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Ever After Tales Pt 3 Ch 17 Revised

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"Come on Noah, this is no time to start grazing! We have to get to the village before dawn. I refuse to sleep in a tree," Rue muttered as she tugged on the rope, forcing Noah's head away from the delicious treat below. He snorted but dutifully followed Finn's lead. The princess smiled briefly then sent Finn into a brisk trot. If her calculations were right, and they nearly always were, their destination wasn't far off.

‘It’ll be good to rest. I should have napped before leaving.’ Well, it was too late to go back and get a few extra winks now.

The running away part had actually been the easiest so far. It was surviving with the guilt she had troubles with. She didn't know why, but the thought of her parents coming home to find her missing was bothering her more than she expected. It didn’t help that she couldn’t sleep to try and forget just yet. Reality, unfortunately, was far crueler that she anticipated. The daylight hours held some distraction. Still, sitting atop Finn and directing herself through overgrown forests wasn’t enough to make the thought of her parents’ disappointment disappear. She had to keep reminding herself that she was doing this for them.

‘If no one is going to acknowledge what happened, then I’ll do it for them.’ She would grit her teeth and journey through a time filled with dark magic to get what she wanted. Hopefully it would all work out. She tried not to think about the castle and all that possibly lurked there.

From what she gathered from the book, no one actually recovered Maleficent’s body. After being destroyed by Philip, she simply vanished, leaving the sword on the ground. If there was anywhere the mistress would retire, it would be her castle.

‘Too bad there aren’t any books about her. No one even knows how she came here! One day the castle wasn’t there, the next it was.’ Besides seeing the place her father was imprisoned and figuring out the reason Maleficent chose her family to curse, she hoped to find some of Maleficent’s history hiding in the abandoned castle.

So far, she hadn’t been too hungry, but when the horses needed water, she grabbed berries to get some energy. Rue thought of scrounging for nuts or some rodent to feast on, but she didn’t want to stick around in the dark for long. Best to keep moving. Although travelling at night was smartest for now, she didn’t plan on continuing like that for the whole trip.

‘Once I get some rest things will be easier.’ Rue hoped so at least.

Rue sighed as she ducked to avoid a low hanging branch. She could imagine the rage Leah would throw once she arrived. For a woman of calm demeanour, Rue wouldn’t be surprised if the distress the princess caused her mother would be enough to anger the past queen. Hopefully Hubert would understand, perhaps plead her case. It was hard to say where Stefan stood. As long as her brothers and sisters were safe, she suspected Stefan would simmer quietly till she returned. Rue still had no idea when that would be, but likely soon. After all, how long could it take to explore a cottage and castle?

Kale suspected a few weeks. She relied on his estimation to keep her on track, but she doubted she wouldn’t get distracted. As she trotted along, the princess’ thoughts wavered over the young man.

‘Maybe I should have asked him to come with me. He would have said yes. He always does.’ No, that would have been foolish. ‘He’s been travelling for some time. He needs rest, especially after the accident.’ She couldn’t guilt him into coming along, even though having him would have made things a little less stressful on her part.

The princess shook her head and tugged on Noah’s rope, pulling him away from the side of the road. Well, at least she had her boys to keep her company. It had been a while since she took them on a long trip. It would be good for all of them.

After some time, the path broke into a wider lane and the princess spotted the outline of her destination. Her spirits lifted with the swallows flittering above her head and she urged Finn and Noah into a canter. So far, so good. She looked past the village to the peeks of Maleficent’s castle and grinned. Once she rested, she would head off again and hopefully there would be another village to camp in. Rue doubted she would make it there in one night, at least at the pace she was currently going.

The young lady pulled the hood on her cloak up, making sure to hide her short curls as best she could. She considered using a fake name or perhaps hiding her face from villagers, but that would seem suspicious. Best to act normal and go by her real name. After all, Rue was a common enough name, she was certain.

Rue entered the first stop on her journey and was pleased with what she found. Jack certainly had lived in a lovely place. It was a quaint village with thatched cottages, busy shops, dirt paths, and so many people! Many more lived nearby in farms, at least from the intersecting paths leading to fields she suspected as much. She admired the flowers sprouting up everywhere that managed not to get squashed by people’s busy feet. Rudy three level living spaces stacked atop each other, crowding the streets and towering over the villagers as they bustled about their day. She spotted hecklers walking right up to a person, dropping an item, and claiming the person had broken it and owed them money. Rue didn’t like that tactic, but said nothing. As she trotted by with her horses, she only saw it happen once by a scruffy old gent. Hopefully he was the only one playing the nasty trick. She doubted it was free of crime, but there hardly was a place that was. Still, it would do for a resting place.

