The Pink Princess and the Blue Knight III

Queen Sydney of Marin splashed her face with the icy cold waters of a stream that wound itself through the Forest of Miren. It was early morning, nearly dawn. None of the others were awake yet. She had spent a sleepless night curled up next to her husband, but not even the comfort she usually found when she was near him could soothe her. She wanted her little girl back.

Jack and Sky, who had consulted their map again as they made camp on the outskirts of the forest, happily reported that Gruumm's castle was only a day's riding away. This had cheered the entire group of seven. They had even devised most of their strategy as they sat around the crackling warmth the fire provided. Sydney was more anxious now than ever, now that they were do close to Kristin and ultimately the final battle with Broodwing.

"Good morning, my dearest. I wondered where you had wandered off to. You really should not leave, Syd, especially so near Broodwing. You never know who or what may be lurking in the shadows of the forest. A lesson we learned the hard way, considering the most recent addition to our party," Sky said. He extended a hand to her, which she took with a smile.

"It is always nice to be greeted by one's husband with a monologue on exploring the woods," Syd replied, grinning at her blue king. "Really wakes one up."

"Just as it wakes one up to hear his wife being so sarcastic," retorted Sky. "Honestly, Syd, you really should be more careful. Why, this time tomorrow we will have our daughter back, and everyone knows of how you miss her."

"I think a blind man could see that," Syd said, linking her arm through her husband's and gently tugging him back towards camp. "But never mind that. Tell me, did you sleep well last night, my Sky? I could not catch one wink myself."

"I slept very well, thank you for asking. I am sorry to hear you did not. You shall need all your strength to be replenished before we face Broodwing. Hopefully you will sleep tonight, yes?"

"By the gods, I hope so," Sydney answered. "I am very tired," she yawned. Sky smiled down at her, and then ducked to peck the top of her head. They came to where the others still lay sleeping in the early morning light.

"Care for breakfast, Sydney darling? If you could not sleep then you should eat heartily at least," Sky said, lowering his voice so as not to wake anyone else up. "I make a wonderful bowl of porridge."

"Breakfast sounds marvelous, my Sky. Thank you for offering. While you cook I shall get us something to drink. I will be back shortly."

"Do be careful, Sydney," Sky replied, handing Syd their canteens. "Like I said earlier, you never know what may be skulking about, especially given our current position." Syd nodded and flashed a grin at her husband, trying to reassure him that she would be perfectly fine. The pink queen slung their canteens over her shoulder and retraced their path to the forest.

Sky watched his wife leave, trying to see exactly where she went in case she did not return to the campsite immediately. He turned his attention back to the thought of breakfast once Syd's pink dress had disappeared among the threes. He built up the fire and started preparing the morning meal, contemplating what he hoped would be a good strategy to rescue his daughter.

Breakfast was ready and still Syd had not returned. "By the gods," Sky swore. He moved the porridge away from the fire, checked that he had his sword and started towards the woods, his pace fast. Why was it that no one in his family could manage to stay out of trouble in the woods?

"Sydney?" he questioned, cupping his hands over his mouth to magnify the sound. "Sydney? Where are you?" The king felt his heart rate skyrocket when Syd did not answer him, not that he was really expecting her to. "Syd?" he screamed again, full on panicked now. What, by the gods, was he supposed to do?

And then he saw the stream where he had found Syd washing her face not even an hour ago. She was not there…but a small scrap of pink cotton was. "No," breathed Sky. "Please no. Not her." He could not manage to breathe.

He made his way to the edge of the stream, picking up the pink scrap from the rock it was perched on. It was still warm, which meant that he could still possibly find where she had gone…if he had any idea which direction she had taken, which he did not. And then a gleam of silver caught his eye…

Syd's dagger.

"Syd, you can come out now," Sky muttered to himself. "Do not scare me any more. It is not funny, if this is all some kind of sick, twisted joke you desire to play on me…"

Sky examined the forest floor for any footprints or any sign at all, really, of where Sydney had gone. None at all. "By the gods," he swore again. "Syd," he called, but still no answer.

And then he heard movement. He stood still near the stream, trying to block out the sound of the water and focusing on the movement. It seemed to be coming from the east. "Please be Sydney," Sky murmured. He drew his sword in case it was not his pink wife and then hurried over, trying very hard to be quiet so he might be able to sneak up on whoever (he must not think whatever) was in the forest.

He did not see anyone or anything, which he hoped was a positive omen. Perhaps Sydney had found her way back to the camp and was pondering what had become of him. He should really go back and check to see if that were the case. Yes, that would be precisely the correct course of action. He started to turn towards the camp again.

But then the noise came again, the distinct sound of a twig snapping underfoot. Sky spun around, his sword raised high above his head, showing whoever (he would not think whatever) that he could be a very real threat should one choose to test him.

"Sky? What, by the gods, has gotten into you? What are you doing?" Sky jumped; he had not been expecting this. A little yelp of surprise escaped his mouth, and the blue king turned around once more to see his pink wife staring at him as if he had lost his mind. Her hands were on her hips and her eyes were narrowed at him, pondering.

"I was looking for you, Sydney," he answered, sheathing his shiny silver blade. "You terrified me, did you know that? I saw a piece of your dress and your dagger lying on the ground, what was I supposed to think?"

"That I am perfectly capable of looking after myself?" Syd retorted sassily. "Oh honestly, Sky. I was in no danger. I tore my dress on accident, and I dropped my dagger because I saw a little deer and it looked so frightened of me. I went up the path perhaps only an eighth of a mile."

"To do what, convince it that you meant no harm? By the gods, Syd, I was scared. I called you and you did not answer and well…this forest houses a great many wolves and bandits and we are on a rescue mission as it is."

"I am sorry I frightened you, Sky. The forest is very pretty in the morning, I merely wished to admire it some. Now let us get back to camp before the others decide the two of us are in need of rescuing." She reached for his hand.

Sky let her lead him first to the stream so that they could collect their belongings and then back to camp. Syd was obviously very excited at the prospect of seeing their daughter again so very soon, and Sky had to admit her bright cheery mood was very infectious. By the time they reached camp he was smiling, too.

"Hello, lovebirds," Jack greeted loudly. "Where have you two been so early this morning?" The red knight was grinning from ear to ear. Ally, Elizabeth and Bridge were as well.

"Oh you wound my chaste reputation so, Jack," Sydney teased. "I thought you knew me better than that." The pink queen smiled.

"We just took a walk, that is all," Sky informed his companions. "You have a sick, corrupted mind, Jack. I mean every word of that, truly I do." The knight snorted.

"Let us eat," Syd said. "Then we shall go and rescue the princess." She started towards the saddlebags for the roughly carved wooden bowls they had brought along with them. "Where is our new friend?"

"He is off on a walk too, no doubt worrying over his own daughter," said Elizabeth, her tone sad.

"Go and fetch him, Sky," Sydney commanded.

The king did as he was told. "Perhaps you and I got off on the wrong foot," Sky said when he had found Steven. "I apologize for my behavior."

"I would have done the same, Sire, had I been in your position. Do not worry. I am not offended in the least. You had every reason not to trust me."

"Well then, breakfast is ready. Sydney is anxious to get to Gruumm's castle. We should eat."

"You miss your daughter as I miss mine. You will see yours shortly, but I am forced to wonder if I will ever see my Annabel once more."

"May the gods protect both of them."