Kidnapping The Princess

[Alistair]

Alistair could tell by how she looked she would not be taking this well. would be hard on them both, but for her it was different. She had rules that she had to follow. Some of which he didn't even know but the ones he did did not including being nude under the stars and swimming naked with a man you had only meet a few days ago. He did not like the idea of her hurt, or in trouble.

He would have to keep a close eye on Gwent. If she needed him, he'd come to be here. If not then this was goodbye. Alistair found a few smaller creatures (making sure none of them were bunnies) and made sure to get all the dirty work done before taking the meat part back to camp.

He was going to pretend it did not happen. Last night did not happen.

Not in the cold way of bulling her again but he was not going to talk to her about it until later. Let them put some distance between last night and this morning. Let their minds cool a bit before they brought up things that would get them no where.

Arriving back at camp, he used the same sticks as last night to put meat on to cook. He had to get a few more sticks, as he had more meat this time but shortly they would have some food. He had not looked at her, but now he did. The laces again. As if that was the ice breaker he started laughing. They never won did they? "Come here, Princess."

[Congrats on your next post! WHOOO! 200 posts AND page 16! And goodnight!]

[isadora]

She couldn't help but watch him as he returned to camp, of course he had caught something, and far quicker than she'd managed to catch her single fish. This was why they relied on him for food, and not her. She waited apprehensively as he set the meat out to cook, pushing her long hair behind her ear. At some point last night, one of them had untied it so now it hung freely around her shoulders. She couldn't remember who or when, but she didn't feel the need to tie it up again. She waited until Alistair noticed the state of her dress on his own and laughingly called her over.

She couldn't help but smile when he laughed, the sound easing her worries despite everything, and she walked over to him, kneeling down in front of him with her back to him. It seemed odd, that she still felt shy about having to ask him to lace her in, and yet she still felt self-conscious. Still, she wasn't about to wander around in an open dress, so having him do it was better than the alternative.

Combing her hair over her shoulder with her fingers, she wondered what she should say to him worriedly. She hadn't said anything this morning...but she didn't know what she could possibly say now. She and Alistair appeared to have switched places; now he was the talkative one and she the silent one. She was so confused, though, unsure what to say or do around him. Should she pretend nothing had happened between them? But it had, and she didn't want to pretend it hadn't, and she couldn't just forget. And yet...that was probably easiest for them both.

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[Alistair]

Alistair was still chuckling when she came over to him. The didn't really want to lace her up, for that meant it would be time to go sooner. However he could not let her walk around naked. "Madness." He muttered to him self, while lacing her dress closed. His fingers trailed over her as he did so, knowing this would be the last time he could touch her. Once he was done he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into his chest. "Will you answer something for me?"

With her back to him he sat down, so she was on his lap. He rested his head overs hers and was still surprised at how soft her hair was after days in the woods. While he had a few women in his past none of then had been there long and he never thought back to then. He would think about of soft their skin was or how strong their temper might be, or even how much they smelled like heaven.

He could still see her face, full of worry when she had opened the door in the castle and looked at him. That gave him an idea for how to stall then for a hour but he knew better to do it long. Stalling would only drag out the goodbye. "Why did you run?"

[from cell. Will edit this afternoon]

[isadora]

She couldn't help but smile at his murmured word, it was quickly becoming a favorite of his, and she could understand why; it was an affliction they both seemed to suffer from lately. His touch on her back sent a familiar shiver down her spine, bringing back pleasant memories. She bit her lip, she might be able to rationally recognize that last night had been a mistake, but she couldn't actually bring herself to regret making it. When she was with him, all the reasons that they couldn't be together just didn't make any sense. Yeah, he clouded her judgment.

She leaned back against him willingly when he pulled her up against his chest, feeling comfortable in his lap despite thinking she shouldn't be. His muscles were hard against her back, his hold around her secure but gentle, she felt safe in his arms. She was surprised by how strong he seemed to be, for having been stabbed so recently, he was recovering really quickly. It was probably because of the magic, she told herself, still uncertain about how she felt about that. "What do you want to know?" She wasn't going to promise to answer until she knew what he was asking.

She frowned when he asked about why she'd run...she knew he meant the last time, and not the first two times she'd tried to escape, when her motives were obvious. He wanted to know why she'd kissed him, then still tried to get away. She wondered if she'd be able to distract him from his answer, sighing softly. She supposed she couldn't keep silent forever. "Because...I was afraid. I didn't think you'd kill me, but I couldn't be sure. Or I thought you might not let me go. I can't stay with you, Alistair, even if I might want to." She put her hands over his, hoping he understood that she didn't want to leave him...but she had to.

