Chapter Two: Only a Dream

-Bubblegum's POV-

I was walking. Just walking, like I normally would, along a winding path that cut through the woods. I had ventured outside my kingdom- my beautiful Candy Kingdom- once again.

Here the trees were tall and dark, made of real wood and leaves, real sap, and real needles; it was not made of candy like the trees of my kingdom. The rocks were real stone, not rock candy.

It was still early yet, so I knew I would be back at the palace in time for dinner without any delay. I could walk to my heart's content... That is, I thought so anyway.

Suddenly about a dozen or so dark figures leapt out of the trees, brandishing weapons of all sorts. They all stopped, staring at me, laughing maliciously.

"Why, hello, Princess," hissed the leader of the group. "Fancy seeing you here! Now, what would a pretty little fancy-pants princess be doing walking through our neck of the woods at this time of day? Any ideas, gents?" The other thugs only laughed harder and made rude gestures, obviously ready for action.

"Maybe she's lost!" One of them chuckled wickedly, fingering a deadly-looking knife.

"Maybe she's running away from home." Another of them twirled a heavy looking mace by a leather cord strung through a hole bored into the end of the handle. The weapon looked strong, and was covered in sharp spikes. I shuddered, wondering how it would feel if...

No. No, I mustn't think like that. I determined then to stand up for myself.

"Gentlemen," I made an attempt so sound brave. "I would suggest that you leave me alone and go home to your wives and children." That only made them laugh harder.

"Leave her alone, she says!"

"Go home to our wives, she says!"

The men were rough, tough, and ready for a fight. They were going to take me, no matter what I said. Well, they were in for a shock. If I was going down I was taking one or two of the thugs down with me.

"Well, that we can't do without bringing home some spoils," said the leader. "Let's get her, boys!"

They all moved in quickly, like a swarm of bees attacking an invader. I tried to run, but they had me surrounded. There was nowhere for me to go. I closed my eyes, waiting for the first blow to land.

But it never came.

Suddenly, my attackers began to fall, one by one. The thugs still standing began to panic, and fought each other! I looked down at one of the bodies at my feet. There was a black arrow buried in the dead man's heart.

"If you leave now I may spare your pitiful lives!" I whirled around, searching for the owner of that low, rich, commanding voice. I saw no one but the shaking thugs, who were frightened out of their wits.

"Let's get out of here," whimpered one of the four remaining men just before they ran away, cowards as they were, into the cover of the woods.

I stood there, silently looking at the carnage that now decorated the forest floor. The path was dirtied with blood and bodies littered the ground. The trees stood tall and strong, immovable, as if guarding the dead. I shuddered to think that just moments ago each of these men had been alive.

And now they're dead. They meant to kill me. But...

Some one stopped them. I wondered if the owner of the mysterious voice was still there. I saw no sign of any life in the surrounding area. I sighed, and hugged myself tightly.

"Thank you," I said softly.

"You're welcome." I spun around, shocked to suddenly be face to face with a man. He was hanging upside down from one if the trees, his face inches from mine.

"Oh!" I would have screamed if I was a more jumpy woman. However, I am not quite so easily scared. The man flipped himself out of the tree, landing gracefully on his own two feet.

"Now, answer me this, Princess," he said, looking me in the eyes with his own two dark eyes. "What are you doing out here, alone, at this time of night?"

I looked up, and realized the sky had grown dark. It was indeed past the time for me to be back at the palace. I looked back at my rescuer.

"You saved my life," I said, choosing to ignore his first question. After all, it was none if his business.

"Yes," he simply said. "I did. Now, you should go home. I'll walk you back to your palace."

"You don't have to do that," I argued, snapping back to reality. He may have saved my life, but he didn't need to babysit me. "To the border of the Candy Kingdom would suffice."

"I'm sorry, Princess, but I'm walking you home whether you want me to or not." He spoke firmly, his jaw set. I knew he was being serious. How sweet, I thought. Then I shook myself. What am I thinking? I don't need anyone to take care of me. I can make it back to my own castle without having to have some hero hold my hand!

