of myself. My last hope was that nobody knew how I looked and I could go undercover in a small village nearby, but that hope was painfully crushed. The poster stated that anyone who turned me over to the rebel's headquarters, would receive a price of 50,000 dollar.

Just what I needed. Not only were the rebels searching for me, oh no, that would be too wishful thinking, instead I also have the whole kingdom om my tail.

I couldn't help but tear up. What had I done wrong? I would have give anything to see the kingdom flourishing, how do I make them see that? I hoped I could still reach through to the people. I can only imagine what everyone has gone through.

"Hey miss! This is no place to be unprotected, the rebels are still hanging around!"

Out of instinct I turn around to greet the face of the voice. I come in sight of a boy, his blond hair is covered in snow and his blue eyes look curiously at me.

Quickly I realise my mistake. His eyes seem to be snapping back and forth between the picture and me, connecting the dots. I waste no time and start sprinting off, afraid he will turn me in. I hear his heavy booths slapping the ground as he chases after me. I push my legs even harder, determined to outrun him. Unfortunately, he quickly catches up to me and grabs me by the arm.

We both stop for a moment panting, staring right at each other.

"Princess?" he asks looking down at me, still slightly out of breath.

"No" I say slowly "I'm, uh, Madelaine?"

He looks amused and suddenly grabs my forearm and gently starts dragging me somewhere.

"Hey! Where are you taking me? You know it's really rude to drag a stranger somewhere, right after you accuse them of being someone their not" I look at him accusingly.

He turns to me with a small smile and asks:

"Elizabeth?"

"Yes?"

Shit. Look at his smug little smirk. I feel my cheeks heating up. He just smirks and winks at me.

"Why couldn't my face heat up when I was up a tree trying not to die from the cold" I mutter angrily. Stupid blush. I look up at him, to see him staring at me. He quickly looks away and mutters something.

The imagine of the gun securely placed on my waistband flashed by, but I had no intention on using it. I felt like I was walking around with a useless piece of weight as I was too nice to shoot anybody.

That, and he didn't look like he hated me.

"Okay, you caught me. Now tell me, what's your name?"

"It's Elliot"

"Can I call you Elli?"

"Only if I can call you Bethy"

"Deal"

We shook hands and laughed at our silly nicknames.

This chapter was 1200 words long, finally! My goals has been reached!

Let me know what you thought and if you liked it please vote, it would mean the world to me!

xx-

Maria