Prompt: Write about a common place. I chose the woods.
Rating: K (I don't know if any will go above K, actually... Maybe I could stop putting them there.)
Peace. Solitude. Safety.
Trees were all those things for Winslow. It was the place he could go to escape everything. To escape the constant demands and...almost orders, from Captain Daggler. To escape the shame that he blocked out most days, but then sometimes it would bubble up and overwhelm him like an overflowing cup of water. Those were the days he pled ill, because if he tried to do any of his duties during that time, he would break down.
But the woods were peaceful and held none of that. They did not reproach him or scold him or hurt him or demand of him; they simply existed beside him, allowing him to be himself. They were his fortress. He escaped to them as often as he could.
Daggler knew of his frequent walks—indeed, Daggler knew everything—but he didn't seem to mind most of the time. Winslow was grateful for that. It gave him a few minutes of quiet and rest. Perhaps Daggler could see he needed the breaks.
He seemed to be needing them far more frequently though. The walks and the steady trees were the only things that helped the constant ache in his head. Whether it was from stress or lack of rest and water, he didn't know, but it never really seemed to leave. The peace of the trees helped however, and sometimes the ache wouldn't return for a few hours after being here.
He glanced down at his watch and heaved a sigh. It was time for his next meeting, already.
He took one last look at the woods, drinking in their beauty. The tall towering trunks stood tall with whispering leaves above, filtering the golden afternoon sunlight. The woods truly were beautiful.
He sighed again and turned back to the palace. Back to his duties.
Today, unlike other days, as soon as he exited the woods and reentered the palace, leaving the safety of the woods, his head began to ache, and his soul ached for peace.
Reply to Ann: Neither is this one! I hope you enjoy!
Aww, thank you! I'm glad you liked it! Ha, that's up to you...maybe he does, maybe he doesn't. *looks mysterious*
XD I really did not plan to write a story about Winslow after you said that! Complete accident. XD
I think Winslow was a lot more bratty in the beginning and he really wanted the throne for the throne. But as time went on he began to realize in his subconsciousness that this was wrong, that he should turn, but he never really let those feelings surface and began just doing what he should do. When he let himself think about it though, he felt trapped and that's what this story is about.
As a side note, I didn't start writing thinking, "Winslow is going to like trees." It just kind of came out and now it seems so right. It's neat how the writing process surprises us. :)