Lizzy, Pride and Prejudice Fanfiction
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Lizzy, Warrior Princess By Cassie M
Prologue
Lambton Inn, August 1801
Lizzy read her sister's letter again and again, unbelieving that Lydia could do anything so stupid as eloping with that imbecile Wickham. Her first urge to cry was forgotten as her anger took hold. She squashed even that emotion at the sound of footsteps outside her sitting room.
Mr. Darcy entered with such a smile on his face as to make her heart turn over. She was still unsure of her feelings for him and was not ready to acknowledge their growing warmth. However, this news of Lydia made it impossible for her to encourage his attentions. What would his shame be if he learned the truth? What justification could she offer for the weak-mindedness of her family? Nay, she must solve the problem and then hope that he would return to her once more.
Darcy's face grew more somber and despondent as Lizzy's preoccupation became evident. She was anxious to be off to London, to discover for herself the whereabouts of so intellectually void a sister and her equally challenged consort. She was startled to discover that Mr. Darcy was wordlessly contemplating her, the silence of the room having become more than he could bear.
"You have long been anticipating my absence, I fear," he said quietly as he picked up his hat and cane. "Forgive me for intruding on your privacy. After yesterday, I had thought…" he tried to collect himself, but for the first time failed, "I had thought I would be welcome."
"Oh! Mr. Darcy, I am sorry," Lizzy began, this not being her intention. "I am merely…"
But Darcy was quickly walking to the door, unable to face her. "Nay, nay. I will be off. Please accept my best wishes for your health and happiness." And with that he was gone.
Now truly despondent, Lizzy shed her tears. In an attempt to ease her mind through activity, she quickly packed her case, penned a note to her Aunt and Uncle, enclosed Jane's letter and left for London.
Chapter 1
The road to London was sweltering in the summer heat. Over and over again, she fanned herself and prayed for rain. The horses became tired and needed to rest more often. Every hour she waited was interminable. Every delay, inexcusable. Soon she saw the carriage approach a patch of woods. Blessing her luck that cool air would soon invade the carriage she was shocked at the sound of raised voices and the sudden stopping of the carriage.
"Give us yer loot!" A voiced growled from outside. Suddenly a masked face was thrust into the carriage window. "Well hallo there little lady! Come on out and let us take a look at ye!"
Lizzy was forcibly hauled out of the carriage and her purse ransacked. She stood quaking in fear as the troop of four bandits raided all her possessions and those of the driver. The driver, with extreme fear in his eyes, suddenly spied an opening from within the trees and took off in a dead run. One of the bandits shouted, "Come back here, ye scoundrel!" At the same time, Lizzy screamed, "WAIT! DON'T LEAVE ME HERE!"
One of the bandits gave chase but soon came back empty handed. "Bugger me," he said, "but that one can run! 'E must be halfway to France by now."
The leader of these hoodlums approached Lizzy and reached for the cross at her neck. Lizzy unconsciously clutched the necklace, "Oh please. This was a gift from my father You have taken everything else I own, please spare me this."
The bandit's eyes visibly softened for a split second, but the hand dropped away. The other three were already mounting their horses with newly filled sacks and awaiting the word of their leader. The leader continued to eye the trembling Lizzy and with a frustrated growl looked around at the dense forest.
"Lady, you would not survive a night alone in these woods. I may be a thief many times, but I am not a murderer. You will have to come with us."
Her courage rising, Lizzy poked her chin in the air. "I need no assistance from you or your ilk."
Disconcertingly, the bandit leader laughed heartily, "I like spunk but not argument. You are coming with us and that is the end of it. CHESTER!" the leader suddenly yelled at the largest of the bandits, "unhook those horses from the carriage and prepare one for the lady!"
"I do not ride," Lizzy said.
"No time like the present to learn then, aye?" was the implacable reply. It took Lizzy 15 minutes to mount a saddleless horse from atop a large boulder. In the end, she suffered the mortification of Chester's hands assisting from behind and having to hitch up her skirts to ride like a man. Awkwardly grabbing the make-shift reins, Lizzy tried to maintain her balance on the strong animal as well as some shred of dignity.
