A village deep in the forest.

Samantha never knew one existed. As the horses moved forward, she took in the picturesque scene.

A community that is smaller than a town but bigger than a hut a hermit would live in. Houses made of wood and bark made a line on both sides of the community, but curve as if it was a 'u' toward the back. There was a small waterfall behind the house. It water fell down into an oval pond at the bottom.

Movement to her right had her looking in that direction. She spotted a few heads peeking from behind windows, doors, or the side of house. The further they moved into the village, the more people would show.

Some even went as far as to follow behind the horses. Others when as far as to walk beside the horses. Then there were some who stood waiting patiently not to far in front. The people weren't dressed like the elegant, formal wear of the kingdom people. No they wore baggy, saggy, or wore clothing. These people were individuals Samantha wasn't familiar with like she was with the people back at the kingdom.

The horses came to a stop and all the bandits swung off of their horses. The village people came up, surrounding the men as Samantha watched.

Tristan walked around and helped her down from the horse. He untied her hands and looked around to see a few individuals approaching him.

"Did you get the flour?" one female asked.

"I got something better. Tomorrow we will go shopping in the kingdom." Tristan took the small pouch at his side off and held it up in the air. Immediately cheers and applauses broke out among the people.

"Who's her?" another asked.

Tristan looked back at the princess. "Princess Samantha. She will be staying with us."

"She's a looker," someone said which caused a sharp whistle to follow.

"What's for dinner?" Tristan looked at an elderly woman beside him. He begin walking with her and a small group trailing after him.

"You won't get away with this."

Tristan paused in his walk. Looking over his shoulder, he fixed her with a firm stare. "I already have." Turning back forward, he continued walking.

A woman came up beside the princess. "Come. I'll show you where you will be sleeping." The woman looked to be older than she was, but still young looking.

"And if I don't go?" Samantha glared at the woman. There was no way she was going to not fight for herself.

"I can't make you follow me, but I thought you would prefer a nice, warm bed than the hard, cold ground to sleep on" The woman turned and begin walking away.

Samantha thought for a moment. She didn't want to sleep outside no more than she wanted to be here. "Wait..."

The woman stopped, looking over her shoulder, she gave a small smile. "It's this way."

Reluctantly, the princess followed the woman. The woman led her into a house that wasn't far from where they were. She ignored the stares that followed her as best she could, and was relieved when they entered the house. Following her down a hallway that seem to go on forever, Samantha took in the sight around her.

The interior of the house was, like the outside, made of wood. Unlike the palace, the interior was made up of a small room, which was set up to look like a living room. She didn't see an upstair nor downstairs. There was a hallway they took. Along both side of the hallway were rooms or well closed doors to rooms.

They came to a door near the end of the hallway. It was on the right side. Samantha assumed this would be where she was to stay. The first thought that came to mind was that the room was some dark, gloomy place.

"This is your room." The woman reached forward, opening a door. "It's not much, but it's cozy."

Samantha took a step inside the room. There was nothing but a bed and a small desk inside the small room. She spotted a small window, one she couldn't fit her ram through, just above her bed. In a few words, the room was warm looking.

"Dinner will be brought to you for tonight only," the woman spoke from behind her. "Tomorrow someone will give you your job to do while you are here."

"Job? I never had a job before."

"Eating means working here. This isn't like your home. Everyone pitch in around here. Even the children."

Samantha looked back at the bed saying nothing more.

"You will get use to life here." With that, Samantha could hear the woman's footsteps retracing down the hallway.

She sat down on the bed. A squeaky noise came when her weight was fully on the bed.

She didn't know what to make of her current situation. She wanted to scream and cry in frustration. On the other hand, she wanted to rebel and demand to be set free, but knew that wasn't possible.

Just then a child no more then around the age of ten slowly walked into her room. Samantha looked in the child's direction. The child was a girl with long, brown hair. Nothing like the well dressed children back at the kingdom. Instead of a lovely dress, she wore  pants that was ripped at the knees and an old looking t-shirt.

The little girl quietly approached her. "I was told to give you these." In her small hands she held out a black book, some ink, and a pen.

Samantha took the items from the child. Looking at them, she wondered who had given her these things. Who would want to give her such items especially since she was a prisoner. When she looked back up to thank the girl for giving her the items, she found that the little girl was gone. Tears rose in her eyes.

"Father, please find me."