The princess thought of Jack and wondered why he left such a place. She suspected he could have found a job on a nearby farm easily, possibly even had his own if he so wished. While looking for an inn of some sort, she noticed the abundance of women. She smiled as they roamed in packs, the older with children and younger in groups, giggling and amusing themselves to their heart’s content. There certainly weren’t slim pickings here either. A man of his physique and promise wouldn’t have trouble finding a wife in this place.

‘Then again, it’s not all about a profession and wife.’ She wanted to go back and ask him, but that would have to wait till she returned home.

Rue noticed the stares from the villagers but did her best to ignore them. She suspected people didn’t usually wander in with a horse tied to another horse and a hood hiding most of her features. She did smile when she caught their eye but that was rare. She could feel their wariness at her appearance but did her best to seem as friendly as possible. She supposed telling them who she was would make things worse, so she didn’t plan on spelling out she was a princess. As little information as possible would be best at this point.

The shops were just opening it seemed, although they were already quite busy from what she could tell. As windows hinged open, doors opened, and banners were put up outside, people pressed their way inside and began running off their lists

“Two loaves of bread!”

“I need this stitched up!”

“Please, I have to get those eggs!”

Rue chuckled as she avoided young children who clung to their mother's patchwork skirts. She spotted the older ones hanging around the streets, conversing on their breaks.  She saw baskets full of deliveries, pots, and other items likely needed for the boys in terms of apprenticing and the girls to help their mothers. They weren't much younger than her and she decided to ask one of them where she could stay for the evening. She narrowly missed getting hit by a carriage and dismounted from Finn. Rue took his reins and stopped in front of the mix of girls and boys.

One of the girls in the nearby huddle looked up from her conversation with a boy and stared at the princess. Rue cleared her throat, grabbing everyone else’s attention.

"Excuse me do any of you know where a traveller can find a place to rest for the night?"

The boys shifted on their feet, their items bumping into one another’s, and shrugged. She suspected their mothers told them not to talk to strangers.

‘Good thing they still listen.’ Rue guessed her mother was wishing she listened more often when she was a child right then.

The girl, possibly thirteen, placed a hand on her hip and stared at Rue without wavering. One of her friends was brave enough to speak.  "The inn's all full. Try the tavern. The old lady usually has a place open."

Rue looked down the street and saw the TAVERN sign hanging near the butcher shop.

"Thanks.” She was about to get going when she saw one of the boys, the youngest of the group, staring at Noah. She tugged on Noah’s reins and got him to step closer to the group

"You want to pet him?" The boy hesitantly glanced at the girl who shook her head. Rue smirked and brushed her hand over Noah’s muzzle. “He’s real nice. Gentle as a pup. He won’t hurt you.”

The little boy pleadingly looked at his sister who sighed. “Fine. But if Mom asks, you are on your own,” she muttered. The boy’s blue eyes lit up and he walked over to Noah who bent his head, looking for grass. He reached out his tanned hand and hesitantly petted the horse.

"What are your horses' names?" he asked

"Finn and Noah," Rue replied.

The boy nodded and giggled as Noah nibbled on his grubby shirt. “Where do you work?” she asked him.

"With me at the butcher’s shop," the girl piped up as her friends started to scatter for work.

Rue glanced at her and nodded. "That must be interesting."

“Not really, he’s our dad,” the boy explained.

Rue nodded. "I see." She tugged on Noah’s reins and he stood at his full height once more. “I’m afraid I’ve got to be going. Thanks for the help.”

“Can I see Noah again?” he asked.

“Well, I’m not going to be here long, but maybe. Come find me at the tavern before nightfall and perhaps you can ride him.”

“Really?” he exclaimed, causing Rue to chuckle.

“Possibly. Goodbye!” She waved farewell then lead her horses down the street to the tavern. When she reached the aged building, she was glad to see they had a stable. Rue brushed down the boys, got them fresh water and hay, then grabbed her bags and headed inside.

The princess was surprised by the cleanliness. Usually taverns, especially in the village near the castle, were somewhat . . . mucky. Here, the tables gleamed, the floor was scrubbed clean, and all the silverware glowed. Even the staircase leading to an upper level was polished. Rue was relieved she wouldn’t have to worry about catching a cold from the state of the tavern. She noticed the bell for service and rang it.

A minute later, a woman appeared from behind a swinging door. Rue spotted the blistered fingers and her thin face was red from the heat in the back room. Her wild sandy curls popped out of the bun she had and her green eyes flickered over to the princess. At first the woman did not move but then she marched over and stood before the princess.

"What can I do for you?"

"I was wondering if you have any rooms available for the day. I've been traveling all night and I could really use a place to rest." The woman thought for a moment then nodded. She grabbed a silver key from a pouch in her damp dress and handed it to the princess.

"Second door on the right. There's running water and a bed. I hope that's satisfactory."

Rue nodded eagerly. "Oh it's more than satisfactory. Thank you!" She extended her hand to the woman. "I’m Rue by the way." The tavern owner hesitated but did shake the girl’s hand.

