You Frightened Me | Cedric & Kate
For some time now, Kate Miller had been struggling with the thought of whether or not she truly was a part of the resistance. Many in the small group said as much, but the young baker often found herself troubled by the moniker. Not for the danger it could bring her, of course. After all, Kate sincerely believed in the cause, having seen herself the horrors that the queen's reign could bring. Gentle fingers came up to brush against the pair of wedding rings she always wore around her neck, wondering what her parents would think of her consorting with a bad of vagabond rebels. A small smile appeared upon her lips as the thought that they would indeed be very proud crossed through her mind.
And yet, she hardly felt she could take on the name. All she really did for the rebels was bring them food, occasionally offer a coin or two that she could afford to spare from her meager takings from the bakery. She wasn't a spy or a warrior or anyone who could make grand political changes. She was mere Kate Miller. Nothing more.
The girl sighed gently and dropped her hand from the rings around her neck, attempting to pull herself from these melancholy thoughts. It was too beautiful a day to be gloomy. The sun was shining bright, there were birds singing in the trees, and a gentle breeze was ruffling her hair under her hood as she walked. Kate couldn't have picked a better day to meander her way to the rebel's camp with food in her basket. She had even managed enough extra dough and fruit for a few small pies--meager treats of course, but if Kate knew anything, she knew the power a sweet could hold.
To try and pull herself further from the moodiness thinking of her parents always brought, Kate began to whistle a quiet tune to herself, mimicking the birds. At least, that is, until she heard a rustling...
Slowly, the young woman slowed her whistling, glancing about to see what exactly it was moving about in the bushes beside her. People had warned of fierce animals living in these woods--though sometimes she wondered if those rumors were started by Alaric and his band to keep others for stumbling upon their hiding place and revealing all. But no! There it was again!
Kate came to a stop, feeling her hear racing in her ears. She had nothing to defend herself with, nor anywhere to run and hide. The camp was still another mile down the road, and the village was far behind her. If she were to be attacked, there was nothing to be done...
"Nonsense..." The girl muttered to herself, eyeing a thick branch that had fallen nearby. Perhaps if she was quick enough, she could reach it in time before whatever preyed upon her in the thicket could get to her. As the rustling came nearer, she waited, listening carefully for the opportune moment between distraction and movement.
Yet there was no time, for as soon as Kate turned to run and grab up the branch for it's intended use, she nearly bowled straight into Cedric Boleyn. All right, perhaps nearly wasn't quite the correct word as Kate stumbled back from her face crashing straight into his chest.
"Cedric Boleyn, was that you in the bushes following me?!" She gasped, clutching a hand to her heart, though more out of relief flowing through her than any other emotion. "You frightened me terribly! You could have at least stepped out onto the road or made your presence known in some fashion instead of appearing out of thin air!" A teasing smile graced the young woman's face as she lifted a brow in the young man's direction.
"I sincerely hope you haven't accosted me in this way in the hopes of getting first pick of whatever I've brought for all of you. That would be quite selfish of you, and rather in-character, I might say."