A/N: Buckle up, kiddos! Let's do this thing.

Captive or no, Bella had always been a lady. As such, she'd never had occasion to live rough, as her brother had put it, when their father had sent him to follow their soldiers for a month. Edward had, in his lifetime, lived rough, but he'd much preferred not to.

"My family's money ensured I've never been without luxury," he mused to her one day. "I suppose I must admit it's one of the things that kept me complacent all these years."

Save for that observation, neither of them complained. The ground was cold and hard. The first few days they didn't dare start a fire. They crossed streams where they could—to throw off the scent of the hunting dogs—and that was as close to a bath as they could manage.

When it was safer, Edward risked going into town long enough to sell their little wagon and buy a horse for Bella. They covered as much distance as possible. Bella wasn't a stranger to horses, but she'd never been so long in the saddle. She was sore when they rested, so sore she could barely hobble, but she didn't complain.

Edward continued to teach her about bow hunting and other survival skills. Soon, she knew how to snare and skin a rabbit, and once she brought down a doe by herself. She was also good at knowing which mushrooms would kill them and which were edible, and knew how to make a good, minty tea. She'd recognized the leaves from Carlisle's stores.

How strange it was to be traveling the countryside like this. She'd made a similar journey once before, coming to the capital city from her homeland. It had been a much different journey then, and she a much different person—an innocent child with her father where she was now a woman on the run with her husband. Then, she'd travelled in a litter, watching the countryside roll by as she wondered what adventures awaited in her fairy tale life. Now, the further they got from Volterra, the more a cautious hope began to blossom in her, frightening though that was.

Days turned into weeks. While freedom was far preferable, no one could say it was comfortable.

One morning, Bella was only minimally conscious when a shiver racked her. It took her muddy mind minutes more to realize she was shivering. It was just one arm that was chilled. Experience had taught her if she stayed under the blankets, with Edward wrapped around her, she was far from freezing. She just needed to wake up enough to pull her arm back to warmth.

Behind her, Edward made a noise at the back of his throat. He shifted against her, and then his hand wrapped around hers. He brought it back under the blankets, and she felt his hot breath on her fingertips, chasing away the cold from her flesh. She smiled, nuzzling back against him.

Uncomfortable though the cold ground might have been, waking in her husband's arms made her lazy and loathe to start another long day's travel. Surely she could stay here with him, safe and treasured, forever.

They lay like that for a time, content in the quiet morning. All too soon, though, Edward sighed and got down to the business of the day. "We're near enough to the Midlands," he said, his voice a raspy rumble in her ear. "And we've done well with our money. We can afford a room at an Inn tonight, perhaps."

Bella brightened at the thought, already thinking about what an upgrade it would be—a lumpy mattress of straw rather than dirt.

Still, she felt a pang in her heart. She breathed in deep, inhaling the crisp air and the earthy scent of Edward's skin. She rolled to face him and then, on a whim, rolled on top of him. She sat up, grinning at his shocked face as she straddled him.

"Are you sure that's what you want, love? A return to civilized living?" She took his hands, using them to balance herself. "We're free as jays out here. We could walk away from it all. Live off the land. I can learn to sew deer hides instead of satin and lace."

He laughed, smiling up at her. He raised a hand to run his fingers along the line of her jaw, and when he ran a thumb over her lips, she kissed it. His smile gentled. "You're in rare form today, Bella."

She understood what he meant. It had been a difficult journey at the end of a dark time with no guarantee there would be light where they were going. These last weeks, they'd both had their battles to fight, coming to terms with the repercussions of what they'd done. Bella had killed a king. A king with a vengeful, powerful family.

As for Edward, he'd been so quiet at times. She could see in his eyes when he replayed the events of that night. Or rather, when he replayed the events of his life. He hadn't said so directly, but she was certain there was something in him—perhaps the specter of the little boy he'd been once—who wondered if there was something he could have done to make his family love him. Instead, he'd grown up to murder his father to protect his wife.

But this morning, all of that felt far away. Bella drew her fingertips over her chest. "It occurs to me that we're safe." She laughed. The word sounded odd in her mouth. Safe. Gods, it had been so long since she'd felt safe. "Oh, it's true we may be set upon by thieves, but not because of who we are. It would be because they wish to take our things, not because I'm a Swan, and you're Edward Masen."

