[center][h1] [color=bc8dbf][i]MAREWEN[/i][/color] [/h1][/center]

Marewen giggled softly as she slipped into the room. She wasn’t usually so disobedient but her father had said that he had a large surprise for her and she was curious as to what it was. Upon hearing her father speak to another in [i]that voice[/i] she was instantly brought to attention. Not recognizing the man he was negotiating with she peered through the drapes she was hidden behind and caught the sight of King Harold of East Anglia.  He was a portly man. Heavy handed in his dealings with just about everyone, even her father King Phillip.  Paying more attention to his appearance than the subject she was startled to hear her name brought up. 

Marewen sat up straighter and her breath became slower as she listened to hear what they were talking about that she was to be a part of. 

[color=a0410d]“King Harold, I assure you that my daughter Marewen is a more than suitable match for your son Prince Edgar. Her mother and I have discussed it at length and we believe she would be happy.”[/color]

[color=orange]“Edgar is very taken with her beauty and is greatly looking forward to the marriage….Now the armies would arrive the day of the wedding….”[/color]

The instant fear that accompanied those words aided her in leaving the room quietly. Her mother already knew and wasn’t fighting her father on it? She and her mother had discussed whom she thought her father would marry her off to eventually but she had never thought it would be so soon nor to this particular man’s son. Her father must have a great need of an army  from Harold if he was willing to saddle her with Edgar. Marewen quickly made her way to her room. She grabbed some money and a dark cloak. She knew she would have to wait at least another hour before she snuck out. The fear in her stomach was nothing to the fear in her heart of what would happen if she married Edgar. She had to leave, there was no other way.

Marewen changed into one of her day dresses. It looked less royal and more like a commoner would wear. She didn’t want to be out of place looking. Slipping her money into her pockets she packed a small bag of essentials and made certain that she was wearing simple slippers that were not adorned. She pulled her hair down and pulled the jewels out of her locks before tucking her hair underneath her cloak. Shoving her brush into her bag she pulled it closed and then she pulled her door open and listened. Slipping out of the room she skirted the hallways in the dark. It was well after 2am and the castle was mostly asleep. 

Once she was out of the royal family’s home she moved quicker as she ran past the back of the buildings and homes of many of the people that she had known all her life. Her heart was thudding so hard in her chest that she was afraid that the others around her would be awakened by it. The gates were opened only slightly overnight but they were manned and there was a very awake sentry guarding it.  Marewen looked around her and she spied a prostitute across the way with a man who was boldly touching her. Marewen felt a little nauseated but when the woman was done with the man Marewen motioned for her to approach her. 

[color=yellow]“M’lady? What is a lady doing out at this hour?” [/color]

Marewen pulled her hood over her a little more. She was afraid the woman would figure out who she was. [color=bc8dbf] “I need to get out of the gates unseen. Can you arrange for a distraction so I can slip out?”[/color]

[color=yellow]“It’ll cost ya. I don’t really fancy getting beaten up for nothing.”[/color] The woman tried to gleen a better look at her and Marewen stepped backwards into the shadows. color=yellow]“Who are ya?”[/color]

Marewen pulled out a handful of gold and the woman nearly squealed with delight and took it fast enough.[color=yellow] “Never mind girl, I don’t need to know who you are. Gimme a minute.” [/color]She smiled at Marewen.[color=yellow] “Be safe girl.”[/color]

A couple of moments later a small group of drunkards and prostitutes came out of a tavern and made a lot of noise before starting a fight in the middle of the street.  Marewen watched the guards and when they ran to break up the fight she slipped through the gates and into the woods.