For Love or a Kingdom

The early morning sun started to rise as Tammy sat in her perch high up in a tree. She flipped the hood of her cloak up over her head, and hugged herself a little. The chill was crisp in the air. Winter was coming, and it's time to stock up on food. She's been tracking a small heard of dear for two days now, and they would be a great start. Her eyes snapped towards the dried up river bed as a smile made it's way out. Two doe's and a buck. This was her lucky day. She knew they would be back this way. They use the old river as a navigation tool.

Tammy readied her bow, and took aim at the buck. He was the biggest, and if the others got startled, she didn't want to loose him. She was about to release the arrow just as the three deer took off at the sound of something. Tammy cursed under her breath before scanning the dried river bed for the sounds that just added another day to her hunting trip. She couldn't see anything, but could hear what sounded like the hooves of many horses. Crawling further out on the branch she was sitting on, her eyes narrowed on six men on horses trotting down the river. They were in uniform, and obviously part of the king's army. There was a war going on. Has been for the past two years, and their smart and fearless king has been doing well at pushing back the invading empire. She wondered if they were on a scouting mission. It wasn't the first time she had seen his men pass through their land. She has even fed a few on their pass through. It was something that she was proud to do, and would do repeatedly. Being a woman, she wasn't allowed to serve in the army, so she would do whatever she could to show her loyalty to the crown.

The six men got closer down the river to where she was, high in her tree. Tammy scooted out just a little bit further, both legs dangling down opposite sides of the branch. They wouldn't see her unless they looked up, so she stayed quiet as she watched them pass through, that was until she saw another site that made her eyes go wide. There was a man walking between the two rows of horses. His hands were bound, and the soldier to his right had a firm grip on a rope extending from his hands. Tammy leaned forward to get a better look, and couldn't believe who she saw. Her heart started to race, knowing she had to do something, so she took a few deep breaths, and readied the arrow that was meant for that buck.

Matt glared at the treacherous rats up on his horses. "You will never get away with this," he barked showing no signs of fear, "and you will all die a traitors death." he promised with narrow, angry eyes. The six men laughed around him. "You are wrong there, your highness," the soldier holding his ropes grinned cynically at him, "we will receive the highest honors from our new king." The men chuckled once again just before the soldier on the front left stopped suddenly. The five others looked at him confused before their eyes started to fill with horror. He slowly turned to look at them, the blood pouring from his mouth as he choked and gagged. He brought his hand up to his throat, blood flowing over it as he felt the arrow protruding from it. His eyes rolled back as he took a final gargled breath before falling, dead off his horse. "Where did-" the last man on the right started, but didn't finish as another arrow hit him in the chest.

Matt couldn't help but smirk as the remaining four jumped off their horses, and drew their swords. He knew his men would find him. The sound of another arrow cutting through the air whizzed toward them. Yet another man's eyes went wide as his body went stiff. The other three watched him suddenly jolt forward before collapsing face first to the ground, two arrows in his back. The sound twigs snapping brought their eye up to the river bank, nothing more than a blur seen running through the trees. "After him!" the man holding the king's ropes order. The other two took off towards the blur, but didn't get very far. The man in front stopped, causing the one behind him to skid to a halt. He started to back away as his comrade faced him with an arrow in his eye. The other man started to panic as he turned, and started to run in the opposite direction only to be stopped a few seconds later. The remaining soldier held tight to the king as he watched his last man fall, also with arrows in his back.

The traitor's heart raced as he looked around frantically as leaves and twigs crunched around him. "Come out!" he shouted putting a knife to Matt's neck, "Come out now, or I will cut his throat." he threated, not realizing how much he was going to regret it. There was a thud behind him, and he pushed the king to the ground as he foolishly spun around. Tammy plunged her own knife into his gut, her eyes burning into his wide ones as she pulled the blade up to his rib cage. "You're....you're.." he tried to choke something out as she watched him fall to his knees. She stepped back slightly as his intestines spilled out on the ground before he collapsed on his side with wide, lifeless eyes.

Tammy wiped the blood off her knife on her pants as she walked over to the now standing king. She kept her head down as she cut the ropes from him, and quickly knelt at his feet. "My lord." she addressed him softly. Matt stood there a moment, rubbing his raw wrists as he studied the person that had just saved his life. He was not expecting one, and it was obvious he was not part of the army, as he was in civilian clothes. However, taking out six traitors so swiftly was very impressive, and something told him he wanted this man in his army. "You may rise." he said, watching the man stand, but he didn't bring his head up. "Look at me." he ordered, wanting to see his face. "I am not worthy to gaze upon thee." Tammy told him, not bringing her eyes up. A surprising truth slapped Matt in the face at the clear sound of her voice. He brought his hand up to her chin, and tilted her head up before pushing the hood off, and gazing into a pair of the most beautiful hazel-green eyes he had ever seen.

