The Huntsmen

by Honor James

  "A little of both but the sounds definitely had my interest seriously peaked," Baldric smiled at her. "I was just curious what you two were up to and why I wasn't invited," he teased and chuckled softly.

  “Ah, well next time we’ll have to invite you. I’ll start on the fried cakes so we can all have breakfast. Should one of you go and wake Dierk so he can enjoy a meal with us as well?” Snow asked with a smile.

  "I'll go and wake him," Niklaus said, getting to his feet with a smile. "He'll be very upset if we let him sleep through our princess cooking for us.” Grinning at her, he headed off down the hall whistling softly under his breath.

  "How are you doing, Princess?" Baldric asked quietly, his tone serious. "You've been through quite a lot of late. Is there anything you need to help you through it all?"

  Snow looked to him and sighed. “It’s been a struggle,” she admitted. “I was locked in a prison that was no larger than this kitchen and barely kept from starving. I swear she would have likely killed me if she didn’t have plans for me,” she said with a sigh, “and then she used me as a pawn to try to gain another kingdom to control.” She shook her head. “I’m as good as I’m going to get.”

  Chapter Four

  Getting up, he moved closer to her and held open his arms, "Hug?" he asked softly. Smiling when she moved into his arms, he squeezed her to him. "I'm sorry, Snow, I know it’s hard losing your father and having such an awful thing happen to you, but you survived and are stronger for it. Now you know what your purpose is and you’ll ensure she’s removed from the throne, punished and dealt with accordingly. In doing all that, you’ll show the people of your land that you’ll be a strong leader and give them hope."

  “I’m going to be the one to kill her,” she said simply. “I really hate to admit it but I’m going to be the one that drives a blade through her black heart. I deserve that.” She knew as a Princess she shouldn’t be so blood thirsty, but she was. She wanted that woman’s last breath to be made while looking at her. She wanted that witch to know just who it was that had taken her life.

  "That you do, Snow, that you do," he nodded and stepped back. Touching her arm, he squeezed gently, "But maybe you should turn thoughts to saving breakfast first," he pointed past her. "I think something’s about to go up in flames and that would just be bad, very bad."

  “Oh crap,” Snow muttered and twisted quickly, moving far faster than a girl who’d been in captivity should be able to move. “There, much better,” she nodded. Looking to Baldric, she said, “Thank you. I needed that.”

  Shrugging, he smiled, "Just wanted to see some of the shadows leave your eyes, Princess.” Turning his head, he chuckled, "Looks like Nik managed to convince Dierk to get up and stop being so damned lazy."

  "Shut up," Dierk muttered as he padded into the kitchen. Moving to Snow, he pressed a kiss to her cheek, "You didn't have to cook for us, Princess."

  “I know I didn’t have to but I really did want to. I needed to do something for you since you’ve already done so very much for me,” she told him with a smile. “You’ve done a great deal for me. Way more than I can even come close to repaying.”

  "Hush," he murmured, cupping her face gently. "Don't even think about it, sweetheart. We did what we felt was right. That was saving you from the Queen’s plans. You don't owe us anything, Princess, I promise you that."

  “I know,” she whispered, then smiled. “I’m just happy you’re all three in my life,” she admitted. “All three of you. I really do happen to like the three of you, a great deal. I want to do what I can to make you happy and if cooking breakfast for you is what it takes, then so be it.”

  "Well that's definitely one way," Dierk said with a smile. Kissing her, he let her go, "So I won't interrupt your cooking anymore," he moved to the table. Sitting down with his friends, he took the pot that Nik had brought to the table and poured a cup of the dark brew into a cup.

  When she had the fried cakes off the flames, she pulled the meat she’d cooked out of the small oven and passed it off to them. “Please, eat up. If I need to I’ll make some more food but please dig in,” she told them and took her seat as well, grabbing some of the sausage before it was all gone.

  "I think there’s more than enough here," Baldric said as he began to scoop up the cakes then passed some to everyone else. "This looks amazing, Princess, thank you," he smiled at her before he got up to collect the honey and syrup.

