"As the night is cold,
the sea trembles with appearance
As the sun is warm,
the hearth of a fire burns with fiery
As the lonesome soul roams
The valley of the worn trembles"

Ben's POV

With Rey's help I was able to get back on my feet.

At first I was but like a new born fawn with its new found legs, but as time went on so did the increase in my process of healing.

Once I was at full strength again we took off to finding better suited shelter, specifically an Inn called the Drunken Dragon Inn.

Let's just say, many who occupied rooms here were very much drunk.

All expect the workers, me and my lady Rey.

"My Lady, let's head this way shall we." I whispered in her eyes as it seemed to change color with a red heated tint appearing in the dim lighting.

"No need to be bashful."

She only glared at me knowing full well that I was teasing.

I put my hands up.

"All in good fun. All in good fun-" Before I could finish she elbowed me in my side as I chuckled.

"We're doing love taps now?"

Once we paid for our room we went up the stairs to our room.

I had also paid for a change of clothes for both of us as well with what money I scrounged around for so we'd stay warm.

Once the door was closed Rey had tugged on her very much tattered dress.

I helped her and when her skin shied into view...many scars appeared as well as healing wounds.

And fresh too.

"When did you get these?" My bare hand soothed over her bare shoulder down to her hands which were very much blistered and scratched.

Why wasn't I taking better care of her?

What man of her's am I even I can't even keep her from hurting like this?

She seemed to notice my furrowed look, her hands on either side of my face with a smile on her own.

"Ben. Don't blame yourself for any of this. My grandfather is a cruel man but you are nothing, not even the slightest like him. You are a gentleman at heart with me. I know you wish to protect me but you won't always be able to...so just know that I am stronger than I appear to be. And even stronger beside you." Her lips pressed against mine.

"Rey-"

Between kisses I still continued to speak while trying my best to not get too distracted by the feel of her slightly curved lips pressing against mine so sweet as they were.

"You must bath, you will get-sick-and-"

Her eyes warmed with a playful and gentle gaze.

I could not bring myself to speak.

...My brain was fried.

"And what?" She pinched my cheek and left me in a blank-minded state.

She was just toying with me wasn't she.

"You little Vixen." I spoke and before she could react I threw her over my shoulder and threw her on the bed as I made ready her bath.

After the water was warm enough she took her bath separately from mine.

———

A while later we had both freshened up from our grueling state and decided to finally take a moment to rest on a single bed.

"When's the last time I saw one of these?" Rey mentioned as she turned to her side, sliding her hand across the bed sheets.

"Who knew I'd miss a bed so much. Something that was so common to me at one point...now it's like finding gold. What about you?"

"I couldn't have said it better my lady."

I squished the side of her face, pinching her cheek just as she had done previously.

"Now sleep, we have a big day tomorrow and an early morning."

Her eyes brimmed with sadness.

"I really don't want to face him anymore than I've had. But if he's life must end...let me be the one to do it...please. I must show I can truly be a Queen to make sacrifices."

"You want to be Queen? Of his land? My home?"

She looked at me with hope and determination as if she had a plan.

"Yes, if you'd be okay with it. I now have a place I can be worthy of instead of slipping by people who'd see me no more than a girl on the streets who could make no difference. But if I were to step up to being Queen I know I can truly make a difference for those who've suffered under his rule."

"It's your choice. I'll stand by you to the bitter sweet end. And besides you've already changed my life but if you feel to want to help others as you have for me...I won't stop you and I'll even help you in any way I can with what resources I have."

"Of course, because you'll be king with me as your queen."

I smiled from the sweetness I couldn't bear from her anymore.

I took her in my arms as if I never wanted her away from me.

"Promise me that whatever happens tomorrow, you'll stay alive for me."

"I will. I definitely will."

———

The following morning heavy rain had melted half the snow from the ground making our travels a bit lighter.

"So taking your crown means we'll be traveling back."

