Chapter 4.

Elise's POV

It was day three on our travels, and I was ready for a soft bed and a room. The first night sleeping on the forest floor, I wasn't ready for the soreness in my back and legs. "Galvin could we stop for a rest break and some food?" I asked my stomach starting to grumble.

He smiled, "Of course, it's starting to get dark out we should make camp anyways," he replied.

"Good, this pack seems to be getting heavier as the day goes on." I said setting my pack down and collapsing on the ground.

Galvin smiled setting his own pack down, "I'm going to go get some firewood for a fire, you stay here I will stay close,"

"Alright I'll get our bedrolls set up," I replied as he walked into the forest.

Piling up pine needles under the rolls for padding, I waited for Galvin to return.

Galvin returned shortly with an armful of firewood. "You just rest and I'll get dinner ready," he said.

I felt bad that Galvin had to do all the work. "I'm sorry Galvin, I'm not much of a forest girl," I said twiddling my fingers.

"Elise it's fine, don't worry, I don't want you to over task yourself and get too tired," he replied using a striking stone to start the fire.

After a meal of dried meat stew and tea I was ready for bed. Galvin set a few more logs on the fire to help it keep going. "I'll keep watch for a few hours then make sure the fire keeps going and get some rest," He said.

I nodded, "Thanks Galvin," I replied curling up under the blanket my aching tired body sending me to sleep quickly.

The next morning I awoke the sun shining off my face. Galvin was already up stroking the fire. "Morning Elise," he said smiling, "Did you sleep alright?"

"Better then the first two nights," I replied stretching and pulling on my boots. My body was less sore this time, "I think my body is getting used to traveling."

"Good, maybe we can pick up the pace a bit more," Galvin said as he set the teakettle on for tea.

I nodded rolling both our bedrolls up strapping them to our packs. "How far are we from the city?" I asked.

"We're only a days walk from a village, then three more days of walking before we reach the city." Galvin replied.

"Do you think we could stay in an inn tonight?" I asked feeling giddy about sleeping in a real bed.

"We have the funds, shouldn't be a problem," Galvin replied hearing the happiness in my voice.

Galvin put out the fire and we started back on the trail towards the village. I couldn't wait to get to the village my feet walking faster an extra bounce in my steps.

We barely made it to the village before dark, the sun setting as we entered. Many of the stall vendors were closing up their stalls, strange eyes watching us as we headed towards an inn. The sign above the door had a green dragon on it. "Hopefully they still have rooms left," Galvin said.

"Me too," I replied crossing my fingers.

The dining room was dark a few candles lit giving it a smoky dreary look. A few patrons were sitting at the bar the smell of beer overwhelming. I followed Galvin towards the front desk. A greasy looking man with a beer belly stood behind it tiny eyes set in a pudgy face. "Good evenin' what can I do ye fer?" he drawled.

"Do you have a two bed room available?" Galvin asked.

"Singles only left, 50 silvers for the night," he replied.

I didn't know if that was pricy or not, hoping we had the money. "We'll take one room," Galvin said pulling out some coins from his purse.

"I'll show ye to yer room," he drawled glancing at me a leer appearing on his face.

I followed Galvin closely hearing wolf whistles and catcalls as we passed through the room. I was glad the room was dark enough to hide the blush that stained my cheeks. "Here ye are," the man said handing Galvin the key. "We have security, don worry."

Once he left, Galvin unlocked the door and we entered. The room was much nicer then the main room downstairs. There was simple bed, dresser and a mirror, the hardwood floors covered with a small rug. "This is not worth 50 silvers," Galvin said as we set our packs on the floor, "I'll sleep on the floor Elise."

"If you want to," I replied noticing the bed was quite large.

Galvin smiled, "I'll be fine."

Yawning after the long trek to the village I pulled off my boots setting down on the bed. It was comfortable enough and I laid down feeling my eyes droop as I fell to sleep.

Galvin's POV

She was beautiful when she slept, her face relaxed. I went over and pulled the covers over her shoulders, pulling out my bedroll and curling up on the floor. I didn't trust the way the innkeeper watched Elise as we traveled up the stairs, so I stayed up. I kept my short sword across my lap keeping my eye on the locked door.

Several hours later I heard the lock move, the sounds of lock picking tools trying to turn the lock. I stood up unsheathing my sword ready to protect Elise like I said I would. The lock clicked and the door swung open. One of the men at the bar crept in. "Sir you are not supposed to be here," I said, "Leave or I will force you to leave."

He jumped pulling a knife out. "I just want the girl, she looked like a bit of fun," he sneered.

I growled low under my breath, "You will not touch her." I replied.

A knife nearly struck my arm hitting the wood of the walls. Swinging my sword I sliced his arm, blood dripping down his arm. "Ye'll regret that boy," he snarled throwing another knife at me.

This one struck my leg causing me to cry out in fear. Elise awoke sitting up, moonlight showing the fear on her face. "Galvin what's wrong?" she asked.

"Nothing, Elise stay in bed." I replied pulling the knife from my leg.

"Gotcha," the thief said grinning.

Even with the pain from my wound I pushed him into the hallway holding my short sword to his neck. He gulped a trickle of blood flowing down his greasy neck. "You will stay away from my room, and the woman I am to protect," I snarled, "Or I will kill you."

He gulped once more, "Y-yes sir," he replied, "None of the lads will bother ye again."

"Good now get out of here."

He scrambled away from me. I went back into the room locking the door again. Elise padded over to me. "What happened? You're bleeding!" she exclaimed.

"It's nothing I'll just patch it up," I replied, "One of the men at the bar thought we would be an easy target." I replied tearing a piece of my breeches off and tying off the wound. "I'll buy some herbs to help the healing tomorrow."

