Adrielle squinted at the sun ascending gradually over the horizon. The kitten was cradled in her arms, lapping up the milk dripping from the waterskin. He was beginning to look healthier, even though he'd only been free for less than twelve hours.
He'd likely make a full recovery soon enough.
More than used to keeping watch all night after years of pissing people off and hoping they don't find her, Adrielle had set to work sharpening all her new weapons, testing their weights and discerning which ones she'd carry on her. So far she'd replaced the knives in her boots, as well as the two hidden on the inside of her belt. A sword was also strapped to her back, the matching dagger sheathed at her right side. She felt safer now with her weapons where they should be.
Now to wake up sleeping beauty.
Zara moved a lot in her sleep, something Adrielle would have to keep an eye on if they needed to be stealthy.
Maybe she'd buy a silence charm?
Adrielle wearily sat before Zara, trying desperately not to startle her. They'd both had quite an eventful day yesterday. Which would have been extra exhausting for someone as…dignified as Zara. However, knowing they needed to get going very soon, Adrielle shook Zara's shoulder.
Zara awoke with a jolt. Her eyes glazed over in worry until she seemingly remembered where she was.
"Mornin'." Zara stretched as she spoke. Her hair was a complete mess, miscellaneous strands sticking up in all directions.
Adrielle sighed, trying to brush out Zara's hair into it's seemingly usual place. "Good morning. We need to get moving within the hour, so please get ready. I'll be back with food." The barrier warbled as Adrielle snuck through without so much as waiting for a reply. She was hoping Zara would be able to function, because they were gambling with every choice and mistake they made.
And delaying would be a big mistake.
Adrielle sighed in relief as she stumbled upon an apple tree. The branches lowered as she neared, bowing and silently asking what she needed as the leaves daintily brushed her outstretched palm. Two ruby red apples soon landed in her hands, unnaturally large and perfectly ripe.
"Thank you." Adrielle bowed gratefully. As she returned she found all her belongings neatly packed, Zara happily tying back her still messy hair. "Is there anything I can get to help with that?"
Zara sighed, pouting as her hair once again sprung back into it's knotted tangles. She'd changed clothing, now in tight cotton pants and a loose woollen jumper, both almost identical shades of beige, with the pants only slightly darker. "If I'm honest, my maid used to care for it. So I don't really know what I'm doing…"
Adrielle rubbed her palms together, muttering a spell. "This should be alright for now." She said as she ran her fingers through Zara's hair cautiously, magic settling the strands into something that would be considered neat and tidy… almost. "I will ask about hair product for you when we're a safe distance away."
"Thank you." Zara twirled a lock of hair before her eyes, irises glittering in disbelief. She really was quite a bit more curious than Adrielle expected. And easily distracted. "So where are we going?"
"You know, Zara, that's a very good question." Adrielle shouldered her bags. It seemed that Zara had the kitten with her, nestled in her bag sleeping atop her clothing.
"So you have no clue?"
"Well… I have a direction." She knew it was smart to head to the border between continents, so they could flee entirely if the need arose. "Just trust me, we'll be fine." Adrielle handed Zara the largest of the apples, immediately walking away.
Zara, as it seemed, had a habit of rambling.
In honesty, Adrielle had never met a person who talked as much as she did.
Adrielle was actually quite worried she'd pass out from lack of breath.
"I just think that maybe the little kitty should have a name, don't you? He deserves that much." Zara now held the cat in her arms, rocking him as one would a child.
"How about you name him?" Adrielle said, trying to keep her senses heightened focused on anyone that could possibly be following them. So far it had been rather quiet, which was both reassuring and terrifying.
"Hmm, how about Ember? I think you suit the name Ember, don't you kitty? I've always wanted a cat, but Father said cats are too cunning for a princess. I don't understand though, because you truly are the cutest, most innocent looking creature. In fact, I doubt you're even able to hurt a fly. Adrielle, how do you feel about cats?" Zara jogged slightly, trying to catch up to Adrielle. Her curls bounced with every step she took, while the v-neck of her jumper began to sink lower down her chest.
"I…don't know. I haven't had a pet before. Oh stand still." Adrielle adjusted Zara's clothing, handing her a sheathed knife. "You don't have to use it, but the belt will keep your jumper in place."
"Oh, I… thank you." She seemed to grow rapidly flustered, securing the knife at the curve of her waist. Ember mewed softly as he snuggled back into her arms the moment she was done.
"You're a bit oblivious at times, aren't you?" Adrielle didn't think before she spoke. It's not exactly uncommon for her, but she realised Zara wasn't yet used to her antics. "Sorry for being blunt. I meant no offence."
A little giggle flowed from Zara's lips. "Oh don't worry, I don't mind. And I have been told that a few times actually, though mostly by my father."
"You're also quite talkative." Adrielle once again didn't think through her words before speaking. Yet she just couldn't help but blurt out whatever was on her mind to Zara. Which was both unexpected and dangerous for her, mainly because it hadn't happened before. Zara was just… different. On other jobs, where Adrielle had spoken to nobility, the princesses were always near-silent. Only speak when spoken to, only say what you're expected to, only express your thoughts to yourself. That's what Adrielle had witnessed kings saying to their young daughters. Zara's stark contrast to all this was refreshing.
Adrielle enjoyed the chatter that splintered her usual solitude.