  “You’re very welcome. I’m not what one would call domesticated in any sense of the word but in the end as long as I can create one meal, that’s good right?” she said with a smile. “Besides, I think that we’ll all be able to take turns making meals, right?”

  "We do it all the time," Niklaus told her sipping at his coffee. "Between the three of us we've figured out how not to completely destroy most things," he grinned. "It's been a little trial and error I should admit."

  "A lot of trial and error," Baldric put out there with a chuckle.

  "But we're all still standing and in reasonably good shape," Niklaus continued. "So obviously we've done something right."

  “I’d like to learn to do a bit more. I’d like to be able to feed more than fried cakes and sausage. Although, when we free my kingdom we’ll have cooks to feed us, you do realize that right?” she asked softly. “If you want to remain with me that is,” she added because she’d made a massive assumption.

  Reaching out, they all touched her arms and hands but it was Dierk that spoke, "We're not going anywhere, Princess," he said quietly. "We want to be with you through everything we know you’ll face, and then be there with you after. If you want us there that is."

  Looking at the men, Snow finally nodded, “Yeah. I really do want you to be there. I don’t think there’s anyone else that I’d rather have with me than you. If you’re willing,” she added softly.

  "Absolutely," Baldric smiled at her as Niklaus nodded, squeezing her hand. "We're willing to be there however you want us, Snow. We rather like you," he teased with a huge grin. "And unless I miss my guess you rather like us too."

  “Yeah, I kinda do like you boys,” Snow admitted. “I feel like lightning struck when Dierk touched me and then I felt it again with each of you touching me. It was amazing really, truly amazing.”

  "Then we'll stay with you, Snow," Niklaus said, squeezing her hand before the men all sat back. "Eat up, no sense letting all our food become chilled when we can easily have this conversation later. Eat, we’ll figure out if you truly think this will work for us later."

  “Yes please do eat up.” She grabbed a couple of the fried cakes for herself along with the syrup and a couple of portions of the meat.

  Baldric smiled at her as he went back to eating. "It's all so damned good," he murmured happily as he took another bite of the fried cakes. Chewing, he smiled and winked at her, "You’re a very good cook, Snow."

  Blushing, she bowed her head. “It was the one meal the cooks taught me to make. As I said, I don’t know how to cook a great deal but I can do breakfast. I’d get up with them and make my father breakfast, before he married that bitch.”

  Dierk touched her hand, "We will make this alright, Snow, believe in that if you believe in nothing else. No matter what it takes we will see that her reign is ended and the rightful heir is put back on the throne."

  “I hope you’re right. We have to end her reign of terror somehow, have to ensure that she no longer hurts anyone else in this world. She’s evil, in the purest sense of the word.”

  "We know," Dierk nodded toward her. "We'll figure it out, Snow. Promise," he whispered. "Finish up your meal. We have much to figure out, including a note to the Elves to see if they’ll grant us safe passage.” Looking to the others, he leaned forward to explain, "If we can gain even a day by using their lands we can beat the guard to her uncle's home. We need to get there before the Queen realizes that’s where she’s going, which means we need to leave no later than tomorrow."

  "I'm sure the Elves will grant us permission
to go through their lands. I know several of the Elven Queen's personal guards and they’ll speak for us before her," Niklaus said. "Plus she still owes us several favors. We can call one in by asking for safe passage through their lands to gain time. I doubt she’d protest too much.

  Snow looked at each man and smiled, “Thank you. I know you say you don’t need the thanks, but I thank you. I’d forgotten just how good it was to feel important, to feel as if I mattered to someone. Thank you for giving me a chance at life, a life with the three of you if possible.”

  "Anything is possible, Princess, as long as you want it enough to fight for it," Baldric said, reaching over for more meat. Grinning, he shrugged, "Most people get all worried and bothered about obstacles. Like I say, if you can't go under it, over it or around it, bloody well go through it anyway you can."