He looked cautiously bemused. "So potential death and dismemberment at the hands of highwaymen doesn't bother you."

She tickled his sides lightly. "No. I have a handsome husband who is more than capable of protecting me from roaming thieves."

He wiggled beneath her, his laugh low in his chest. At this, he caught her hands by the wrist, stilling them. There was a dark note in the green of his eyes. Not sinister—of course not. Something that made Bella's breath catch in her throat. His voice was low and deep when he spoke again. "You're right, my love. Though, if I were a thief, I'd be more afraid of you."

Bella considered this. It was true that her skills and proficiency with weapons improved nearly every day. She even practiced in the saddle. She could hold her own if it came down to it. After all, she'd killed a king. How could she fear anyone after that?

Edward released her wrists and moved his hands to rub her back. She slid forward a bit, readjusting herself atop him, and saw him catch his breath. "Bella." The word was a warning. It took her a few moments to realize he was aroused.

"Oh," she said on a breath. Her face flushed hot despite the cold air. Surprisingly, though, she found the feel of him didn't bring on horrid memories. She wasn't afraid, not here in this field with her husband.

Her love.

She felt a strange thrill of excitement run through her as she pressed her backside down, rubbing against him.

"Bella," he said again around a hiss. His hands were tight on her waist.

"Shhh." She rested her hands on his chest. Her mouth had gone dry. "Let me…" Her blush deepened. She couldn't say the words out loud for what she wanted to do.

Instead, she let her hands talk for her, caressing him as he'd done so often for her. There was a thrill in the way he responded to her touch, his breath shuddering and his skin flushing. There was a thrill in what simply watching him, feeling him, did things that her body had only hinted at before.

It should have felt debauched. She was out in the open, rutting in a field like a peasant. She should have felt shame as she tugged at the ties of Edward's pants and hiked up her skirts.

She wasn't ashamed and felt anything but filthy. She felt fevered, as though she would burst into flames when Edward ran his hands up her body. There was a strange, sweet ache at her core that was only soothed when she sunk down, taking him deep inside her.

He whispered her name like a prayer, and she felt powerful. She saw the look in his eyes, all reverence and passion, and felt beautiful.

She was free.

It was such a powerful, overwhelming feeling that Bella gasped. Fear began to prickle, crawling over her skin.

"Shhh. I have you." Edward took her hands. "Let it happen, beautiful girl. You're glorious, Bella."

And because he was there with her, because she could feel him around her and inside her, Bella let go. She let the power wash over her, let it seize her body and take her, helpless over an edge she didn't know existed. Her body arched, and she cried out with it as she felt him pulse inside her.

Minutes later, she clung to him, still trembling. "I...What was that?" she whispered, stunned and flushed. Her body felt strangely limp, spent but satisfied.

Edward sighed, running a tender knuckle along her cheek. "That, my darling, is what lovemaking is meant to be."

~Edward~

Another week or so later, the sun was high in the sky, and Edward's stomach had been gnawing at him for a solid hour. Though they'd packed away bread and hard cheese before they'd left the inn that morning, there had been an unfortunate incident involving their bag of foodstuff and a river that had been deeper than it looked.

Edward considered the problem. There were no towns in sight, though, and he really didn't want to stop to hunt. He'd been hoping to find a berry bush or something of that nature, but so far, no luck.

"Let's stop to water the horses," Bella said, riding up beside him.

They did so, and Edward watched the stream a moment. He thought of a man he knew who had been able to catch a fish with his bare hands. How hard could it be, he wondered, scratching idly at his chest.

A lump he felt beneath his vest gave him pause. Then, he brightened, remembering that he'd bought a honey cake with the intention of surprising Bella at some point. She did so love the sticky treat.

"Hey!" he shouted in surprise, finding the case snatched out of his hands.

Bella grinned at him. "I see how you are, beloved husband. Hiding food while I wither away to skin and bones in front of you."

"I was going to share, but now I think I shall not." Edward made a grab for her, but Bella flitted away, her eyes dancing. "Come back here, you sneaky whelp," he said in a faux-menacing growl.

Instead, she darted, and he was off like a shot after her. She had a head start, but his legs were much longer. As they reached the treeline, he was almost upon her. He readied himself to pounce, but found himself flying backward, all the air pushed out of him by a blow to the belly. He was well trained enough that he rolled to his knees as soon as he hit the ground, but it didn't do him much good. He was far too winded to get to his feet before a second blow came, sending him sprawling to the side.