I wanted to turn my back on him, tell him thank you but no thank you, I can walk home on my own, I don't need you or anyone else...

"It's alright," I said, smiling. "I'd like that very much." He offered me his arm and I took it. Curse you, stupid mouth! Why can't you just do as you're told? Of course, I don't think I minded so much after all.

He was so strong, so brave. He took on a dozen full grown men and singlehandedly defeated them all! Well, he let four of them go, but that was good, too; that meant that he was capable of showing mercy. And he had saved my life!

The fact that he's handsome doesn't hurt, either, I thought smugly. He is very handsome, actually. And indeed he was. He had soft green hair, light brown skin, dark brown eyes, and he wore a well-tailored pair of leather leggings and a darker leather vest over a tan shirt. Over that he had a dark green cloak. He wore leather gloves, boots, and a belt to which was strapped a few daggers. On his back a wooden bow was strung, as well as an ornate quiver in which rested a number of black arrows.

Really, he was very impressive. I had never before met a man I so admired... For his looks, I mean. I knew plenty of men who had admirable character. Of course, this man also was admirable. Like I said before, he saved my life.

All too soon we arrived at the palace gates. We stopped, and I turned to look at him as he spoke.

"Here we are. You're safe now. I'll be going." He tried to leave, but I grabbed ahold of his hand. He instantly stopped.

"You never even told me your name," I said softy. He looked back into my eyes, a bewildered look in them. He searched my gaze for a moment. My heart was beating so fast, I thought it would rip out of my chest. He's so... Wonderful.

"Bane," he said. "My name is Bane Hemlock." Bane Hemlock, I thought. He is from the Woodland Kingdom. I'm sure of it. The Woodland Kingdom was located on the other side of Ooo. I wondered what he was doing all the way over here.

"You're a long way from home, Bane Hemlock," I said. He pulled his hand out of mine, gently.

"I don't have a home, Princess." Those words cut deep. I looked away, unable to keep his steady gaze.

"I'm sorry," I whispered. Then he reached out and turned my face back to his with his fingers under my chin. He cupped my jaw with his right hand and leaned in close...

"It's perfectly alright with me," he breathed. "If I weren't a wanderer I wouldn't have been around to save your life."

"Was saving my life really so enjoyable?" I could barely speak, with him touching me, him being so close to me like that. He blinked slowly, looking me right in the eyes.

"No," he whispered, closed his eyes, and then he kissed me. Gently. It was a soft, gentle, sweet, long kiss. I had never been kissed like that before. I closed my eyes and kissed him back, wrapping my arms around his neck as he hooked his left arm around my waist and he stroked my cheek with his right hand. Finally, we had to end the kiss, if only to breathe. I gasped as he pulled away, and smiled mischievously. What just happened?

"But that," he said, "That was enjoyable." Oh, Glob. What just happened?

"Bane, I-" He stopped me with another kiss, shorter this time, but much more passionate. He tore himself away, this time leaving both of us breathing hard.

"Goodbye, Princess. Stay out if trouble while I'm gone," he said, backing out of our embrace and turning his back on me.

"Wait!" I cried out to him, suddenly afraid. He stopped, turning to look back at me. "When will I see you again?" He smiled, his eyes sparkling.

"Soon," he said. Then he left, disappearing into the darkness...

My knight in shining armor was gone.

"BANE, DON'T GO, PLEASE-" I sat up in bed, crying out for him. "-come back..." I took a deep breath, looking around my room; I had been dreaming.

But that's all it ever was. All it ever could be. I could never see him again. I had banished him forever. He was never coming back. And there was nothing I could do about that now.

Bane Hemlock was only a dream.

Well, there you have it: you now know how Bane and Bubblegum met. Kind of sweet, isn't it?

Anyway, I hope you look forward to the next chapter... Here's a bit of what happens next: Something happens that convinces Bane that he can't go on without seeing his Princess again. What happens that is so drastic that Bane is willing to risk his life? And will Bubblegum's dream ever come true?

Thanks for reading! Please REVIEW, so I know what you like and what you don't like. I hope to perfect this story... And I can't do that without YOUR input! Thanks :) Enjoy!