original story and characters; princess x knight; an x reader story; fantasy au; enjoy ♡ Masterlist
That was the only thought consuming you at the moment. Picking up your skirts, you tore your way through the flora. Your head darted back every few seconds, eyes wild and searching for something – someone – behind you until-
The nervous neighing of a large horse had you turning back just in time to somehow move yourself back from the muddy path in front of you. A scream escaped your lips before you knew it and soon you were on the ground. Coughing up dust, you trained your eyes up to gaze at the horse, hidden by the shadow of the sun that was slowly looming over you.
Had it been that long already? You could have sworn it was barely past midnight when you’d left.
“Watch where yer going, mam!”
At the sound of the gruff voice, you strained your eyes to focus on the man who seemed to be on the horse. Just like his voice, he too seemed to be a rough man, weathered to the bone with his eyes still having a gleam even as they took your state on the floor.
Humiliation and rage arose inside you, a flush creeping up your cheeks as you quickly got up dusting yourself off. Glaring at the man, you retorted-
“Perhaps it is you and your beast who should be watching out.”
Not your best but you felt a satisfaction upon seeing his eyebrows rise in shock. Or was that amusement? Damn it, his eyes were still shining.
“Feisty, aren’t we?”, he smirked down at you. There was something about it that ignited something inside you. Anger, probably.
Your gaze then moved to the sword he had strapped to his side. His eyes followed yours and a low laugh escaped him. “Looking at the silver? Yeah, she’s a real pretty one. Say why exactly were you- “
A twig snapped behind you. Logic screamed it was probably a deer or something along those lines. But logic was not what had ensured your survival this long. Your legs barely moved but you glared up at him defiantly. Despite the gripping fear in your heart, you said clearly-
Scoffing, he shook his head. “By the Gods aren’t you a little crazy… I ain’t taking you anywhere, mam!”
“Don’t do nun of that beggin’ nonsense! It ain’t gonna change my mind!”
“You don’t even know where I am headed!”
You sighed, anxious and tired. “It doesn’t matter as long as its away from here. Just… drop me off anywhere on your way.”
At your request, his mouth opened and closed seemingly unable to find a proper argument against this. After all, he wasn’t going to lose much. He hoped. Groaning barely silently, he shifted back on his horse.
Beaming in relief, you took his hand and pulled yourself up in front of him. His heels pushed into the horse’s side, as it took off on a trot towards what seemed to be a long valley.
“There’s a town just across the mountains. You can get off there”, he said, his voice a little quieter now. You nodded slowly before whispering almost imperceptibly.
For a good few minutes, he showed no notion that he had heard you. But soon he cleared his throat, mumbling under his breath. Catching the bits and pieces, you smiled to yourself. Clearly, you hadn’t driven this man to despise you. Not that it mattered. You simply needed his help in navigation. The further away you could get from your home… the better.
As if sensing your thoughts, he lowered his head to your ear, whispering,
“Penny for your thoughts, sweetheart?”
You swatted at his head only for him to chuckle and bring it right back, his breath tickling your ear.
“Ah, what did I do wrong now?”
“What is that term for? Am I your sweetheart?”
There was a twinkle in his eye. He gazed at you for a moment before replying. “You seem to be harboring some hatred towards being called so- “
“We are strangers”, you interrupted him, “Strangers who will part ways sooner than later. So… let us keep the details of our lives to ourselves.”
You felt him tense behind you but you shook off any feelings of guilt as you convinced yourself this was for the better. Besides… “sweetheart” was something he used to call you. Back at the-
You paused. Tilting your head slightly to the side, you asked softly, “I didn’t ask for your name…”
“Don’t need ta’. Jus’ wanted to tell ya. What’s yer name?”
You hesitated for a moment. Your past and the implications of it on your future hover above you as you swayed with each movement of the horse, lost in your own mind. After thinking for a bit, you answer him. But just your first name.
He merely chuffed in reply. You decided to make of that what you willed.
Soon the sun that was shining brightly above you, decided to lower down, painting the skies in hues of red and gold. You yawned, tired and aching, your thighs sore from riding for hours.
“We’re gonna camp here for the night.”
Your head whipped back nearly colliding with his chin. “Camp? But surely we can cross the valley by night- “
“The horse is tired, mam. And I am hungry- “
At that your own stomach decided to introduce itself by growling loudly. Flushing with embarrassment, you tried to justify it as Arthur merely chuckled behind you.
“Guess I’m not the only one.”
This was going to be a long night.
Thank you for reading! All characters are owned by me (except you of course) ♡
