As always thanks for the reviews. It keeps me going. Also, thanks FeatherWind I usually have a problem with my tenses. I'll try to keep them in check. Excuse any mistakes you see, please.

I don't own the rights to The Princess Bride.

Chapter 5

I stare into his brilliant green eyes. I want to something. Anything but I can't.

"Don't just stand there!" the woman shouted. "Michael, go start a fire. Gab, dear, place her down over here."

Gabriel places me on the stone floor next to the fireplace.

Nettie returns with the blankets and pillows. "Blossom, are you alright?" I see her concern for me growing in her eyes. I successfully nod my head for her to see.

I hear the snap, crackle, and pop of the fire. It was finally getting started.

"You all need something to eat." The mother says, "Something warm to heat up your cold bones."

"I'll help ma'am." Nettie volunteers.

"No, dear. You stay here. Cover up with the Princess. You both need to rest. You need your strength."

Nettie doesn't object. She was tried as well.

"Gab, Michael. Come with me. Let's see what we can find in the kitchen."

Gabriel leaves with his mother. Michael stays for a moment waiting for the fire to grow a bit more. Occasionally, I see his eyes wander behind him to where I lay on the stone floor. I can't imagine how awful I look. I could feel the mud sticking to my body, covering my face.

His mother called for him once more and he left the room.

Nettie settled down behind me. With the blankets wrapped around her softly I can soon hear a soft snore. She was asleep.

It took much longer for sleep to come to me. My eyes stayed awake watching the fire dance so elegantly. Colors of red, orange, and yellow seem to blend in together. The hypnotizing glow became addictive and finding sleep became harder. As the heat rose I could feel the humid energy being pressed against my face. Suddenly I see mother sitting next to the fire, reading a book of poetry aloud. Her loving face fills with me more warmth than the fire. She looks at me and smiles. I knew better than to fall in this trap once again. I close my eyes for a second and open them once again. She was gone and my hands grow cold. I watch the fire dance until sleep is forced upon me.

When I awake I feel tight around my face. I touch my cheeks and realize that the mud has dried. The mud comes off as flakes of dirt. I brush my face, arms, and legs of the filth. I needed a bath.

All my motion wakes up Nettie, who I have briefly forgotten is next to me. "How do you feel now?" she asks as she yawns.

"Much better." I say realizing that I can talk once again. "And yourself?"

"Well rested."

I look around the cute little house. It was small, yet cozy. It reminded me of home; my real home, not Humperdink's castle.

"Won't you're mother be worried about you now?" I ask Nettie.

"No. She won't. She knows I can take care of myself."

"I know. I was just thinking."

The pitter-patter on the roof of the small cottage grew louder. The rain was coming down fiercer than before.

My mind runs through the events of today as I try to grasp on to the reality of it all. "Nettie." I say finally after a lot of pondering.

"Yes."

"Remember in the rain, on our way to this cottage? You were asking Gabriel where he was taking us."

"Yes."

"You said we were going to the Twisted Gallows. Why?"

"Because we are. We'll go through the Gallows, then to Devons, find a ship, and sail to Jatonia; where your sister is."

"Not we Nettie. Me. You can't come."

"I don't see why not. I helped you escape and I'll go with you to Jatonia."

"Your home is here, Nettie. You may never be able to come back again."

"I know that, but if I stay here everything will be the same. It will never change. I'll always be a maid, serving someone else and that's it. I want a life. What I'm living now isn't a life."

"What about your mother? Does she know about your scheme?"

"What scheme? This isn't a scheme. And yes she does know. She gave me her blessing."

"Why on earth-"

"She knows I have to do this. And you never know. Maybe one day I will come back. There is always a possibility."

I look at Nettie. If I had known this is what she had been planning I would have never agreed for her to help me escape. "You can't come. I won't let you. You can't leave you're home."

"You can't stop me Blossom. Besides you'll need me."

"Nettie-"

"I already made up my mind, Blossom. I'm not changing it. I'm not going back."

"Nettie please!"

"No!"

"Is everything alright?" the woman asks with a questioning look on her face.

"Yes, ma'am." Nettie replies with another yawn and a long.

"Okay. I'm glad to see the two of you are awake."

"How long have we been sleeping?"

"Oh, it's been awhile. Almost three hours."

I rise off the floor immediately. I was weak, but I was still standing. "Three hours! We must go!"

"I don't think so Princess."

"But-"

"Can't you hear the rain?" She asks cutting me off, "It's raining something awful out there."

