The Princess and the Lumberjack

by H L Muller

  "Come on Stormy. Let's turn back and see if I can find the right way this time." Glad I could at least hear myself speak, I turn Stormy around, and hear a soft clang. If the forest were not so quiet, I probably would not have heard it. "What was that?" I ask Stormy dismounting to find the source of the sound. Looking around the forest floor, I found it. A horse shoe.

  "Oh no!" I groan aloud, reaching down to check Stormy's hooves, finding that she has thrown a shoe! Just my luck today. Who knew how far behind me Adaira is? The Palace will be hours away riding, let alone walking. If I can figure out where I am, perhaps I can get back to Adaira. Adaira has a blacksmith next to the stables, they will be able to fix her a new shoe. "Come on, then." I say to Stormy, beginning our walk back to Adaira.

  ***

  With no markers or signs around, I am utterly lost in the woods. I don’t know which direction I need to head in to get back to Adaira. Looking around the treetops for a gap or clearing that I could head too, I saw a large streak of sunlight off to my right. "What harm can it do, hey Stormy?" I said while leading Stormy towards the break in the trees. I had learnt how to guide myself by the sun and to know the time and direction in which I was facing from my riding instructor, Matthew, when I was eleven years old. Over and over again he would say, "Knowing your way is the most important thing to remember, Your Highness. You mastered riding Stormy and the other horses; you need to ensure that you can always find your way."

  "Much good it does me now, Matthew," I mutter to the empty forest.

  Coming closer, I realise the gap was much bigger than I expected. Breaking through the trees I stand at the edge of a large rectangular field filled with dead grass, leading on for around a hundred meters and with two buildings at the far end. The sun is low in the sky and indicating it is roughly three in the afternoon. Much later than I had hoped, I needed to be back at the Palace by five for tea.

  Leading Stormy, I walk towards the buildings while my eyes scan the field. Hopefully, someone lived here and could help us. Getting closer to the buildings I can make out one is cabin and the other is a barn. I lead Stormy up to the cabin and leaving her free on the grass to rest, I step up on the wraparound porch. My boots click loudly against the wooden steps, echoing as I walk to the front door. I raise my hand to knock and hesitate, taking a deep breath to settle my nerves, it could be empty, or a horrible person could live here. I am a Princess; I have no need for nerves. I will simply knock on the door and ask for help. Be brave.

  "WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU WANT?!" a deep male voice yells from within the cabin.

  “Well, there’s definitely someone living here,” I mutter to myself. He sounds enraged. Ducking my head, I chew on my bottom lip, perhaps this is a bad idea. I should leave now before he comes outside. Heavy steps clomp through the cabin, getting louder as the owner makes his way to the door. Before I can retreat, the door flies open, almost ripped off its hinges.

  With my head still down, two large black boots step into my eye sight as he leans though the door frame. Too late to leave now! Squaring my shoulders, I lift my head allowing my eyes to take in the length of his body. He is wearing faded black trousers that has tears over his thighs and knees, and a red plaid long sleeve shirt that is unbuttoned to show a bare chest with fair chest hair, six-pack abs and a whole lot of muscle. Taking in his body, my breathing quickens, I cannot find my voice. He is about five foot eight to my five feet, his skin tanned from days in the sun. He has long dirty blonde hair held back with a piece of leather, and odd strands falling loose around his face. His face captivated me. What I am assuming is a strong chiselled jaw is covered in a beard the same shade as his hair, his strong eyebrows casting shadows over bright sea green eyes. My breath catches in my throat as we make eye contact.

  "Who the fuck are you?" he asks in a gruff voice.

  You wanted an adventure.

  Nine

  I stand there for a moment, attempting to compose myself and figuring out how to respond to that question. Who do I want to be to this man? Princess or commoner?

  "Well I don't have all day, woman!" his deep rumbling voice drawing me out of my thoughts. Be brave.

