I was in my room, happily gathering up the things that meant the most to me. I did not have much, just a few trinkets and gifts from Mary and a few things my parents had left me. I wrapped it all up into the blanket from Mary and set it neatly in the corner of the room. I lay on the floor with my head on the folded-up blanket, waiting patiently for John to fetch me. I was anxious to leave this palace that I had been cooped up in most of my life. I imagined different scenarios where I did not have to watch my every move or where I was not lonely. I fell asleep with those fantasies playing in my head.
The door opening woke me up and I jumped up, half-asleep. "Let us go, my pretty lady. It is time." was all John said as he opened the door wide enough for me to pass through. I giddily grabbed my blanket and slid through the crack. I looked up at him with pure happiness in my eyes and for a second, he did not move or look away as though he was in a trance. "We must move quickly, follow me." He said urgently, snapping out of his trance and hurrying down the corridor. "Tread lightly.' He snapped at me in a whisper. I walked more gently than before, heeding his warning. We made it to the front door of the palace and slipped out unseen. There was a carriage waiting for us in front of the gates, we just had to get there without being seen. It was dark so it did not seem like too big of a task. "Keep ahold of me, I do not want to lose you in this darkness," John said quickly as he grabbed my arm and yanked me alongside him. "My legs are not as long as yours, you know." I quipped as I struggled to keep up. Making it to the gates, John furiously opened them and we ran to the carriage, the horses happily neighing at us. "Get inside, I will steer it," he ordered. I obeyed and hopped inside, setting my folded blanket down next to me and finally breathing for the first time since leaving my room. The carriage started moving slowly down the path, picking up speed slowly. "It will take about a day to get back to my home. Relax until then, there are snacks stored under the seats. If you are hungry, help yourself." John informed me through the little window at the front of the carriage. I was too nervous to consume any food. I just laid my head down on my blanket and watched the stars pass by out the carriage window.
I must have fallen asleep, opening my eyes in the unfamiliar carriage. I freaked out a little bit before I remembered where I was going. John was still up front, holding the reigns and humming to himself. Sitting up, I sneezed when the sunlight hit my eyes. "Are you awake now, sleepy princess? You sleep like the dead," John joked. I laughed sarcastically at him and stretched my body. It had to be about mid-morning so I had slept for a long while. I realized that John had to be tired if he was up all night and day. "Is it hard to steer?" I asked him. "Not really, the horses have traveled this path a lot so they know the way," he called back. "I am sure that you are tired so I can try to steer. Would you like to come back here and sleep?" I asked him, concern lacing my voice. He turned and looked through the little window, "You would do that for me?" he questioned, puzzled. I smiled at him warmly. "Yes, I care about you sleeping and being healthy. You have saved me from being abused and now from being executed. I owe you my life." He pulled the horse's reins and the carriage stopped. He mounted the reigns on the side of his seat, stood up, and then came into the inside of the carriage. He sat down next to me and put his hand on the side of my face gently, guiding my eyes to his. "You do not owe me a thing. Nobody has ever protected you from the harsh life you were forced to endure. I was supposed to be there for you growing up, when we were kids, I promised you I would protect you for all my life. So, I have come to do exactly that. Even if you did owe me anything, I would only ask that you pay it back by spending forever with me." I stared at him with wide eyes, not sure what to say to that. I did not remember my childhood with my parents so I did not remember him or his promise. He leaned in and pressed his lips quickly against mine. Then he pulled me into a tight hug. "Yes, I would like to get some sleep. To get the horses to stop, just pull the reign up. To get them to turn, pull them in the direction you want to turn. To get them to go faster, flip the reigns like a whip. They are particularly good at listening usually." He said as he laid his head on my folded blanket and started dozing off.
I stepped up to the front of the carriage and took hold of the reigns. The horses noticed the reigns being held up and started moving slowly forward. I whipped the reigns hard to get them to move faster and scared them on accident. They took off jerkily and I yelled as I tried to keep hold of the reigns. John laughed from his makeshift bed. "Easy, Clara. Horses are gentle beings." He chuckled some more then was silent. I rolled my eyes and pulled back on the reigns a little, slowing the horses down. I was excited to see the world around me as it passed by. I had never been this far away from the palace and it was exhilarating. I was seeing plants and trees I had never seen before. Lots of new colorful flowers and animals. I never wanted to go back inside the carriage.