I could hear it perfectly well, but that didn't change a thing. I needed to leave now and get a head start before Humperdink knew I was gone.

"But ma'am," I say in protest, "I need to-"

"You can forget it Princess. It is now my job to look after you. You're still a little fragile and going out in that rain ain't about to help anything. So wrap that blanket around you to keep you warm. Dinner is ready. You can eat in the kitchen with us."

I open my mouth to beg, but Nettie stops me. "Just forget Blossom. She's a tough lady. If she wants us to stay we are going to stay. That's all there is to it."

I let a heavy sigh escape my lips. I follow orders and wrap a thin blanket around my shoulders and I follow Nettie into another room.

The woman was dipping portions of what looked like stew in five different bowls. Gabriel went in search of another chair for Nettie. Michael pulled out a chair for me.

"Thank you, Michael." I reply.

"Of course Princess."

Gabriel returns with a chair for Nettie. Nettie takes a seat at the table as well as Michael.

"This is mutton stew. It's all I had on hand. I hope that's alright Princess."

"Absolutely."

She passes out the bowls and takes a seat. Gabriel remains standing leaning up against the nearby counter since there were no more chairs. Michael offered him a seat but he politely refused.

I didn't realize how hungry I was until the bowl of stew was placed before me. My mouth watered. It was very good and warm, bringing heat back to my limbs. "It's delicious."

"I'm glad you like it, Princess. It's a specialty of mine. My name is Edna by the way."

"Well, thank you Edna for the meal. I haven't had such cooking in a long time."

"None sense. Why I'm sure the food in the palace is much better than my simple stew."

"But this is home cooking. The palace's food never set well with me. I haven't always lived in a palace you know."

"Yes. I know, Princess."

"Oh, you don't have to call me Princess. Blossom is fine. I'm afraid I'm no Princess anymore."

"Yes," Gabriel says, "It would seem that way. But it is a shame. You would have made a lovely Queen."

"My yes." Edna agrees, "You would have been the best we have seen in many years. We need someone in the palace who will look out for us, the common people."

I look down into my bowl of stew. I felt guilt rise up in my throat.

"But we understand why you are doing this." Michael insists, "Prince Humperdink is a fool. No one should have to marry him."

In his voice I could sense his sincerity. I smiled. "Thank you."

The room goes quiet for a moment as we all eat to our heart's desire.

"Where are you heading?" Edna asked breaking the silence.

I hesitate. I wasn't sure if I tell them. However, they had been helpful so far. Why would they forsake me now? "Jatonia." I say, "Where my sister is."

"Princess Buttercup? In Jatonia? Imagine that." Edna says with a smile, "Well good for her. I hear Jatonia has the most beautiful beaches and the sun is always shining."

I haven't heard such things, but I could imagine.

"How do you plan to get there?" Michael asks me.

My eyes stare into his green eyes. Suddenly, I forget the question. "Wha?"

He smiles, "How do you plan to get there, Princess?"

"Please call me Blossom." I beg. I hate it for anyone to call me princess. "I had originally planned to make it through the Twisted Gallows by tomorrow afternoon if I got a head start by tonight. Then in Devons I would find a boat making shipment and get a ride to Jatonia. It isn't that far from Devons."

"You planned to go through the Twisted Gallows? Alone?"

"Yes. Why?"

Michael looks at his brother. Gab just shakes his head.

Nettie steps in, "What's wrong with that?"

"The Twisted Gallows is a very dangerous forest." Michael said with a sip of his hot tea, "It's no place for a lady."

"Oh, is that all. I'll be there with her. We should be fine."

"We're tough girls." I added, "We can take it."

"I don't think so." Michael said with a serious tone in his voice, "Only a few people make it out of the Twisted Gallows alive."

"We have no choice. We can't take the path that goes around the Gallows. Someone would see us for sure."

"Well," Gab says places his bowl down and picking up something off a shelf, "If your hearts are set on going through the Twisted Gallows there are a few things that you should be aware of." Gabriel unrolls the cloth and places it on the table for us to see.

It was a map. The map showed many countries. The biggest ones of course were Florin and Guilder.

"Look here." Gabriel commanded. He points to a large section that connected Florin and Devons. It was the Twisted Gallows. "It's a straight route through the Twisted Gallows and to Devons, but there are a few things you'll need to look out for. There's the Wailing Weeds. They sound harmless but they can be deadly. You can't let them get to you. Try to avoid them at all costs. Understand?"