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[Alistair]

Alistair understood, in a way. She had not trusted him to be able to let her go. He sat there silently, letting the words roll around in his mind before deciding he didn't know what to say. He could understand not wanting to be a prisoner, and had assumed that was what it was. Could still be apart of it.

He laced his fingers with her's when she covered his hands, but still did not reply. It seemed most of the things they should have said, was better left unsaid. With a short amount of time they had, they could not fit a life time into it.

"You'll be at the castle before midnight tonight." He promised her, knowing that even if he stalled them an hour here, and they made them way slowly over the rocky ground that midnight would give them plenty of time. Knowing the food would be done soon, he decided now was as good as any time to began teaching her. "Once you have gotten something to eat, I want to spend some time showing you how to defend your self. So the next idiot who tries to take advantage of you or kidnap you will not be so lucky. We can spare an hour, or so. "

[isadora]

He didn't say anything after she had explained, and she waited for him to have some kind of reaction. She relaxed a little when she felt him intertwine his fingers with hers, she wasn't sure if that meant he understood her somewhat convoluted reasons for running away, but at least he seemed to accept them. She turned her face to nuzzle his chest softly, closing her eyes and sighing contentedly.

She opened her eyes when he promised to have her home by midnight, and she nodded numbly. That should make her happy, right? She was going home. In a way, it did. She wanted to see her father again, make sure he was all right, and while living out in the woods was definitely a...new experience, she wasn't sure that she could do this every day. She'd managed okay so far, but even if she could manage it, she didn't think she could be happy living like this; well, maybe if she were with Alistair, it would be different. But that was ridiculous. He had a war to wage against Uther, and she had a kingdom to run. They couldn't be together.

Then he surprised her by telling her he was going to teach her to fight. She looked up when he said that, surprise turning to a pleased smile. "...Wouldn't that be a little contrary to your goals, Sir Kidnapper?" She teased playfully, finding it slightly hypocritical that he didn't want her to get kidnapped again. At the same time, she liked that he didn't want anyone else to be able to take her.

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[Alistair]

He did not look at her when she looked up at him in a pleased way; but it was easy to see he was amused by her comment. "It was a little to easy this time. I like a challenge." He joked, "Besides, We went for embarrassment this time. Soon we will go for the prize."

Uther Pendragon. If Alistair could get his hands on that bastard he would end it all. He would have the power in his hands to end all the suffering. Not by killing him, oh no. If a druid killed the king there would never be peace. However, he had a plan. One that would both avenge his parents, and bring a turn the war.

He looked down at her finally, he face was not quite joking. "Should you ever get kidnapped again; don't try to run. Do whatever you have to do to keep your self safe. But stay there." His voice grew more serious as he went on. "Word travels quickly when a noble is kidnapped. With in a day the neighboring kingdoms will know. I will come for you." He would not let anyone hurt her.

[isadora]

She grinned at his response, she had made it much too easy for him; she'd do better next time. Not that she was hoping there would be a next time...unless Alistair decided to steal her again, but she knew that was selfish. No, she wouldn't even let him kidnap her again. But her smile faded at his next words, they sounded serious. He wasn't kidding around anymore...and he was going to do something even bigger than kidnapping a princess? She didn't like the sound of that.

Breaking his hold around her, she turned around so she could look at his face, wrapping her arms around his neck. "You're going to do something I won't like, aren't you?" She sighed, then kissed him briefly. "You'd better be careful...if you die, I'll never forgive you." She threatened, she knew she couldn't stop him or control him, and what right did she have to try? He was going to take her home soon, and then she wouldn't even know what he was up to. She wouldn't even know if he died, unless he did something big enough to earn himself a hanging. She kissed him again, holding it a little longer this time.

Isadora listened to his orders in the event she was ever kidnapped again, and his promise to come to her rescue. She smiled, knowing that while he probably meant his words, it was a promise he likely wouldn't be able to keep. But he was sweet for making it. "The last time I was kidnapped, no one even knew I was gone until I escaped." She pointed out...had she told him she was kidnapped before? It was over a year ago now, but it had been much worse than staying with Alistair.

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[Alistair]

When she asked he he was going to do something she would like he did not reply. he had never lied about his end game. She would hear one day of the plot and know it was him. She'd be home by then, and it would be a rumor. But she'd know. It would not be a rumor.