  “I like that saying. I think I might use it as my own personal motto if you wouldn’t mind,” Snow said and took a bite of the sausage she had in her hands. “In fact, I totally think I’m stealing that line whether you like it or not.”

  "What is ours is yours, Snow," Dierk said quietly. "If it gives you what you need to see this through and get your kingdom back, so be it. Use it, breathe it, and live it. Heft it like a sharpened blade and wave it about to cleave the heads from your enemies’ shoulders, but remember, when it all becomes too much, do not close off. Turn to us and let us be there for you."

  “I have a feeling I’ll need you far more than you could ever need me,” Snow admitted. “I have a feeling you gentlemen would go on easily enough without me and yet I know, that now I’ve met you, I don’t want to go on unless I’ve got you in my life as well.”

  "Then you’d be very wrong, Princess," Niklaus told her softly. Reaching out, he placed his hand lightly on hers. "Now that we've met you and have begun to get to know you there’s no life without you in it with us."

  “Then we’re all together in this. The four of us make a quad. We’re stronger for it, right? We’re stronger together than we are apart.” Of that she was absolutely certain. She’d never have enough of these men and she’d only spent a handful of hours in their company.

  "Always stronger," Dierk told her with a smile and stood. "While you finish eating I'm going to wash up and dress, then we need to write our letter to the Elven Queen and see if she'll grant us what we so desperately need."

  "We should warn her of the dangers that are hot on the princess’s heels," Baldric pointed out. "If she finds out we knew and didn't warn her," he made a face and shifted in his seat, "I happen to like my cock attached thank you very much."

  “Yes, but any harm she should dole out should be dished out to me. I’m the one who brings danger to her doorstep, not the three of you. If it would help her in making her choice, tell her that I would owe her a boon as well.”

  "She owes us," Niklaus reminded her as he finished his meal and pushed the plate away. Leaning his elbows on the table, he looked at her, "We've done her many a favor over the last many seasons and this, while it's a possible danger to her people, isn't all that bad a favor to ask. Besides," he grinned, "I'm more than sure that her Elven warriors will gladly take out the guards should they dare to breach the Elven lands."

  “My father called her friend,” Snow recalled. “There’s something more but I can’t think of what it is. I was so young when my mother died, but I recall the Queen of the Elves coming to my mother's burial. There was something said but I can’t recall what it was,” she shrugged. “I’m sure if it’s important it will come to me, right?”

  "That it will," Dierk said walking up behind her chair. Leaning over, he kissed her cheek lightly, "Finish your meal, little one, then we’ll clean up while you relax. You made the meal, which means we clean up.” Dropping another kiss to her cheek, he headed for the hall.

  Snow continued to eat, watching Niklaus and Baldric as they ate as well. “Are your days typically spent saving damsels in distress?” she teased with a grin. Reaching out, she took Baldric's hand in hers and gave it a squeeze.

  "Not hardly," Baldric said, shaking his head. "Except for one other damsel you're it, Snow. We don't usually run around getting involved. We do odd jobs and escort people through the forests as protection and guides mainly."

  “Well I’m very happy you three came my way,” she told him, and stood when she finished eating. “Now, what can I do today to keep busy? I need to have something to do or I’ll likely drive you all batty so give me a task, if you would please.”

  Getting up, Niklaus collected the dishes, "You can chop the vegetables for our stew we'll be having for dinner tonight," he told her. Taking her hand, he pulled her into the kitchen and left her by the counter. Getting a board and knife, he handed it to her, "Three onions in big chunks and we'll go from there."

  “Sounds good to me, that’s something that I can do.” She looked to Niklaus and smiled, “Thank you for understanding that I need to have something to do. That I can’t just sit by and allow others to do everything for me.”

  "Should be interesting to watch you up on the throne," Baldric commented, handing her the onions. Moving, he grabbed a bowl and collected other vegetables before setting it down next to her on the counter. "Can't have the Queen fidgeting about and looking to run off on adventures."

  She snorted, “I won’t always sit on that thing. There’s more than sitting on a throne to being a Queen. I’d have to see to my people as well. Then again I will have three men willing to help me do that, right?”