"Yes." I say taking in his advice.

"Don't forget Biting Bunnies."

"What?" Nettie says, "That's just a nursery rhyme."

"There is some truth with that nursery rhyme. The Biting Bunnies are lethal. So watch your feet while going through the Twisted Gallows. They're little devils is what they are."

"And there is the Severe Storm." Michael added, "It's constantly in the Twisted Gallows and never goes away. You could drown in all the water. There are also Bandits in the forest too. You have to stay out of their way."

They were punching wholes in my plan. The plan that I thought was brilliant. I've never heard of Wailing Weeds, Biting Bunnies, Severe Storms, and bandits in the Twisted Gallows before.

"You will take our advice won't you?" Gabriel asks.

"Yes, thank you."

"You'll be needing this." Gabriel says handing us a different map, "It's a map of the Twisted Gallows. It should help you."

"Thanks, Gab." Nettie replies.

"You girls are so brave." Edna says admiring us both.

Funny, I didn't feel brave. I felt terrified, but I can't let that stop me. It was either Humperdink or the Twisted Gallows. My choice is obvious.

"When will you leave?" questions Edna as she gives me a third helping of stew.

"Tomorrow morning, before the sun comes up."

"So soon? You should stay awhile. We could hide you here you know. The prince wouldn't search here."

"He might. I wouldn't want to put you or your sons in any trouble for what I have done."

"You shouldn't worry about us dear. We're very strong people."

I was starting to notice that.

"How do you plan to even get to the Twisted Gallows? Certainly one of my sons could at least take you there."

"No that's not necessary. You've already done enough-"

"I would be happy to take the both of you." Michael mutters.

"There it is than." Edna says, "It's settled."

And it was settled. Edna wouldn't have it any other way. I didn't argue. Their hospitality was sweet.

After finishing my third bowl, Edna even suggested that I take a bath. I needed it. The mud dripped off me leaving the warm water dirty and brown. I felt new and then it hit me. This was it. I could die in the Twisted Gallows and I was dragging my best friend with me. I decided that tomorrow I would convince Nettie to go back with Michael. She had a life, a family. I had neither. I would have to go alone.

Next morning at the palace…

"Prince Humperdink! Prince Humperdink!" a guard calls from behind the closed door.

Humperdink pretends not to hear the call as his butler properly dresses him for the wedding.

"Prince Humperdink!"

"Good grief man!" Humperdink screams, "Can't a man get some privacy! It's my wedding day for crying out loud!"

"I know sir but there is trouble."

"If there is trouble get some one else to worry about it. I need to concentrate." Humperdink takes a deep breath. "I need to relax."

"But-"

"No buts. How dare you but me! ME!"

"I'm sorry your highness. But it's important. It's Blossom."

"Blossom? God, what has she done now?"

"Why she's gone your highness."

Humperdink rolls his eyes. "Must she be so difficult. I tell you, Buttercup made a better bride than that Blossom. At least she had manners. She would have never ran away before our wedding."

"What should we do?" the guard asks behind the closed door to Prince Humperdink's bedroom since he had not yet invited him in.

Humperdink inspects his reflection through the mirror. "I look more ravishing by the day. What do you think?" he asks the butler who was currently dressing him.

"Why yes sir, you are very handsome."

"I knew it."

"Prince Humperdink? What about Princess Blossom?"

"What about her? Just find her! My wedding is in two hours! I will not have it ruined again!"

The guard runs off.

Humperdink kisses the mirror.

The same morning, in the Florin village…

"Come Fezzik! There is no time to waste." Inigo commanded.

"I'm trying Inigo. I'm very tired. We haven't slept in two days."

"I know buddy, but the wedding is today. We have to get Blossom before the wedding starts this morning."

"The sun isn't even out Inigo."

"Don't you remember what the men in the tavern said last night?"

"No Inigo. I forget. You better remind me."

"The wedding is going to start just as soon as the sun is high. That doesn't leave us much time to find Blossom and run for Devons."

"Oh, I remember now." Fezzik says, "But why are we wearing disguises?"

"Fezzik, I just told you that yesterday."

"I'm sorry Inigo. This will be the last time you have to remind me. I promise."

"Humperdink or some of his guards might recognize us. So to be on the safe side we are dressed as Italian traveling sell mens."

"Don't you think that's a little obvious?" Fezzik asks.

"Do you have any better ideas?"

