Love Conquers All
A/N: You guys are simply AMAZING! I'm updating twice in one day! You guys are so encouraging! Give me 12 or more on the review count and I'll give you wonderful people more!
Disclaimer: I don't own the characters, or the times of princesses and knights ;)
Chapter 3
Bright and early the next morning, before he mother was awake, Princess Kensi dressed in her peasant disguise and took one of the lesser known palace horses. She climbed onto the horse and rode out into the forest.
She made her way through the forest, until she was at the entrance to the village.
She wanted to come in a if she had just arrived from another country via the highway, so that no one could figure out that she'd come from the palace.
She usually snuck out into the village for a while when she could. She absolutely loved the smells, sights, and sounds.
Kensi rode through the wide gate on Granger. Although the horse was unruly at times, she knew exactly how to control him.
Kensi rode past the bakery, its scent aluring. She rode past the fabric shop, where she had received many of her royal and peasant dresses from. And finally, she rode past the carpenter's shop.
Ahe dismounted Granger and tied him up best she could. She walked into the shop and the smell of pine ans fir hit her senses. Somehow, this smell was bettef than the one in the actual forest.
Her friend Daniel was hunched over a piece of wood and was delicately carving it into a shape.
"Good morro Daniel." Kensi said as she came over to his desk.
Daniel looked up from his work to see his good friend.
"Ah, good morro to you as well Princess." Daniel replied with a warm smile.
Daniel was the only villager who knew about the princess' sneeking out occasionaly.
"Have you sold any woodwork yet?" Kensi asked kindly as she removed the cloth from around her head.
"Well, I have sold some simple furniture, but that is about it." Daniel replied with a bit of a gloomy expression.
"How about I purchase some of your fine work?" Kensi asked kindly as she removed the bag of gold from her belt.
"No princess," Daniel began with a smile. "I will not allow you to pay for a gift."
Kensi had a confused expression as she asked, "Pray tell what gift that might be?"
Daniel went into the back of his little work shop and rummaged around for something. He came back moments late with something wrapped in a fine silk cloth.
Kensi was suddenly very excited and interested as to what may be in the little package.
Daniel handed her the silk covered object as if it were made of glass, which Kensi thought it may well be, and she set it down on the counter and started to unwrap it. She pulled the violet silk off of the little ornament and gasped as she saw what it was.
It was a little wooden horse that had reared up on its back hooves and appeared to be neighing. Kensi cradled the little wooden ornament in her hands and felt the finely carved grooves. She couldn't stop the wide smile that spread across her features.
"Thank you so much Daniel." Kensi said as she hugged her friend.
"You are so welcome Princess." Daniel replied with a little giggle as he hugged the girl.
Kensi pulled away and out the little ornament back into the silk. She carefully placed her gift in a little sack on her belt. Kensi put her scarf back over her head and got ready to leave.
"Thank you again Daniel," Kensi said as she turned to exit. "I will keep this gift always."
"Go well Princess." Daniel replied as he bent over his work again.
Kensi walked back out into the fresh air and took Granger's reigns in her hands as she started to walk through the market.
Kensi spied some villagers playing some beautiful music on different instruments in the town square. Kensi pulled Granger along and stood listening to the beautiful music and thinking, What a wonderful day!
xxxxx
Callen was walking around the market looking for supplies for his plans and for some things he would need while staying here.
Callen got some things from the bakery and the material shop. He was basically just walking through the market, trying to avoid guards and anyone who dared to make eye contact.
Callen head the glorious music before he saw the players. He made his way cautiously towards the sound and saw quite a crowd of people watching. Everyone enjoyed the music so much that some happy couples were even joining in by dancing.
Callen was busy trying to make his way out of the big crowd, when he bumped into someone.
He looked up to see the unfortunate person was and was about to tell them their fate, when he was met with the most beautiful face he had ever seen.
Callen was speechless as he looked into the chocolate pools of a beautiful, tall, muscular woman. She had perfectly curled hair and an amazing smile.
"I'm so sorry mi 'lady, I didn't see you there." Callen said a little breathlessly.
Kensi looked into his beautiful sea green eyes and fell for his charming smile immediately.
"That's quite alright," Kensi replied with a warm smile. "I'm afraid I couldn't quite see where I was going with all these people."
Callen gave her a smile and said, "Why don't we go somewhere a little less crowded?"
Kensi gave a slight nod and started to follow Callen as best she could. They shuffled slowly through the crown and Callen tugged lightly on Granger's reigns, so that the horse and its rider wouldn't get lost.
