"This'll do," sighed Yvonne as she lifted the saddle from gray horse. He was watching the river beyond eagerly. With a grunt he trotted off the river's edge. Even now tears dared to be let go as Yvonne prepared for the night. She had spent nearly the entire day riding and her legs were sore and raw it seemed. She would not marry him though no matter the cost. Yvonne removed her boots and dress, leaving on her undergarments. Relieved, she dipped her toes into the cold water. Her white undergarment could suitably enough be called a dress, if you were a fairy or gypsy.
She had always promised herself that she would marry for love. With the war becoming ever so near to their own borders, her mother had insisted that she settle down. The fact that her father would be home in a months time gave her mother just the right edge to demand her daughter marry. Of all people a duke! Yvonne huffed at the thought, it was all about breeding, money, and being in the know. Even if she did not admit it, she had always known that her mother had regretted her marriage. Every time Lord Albert passed by her mother would smile knowingly. A look of regret would pass through her eyes as she'd blink back the memories.
The dress was much lighter, she had always hated the dreadful things no matter how beautiful they made her look. She had to admit that the green one her mother had given her for her sixteenth birthday had fit her perfectly. It rolled with her every curve as if in a dance. She could not believe that she was soon to be nineteen. A young girl of her age usually would not go riding through the woods alone. Yvonne was not that kind of girl though, and Marry had said that this was the safest part of the forest. It was rare that dangerous animals traveled there or people. Travelers in that part of the country were kind enough and wouldn't hesitate to lend a helping hand.
"Blue," she called laughing as she watched him suddenly take off at a trot. He ran around the small clearing along the riverside as he tossed his head excited. She could not imagine having that much energy, considering that he had run the entire day in their so called 'get away.'
A yawn escaped her lips as she stood to fetch her blanket. After unpacking, she unrolled the cloth and laid it upon the grass near a tree. She hadn't thought about a fire, but it was summer after all. Yvonne had to admit that she hadn't thought about these things, but it was too late now. Running was the only word that had plagued her mind at the moment. Blinking, she lay down on the bed roll and kept a knife close in case of danger. The wind picked up causing a nice breeze to cover her body. Blue was not too far away, and for his footsteps ended near the waters edge to her left. She could hear him eating as he grazed on the dew grown grass.
Something wasn't right, she could feel it in her bones as she felt her mind slip away. All the arguing, the running, the crying had worn her out. Footsteps caused her eyes to fly open but it was too late. Above her a figure hovered as she threw her hand underneath to her knife. In a flash she pulled it out ready to lunge it at the stranger.
"Stop!" cried the man as he caught her by the wrist. She was breathing hard now as sweat poured from her forehead. She had wanted to avoid marriage, but had she merely traded herself in for being raped by a stranger. It was practically the same thing, when you think about it.
"Please, leave me alone!" she cried desperately as she tried to pull her wrist away.
"I'm not going to hurt you. Relax," he said in a calmer tone. Yvonne's heart was racing in her chest as she sat up a bit and tried to pull away.
"Then let me go!" she demanded as she tried to gather her scattered thoughts.
"Will you hurt me?" he asked as he look her straight in the eye.
"I can't make any promises. But I won't hurt you as long as you leave me alone."
"I all ready told you that I won't hurt you...I just wanted to know if I could be of any assistance," he said with a smile. It was hard to seeing him in the dim light as the stars increased. They began their nightly dance causing the world to darken. His face was almost impossible to read, but she could make out the outline of his eyes in the moonlight. The moon's reflection off of the river caused a glow to fall across the edge where she sat shaking.
"No. I don't need anyone's help. Thanks but I'll be all right," she said nervously as he let her wrist go. He began to stand and she did as well. She stood, knife pointed his way as her eyes narrowed and adjusted to the moonlight. "I"m just passing through, I don't need any trouble...Please," she said as she suddenly realized that she was wearing her underclothing. Never before had a man seen her with her hair down, let alone in her undergarments. She was breathing hard now and glad for the covering of darkness. He laughed softly in the darkness, causing her heart to flutter.
"Maybe I can help...It'll be cold tonight. You'll freeze without a fire," he said as he pulled off his own coat and tossed it too her in the darkness. She caught it out of pure reflex, and a scent floated toward her nostrils. God, he smelled wonderful. She couldn't put her finger on it, but there was something about that smell that was comforting.
"Thanks, but I don't want to burden anyone," she mumbled feeling embarrassed for her thoughts. He stepped closer and she suddenly realized that she had dropped her knife.
"You're not...You're a runaway aren't you?" he asked as he laughed.
"Maybe, maybe not. My mother always told me not to speak to strangers," she added feeling brave as she lifted her chin higher. Chuckling, she watched as he walked across the clearing and picked up a few branches. She stood in shock as she watched him carry perfectly cut logs next to her.
"How did you?" she asked as he suddenly snapped his fingers causing a fire come to the pile.
With a smile he stood from the fire and sat down at the waters edge. With a grunt he pulled off his boots and rolled up his pant legs. With a sigh of relief he placed them into the water.
"My horse was stolen a village back, and I had to walk," he said as scrunched his face from the pain. He was silent for a minute it seemed as he listened to Yvonne as she pulled on the coat.
"You may join me if you like...I'm all ears," he said as leaned back onto his the palms of his hands and sighed.
"Why are you being so kind to me?" asked Yvonne as she sat down and dipped her toes into the clear water. The sound of crickets and a lone duck filled the wood. Somewhere far off a wolf howled causing her to shiver, but the stranger merely laughed. He watched as she wrapped her arms around herself. She was trying not to cry, and he could see it in her eyes.
