[center][h2][color=f26522][i]SECRETS EXPOSED[/i][/color][/h2][/center]

Vestar stayed up for a few more hours after the English royal girl fell asleep. He had his fair share of English women but the royals were usually a pain in the ass. Drinking a bit more and staring at her, Vestar wondered if he should trust her since he's heard from other vikings that the royals look down on his kind. It's been rumored that they are comparing Vikings to savages or barbarians. 

The more he thought about it, the more he wondered if this girl would pull a fast one on him if they managed to run into English guards and fuck him over. Now, he was starting to get pissed at the possibilities. Drinking didn't make things any better. Doubt has now reached his mind. If this girl turns out to be a pain in his ass, he was not going to make things easy for her. 

Drunken, concerned, and pissed, Vestar mumbled curses from his lips before laying down himself giving the girl one last glance before closing his eyes. 

The next morning, Vestar woke up violently like he has for the last 8 years being on his own thanks to the nightmares and experiences of nearly being killed in his sleep. He wakes up, quickly sitting up looking around with his axe at hand ready to cut someone down. Breathing heavy and noticing the girl was still there, a grunt escaped his lips, followed by him staggering to get up from his sitting position, feeling the hangover. 

He had a few staggering steps at first before straightening up and walked towards the nameless girl, which he still has a problem with, and stood over her to give her a rough nudge on her back with his foot. [color=f7976a] Nameless whore, get up![/color] He growled.

Marewen jerked awake at his sudden movement. When she opened her eyes and saw him standing over her with an axe she scrambled into a panicked backwards crabwalk. Her face was stricken with fear and she grabbed the nearest rock, about the size of her fist, and threw it at him. The rock hit him squarely in the jaw. Marewen turned quickly and started to run.

If he was not already in a bad mood this morning, things just escalated. Yes, she was now up but the morning greetings of a rock to the jaw, gave a hint as to how this journey would go with this English royal bitch. Vestar grunted from the rock to the face. With the back of his hand rubbing his lower jaw, Vestar watched the girl run off. 

[color=f7976a] You stupid WENCH!![/color] Vestar shouted before pursuing her with his axe still at hand. He stumbled a little on the first few steps because of his rage but then gained footing and made a dash for her.

Marewen glanced over her shoulder as she ran through the woods. The adrenaline was pumping and she heard a horse neigh just beyond the trees ahead. Then she heard Bastien's voice. Stopping dead in her tracks was harder than she thought and she nearly burst through the bushes. She stopped for less than two seconds before turning around and almost running straight into Vestar. Dodging him with tears in her eyes she ran back to his camp and covered up with his blanket. The terror of Bastien or his men finding her was enough to make the enemy look inviting. Even a large hulking man with an axe who was angry with her was preferable to her father's men.

Marewen was shaking in fear. She couldn't seem to stop. All she could picture in her mind was Edgar's face and the dead child at his feet. A memory that she couldn't shake no matter how long she lived. She could hear Vestar's heavy footed steps as he came back to the camp. Biting her lip with worry she tried not to make any noise.

Vestar had to admit, the girl ran pretty fast but he'd chase her to the ends of the earth to catch her. With her sudden stop and shifting to dodge him, Vestar heard some men nearby but didn't pay them any mind since his focus was still on the girl. He noticed that she headed back to camp and he ran back as well but slowed his pace upon seeing her grab his blanket and cover up. 

Gritting his teeth and making his way back to the camp, Vestar walked up on the girl that was covered, ripped the covers from her and forcefully turned her around before grabbing her by the bodice of her dress and pushed her roughly up against a tree. [color=f7976a] You fucking listen to me, you bitch! Hit me like that again and run off, I swear, the moment I catch you, I will ravage you over and over and over again until I break you. Do you understand, whore? If you're quite done with your games, grab some of this shit here so we can leave...[/color] Giving her an intense glare while waiting for her answer so he would drop her to start their journey.

Marewen expected him to hit her and when he didn't she wasn't sure what so say so she just nodded. When he dropped her against the tree she suddenly felt so weak in the knees it took her a moment to regain her composure. As soon as she did she walked over to the camp and in her normal slightly superior voice she said.[color=bc8dbf] "I told you before, I am not a whore. You scared me, when I woke up you were standing over me with an axe. It was instinct. I'm sorry I hit you in the face. Please forgive me." [/color]She did her best to make sure her voice didn't quiver at all. If it did she was afraid he would think her a coward. 

Marewen picked up the blanket and folded it and stuffed it into the bag he handed her. She looked around and made sure they didn't forget anything. Remembering something he had mumbled she asked him,[color=bc8dbf] "Do we have water? If not ...I'll sit here while you get some." [/color]She wanted to appear as normal as possible. She wasn't going to run. There were soldiers just beyond the bushes and they terrified her more than the possibility of being beaten by a very large viking.