  "I'm sorry to bother you, Sir...? My horse threw a shoe, and I am lost, how can I get to Adaira from here?" No matter how attractive he was, I need to keep away from him. I have trained for political battles and have been handling men with their needs and wishes for months now. Just because this man was a bit more realistic, and rougher than the men attending me in the Palace shouldn't change the way he affects me.

  "I don't give a shit. That's not my problem. Leave. Now." he barks in order while starting to close the cabin door. Clearly, I was correct in my judgement to not let his attractiveness sway me, he is an asshole.

  "Now wait a moment." I slam my hand into the door, preventing him from closing it in my face, a sharp pain throbbing under my glove against the wood. Not letting the pain show, I put my bitchy alter ego on full display, "Would it be that hard to just point me in the right direction, so I can get off your porch and away from you? Or would you rather I sit here, encroaching on your space until someone comes to find me, and can assist me in getting home?"

  He looks incredulous. Well, he can go to hell. He deserves to be treated this way, if this is how he treats helpless strangers on his property. He assesses me, as if he were trying to figure out where I found the audacity to speak to him like that.

  "I don't like having to repeat myself. Who the fuck are you?" His deep smooth voice washes over me again. I am going to get lost inside that voice if I can’t control myself.

  "Well, who the fuck are you?" I respond haughtily. I have never said fuck out loud. Ever. Not even alone in the Palace, with all of those listening ears. I knew the word, but I had never said it.

  His eyes widen in what I assume is shock that a woman of my appearance would know such words; let alone have the capacity to speak them aloud, or the recklessness to speak to him in such a way. His eyes appraise me, taking in my body in an obvious glance and lingering on my breasts and waist. My core clenches knowing his eyes are on me. I have never had a reaction like this to a man; he is going to be dangerous to be around.

  "Ika." The name rolls off his tongue, as a smooth whiskey. Of course, the sexy man had a sexy as hell name to go with the rest of him. Was I due for bad karma? Meeting him today, in a bad mood and having no hope to… what? Seduce him? Scoffing at the thought, why would I want that? Other than the fact he was attractive. Unless he was like this every day, I am not sure if the idea of finding that out is exciting to me or not. My mind is telling me I should leave Ika in peace and never see him again, but there is a feeling I can’t place when I look at him.

  "Trudy," If he is not going to provide a last name, then neither will I. Petty and childish, maybe, but as an eighteen-year old who never had much of a childhood, could anyone really blame me? I stare him down, maintaining eye contact, not letting his intensity waver me. What is this man's problem? "So, Adaira...? Can you tell me how to get there?"

  Ika looked like he was hurt and confused by me.

  "I do not go there anymore, and I will not show you the way. There is nothing worthwhile there now."

  Trying to not let my desperation show, "You don't need to show me the way, just point me in the right direction and I can find my own way."

  An amused smirk spreads across Ika’s face breaking through the scowl he has had since he opened the door, "Like you found your way here?"

  I could feel my cheeks heating in embarrassment, "Excuse you, but I can direct myself; I just couldn't see the sun." I don't know why I am explaining myself to this man.

  "Either way it doesn't matter, Darlin'." His drawl shortening his words.

  "And why is that?"

  "There ain't no one in Adaira who can help you."

  "Yes, yes there is. I have been to Adaira."

  "I think you are mistaken, girl."

  I chuckle, the stress starting to get to me, "Surely, you can't be serious? Do you
get off on causing distress in others? Please just tell me where to go, or I will leave and find someone else who will be able to help me. I need to get back to the main market next to the Palace of Daes. "

  I turn and walk off the porch, as he stands there watching me. I have a feeling he is gauging the situation, at war with himself thinking about what he should do. As if some alpha male part of him wants to ensure I get home safely, and the asshole part wants me to leave him alone.

