The Princess and The Thief
By Heather Martell
CHAPTER TWO
Author's Note: Thank you for the reviews! In this chapter Luna takes Princess Larxene shopping. What kind of problems will arise?
The market place is busy with the usual hustle and bustle. Kids ran in the streets, playing keep away from their parents and older siblings. Villagers bargained and bartered at the various shops. The sun warmed the skins of the villagers and the dirt roads.
Larxene and I walked the streets, looking at the various goods for sale. Larxene, I noticed, walked like she owned the place. True she was a princess and may one day be queen and rule the worlds but she would never rule over the thief village. The villagers here had their own leader, who happened to be still young. His name is Chief Xaldin. He's very fair when he handles punishment when the situation calls for it. But he could also be very cruel, too.
"Where are we going?" Larxene asked, trying to keep up with me.
Larxene is short compared to me even with her long legs. I guessed Larxene is around five feet, possible five feet and one inch. I'm five feet and seven inches tall and that includes the long legs.
"We're going to a good friend of mine," I said, glancing down at her. "Her clothing and jeweler are the best around. That and her prices are affordable."
Larxene didn't comment.
I looked down at her, seeing that she deep in thought. I looked forward again, telling myself I shouldn't be concerned about her quietness. But it did bother me. For some reason it bothered me not to hear her annoying but honey sweet voice. I cursed myself for being too nice.
"What are you thinking about?"
"Nothing," she answered.
"There's something on your mind, princess. I can tell by the way your being quiet."
Larxene snorted. "Why the hell do you care? I'm just a hostage, extra baggage that only is here for a short while till you get your blasted money, which by the way you won't get."
I stopped in my tracks and stood in front of her. "As I said before, princess, he'll pay if he wants you back."
Larxene glared up at me. "Clearly you don't know my father, thief. He doesn't give a damn about me. He only cares for my brothers." She shoved past me and resumed walking.
"Damn," I muttered and jogged to catch up to her.
The rest of the walk to my friends is quiet. Larxene refused to look at me or even speak to me. Now I felt like an ass. I had upset her and I knew I had to make it up to her. I just hope she'll accept my apology.
We reached our destination ten minutes later.
The shop is attached to the house like most others. A woman and a man mined the front of the shop. Mary and Joseph are good kind people. They are both retired thieves and are living their golden years by helping raise their daughter's children and running a shop at the same time.
Mary looked up and smiled when she saw us walking towards the shop.
"Ah, Luna," she greeted me with a warm toothy smile. "It's good to see you."
I smiled in returned, "It's good to see you, too. How are you feeling today?"
"Fine. Fine." Mary turned to see Larxene at my side and her smile grew even wider. "Who's your lady friend, Luna? She quite the beauty. Finally settling down, are ya?"
Larxene and I blushed.
"It's nothing like that!" I argued.
Mary laughed. "Sure. Sure. So what can I do for ya today?"
I rested an arm around Larxene's shoulders, pushing her forward slightly. Larxene gave me a look which I ignored.
"Clothes for her."
Mary nodded. "Very well. Come this way, child. You stay here Luna and shop around."
"Yes ma'am."
Larxene looked at me over her shoulder. Her face is calm but her eyes told a different story. I gave her an encouraging smile as they entered the building. She still didn't look too sure.
When I could no longer see them, I started to look at the jewelry. I wondered what Larxene would like and prayed that the price didn't make me broke. Five minutes of looking, I finally found one that I thought Larxene would like. I picked it up and headed to Joseph so I could pay. I had just finished paying for it when Mary and Larxene came out.
My breath hitched when I saw Larxene.
Larxene wore a light blue tank top that showed a little cleavage, slim fitting jeans that hugged her hips and shapely legs, and brown comfortable sandals. Yes, it was every day clothing, but that didn't stop my heart from ramming against my ribcage. She looked so much better wearing those than my clothes. I gulped, feeling my face go red.
"So, what do you think?" Mary asked, smiling in triumph. "I think I did rather well, don't you?"
Larxene looked up at me, waiting for my answer.
"Beautiful," I said truthfully. Larxene blushed from my complement. I shook my head and turned to Mary. "H-How much do I owe you?"
Mary smiled. "My price is to make this girl happy, Luna. Make this girl happy and we'll be even."
"B-but...Deal. Thank you, Mary."
I turned to Larxene. "Here. This is for you." I handed her the rectangle box shaped.
"Uh, thank you," she stuttered. Larxene opened it and gasped.
Inside is a choker made of hemp with wine colored luster beads and cloudy glass beads with a small silver charm that looked like a heart shaped key.
