Wayward Princess

The sound of boots on stone filled the halls as guards and attendants ran from one end of the castle to the other, looking for their wayward princess. Dawn was still hours away, but no one was asleep, not even the visiting prince and his retinue. No, after a middle-of-the-night check on their free-spirited princess and finding an empty room, every nook needed to be searched and every cranny checked.

In the open-air corridors bordering the central garden, two guards clanked noisily. “We’ve checked everywhere save the sewers. You don’t think she’d go that far, do you?”

“You’re still new. There’s a very real possibility that she’d use the sewers. Prepare for the order to head down. I’m sure it’ll come soon…” The two guards’ voices faded into the distance until they were just a faint echo.

Crouched on the other side of the low wall, snow melting into her skirt hem and woolen stockings, was the missing princess. She remained still as a rabbit, listening until she could no longer hear the men. Inhaling the frigid air, she vaulted over the wall. She landed near silently on the stones with just a rustle of fabric. Glancing one way and then the other, she bolted in the opposite direction the guards had gone.

Despite being enclosed in snuggly fitted boots, her toes had already started to go numb. She stumbled and caught herself on a suit of armor, but it tipped and crashed to the ground. Nearly jumping out of her skin, she didn’t wait around to meet the footsteps already running towards her.

Desperately fleeing down the hall, the princess scrabbled along the wall until she found what she was looking for. A heavy tapestry depicting a long-forgotten woman, a queen or priestess or princess, running her sword through her foe. This was her favorite tapestry in the entire castle, but she was more interested in what it hid.

As the pounding footsteps grew closer, she crawled into the alcove the tapestry obscured and found it currently occupied.

“Scoot!” she hissed, shoving her knee into a warm mass.

With a grunt, the body against her knee shifted, and she squished into the proffered space. The alcove was tiny, meant more for a single person or two small children. Darkness pressed in on her from all sides. Her breath echoed back to her. She could barely hear her companion’s breath, and she slapped her hands over her mouth and nose in an effort to muffle hers.

A raspy whisper startled a squeak out of her. “Princess Elvina?”

The princess tightened her hands across her face until the corridor when silent once more. Throwing herself from the alcove, she turned back. “Prince Castor?” she hissed back as the younger brother of her intended clambered out and dusted cobwebs from his clothing.

They were the same age and, unfortunately, in the same situation. Two spares that were to be married off for political gain. The date of his wedding had yet to be set, while hers was less than half a day away. She couldn’t help but be envious of him. There was still time for his life’s path to change. She didn’t have that luxury, forced to enact her plan by their unannounced arrival.

“Avoiding being dragged into this mess,” he whispered, eyes darting back and forth over and over again. He was dressed in riding leathers, though, long black hair pulled back and a small satchel across his shoulder. “What are you doing?” he pointedly asked.

“The same as you, I imagine.” They stood there staring at each other silently, the sound of mayhem filtering down from above them. She was the first to break when voices drifted to them. “You need help.” It wasn’t a question.

He didn’t respond as his hand tightened around the strap of his satchel.

But she saw the look in his eyes. That wild, trapped look. They were screaming for escape as much as she was.

Motioning for him to follow, she turned on a heel and ran down the hall, not looking back to see if he followed. She led them through the corridors, dodging desperately searching staff, down into the bowels of the castle until she pushed through a servants’ passage and into the quiet kitchen. There was a fire still crackling in the hearth, but only a single person was there to tend to it.

The woman jumped to her feet with a relieved gasp. “Princess! I was worried you’d been caught. Come! Lily is waiting for you at the tree line. Put this on. It’ll disguise you among the snow.” The woman’s familiar warm hands clasped a white fur-lined cloak around Elvina’s shoulders and shoved a satchel of her own into her hands. She pulled the hood up over Elvina’s white-blonde hair and smiled as she cupped Elvina’s cheeks. Only then did she seem to notice the prince. “Princess-“

Spinning to face him, Elvina said sternly, “Are you coming or staying? This is the only chance you get.”

Castor only seemed to debate for a brief moment before his face settled into determination. He nodded sharply.

Elvina nodded sharply back and then turned to smile at the woman. “Thank you for all your help, Catherine, I’ll always remember you.” She kissed her on both cheeks then spun with a flourish of the white cloak.

They were less careful as they ducked out of the servants’ entrance. The guards rarely paid close attention to this side of the castle, and their panicked search provided a convenient distraction. Castor followed at her side, step for step, as they trudged through the snow.

Just past the tree line, as promised, Lily held the reins of two horses. She reflexively reached for the sword at her side as her eyes skipped from Elvina to Castor. “Princess, are you alright?”

“Yes.” She ran her hand along one of the horse’s withers. “I told you, you can’t come with me. You’ll be hung if you’re ever caught.”

Lily stared back at her, dark eyes imploring. “Please, Princess, let me come with you, if only to protect you. It’s going to be dangerous.”

Elvina shook her head and took the reins from the knight. “No. I’m not going to let you risk your life just so I can feel free. The likelihood of me getting caught is high. I refuse to put you in danger like that. I’ll be fine.” She smirked as she looked over her shoulder at Castor. “The Prince will be with me in any case.” Jerking her head towards the other horse, he followed her direction and swung himself up.

Before Lily could protest further, Elvina climbed onto her own horse. “Thank you for your support and love, Lily. Have a good life.” She spurred the horse forward, leaving Lily standing alone.

For years, Elvina had collected numerous promises, favors, and debts. For the next few years, as they traveled, she called in every single one and made new ones until they were far enough away to feel safe. Castor never did go off on his own after they grew used to each other’s company. Finally, they allowed themselves to settle into safety and their simple lives.