Red Witcher

part four

Geralt slowed his horse as the trio entered a heavily sheltered woodland off the main path. They hadn't passed a single person all day, luckily and hoped to keep it that way. No doubt the guards would be looking for Elizabeth.

The large man pulled the reigns and jumped off the huge horse easily, but Elizabeth, being not so used to horse riding sat still, unsure how to disembark without falling. Geralt smiled, shaking his head lightly as he held his arms out for the Princess, "planning on sleeping up there?"

Elizabeth felt her face burn pink. Biting the inside of her cheek she huffed, hating to need help but knowing she needed it. She slide off the horse, Geralt setting her gently upon the wet forrest floor.

Looking around it was darker now, and colder. She wrapped her arms around d herself, now quite aware that she was wearing only her green gown, chosen by the King, not by herself. It clung to her body, extenuating her curves, but was flimsy and light, as the King preferred it.

Geralt got straight to it, leading the horse to the stream nearby to quench its thrust. "There you go. Now you can rest..." he said softly to the stallion, running his large hands over its rump.

Elizabeth's teeth chattered as she too made her way to the stream, squatting to drink thirstily. The cold water made her shake more but she very much savoured the taste of fresh water on her parched throat. Some of which dripped down her chin and wet her chest.

The Witcher found his eyes watching her once again. The water dripping down her creamy skin. He licked his lips, making himself crouch to drink too. He gulped in the liquid, feeling better already, then wiped his chin with his sleeve.

Elizabeth sat staring into the water, her thoughts wandering. What now? Am I safe with this...Witcher?

Geralt, noticing her reaction to the cold, stood, grapping his own blanket from a saddlebag before walking closer and squatting to drape the fur over the small women's frame. He found himself rubbing her back and shoulders, hoping to warm her a little.

Elizabeth was pulled from her thoughts as she felt warmth against her. She snuggled into it, sighing slightly, her hand going to pull the warmth nearer. She gasped lightly as her hand touched the cool skin of the Witcher's own hand. Their eyes met as she turned and she gave him a small tired smile.

"T..thank you."

"Your very much welcome Elizabeth. Now, I will start a fire, but we must be wary, people are searching for you."

With that, his hand was gone. And Elizabeth felt a strange emptiness. Shaking it from her mind she stood, following him to where he was already busy making a small fire. She sat against a large tree, laying her head back in exhaustion, but her eyes followed him as he worked. Effortlessly a small flame glowed in the centre of the pile of sticks and she eagerly moved closer. Geralt sat too, pulling some dried meat from his pocket he held some out for her.

"Eat. It will do you good."

She took it, looking at it distastefully for a moment before she devoured it. Almost moaning as her stomach finally filled up.

Geralt couldn't help but laugh as she ate the meat, shaking his head as he too ate, though not as eagerly. The two unlikely travellers sat in silence for a while, listening to the quiet sounds of the forrest until Elizabeth spoke.

"How do you know me?"

Geralt thought for a moment before answering, sitting back more comfortably he pushed his silver hair behind his large shoulders.

"I knew you when you were young, well younger. Your family was very good to me at my time in need."

Elizabeth shivered again as a cold breeze blew the flames of the fire and she shifted closer again, sniffing slightly.

"The King was wrong. To keep you locked up. When I found out that was were you were, I had to do something. I....I have been looking for you for a very long time Lizzie..."

His dark eyes gazed over at her, noticing her shivers he moved closer to sit aside her, his hand finding the small of her back again. He, without meaning too, began to slowly rub as he spoke.

"Your cold."

Is all he said before he wrapped his arm around her, pulling her close. Her hair tickled his nose again and he blew it aside.

Elizabeth snuggled close, finally beginning to feel warm.

"Yes, I.. I am."

"Your dress. It does nothing for the cold. But i suppose it's warm inside the castle. It's only going to get colder..."

Elizabeth sighed, wishing with all her might to be inside once again, in the warm security of her room, but she would never go back to that place. To the torture. Thinking of all that she had endured her eyes dropped, tears welling in her eyes. She hid them, ashamed. A small quiet sob escaped her lips.

"Hey, none of that. You're okay now. I won't let them hurt you again. Now, if it gets much colder we are going to have to do something...a bit more drastic."