Golden Princess

[The_reluctant_wordsmith]

The past few days seemed to have finally caught up with Tatiana and it was apparent her feelings had begun to well up as she thanked him and assured him his parents stay would be one of happiness for their future wedding. He squeezed her hand and drew it up to his lips to kiss it.

“For we should spend some time getting to know one another, I realise I have you at a disadvantage but I assure you I am an open book. I feel however that since you are no normal woman we should engage in some activities more suited to your demeanor. If we are to put on a show we may as well enjoy it. If you feel you would like to join tomorrow in this as yet unknown activity I will be at the door to your quarters by sunrise.”

With these words her stroked her hand then let go, picking up his pauldrons he made his way to his quarters to relieve himself of his armour and bathe. He sat back in the water enjoying the heat on his muscles, thoughtful of past events and the challenges to come. He climbed into his bed and fell asleep.

The next day he arose early and donned his leather armour along with greaves and armguards. He opted to go without his sword but took his dagger then made his way to towards the princess’ room. He knocked and waited patiently for a reply.

 

[Perplexia]

Tatiana nodded as he got up and left her sitting alone in the sitting room. She sat for a couple hours in the solace of the room before making her way to her chambers. Having a hot bath she soaked and closed her eyes letting everything that had been bottled up inside of her free in the privacy of her chambers. She let her grief for her loss shed itself in mournful sorrow until she had no more tears or cries to shed.

Retiring to bed she slept soundly knowing that her intended and his men were here to protect what her and her brother had loved so dearly. Waking in the early hours to a knock at her door. She hurried from her bed and got dressed. "one moment mi lord" she called as her fingers worked on her bodices laces.

Running the brush several times through her locks she pinned it up and placed on her shoes. She wasn't quite sure what the noble prince had in mind. But she was truly in need for an adventure. Pinching her cheeks for color she stopped to check herself in the vanity mirror and made herself to her bedroom door.

Opening it she slipped out and smiled softly giving him a brief curtsy. "So tell me mi lord am i dressed properly for this unknown adventure that you have planned?"

 

[The_reluctant_wordsmith]

"one moment mi lord"

Tu waited patiently as he heard the bustling from the princess’ quarters before she emerged and curtsied smiling. Tuadreck returned her smile, hers was a beautiful glowing smile that did not fail to lighten up his mood. He found himself slightly distracted before her voice snapped him out of his daydream, asking if she was dressed properly. his eyes travelled over her body, she wore a bodice with a cotton shirt underneath, pants and shoes completed the ensemble.

“You’re dressed perfectly, come, Sirain is waiting with the horses.”

He took her arm and led her through the halls and out to the palace courtyard, the still morning mist beginning to stir as the sun began to rise. Sirain waited with the horses and a long bundle in his arms, he bowed as they approached.

“Sir, your highness.” He addressed Tuadreck “Everything is in order sir, I will accompany you and keep watch as usual.”

Tu smiled “Thank you my friend, I doubt it will be necessary but it is always good to have you at my side.”

Tatiana looked at him curiously and Tu smiled “All in good time.”

They mounted and Sirain strapped the bundle onto his saddle, they drew their hoods and made their way through the city. The morning was still as they were waved through the gate and rode onwards on the road toward the forest in the valley dividing the two kingdoms. They wound their way through the trees and bushes until they finally found the clearing where he and Jared used to meet. He held up his hand and they dismounted tying up the horses on a nearby tree trunk. he took some food from the saddlebag and the bundle from Sirain then turned to Tatiana.

“This is a very special place, your brother and I would often meet to discuss our kingdoms woes and tribulations. our families and spar when the mood took us, come, let us honour his memory.”

He began the walk along the path to the clearing, the large pool shimmering in the morning light.

 

[Perplexia]

As Tu responded to her look of curiosity with "all in due time" she wrinkled her nose at him and stuck out her tongue like a playful brat. Chuckling lightly she mounted the horse he had saddled for her and sat astride it like a man. She was glad he didn't give any response to it.

Following him into the forest they stopped, dismounted, and tied the horses. She followed him to the clearing and listened to his sharing of times he had spent with her brother. "Its truly beautiful here" she breathed out as the view over took her. "Thank you for bringing me here. I followed Jared to your last meeting but wasn't able to get close enough to see the view. Your men patrolled well, which kept me at a distance." She smiled as he unpacked their food and laid out a blanket for them to sit upon.

Taking a seat on the blanket she watched as he laid out their breakfast, and took a piece of fruit and place it in her mouth reveling in the wonderful taste that erupted over her tongue.

"That was very good" she exclaimed and then shared "My brother hated that i would venture into the woods on my own. But it was only because i would loose the guards he would set to tail me and keep me from harm." She smiled as she remembered how he would get red in the face as he scolded her.

"I'm glad that he had you to tell his woes to. We shared a great deal of thought about the direction of the kingdom and ideas of how we could undo some of the injustice my father caused to the people. But he always held back to try and protect me." her eyes looked out to the water and then back to Tu.

"I feel like he prepared for the inevitable with my father. Giving you the letter, and having you agree to keep me safe. He was always a planner."

Taking another piece of fruit she bit it and smiled as the juice came out of her mouth and down her chin.

 

[The_reluctant_wordsmith]

He smiled, enjoying the moment as they sat in front of the glimmering pool. He listened as Tatiana told him stories of the many times she had drawn her brothers ire and he laughed, glad that they were both feeling happy once more.

“Indeed princess, your brother had a great strategic mind, I would often learn as much as I could about the way he would always know what was coming and prepare for it. I am glad he was my friend as I would never like to meet him on the battlefield.”

He chuckled then noticed the juice of the fruit running down the corner of her mouth and over her chin. He took his thumb and gently wiped it from her face, the softness of her skin surprised him and he found himself unable to take his eyes off hers. The sound of her voice snapped him out of his daze and he apologized, taking his thumb away and licking the juice off before standing and taking the long cloth bundle Sirain had kept safe for him.

He grinned and took her hand bidding her rise and walking to one side where their food sat.

“Now, as i said last night this may be different than the usual outings offered by your previous suitors, I hope you find the activity to liking.”

He grinned and unrolled the the bundle, two short swords fell into his arms and he threw the cloth to one side before handing one to Tatiana. Taking his he drew it slightly and tested his thumb against the edge showing her they were blunt.

“Training swords your highness, I thought you might like to spar?”

 

[Perplexia]

There was something about the way his rough coarse thumb wiped away the papaya juice from the corner of he mouth that made blush and smile as she looked up at him through her eyelashes.

He was a good man, and it was easy to see why her brother adored him. Had Jared been alive and suggested she marry him she would have easily dismissed the idea out of simple stubbornness.

She rose watching him unravel the wood swords and let out a laugh that almost came in the form of a snort. She quickly picked one up and slapped him playfully on the tush. "On Guard you heathen" she jested unable to keep herself from having a serious face. She danced around playfully until he picked up his sword.

"Are you sure this is a good idea your highness? My brother always remained sour a day or so after sword play with me. He didn't like being beaten by a girl."

She smiled as he flipped the sword in his hand checking its weight and rose it up in the challenging position. He was swift and strong which was a deadly combination in battle. She studied his moves and countered her own to match. Their sword play was more like a well choreographed dance with a cool breeze and the sun reflecting off of her golden hair.