  Groaning, he spoke as I reached Stormy, "Wait. I’ll show you the way. We’ll have to walk. I have no horse or ability to fix her shoe. Sit there,” he indicated a rocking chair on the porch, “wait there until I return. I’ll gather some supplies." He grumbled shutting the door as he went back into the cabin. Walking back onto the porch I sat down in the rocking chair and looked out over the field and the forest beyond and could even see Mount Ters in the distance. This place is so peaceful. I could imagine this being a favourite spot to sit and read or watch the sunset.

  Ika returns walking around from the back of the cabin, holding a large black bag. Stepping up beside Stormy, he introduces himself before hoisting up the bag to rest on Stormy's back and securing it to her saddle. Holding her reins in one hand, he looks at me over his shoulder, "Come on then, Darlin’. We need to move if we are going to get anywhere before nightfall."

  Ten

  We set off in a brisk walk, the pace not allowing for much in the way of conversation. Trying to recover from the whiplash his reactions had given me I paid more attention to the path, memorising our surroundings.

  “Why did you change your mind and decide to take me to Adaira?” I’m sure he is crazy, and yet I feel safe enough to let him lead me back into the woods?

  “I’m not taking you to Adaira. I already told you I don’t go there.”

  Stopping in my tracks I call after him, “Then where are we going?”

  “To where you want to go. The main market.” Ika keeps walking, not waiting for me to catch up. We fall silent, taking turns to lead Stormy.

  "We are about to lose daylight. We need to make camp for the night, and we can continue the journey in the morning." Ika spoke, shocking me suddenly hearing his deep voice again after so long.

  “Spend the night? In the forest?” The idea of spending the night with Ika unsettles me. I have never spent a night away from the Palace. Who knows what he could do to me while I sleep?

  “Not like we have many options, Darlin’.”

  I hadn't told anyone where I was going this morning when I left the Palace, would anyone be looking for me yet? Had they even noticed I was gone?

  I'm sure Mother and Father would understand when I explained it if I ever get home. It's not like I could have done anything differently, I checked her shoes before I left the Palace this morning. I debate asking Ika to continue on tonight, though I’m too exhausted after just an eventful day.

  Ika led Stormy to a tree at the edge of a small clearing, removing her saddle and his bag.

  "There is a stream down to the right, feel free to clean up or get a drink while I set up the camp."

  Unloading some lumpy fabric rolls that I could not identify, food and some weapons from his bag.

  "They are only for catching dinner." Answering my silent question in a flat voice, not looking up from his supplies. How did he even know I was watching him? Leaving him to it, I need a moment alone to digest all that has happened today, I collect my empty water skin and Stormy and walk down to the stream Ika mentioned.

  The stream is broken by a wide and deep rock pool, which has clean clear water. So clear that you can see all the fish swimming around at the bottom of the pool. The water runs over the rocks making a small waterfall into the pool. Removing my gloves and rolling up my jacket sleeves, I quickly refill my water skin, leaving Stormy to drink.

  Heading back to the camp, I begin collecting chunks of wood and fallen branches. We will need a fire tonight, and gathering firewood is a task I have never done before. This would be a mundane everyday chore for someone like Ika, and I find myself wanting to help as much as possible, to show him that we are be equals. I don't know why it was suddenly important to me to prove it to him. He doesn’t know I am a Princess. He didn't need to swoop in and save me as some damsel, yet he was helping me. Gathering firewood is a small step in returning the favour, but it is a start.

  Re-entering the clearing with Stormy, Ika looks up and meets my gaze, "Good, you're back. You didn't get lost this time," a smirk breaking across his face.

  Scowling at him, I drop all the firewood next to where he is standing, then tie Stormy up to the same tree as Ika had earlier, giving her enough space to sit down or graze should she wish. "I just had to follow the distinct smell of bastard to find my way back to you, Ika." I say in a sweet voice that doesn’t match my expression. Why are you antagonising him? He is your only chance of getting to the Palace.