Once she was dropped, Vestar continued his glare towards her when she apologized and explained herself. He was still very much pissed that his morning started out this way. He still had his hangover though. He at this point didn't gave a damn about her reasons. He heard men and it was time to get a move on. 

With her request for his forgiveness, Vestar didn't verbally answer but he simply pushed her and pointed to the blanket and the other things while he walked over to the horse to untie him from the tree. Vestar turned his head toward the girl. [color=f7976a] I would have had water if I didn't run into a foolish little girl and wasted my time taking you back to camp with you fighting me. And no...you will bring your arse with me to the creek. I'm not giving you another chance to run nor for those English bastards to find you there and ruin my chances to gain payment. [/color] 

He walked over to her and grabbed her by her upper arm to pull on her. [color=f7976a] Come, bring that bag with you![/color] Walking over to the horse afterwards to grab the reins to head to the creek.

Marewen didn't take her eyes off of him. She still wasn't sure that he wasn't going to beat her. Her father spoke of vikings as if they were animals and incapable of human feelings. All she knew was that right now he was her best chance. She did what he asked and went with him and stood quietly as he got the water.  She fixed her cloak and shoved her hair into the hood of it so it wouldn't be on her neck. 

Her mind went to her escape of the castle and the one thing she didn't have was a place to go. It occurred to her where she should go. Finally, a little relief. She sighed and hoped that he would take her that far. When he turned around she asked him. [color=bc8dbf]"Will you take me to King Alfred in Wessex?"[/color]

Once getting the water, they started to make their way from the creek. He was not on the horse yet but pulled it along while watching her. Her new request made him stop in his tracks. For a moment, there were silence. Still with the hardened look on his face, he looked her up and down. Wessex? And to the king? Okay, now he was very curious as to who she is. [color=f7976a] Take you to a king? Why would I do that? Only for a king in these lands to issue my execution and place my head on a stake? I'm not taking you anywhere until you tell me who the hell you really are?[/color]

Marewen looked at him and thought for a moment. He couldn't properly protect her if he didn't know who she was. She looked hesitant as she started.

[color=bc8dbf]"I am Princess Marewen, daughter of King Phillip of Mercia. My father agreed to trade me as bride to King Harold's son Prince Edgar. I can't marry Edgar. He is -"[/color] Marewen visibly shivered with fear.[color=bc8dbf] "He is evil like no other. I've seen him strangle a child because he spilled milk. I'd rather die than marry him. If you take me to Alfred he will save me from my father, Harold and Edgar. I know he will." [/color]Marewen watched Vestar desperately hoping he would agree to her plan, hoping that he would agree that it would work. Nervously she brushed imaginary lint off of her cloak.

Listening closely when she finally introduced herself, Vestar's expression slightly changed with his eyes widening. He was not particularly angry that she's a princess but her reasonings of leaving and needing protection was just absurd. 

After her explanation, Vestar just stared at her for a moment. Then a burst of laughter escaped his lips, a hearty laughter that she would hear from him for the first time. [color=f7976a] Tell me you are not serious, girl...[/color] Was she that naive? Vestar continued to laugh a bit more and started coughing and tried to catch his breath. He looked at the poor girl and shook his head nearly taking pity.

Marewen crossed her arms, hoping on some level that his laughter wouldn't hurt her by making her feel stupid. It didn't work and when he laughed at her she got angry with him and she jutted her chin out just a little bit and clenched her fists. 

[color=bc8dbf]"Of course I am serious. Why are you laughing at me?" [/color]She couldn't help but admit to herself that her rescuer had a deep throaty laugh that made her stomach do flips and she couldn't allow herself to stare at him for too long because his physique made her blush to her toes. Luckily for her, this time it worked to her advantage. It just made her look pinker in the face, angrier, more upset… [color=bc8dbf]"He has to help me. Alfred is a good man."[/color]

Vestar didn't care how upset she became from his laughing. He just couldn't believe how naive she was being. [color=f7976a]"Why am I laughing? You truly are naive, girl. I would think that ones of royal families would know the rules and laws.[/color]

[color=f7976a] You're probably pondering over my words. I don't give a horse's pizzle how good of a man that bastard is. He can't change your situation. You may be in another kingdom but he has no say nor can he take action against the ruling of another kingdom's affairs. You're of that other kingdom. More than likely, he would just keep you until the proper officials come for you to take you back. That's to keep from having a war with your father. And it goes without saying what will happen to me if they find that I was with you and brought you there. Understand now, Princess Whore?[/color]

Marewen paled as he spoke and her desperation shone on her face at the realization that she was truly stuck. She had nowhere that she could go other than leaving the country. Tears filled her eyes and she stood there a moment and when he called her Princess Whore she ran up to him and started pounding on his chest in anger and frustration. The tears fell and she found herself crying in his arms. 

