A/N - I know this isn't a Christmas update but I did try. You can blame FF for fucking it up. Never fear, I'm debating writing something else out after the adorable Xmas tweets we got. Stay tuned and until then, enjoy...

Stephanie let out a weary sigh but it was welcome. They had finally re-entered the lands of her Kingdom. They were safe here. All that remained was to travel the rest of the way to Titan Castle and this God forsaken journey would be over. She had never been more thankful to see the white and red lion crest of her family in her life. The Royal Banner flapped and danced in the breeze, marking the territory for all to see; that these lands belonged to Titan. Not far from the banners stood an outpost and Stephanie's excited eyes spied the dim lights of a garrison not much further after that. Inside she prayed that Lord James would allow them rest for the night. He'd be a fool not to take the opportunity to restock, regroup and send a messenger home to inform her father what had happened and why they were late to return from their voyage.

"We will stop here for the night when we reach the Garrison. I think we could all use the rest," Lord James boomed to the remnants of his troop. Just like the Princess, he too had looked with grateful eyes upon the Royal Banners. He had faced many a gruesome battle in his life but there would be none more fearsome than having to tell the King that his daughter had been raped and murdered. Relieved wasn't enough of a word to describe how the old warrior felt knowing that he was now in Titan jurisdiction, the Princess safely in hand.

Lord James called one of his soldiers forward and issued orders. "Ride ahead. Tell the outpost we are coming. Ride ahead further and inform the commanding officer of this garrison that you need to send a message to the King."

"The message, My Lord?"

"We are two days march from Titan, that the Princess is safe and that when we return a full briefing will take place."

"My Lord," the young solider bowed his head and took off towards the outpost at speed.

Lord James watched absently. He didn't want to reveal that the King's daughter had come under attack in a telegram message. Loathe as he was to do it, he would wait until he could look his old friend in the eye and tell him to his face. It would also act as a measure of support to his claims that the rebels were growing bold in their movements. Lord James had been touting this for months but nobody within the Castle walls would listen. Perhaps this would be a wakeup call for all, especially the King who Lord James felt drastically needed to take action before the situation got any worse. He could have lost his only daughter today and if not for the actions of a clueless prisoner…Well, he didn't want to think down those lines. He settled into his saddle and kept riding.

Not an hour later and the battered troop entered the open garrison gates. Stephanie watched on with tired but happy eyes as Lord James greeted the commander. He pointed to a large brick building just left of where they were standing. She presumed it would be her quarters for the evening. Her blue eyes swept over her shoulder. Two maids had survived the attack. Two out of ten not to mention the twenty other servants that had come, including the poor boy who had been shot in the neck with an arrow. Stephanie drew a tight breath and shut her eyes. That boy's face would haunt her dreams for years to come, she was sure of it.

As her horse slowly trotted through the front yard of the camp, the murmurs began. Stephanie was used to them now. These men were Royal soldiers yet very few in their lifetimes would ever see a member of the Royal family. Well today was their lucky day she inwardly snorted to herself. She must have looked a treat. She hadn't bathed in days, her hair was a disaster, her clothes were tattered and stained and she generally felt horrible. But from the looks on their faces you certainly wouldn't know it. They were staring at her like….like…well, like she was royalty. Stephanie scolded herself. All her life she struggled to cope with her status. She'd give anything to walk into a room and not have everybody bow at her feet. To go to her favourite market in Titan and peruse freely without being watched, without having everything tested and tasted for danger or poison. What was an ordinary life like? She'd never know. Instead she was used to moments like this, moments where even in her most un-Princess like state, she could still bring a garrison of soldiers to stunned silence.

In the back of her mind her mother's voice steamrolled to the fore. "Wave, Stephanie, these people will remember this moment for the rest of their lives…Be courteous, Stephanie, these people are your subjects and they'll be loyal forever if you treat them with respect…Smile, Stephanie, your beautiful smile will give enough happiness to any man in this Kingdom to last a lifetime…" At the time, the young Princess cringed in disbelief at how condescending the whole thing was but as she grew older Stephanie realised just how right her mother was. The people of Titan adored her family. Just a look, a wave or a simple smile from any one of them was enough to make that person's day. With all of it in mind, Stephanie tugged the reigns of her horse and easily hopped off. Her dress and shoes were already muddy, what was a little more?"

"My Lady?"

Stephanie turned to the soldier who had practically been glued to her side since the ambush and smiled softly. "It's fine. I can walk…."