The third blow sent him onto his back, and Edward gasped for air. His vision was unfocused, darkness tugging momentarily at the edges, but the feel of cold steel at his neck sharpened his concentration. He could hear Bella yelling, and it sounded as though she was struggling.

"You filthy son of a whore," the man above him spat, his brown eyes blazing with fury and hate. "I've dreamed of your death a long while now, Edward Masen. It will not be quick."

"Emmett, no!" Bella screamed and wrested herself out of another man's hold. She stumbled forward and threw herself down over Edward's prone form. A surge of panic went through him, and Edward found enough of his wits to put his arm around Bella as though to yank her out from under her brother's blade.

There was no need. Emmett took a step back, holding his sword to the side, away from Bella. He narrowed his eyes. "Come away from him, Bella. Let me take care of this swine."

"Do as he says, Bella," Edward said, his voice a rasp as he tried to get his breath back. He needed her away from the sword altogether.

Emmett's features twisted again, and he kicked Edward sharply in the side. It was all Edward could do not to curl in on himself. He kept one hand at Bella's back, the other held up. "You don't speak to her, swine," Emmett hissed. "Never again. And get your hands off her."

Bella, of course, wouldn't let him go. She shook off the grip of the other man who attempted to pull her to her feet. "He's my husband, Emmett."

His voice gentled. "That's not your fault, little one. It's all right now. You owe him nothing. I swear, he will never hurt you again."

"Edward would never hurt me," Bella said, furious now. "Don't placate me, Emmett. I'm not a child any longer. I'm a wife, and this is my husband, and you will hurt him only over my dead body."

Silence fell over them. Edward would have laughed if he could breathe. The young, would-be king looked flummoxed. He grunted, his expression turning dubious. "You trust him?"

"I love him," Bella said fervently.

The corner of Emmett's lips twitched. He stepped back, out of his ready posture, and sheathed his sword.

"Emmy?" Bella asked, her voice trembling and childlike.

"Bellalula," Emmett whispered, his intimidating countenance gone soft.

Bella launched herself at her brother then. He caught her in his arms, lifting her off the ground as she chanted his name in a warble that told Edward she was crying. Truth be told, Emmett looked like he might be crying too. He had Bella's head in one large hand, the other wrapped securely around her waist. His eyes were screwed up tightly.

Secure in the knowledge that Bella was safe for the moment, Edward let himself groan, and he leaned his head back on the cold ground. So Emmett Swan was a vicious fighter at least when his sister was involved. Edward was going to be terribly bruised, but that was better than missing a head, at least.

Taking a deep breath, Edward sat up. He winced, but managed to stay upright. Anyway, the pain he felt was mitigated by the lightness in his heart at the scene before him. Emmett and Bella were still locked in a tight embrace.

Emmett was taller and much broader than Edward had remembered. Bella looked like a little girl when he held her like that, with her legs dangling. When he finally set her down, he ruffled her hair, his grin gone wide and boyish. "I'm not sure what you were talking about earlier. You still look like a child. Short as ever."

Bella sniffled, smiling though she smacked his chest. "You're terrible."

He chuckled and pulled her to him, tucking her under his arm. "It seems you have a story to tell about how you ended up in these woods so far away from Volterra." He gaze sharpened as he looked again at Edward. "And in questionable company, no less. So I'm to understand that I finally have a Masen in my clutches again, and I'm not allowed to hurt him?"

Bella wagged a finger in her brother's face. "Try to hurt him, and I'll make sure you regret it."

Edward's lips twitched. Emmett threw his head back and laughed. "I believe you, little sister."

Without letting her go, Emmett stepped forward and offered his free hand to Edward. Edward held his gaze steady as he let the other man help him to his feet. "In that case, it's good to see you again, Lord Edward. Apparently."

Amused but wary—he hadn't missed how Emmett's comrade had come to stand behind him—Edward nodded in respectful greeting. "I regret the circumstances of our meeting again, My Lord." He cocked his head. "Or is it Your Grace now?"

Emmett huffed and rolled his eyes, but he smiled. "Well, that's a question without an easy answer, but perhaps we can talk about it over lunch. Follow me back to camp."

It was, Edward noted, an order.

