Prompt: Runaway horse with one of them on the horse and the valiant knight tries to rescue them but getting foiled along the way.
'Foaled' Again!
"Look out!"
Indeed, most of the village was looking. Multiple heads turned in the direction of the thunderous sound of hoofbeats against the earth, drawing closer and closer. Fewer heads had the wit to jump out of the way even with the hoofbeats falling right on top of them. Screams sounded in the air as the horse continued its mad dash through the village, with a young, redheaded girl clinging helplessly to its back in wide-eyed terror.
All told, it looked like a job for a knight errant.
Here's your chance, Elsa, that same knight errant thought, swallowing the nervous lump in her throat as she watched the runaway horse drawing closer. From her vantage point, it looked more like a maddened beast than any horse she'd ever laid eyes on. Exhaling loudly in an attempt to calm the last of her nerves, Elsa flicked her visor down on her helm and drew her sword from its scabbard, preparing herself to threaten the horse into rearing back and stopping. Hopefully without causing the distressed damsel on its back any harm, but as the horse cantered up to her, she couldn't deny that she'd settle for stopping it.
"H-Halt!" Elsa cried out before she could stop herself, brandishing her sword and trying to make herself look more menacing.
For a brief moment Elsa thought the horse was going to obey her command as the animal's speed decreased a smidgen—until it bolted forward once more, charging at the knight and knocking her off her feet. She winced upon hitting the ground, her back slamming hard against the combination of packed dirt and metal plate even with the padding of her aketon between the metal and her undershirt to soften the impact.
Let's...Let's try that again, she thought with a groan, hastily scrambling to her feet despite her aching body. Thinking that the horse was likely going to stick to the main road which ran through the village like a large U, she decided to take a shortcut through the village to try to head it off near the other end.
All the while, she could hear that poor redhead screaming.
Elsa ran as fast as she could through the alleys and backstreets that led towards the other side of the main road, her armor clunking noisily as she went. Too soon and just in time, she found herself back in direct line of fire, searching her head for some manner of plan that had a prayer of working. Of course, when she assessed her options, the fact that she had left her sword behind became apparent. She could only hope her sword would still be where she left it after this...but for now, she had no choice—she would have to attempt to grab the reins and stop the horse by force that way. Failing that, she would still be close enough to have a chance at rescuing the girl.
Hopefully this would end with no one's neck broken.
Swallowing hard, Elsa prepared herself once again, with feet spread and hands open as the horse and its helpless rider stampeded straight towards her. She could see the reins, pinned to the horse's coat under the girl's arms. Elsa took a few calming breaths, the hoofbeats and her heartbeat thumping loud and fast, and lunged.
"Are you mad?!" the girl shrieked as Elsa clung to her and tried to reach for the reins, apologizing profusely even at the risk of having her tongue bitten from the rough riding.
"I'm here to rescue you!" Elsa tried to say, her words undulating with the movements of the angry steed below them. A sharp turn nearly had her falling off, but she merely clung tighter to the girl, her hand landing on something soft. Another shriek pierced Elsa's ears, this time sounding more angry than afraid.
"What kind of a rescue is that?!" the girl shouted as Elsa tried to place her hands somewhere safer, her cheeks heating up behind her helm.
"I just—" Elsa spluttered, her excuses cutting off when she looked ahead and saw the canal rapidly approaching. "Get ready to jump!"
"Like hell I'm going anywhere with you after—"
Elsa didn't wait to let the girl finish, merely wrapped her arms around her waist and heaved them both off into the water as the horse jumped over the canal. They landed with a mighty splash, with Elsa barely having time to take a gulp of air before her head sunk beneath the water. She kept hold of her rescued damsel as best she could, given that she was flailing with panic. But with her armor dragging them both down...that wouldn't be good. Perhaps it would be better to let her go, give her a better chance of not drowning.
A few moments later found them both pulling themselves onto the bank of the canal, drenched to the bone and sputtering for breath. It wasn't long before the girl turned to Elsa, her ire not even the least bit quenched by their dip from the scowl on her dripping face. Elsa was glad she had her helm on to protect from damage, but at the same time it only served to strengthen the ringing in her ears from the girl's hard slap to her head. "Some rescue that was!"
"You're not on the horse anymore, at least!" Elsa snapped back, voice raised since she couldn't quite regain her hearing just yet, "A simple 'thank you' would be nice!"
The girl's cheeks burned, but she tilted her head and gave a small, grudging nod. Heaving a sigh of relief, Elsa endeavored to push herself off the ground, rising on shaky legs from her damp clothes and armor. Once she was on her feet, she offered a hand to the redhead, who took it with a trembling hand of her own.
For a moment, they merely stood there, staring at each other before the girl broke the silence with, "What, are you expecting a kiss or something?"
This time it was Elsa's turn to blush and sputter. "N-No, that's not what I...Erm...That is…" She cleared her throat and looked away, muttering, "This did not turn out how I imagined…"
"Considering how you were trampled the first time, I doubt that," the girl said, and Elsa's cheeks burned further.