"It's a start," shrugged Chester at the leader and proceeded to tie Lizzy's horse to his own.
Night began to fall on the ragged group as they wended their way deeper into the forest.
Chapter 2
Every muscle in her body aching as the horse trudged on, Lizzy fought to stay awake and upright on the animal. She had lost all desire to fight her abductors and sunk into a depressed silence. What would become of her, she wondered. Would her family ever learn of her whereabouts? What about poor Lydia, living in sin, ruining the family's good name. Now with her own disappearance, Lizzy was despondent over her chances to ever make a fresh start with Mr. Darcy. It was saddening to learn the true wishes of her heart this way. Mr. Darcy was truly the man most suited to her. Yet, if the fates were so kind as to release her back to her family, her own sullied reputation would only serve to distance him. Hope was released in a single, long, heartfelt sigh.
"There now," came a gruff voice. "Drink some o' this for strength. We ain't got much farther to go."
Lizzy looked up into Chester's face and saw a kindly expression on it. He was handing her a flask which she accepted gratefully. She took a large gulp and gasped as the liquid burned its way down her throat and stomach. Immediately light headed and teary eyed, she croaked, "What is this?"
Chester guffawed, "The Bishop's best scotch. He came by this way not two days ago. Take another drink, but slowly now."
Lizzy sipped at the flask and found the second drink to be more palatable. The warmth of the drink was quickly spreading throughout her body, making the aches fade just enough. Almost from a distance, she heard the bandit leader comment, "That's enough of that Chester, she's barely hanging onto her seat as it is."
The woods suddenly opened into a large clearing. The bandit village was simply amazing. Homes were built among the trees with long, swinging bridges connecting one home to the next. Pulleys and levers of every sort pushed and pulled vegetables, clothes, people up high above ground. A strongly flowing stream cut right through the center of the village and many villagers were there washing clothes or pots or their children. Indeed, the village was alive with the laughter of men and women and the playful shouts of the dozens of children that ran freely around the grounds. On the ground, at the center of the village blazed a strong fire where the makings of a feast were being prepared. Lizzy had never seen anything like it in her life. It was as if she had been transported to the medieval years of England.
She awkwardly climbed off her steed with Chester's help. Her knees wobbled with the strain of holding on so tightly for so long and she quickly dropped to precariously sit on the closest tree trunk. Her horse, having mistakenly gained some kind of affinity for her, came close and nuzzled her hair.
"She likes ye, miss," Chester observed, "I think ye got yerself a permanent mount."
Lizzy sighed tiredly, "She'll get over it I'm sure."
The bandit leader jumped off the lead horse and patted it on the neck affectionately. A short, thin man with the thickest eye glasses Lizzy had ever seen was quickly approaching the leader. He held what looked like a ledger book under his arm. As he grew close, the bandit leader pulled off the restraining mask in one fluid motion. Out cascaded thick waves of red hair that quickly framed a decidedly feminine face. The bandit leader quickly grabbed hold of the bespectacled man and kissed him full on the lips.
Lizzy felt her jaw go slack and openly gaped at the couple. She had not felt such astonishment since Charlotte announced her engagement to Mr. Collins! This bandit…this leader of thieves…was a WOMAN? How did this come to pass? As if aware that she was being watched, the bandit leader dropped her hold on the man and turned to grin directly into Lizzy's face. She turned and approached Lizzy, leaving the poor man to sway in astonished happiness and wipe his forehead with his kerchief.
"I see that I have startled you." The bandit leader said mockingly, "Poor little girl, taught all her life to accept her fate with silence and fortitude."
Lizzy felt the stirrings of her temper, but remained aware that she was still at this woman's mercy. "Madam, I may be your prisoner, but I have yet to be called faint of heart. You may yet find in me a substantial amount of strength."
The red haired woman smiled, "Well said. We do not keep hostages here, consider us your rescuers from the perils of the forest." At if timed, a wolf howled in the depths of the woods sending a shiver over Lizzy. "Do not be alarmed. You are safe here. I am known a the Merry Bandit, but my people call me Marian. Generations of my kin have lived in these woods and taken up the art of relieving the rich of their excess good fortune."