When she kissed him the first time and then longer the second, he put his large hand on the back of her head to encourage her to linger. It was in these moments he wanted to ask her to stay for a day longer at lest. He knew better then to ask however, as it would only mean tomorrow he would want to ask for the same thing.

When she spoke of her kidnapping he shook his head, "No, I sent a letter to the young, and arrogant prince. They knew with in the hour you were mine." He replied, and then grew silent. And still. Slowly his eyes turned from the relaxed manner to narrowed. "This is not your first adventure, is it?" Kidnapping a princess wasn't an original idea, but he did not like the idea of another getting his hands on her. He knew the food was done, but he did not allow her to move from his arms even to lean back. He wanted an answer. He wanted a name.

[isadora]

He thought she was talking about him taking her? She felt his hold around her stiffen, could almost feel his silence boring into her as her words sunk in, and he realized that she had been kidnapped before. She wanted to laugh at his reaction, did he realize how ridiculous it was for him to be angry? Apparently not, as she looked into his narrowed eyes. What was he going to do, go after the perpetrator now? Her amusement immediately faded. No, he couldn't go after her. She'd kill him, without any hesitation or remorse. Isadora would not tell him about the witch.

But he wasn't going to let her go...she rolled her eyes at him. "It was over a year ago. You saw the scars..." She sighed, aware that he wasn't going to let this go. He was like a dog with a bone, dammit. "Someone else thought they'd use me to get to Arthur. But she didn't want a ransom. She cast some kind of spell using my blood to make her look like me, so she could get close enough to kill him. But she didn't succeed, I got away, and everyone lived happily ever after." She concluded her story on an annoyed note, she didn't really like recalling this particular memory...she tried not to think about it as much as possible.

"And Arthur's really not that bad," she added, hoping more to distract him from her story of kidnapping than to actually defend Arthur; she knew as well as anyone that he had his moments of pratness. All royalty did, it happened when people fawned over you all the time. She just hoped Alistair disliked Arthur enough that he wouldn't like having her defend him.

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[Alistair]

Damn her, he did not know which bait to take. He wanted the name of the one who hurt her. A druid did this to her? He would seek this druid out, have more the just words with them. Make sure they knew that he did not care if they killed the pratty little prince but the princess of Gwent was off limits. THEN she defended the arrogant prince!

He thought back to his meeting with the ass and how he spoke of her. Was that the man she was going to marry?! The hell he would sit back and watch that wedding happen! He'd make her a widow before Arthur could made her a wife! The lest she could do would be marry someone he did not know!

"I want the name of the druid, Princess." He did not like his kind causing trouble, much less hurting her. He would ignore the prince comment for now but soon they were going to have to have a heart to heart about that man.

[isadora]

For a moment, her distraction seemed to work, as she could almost see him fighting with himself over which topic to pursue. She wanted him to attack Arthur again, at least if they fought over that she didn't think it would drive him to trying to kill the prince...or she hoped it wouldn't. He was very protective of her, she wondered if her friendship with Arthur would be enough to make him jealous? There wasn't anything between the two of them...they used to flirt when she came to visit, but she wasn't interested in Arthur like that; he was far too much of a player for Isadora...which made her wonder about Alistair's history. She wondered if he'd ever been with another woman before?

She glared at him, apparently he though it was a druid...maybe she had been, Isadora didn't know if there was a difference between witches and druids, or how to tell what they were. "I don't know, not all of my kidnappers feel the need to introduce themselves." She lied, not wanting to tell him who it was. She didn't want to see anything happen to him, especially not because of her, and he was no match for that witch. She leaned up to kiss him, hoping to distract him in a different way.

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[Alistair]

He gave an annoyed growl, before standing and going over to pull the meat off the fire. He pulled it off, the stick and onto the single plate before sitting ti aside to cool for a second. "I will find out who it is." He promised her. And he would, there were not many druids brave enough to use magic that powerful in side the castle walls. They would be ones with personal connections; there would be a history.

And as for the pratty prince, "You speak highly of this prince. I wouldn't. His family is making to many foes. It will only bring war on his house." The boy had not said go kidnap her, but he had pretended to be a farmer, and spoke highly of the princess. Alistair's pride was damaged when it was reviled that the child was the prince and he had spoken ageist the royal family. So in return, Alistair kidnapped THAT princess, and stole Arthur's horse.

He had been planning to kidnap a noble women (or even a princess) anyway. When the boy seemed to favor 'the princess of Gwent' Alistair picked her.

