I can't even begin to apologise for how long it's taken me to update! But I'm back on the scene now guys, I won't let you down again. Thanks for being so patient and nice in your ongoing reviews. Regards, Dorian.

14
I'll miss the winter, a world of fragile things
Look for me in the white forest, hiding in a hollow tree
Come find me
I know you hear me, I can taste it in your tears.

A spacious, cold room. Not much to decorate its purpose. A few tapestry hangings, ancient and heroic, depicting warriors. A long solid table, set with steady chairs for steady men. The place for war and counsel and all things terrifying.

I found myself grimly hoping that I'd never have to set foot in here again - and had to remind myself that it was inevitable.
I was the monarch. This would be my most frequently visited room in the entire castle soon.
Duke Hammond stood like a noble carving at the exact middle of the table. Guards were scattered about the sparse room, enough to intimidate without stretching the forces below, who were watching the real army.

The grey stony atmosphere seemed to lighten a little, as William turned to invite me to the table's head.
He didn't smile, though. Nobody did.
I was the princess, the pillar of the kingdom's strength, and Payne would witness nothing else.

The High Constable in question was sitting at the other end of the oak bench, feet flat upon the stone flags, hands pressed palms-down upon his knees. His back was uncomfortably straight. His sleek black hair and set, unshaven jaw suggested smooth manners and an iron will.

I seated myself as William scraped the chair back for me. I didn't dare move a muscle of my face.

Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed the huntsman lifting his axe from a corner, and then his sturdy footsteps carried him to my side as promised. Two sentries on either side of me. The conspicuous, healthily glowing sun, like a tower of regal splendour, gravitating attention towards him. And the subtle moon, surly and half-hidden, but always there, always circling around me like some silent watchful guardian.

As I sank down, my uncertain enemy arose. Gracefully, slowly, so as not to scare.
Then he bowed low. His curtains of dark hair hid his expression from me, but his motions didn't seem disrespectful. Fluid as a dancer he was back in his seat, regarding me with a blankness that matched my own cold features.

I wouldn't have met him on a battlefield for anything.

"Majesty." his tones were deep and undulating, like crushed velvet. "It is an honour."
"I trust my men have treated you with respect?" I whipped back, though not unkindly.
"I have been treated with surprising decency, yes. You have fed and revived us most generously."
"You know why you have been summoned here."
"Of course, Majesty."

My friends bristled beside me. Duke Hammond's face was fixed into a mask as he looked on, the convener, the mediator.

"Payne, where did you come from before you ransacked and occupied my kingdom?"
It was a simple, honest question. I didn't inflect any animosity into it. But it was still a brave move.
A move that everyone around me seemed to appreciate.

I could sense my comrades relaxing just a fraction. The situation is in capable hands, they were thinking. She can look after herself. Good – I detested the thought of being subject to my fear.
Fear wouldn't bring freedom to my people. Fear wasn't worth thinking about.

"Our home is not far North of here. It lies across The Wash, in the Lincoln Wolds."
"And you abandoned this home?"
"We did whatever the witch bade us do."
William stiffened, and placed his hand upon the hilt of his sword. "You will answer her Majesty directly."

Payne inclined his head slowly, never taking his eyes off William. I couldn't decide if he mocked him or not.
"We had a king, whom she murdered. She kept us for our strength."
I heard a more sinister meaning resting behind it. "You mean she kept you because you were ruthless killers."
"Words can twist meanings any which way we desire, Majesty. She kept us, and used us."

I regarded him with reluctance to judge him just yet.
"And what did you think of this witch?"
His keen dark eyes searched me. Apparently he was musing about me, too.
"We were relieved that she didn't subject us to starvation."
"And admired her for her beauty?"
"Who would not?"
"Perhaps a usurped princess. Or any female she cared to consume."

This amused him, but barely, and with a hard irony.

"You have improved even upon her treatment. You give more food and less orders."
"And in return you refrain from attempts upon my life, is that it?"
He suppressed a smile. "Why would we choose to assassinate you? You are kind to us. Ravenna's bidding died with her."

He was logical. Fair and logical, without bias, without feud.
And he was right. What reason would he have to attack now, when my threat to them had already been fulfilled and shaped into a new reality? Weren't they better off?

"I am willing to strike a bargain with you, Payne."
"I am certain of it. There is nothing else to do, after all."
"You know what I am going to request already."
"Yes. You want us to leave, and never return, in exchange for your present clemency."

I nodded curtly.
"I cannot say that I wish to cross you again, Majesty. Our greatest mistake was to underestimate you."
"You will go?"
"We will go. We will never come back. We will remember you. Perhaps we will be grateful."

I studied him, long and hard. He sat open to my scrutiny, almost smug in confidence of his word. The truth was no great grievance to him. He had nothing to lose.

"You give me your word. You swear homage to my kingdom."
"I will swear homage before my men, before your people, as we withdraw from your gates forever."

I couldn't help it – I had gotten this far, and the final decision still didn't seem to be mine. I was looking up at the huntsman as though seeking permission.
His expression was drawn and sullen – his brows closed together like a hawk's, watching Payne with a fierce lion's mistrust for the black panther.

He would never openly contradict me or assist me before our enemy. Nobody would.
I was alone.

I sat up a little straighter, and stared squarely into the face of the High Constable.
"Very well. You will be escorted to the great hall, and you will inform your army of your departure. I will be waiting to fare you well within the hour."

I didn't move an inch as Payne stood and bowed again – as the company of soldiers flanked and led him to the door – as they all disappeared, their armour clattering in synchronisation down the corridor.

Finally, finally, the noise receded, and no uproar occurred. Only the rhythmic pace of the guards, of the kingdom's security.

I fell forwards, thrusting my face into my crossed forearms as I leaned heavily on the great solid table, breathing at last. Electric relief flowed and suffused through me, warmth coming back to my hands and my face. It was over. The second battle, executed with much less fuss and violence than the first.

That was it.

I only stirred when a pair hands rested softly upon me, one on my shoulder, one caressing my back.
And then I went rigid, as I realised that they belonged to two separate people.

Of course, life couldn't continue without some form of lingering battle to disturb our peace.
Some battles were just a lot more subtle than others.