"Are you any relation to Robin Hood by any chance?" Lizzy intoned sarcastically.
"If my ancestors are from Locksley, they have kept it a secret from the world," laughed Marian. "And how may we address you?"
"Lizzy," Lizzy replied cautiously, not wishing to endanger her family. Marian raised her eyebrows slightly in question, "Just Lizzy," she repeated firmly.
"Very well, Just Lizzy, let us warm ourselves by the fire and partake of the best meal you will ever have, I dare say." With a gesture, Marian led Lizzy toward the welcomed warmth of the fire.
Chapter 3
It was indeed the best meal Lizzy had ever eaten, though she could not tell if it was because it was genuinely delicious or because deep in her heart she still feared it would be her last meal. She knew she was being closely watched by the villagers. Marian had only introduced her as a temporary guest. But, disheveled as she was, her gown was still the most fashionable of the lot. Some of the older children had been bold enough to approach and touch the silken hem, but no one had spoken to her of yet. Indeed, many of the village women, like Marian, disdained the accepted female clothing, settling for the breeches and shirts worn by the men. Lizzy wondered at their boldness while simultaneously wishing for a more comfortable ensemble herself.
The meal was cleared away and Lizzy allowed herself to lean back against the fallen log in silence. The bespectacled man had moved away from Marian's side to begin cataloging the pilfered contents of the sack. Marian watched Lizzy between lowered eyes as she drew long, slow puffs on her cigar. Lizzy closed her eyes, determined to ignore every impropriety she witnessed, only to be startled by the rustling of fabric beside her. Marian had planted herself next to Lizzy and poked her on the ribs.
"So what brings a young woman of good breeding on an unescorted journey to London?" She asked.
"Are you trying to be my friend now?"
"I could be, if you'd let me. Truly, none of us wish to harm you. If that had been our intent, we could easily have left you alone in the woods. But we have brought you here, shown you our home, broken bread with you. Have you heard a single cross word yet? Has anyone here treated you with anything but kindness since your arrival?" Lizzy was forced to acknowledge that the villagers had indeed been nothing but attentive.
Marian took another deep drag from the cigar before continuing, "I have seen a sadness in your eyes all night. You were rushing toward something unpleasant, were you not? And maybe leaving something precious behind?"
Lizzy turned her face away to hide her weak tears, "You are very perceptive."
Marian nodded sagely, "It comes from seeing the same expression on the faces of so many people I love. It comes from looking at my own face in the mirror. All of us," she gestured to the village in general, "we are all running away from something. So we take refuge here where we live in secrecy. We share what we steal with other poor villages and keep only enough to buy what we cannot provide on our own."
Lizzy looked around, but could not discern more than shadows from the flickering fire. "You have built your own reality here. But life continues beyond the woods. I cannot run away from my problems." She glanced once again at Marian's companion. "And what does your husband run from?"
Marian laughed good naturedly, "he is not my husband. I do believe he wishes it were so, poor deluded man." Seeing Lizzy's eyes cast down, "I have shocked you again, I fear."
"You greeted him with much warmth when we arrived."
"Robert is a part of me. We are an odd looking pair, I will be the first to admit. I found him much the way I found you, wandering the woods, cast away by a merchant for keeping tally of payments received too accurately. He will never be a thief, but he had organized our forages to the point of taxation. He even calls it 'net income'. We are as married as we will ever be however," Marian said silently, "should a true marriage ever happen and I am caught, he would hang for my crimes as much as I. No, it is better this way."
Lizzy felt her mouth twitch into a smile, "Robert and Marian, living in the forest, stealing from the rich and giving to the poor. The Merry Bandit and her Merry Men." Giving in to her mirth, Lizzy laughed for the first time since leaving Lambton.
"Yes, yes, poke fun all you want," Marian said agreeably. "I have heard all the jokes ten fold." She poked Lizzy in the ribs again for good measure anyway. "Besides we were talking about you."
Lizzy quickly sobered, "My youngest sister had eloped with a cad. They were supposed to go to Gretna Green, but have been traced only as far as London. I have no hope of their being married, and Lydia, stupid girl, will be the ruin of the family."