"Yes." She spoke softly as she kept her hood up to hide her face.

"Any plans to how we go back?"

"By horse."

I looked at her like she was crazy.

"How are we suppose to do that? We have no money and we-" Before I could speak anything else she mounted a random horse after untying it from a wooden post.

"Follow quickly before they catch us!" She hurried along as I had but a few moments to keep up.

"We just stole horses!"

"I know!" She gave a toothy smile as if we just didn't commit a crime.

Once I caught up with her I chuckled.

"And you wish to be a queen." I retorted as she smirked at me with a laugh after.

Her floaty brown hair loose from his braid, slowly becoming fully undone as it flowed behind her so elegantly.

"What? Sometimes we must take sacrifices in order to reach our goals, even small ones."

"Better not be too reckless Lady Rey." I spoke cautiously but kindly as she looked away laughing again.

"I wonder who taught me." She teased while having her horse go at full speed with me barely keeping up.

Just then we had riders at our backs with flying arrows.

We were forever away from where we left but if we travelled like this, we could make it within a little than a week...maybe less.

Better than on foot that's for sure.

Just as I was maneuvering away from an arrow Rey pulled out a bow and arrow from the horse she had taken.

"Watch your head Ben!"

I ducked within an instant while she shot three arrows, taking their mark perfectly.

"When did you learn how to use a bow and arrow-?"

"Someone had to learn to hunt while the other slept like a princess!" She shouted while lowering herself to the horse to go even faster.

Again, I did the same.

I could tell by the way she was caring herself...I don't know when or how...but she was changing into something even more...extraordinary.

I saw a leader in her...she was practically radiating it.

But when and how did it happen? While I was unconscious? Or when her grandfather captured her?

Either way, I was becoming even more proud of her by the minute.

———

After she killed the three riders we escaped to the road still at full speed.

I wondered what was running through her head as we rode as fast as we could with more men following us about every few hours.

The few and far between times we had to ourselves was when night fell.

That was the only time we had the opportunity to cover our tracks to have some time to eat and sleep.

Our days continued like this until we reached our destination.

"Rey?" I hoped off my horse, putting a hand on her shoulder with her back to me as she tied the horse to a tree.

She was quiet.

Too quiet.

"Rey." I spoke again.

"Sorry. I'm here just nervous."

"Remember you're not alone."

"Thank you." She gave me a kiss on the cheek before walking to the very castle she had escaped from.

I followed without a word more.

When we arrived at the throne room it was in shambles with her grandfather sitting there like he had been expecting us.

Before he could say a word Rey shouted.

"I declare a duel against you!"

He gave a hard glare became he knew even his own land he ruled over, no one and not even the king could refuse a duel.

Especially if it was royal blood against royal blood.

"Pick a sword, any sword." He spoke as he stood weakly.

He was playing a game. That I knew deep in my bones.

"Be on your guard, he's planning something."

"Don't worry about me." She smiled reassuring me that everything was going to be okay.

So I stood back, knowing I could trust her...I stood back to see the fight unfold.

"And you will not intervene unless she is dead." He spat toward me as I kept my mouth shut because if I could I would've killed him before she could even make a duel request toward him.

Shortly after they began their duel.

Rey had perfect posture as she made sure each strike made its mark.

Her grandfather was sloppy and reckless.

So many openings that it didn't make sense for him to even fight at this point.

I could almost pity him if I cared.

His kingdom in shambles, best of his soldiers slaughtered by his own general.

With his own granddaughter about to kill him.

Blades colliding, blood spilling only from the dying king...and then the final blow.

Rey piercing her grandfather's heart with his final breath calling out to her too soft for me to hear.

"I will be the ruler you never could. May you even through death be guilty of your crimes."

Fear filled his eyes right before they clouded over from death.

Rey turned to me with her knees collapsing beneath her causing her to drop her sword to the stone floor.

Plain relief appeared on her face.

"It's all over."

"It's all over my Queen."