"I'm Jessie. Before you go, one night is three gold coins. I'd like to be paid now in case my husband comes home." Rue blushed and quickly handed the woman her money.

"My apologies, it must have slipped my mind." As she began climbing the stairs to her room, she turned her head to Jessie. "By the way, you have a most lovely establishment. So clean!" Jessie bowed her head in thanks.

"My husband likes a clean ship. Goodnight Miss Rue." The princess said goodnight then dashed off to her room.

The bedroom was small, the double bed taking up most of the space, but it was clean and that’s all she really needed. She spotted the bathtub in the corner and sighed. ‘A bath couldn’t hurt, seeing as I likely won’t get one till I stumble upon another town.' She tossed her bag and weapons near the bed and, after filling the tub with steaming hot water from the fireplace she stripped then slid into the tub. Rue exhaled deeply, sinking her head underneath the surface.

While lounging in the soothing water, her thoughts drifted to Kale. She recounted the times she said goodbye to him and wondered if he was feeling that same stinging pain. Rue closed her eyes and smiled as she thought of the items they exchanged the first time he left. It was a silly trinket, a locket made for a suitor that Philip liked at one time or another. Nothing actually happened with him, as suspected, but when the locket was returned she decided to keep it. Kale saw it after it was first made and always said it was the best picture of her. It only seemed fitting he take it with him while gone.

It was hard to remember what he gave her, likely something sweet, but  the nagging question on her mind wasn’t that. Would he wait for her? Rather, should he wait? What was he even waiting for at this point? She tried to recall a time they each definitely said what they wanted from the other, but it never came up. She was a simple woman of simple means, as was he, and if anything, she doubted proclaiming their future plans would help them.  The thought of him finding another woman while he was gone always bothered her though, and it bothered her now that she was away. She wondered if he worried she would stumble upon a love story while gone. She highly doubted that would happen, but it was hard to predict the future, especially when she was half asleep in a tub.

Rue pulled herself out of the now cooling water and dried herself off with a towel. She settled on the bed in a new dress from her bag and decided to rest for the time being.

Hours could have passed for all she knew, but when she awoke to shouting she knew something was going on. The princess opened one eye and listened. A man who sounded like he had one too many drinks was yelling at the top of his lungs. Rue picked up the sound of a woman screeching. It appeared to be Jessie. Rue knew the cries of a beaten woman and the princess sat up in bed. She fished in her bag for the dagger and placed it in the fold of her dress. She got up and headed out of the room. Hiding behind a wall next to the staircase, Rue observed.

Jessie was trying to block her husband's punches, but it appeared to be failing. She was already black and blue. Rue wondered what caused her to receive his unwarranted abuse, but she doubted whatever it was justified his behaviour.

"--ungrateful wench! Why do I even bother having you around? All you do is mess up the house and clean it again! Can’t even make a decent drink! Did you even get the money from that stupid girl you brought home?"

Jessie sniffled pathetically and extended her hand with the coins. "Y-Yes dear I--"

Her portly husband grabbed the coins and stuffed them in his pocket. He turned to the bar and, taking her chance, Rue crept down the stairs and placed herself between Jessie and the owner.

“And who are you?” he asked, his breath stinking of ale.

Rue raised her chin definitely. “I am the girl whose money you have in your pocket. If you lay a hand on your wife again, you’ll regret it,” she stated.

The man laughed. “How do ya suggest you’ll do that?”

Rue pulled out her dagger and tossed it in the air, catching it again, and then pressed it lightly against his beer belly. “I think you can put the pieces together,” she said quietly, smirking up at him.

His face paled and she watched as he stumbled backward to the bar. He rammed against it, fishing around for a bottle of wine then slid towards the door, never taking his eyes off her dagger.

“You’re as crazy as my wife!” he exclaimed then left, slamming the door behind him.

The room was quiet except for Jessie’s deep breathing. Rue slid the dagger into its case and turned to the woman. She extended her hand to the lady.

“Come on, let’s get you cleaned up.”

Jessie took the offered hand and followed Rue to the kitchen. The princess found a cloth and dampened it, sitting Jessie on a nearby stool and set to work. She cleaned the cuts that the man’s rings left on his wife’s fair flesh, all the while wondering how Jessie got herself into such a situation.

‘Then again, it’s not that hard when pickings are slim,’ she mused.

“Thank you, for what you did. You didn’t have to--”

Rue shook her head, interrupting the girl. “It was the right thing, and that’s all that matters. Why do you stay with him though? I mean, you must have had more options than him,” she said as she rinsed out the cloth and bandaged the girl’s arm.

Jessie sighed and blinked away the tears. “I didn’t have many options after my parents died. No dowry, no land . . . nothing to offer anyone. I was lucky to find Nicholas. I’d be on the streets without him.”