"Why take the matter into your own hands. Do you not have a father and brothers and uncles enough to deal with her and set the matter to rights?"
"I have no brother. My uncle will always help, but father!" Lizzy trailed off. "I love my father, but I am not blind to his faults. He does not deal well with the important details of life. I had hoped to persuade her to come back to London with me. To say that she had met me in London where I had resided while traveling with my Aunt and Uncle."
"You know of her whereabouts, then?"
"No."
"London is a big place, Lizzy," Marian said somberly, "it is a very rough place in parts as well. The places to hide are the same places you would have found yourself well out of your league. How did you plant to find her?"
Lizzy remained silent.
"Ah," said Marian, "you ran to London without a plan." Marian threw her cigar on the ground and crushed it with her boot. "Are you truly committed to saving this wretched girl? Are you truly willing to make every effort possible?"
"I am," Lizzy said proudly.
"Then today is your lucky day," Marian said cheerfully as she got up to rejoin her would-be husband.
"How is that?"
Marian smiled cheekily, "Because you need a plan, and I am never without one!"
Chapter 4
Lizzy's first order of business was to dispatch two letters she had written: one to her parents and one to the Gardiners. She did not doubt that they all worried over her disappearance and briefly regretted her rashness. But there was nothing to be done now except to maintain her resolve and let Marian's plans come to fruition.
She handed the letters to a sleepy looking Chester. "Are you quite sure you will be safe going into town?" She inquired.
Chester rubbed his eyes tiredly. "Aye, miss. Me brother is the postmaster and I ride in to see him all da time. No one will think differently about it." He kneed his horse gently and set off down the road.
"All squared away?" Marian asked from behind. Lizzy whirled around, startled.
"Do you always sneak up on people?"
"Consider it Lesson #1. Always be aware of your surroundings." Marian said unconcernedly, "First, let's get you the right attire for your training."
Lizzy eyed the bandit leader warily, "Training?"
Marian returned look for look, "You don't think I'm letting you walk the street of London unable to defend yourself, do you?"
Within an hour, Lizzy was standing in the middle of the square in breeches and a white shirt. In her shame, she pulled the long shirt over the breeches, unused to revealing so much of her form. Her uneasiness deepened as she noticed several glances cast in her direction by the villagers. Marian walked around Lizzy speculatively, one finger pressed against her lips. She then suddenly reached out and slapped Lizzy's spine straight.
"Don't slouch, didn't your mother teach you about posture?"
"Only as it relates to getting a husband," Lizzy replied dryly. "I can't tell you how many times I have heard how our figures are best displayed. She would whisper is to me and pinch ever so slightly when my odious cousin Mr. Collins came to visit."
"And did she have him in mind for you?"
Lizzy laughed gaily, "Did she indeed! I believe she withheld all conversation with me for two weeks after I dared refuse him. I welcomed the silence and slouched to my hearts content."
"You heart tended elsewhere, then?" Marian slyly said. She watched Lizzy's bright eyes fade a little before changing the subject, "Well, you will not slouch in my presence. Besides, you are too pretty to be a hunchback and even that will scarcely frighten a Londoner. They'd just send the poor fool out as sport!"
"Must I wear this at all? It's so…revealing."
"No more revealing than when you fancy ladies stand against a light or wet your muslin down. And you will find these to be comfortable. You will get used to them."
That ended the discussion and without meaning to, Lizzy found herself adjusting to the attire and quite welcoming the ease of movement. In an act of defiance, Lizzy stood by the fire one night and burned her corset. She was free! At least for the time being. Most of the village women cheered as the bone and lace material burned, sending peach plumes skyward.
The next fortnight was filled with activity. Lizzy learned to handle a broadsword, made especially for her by the village blacksmith.
"This 'ere sword, miss, it's just right for ye," The soot ridden man grinned. "Light as a feather, it's me best work yet!"
Lizzy picked up the weapon gingerly, passing it from left hand to right, testing the weight and the feel of the handle. "This will do nicely, thank you." She said, smiling.