Fezzik tries to think. At the moment he couldn't think of anything.

"Well?"

"I've got nothin'" Fezzik says.

"It's alright Fezzik, I know you only mean well. Now lets hurry. We don't have that much time to get to Blossom."

The same morning, traveling in the opposite direction…

"Are you alright under there, Princess?" Michael asks me.

Michael, Nettie, and I woke up early this morning in order to get a head start. Even the sun wasn't up yet. We were riding the horse and buggy again. Michael was driving and Nettie was beside him. I was once again crouched under the blanket in the cart.

"I'm fine Michael, but you have to call me Blossom now remember?"

"Yes, I'm sorry."

The buggy ride was bumpy as ever. It was quiet. I tried to gather myself together. I have done some crazy things in my life, but this by far was the looniest. I was leaving Florin for good. It was hard to believe but I was. I was going through all this trouble just to have my freedom. Why couldn't Buttercup just have taken me with her? I wouldn't have had to drag Nettie into this.

Time seemed to pass so fast. Before I knew it Michael calls to me again, "Princess- I mean Blossom, We're here. The Twisted Gallows."

So soon I wanted to say, but instead I thank him for helping us out.

"No problem. It was my pleasure." Michael lifts the blanket off of me. The first thing I see is his tender smile. It's almost as blinding as the sudden sunlight.

"Uh-oh."

"What is it?" He asks.

"Sunlight. They'll know that I'm gone now. We have to hurry!"

I take my small sack bag and Nettie grabs hers along with Edna's bag. Edna had graciously packed us some food and water. She said that there was little food in the forest and she couldn't have us starve. I thanked her greatly for her kindness.

We start to walk through the tall tress. Michael was one step behind us.

"Michael, you should head home." I said.

"I'm escorting you to Crazy Benjy's house. He might give you some things you'll need."

"We don't have any money to buy his help." Nettie reminds him.

"Don't worry. I'll take care of everything."

It was a good thing that he was here.

Everything was excellent, until…

"Do you hear that?" Nettie asks.

I listen. "Yeah I hear it. It sounds like thunder. Do you think it'll rain again."

Michael doesn't say anything at first. His face tenses. He becomes like stone. He looks over his shoulder in silence.

"Michael?"

"It's not thunder. It's a fleet of horses."

"Humperdink? Impossible. He couldn't come that quick."

The thunder grows louder. Michael didn't seem to hear me. He grabbed me hand and broke out in a full speed run. I grabbed Nettie and now the three of us were running for our lives. I start to hear shouting.

"Halt in the name of Prince Humperdink!" one voice shouts over the rest.

Michael was right!

We run with all our might. The royal horses were afraid of the gloomy dark in the Twisted Gallows. They refused to go through. The soldiers were off their horses now and they were running too. As long as we were ahead of them we stood a chance.

Crazy Benjy's cottage appears up ahead. We might be saved after all.

We make it to the door. The three of us knock at the door with all our might.

"Go away!" We hear a voice cry.

"Benjy please! Open the door!" I beg.

"I'm tired as of now. Come back tomorrow."

"Benjy!"

"Step back!" Michael commands. Nettie and I move out the way. Michael uses his amazing strength and busted the door open.

"Wow." Escapes my lips.

"You can't do that!" Benjy screams, "Do you know who I am? I'll turn you all into toads!"

"Wait Benjy, you must listen."

"Wait? Michael? You broke down my door!" Benjy turns to me, "Haven't I seen you before."

"There is no time for that now. Benjy we need your help."

"No. No miracles. I am very tired."

"But they are almost here!" Nettie cries.

"Who?"

"The guards! They're-"

But it was too late. The guards were only a few yards away. They had spotted us. There was no chance of running.

"This isn't happening." I hear myself say. "It can't."

Michael takes hold of my hand and pulls me behind him, trying to protect me. The four of us stood at the open door, Benjy was up front.

The guards come up to the cottage and are only a few feet away. They start to split up.

The head guard comes forward. "You are completely surrounded. Now come on you three. Let's not start trouble."

"What's going on here?" Benjy asks.

"This has nothing to do with you old man."

"This is private property!"

"Shut up you crazy idiot!"

"Who are you calling crazy?"

"You! Now close your trap!"

Intensity grows in Crazy Benjy's eyes; one brown, one blue.

"So," the guard continues, "Am I going to have to do this the easy way or the hard way?"

Sorry this one was a bit longer than my others. I hope you liked it. Review me please  