Eventually they made it to a less crowded part of the village. It was a lot closer to the forest, so no one really hung around there. They weaved in and around the many buildings until they came to a field that was completely deserted.
Kensi wasn't that worried as she knew that if this man tied anything, she could easily cause him an enormous amount of pain.
The two walked over to a cabin that seemed to have no other residents. Callen took the reins from Kensi and tied Granger to a post under a tree with a trough filled with water for the horse to quench his thirst from. Callen opened the cabin door and motioned for Kensi to go inside.
Kensi entered the little cabin and found it to be quite a bit warmer than the country air. A fire was burning in a little hearth. There wasn't a lot of furniture in the little cabin, only a small bed with a few wooden stools. There was a round wooden table in the center of the room and a little kitchen at the back.
Callen went over to the little fire place and poked at the logs making a sizzling sound arise from the hearth. Callen took o his long cloak and helped Kensi remove hers.
"Take a seat anywhere, although there isn't much furniture to use." Callen said a little sheepishly as he hung their coats.
Kensi sat down at a chair in front of the little table. She looked around the little cabin in awe at how cozy everything seemed.
"Would you care for a warming drink?" Callen asked Kensi.
"No thank you fine sir," Kensi said politely. "Thank you or your offer though."
Callen shrugged his shoulders and sat down at the table, across from Kensi.
The two sat in silence for a while just warming up slowly.
Callen looked into Kensi's eyes and said, "I hope you don't mind me saying this, but you are most certainly the fairest maiden I have ever met."
Kensi lowered her face as to hide her blush at the handsome man's words.
"You flatter me sir, but I don't even know your name." Kensi said plainly as she looked up to once again meet his gaze.
Callen seemed to think for a while before replying, "My name is G."
Kensi seemed confused at this name and replied. "G? Are you sure?"
Callen seemed a little upset as he replied, "Yes, my parents did not tell me what my real name was, simply G."
"I'm truly sorry, I did not mean intrude." Kensi said apologetically.
"That is quite alright," Callen replied kindly. "What is your name fair lady?"
Kensi hesitated as she replied, "Uh, my name is Marie." It wasn't lying, but it wasn't exactly the truth either.
"Ah, Marie is a beautiful name or a beautiful lady." Callen said with a smile as he took Kensi's hand in his and gave a kiss.
It was odd, yesterday Prince Michael had done the exact same thing and she had felt gravely sick at the touch of his lips on her skin. But with this almost complete stranger Kensi involuntarily shivered at his touch.
Callen noticed this and smiled as he kissed her hand. He pulled away slowly and looked into her beautiful eyes.
"Where do you live?" Callen asked innocently as he still held her hand in his.
Kensi almost had a slip up as she suddenly came back to earth.
"Oh I live in the… woods. I live in a little cabin in the forest." Kensi replied with a slight flush coming to her cheeks.
"Why don't I walk you back then?" Callen asked kindly.
Kensi internally panicked. She couldn't let this man know that she actually lived the life of a royal in a fancy palace.
"Um, I don't think that's a good idea." Kensi replied hurriedly as she tried to think of an excuse. "My father is very protective and will chop up anyone who comes near our cabin or near his daughter."
Callen seemed to think this over or a while. Kensi sat praying that he had bought her lie; otherwise she might find herself in a very compromising position.
"Alright," Callen replied after a while. "I certainly wouldn't want to be chopped up. But you have to promise to come to my cabin again soon."
Kensi sat thinking for a while and replied, "Of course. I will see if I can sneak away."
Callen gave a warm smile and replied, "Good, I look forward to your company once again. How about tomorrow?"
Kensi did some thinking. I don't think mother has any plans or me tomorrow. It should be alright. Besides, I can always ask Deeks to cover or me.
"That sounds delightful." Kensi replied with a smile of her own.
Callen thought that her eyes sparkled with excitement, but thought that maybe it was just him.
"Very well, I will see you tomorrow here at noon." Callen said as he stood from the table. "And I you can't find the cabin on your own, just wait in the village and I will come and get you."
Kensi stood from the table and said, "I'm quite sure I'll be able to find it, but thank you."
Callen went over to the makeshift coat rack and got Kensi's coat. Callen helped her put her coat on and led her towards the door.
They walked over to Granger and Callen helped Kensi mount the horse. Kensi started to ride back towards the village and Callen bid her farewell.
"See you tomorrow my fair maiden." Callen called to Kensi, who blushed all the way home.