Through the Forest

Princess Elesha did not waste time she made haste and started to pack her things for the journey she would make to the Kingdom of Rubicund. She had heard the tales and the news surrounding the Kingdom of Rubicund, its edgy dark brick red castle and the many villages it had. She had heard altogether there were roughly twenty provinces and each province had around ten villages. The Kingdom of Rubicund was much larger than the Kingdom of Weiss, and while soldiers bled to death on both sides, neither side had won a single victory.

There was a shortcut through the dense forest if one were to take that route instead of the roads and bridges one would have to cross. Jem and Jasper her trusted companions and personal guards would be with her as she made the journey, so would a little army of her own. She had been specific to ask her father for young men who were skilled in battle who had no wives, to accompany her for the journey as she wanted them to stay with her in the Kingdom of Rubicund.

The carriages were prepared for her, and bless her father, the King of Weiss intended to send her bearing gifts to the King of Rubicund. On the day she would make the journey, she woke up bright and early, before light could illuminate the sky. She wore her riding dress which was a deep shade of red to travel, with long brown boots. Bea her ladies maid, forever in her service was tasked with braiding her hair into a long braid.

Her father had insisted she take more ladies maids to help her, four he had suggested and she had stubbornly refused as most had families and the only one closer to her age still unmarried was faithful, Bea.

The princess's little army decided to take the quickest route to the Kingdom of Rubicund by taking the pathways through the forest. They rarely felt the strong heat of the Sun as they journeyed through the forest that had trees packed closely together it formed a canopy of shade wherever they went.

They stopped to camp for the night as they would reach the Kingdom of Rubicund in two days. The journey, was a joyous one as the soldiers played musical instruments at night, by the fire and told each other stories and laughed, and exchanged views on life. Everyone in and from the Kingdom of Weiss were in anticipation for the wedding that would bring peace to both their warring nations. The soldiers were proud of their princess and some even commented on how brave she must be to take her sister's place and marry an enemy.

Others were rather skeptical of the union but hoped the king would accept her even if she were not as beautiful as her sister, Princess Estella.

For Princess Estella was known for beauty and many talents since she was groomed from birth to make a fine match but rumours spread that her virtue had been compromised making her an unfavorable match for the King of Rubicund. Who had made it clear that he had desired a virtuous bride, in his letters to the King of Weiss. Only the royal family knew the truth regarding Princess Estella, while some had agreed to the exchange others thought the Queen especially spoiled her eldest daughter too much in letting her have her own way.

Two days went by and on the third day they camped near a river, Jem and Jasper decided to take a bath near the waterfall and so did some of the soldiers. To the princess's annoyance she was ordered to stay in her tent for the whole day as the soldiers took turns to enjoy the cool water.

"Your Majesty, I have brought some fish for you," said Jasper as he gave Bea a plate with roasted fish straight from the fire.

"Oh that's smells good Jasper, thank you."

"My pleasure," said Jasper as he watched the princess eat her fish, seated near the fire. It was a cool night and the fire gleamed brightly.

"I'm going to miss you Jasper and Jem, I will be assigned new guards in Rubicund. I intend to ask the king if you may be permitted to live on castle grounds, like the other guards. I can't guarantee what the outcome would be."

"You need not worry too much about us Your Majesty, we promise to be with you till the end. You must prepare yourself for the king and think about how best you might please him. Do not be afraid, Your Majesty, you will make a fine queen, I know it."