Armor

Again

Isabella wiped her brow. "Hartha is a little ahead no?"

Aiden nodded, his sharp hazel eyes surveying the area as they rode. The sun was setting for the day and exhaustion invaded his body. He nodded, "Should not be very far. You tired?" He looked at her and noticed her slumped posture and tired eyes.

Isabella hurriedly looked away, "No, not at all, you?"

"No, no I am fine milady." They smiled tiredly at one another and continued to ride for a while longer. Isabella could no longer suppress her yawns. She noticed the dark path ahead of them covered by the foliage and sighed. Trotting along on Storm, she asked Aiden conversationally,

"So..." She glanced around, "you tired yet?"

Aiden smiled at her antics, "No milady, you?"

"No I am fine. Not in the least bit tired."

"Really? Because if I remember correctly, you seemed awfully tired with your yawning and all. Perhaps this journey is a little bit too trying for you.." He trailed off.

"Yawning? Me? You must be mistaken. although, I believe I saw you nodding off a little while back..." Aiden smiled guiltily and shrugged causing Isabella to stifle a laugh.

They were riding for a while longer into the thick of the forest when Aiden called out to the men to stop. "We camp here." He got off of his horse and the men followed suit. He noticed Isabella, still atop of her horse, sending her men hand signals and watched as they all saluted and went about setting camp up.

He sauntered over to her, "Couldn't you have just told them what you wanted?"

Isabella smirked and shrugged. "Old habits die hard. 'Tis a Gardian thing."

Aiden shook his head and raised his arms intending to help her down. Isabella shook her head, "I can climb down myself Aiden."

"Bella just let me help you."

Isabella looked confused, "Why?"

"Maybe for the sole purpose of making sure you don't fall, you are tired." Aiden said. And maybe I would like to hold you if only for one second. He shook the thought away just as Bella hooked her leg over and slid down close to his person. Aiden's mind screamed for him to step back, but something else was driving him.

He wrapped his arms around her waist from behind, hugging her close and just breathing her in. Isabella gasped and blushed whilst relaxing in his arms. "This is hardly appropriate Aiden." she whispered.

"What? Me helping you down from your horse?" He whispered against the back of her neck.

Isabella shivered, "You know what I am referring to..." She attempted to step away, from his body or her emotions, she no longer knew.

Aiden smiled, "Did you just shiver?" He tightened his arms briefly before releasing her. Isabella didn't know whether to be relieved or disappointed by the lack of his body heat. She cleared her throat, turned, met his eyes, nodded, and jogged to her men giving orders, the sound of Aiden's laughter rang out from behind her.

The knights having seen the exchange between them smirked as they continued setting the camp up.

******

"We have to pick up some supplies here." Aiden nodded at the knight as they neared the gates of Hartha.

Inside the gates, Aiden noticed the busy activity and was slightly confused.

"Is it true!?" Isabella walking alongside Aiden through the crowds turned toward the voice.

"Yes!" They saw a man in the middle of the crowd scream. "The monarchy of Gardia were killed and the people of Gardia are free! Continue to spread the news!"