"It's beautiful. No one ever gave me a gift before. Thank you, Luna."
"Let me help you put it on," I offered. I took the choker from the box, undid the clasp, put it around her thin neck and redid the clasp.
"It looks good on you, dear," Mary said. She turned to me. "You made a good choice."
"Sorry about earlier. I hope you can forgive me."
Larxene thought for a moment before nodding. "I forgive you this time."
I smirked. "We still have to grab you a few more clothes and I think you'll be fine for awhile." I turned to Mary. "Thank you for everything."
"Your welcome. Remember our deal, Luna. Make this girl happy as long as she's with you."
"I'll try."
Great, I thought. How the hell can I make Larxene happy besides taking her home?
We soon left after that and headed to Chief Xaldin's place. I had to report in about last nights job.
We soon left after that and headed to Chief Xaldin's place. I had to report in about last night's job.
The house is stored high with high walls surrounding the place. The wrought iron gates pulled open by two guards as we approached. I nodded my thanks to them and walked toward the double door entrance. Two servants opened the carved mahogany doors and beckoned us forward. Larxene looked around the place in awe.
"This is almost as big as the palace," she said.
I rested a hand on her shoulder, forcing the girl to look at me.
"When we meet the chief, you'll have to behave. That means no snark remarks, understood?" I warned her. "The man your about to meet has very little sense of humor and demands to be respected."
Larxene waved off my warning. "Whatever. I speak to him in any way I want if he disrespects me."
I sighed. "Larxene, please just don't do anything stupid that might get you hurt or worse."
"You act as if you care what happens about me" she said hotly.
I gritted my teeth in agitation. I opened my mouth to make a comment when Xaldin stepped into the room. I gave Larxene a pleading look before turning to great the man.
"Hello, Chief Xaldin." I bowed slightly.
"Hello Luna," Xaldin greeted me coolly. His ice cold blue eyes met with Larxene. Xaldin studied her for a few minutes and sneered. "How was your job?"
"Fine," I said stiffly, trying to keep my hands limp at my sides. Larxene bristled next to me. I grabbed her hand and rubbed the back of it with my thumb. Now wasn't the time for her to open her big mouth. Larxene shot me a look but didn't snatch her hand away from mine.
"Good. Then the girl next to you is the princess?"
I nodded. "Yes." I nudged Larxene forward but didn't let go of her hand. I stayed close behind her. I respected Xaldin, don't get me wrong but there was a side of me that didn't trust him.
"The note was planted in the throne room?"
"Yes."
"Than it won't be too long till the King starts looking for his 'beloved' daughter. When he does, you and Xigbar will go back to the palace and state your demands," Xaldin said.
"Where is the girl staying?"
"With me, sir," I said.
Xaldin raised a dark brow. "Is she now? Better make sure you don't get attached her, Luna. We both know what happened last time."
I gritted my teeth but said nothing and nodded.
Larxene looked up at me curiously. I didn't dare look at her, knowing that she'll see the answerer's in red eyes.
"See that you don't. Now, we have business to discuss." He gave Larxene a cold look. "You will stay here, princess."
Larxene looked pissed. "Now wait just a minute-!"
I covered her mouth with my hand and gave her a meaningful look. Larxene quieted down after that.
"I'll be back shortly. Stay out of trouble till then." I gave her hand a quick squeeze and left the room.
For some reason I had a sense of dread growing inside of me. And that sense of dread grew with each step I took as I left the girl behind. I prayed that I was wrong.
Larxene studied the room that she was in, not liking what she saw. She could tell that most of the furniture and paintings were fake. If there was one thing that she was good at besides being sarcastic, rude, and make snark remarks, Larxene had an eye for the authenticity of art and furniture.
She sneered at the fake painting that was supposed to be done by Caroline Jones.
The door opened and in came a man that sent shivers down Larxene's spine and it wasn't a pleasant shiver either. The man leered at her. Larxene snorted and turned away to face the painting again. She wasn't interested. There was only one person that held her interest and it turned out to be the mysterious thief that had kidnapped her.
"Hello beautiful," came the man's voice. "What are you doing here by yourself?"
"None of your business!" Larxene snapped. "Now leave before I have one of the guards escort you out."
The man laughed like it was a joke. "You're an amusing one. How about I take you for a drink? Get to know one another?"
"Not interested."
He frowned. "You best take my offer, little girl. I do not take rejection too kindly."
Larxene snorted, ignoring the growing danger around her. "Whatever."
The man lunged at her.
"LUNA!!!!"
"LUNA!!!!"
