For Love or a Kingdom

Tammy sat up in her treehouse she's had since she was five, carving in to the floor with her knife. Well it wasn't so much a house as it was a platform nailed to the branches. She heard the now familiar hobble of her fathers steps crunching the dead leave of autumn n the ground. "You can't make me go." she said when the footsteps stopped. "I know," he said leaning against the trunk of the tree, "but I can try to convince you." Charles told her. "You can try, but it doesn't mean it will work." she mumbled as she stuck her knife into one of the boards. She didn't get a response from him, but turned around slightly when she heard something hitting the boards behind her. "Help me." she could see her father's head peeking over the platform as he slapped his hand around trying to find anything to grab on to. "What are you doing?" she asked almost at a panic as she whipped around, and grabbed his arm with both hands.

Tammy helped pull her father up, and he stood there a moment catching his breath. "Been awhile since I did that." he gave her a smile that she didn't return. "What were you thinking? With your leg, you could have hurt yourself." she scolded him. Charles chuckled as he sat down, legs stretched out. "When did you become the parent?" he asked as he patted the spot next to him. Tammy narrowed her eyes at him, and crossed her arms over her chest before finally plopping down next to him. He smiled, patting her leg a little before leaning back on his arms. "Remember when we use to have tea parties up here?" he asked as he looked out across his farm. "Of course," she sighed out, "no matter what you were doing, you would drop it just to have tea with me." she said, smiling a little at the memories. Sometimes her mother would join them, but she usually let them have it as bonding time.

Charles looked at his eldest with a bit of sadness in his eyes, knowing this would be the last time they would sit up here together. "What happened to my little girl?" he asked at a whisper. "She grew up." Tammy said, not looking at him. "Aye, into a smart, independent woman," he told her, and she looked at him over her shoulder, "Your mother would be proud," he said sadness filling both of their eyes, "She was." Tammy stood up with anger mixed into that sadness. "Stop it! Stop talking like she's dead." she fought back tears. "Prove me wrong," he said as confusion replaced her anger, "Here is your chance. Go out there, and find her. I know you want to." She has since the day he got home, but he needed her here. "I can't just leave. There is still so much to do." she tried to plead her side. "We will be fine," Charles said using a branch to pull himself up, "I have my hired hands, and the boys-" he countered her argument, but she cut him off. "What about food? We don't have nearly enough to last the winter, and they scared away my deer." she told him knowing he couldn't go out there, and James maybe fifteen, but he wasn't ready to go by himself.

Charles chuckled as he shook his head, resting his hands on her shoulders. "We will be fine," he reassured her once again, "if anything, I won't sell as many cattle this year." he said, and he could tell by the look on her face she was out of arguments. "You're destined bigger things than just a farm. This is your opportunity to make history. Don't let it slip away." and with that, turned away, and carefully stepped out onto the boards nailed to the trunk. "You're sending me to war," she said, making him pause with one more trick up her sleeve, "I could die tomorrow." she told him. "You could," he agreed, "but you won't. You're stronger than you think." he said before finally disappearing down the makeshift ladder. Tammy dropped down onto the boards, and hugged her knees to her chest. She let out a sigh, and looked up at the now star filled sky. "Tell me what to do." she whispered to no one before dropping her head on her knees.

Charles stepped back into the house, smiling at the sight of the King sitting on the floor as the boys read to him. He was a young king, forced to take the throne at sixteen when his father died of Yellow Fever. He had the guidance of his mother for the first year until she too fell ill, and past away. He has been doing quite well these past four years, even considering half of that time has been at war. The empire thought he would be easy to take over, and he has been proving them wrong ever since, earning much respect from his people. Matt looked at him with anxious eyes as Charles sat in a chair next to the fire place. He gave him a smile putting a finger up, silently telling him to wait a moment. Matt frowned, but said nothing as he tried to put his attention back on Nathaniel as he tried to sound out words on the paper he was reading. It took maybe five minutes before she came walking through that door. Tammy hesitated for a moment when her eyes met those of the King, but soon let out a sigh of defeat. "I will go with you." she said, ignoring the smile that came out on his face as she went to her bedroom. She still didn't want to go, but she didn't want to let down her father or the King.