  He ignores me, thankfully, and points at the firewood. "Thanks for that. You can get started on the fire while I go find some food then." He stalks towards the stream so quickly I don’t have the chance to respond. I haven't any idea how to start a fire. I had never had to before. Huffing in anger, I follow after him. Couldn't he tell that I wasn't the type of woman who knew how to start fires?

  I stomp back to the rock pool, making no effort to conceal the noise of my steps through the fallen leaves and branches on the forest floor. I reach the break through the last of the trees, and see his boots are unlaced and placed haphazardly at the foot of a tree. Passing the tree, I step out onto the rocky creek bank and freeze in my tracks. Out in the creek is Ika standing up to his knees in water, naked. The defined muscles of his arms tense as he pulls his long fingers through his unbound dripping wet hair, falling to his waist. My eyes follow the length of his hair down to his tight, shapely, perfect ass. Supported by long powerful legs. I see his muscles tense as he shifts, drawing my gaze to the drops of water running down his body from his hair.

  His chuckle breaks my trance, and I quickly flick my eyes back up and meet his gaze over his shoulder. He had seen me staring at him, in all his naked glory.

  "Enjoying the show there, Trudy? Should I turn around for you to get the full view? Or were you out here to join me instead?" He asks, his voice huskier than usual, his expression conveying he was serious and would turn if I asked him too.

  Yes! "No!" I scream out, "I came to tell you that I cannot light a fire, so you will need to do it."

  "Of course, milady," he replies, amusement colouring his voice, all traces of huskiness gone. "Anything else that you would like to command me to do while you are at it?"

  "Other than requesting you put your clothes back on before returning to camp, no." Turning on my heel, I walk back to the camp. I don't understand why I let him rule me. He is a strange backwoods man. I have tackled Palace discussions and raised to be Queen. I should be able to handle a simple man. A man who makes my core melt, who has the body of a god, and who makes my knees weak with a single glance. He is so strange, unique and unlike anyone I know. I want to hit him and sit on his face in the same breath. He has my mind and my stomach doing back flips. Entering the camp, I pat Stormy, using her as a barrier between Ika. I need to control myself before I do something stupid, like throw myself at him.

  Eleven

  Ika returned to the camp about twenty minutes later. His long hair is still wet but is now braided down his spine and dressed. Like at his cabin, his six-pack and muscular torso are bare to me through his open shirt. My eyes stick to him, studying like I want to memorize this view. Distracted by his body, it takes me a moment to realise that he did not return empty-handed. Ika has three grey scaled fish hanging from his left hand.

  Does he not like to be clothed properly? Ika places the fish on a piece of cloth next to his supplies off to the left of the clearing.

  "No, he does not." Ika chuckles with a grin, breaking through my revelry.

  "I said that out loud?" I ask, my embarrassment showcased by my bl
ush.

  "You sure did, Darlin'. Do you do that often? Speak to yourself mentally, and have said it out loud?"

  "I'm not really sure. I don't spend a lot of time around other people for them to either respond or point it out to me." Adverting my gaze, I feel stupid. Ika doesn’t know me. His opinion should mean nothing to me, and yet I don’t want him to see what everyone else sees. The heartless Princess.

  Picking up on my tone and body language, Ika thankfully lets the topic drop

  "So, do you want to learn how to light a fire or not?" Ika asks, starting towards the firewood I had collected earlier. Collecting a portion of the wood, he starts arranging it into a carefully organised pile in the middle of the clearing.

  "You want to teach me how to light a fire?"

  "Sure Darlin', it's a good skill to have." Elated, I nod at him and watch his hands work as he continues speaking, "First you have to prepare the woodpile, and load it with kindling. The kindling is what the fire is going to grab onto the easiest. We need to ensure that there is enough that the wood will have enough time to start burning before the kindling runs out," talking through the motions, explaining what he is doing. “This is a flint and steel,” showing me the tools that produces from his bag, "I want you to have a go at trying to light the fire."