[color=bc8dbf]"I told you, I'm no whore. What am I to do now? If no one can help me...he will kill me. Edgar will hurt me then kill me. I've already seen him kill innocents. If I am sent back I will take my own life to avoid marrying him. Can I go elsewhere? What about Francia? Would you take me there?" [/color]She had been looking at his chest feeling embarrassed to be so close to him and touching his bare skin. She avoided his eyes until she had no choice.

His expression went from amusement to seriousness when she made the expression of realization now knowing the true depth of her situation and how serious things were because of her sort of rebellion. He simply watched her when she rushed over to pound his chest, looking bewildered. 

Tears usually didn't move Vestar. Yeah, he took pity on her but he was not going to soften up just because of her outburst and sadness. [color=f7976a] Well you are on the road to becoming one if you're not going back to your kingdom...or any kingdom at that. If you were to live in some town that gets raided by vikings, that's what you'll eventually become. And yes...more than likely, your future husband could kill you or you can pray that the tyrant spares you.[/color] 

Being insensitive to her problems, Vestar took a moment to stare down at her while she was in his arms. Still....very pathetic in his eyes, he saw the desperation of wanting to get away. Having no other option but to go to a whole new land. Still staring with seriousness, Vestar gave a heavy sigh. Maybe it was her beauty or that she had the same desperation he had when he was younger, to live and find his father. He looked out to the scenary giving her request a thought. [color=f7976a] You're asking for much, girl....I'm not guaranteeing that I will take you that far but if you simply want to stay away from these kingdoms, fine. But I have  a request...you do whatever I say when I say it while we are traveling. It will mean your life...[/color]

Marewen leaned back and nodded. [color=bc8dbf]"Whatever I need to do to help keep me from going back."[/color] Marewen looked deep in thought and asked,[color=bc8dbf] "Do you think the king of Francia would send me back?"[/color] In her mind she was now unsure it was not her fate to die at Edgar's hands. Her whisper to Vestar would have gone unnoticed by others nearby it was so soft spoken.

She laughed derisively [color=bc8dbf]"You are so worried about my becoming a whore at some point. Why? Would it upset you if other vikings used me and tossed me aside like I were nothing?" [/color] The thought that this could happen made her body shake and her stomach felt like stone as her nerves became even more frayed. [color=bc8dbf]"I don't know what to do. What do you think I should do?"[/color] She looked up at him as if his opinion was all that mattered in the world.

Vestar slightly nodded while she agreed to his terms. [color=f7976a] I'm not sure what the King of Francia will do but I doubt he gives a damn about England's affairs. Hell, you could just keep from mentioning that you're an English princess while visiting other lands. Live a normal life like other people.[/color]

Vestar felt that she could possibly survive if she didn't just open her mouth about being a princess to people she didn't know. Not many people would know what she looks like but they may have heard of her. Last thing Vestar needed was for her to expose herself and bring forth a legion of demons to chase them to the ends of the earth to bring her back if news reached her home of her location. 

Her mention of him possibly worrying about her becoming a whore and asking what he think she should do, Vestar smirked. [color=f7976a] Hmph...come, girl...[/color] He commanded and continued to walk. Vestar was not going to let anything happen to her. Let alone let her turn into a whore but he wasn't going to tell her that. He wanted her to figure out what she wanted to do. 

She must've lived her life being nothing but a lapdog and a obedient child for her father and mother, letting them choose how she lives and not choosing for herself. [color=f7976a] You should choose for yourself what you want...[/color]

Marewen walked with him and she chanced a sidelong look at vestar. She wondered if she could really do that. Could she live outside of her kingdom and marry someone of her own choosing if no one knew who she was? What kind of man would keep that kind of secret? Vestar was a viking and he had so far spent a lot of energy speaking to her as if she were a stupid child. Oddly he had not made her feel completely like a child. On the contrary, she felt more like a woman around him than she had any other before. 

They walked for quite some time before she said,[color=bc8dbf] "To my father I am property to be bartered for the highest price. The prettier the princess the more she is worth. There must not be a lot of pretty princesses around because there have been a lot of princes trying to outbid each other for me."[/color] She stated this as fact and not in a vain or bragging way at all.

 [color=bc8dbf]"I would have been obedient about any other prince no matter how ugly or stupid. It is my duty, what I was born for. Any other prince....my mother and I had agreed that I would not marry Edgar, he is just too vile and a murderer. She wouldn't allow it. My father told Harold that she agreed with him. I believed her."[/color]

Marewen continued walking with him. Soon it would be dark again. She felt relieved that she wouldn't be on her own in the dark tonight.
[@king tai]