[isadora]

She rolled her eyes in annoyance when her attempts to distract him failed, apparently he was too immune to her tricks by now for them to be any use. That was irritating. He walked away, and she turned to watch him as he took the meat off the fire, swearing he would find whoever it was. "Please don't," she pleaded, already worrying about his safety if he went after such a powerful witch. "You can't fight everyone at once, Alistair, and I don't want you getting yourself killed over me." She stood up and followed him to the fire.

"He's young. He'll grow out of it." She was aware that she wasn't much older than Arthur, but despite his shortcomings, she knew he was a good man, and she had a feeling he would be a good king one day. Just as long as that day didn't come too quickly. "And why should I care about his house..." It started off as a question, but she trailed off at the end as the realization hit her. She had been right! He was jealous! She smiled. "You think I'm going to marry Arthur." She said it as a statement, not a question.

It was a logical assumption. Gwent and Camelot were allies, and Gwent had no male heir. Gwent would gain a king, and Camelot all the lands and assets of Gwent. It would make sense...unless you knew Isadora. If she married Arthur, she would be queen of Camelot, and Gwent would be nothing but a province of Camelot. She was much too proud of her people and her country for that. She would much rather marry one of the nobles of Gwent, and keep her land's sovereignty. Not that she wanted to marry a noble anymore...but Alistair couldn't be a king. He was a commoner, and a druid. Her people would never accept him as their lord.

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[Alistair]

Alistair crossed his arms and stood over her when she asked if he thought she was going to marry the young moron. Yes he was being slightly caveman in his defensive stand there but he was annoyed. Someone tried to kill her, someone hurt her and he was not only allowed to help but he had to go and sit back while she defended the young ass that she was going to marry.

He did not say anything for a long moment, before he turned from her and lifted the plate. "You need to eat, before it gets cold." Not that is was in danger of growing cold at the moment but he did not want to talk about things that--- "Last night we were exactly smart. If you find our your carrying my child, you will not be marrying my foes! No druid child is safe in that bloody castle!"

Any child of his was bound to be like him, and would be killed when discovered. Much less, the wrath the prince could put on her for bearing an heir was not his by blood!

[For the record, He is NOT immune to her charms, I just somehow missed that last line in your post. MY BAD]

[isadora]

She couldn't help but giggle at his reaction, she knew she shouldn't be so amused by his jealousy, but maybe if it had some grounds she wouldn't be so entertained. What, he knew that Arthur was a prince, and she a princess, and therefore they were going to get married? Was that how that worked? Oh, that would certainly simplify her life. She took the plate when he held it out, obediently picking up a small piece, chewing, and swallowing.

While she was eating, he had his little outburst. Oh, riiight, that's what he was concerned about. A child that they weren't even sure she was carrying yet. She giggled again, setting the plate of meat down, she knew she should take his worries more seriously, but she knew she wasn't going to marry Arthur, so why did it matter? When she managed to stop giggling, she folded her arms over her chest defiantly. "You think I'd take put my child in danger like that?" Because it was her child, too, and she wasn't about to marry a man who was going to have her child murdered.

She sighed, teasing him wasn't much fun when his concerns were at least a little valid. "Would you relax? I'm not going to marry Arthur." She assured him, kneeling down next to the fire. "If I happen to be with child...I'll find some weak-willed noble to marry who will be too afraid of me to even consider the baby's not his." And if he did...he'd vanish, in the middle of the night maybe, and she'd blame it on rebels or something. It wasn't ideal, but they didn't live in a perfect world, so it would have to do. But she wasn't with child...she couldn't be.

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[Alistair]

Some people knew the right thing to say, at the right moment for the right effect on the right person. She was not one of these people. Bless her heart but she had just said the wrong thing, when he was already defensive and on top of it she was giggling! Really? There was nothing that said I think your silly more then a princess giggling at you! A giggle?!

He was very still. He grew that way at times, when he was attempting to control his emotions and not burst them out. It was a scary, calm sort of still when he was angry, and he was angry now.

She was going to do what with his child? "Good luck with that." He said in a slight sear, while knowing he'd die before he let some old, magic hating noble even think of raising his kid or touching his woman. He wasn't sure what he would do, but the risk of her getting kidnapped again--for a longer extended stay--were going to match the same risk of her caring his child. Druids belonged in druid homes, not hiding who they were in some cold castle miles from safely. Even if she could make sure druids were safe in Gwent, the child would never belong.