"Princess…"

"Lord James I think I can manage to walk from here," Stephanie addressed the older man with a point to the ground, "to there assuming those are my quarters for the evening?" Her hand pointed to the building ahead and an amused twinkle lit up her eyes at Lord James grumbled response.

"Yes. But you are not to leave. Take your maids with you and I will send for you in the morning. Get some rest, Princess, we still have two days ahead of us." Lord James watched with a distorted sense of pride as Stephanie shook the hands of the garrison soldiers lining her walk. That girl had the grace of her mother in spades. If only she wasn't so God damn headstrong. Then again, the Queen was no pushover herself. With a shake of his head, the veteran soldier turned on his heel and made for the barracks. He could do with a hot meal.

It was dark when Stephanie returned outside. The sanctuary provided by the garrison was welcome but she was restless and unable to sleep. Despite the late hour, a balmy heat still engulfed the air. She was thankful for the bath she had taken only a few hours ago, even if she still felt slightly dirty. It had been a soldier's bath. Only when she returned home would she be afforded the luxury of bathing with her usual salts and perfumes. It was times like this when she didn't question her status at all. Then again, exquisite baths were all she had ever known.

Stephanie's blue eyes stared at the muddy ground, watching with interest as her now brown filthy shoes sank into the soft muck underfoot. Her gaze shifted to the night sky. She often wondered of the stars. How did they get there? What did they mean? Why did they sparkle so beautifully in the sky? Even the smartest and wisest men in Titan had no answers to these questions. They said they were gifts from the God's, watching over the realm and keeping her family safe. Stephanie found that a little hard to buy but she never told them that.

Further and further she walked, staring up into the darkness, until she had no idea where the hell she was. Her confused eyes glanced around. It seemed she had walked to the ends of the camp and was now staring at the surrounding wall. And then she noticed the strange lump lying on the ground just off to her left. "What…." She mumbled to herself as she drew closer. It was only when a twig snapped under her foot and the lump suddenly moved that she realised it was actually a person. And not just any person. The same brown eyes that had taken her breath away a few days ago were wide eyed as they looked into hers.

An awkward silence engulfed the pair as they stared at each other across the plain. Stephanie furrowed her brow. This man had saved her life and even still he was tied to a post and kept outside like an animal. She felt anger surge through her veins even if she knew she shouldn't have expected anything better. Lord James had said it himself. This man was a prisoner and until her father decided his fate, he'd receive no special treatment, not even for saving her life. She walked until she was standing next to him and offered a small smile. "Have you eaten?"

The prisoner stared at her, his expression blank.

"You can answer me, you know."

Still nothing.

"I can get you some food…..I'm only trying to help."

The man scoffed and rolled his eyes and Stephanie didn't know how to respond. She'd never been so openly disrespected before. What the hell was his problem? "Is there something you find humorous, Prisoner?"

"Not humorous, more ironic, Princess."

Finally, he speaks. His voice was gravelly and deep but most of all, angry. Stephanie didn't like the mocking tone in the way he addressed her either. "What is?"

"You saying you're only trying to help when I was only trying to help you and look where it got me? If I had left you to your own devices I'd have escaped and I'd be free. Instead I'm still condemned to death and for what? So you can live to shake everybody's hands and give them the highlight of their stupid lives."

For the first time in her life Stephanie felt something bubble in her gut to the point that it almost consumed her. Who did this man think he was? She was the Princess! He couldn't talk to her like that. In fact, nobody had ever spoken to her with such contempt before. Truthfully she didn't know how to react so she simply stood there dumbfounded, watching as he slumped to the ground and all but ignored her until the meaning of his words sunk in. He had been presented with an opportunity to free himself and because he saved her, he was now en route to Titan for a personal audience with the King. He was still a prisoner. He was still captive. And he obviously thought it was all her fault.

"I didn't ask you to save me," she said quietly.

The Prisoner offered a sideways glance, knowing that it was the truth but still in denial over his shit luck.

"And I'm sorry they're treating you this way but I promise I will implore my father to give you your freedom. Goodnight…" she went to say his name and trailed off when she remembered that she didn't know it.

Only when he was certain that she was far enough away did the Prisoner turn his head and look after her. With a heavy sigh he absently rattled the chains around his wrists and looked up to the sky. He had been lying on the ground, getting lost in the stars when he had approached. They were only a day or so from Titan. Another day and he would then know his fate. He'd probably still be condemned to die but despite his better judgment, he believed the Princess when she told him she would fight to save him. Her eyes were sincere and she had such a gentle demeanour that his gut gave him no choice but to put his faith in her. A life for a life. He glanced up at the stars with the hint of a smile on his lips. Maybe the God's would be kind to him after all.