Every day, Marian and Lizzy crossed swords, the clashing of metal against metal causing such a din that birds flew off the trees in search of silence. Every meeting was a challenge for Lizzy, who had learned to admire the bandit leader's ability. As soon as the breakfast dishes were cleared away, Lizzy knew that Marian would become a shadow in the trees, waiting for the opportunity to pounce.
Lizzy glanced warily around her as she strolled through the wood, her sword sheathed at her side. She strained her ears to hear every leaf rustle or every dry branch that was crushed by a boot. She took a couple more steps before suddenly finding a knife at her throat.
"Slice," Marian whispered, "You're dead."
The release of tension suddenly filled Lizzy as she threw off the knife, moved back a few paces and drew her sword. Marian smiled and drew her own. The warriors advanced and metal smote metal between their bodies. The battle raged fiercely, angrier and more competitive than ever before. Again and again, Lizzy dodged the blows that aimed for her head. She dropped down low to the ground and rolled left, no right, left again, stabbing up and slashing back and forth to gain and advantage. Her booted leg hooked itself around Marian's ankle and pulled her off balance. Lizzy sprung up agilely as Marian fell and swung her sword in a wide arc just missing Marian's nose. Marian gasped and rolled away. Lizzy, seeing an advantage, advanced. But the cunning bandit rolled again behind Lizzy and kicked out with both feet, forcing Lizzy's knees to buckle and bend her toward the ground. Startled, Lizzy lost hold of her sword as she fell forward. Turning to face her opponent, she looked straight into the tip of Marian's blade.
"Much, much better," Marian said, "you almost had me there." She sheathed her sword and reached down to help a grinning Lizzy to her feet.
"My heart is beating wildly," Lizzy gasped, "I never thought I would find this so exhilarating!"
Marian laughed as she handed Lizzy her sword. "It does get the blood pumping. But don't let it distract from the world around. Most ruffians travel in packs."
Lizzy followed her line of sight and was startled to find Robert, Chester and almost all of the village children watching. They burst into applause as Lizzy acknowledged them. She laughed delightedly and waved her hands in the air.
"Save your applause for when I actually win!" She said
Marian snorted as she began walking toward the fire. "You are a confident one."
"Yes," Lizzy smiled, "I am."
Chapter 5
"Yer gonna 'ave to try it wi'out the rock at least once, miss."
Lizzy stood precariously perched on a rock with both hands on the reins and saddle of her horse. Chester was standing close enough to catch her if she fell again, as she attempted to mount the steed. She shot Chester a look that could have turned his hair white, if she didn't look so ridiculous at the moment. Chester merely chuckled good-naturedly. Even the blasted horse was patience personified as it stood stoically and waited for its mistress.
"If I get on this animal with the rock, then I will try it without," Lizzy promised. She lifted a booted foot onto the stirrup and hoisted herself onto the saddle. Excited beyond measure, the horse pranced and trotted around the rock. Lizzy gripped the animal with all her might, terror invading every part of her body. She slid down again and stepped off the rock.
The horse stood quietly as Lizzy contemplated the best way to mount from the ground. She felt considerably shorter than before and unsure whether she would ever make this a comfortable experience. Gathering her resolve, Lizzy stepped onto the stirrup and pulled herself up only to land on her stomach across the saddle. She could swear that her horse snorted and snickered while she grunted her way off the saddle and went to try again. Her second try was just as unglamorous as the expletive she let loose when her leg got caught on the back end of the saddle. Over and over again, Lizzy made every attempt to mount the steed, each failed try giving rise to her anger and determination to complete the task without a fatality – either for herself, Chester or the horse. Huffing with displeasure and exhaustion, Lizzy made one last attempt and while in midair, got the distinct impression that her horse arched its back down and under her, causing a perfect landing on the saddle. She leaned over the reins to look at the horse's face in amazement and got what looked like a smirk in return.
"She likes ye," Chester said, "she'll na let you fall. Trust 'er, but let 'er know who's boss."
"She is!" Lizzy shot back. She watched Chester grab the reins and lead the horse around until Lizzy became comfortable. The horse settled and behaved impeccably. Chester then began his instructions.
"Grab the reins – not so tight, miss! Pullin' on 'er mouth will make 'er un'appy. That's right! Now, pull the reins on the right side an' press in wi' yer left knee. That's me girl. Now do it the other way. Right! Ye learns fast lass!"