"I'm sorry, I'll be quiet." Zara immediately turned into just another princess, like countless others. Her expression melded into something bland, sparkling eyes dulling to a cold emptiness that made Adrielle regret everything she'd ever said.
"No no, that's not what I meant!" Adrielle panicked frantically. "I was just curious, is all. Please don't hide yourself from me. Not ever. Truly there is no need, I… I like how talkative and free you are."
"You promise?" Zara met Adrielle's eyes, searching for her answer.
"Yes, I promise." The space between them seethed with awkwardness as Adrielle attempted to appear calm. When, in reality, having the woman who was gaining her affections at a rather alarming rate this close caused her heart to palpitate strangely.
"Alright!" Zara rocked back on her heels, walking off again. "It's just that Father told me a proper woman should be silent, the epitome of elegance and poise. But I figured, and I don't mean this in a bad way, that I didn't have to be a princess with you. That, just maybe, I can be Zara instead?"
Everything fell still for a moment. The breeze swept over Zara's clothes, ruffling yet thankfully staying in place as planned. This was Adrielle's first time travelling with anyone in a long time. And it just had to be Zara… talkative, distracting, beautiful Zara.
Just what had happened in Zara's life, for her to feel the need to ask to be herself?
Adrielle stared at the young princess, for maybe a few moments too long, and tentatively took her left hand.
"I promise, no matter what, that you can be entirely yourself with me." Adrielle kissed the knuckle of Zara's ring finger.
Rouge rose over Zara's cheeks. "W-what was the kiss for?"
Adrielle didn't realise she'd done something strange. "This is merely how Elves seal promises. From hand to heart, our promise is sealed for eternity. Was it strange?"
"No, simply unexpected." Zara bit her lip, body overcome with signs of hesitation. "A-and I promise that you are free to be simply Adrielle with me, not the tall, dark, brooding hero the world knows you as."
Zara took her hand hastily, kissing the same knuckle Adrielle had.
While she couldn't see her own face, Adrielle could safely guess she was beet-red.
A small giggle flowed easily through the air as Zara noticed Adrielle's current state of embarrassment, followed swiftly by a yelp as she immediately tripped over a tree root. She fell flat on her arse with a groan.
And hence it was Adrielle's turn to laugh.
"Oww, who put that there?" Zara glared pointedly at the root. It almost seemed like she believed the tree did it on purpose. With a pout still entirely present over her features, Zara made grabby hands towards Adrielle. "Help me up?"
"You really must watch where you're going, my lady." Adrielle said with an ever-present smirk. Her attitude, however, only served to earn her a light slap on the arm.
"And you really must stop being such a tease." Zara countered.
They continued to banter as they walked, finding an easy rhythm to their budding friendship. It seemed that, no matter how strongly Adrielle had built her walls, Zara was able to climb straight over them without a care in the world.
It was then, when Adrielle was beginning to grow assured in her choice to kidnap the princess, that their quaint peacefulness was shattered.
With a wanted poster for 10,000 gold, and a detailed sketch of her face.
"That's jarring." Adrielle said simply, tearing the poster from where it was nailed to a tree. It was to Bartholomew's kingdom, which she could safely say was infinitely less than ideal. "It seems your father now also knows I've kidnapped you."
Zara scoffed, snatching the paper from Adrielle. "It's not kidnapping if it's consensual. And anyway, we can just disguise you so no one finds us."
Adrielle indicated to both the picture and her face, knowing her disbelief was clear as day. "Zara, I'm pretty sure it doesn't matter what you do. I'll be recognised one way or another."
"Don't be such a downer. And I may not be the best at… many practical things… but I am good at disguises." Zara stood determined, clearly believing strongly in her own abilities. And unfortunately Adrielle could admit that, from what she'd seen thus far, she wasn't exactly lying. "Come on, what other options do we have here?"
She could just give Zara back, apologise and fade back into her simple life while forgetting this had ever happened.
"Fine, what do you suggest?" Adrielle caved.
"Well… I do have an idea." Zara shifted nervously. "Don't take this the wrong way, but I think you could pull off pretending to be a man. And no one would notice it's you that way."
Adrielle had to admit it was a smart idea… but that didn't mean she was happy about it.
"Fine. My safety is in your hands princess." Adrielle didn't miss the way Zara glared at the use of her title, which only served to make Adrielle want to tease her with it more.
Zara started by using her new knife to slice off the majority of Adrielle's hair. Then they searched through Adrielle's magic bag until they located a long black cloak and matching cloth mask to cover the lower half of her face. Which also meant that her markings were infinitely less prominent.
Adrielle studied her face in a nearby stream. "Not bad, actually."
"Excuse me," Zara huffed indignantly, "what do you mean 'actually'?"
"Oh nothing, nothing." Adrielle would really have to find something to amuse her on this journey other than Zara's easy to tease nature. "Well, are you ready to keep going?"
Zara nodded. Sun once again bounced off her dark curls, only enhancing the sunshine that filled her soul. Adrielle could swear on the stars that this woman was more like a painting than an actual living person.
After a tentative moment Zara slipped her hand into Adrielle's, refusing to meet her confused stare. "So I don't fall over another tree root."
"Of course, princess." Adrielle teased as her grip tightened comfortably over Zara's hand.