章節 327: Into the Woods
With Eira following behind, the pair clopped through the woods on their horses. As they had feared, there were many human bootprints riddling the snow with their marks.
"I guess the positive side is that we are very safe," Mairwen said with a sigh. Having been in a situation where pirates had shot at her from the woods, it was comforting to know the area was secure. Alas, the lack of huntable game was a real problem.
"There doesn't seem to be too much around, does there?" Renat commented. He pulled his horse to a stop and dismounted. "Perhaps we would have more luck on foot. I am told this area is kept especially for the royal family. Surely we will find something if we look hard enough."
Renat took the woman around her waist and lowered her to the ground. The princess blushed as her face passed in front of his. While she could have gotten down on her own, Mairwen enjoyed this method much more.
Tying off their equine friends to a tree and clearing a patch of dried grass for them to eat, the pair perpared to continued without their steeds.
"Maybe we should have brought a servant or two to watch our things." Mairwen reluctantly left her SnowBall behind in the pack. It was a precious thing and she did not want anything to happen to it.
"Her Majesty offered to send us with attendants," Renat admitted, "but I thought this would be more romantic without them."
Smiling, Renat leaned forward and got down on his knees. Mairwen gasped slightly. "Now?"
"Can you think of a better time for me to fetch your dropped arrow?" From below the horse, Renat picked up the shaft and returned it to the princess.
"Oh, of course. I knew that…" Mairwen placed the arrow back in the quiver which was slung across her back.
Together with Eira, the couple headed off into the woods. Neither of them saw the personal guard shake her head behind their backs as she watched their antics. These two were more dramatic than a juggler with flaming swords.
The snow was powdery soft, which muffled their footsteps as they padded along the frozen ground. In fact, everything was more quiet in the world of endless white. Renat realized that he and his green-clad companion were not dressed to blend into the environment. Were it not for the brownish tree trunks, and some verdant pine trees to break up the milky landscape, the pair would have stuck out in the forest like beacons. Only Eira had the sense to wear a white coat over her shiny armor.
Mairwen seemed to be following his thoughts. "If I had known the world was going to change colors before our hunt, I would have had a different outfit made. I look a mess in this wonderland," she whispered more to herself than her hunting partner.
They were walking in a line to get through a thick copse of trees, and Renat reached back to take her hand. "You are perfect," he said softly over his shoulder, and left the matter there.
"I--" Mairwen stopped as Renat squeezed her hand and paused his forward motion.
Something had caught his attention. Underneath a set of wooden logs, which slightly resembled the forts that the scientist had seen other little boys make when he was younger, Renat spotted something furry and breathing. It was hard to see what creature it might be from the tuft of fur showing beneath the snow. Mairen squeezed her way up beside him, and he pointed silently at the query.
As it was the first and only animal they had seen all day beyond a few winter crows, the pair decided to investigate. The princess's personal guard, who had become lulled into boredom by the quiet scene, realized too late the mistake the others were making and was unable to stop them.
The small amount of brown hair that peeked out from beneath the buried structure could be anything, Renate realized. He hoped it was a hare or something else good to eat, but even a fox, or an otter would have been a pleasant discovery. Ha! He would even accept a measly squirrel at this point.
As they got closer, the creature did not stir. Only its little movement to coincide with its breathing hinted that it was even alive.
"What is it?" Renat mouthed at his companion. She simply shrugged. The scientist picked up a small branch and, unsure what else to do, prepared to poke the creature. If he could flush it out, then Mairwen would be able to get a proper shot off like a true huntress. However, the movement of lifting the branch was enough to make the animal move.
The small tuft of fur became suddenly larger as snow shifted off the exposed claw. The creature groaned slightly and rolled over. Where the paw had been, now were two beady eyes, which were still shut, and a great gaping maw. The makeshift shelter was not harboring a small little animal. It was a bear's den!
The pair froze. Renat was very glad he had not completely woken the beast by poking it. Had he done so, surely his body would be in two pieces just now. He gulped at the thought and tried to keep his knees from knocking as he waited for the hibernating bear to settle down.
At last, like a dog who has just finished a nightmare, the behemoth curled up and tucked his giant head back inside the snow-laden den. 'Whew.'
Seeing her job and life flash before her eyes, Eira motioned from the trees for them to back away slowly. Mairwen did so first, retracing her steps exactly as she had made them so as not to make any additional sound. When she was in the clear, Renat followed her lead.
"What were you thinking?" Eira scolded them when they were very far away.