~Bella~

It was disconcerting to be with Emmett again. It was as though her world had, yet again, changed, and nothing was as she'd known it to be. Changed for the better this time, though there was something bittersweet about watching her carefree brother be so responsible. Their father had warned him it would happen sooner than later. He was heir to the lands of Rainfall, after all. He'd been born to lead.

This, though, was something altogether different. Almost as soon as they rode into camp—and Emmett's army stretched out on the hillsides for as far as the eye could see—people clamored around him, all looking for guidance. Rather than be flustered, Emmett held his head high and answered them all in turn, giving orders and placating those he didn't have the time to pay attention to just yet.

They got to the largest tent, and Bella watched, incredulous, as Emmett delegated tasks to men older than he was. They obeyed, bowing with respect and calling him, as Edward had suggested, Your Grace.

As though he knew what she was thinking, Emmett grinned. He leaned down to whisper in her ear. "I've been waiting for someone to come along and tell them they've made a mistake following me. Maybe I should be nervous to have you back, little sister."

"Your secret is safe with me. I promise to laugh at you only in private."

He laughed and took her face between his hands. He planted a large, wet kiss on her forehead before gesturing to her and Edward to sit down. His right hand man, Peter—the one who had been with him in the forest—was sent to take care of Emmett's more official duties. Bella was further shocked when several younger boys hurried forward almost as soon as they'd sat down. They dutifully filled everyone's goblets, brought wine and then food to them.

Emmett really was a king here.

They talked then. Emmett knew the king was dead. That much had reached them there at the camp. He knew too Aro the Kingmaker was dead as well, and had heard whispers that others were missing.

Edward and Bella filled in the blanks, telling the story of their forced marriage and all they'd been through together. Bella blushed when Emmett beamed with pride, hearing what she'd done to the king.

"I've dreamed long and often of what King Felix deserved to suffer for what he's done to our family alone," Emmett said. He took her hands in his, looking her in the eyes with an expression Bella hadn't ever seen on his face, all grief and sorrow. "Little sister… Bella. I don't know how to ask your forgiveness for what you've suffered. I should have tried noon and night, done anything to get you away from there."

Bella ducked her head. She hadn't told her brother half of what she'd been through, but that didn't matter now. "I've never blamed you, Emmy. It wasn't your fault. Not a moment of it. And you did kill the king. Without your dagger…" Bella shuddered. She knew what would have happened if she hadn't had Emmett's dagger in her hair.

"That will have to suffice to sate my bloodlust for the time being. Would that I could change the past." He sighed, squeezed her hands, and sat back, his expression more serious. "For now, though, I'll settle on ensuring our future."

He stood and looked to Edward, coming to stand before him. He offered his hand, and when Edward took it, he clasped it in a tight hold, speaking in a booming voice that could be heard by anyone near the tent. "I greet you now as a brother. You are my sister's husband, and that makes us family. You have my blessing."

It was a powerful message. Edward had been the recipient of many dark looks as he rode into camp. It was only the fact that he was with Emmett that had kept some of the soldiers from attacking; Bella knew that.

Edward nodded his head, standing and putting his hand around Emmett's. "Your acceptance means much to me. To us both. Thank you, brother." He bowed his head.

The men stepped apart, though neither sat. Emmett lowered his voice, though he could still be easily heard by those still in the tent. "Now, I must speak to you, Lord Masen of Casterly Port. These are troubling times, and your allegiances must be clear."

Bella watched as Edward held her brother's gaze. He drew his sword. Bella jumped. Emmett took a step back into a defensive posture, his hand on the hilt of his own sword. Others around the tent tensed in readiness.

Edward drove the sword into the ground and knelt to one knee, balancing on it. He bowed his head. "I swear fealty to you, Emmett Swan. I have nothing to promise you but my sword and my life. That, however, I give gladly to you in whatever you endeavor. My oath is my bond."

Bella's heart pounded out of control as she watched Emmett touch her husband's shoulder. "Rise, Lord Masen." His tone was grave though he seemed satisfied somehow. There was something approaching the old mischief she remembered dancing in his eyes. "I think you will find that you have more to bring to our cause than just your sword. Sit. Let us toast to our most productive alliance."

"Productive?" Edward resumed his seat beside Bella, his eyes curious on her brother.

"Yes. I have a plan," Emmett said, eyes gleaming.

A/N: Poor Edward got a little banged up, but he's okay.

How are you guys?