Worry showed clearly on her features. "Don't worry Elise, I told you I would protect you." I said smiling.

"Thank you Galvin," she replied surprising me with a hug.

I gently wrapped my arms around her enjoying the feeling of her body pressed against mine. "Now its time you go back to sleep Elise, you need your rest," I said. "I'll keep watch, just in case."

She nodded crawling back into bed, but I could tell she didn't fall back asleep for a while, and then I heard her breathing slow as she finally fell asleep. I too fell asleep a few hours later my head falling onto my chest.

The morning sunshine woke me shining its light directly into my eyes. Elise was still sleeping curled up in a ball the covers half way down her body. A small smile played on her lips in her sleep. I got up stretching planning on going to buy some food quick, when I heard her murmur, "Galvin."

I turned when I heard her voice, she was still asleep, but she had turned, "Don't go." She said softly reaching an arm out to me, "Stay with me."

I knew she was still sleeping, but when I moved towards her, she grabbed onto my hand. My heart skipped a beat when she grabbed my hand. I wasn't sure what to do when she let go and rolled to the other side of the bed. "Stay," she murmured again.

I lay down next to her careful to keep my distance, but she curled right up next to me burying her face in my chest. Nervously I wrapped an arm around her waist watching her as she slept.

Time passed my stomach grumbling, and I felt Elise stir next to me I pulled my arm back from around her waist resting it on my side. I felt her breath on my chest, her eyes opening, blinking back the sleep. When she saw me a blush crept on her cheeks. "You asked for me in your sleep," I said as she gave me a confused look.

"I'm sorry," she said sitting up.

"It's ok I don't mind," I replied, "I was going to go buy some food for us."

"Can I come with? I don't trust staying here anymore; I like the luxury of a bed, but I'd rather sleep on a floor in a forest then be robbed." She replied.

"Of course, let's get ready and leave, we'll stop by the vendors and buy some fresh food for breakfast," I replied pulling on my boots and grabbing my pack.

Elise followed suit, and followed me downstairs. The main room was empty this early in the morning, only the bartender and the innkeeper watching the room. I deposited the key at the main desk, and we headed out of the inn. The streets were crowded with morning shoppers, and stall vendors. Elise followed me closely keeping a close eye on me. We stopped at a few stalls, fresh fruit and bread being added to our packs. I munched on an apple as we headed out of the village. Some of the villagers watched us leave, but didn't think much of it.

We stopped in the forest once the village was out of site eating a fresh breakfast of cold stream water, bread, and apples. Chatting briefly as we ate, we finished our breakfast quickly and headed back onto the trail.

Elise's POV

Galvin decided it was time for us to take a lunch break in a sun lit clearing. My stomach was grumbling loudly and I was looking forward to some food. I was finally getting used to sleeping on the ground after a four days of traveling. "Elise I'm going to go get some firewood there's a stream nearby if you would get some water."

"All right Galvin," I replied smiling and grabbing the water skin.

His footsteps faded as I made my way towards the stream; I knelt down filling the bag when I heard a greasy voice say, "Well well well boyos lookey what we have 'ere."

I shot up onto my feet water dripping down my breeches seeing several greasy men standing before me. Fear froze me to my spot any words stuck in my throat. "Aye mate, a wee lass all by her lonesome." Another said.

"Now what are we goin' to do lads?"

"Get 'er!"

As soon as the men lunged towards me my feet unglued themselves and I scrambled away running through the stream soaking my boots and a good part of my breeches.

"We'll get ye little lassie," I heard the men call hearing their footsteps chasing after me.

I didn't know where Galvin was but I knew I needed to find him. The men were catching up with me their footsteps louder and louder. Terror was thick in my throat, and I feared what would happen if they actually caught me. All too soon my breath became too labored, my lungs burning from the run, feet aching; I had to stop. Trying to control my breathing I strained my ears trying to hear their footsteps. Not hearing their footsteps I traveled through the forest threading my way through the trees. How am I going to find Galvin now I don't even know where I am, I thought tears struggling to spill down my cheeks. Hopelessness filled me to the brim and I sat down under a tree tears spilling down my cheeks. What am I going to do? I thought sniffling loudly. I pulled my knees to my chest hoping Galvin would find me.

Several hours passed and no sign of Galvin. I decided to try tracing my steps back to the stream, hoping the men were far gone or had gotten lost trying to find me. Trying to keep as quiet as I could I attempted to retrace my steps listening for the sound of the stream. Longer then I expected I found the stream and the dropped water skein. Luck must have been on my side, as I didn't see any sign of the men who followed me. I filled it making my way back to the camp. Galvin wasn't anywhere in sight, but I knew better then to go look for him. The fire was still going and I sat down to wait.

The sun was setting when Galvin returned to the camp; he was surprised to see me. "What happened?" he asked worry filling his voice.

"I was getting water when a group of men tried to attack me, I ran, and got lost." I replied feeling ashamed that I had panicked, "I managed to find my way back, and I don't think they were able to follow me."

Tears threatened to fall once more after I told my tale embarrassed, my throat burning. "I'm sorry Galvin," I said blinking back tears.

The worry melted from his face and he stepped closer to me, "You did what you had to do, I won't let you leave the camp again. I'll keep watch tonight to make sure they didn't follow you," he replied smiling. "Let's make some dinner and you can get some sleep."

I nodded feeling much better as Galvin began making dinner. Dinner was the last of the fresh fruit we bought at the village, dried meat, and toasted bread. We chatted a bit before I curled up into my bedroll glad to have Galvin watching over me.