Shadowing the Queen

“Why did you run?” Tabor asked her for the seventeenth time. They had decided to make camp in the forest, because chasing her had gotten them further. Brynn and Hardy had gone back to get their bags and the fish.

The sun had set a few minutes before, leaving the two with only light from the moon. “What was your plan, Princess?” She avoided his gaze. “Did Hardy say something to you? Because if he did, I guarantee that he won’t ever again.”

Elise sighed, covering her eyes with the palms of her hands, “No. Nothing he did. I just want to be home, and I know none of you want to be here with me.”

Tabor was quiet for a long time. He wasn’t quite staring at her, so much as zoning out on her face; he was thinking. When he had grabbed her and stopped her from running away again, she had accidently elbowed him the nose.

It was still bleeding.

“I’m sorry.” She whispered, tears welling up in her eyes again. Tabor focused in on her, looking confused. “For the nose,” she explained, “I’m sorry I hurt you.”

He grinned, “This? You really think an elbow to the nose hurts?” Elise shrugged. “Not to be overly confident, Princess, but you don’t really have the strength of a thousand men –“

“And you would know this how?” Elise teased.

“Because he’s obviously faced them all!” Declared Hardy as he and Brynn walked up, torches in hand. “You can’t tell by your lovers manly scars of battle?” He had dried blood under his nose.

Tabor turned and glared at him, “Watch your tongue, Amory.”

“Stop calling me that, Tabor.” Hardy growled.

Tabor excused himself and took Hardy aside for a harshly whispered conversation. Elise looked down at her hands.

“I hope you’re proud of yourself, Princess.” Brynn glared at her pointedly, tossing a cooked fish at her. Elise looked up in confusion, “They never fight.” She explained, “And you have caused this…” Brynn shook her head, “This ridiculous quarrel. You cannot just go around and expect men to fall down at your feet. Especially men who you could not have, anyway.”

Elise was speechless, she shook her head. “I do not expect them to do any of this for me. I was running because –“

“I do not care why.” Brynn whisper-yelled, “I simply expect you to stop twisting emotions…. Your majesty.” She added as an afterthought.

Elise nibbled at the fish, but ultimately gave up on filling her hunger and lay down. She watched the three eat the fish in silence as she drifted off to sleep.

She was rocking. Had they taken her on a boat?

Elise opened her eyes to reveal a very close view of a tanned neck. “Tabor?” She whispered tiredly, reaching up to rub her eyes. Not a boat, she realized, he’s carrying me. The sun was high in the cloudless sky. How long had she slept?

“No, Princess.” Hardy replied, “Unfortunately you are stuck with me as your carrier.” He grinned at her. “You slept for a long while. Are you hungry?”

Elise’s stomach tightened at the thought of food. “Oh, gosh, yes.” She said, covering her stomach achingly.

“Would you like me to set you down first?”

“Please do.” And he did. Elise was suddenly very aware that she had a painful kink in her neck that wouldn’t seem to go away; she could hardly turn her head. But she quickly forgot about it when Hardy revealed a small piece of bread.

She grabbed it and began to chomp at it.

“Wow.” Hardy commented.

Elise looked up and wiped her mouth, trying to look as lady-like as she possibly could. She chewed slowly and swallowed before responding, “I was hungry.” He was grinning. “I know, I know it isn’t lady-like, but –“

“I don’t care if it’s lady-like or not.” Hardy interrupted, beginning to walk again. “I like it. If you’re hungry, you eat like you’re hungry. By all means, continue.”

And so Elise ate like she was hungry and walked next to Hardy. For a long while, she didn’t even realize Brynn and Tabor were walking thirty feet in front of them.

Elise finished the bread, and Hardy handed her a canteen which she drank from greedily.

“That is also mine, Princess.” Hardy reminded her, amused.

She grinned and handed it back to him, having drunken nearly half of it. Then, she turned her attention to Tabor, watching him as he walked with Brynn and talked animatedly. He seemed to have gotten over the issue from the night before.

Tabor, as if knowing she was looking, turned and smiled at her. “Princess Elise!” He called, stopping in his tracks. “You’re awake!”

“Am I really?” Elise teased.

“You have impeccable timing, my lady.” He continued.

“Do I?”

“Yes.” Tabor laughed, “We’ve arrived.”