A/N: Hello everyone, hope your weekend was good. To start off your week, here's the next chapter. I hope you guys enjoy it and I'll try and upload the next chapter either tomorrow or the next day.

Enjoy

Chapter 16: New Plan

She knew she shouldn't get too comfortable since she knew they would be leaving again soon. After her talk with Erik, Christine thought things would change between her and Erik. She hoped things would change and maybe, just maybe, he would let her and nephew go. However, she knew how much this would help the Scots with winning the war. She hoped that because of their history, Erik would still let them go.

When Erik gave the order, Christine knew not to object. Letting the soldier help her up onto the horse, she kept quiet as the men got ready. They were still in the safety of the trees which meant no gallop which Christine was happy about. With the group now on the move, Christine rested her head against the shoulders of the soldier, letting out a sigh.

"What's wrong, lass?" He asked her.

"I never thought my day would end like this." She answered. "I miss my family."

"I know the feeling, missing your family at least."

"You have a family?" She asked him, hoping to make conversation with him. If she was going to be a hostage and be with them with a while, she might as well try and get to know them.

"Aye, lass. We almost all do, except the captain and Seten." He answered. So he is single, well at least he doesn't have a wife. He could have a…woman. Shaking her head, she wanted to erase the thought of Erik being with another woman. He's not yours though. Sighing, she knew he wasn't hers. That moment they had was years ago and they have changed since then. "Is there something wrong, lass?" The soldier asked.

"No nothing is wrong." She lied, hoping the soldier would believe her. Before he could say anything, their heads turned to see Erik riding up to them. "Sir…" He straightened up, making Christine take her head off his shoulder.

"You ride with me now." He said, making the soldier nod and halt his horse. With both horses halted, Christine was able to move from the soldier's horse to Erik. Once she was settled, he rode off back to the front of the ground.

"Is there a reason why I couldn't ride with him anymore?" She asked him, making sure not to rest her head on his shoulder like she did with the soldier. When he didn't respond, she sighed and looked away, looking at the trees. At least with the other guy, he would talk to him. As they continued to ride, she started to get tired. Yawning, she tried not to lean into him but she could feel her body lean into him. Losing the battle, she leaned her head on his shoulder. He could feel her body leaning against him and could feel his body reacting. He remembered the times her body was against his, both times his body reacted in a way that he wished didn't reacted. The first time was back in the pit at the prison and he knew it was wrong with her age. Then the time where he put her over his lap and he immediately regretted. The third time was when he accidentally fell on top of her and his body seemed to freeze in that position. Thinking about it made him hard and he shook his head to get the image of her body under his. His movement woke Christine and make her straighten up. For some reason, he was mad at himself that he had woken her. "Are we stopping soon?" She asked him. Glancing behind him to look at her, he could see both how her and his men were tired. Halting his horse, it gave her his answer.

"Well stop here for the night." She let out a sigh of relief, happy that she'll be able to sleep now. She was tired, being a hostage was exhausting to her. I never want to be a hostage again. Focused on her tiredness, she didn't realize that Erik had already dismounted and was waiting for her. When she didn't move, he helped her down. She almost yelped when she felt his hands and arms help her down off the tall horse. Big horse for a big man…with strong arms. Those strong, muscular arms…Her cheeks blushed at the thought of his arms around her in a more intimate way than this. Noticing her blush, he couldn't help but smirk as he set her on the ground.

"Thank you." Her voice was soft and sent his heart racing. God, what is happening to me. With her legs on the ground, his arms pulled away from her body. Looking around, she tried to find a place where she could sleep for the night. Nothing looked comfortable, but she didn't have a choice. There was no village or castle so the ground will do. Noticing the look on her face, he turned to his saddle and pulled out a plaid. With the plaid, he walked over to a tree trunk and laid the plaid on the ground.

"You can sleep here for the night. It's not as comfortable as a bed, but-"

"Thank you Erik." She smiled softly, walking over to him. The kindness meant a lot to her. She assumed that hostages were treated…well unkindly, but he wasn't doing that. He kept showing sides of him that made the stories of him seem completely false. Well, he did kidnap you.

"You should get some sleep; we'll be riding out early." His voice brought him back. Only nodding, she watched him walk back to his horse to tend to him, getting his horse ready for the night. Sitting against the trunk, she leaned back against the bark, giving her a view of the men and Erik. She watched as William got off the horse but was ordered to stay away from her. Watching the men settle down for the night, the exhaustion came back to her. Closing her eyes, she let sleep come to her.

Christine was awoken from her sleep by a soldier. Opening her eyes, she saw the soldier she rode with yesterday standing in front of her. He was letting her know that they were riding out soon. Nodding and yawning, she then felt something covering her. Looking down, she saw a plaid covering her body, keeping her warm. For a moment, she wondered whose plaid it was. Looking around, she looked for Erik. For some reason, she knew it was his and wanted to thank him. Finding him by his horse, she got up and folded the two plaids up. Walking over to him, she stood in front of him until he looked at her.

"Thank you for the plaids." She held out the plaids to him. Taking the plaids, he put them away in his saddle bag.

"You're welcome." He turned back to her. "Are you ready to ride out?" He asked her.

"Do I have a choice?" She asked him, making him shake his head. "Who will I be riding with today?" She asked. He motioned towards his horse. "Leg up please?" Nodding, he helped her up onto the horse and waited for him to mount as well. As she waited, she glanced down at her dress, seeing the dirt covering her dress. Her eyes caught the sight of a ribbon and suddenly came up with an idea. Leaning down slightly, her fingers traced along the ribbon. There's a lot fabric…

"Ready?" His question distracted her.

"Yes." She answered and he gave the order for the men to move out. Now on the move again, Christine decided to think out her plan. If only I wasn't riding with him and back with the other soldier. Maybe she could arrange it, but it might draw suspicion from him. Ask him tomorrow to ride with the other soldier. He's more talkative. Glancing back down at the ribbon, she mentally calculated how long each strand of ribbon she would need. They can't be too long or else I'll run out. Looking back up, she noticed the branches were without leaves which would work. The ribbon would be more noticeable. This could work. This could help lead her father to her and William's rescue. With that, she agreed and would start tomorrow.

Will Christine's plan work? Anyone curious if Erik has a woman or not?

Reviews are welcome : )