"We did not know it was a bear." Mairwen looked at the ground, embarrassed.
Eira held the bridge of her nose. She was not an expert, but she was pretty sure she could tell the difference between a bear's lair and a rabbit's hole. "If I may, Your Highness, I would like to lead the next part of this adventure."
The other two, unable to argue, simply nodded. Eira was now in charge.
With the soldier in front, Mairwen was quickly able to use her bow multiple times. Within an hour of the change of leadership, the princess had gathered quite a sizable amount of game.
"Cook will be quite happy with this boon," the princess said as she examined the lot. "And this bow works so well, it almost feels like cheating."
"It wouldn't be nearly as effective without someone of your skill," the young man pointed out. "Someday you'll have to tell me all your secrets…"
"All my secrets?" Mairwen smiled at him coyly.
Renat's ears burned under his cap as he realized how what he said could be taken. "I meant all your archery secrets. But yes, I want to know those too," he added more quietly so only the princess could hear.
The sun was beginning to get low in the sky, giving the princess's face a flushed hue. "Maybe someday," she answered shyly.
"We should head back," Eira interrupted their intimate scene, earning a glare from Mairwen.
"Not yet! In the spirit of secrets, I have one of my own. Follow me, princess, if you wish to know it." Renat offered his hand and winked. Unaware that she was holding her breath, Mairwen grasped his open palm.
He led her just a little way off into a small, open meadow. Before them a glassy pond was frozen over like a window pane to the life below. The winter fairies had done particularly dazzling work as little trails of white frost decorated the surface like they had been made by tiny skaters.
Tiptoeing around the edge of frosted water, the princess and scientist looked in wonder at the work of art. Mairwen was surprised when they did not stop. It was the perfect spot.
Noticing her confused look, Renat gave a lopsided grin. "We are almost there. I promise there are no bears this time."
They silently moved forward. On the far edge of the clearing, a pair of creatures was nestled into the ground. Tensing, Mairwen watched as the larger of the two moved. Renat pulled her and they ducked back into the safety of the trees. A short way behind them, Eira did the same.
The mother doe lifted her head and scanned the clearing. She noted the new tracks and sniffed the air, looking diligently into the tree line. The trio of onlookers stayed stalk still among the trees. Finally, the doe gave up her search and nudged her fawn to his feet.
The fawn was late-born, and had not shed his spots completely. His brown undercoat was beginning to fill in, and he looked like he was in between phases of his life. 'How fitting,' Renat thought to himself.
"You like babies," the scientist's whisper tickled the girl's ear, "and one of the scouts told me he was out here. I thought you might like to see him."
Tearing her eyes away from the touching scene, Mairwen looked into the fawning eyes of the man she loved. "Thank you."
"Since we are here..." Renat spoke softly again, but was interrupted as Eira hurried up beside them.
"We need to go," she said abruptly, "unless you want to shoot that."
The pair followed Eira's finger and spotted a stag staring ominously at them. They were in his territory. Mairwen frowned. "We aren't supposed to shoot him. See the blue ribbon on his horn? He is the protected New Year Stag!"
The buck stomped his foot at them in warning and charged. "Then we better run!" Renat pushed the princess ahead of him as they began to move. The trio surged between two narrow trees just in time for the massive horns of the male deer to clash against the bark and stop. The pause was only temporary, but it was enough time for them to shimmy up a large pine tree.
The stag scraped his horns against the wooden trunk angrily, managing to knock off sprigs from the lower branches. High above, the three humans watched as the buck finally wore himself out and left. The sun had dipped low, painting the sky in pink and purple hues.
Climbing down, Mairwen took one more backward glance at the beautiful meadow. It had been a near perfect, magical moment. "Did you have something you wanted to ask me?" she queried the young man.
Renat gave her a curious glance as they began their trek back to the horses. "How did you know?"
"I have my ways," Mairwen answered with a small smile. "You can still ask it if you want."
"Really? It is kind of embarrassing..." Renat scratched at his wool cap and shot a glance at Eira. The soldier seemed totally disinterested in the young couple.
"Go ahead," the princess encouraged him, tucking her hair behind her ear.
"Very well..." the scientist stopped and looked seriously at the lovely woman. "Mairwen, my love...Did you happen to pick up the knife I dropped back there?"
"..." Mairwen pulled the knife from her belt and handed it to Renat.
"Thank you! I was hoping you would say yes." Renat took the weapon and stowed it.
In silence, they returned to the palace.
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