"And how would you have gone about rescuing yourself?" Elsa asked blandly, crossing her arms and staring into the water they had climbed out of. "From what I remember, the whole kingdom could hear your screaming."
"Yeah, well, you try staying quiet astride a wild stallion."
Why were you even… Elsa shook her head, not even bothering to complete the thought—all that mattered was that no one had been gravely hurt by the whole ordeal. "As it stands, I am glad you are now safe, if a little… wet."
"You should see yourself," the girl retorted with the faintest hint of a smirk, "Not exactly the picture of a 'dashing' knight if you look more like a drowned rat with armor."
"'One's outward countenance matters not if their inward image is one of goodness,'" Elsa recited, removing her helmet and wringing out her matted braid all the same. She winced at the tugging on her scalp, but she knew it would be necessary to keep her from catching her dea—what was that strangled noise? She looked up and found the girl she rescued to be gaping at her.
Apparently, the sound came from her.
"Are… you okay?" Elsa asked tentatively, not wanting another outburst directed at her. Her hands left her braid, allowing it to fall onto her left shoulder like it usually did, and the girl inhaled sharply.
"I," she began, sounding choked, "you—you're, uh, what? I mean—"
Speaking of sharp things...her sword is still back at where this whole mess began. "I'm sorry, you'll have to excuse me." Oh, God's blood and bones...if it's not there, what is a knight supposed to do without a weapon to protect and defend…?!
"But— wait!"
A hand grabbed her arm as Elsa made to turn away. She turned back, eyebrows raised, to see that the girl was chewing on her lip anxiously. Her freckled cheeks had reddened with heat for some reason, teal eyes darting about to look everywhere except at Elsa's own.
"I… haven't thanked you yet." In the short time Elsa knew this girl, her mumble seemed uncharacteristic when compared to her...feisty behavior before. She stepped closer, her hand still gripping Elsa's arm. Elsa blinked, unsure of her intentions...until the girl stood on the very tips of her toes to press a brief kiss to the knight's cheek.
Shock rang throughout Elsa's body, freezing her in place. When the girl pulled away a heartbeat later, Elsa had yet to move; her mouth parted in surprise. All Elsa had time to do was blink once more before she leaned in again, this time pressing their lips together, albeit chastely.
"Anna," the girl said when they parted, a shy smile curving onto her lips, "that's my name...which I probably should have told you sooner...huh?"
"I'm… Elsa," was her dazed reply.
"Elsa...of King Arthur's court, you mean?" Anna asked, eyes widening, and Elsa ducked her head in embarrassment.
"I have hardly lived up to my name, have I?" Trampled by a horse on her first pass...oh, her fellow knights would never let her hear the end of that…
"Well, your beauty certainly matches the legends…" Anna murmured, then coughed and reddened.
"Oh…" Elsa said as her face took on a similar heat to the girl before her, "I...that is, I've said before that outward appearances don't...reflect the worth of a knight." She paused for a moment, and then added, "But, um, thank you."
They stood there for another moment, smiling shyly at each other before Elsa stiffened at the reminder of her forgotten sword.
"I really must away," she said regretfully, her eyes falling on Anna's lips before she realized where she was looking. The blush on her cheeks grew in strength as she forced herself to look away, gently tugging her arm out of Anna's grasp.
"Can I go with you?" Anna blurted, matching Elsa's steps hurriedly.
"Why?" the knight asked with a furrow of her brow.
"I have no ties holding me here," Anna explained, her hands clasped in front of her pleading face, "I had… procured that horse to take me away from this village, so that I could strike out on my own, but you see how that turned out."
Oh, yes...Elsa certainly had the bruises to show for it. But her pride had been wounded more than her body, and travelling with Anna might give her ample opportunity to restore her honor. She certainly couldn't return to King Arthur's court as she is now with this shame lingering over her… "The road will be fraught with peril, as I tend to seek peril out," Elsa warned.
"I live for peril!" Anna exclaimed, clenching a fist before her for emphasis and proceeding to feign punching an imaginary opponent. Elsa chuckled and clasped Anna's shoulder.
"Very well...you can join me until you find something on our travels that calls to you," she said with a small smile. The elated whoop that Anna let out made Elsa laugh heartily. "You know...you're not that bad when you aren't yelling at me."
"I'm passionate," Anna corrected defensively, "And you were the one who grabbed my—"
"Ohhh please don't say it," Elsa groaned, running a gauntleted hand down her heated face. A wicked grin grew on Anna's lips. Perhaps I should reconsider after all if she's looking at me like that…
But deep down, Elsa knew it was already far too late to leave Anna behind. Bonded by circumstance, they were—after all, it would be hard to forget someone you nearly could have died with… It would be interesting to see how they lived together, instead. And if she had to consider looks, well...Anna certainly had a beauty to her, previously overshadowed by the frantic events of before. The brilliant smile Anna levied at Elsa now certainly highlighted that beauty.