Matt took a step back in slight shock. "You are a woman." he observed, finding it almost hard to believe. "Aye." Tammy confirmed, looking back to the ground. She still did not feel worthy to look upon such a man. He was the king, and she was just a peasant. "Where did you learn to use a bow like that?" he questioned. He has never met a woman that could string bow, let alone shoot one. "My father taught me." she answered immediately still not meeting his eyes. Matt took a few steps closer to her, "You do not have to keep looking away," he said, again placing his fingers under her chin, and bringing her eyes up to his, "Anyone who saves the kings life is worthy to gaze upon thee." he told her as a thumb grazed her cheek. Tammy felt a slight shiver run through her at his touch that didn't go unnoticed. Matt smirked a little as he lowered his hand. He wasn't going to deny that she was beautiful, and he was still considering taking her with him. Her being a woman didn't matter to him. It only made her rescue that much more impressive. "What is your name?" he asked. "Tammy." she told him receiving a nod. "Well then, help me gather these horses, so I can get them back to my men and camp."

They collected the horse that were spread out after the commotion. Leaving the bodies of the traitors fro the wolves, they each held the reins to two horses as they rode one. "How far is your camp?" Tammy asked as the trotted down the river bed. "About a days ride from here, but we are not going there right away." he informed her. She looked at him slightly confused as she saw a small smile come out on his handsome face. "I would like to stop, and meet the man that raised such a brave and loyal young lady." he said, shooting her a grin. Tammy looked away, feeling her cheeks heat up slightly. Did the king just compliment her? She glanced at him from the corner of her eye. She has never seen him this close before. She has been to some of the town gatherings when he's addressed the people, but she was too far away to get a good look at him. The paintings she seen of him didn't do him any justice. He was a lot more attractive then she had expected.

"What were you doing out here by yourself?" Matt asked, wanting to know more about this mysterious woman that dropped down out of nowhere. "I was hunting for the winter." she told him, and he looked at her more curious then before. Yet another skill that could come in handy during this war. "Hunting? Your father doesn't do that." It was the man's job to provide for the family. "He can't." is all she said, not really wanting to talk about this. "Why?" of course the king pressed further. "He was hurt about a year and a half ago. Now he walks with a cane, and can't bend his left knee." she gave him a little more. "What happened." he continued to question. Tammy let out a sigh, and looked at him. "If you don't mind, I would rather not talk about this." she said, and he gave her a nod, seeing some pain in her eyes. "We need to make a stop." she pulled off to the right, up out of the river bed.

Matt followed her, not pressing her with anymore questions. About five minutes later they came across a horse hooked up to a wagon, and tied to a tree. She had to get the deer home somehow. Sure as hell couldn't carry them all the way. Tammy hopped off the horse she was riding, and secured the three to the wagon. She untied the reins from the tree, and climbed up into the seat of the wagon. "This way." she said, motioning to the right with her head as she pulled off that way. It was early afternoon by the time they got to the farm Tammy called home. As soon as she hopped off the wagon there were two younger boys bursting out of the house. "You're back. Did you get-" the oldest started, but stopped mid sentence, and in his tracks when he saw who accompanied his sister. "Your highness," he knelt down, pulling on the younger one when he remained standing, "That's the king. You have to kneel." he whispered getting the little boy down. Matt chuckled at the boys as he climbed off his horse. "You may rise." he said with a wide smile, and Tammy noticed the deep dimples that made him even more attractive.

She needed to stop looking at him like that. He was the king, and she a peasant. She wasn't a princess or a queen, and wasn't worthy to look at him like that. "What's your name?" Matt asked the oldest, who was staring at him with awe. "I'm James, and this is Nathaniel." he said putting an arm around the younger boy's shoulders. "James? One of my best friends name is James." Matt told him, watching the boy's smile get wider. A sharp, quick whistle sound that sent three pairs of eye Tammy's way. "Go fetch Papa." she told James, getting a frown. "Fine." he grumbled, kicking a rock as he headed towards the fields, Nathaniel hot on his tail. "We can put the horses in the cattle pen for now." she said before she started to lead the horses that way. The heard was grazing right now, and it was empty. Matt followed her once again, helping to put some feed in the trough before closing the pen up once they were done.

Tammy showed him into the house. "Have a seat," she motioned to a table with chairs around it, "would you like something to eat?" she asked, grabbing a bowl. "Yes, please." he said as he took a seat at the table. Matt watched her as she moved to the fire place where a large pot was simmering. She didn't dress like the women usually do. You rarely saw one in trousers. She looked about eighteen, and he wondered why she was not married, starting her own family. He also noticed the lady of the house has not made her appearance. Maybe she was helping in the field. It was harvest season. Tammy set a bowl of stew and a plate of bread down in front of him before pouring him a cup of water. "Thank you." he said, their eyes meeting again. She gave him a single nod, and was about to turn away just as the door flew open.