Lizzy was fast becoming accustomed to the movements of riding and grew attuned to the nuances. It was a dance of introduction between her and the animal, the formation of understanding between rider and mount. Lizzy was convinced of the horse's affection for her and grew confident that the animal would not let her down.
Nevertheless, Lizzy was extremely saddle-sore at the end of the day. As she and Chester brushed and fed the horse, he asked, "So wha' ye gonna name 'er."
Lizzy looked startled, never having thought of naming the animal. But the idea had merit, she contemplated, as she lovingly stroked the animal's graceful neck. "She must have a name worthy of her. She is the sweetest creature. Swift. Sure-footed. What about Breeze?"
Chester gaped at her, "Tha's a girl's name. Don't ye worry, lass," Chester said to the horse, "no 'on will think the less of ye for 'aving such a daft name."
Lizzy laughed, "Well, what does Marian call her horse?"
Chester snorted, "She be another one. 'Er poor animal is named Give Me Some Money."
"That's a long name for a horse."
"Aye," Chester agreed, "Tha's why 'e nevar comes when 'e's called!"
Chapter 6
"I like the name Breeze," Robert said defensively as he watched Lizzy feet the horse carrots.
"It's wussy," Chester complained. "Miss Lizzy here…'er 'orse needs a strong name. One for a Princess."
"Princess?!" Lizzy laughed. "I can assure you sir, I am very far removed from royalty!"
"Yer as close as I'm ever gonna get," Chester countered. "All right then, yer horse ought to be named like a warrior!"
Robert snickered and nudged her, "Lizzy, Warrior Princess. Your name will be legend!"
"I have no aspirations toward legend either." Lizzy laughed. "I just want Mr. Wickham's head on a plate. But I will refuse to change my name to Salome."
Chester grunted at the pair of them as they laughed. "Well bad enough, yer shaming yer 'orse! Wha about a battle cry, then?"
"Battle cry?" Lizzy laughed even harder. "What on earth do I need one of those for."
"Intimidation, miss, IN-TI-MI-DA-TION!" Chester said, warming up to the topic. "Nothing like scaring the bejesus out of folks before they even see ye!"
Breeze nudged Lizzy's shoulder as she became remiss with the carrot feeding. "Well, I charge you to create one for me."
Chester began playing with various sounds and noises from hoots to brayings to what sounded like intense sneezing. Robert was doubled over in laughter and only Chester's offended expression kept Lizzy from losing her countenance. Chester soon had Lizzy try several of his favorites sounds and the din increased from their corners of the clearing. Lizzy was so choked between hooting and laughing that her best battlecry came out as,
"Ack, Ack, ACK!"
Finally dissolving into gales of breathless laughter, Lizzy could summon no more enthusiasm to please the disgruntled Chester.
"Ye mind ol' Chester," he said wagging a finger like a school teacher. "Ye work on that cry…it will do ye good at some point!"
Chapter 7
Lizzy tightly gripped Marian's hand as she was blindly led into what sounded like the forest. Marian seemed to understand her uneasiness at the loss of her sight as she whispered, "Being without a sense is the hardest of adjustments to make. But many times we are mislead by what we see, hear, touch, taste and feel. Don't be deceived. Only when you can open yourself to every nuance around you will you be fully prepared to face a challenge."
Lizzy could hear the steps and breathing of several villagers as the dry leaves crunched under foot. She could smell the smoke from the torches they carried and feel the cold of the evening creep into her clothing. The group wound a twisted path through the woods, slowly and painstakingly twisting and turning to confuse the blinded Lizzy. This was another of Marian's tests. She had to find her way back to the village or there would be no meal or bed for the night. Marian faithfully promised that she would be left to fend for herself until morning if she was unsuccessful. Lizzy was determined not to fail.
Lizzy waited until the sound of footsteps faded before removing the blindfold. She was in an unfamiliar part of the forest, where the foliage was denser and there were no manmade paths toward the bandit village. It seemed an interminable length of time before her eyes adjusted to the starlight. Her hearing seemed to sharpen as every bird call, owl hoot, and animal cry pierced the night sky. She fingered the handle of her broadsword to give her strength and comfort. She turned in a complete circle, surveying each corner of the woods, but could account for no familiar terrain. The bandits had been cautious indeed to take her to an unfamiliar, and unforgiving, part of the woods.