“I should think the streets would be better than being beaten,” Rue muttered.

Jessie laughed dryly. “Obviously you’ve never been on the streets before.”

“Can’t say I have. I’ve been lucky I suppose,” she replied, looking over the woman’s face for any outstanding injury. Other than a black eye, nothing was popping out.

“How did you come to find this place anyhow? We don’t usually get many visitors in the village,” Jessie asked.

“I guessed that from the stares I received,” she chuckled. “A friend of mine said he used to live here and told me it was a good place to stop for a rest on my journey.”

“What’s your friend’s name?”

“Jack. Jack Ackerman.”

Jessie’s eyes widened and Rue squinted at the reaction. “Something wrong Jessie?”

The woman looked at her lap then at the sink piled high with dishes. “Ackerman—that’s my maiden name. Jack . . . he’s my brother.”

“Your brother? Jack never mentioned anything about a family still being here.”

Jessie smirked. “I’m not surprised. He left when I was ten. I haven’t seen or heard from him since.”

Rue nodded. “I see. Why didn’t you write to him when your parents died?”

“How could I? I had no idea where he lived or what he was doing with his life. When they died and there was no male relative living, the crown took the land and I was pushed out on the streets. For weeks I was scrounging for money. Then, Nicholas came along. He offered me a home, food, everything I wanted. He turned ugly but it was too late, we were already married. I’ve been stuck in this place for two years now. God what I wouldn’t give for a way out,” she whispered as a tear trickled down her face.

Rue reached out a hand and covered one of Jessie’s with it. “Come with me.”

“What?”

“When I leave tonight, come with me. I’m travelling to Maleficent’s castle and to a cottage my mother used to live in. After that, I’m going back to the castle where I—work. Jack is there. You can meet him and you’ll have a place to live. A safe place where no one will harm you. I promise.”

Jessie thought it over for a moment then gave Rue’s hand a squeeze. “Alright, I’ll go with you,” she smiled.

Rue grinned then they heard the bell ring. She insisted Jessie stay seated and went to go see who it was. Rue opened the door only to see Orrick there, looking around the main area. She gasped and shut the door in a hurry.

‘How did he find me? Who told him?’ As she ran over possible situations, Jessie placed a hand on her shoulder.

“Is something wrong Rue?”

The princess sighed. “Listen, I might not have been entirely truthful when I told you I work at the palace. I’m—well I’m a princess and the man that just came in is a knight who is looking for me and we need to leave now before he sees me.”

Jessie blinked and placed a hand on her hip. “You’re a princess?”

“Yes, but that’s really not the point! We need a plan. I have to get my bag before we can leave. Any ideas?”

Jessie placed a finger on her chin and after a minute nodded. “I’ll distract him, get him turned away from the staircase. You get your things then go to the stable. I meet you there.”

Rue grabbed Jessie in a tight hug. “You’re brilliant,” she whispered then nudged Jessie to the door. “Work your magic!”

The woman rolled her eyes then headed out. For a minute or two, Rue waited. Finally she stuck her head out the door and saw Orrick’s broad back facing her. As carefully as she could, she left the kitchen and went up the stairs to her room. In a hurry she stuffed her clothes from that morning in her bag, slung her bow and stuck the sword to her hip then headed back down the stairs. She remembered seeing a backdoor in the kitchen and decided that was her safest bet.

Jessie was still talking to Orrick but caught the princess’ eye. Rue pointed to the kitchen then held up three fingers. If the tavern owner’s wife could keep Orrick’s attention for three minutes, Rue would be ready.

Once outside, the princess ran to the stables and saddled her boys in a hurry. As she did so, she promised them a better rest once they were far enough away from the village. Once the reins were on, she led the horses out of the stables and waited by the side of the inn for Jessie.

Without warning, the front door opened and Orrick exited. She pressed against the wall of the building and held her breath. The knight mounted his horse and galloped away in the opposite direction. Sometime later, Jessie exited with a bag over her shoulder. She located the princess and grinned.

“Ready to go?”

Rue nodded. “Always am. Where did you send him?”

Jessie mounted Noah and adjusted her pack. “I told him a figure with two horses went right through the village and looked to be heading south. We should be able to get to the castle before he does, although I don’t know why you would ever want to go to that awful place.”

“It’s better than here,” Rue teased.

Jessie chuckled. “True. But I do expect the full story later, and for you to tell me how my brother is fairing.”

“I promise. First, let’s get out of here. I don’t want to chance Orrick finding us.”

With that, the girls left the village behind.
EDIT: Onto the next destination! Oh and welcome Jessie, our newest character. COMMENT WHAT YOU THINK OF THE CHANGES.

Enjoy! Comment if you wish.
"Ever After Tales" (c) *ravenwritingclaw
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BalunStormhands's avatar
Ho! that makes things interesting.