Matt stood to go talk to her, but Charles stopped him almost immediately. "Give her a minute. Just because she agreed to go does not mean she is happy about it." he warned him. He would not put it past his daughter to lash out at him. Matt frowned looking at the closed bedroom door before deciding to just sit back down. She agreed to come, and he didn't want to do anything that would make her change her mind. "Thank you for helping." he said, and Charles nodded. "Boys, why don't you go back, and get ready for bed." he shooed them wanting a moment alone with the King. James and Nathaniel got up without argument, and he watched them disappear into the bedroom they shared. "Take care of her," he said, looking at Matt with concerned eyes, "that is my little girl, and I do not want to see her left, dead in a field somewhere." he told him knowing how these things can turn out. "I promise, if anything happens I will bring her back to you," Matt assured him, "may I?" he asked motioning to the door she disappeared behind, and receiving a nod.

Tammy sat at her mother's vanity as she brushed her hair out. The room was her parents, but her father gave it to her after her mother went missing. He just couldn't sleep in there without her, so he has been sleeping in the main room since. She had changed into an underdress for bed, and set her brush down as she heard a knock on the door. "You may enter." she said, turning around slightly to face the door. She stood immediately as the King entered her room. "Is there something you need?" she asked as she grabbed a robe off the back of her chair, and put it on. "No." he said, his eyes raking over her as he shut the door behind him. Tammy felt her heart pick up, the King's eyes never leaving her as he took a few steps closer. "We leave at dawn. Are you packed?" he asked noticing her breathing getting slightly heavier. "Yes, sir," she said motioning to the pack sitting on the floor by the door, but he didn't pull his eyes from hers, "Was there anything else?" she asked as he stopped inches from her. "Yes," he said, his eyes looking deep into hers, "I never got a chance to properly thank you for saving my life." he said bringing a hand up to the side of her face.

Tammy's heart started to race even faster as she watched him start to lean in. Was the King about to kiss her? Unfortunately she wouldn't find out as they were interrupted by a pound coming from the front door. "Open up," Matt smirked at the familiar voice, "This is the King's generals, and you have his horses." Four bodies came out of the bedrooms at the commotion. "I will get the door." Matt said, putting his hand up to Charles as he walked to the door. Brian's eyes went wide when Matt opened the door with a smile on his face. "You're here?" Brian looked confused as him and Jimmy entered the house. "We have been tracking you all day." he told him. "We found our men." Jimmy added as anger came out on Matt's face. "Those are not our men. They are traitors, and died the death they deserved." Brian looked at him even more confused. "What happened?" he asked. When he noticed that Matt was gone early this morning, him and Jimmy set out to find him immediately.

Matt told them about being ambushed in his sleep, and about Tammy saving him. She got a smile from Jimmy, however the same was not for Brian. "I've decided to bring her with us." Matt said as he concluded the story, getting two different reactions from his two best friends. Jimmy was happy about it, but Brian on the other hand, "You cannot be serious." he stated. "I am," Matt told him, his eyes saying he was very serious, "I'm going to make her Capitan of the archery platoon." he told him. "Have you gone mad?" Brian couldn't believe what he was hearing, "You cannot put a woman in your ranks. She has no military experience, and the men will never listen to her." he said. "They will if I tell them too." Matt said. Brian grabbed him by the arm, and drug the King outside. "You can't do this. She will be nothing but a distraction, and the men will loose respect for you." he said. "I can, and I will, and I suggest you stop questioning me." Matt warned. "That's what I'm here for right," Brian said looking him dead in the eye, "to keep you from making stupid decisions like this." Matt narrowed his eyes at his best friend. "You have not seen what I have seen." He told him, but the look on Brian's face clearly said he didn't care. "This is a mistake." he told him.

