The Princess and the Knight

Old train tracks were set down as far as she could see. Two steel parallel lines extending into what seems like a never ending sea of grass. The forest was amazing on it's own, it always had been even when the track wasn't abandoned but now as she observed the arching trees above her head she truly began to appreciate nature. Narrow branches twisted in and out of each other covered in tiny leaves, all of them a vivid green, in the middle of summer. Despite the spotted layer building the top of the tunnel sunlight flowed in illuminating every detail around her person. She stopped in the tracks. This is so much to take in. Each line that had grown within the leaves like veins glowed in the light. When the wind blew through the tunnel she could hear every single leaf shudder against the motion.

How could such a beautiful path lead to such destruction? In the past few years her home had been over run by a neighboring kingdom. They could only be described as inhumane. They came in on battle horses taller and stronger than any she had seen in her years as a knight. The men and women of the village were taken as entertainment and children to be trained into the army. The royal family was murdered and many of the knights were captured to be tortured, few had escaped. She was one of the few, with the armor on her back and a bag full of clothes she had been living in the forest. She had no hope of going back, no one was waiting for her, it was everyone for themselves.

Not being able to bring herself to go forward she moved to sit down instead stumbled and fell on her back with her arms and legs spread out like a starfish. She had been on the search for a new home, somewhere to reside and feel safe from the dangers of the outside world. It might seem cowardice but she knew that in order to save what was left of the village she'd have to save herself. She hadn't found anything that could be considered a home, but she had found someone that made her feel as if she had. She heard footsteps approaching as they always did at this time. Speak of the devil, she thought.

"Soldier have you fallen?" A soft and familiar voice asked from above her head. The knight closed her colorless eyes and smiled.

"My princess, you're mistaken. Can't you see?" The knight called to the girl above her head.

"See what my knight in rusty armor?" She called back sitting down next to the warrior's head.

"I've simply fallen for you." The colorless eyed girl stared up at at the silver haired maiden playing with the knights own brown locks.

"You smooth bastard." The princess smiled. The soldier smiled at the royalty before her, admiring the gorgeous contrast between the girl's dark skin and steel colored eyes. The light sprinkle of freckles across her nose and down to her neck was enticing as always. The shining white dress she wore stuck out against the green and brown background. They both stared at each other in silence hoping the other would say something.

"Have you found a place to reside?" Inquired the silver haired girl.

"No I haven't. Not quite yet." She answered. "I have... I have found something close to what you might call a home." Her voice dropped as she finished the sentence.

There has been so much flirting and beating around the bush it was only a matter of time before the warrior decided to become serious on the topic. I need to be direct. This is what I've been waiting for. I can do this.

"What have you found?" The freckled girl's own voice had dropped to match the others.

"I've found you." The knight smiled and the princess frowned. "My princess why-" She began but the steel eyed woman cut her off.