𝘚𝘦𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘵𝘴, 𝘓𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘓𝘪𝘦𝘴

The Capture (part 1)

Clouds were rolling in over the mountains. A cool breeze was blowing from the west and down into the valley, causing the fully leaved trees to sway back a forth threatening to fall.

It was getting late but we wanted to make a camp on the sheltered side of the mountain so we persevered, picking our way over the uneven land until we made it.

As we turned a corner, the wind dropped and it was still. Silent. That was where we slipped off our horses and created a fire to warm our wind burnt faces and hands.

I turned my face up to the sun; surprisingly warm from the coldness we had felt all day. Wymond fell into a patch of grass beside me and handed me some bread.

I took it and there was a longing rumble from my stomach as I bit into it. We would only just have enough food to make it to Oxbourne the next day.

***

As the group ate, the sun began to set behind the side of the mountain. No one wanted to watch it as that would mean revealing yourself to the unforgiving wind. Instead, Wymond took Hilda into his arms as they listened to her sister sing a song their Father had made up when they were young.

The tree can move as if touched by nothing,
The sun can shine as if nothing is cold,
The bird can sing at dawn and fall silent at night,
But the rain will come and damage the roses.

A persons eye can see the beauty,
A persons touch can heal the wound,
A persons love can be shared if granted,
But a persons words may cut deeper than the heart...

***

Kamden watched Lena sing and heard as everything around fell silent to listen to her song. Even the evening voices of the birds were quiet so as not to disturb her.

When she had finished, the notes hung in the air, dissipated by nothing. Finally Hilda spoke:

"Fathers song." She whispered.

Lena nodded.

The girls sat and stared at each other for a moment before their brows furrowed and their lips trembled. Simultaneously, they rose and fell into one another's arms.

Kamden looked at Wymond and he could see what they both knew: the princesses were remembering a time when their Father was just that; a father. Not the monster he revealed himself to be.

***

After we broke apart I looked directly into Lenas eyes.

"Forget about what was." I murmured. "Look at what he is like now and what we are preventing." I cupped her cheek and wiped a tear from beneath her eye. "He is not what he was, he has changed and you know what we need to do..."

I trailed off when I realized she had stopped crying and released her face and I took hold of her hand instead.

"I know." She said more strongly that I was expecting. "He is a bastard and he needs to be stopped."

I gave her a smile and nodded my head. She understood and that was enough to get us through.

I turned back to face Wymond and noticed the fire was burning low.

I looked at his hazel eyes and smiled before gesturing to the fire.

"Shall we get some more wood?" I asked.

He stood and took my hand and lead me away.

***

We avoided the western edge of the mountains so as not to expose ourselves to the wind. The sky was fading into a navy blue showing the signs of late evening. Rounding the grassy path of the mountain, we found ourselves in amongst trees. I went to begin to pick up some dry wood when Wymonds grip on my hand tightened. I stepped around to face him with one eyebrow raised.

"Not just yet." He whispered, barely audible over the wind in the leaves of the tallest trees.

His hands moved to cup my face and he bought his scorching lips down onto mine...

***

Lena looked up to Kamden after Hilda and Wymond disappeared onto the darkness. Their eyes met for a few long moments and as Kamden moved towards her, his gaze did not drop. He stooped down in front of her and she felt an unexpected flutter from within. The ever dying firelight, cast shadows over his features but she could still see the bright blue of his eyes and his hair was radiating the only light there was, creating a halo; he looked like an angel.

His face moved closer to Lenas, in unison to his hand which came around her head and through her hair. All at once, their ruby lips were touching and tingling shots ran through Lenas lips and all over her body. Kamden pushed her to the ground and she felt something she had never felt before - reaching up to his chest, she began to hastily unbutton his shirt. The remaining light of the fire burnt out and they were left in pure darkness.

"Lena." Kamden spoke through a kiss. "Are. You. Sure?"

She moaned a 'yes' into his lips and she felt him take off the rest of his clothes...