  "We would do that," Niklaus said, pumping water into a pot before moving it to warm over the fire. Collecting the rest of the dishes, he scraped them clean and stacked them into the sink. "You’re also right, Princess, a Queen can't just sit on her throne and dispense justice, she needs to be among her people seeing how they’re doing and learning what they need."

  “Exactly. I know that’s how my mother and father operated with their people. That’s how I want to be. I need to be all that my people need me to be. I need for us to provide a united front and ensure they always have what they need.”

  "It won't be easy," Baldric said, handing her half a dozen potatoes, "Peel these and chop them into cubes," he told her, crossing his arms on the counter where he was leaning.

  "No it won't be easy," Niklaus nodded. "The people have lived under the Queen's thumb a long time, and it’ll take time to heal all that she's done. It’ll take much time to show them laughter and love again, to remind them there’s goodness in the world."

  “Very true. I hate they’ve lived under such terrible conditions for so long. It’s my hope they’ll learn to have the freedom my father gave them once more. I hope the lands heal quickly from the horror that she’s put it through as well.” It was more than her people, it was the land and the lands of those that were in the neighboring realms as well. The Queen’s dark stain snaked out like a ribbon and wound its way into all of the realms.

  "With you at the helm, it will get back there," Dierk commented as he walked toward them, running his fingers through his still damp hair. "You put her to work?" he asked looking at his friends, "Come on, men, if you're going to make her work then you should at least be helping. You’re not exactly setting a good example here, boys."

  Snow laughed and shook her head, “I’m happy to be put to work. I don’t do sitting still very well. The first two years I was in that prison I was chained to the walls so trust me, moving is a very good thing.”

  Sharing a frown with the others, Dierk moved to her and pressed a kiss to her temple before wrapping his arms around her from behind. "It doesn't mean you need to constantly be doing things, Snow," he murmured softly. "While doing things is great, having time to just sit and relax, read or nap is also good. We’ll just have to teach you the true art of being lazy I think."

  “It could be.” Leaning back against him, Snow sighed and closed her eyes. “I taught myself to fight, in that small dungeon. I knew one day I’d get out and I was right. Now I’ll rely on you to teach me to relax.
”

  Squeezing her gently, Dierk smiled against her cheek and kissed her skin. "We'll gladly teach you anything you want to learn. Including the art of relaxing and having fun," he said before loosening his hold on her. "Now, it looks like we're getting a stew ready. I'll grab another knife and help you chop everything up then we shall endeavor to help you relax."

  “Sounds good to me. Get to chopping, mister, so we can eat tonight,” she teased. Looking up at him, she murmured, “Thank you, Dierk, for everything,” and went back to chopping the veggies.

  "That's my cue to get more wood," Baldric said, pushing off the counter. Grinning, he headed out the door only stopping long enough to grab his boots and the axe leaning near the doorway.

  "It's truly amazing how he manages to always get out of cooking and cleaning," Niklaus commented as he collected the pot of steaming water and poured it over the dishes.

  "It is," Dierk agreed, stepping next to Snow with a grin. "But it saves us from having to chop all that damned wood."

  Snow laughed at that and shook her head. “You three have the oddest relationship. I love it. The three of you just seem to fit together. It’s like where one might be lacking, the others make up for it and vice versa. It’s wonderful.”

  "Oh they’re definitely lacking," Dierk muttered and grinned at Niklaus when he growled at him. "But they’re my best friends so I put up with them," he admitted, grabbing another potato to dice.

  “And you share with them?” Snow asked softly. She wasn’t going to hide anything from any of them ever. “Because Niklaus stroked me, touched me, and I very much enjoyed it. I’m not saying it to cause issues, just saying it so you know that I’ll never hide anything from you.”

  "Of course I share with them and they with me," he said softly with a smile. "Where did he stroke and touch you that you enjoyed so much?" he asked, setting his knife down. Leaning his hands on the counter, he leaned in closer to her, "Tell me."