My head whipped around, hearing Larxene's scream.
"The princess!" Xaldin swore. "Luna, wait!"
"She's not use to us dead, Xal!" I yelled over my shoulder.
Hold on, Larx, I thought. I'm coming.
I ran into the room, seeing no one. I searched the room looking for the blond haired girl that was suppose to be my responsibility. There was signs of a struggle. A few pieces of furniture laid on their sides and one painting hanging from the wall sideways.
"He must have taken her," Xaldin said from behind. "Luna." He grabbed my shoulder to stop me from heading to the door that was left open.
"You know what will happen if you get attached to her."
I pulled away from him. "We both know she's not good to us dead, Xaldin!" I growled, knowing it was only half the truth. I wanted to find her, make sure that Larxene was safe. I didn't know how I would react if she was hurt.
"We'll find her together."
I nodded and ran out the door. Xaldin stared after me before he followed.
I looked down the crowed roads of town, looking for the familiar blond. Screams in the distance from my right caught my attention. I looked to see a big man with something in his arms. I narrowed my eyes and saw something yellow flash. I took off running in the mans direction. When I was close enough I saw Xigbar standing in the mans way.
"Luna!" Larxene screamed when she saw me.
The man turned to look at me from his shoulder and gasped.
"You're-!"
Xigbar punched the guy in the gut. The man dropped Larxene to grab his sore stomach and fell to his knees. Larxene ran towards me and threw her arms around my neck. I held her against me, happy that she was okay.
"Sh, it's going to be okay," I soothed.
"She okay?" Xigbar asked as he walked past the guy on the ground.
"I think so." Larxene trembled in my arms. I never seen her this scared before. I had small glimpses of her when Xigbar and I first scouted the palace. My impression was that she was strong and wasn't easily shaken. The girl in my arms is totally different. I ran my hand over the back of her head and all the way down to her back.
I glared at the man on the ground. My blood boiled at the thought of what he would do to her if we hadn't stopped him in time. I growled, startling Xigbar, Xaldin and Larxene.
Xigbar and Xaldin shared a worried look.
"L-Luna..." Larxene whispered.
"Xaldin, Xiggy look after her." I backed away from Larxene and walked toward the hurting man.
"What is she going to do?"
Xigbar and Xaldin didn't answer as they watched intently, also wondering what would happen.
I stepped in front of the man. The man squinted up at me.
"I-I know y-you..." he gasped.
"Good for you," I sneered. I grabbed him by the front of his shirt and lifted him up so that his feet dangled. I tightened my grip and the man gasped in pain. "Touch her or anyone else, you're a dead man. Got it memorized?"
"Y-Yes!"
"Good." I looked at him coolly before slamming his skull into the ground. The man was knocked out. I took in a deep breath and let out slowly. I stepped over the man and walked back to the others. I noticed their stares.
"What?"
Xigbar and Xaldin shared another look, shook their heads and said, "Nothing."
Larxene threw her arms around me again and buried her face in my chest. "Thank god you're okay."
I looked down at her, stunned. "Me okay? I was more worried about you. I thought the worst when I heard you scream."
Larxene looked up at me. "Really?" I nodded, smiling.
"Yes really."
She hugged me again. I patted her back, smiling down at her.
"Think she's getting attached?" Xaldin whispered.
"Yup," Xigbar agreed. "She's getting attached."
The boys continued to watch the scene.
I held Larxene at arms length. "I think we spent enough time shopping for today. What do you say we go home?"
"Sounds good to me," Larxene agreed.
"I'll see you guys later."
"Bye, Luna." They waved.
Night...
I stepped into the bedroom and stopped to watch Larxene sleeping on her side. She looked so peaceful. I smiled warmly. I walked towards the bed and sat on the edge as I took my boots and socks off. I got up again and headed to the bathroom to change into my tank top and shorts. I sat at the edge again and slipped under the covers. I leaned toward the lamp on the night stand and flicked the switch. I settled down and closed me eyes. I soon felt Larxene snuggle up against me and sighed in content.
I looked down at her to see her ocean blue eyes looking up at me.
"I thought you were asleep," I said.
"I was but I kept hearing you walk around the room," she said sleepily and yawned.
"Go to sleep, princess. You had a long day."
"Will you be here when I wake up?"
"I promise."
"Good."
Larxene yawned again and fell asleep with her head resting on my shoulder. I smiled, moving a strand of hair from her face. I yawned, closed my eyes and fell into a deep sleep.
To Be Continued...
Author's Note: Like? Dislike? Any advice how to make this better is welcome. Please review!