Suddenly that was he wanted more then anything. A son. Until last night he had never thought about children, but thinking about protecting a maybe child was enough to make him want a son. Someone he could raise to be a better man then he was. He knew the odds could be low that she would give him that son, and he did wasn't about to seek out a random woman just to have a son. Maybe one day there would be enough distance between his and these days that he could do it.

[isadora]

If she were pregnant and she wasn't married before anyone else began to suspect, she would be ruined. Women weren't allowed to have casual trysts before marriage, and even if they believed she had been raped by her captors, no one would marry her. She might be able to rule on her own, but then she'd have to rule and raise a child by herself...because of course she didn't believe that Alistair would have anything to do with the baby. He was too busy waging war and kidnapping people to spare a thought for a child, other than to make sure they weren't sleeping under the roofs of his enemies. If they were having a child, it would be her problem to deal with.

Her eyes narrowed at his sneering comment. She didn't care if he didn't like her hastily thrown together plan, he wasn't going to change her mind. She still didn't believe she was pregnant, anyways, so what was the point in arguing over something that probably wasn't going to happen, anyways. "What do you care? It's not like you'll have to deal with it." She pointed out, he had promised that after tomorrow, she'd never see him again. Why should it be any different if they had a child?

It wasn't like she was going to move out into the woods and raise her child as a nomad. Even if her baby was half-druid, it would still be her child, and therefore just as royal as she was. Her child would have the best of everything, be educated and raised to rule one day, just like she had. Even if her baby did inherit Alistair's magic, her child would never be hunted, never have to live in fear. She would make sure of that, she would keep her children safe.

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[Alistair]

Never have to deal with . . . . what? He stared at her with an almost unreadable expression for a long moment. She believe he would never have to deal with 'it'? it seemed that they would never quite be on the same page. Forever taking one step forward (usually that was when they were kissing) and four steps back (usually that was when he made the mistake of talking to her).

He could not even bring himself to reply to her. He only stood there staring down at her. For the moment it might be best for them to take a step back from the topic. He knew if he told her how he really felt, that it would make her so something 'princess' like and stupid. He was not going to let his child be raised with out him by his side. If he told her that, she might try to hide things from him.

He turned from her, and knelt down near the fire. He was no longer hungry but he knew, once they crossed the boarder he could not stop to hunt. He would have to eat now, or much later. The deer was tasteless and bad in his mouth, thanks to the thoughts in his head. Finally he spoke, "We will deal with what comes, if there is anything to deal with." And just in case she thought to do something 'princess' like; he turned to look at her over his shoulder and touched pace between his eyes with his finger in a quick gesture. "I will know."

His visions did not work that way, and he only truly ever saw death, but she would not know how they worked. Vaughn had known him for years and still did not understand. Vaughn would often ask 'do you see anything to help us?' and Alistair would always reply 'I only see you being an ass all night long.'. It had become something they often repeated. Vaughn seemed to think it was funny, anyway.

[Parting is such sweet sorrow, that I could say goodnight, til it be 'morrow . . . . Sweet dreams!]

[isadora]

She started eating more, she was feeling hungry, and besides, it gave her an excuse not to talk to him anymore, or to have to look at him. He didn't correct her, so she assumed that she was right about being on her own if she was carrying his child. That was usually the way of it, right? Men were so eager to help make a baby, but when it came to raising them, they had wars to wage and places to be. She wasn't being fair, she knew, she didn't even know if she was going to have a baby, and she was just as much to blame for their situation as he was, if not moreso. She had been the one who decided to take a bath, after all....

She nodded when he agreed to deal with it if and when it happened, that seemed like a better idea than sitting around fretting and attacking one another. She didn't want to spend what little time they had left together fighting with him. But then he tapped his forehead, and told her he would know, and she scowled. Because she was planning on hiding it? Actually, she probably wouldn't tell him if she were pregnant, but how could she? It wasn't like he had a mailing address she could let him know. She assumed he'd find out when, in a few weeks time, there was a wedding announcement throughout the land for a very rushed marriage. Unless she hid the pregnancy from the public, but then she'd have to give the child away, and she couldn't bear the thought of not raising her own baby.

Agh, why couldn't she stop thinking about this now that they'd started?! There was only a slight possibility that she was pregnant, so why was she thinking about these possibilities as though it was already confirmed? She ate quickly, hungrier than she'd thought she was, but then, she hadn't eaten much yesterday, and then after last night...she had been ravenous. Feeling better once she'd eaten something, she looked up at him.

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