𝑹𝒐𝒚𝒂𝒍 𝑯𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒔 (𝑻.𝑵.)

𝑭𝒊𝒇𝒕𝒆𝒆𝒏

Thea found a cloak to wear around town so that she wouldn't be spotted by guards or people who were looking for her. As she entered the armory the bell above the door signaled her arrival. "Welcome to the Irish armory how can I help ya?" She heard the woman ask.

"I'm a friend of Niki's and Ted's and I was wondering if there's anyway you could help me save him?" Thea said pulling off the hood.

"Oh my...you're the princess."

"Unfortunately." Thea sighed.

"Well, I'm minx and I would love to help you save Ted." She smiled opening the small swinging door to allow her in the back.

"Great. I already have a plan I just need your help setting everything up."

"Let's get to it then."

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

"Charlie! Why the hell would you do that?!" Niki asked turning to Charlie after Thea had ran.

"She's gonna endanger you Niki. She doesn't even care for you, the same way she didn't care for Ted." Charlie sighed.

"Do you even know why she ran from home? Or from the guards?"

"Don't need to."

"She ran cause she has an asshole dad! She ran cause she doesn't want to get married to a man she doesn't even know! She ran because she was scared!" Niki yelled.

"How do you even know that's true?"

"She told me last night. She also told me that Ted made her run. Ted told her that he didn't want her to get taken so he made her run. She cares for him because I heard her crying all night. She nearly had a panic attack last night. Charlie you don't know anything about Thea. She has her reasons just like anyone else, so next time listen." Niki said as she grabbed her bag.

"W-where are you going?" Charlie asked.

"Going to find her, hopefully the guards haven't beaten me to it. Go home Charlie."

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

Ted paced the cell, searching for anyway to get out. "Don't bother, it's impossible." Schlatt said.

"I'm not giving up if it kills me." Ted said, determination lacing his tone.

"What's your report?" The two heard through the floor above them.

"We found her." The guard lead with. Ted immediately felt helpless. He couldn't save her from this life she doesn't want.

"Then where is she? Did you already lock her in her room?" 'They locked her away?' Ted thought to himself as he slumped agains the wall.

"No. We lost her in the woods." Ted looked up in confusion.

"Why tell me you found her if you lost her immediately?! My god you guards are all useless. Go!" Ted sighed in relief. Thea was still out there. Thea was still safe.

"Damn, I thought for sure she was screwed." Schlatt chuckled.

"I'm just glad she's okay."

"Just because she got away once doesn't mean she'll be so lucky next time." Ted heard the guard say as he walked into the room.

"Shit." Ted realized he slipped up, they knew that he was lying. Hopefully they won't be too harsh on him.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

"You know how to fight?" Minx asked as she looked through the swords she had.

"Not a clue." Thea said.

"Then we have some training to do." Minx said handing her a sword.

"Wait, why would I need a sword. All I'm doing is luring them into the woods and talking them into-" minx cut her off.

"Do you really think that they gonna be cooperative? You have to at least knock two guards out to convince them to do what you want." She said pulling her into the training room. "Don't ask how I know that."

Hours after hours, the two women continued to fight with the swords. Minx made sure not to harm the very very untrained woman. Thea was tired, she wanted to lay down and give up. But Minx wasn't going to give up on her so she kept pushing. "Can we just...take a...five minute...break?" Thea asked out of breath as she laid on the mat.

"Five minutes, that's it. Then we continue for a few more hours and I'll make some dinner for us." Minx said as she tossed the tired woman a water.

Thea drank about two thirds of the bottle before she continued to catch her breath. She leaned against the wall and closed her eyes, trying to focus on her heart rate. 'You're doing this for Ted. He saved you, now it's your turn to save him!' Thea told herself before she stood up, picking up the sword and moving back into her starting position. "Let's do this Minx!"

"Atta girl!"