A few hours later, I heard John rustling through stuff in the carriage. He popped up to the window behind me, startling me. "Hungry?" He asked through a bite of an apple. "No thank you. I am still too nervous to eat." I admitted. He nodded in understanding and opened the side door, flinging himself up into the air and nimbly into the front. "Such an agile man." I teased. "Oh, you haven't seen agile yet, you just wait." He teased back, winking at me. I turned scarlet and he bellowed a laugh. "You are so innocent. It is cute." he complimented me. I just looked down at the reigns in my hands, not knowing how to reply. He rubbed my back and leaned into me, putting his head on my shoulder. We sat like that for a long while just enjoying each other's company and warmth.
Another few hours later, John and I had been passing the time telling little facts about ourselves to one another. I had learned John's favorite food was mutton. He had learned mine was any kind of dessert. We had learned each other's favorite colors, favorite music, favorite everything. John was currently recounting a few childhood stories that I had no recollection of. He was saying he used to chase me around with bugs but I never seemed that scared. "I reckon you were just entertaining me." He snickered. "Probably, I have never had an issue with bugs. I always put them outside when I see them." I told him. He raised his eyebrows. "They are bugs." He stated simply. I shrugged, "So? They are still living creatures who have homes and families." I retorted. He stared at me like I was crazy. "Bugs do not have families." He countered. "How do you know?" I implored. He was thoughtful for a moment, then looked resigned. "You are right this time. Do not tell anyone I admitted to that." He said crankily. I laughed and kissed the tip of his nose, surprising him. He pulled me closer to him and nuzzled my neck. I could spend every second of my time with him and never get tired of it, I realized. The horses slowed as we started to pass through a town. "Clara, get in the back. You must not be seen; we will not make these poor people liable for our crime." He said passionately. He took the reins from my hands and stopped the carriage, giving me time to get inside. My stomach growled loudly as I reached under the seat for whatever food was stashed under it. My hand came across another apple and I pulled it out, chomping down on it hard and groaning at how good it tasted. "Do not make noises like that back there," John said, peering in the window again. I laughed at him, "You are a dirty man. I commented as I glared at him. I continued to enjoy my apple with no worry in the world.
We traveled well into the night, stopping right as dawn approached in front of a giant castle-like palace. "Home sweet home," John said as he stood up and stretched. "You are safe now, my pretty lady." He opened the door for me and I stepped out, looking around in awe. "This place is huge," I said, astonished. He grabbed my hand and led me to the front door, opening it. We stepped into a huge foyer and an older replica of the man beside me stood waiting for our arrival. "Hi, father!" John exclaimed as he pulled the old man into a hug, both laughing happily. When they were done, his father smiled warmly at me. "I see you have made it back safely with your precious cargo." John nodded and beckoned me closer. I awkwardly took a few steps closer. "Ah, you look so much like your mother. She would have been so proud of you. You were their pride and joy." He said, pulling me into a tight hug. Tears welled in my eyes at the mention of my parents. I had tried my entire life to remember their appearances and the way their voices sounded. I could only ever remember feelings, like how my mother's hugs were the best ones on all of the earth. Also, how my father raised me upon his shoulders, making me giggle until I cried. Those memories flooded my brain as he hugged me. He pulled back and looked me squarely in the face. "My name is Elijah. We are so glad you are here with us. After learning of your horrid treatment, I have arranged for you to have the most comfortable room we have. You also have a bathroom attached for privacy. The kitchen is yours to access whenever you would like. You do not have to depend on the cooks to make you food either, you are welcome to any food you would like." I stood there in shock. "You mean I will have my own bed? An actual bed? " I asked excitedly. Elijah and John shared a look of pure anger, "Yes, you have your own bed. You will have everything here. You are our family now and will be treated as such." He said fervently. I hopped up and down with enthusiasm. Overwhelmed with the kindness I was receiving, "Thank you," was all I could say. Suddenly a guard ran into the room, breathing shallowly like he had run a great distance. "They know the girl is gone. The king and queen have called an emergency royal meeting." He said frantically. "Thank you, Alfred, you may tell them that we will not be attending. The only business I have with them is through trading channels, which I will be closing soon enough." Elijah said with authority. The guard saluted Elijah and ran off to deliver his message. John put my folded blanket into my arms and led me up a spiral staircase, "Are you ready to see your new room?"