"Tell me, Anna...you're not just coming along because I'm a pretty face, are you?" Elsa asked, the lilt in her voice almost teasing as they walked through the village streets. Anna seemed only mildly flustered, sweeping her gaze over Elsa's body with a smirk. The knight pouted at the obvious appraisal and proceeded to place her helm back over her head.
Anna laid a soothing hand on Elsa's arm and said, "Don't worry, Elsa… it's not just because of your pretty face."
"I'm not taking this off, Anna."
Elsa's travel companion laughed at her sullen pout and fell a few steps behind, stating, "There are other views to enjoy on the road, Elsa."
Her helm felt warmer than before...or maybe that was just the blush rising to her cheeks again. "Well, while you're distracted with… other sights, I'll keep my eye out for brigands," she sniffed haughtily. After I recover my sword, of course… Their walk had taken them close to where she had first fallen, and Elsa's heart beat faster, hope that no one had stolen her blade from the street whilst she chased down the wild steed and its unwilling rider.
Her hopes were immediately dashed. In fact, it was a familiar hand that held her sword aloft in the sun, inspecting it, and not a friendly one.
"I wonder what our king would say if he knew you lost the sword he had personally given you?" Sir Hans of the Southern Isles mused, having probably spotted them approaching from his peripheral.
"It is not lost, Sir Hans," Elsa pointed out through gritted teeth, "and I would appreciate you handing it over to me."
"Ah, but you see...the sword isn't in your possession right now, is it?" Hans said, feigning a sorrowful look as he waved that very blade for emphasis, "Therefore, you've lost it...and I have found it." The pleasure he took in her snarl was obvious as he continued, "And what a fine blade it is I have found."
Her hands clenched tightly at her sides, nearly bending the metal of her gauntlets.
"Now, Elsa, there's no need to make such a face; I'm not a cruel man by any means…" he simpered, flashing a smile at Anna beside her, "I am willing to return the sword… in exchange for a nominal fee."
"You are no knight," Elsa spat, taking a step forward, "You bring dishonor to our table, to our king, to chivalry itself for demanding gold from your fellows."
Hans merely scoffed and twirled Elsa's sword around artfully. "This really is a fine sword," he said, completely ignoring her words. "And we, as knights, of course, know that its value lies not only in its steel, but in its history, don't we, Elsa?"
For a moment, both knights merely stared each other down silently, the air crackling between them...before Anna cleared her throat. "What's the price?"
"...Pardon?" Hans asked, maintaining that infuriating smile of his.
"What's the price?" Anna repeated, smiling back so aggressively that Hans nearly took a step back. "Surely you aren't as stupid as you look to not know what it means?"
Hans' smile faltered, and his lip curled up in a sneer. "As if a whore like you could afford my terms." Elsa clenched a fist, tempted to slam it into Hans' face. Before she could even bring herself to do so, however, Anna did it for her.
The height that Hans reached as he flew through the air from Anna's strike was impressive. Her speed was, too—Elsa swore it took only a blink before the redhead crossed the distance and slipped through his slackened defenses. Elsa's sword clattered to the ground in front of Anna, who shook her punching hand and stooped to pick it up. She held it up, inspecting it much like Hans had done before, as the man in question propped himself up on one elbow, using his other hand to touch his now-bloodied nose. "I think that was a fair price after all, don't you, Elsa?"
She settled for a nod, still stunned by what just occurred. Anna presented the sword to her with a smile, and Elsa took it gingerly, glancing over it before sheathing it quickly.
"You...Don't think I'll let this go without consequence!" Hans spat as he scrambled to his feet, blood leaking through his fingers. Elsa gripped the hilt of her sword and stepped forward.
"King Arthur will hear of this—mark my words," she declared, narrowing her eyes.
"We'll see about that," Hans snapped, practically crawling away, his back hunched and his hand held over his nose.
Elsa watched him go for a moment before turning to Anna with a broad smile on her face. "Well, you can certainly hold your own, if against men and not horses."
"Thanks!" Anna said, returning her smile. "It'll be good that I'm around if you run into jerks like that all the time."
The thought was heartwarming, and Elsa's cheeks nearly ached from the force of her smile. "Don't worry, Anna; it's not merely your incredible punching prowess that I will keep you around… your pretty face does wonders as well," she teased. Anna swatted halfheartedly at her arm in response, giggling. "Continue striking my enemies down for me, and I'll have to make you my squire."
"A squire helps their knight get dressed, don't they?" Anna teased in return, her voice almost a purr.
Elsa's face burned at that thought, and at the thought of Anna assisting her in undressing as well. "O-Or perhaps we should just stay as traveling companions."
Anna merely smiled, the expression mysterious and almost… sultry. Elsa gulped, flicking her visor down to hide her face and abruptly striding away towards the inn that served as her temporary lodging.
This journey would prove to be trying in ways she had never anticipated.
THE END
Contributors for this round: The Wandering Quill, Immi, CanITellUSmThin, Cyrianu, Issandri