Merrywood Camp
It's cozy inside the wooden shelter, more so than one would expect from a handmade house.
It's got four rooms inside it and three beds but one of them is large enough to fit several people.
Lamps sit on most available surfaces, waiting to be lit when the sun falls and a large desk takes up a good portion of one room.
Pillows of all kinds fill most of the bedrooms and it takes me a second to recognise one of mine.
The Murdoch symbol is stitched in gold thread and the soft navy fabric was one that I had chosen myself.
Nik leads the way and sits on one side of the desk in a plush chair that has no business in the middle of the forest. He motions impatiently for me to sit on the other side and Bobbin leaves once I'm sitting, disappearing back outside with a grin.
Blond Curls and Giant stand on either side of me.
I'm not sure if they think I'm going to run and am there to stop me or if they just like this side of the desk. Either way, I'm not going anywhere.
"So, Princess. What brings you to our side of the forest?" Nik tilts his head towards Blond Curls before continuing, "Caspian convinced me to hear out your story. He's always been softer towards women."
I glance gratefully at Caspian. Although he'd robbed me yesterday I really did have nowhere to go and this camp was better than dying in the forest.
"I... I'm not sure where to start." Everything that's happened in the last 2 days suddenly comes over me and I notice that I'm embarrassingly close to tears.
Nik seems to realise this because he looks to Caspian in panic as if to say 'um please fix this.
" Nik's freaked face makes me giggle and the distraction allows me to wrestle my impending breakdown to the ground.
I apologise, my cheeks red, and continue, "I'd heard the stories about him- King Richard - before my father announced my betrothal.
About his wives and his desperate need for an heir.
Unfortunately, my father doesn't share my worries about being the next dead wife.
He was just happy to accept the money we would receive from the alliance with Gilgunronh. "
Giant is looking at me with sympathy which I'm not sure I like and Nik's eyes alight with anger.
"I tried not to think too much about it.
About what I was signing up for. It's not my most likeable trait but I tend to try and push the bad things that are happening to me down.
It wasn't until I arrived at Gilgunronh and met King Richard that it all kind of hit me.
I couldn't marry him. The things he said - what he was going to do.
.. It wouldn't have been my choice, you understand? And he wouldn't have cared."
This time Giant grunts in rage and a kind of warmth fills me at the way they seem to care. There are very few men in this world who actually care that the woman they are with says yes.
I continue my story leaving out what Daria said - something I still haven't had time to face.
By the time I'm telling them about Bobbin, I'm verging on breathless.
Nik stares at me for a moment his eyes swirling with so many emotions that I can't get a read on them.
"I appreciate the difficult position you're in.
But you have to appreciate mine. I have over 30 men here to watch over and it's my responsibility to ensure that they stay safe.
Letting a girl, a Princess at that, wander around camp learning the insides of what goes on here, is a risk.
If you were to stay, you'd have to be sworn to secrecy.
I will not endanger the people who look to me, to help you. "
His words are harsh but I understand. He's got people counting on him and he's going to stand by them, as he should.
"I promise that I would never hurt anyone here.
I appreciate that you've got men and boys here that you care about and I'm not going to threaten their safety.
I can work hard. I know I was raised in a castle but I'm not afraid of getting my hands dirty.
If you give me a warm place to sleep for a while, I'll be in your debt.
" Sincerity rings in my voice and I know that they hear it too because all of their shoulders relax a bit.
Nik nods at me and then at Caspian, "Caspian will take you to where you can put your stuff.
We have no women in this camp and none of the men here are good at some of the more basic duties.
If you can sew and cook then you're more than welcome to stay as long as you like. Welcome to Merrywood, Princess."
He stands up to leave and both he and Giant walk out of the shelter, leaving me alone with Caspian.
Caspian smiles at me brightly and leads me to the door.
Outside, the bag I packed lays against the shelter's walls and several young boys are digging through my stuff.
"Oi, rack off ingrates. You don't go snooping through a lady's things.
" He shoos them away but he's smiling as he says it.
A chorus of "Sorry Cassie," sounds and the boys scamper off with a giggle.
He looks over to me, his curls flying about in the slight breeze. "Sorry about that, love. They're still young and the only parenting figures they've got are sort of criminals."
I shake my head softly, "it's okay. I'm sure it's been a while since any of them have had any sort of mother figure. Maybe I can start some sort of school while I'm here?"
He smiles again and I'm struck with how much I want to make him smile.
"That sounds like an excellent idea. I'm sure Nikolai will love that.
And I'm sorry love but between all the 'Your Highness' and 'Princess' I never actually got your name.
"
"Oh! My apologies. My name is Juliette.
"
"No need to be sorry. It's been a pretty shaken-up day.
I know you weren't introduced before but the giant man who was with us before is Bjorn.
He looks mean but I promise he's a sweetheart.
" He winks and I feel something tug in my core.
What is in the water around here?
"Follow me," Caspian grabs my satchel and goes to walk off but stops when he realises I'm not walking with him.
I force my eyes to stay on the ground as I search for a stick that is long and sturdy enough for my weight.
I don't want him to see the embarrassment I'm feeling.
I pick up one that's lying a bit to the left of me and lean heavily on it, thankful to finally have the weight off my knee.
I don't make eye contact with Caspian as we continue walking to my room.
My knee shouldn't bother me as much as it does. It's just the shame that accompanies it every time I feel any pain. The knowledge that I let myself be pushed around to the point that I was permanently mutilated sits like heavy iron in my stomach.
That shame needs to be pushed down as far as it can go so I never have to look it in the eye. Never again be that scared little girl.
Caspian doesn't say anything until we reach my shelter.
It's a single-room shack for lack of a better word.
It's only 20 meters away from the house I was just in and from this spot I can see most of the camp.
Most of the men and boys around us have gone back to what they were doing but a couple still glance over at me curiously.
"Juliette. If your leg bothers you come and see me.
I'm the resident doctor here and I've seen my fair share of injuries.
If it's something like a scrape or deep cut it can be easily fixed with some bandage.
And I know my way around the more serious wounds.
" His voice is gentle enough that I find myself agreeing to come and see him even if I know full well I will never let anyone touch it.
It's disgusting.
The only reason I let Daria anywhere near my knee was because she was there when it happened.
"Dinner time is pretty flexible around here but there's almost always something cooking on the fire so when you get hungry just come out and grab whatever you want.
Don't worry about the chores or anything Nik said.
Take a couple of days to settle in and figure out your surroundings.
" Caspian runs his fingers through his hair, tousling it slightly.
I feel the need to say something to him because he's been kinder to me than anyone all week.
"Thank you, Caspian, I appreciate everything you've done.
I think I'm just going to crash for a while if that's okay?
"
He nods immediately, backing away and giving me space. "Of course. Sleep well, love."
I enter the shelter and spy the mattress immediately. I'm asleep before my head hits the pillow.