James and Nathanial came running in, a few moments later their father hobbling in after. "My lord," he said as Matt stood, "Please forgive me for not kneeling." he said, giving him a bow instead. "It is fine," Matt told him, shaking the man's hand, "I know about your injury." he told him. "Yes, well please sit, and tell me what brings this honor to my home." her father said motioning back to the chair before sitting opposite of the king, his left leg extended. "Your daughter saved my life this morning," Matt told him, glancing at Tammy as she set food down in front of her father, "if we could have a moment there is an important matter I would like to discuss with you." he told him. "Yes, of course," he nodded at the king, "Sweetheart, take the boys back, and helped them with their studies."

Tammy frowned at her father, and he could tell she didn't want to. "Please." he said, knowing she would do what she was told. Even if she didn't like it. "Yes, Papa." she said with a sigh. The men sat patiently as Tammy ushered the boys to the back bedroom. They heard the door shut, but was oblivious to it quietly cracking back open. If this was about her, she wanted to hear it. "I'm sorry, I didn't catch your name." she heard the King's voice clearly. "Where are my manner? Charles." she could hear her fathers voice just as clear. "What are they saying?" James tied to move between Tammy and the door. "Shhhh. Go do your reading." she pushed him away. "But I want to hear too." he whined a little. "Too bad. Go read." she pushed him over to Nathaniel, getting a disapproving grunt from him as he plopped down next to his brother. Tammy walked back over to the door, and put her ear to it to hear better.

"Please, tell me what happened. You said Tammy saved your life?" Charles asked, curious as to what was going on. "Aye," Matt confirmed, "I was ambushed while I slept by six traitors hidden in my army," Matt started to explain the situation, "we were passing through your land when apparently we crossed paths with her on her hunting trip. When the first two were killed, I had thought it was my men, and they tracked us down," he continued as a proud smile started to make it's way out on Charles face, "but as the scene played out before me something told me that wasn't the case. I wasn't expecting a woman. She is an amazing shot, and said you taught her." he said getting a chuckle as Charles shook his head. "I just showed her how to string it. She is the one that spent hours upon hours perfecting her aim." he told him, the smile never leaving his face. "Regardless, she took out six traitors in a matter of minutes without being seen. It was quite impressive." Matt told him. "She knows those woods better than I do." Charles said, not surprised at her actions. "With her skills that she has acquired, and with your permission, I would like to take her with me. I think she would be a valuable asset to my army." Matt said, but Charles didn't get a chance to respond.

"No, I won't leave you." Tammy said, bursting out of the back bedroom. "Please, go back and let us discuss this." he father said standing from his chair as he tried to get her to go back to the bedroom. "No, I'm not going anywhere." she told him standing firm. Charles put his hands on his eldest child's shoulders. "Please, let us talk this matter out." he tried one more plea with his daughter. "Dad." she whispered. "Go." he told her. Tammy frowned, giving the King one over her father's shoulder as well. Instead of going back to the bedroom, she went out the front door. She didn't want to leave, and neither of them couldn't make her.

Charles let out a sigh as he sat back down at the table. "I must warn you, she is a stubborn one." he said, connecting his gaze with the King once again. Matt gave him a nod before he continued again. "You have my permission. However, the choice is ultimately hers." he said, and Matt nodded again. "I cannot say she will go. She called off her marriage after her mother went missing just to stay home, and help me. She took over her mothers duties as well as some of my own, and could probably run this place better than I." he told him, and Matt's curiosity crept up. "Missing?" he asked. So that's where the lady of the house was. "Aye," Charles eyes got sad, "It was the night this happened." he put his leg up on an empty chair, and pulled the leg of his trousers up. Matt took in the scars around the man's knee. Deep, dark scars. "What happened?" he asked, curiosity getting the best of him. Charles sighed again, pain clenching his heart as he thought about that night.

"About six months after the war started, we were on our way home from town," Charles started to explain, trying to push down the pain he feels for that night everyday, "we were attacked by the invading army," he said, seeing anger come out on the Kings face, "They had their fun. Laughing as they beat me," Charles paused taking a deep breath, "as they raped my wife in front of me," he said at a painful whisper, "After too many hits to the head, I lost consciousness. By the time I came to, they were gone," he paused, trying to keep the tears back, "she was gone." he said soft. Matt clenched his fist as they sat on the table top. Barbarians, they were all savages, and he would put each and everyone of them in their grave. "It took me two days to crawl back home," Matt brought his eyes back to the man as Charles continued his story, "Tammy stitched my wounds, nursed me back to health. My leg was broken at the knee, and was never the same after it healed. She took on a lot of responsibility the night I got home. She put her life on hold for us, and there is nothing I would like to see more than for her to get out of her, and do something with her life." he said, leaning back in his chair, and looking at the front door. Charles stood from his seat, and looked the King in his eyes. "Give me some time to talk to her. I'm sure I can talk her into it." he said before leaving out the front door.

Notes

Soooo, here's a new story that's been swirling around my head, and here I go again posting a new story I only have only one chapter written for. I'm so impatient when it comes to this shit.

Hush Kimmie I don't want to hear it ;p

hope you enjoy, and leave me a nice comment