Done for the seven day sleeping warrior challenge. Although fair warning, I'm still deciding if I am going to do the last day or not.
Day One: Holding Hands
It had been three days since Aurora attempted to kill Snow. Since then, she had been in the back of the group, left mostly to her own thoughts. They had been traveling to Snow's castle. She took the lead, always with Emma right behind her. They mostly talked about their own world, so Aurora couldn't have followed the conversation if she wanted to.
Behind Snow and her daughter was the warrior woman, Mulan. She never said anything unless asked a direct question, but would periodically glance back at the princess to make sure she was still there. Aurora knew Mulan was hiding something and mentally struggled with it constantly, but hadn't known her long enough to be able to begin guessing at it. She was still convinced the warrior was in love with Phillip.
Phillip.
Even the thought of his name made the weight in her chest ache. She feared she would never be able to love again. Ever since they had lost him, she had felt her heart like a weight in her chest. Phillip had been her true love, even though they had not known each other for a long time. Their relationship was an arranged one. She had also grown up secluded from most people and had never been in love before. And now, it had been two weeks since she had seen him alive.
Suddenly, Aurora felt herself stumbling. She was always tripping over things out here. Normally she was able to regain balance quickly. But because she was so deep in thought, she was lucky she managed to catch herself with her hands. She was grumbling to herself and trying to detangle her shawl from a bramble bush when a pair of boots entered her field of vision. Her imagination got the better of her. Thinking she was about to be attacked, Aurora slowly looked up.
She was relieved to see Mulan looking down at her, concern clearly painted across her face. Aurora noted that that was the most emotion Mulan had shown since the wraith. The other woman's gaze traveled from Aurora to the brambles. Mulan helped Aurora untangle the shawl. Then, much to Aurora's surprise, she extended her hand down to her to help the fallen girl up. Aurora happily took the offered hand, but was unprepared for the shiver the contact sent up her arm and into her spine. She glanced up at Mulan, who seemed oblivious to her reaction.
Once she was back on her feet, Aurora had expected Mulan to head off again ahead of her. But again, she was surprised by Mulan's actions. The warrior silently fell into step with her, and they continued their journey side by side. Aurora wanted to say something to her companion, but had no idea where to begin, so she opted to remain quiet as well.
They only parted when they began to make camp for the night. It was then that Aurora felt the weight in her chest again. She hadn't noticed it had been gone until it returned. Upon further contemplation, she realized it left when she had taken Mulan's hand. The shiver now made sense. All the princess could do was smile to herself. The warrior had made her feel better than she had in weeks. She had done it without saying a word, and with the slightest touch.