Matt didn't respond as he moved around him. "She is coming with us," he said, stopping at the door, "I suggest you learn to live with it." he said before disappearing back into the house. "Is everything alright, my lord?" Charles asked as Matt closed the door. "Everything is fine," he assured him, glancing over his shoulder when Brian came back inside, "Everyone should get some rest. We are leaving at dawn." he told them before sitting next to Jimmy who was shoveling stew in his mouth. Tammy grabbed another bowl, and filled it before walking over to the man standing next to the door. Brian glared down at her making her look down, uncomfortable with the look he was giving her. It was obvious he didn't like her, and they haven't even said anything to each other. "Would you like something to eat?" she asked softly, offering him the bowl. He glanced at Matt who had warning in his eyes, silently telling him not to be an ass. Of course Brian ignored that glare as he let out a huff, and pushed past her. Tammy let out a sigh, and just set the bowl on the table before disappearing back to her room. She didn't want to be anywhere near that man. Something told her they were going to have problems.

Brian sat down on Jimmy's other side, getting a head shake from him. "You're missing out. This is great." he told him as he shoveled another spoon full into his mouth. Brian couldn't help but smile a little at his friend as he stuffed his face. "You're a pig." he said, shoving him to the side a little. "Hey watch it. You almost made me spill." Jimmy held his bowl close like he was coddling a child. The two men sitting next to him smiled before the sound of Charles voice got their attention. "I will make up the table for you," he said looking at the King, "it isn't a bed, but it will keep you off the floor." he told him. "Not necessary," Matt said as he stood up, "there are three of us now. We will take the barn." he said getting an immediate head shake from the man. "Your majesty, the barn is not fit for a king." he protested. Matt smiled, and put his hand on the man's shoulder. "In times of war, anything is fit for a king." he told him finally getting a nod. "Very well then, I will get you some extra blankets to lay over the hay."

Charles walked over to a trunk in the corner of the room, and pulled out several blankets along with a lantern. He lit it before showing the men outside to the barn. "It smells like cow dung in here." Brian complained when they walked in. "This is where we keep them when winter comes." Charles told him. "So quit being such a baby." Jimmy said, this time him shoving Brian. Charles hung the lantern on a nail in the wall before walking over to several piles of hay, and spreading the blankets out over them. He threw some logs into the wood burning stove, used to help keep the animals warm, and lit it. "If there is anything else I can do for you, please do not hesitate to ask." he said as Matt walked over to him, and shook his hand. "Thank you, my good man, but I think we will be fine. You and your family have been very gracious in this time of need, and it will not be forgotten." he told him. Charles gave him a small nod. "Whatever we can do to help." he said. "And I thank you. You have done more than enough." Matt said, wishing him a good night before Charles hobbled out of the barn. "So what happened to his leg?" Jimmy asked as he practically dove into the blanket covered hay, and made himself comfortable. "He and his wife were attacked early in the war one day," Matt started to explain as he joined Jimmy in the hay, "his leg was broken, and his wife taken. I think we can find her." he said, trying to find a way to repay him for everything. "What makes you think she is even still alive?" Brian asked as he sat on the other side of Jimmy. "You know how they are." Matt said with narrow, angry eyes.

Savages, every last one of them. This was not the first time they have heard of the enemy taking women. Keeping them for their own sadistic pleasure. They have even rescued several of them after taking out an enemy squad. Sadly though, not all of them have made it. They have also found many bodies, bound, and discarded in a field somewhere. They were never left though. Every last one of Matts military squads had orders to give these women proper burials if they were found. "Which is all the more reason not to take this man's only daughter." Brian said getting a look of annoyance. "We are not have this discussion again." Matt warned, but of course was ignored. "And if she gets taken? What then? You know what they will do to her. Maybe even worse since she will know our inner workings." Brian pointed out. He wouldn't put it past them to torture her for information. Matt's annoyance and anger started to grow towards his comrade. "Then we will not let that happen." he said through clinched teeth. "I won't go out of my way." Brian said cold before laying down with his back to his friends. He was done with this.

