Children of Merrywood
The sun is setting by the time I'm fully awake and brave enough to venture out of my shelter.
A pair of clothes are sitting just inside the door and I grab them thankfully.
A large men's shirt and pants unfold in my hands and I can't help but bring the shirt to my nose.
It smells tantalising - like oak trees and sandalwood.
As I dress I go over everything that's happened so far.
I've got so many questions for the Thieves of Sholle Forest. Whether or not they are actually bad men is yet to be determined and I know deep in my heart that if I find out that they've killed anyone innocent or stolen from the poor I will have to leave.
I'm not kidding myself, I've been in a situation where the worst has happened and I did something I'm yet to regret.
But there's an important distinction between innocent and deserving.
I can't live with men who think that's okay.
Therefore some investigation is required before I feel fully relaxed here.
I peek my head out my door, scraping my fingers through my blonde curls as I do. My hair is almost down to my waist and is tangled and knotted. I'd have to find myself a hairbrush soon or I'd never be able to fix it.
My knee is still a little tender but I'm happy to realise that a couple of hours asleep have done the trick.
I wander over to the campfire, attempting and failing to not be noticed. I must look a sight. The clothes I was given hang over my frame swamping my figure. Not to mention half of these men look at me like they've never seen a woman before.
Eyes follow me and I'm just about to give up and go hide back in my room when Nik comes to stand next to me. A weird expression crosses his face when he looks at me but he shrugs it off quickly.
"Are you lost, Princess? Do you want me to grab you something to eat?" He looks a bit annoyed and I almost refuse when my stomach grumbles. Perfect timing as always.
"This camp is hardly large enough to get lost in. But yes, I'd love something to eat if you don't mind." My cheeks are red from the chilly breeze and I fight the urge to bring my cold hands to cover them. Nik's lips tilt up a fraction before settling back in his usual hard line.
"I know it's not the castle you're used to but I'm afraid it's the best we can do." He places his hand on my lower back and carefully guides me through the men milling about.
"Really? But I thought you were opportunists? I would have figured you'd have stolen a castle by now." I don't know why I feel the need to play fight with him but something about talking to him puts me at ease.
He turns to face me adjusting the dagger that sits on his belt, "Well, I've got a Princess, so who needs a castle?" His words twist inside me and I feel my blush rising to my cheeks again.
I need to get myself under control. The way he looks with his white button shirt with loose sleeves half tucked in, barely concealing the muscles rippling beneath makes me breathless and I need to stop. Nik is not a viable option. I just got out of a sort of relationship, I need to take a break.
Nik passes me a bowl full of meat and vegetables with a knowing smile, saving me from having to answer.
Suddenly I feel eyes burning into the back of my head and I whip around searching for the source. There's no one I can see watching me but that doesn't calm the anxious feeling in my stomach. When I turn around and face Nik again his face is cold.
"I've told them all to keep it respectful but if anyone does anything let me know and I'll sort it. No one makes anyone feel uncomfortable in this camp or I beat them into the dirt." His tone is firm, and he nods at me once before striding away.
Oh.
The violence in his words should make me pause but instead, it sends a sick thrill through me. I need proper help.
I'm sitting alone on a log, warming my legs by the fire when a small hand tugs on my shirt. I turn around to see a little girl and several young boys behind me, Bobbin being one. The one who tugged my shirt doesn't look older than 9 and grins shyly at me from underneath a couple of layers of dirt.
"U-um hello, Miss." I wait patiently for him to continue but red rises to his cheeks and the words seem to stop in his mouth. Another boy punches him in the shoulder.
"Hey, now there's no need for that. What's your name, sweetheart?" I address the young boy who tugged my shirt and the red in his cheeks turns even more fiery.
"Oliver, Miss. I'm 8 years old." He holds up five fingers and grins.
Someone really needs to run a school around here.
I smile brightly at him, "Well it's lovely to meet you, Oliver. My name is Juliette. Would you like to introduce me to the rest of your friends?"
He nods eagerly and turns pointing in at each of the boys in turn. "Those two are the twins, Anya and Pasha, they're 11. That's Bobbin who you know and Leo who's 13," he turns to me a whispers quietly, "he's the oldest but I'm actually in charge."
Leo lets out a snort but doesn't say anything, just ruffles Oliver's hair.
Oliver whacks him away with a smile before continuing, "And that's my brother, Wren. He's 10." He points at the boy who punched him before. Wren smiles proudly at me and I can't help the swell of love I feel for each of them.
"How long have you guys lived here?" I've been curious about all the young kids running about, not entirely sure how they managed to end up living with the Thieves of Sholle.
Oliver shrugs and looks to his brother Wren who answers for him. "We've been here 3 years now, Miss. Nik, Bjorn, and Cassie rescued us off the streets in Boral."
Boral is a seaside Kingdom along the Southern Coast and I'm surprised to hear that Nik, Bjorn, and Caspian travelled so far away from the forest.
The other kids around me nod in agreement and I realise they must have a similar story. Being rescued off the streets by the leaders of Merrywood.
This time it's Leo who speaks, "Nik and the others have always been good to us." Bobbin looks at me and nods his head. It's reassuring to know that the Thieves of Sholle do some good in the world. Especially if it means that the kids are alright.
Anya, the only other girl in the camp, suddenly walks silently up to me and grabs my free hand. Pasha looks at me surprised and I get the feeling that Anya usually keeps to herself. He comes up and whispers in her ear, "Shetkla alj zevalj, Anya? Zev aljtse renoyt klanak?"
(Are you okay, Anya? Do you want to rest?)
"Njet. Dnaka, Pasha." She shakes her head at him before looking back at me. She leans in a bit and then pats me gently on the shoulder. "Ju desha kla eteye dok minz."
(No. Thank you, Pasha) (You have sad eyes like me.)
Pasha looks at Anya downhearted before gently grabbing her hand back and pulling her off to the kids' quarters.
The others watch them go with frowns. I don't know what she said but I recognise it as the native language of Shaeweda, a country across the seas.
A part of my heart breaks as I watch how dejected the two of them were.
Something had obviously affected both of them and Pasha was trying to stay strong for Anya.
All of the other boys give me quick smiles before they trot off in the direction of the campfire, leaving only myself and Leo.
"She doesn't normally talk to anyone but Pasha. It's good that she has taken a liking to you." Leo sounds much older than 13 and it's clear how quickly these kids had to grow up. It shouldn't be like that. They should be able to enjoy their childhoods without adult pressures weighing them down.
"Leo... how do you think the rest of the kids would like school? I'm well-practiced in language, reading, and mathematics. Would that be something you guys would be interested in?"
Leo looks at me in surprise his eyes wide, "You know how to read? Will you teach me?"
I smile in happiness, "Of course I will! Listen, I'll start running some sessions a couple of days a week and if you like you can come and have some private lessons on reading in your own time. Does that sound good?"
Leo grins so wide his cheeks turn pink. "That sounds amazing. Thank you, Miss." He runs off to join the boys by the campfire and I can see from my log his animated hand gestures as he tells the other kids what I told him.
I think I might like it here.