Lizzy searched and found a thick branch and several dried leaves. She ripped a strip of cloth from her shirt and swathed the leave at the end of the branch. Finally, she twirled the makeshift torch around in a large cobweb hanging between two branches. Taking a match she had hidden in her pocket, she lit the torch and prayed it would last long enough for her to find her way back to the village.
Using the torch she surveyed the ground and soon identified where the leaves had been crushed by many feet and began to follow that path. She followed the path slowly always checking for remnants of the walkers. She came to an avenue of trees that seemed familiar and began to follow her intuition. Lizzy was attuned to the sounds of the forest and unafraid. Her sense of alarm only rose when the hoots and bird calls stopped abruptly. She too stopped and listened closely. The silence in the air was oppressive and unnatural. She tried to control the sound of her own breathing as it cut through the air. She closed her eyes, willed her breathing to calm itself and settle, and she listened…THERE! She jumped back quickly as a hissing shot toward her from the left. She felt the air agitate just inches from her face as a blurred object whizzed past her. In astonishment, she surveyed the arrow that had barely missed her head and embedded itself in a tree. She exhaled heavily and pushed on toward her goal.
She came upon a clearing not long after the arrow incident. There was a shallow lake that glimmered moonlight merrily at her. She bent and touched the cool water, splashing a little of it on her face and neck to soothe her. She heard a grunt behind her and whirled around to find a stout pig looking directly at her. She moved slightly to the left and the pig followed her movement, she moved right and again it mirrored her movement. Lizzy stilled every muscle in her body in wait as the two of them watched each other. The staring contest continued for long moments. Lizzy could feel the strain on the arm holding the torch up, and on her back as the sword and scabbard at her waist weighed her down. Watching the pig's eyes narrow sleepily, Lizzy hazarded that it was safe to relieve some of the pressure on her spine. She dropped one knee down and winced as the sword scraped across the stones by the lake, dislodging several of them and sending them scuttling into the water.
It's eyes flying wide open in alarm, the pig gave a snort and charged! It slammed its body against her, sending her backwards into the cold water. The pig then scurried off into the dark, squealing as if chased by a butcher. Lizzy stood up and walked out of the water gingerly, having to readjust to the sudden darkness. She could see the outline of her torch as it lay defused in the water and could feel the discomfort of cold toes squishing in her boots. It was an odd feeling to be so wet from head to foot in her backside while simultaneously mostly dry in front. She dried herself as best she could and set off down the path again, carefully feeling her way through the darker patches of forest.
She noticed a soft shimmer down the way the pig ran and followed it, her excitement increasing as the glow grew brighter. Finally, not ten yards away, she spied a real torch burning as it hung between the arms of a split branch. Smiling, she walked toward it, looking left and right for any traps along the way. About three feet from the torch, she felt a brushing against her shin. Immediately still, she glanced down and saw…absolutely nothing. She pushed her left leg forward carefully and felt a thin pressure pushing back against her. She reached forward blindly with her hands but encountered no resistance. Bending down, she ran her hands against her legs and found no resistance until she came to her shins. Realizing that a thin gossamer string was tightly tied and stretched in front of her, Lizzy stepped back and drew her sword. She gave a mighty swing and cut the string in half. Immediately ahead, between her and the torch, a large net rose up from the ground. It would have trapped her all night if she has been less careful.
Laughing in triumph, Lizzy walked under the net, plucked the torch from its perch and found the path to the village without further incident. She smiled as she spied the village gathered around the fire. Close to the well sat a little girl who cuddled and dozed on top of the same portly porker who had given Lizzy a soaking. While hidden amongst the trees, she noticed Chester, Robert and Marian in deep conversation about her as they walked around the edges of the village. She slowly followed, taking care not to be seen or heard.
"You're pushing her too hard," Robert was saying. Marian did not reply.
"Wha' do ye know, eh?" Chester...
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