The Unlikely Queens

1

I am lost.

I have become completely disoriented even though I've spent my entire life in these woods. I decided to take a walk after my lunch, something I do quite often.

I must have taken a wrong turn or gotten confused but how could that happen? I can navigate this forest with my eyes closed. I know my way home without having to think about it, my feet have known the way since my father showed me when I was a child. Why am I confused today? What did I do different?

I look all around me, anxiously spinning in circles hoping to catch sight of a rock or a tree I remember. I feel my heart pounding in my chest and sweat prickling at my temples. I can hear my labored breathing as my eyes dart from the leaves scattered on the ground to the large tree in front of me. I glance up at the sun and give a small sigh of relief. I left at noon, when the sun was at its highest. I see that it hasn't moved much, so I have not been gone long. I have hours to find my way back home before the sun sets and I am left stumbling in the dark.

I must make a decision and begin moving. Should I keep walking forward or go back the way I just came? Both paths look foreign to me. Why don't I recognize anything? I exhale heavily as I begin to walk forward. I move quickly, hoping that my surroundings will suddenly become familiar to me.

I walk for about five minutes before I hear faint voices. I stop in my tracks immediately and my head swivels erratically, looking for where the sound is coming from. Following the voices comes the sound of leaves crunching underfoot. It's quickly growing louder, closer.

The voices are louder now, more distinguishable. I am almost positive that they are coming from directly ahead of me. I turn and consider running back in that direction. I do not know who could be here, if they are dangerous. I slow my breathing and calm myself down. Getting lost has frightened me more than I thought. I inhale deeply before exhaling. I feel my shoulder drop from their tense position and nod to myself. I am fine. I whip around to continue on my way and come face to face with someone's chest.

I stumble backwards until I trip on a stray branch and fall on my back into the leaves.

"Miss?" A tall man towers over me with a look of concern, "Are you alright?"

I scatter up onto my elbows and look at the stranger clearly. He is by far the biggest man I have ever seen. In terms of height, he is easily over six feet. He is built and muscular in a way I have never seen before. My eyes take in his broad shoulders and travel down to the prominent veins in his strong arms. He takes up so much space that he is nearly blocking the sun from my view. It is with a blush that I realize I am staring at this shirtless stranger, but I cannot look away. He is beautiful. His tan skin has the appearance of silk and his black hair is braided down his back. I have never seen a man like him before.

"Miss?" He says again, his accent peculiar. "Are you hurt?"

I simply shake my head and he offers his hand. I take it and he quickly pulls me up to standing. He is so strong I almost fall once again.

"What is your name?" He asks me, my hand remaining in his.

I open my mouth to answer him when the sound of hooves beating against the earth erupts from behind the man. He turns expectantly as three men on horseback approach us, looking similar to the mysterious man in front of me.

"Your Majesty," The one in the front of the group says, encouraging his horse to proceed slowly forward. He glances at me suspiciously from the corner of his eye.

I snatch my hand away immediately, frozen in place. I know who this man is. I cannot breath.

He looks at me, again with concern. "Miss?"