Tammy tossed and turned in her bed unable to let sleep take her. So much happened in one day, and it was all a little much. She tossed her blanket aside, and climbed out of bed. Grabbing an overcoat off a trunk at the foot of the bed, she slipped on some shoes before slipping out of her room. She crept past her sleeping father, on the floor by the fireplace, and out the front door. The night air was crisp, and the sky was clear. Tammy made her way to the stables where they kept their own horses, and went inside. Usually she would stay in here, and brush their horses when she couldn't sleep at night, but the kings horses look as if they didn't have much time for simple hygiene care like that. She grabbed a brush, and a few other things to clean the hooves. She left the stable, and made her way to the cattle pen by the barn. She knew they were in the barn. She heard them talking from her room. She just hoped they were asleep right now. Especially that one guy.

Opening the gate, Tammy stepped into the pen, and set the items on the ground before closing the gate. She took all the saddles and armor off the horses, draping what she could over the wooden fence. Grabbing the brush, she walked over to a black beauty, and started brushing the dried mud out of his mane. She enjoyed doing this. It helped clear her mind, and tire herself out, so she could sleep. "You're a beautiful boy, aren't you?" she spoke softly to the horse, smiling a little when it almost seem as if he nodded at her as he let out a huff. Tammy's smile faded a little when the sound of the barn door opening got her attention. She continued to brush the horse, silently hoping it wasn't who she thought it was. There were two others she could have accidentally woke. Of course those hopes crumbled away when she glanced over the back of the horse at the approaching footsteps.

Brian jolted awake at the sounds of movement outside. He glanced at his brethren, sound asleep next to him. It wasn't surprising. They had always been heavier sleepers than he was. Tossing his blanket aside, Brian got up, and slowly pushed open the barn door. It didn't take him long to find the source of the noise. She was right there in the pen. He thought about just going back inside. Until another thought popped into his head. If he couldn't talk Matt out of bringing her, maybe he could talk her out of going. He casually strolled over to the pen, not giving a hint of expression when she glanced at him. "Is there something you need?" Tammy asked kind of annoyed as he leaned forward on the wood fence. "You should just stay here," he got strait to it, "the battlefield is not a place for a woman. You don't belong." he said. "Our king seems to think otherwise." she didn't even give him a glance as she continued what she was doing. "His mind is being clouded by a pretty face, and he is being foolish." he told her, and she looked at him with narrow eyes. "I already agreed to go. I will not back out of that." she said, wishing he would just go away. "You are making a mistake," Brian's voice held anger as he pushed himself off the fence, "You are both making a mistake that is going to get you killed." he said running a frustrated hand through his hair. "What do you care? You obviously don't like me." Tammy was growing equally frustrated, putting her hands on her hips as she glared at him.

Brian swung open the gate to the pen, and stormed right over to her, but she held her ground as he got in her face. "I don't want to see my friend become the laughing stock of the kingdom," he barked at her, "I don't want him to loose all loyalty and respect from his men all because he is sweet on some peasant farm girl," he saw the way Matt looked at her, "You don't belong, and I will not protect you." he finished low before turning away from her, and walking away. "I don't need you to protect me. I am quite capable of taking care of myself." she barked right back at him. "We'll see about that." he didn't even give her a glance as he slammed the gate shut, and disappeared back into the barn. If it wasn't clear to her before, it definitely was now. The two of them were going to have problems.

Notes

Can't even believe I got this done so quickly :) :) :)
So looks like someone doesn't like the King's idea. Wonder what kind of drama this is going to bring ;)
Now if you'll excuse me, I have an update for another story to start cause someone told me I would get a reward *cough*Kimmie*cough*

Don't forget to comment <3 <3