To See A World [midnite_runXLunarCinnamon]

[midnite_run]

The castle was bustling, to say the least; handmaidens and butlers worked tirelessly as they loaded the convoy with supplies. There were commoners and merchants crowded just outisde the castle gates, children perched on the shoulders of their parents to get a view over the crowd. Autumn leaves fell gently, carried by the winds in a swirl of red and gold. The bright laughter of children and the mumuring of excited onlookers.

It was a momentous occasion for the Kingdom of Themania; the Royal Tour. A rite of passage for those of the Royal Themanian Family, a family of elves who united the lands and races centuries ago. Those of royalty would travel across the kingdom's allied lands and beyond, meeting and taking part in the people's cultures and traditions. It was a tradition to bond the royal family to it's constituents and a show of diplomacy, that they have not forgotten the loyal citizens who toiled for the kingdom. A centuries old tradition.

It did come with its risks; not all were as fond of the royal family. There were brigands, spies and assassins from rival kingdoms; all of this excluding the dangers of beasts and monsters who lurked across the land. So, the royal family held another tradition; to assign a Royal Arm. A warrior, joined by other fighters personally selected by them, who would serve as the bodyguard for royalty. It would be their duty to protect their charge with their life, risking blood and bone to see that they finished the tour by any cost. The honor of being a royal arm was one numerous mercenaries and knights competed for; those who completed the tour were given royal knighthood, lands and enough money to retire comfortably.

Tāne adjusts the straps on her chainmail, shrugging it firmly to test its heft, while her fellow warriors loaded up. Sun dappled the field and she could smell the mild sweetness of the apple trees, red and ripe. The field was loud with the clanging of cold steel, gnarled warriors guffawing and heckling each other as they inspected their weapons. They had only a few hours before the royal carriage made its way out and down laneway and the tour would begin. She sighed and smacked her cheeks lightly, staving away the smell tremor of anxiety that thrummed through her. There was alot of expectations on her and not just because of the nature of her job. Tāne was a half-orc, the union between a human woman and an orc, an unholy union in the eyes of many citizens. Orcs rarely interacted with other races, seen as brutish and violent. Tāne never knew her father; he walked out on their mother when she was six and she grew up above a tavern where her mother worked as a barmaid. Her childhood was narrowed eyes and upturned noses; those who saw little in her but the spawn of a brute. A child destined to be but a blunt instrument.

Because of her heritage, Tāne was physically gifted; nearly seven feet tall and corded with muscle, she was titanic even among the largest knights. Her natural physical abilities made her a deft hand at swordplay and the martial arts; it wasn't long before she established a reputation as a skilled blade hand for hire. Her heritage was what made her victory in the Selection, a tournament to decide who would be the Royal Arm, controversial, to say the least. The idea of an orc being the guard and right hand of elven royalty didn't set well with many, but her capabilities could not be denied.

"Tāne, we're all packed and ready," said Briar, one of her fellow mercs and one she had fought along on several jobs; it was Tāne who recommended he be apart of her small band of fighters. He grinned slyly under the messy mop of dirty blonde hair. He had the kind of pretty face you wanted to punch, a cock-sure grin that could only be wielded by a man who won much and lost little. His pretty boy looks belied his skill in battle. "Figure they'll roll out the carriage soon. Gods know the fucking royal trumpets will be blaring any minute." He leans against a nearby tree, his plate armored arms crossed over his chest. Tāne holds a broad sword in her calloused hands, testing the heft and balance of the weapon; it silver edge glints in the sun. She grunts in response, eyes squinting at the blade. Tāne was always methodical, to a fault. A creature of habit, Briar would tease her. Checking every throwing knife, every link of chainmail, making sure nothing was out of place. Tāne didn't mind; she took pride in it. 'Clean equals function. Function equals skill. Skill equals victory.' The teachings of her old warmaster.

"Aye. Well, ready as I'll ever be. May the gods favor us," Tāne murmured as she slid the blade into its sheath and slung it over her horse, along with the rest of her bags. "Had no idea it was this much of an event, though. Feels like half the kingdom is here." She spots a young child pointing at her excitedly, pulling at her father's shoulders. The man looks at her before frowning. Tāne's heritage was obvious; she inherited her father's dark red eyes and tusks, small for an orc, along with his pale skin. Her mother granted her wavy black hair, tied up into a bun, the sides and back of her head shaved. Tāne tenses up for a moment, her eyes scrunched. Briar notices the tension and places a hand on her shoulder, compassion in his green eyes.

"Hey, hey, be calm, sister. Remember, you've earned a hell of a honor here. The Royal Arm! We pull this off, we get paid! Hell, you get goddamn lands and barmaids as far as the eye can see!" Briar grins at her, teeth white as bone. He had an infectious optimism that tempered Tāne's own knack for pessimism. She smiles and punches him in chest, the blow causing a dull clang off the platemail.

"You're right. Forgive me, brother. Come, we got a carriage to meet."

 

[LunarCinnamon]

Gwendolyn was nervous. Which was an understatement in and of itself. She was terrified.

She sat in her boudoir, hidden away as maids and butlers made headway on packing her carriage, barely stopping to acknowledge her as they packed her things. She was told she didn't need to help, that it was best that she just stay put until she was called but... all she could do was worry. She often spent her time worrying. Wondering perhaps, was a better word. She wondered. About what could be, about what might be, about what was. And the thing she had wondered about most of all? It was underway.

Ever since she was a child, learned of her fate as a Princess, as a royal, she had wondered. Where would she go? What would she see? Who would she meet? When would she begin her journey? How? Why? She wondered endlessly, her head spinning in circles by the time she finally grounded herself long enough to think about something else. But, today was the day. And she could think of little else but her journey. She sat in front of her vanity, looking over herself with mind disdain. Her hair, long and copper red, was half pulled back, decorated with pink and white flowers, a tiara of cyan gems and warm gold decorating her forehead. She met her own eyes, before traveling her reflection to admire the shining stones adorning her pointed ears, the pink, silken dress falling over her body like air her garment of choice for the beginning of her journey.

Gwendolyn, or Gwen as she preferred to be called in private, was growing restless. She sat up straighter, brushing through her long hair for what had to be the millionth time before huffing, standing up, and beginning to pace. She got but three rounds in before she was finally summoned to her carriage. Down the grand steps of the castle, her mother and father, the King and Queen, stood arm in arm. They looked up at her with pride in their eyes as she descended, meeting her with a hug as they wished her well.

"I hope the trip is enlightening, darling. We will see you when you arrive back home," her father said proudly, a hand resting against her face for a moment as she leaned into his touch. Gwen was close with her parents, at least as close as a Princess could be. She would miss them greatly -- their guidance, their wisdom, most of all, they themselves. Her mother was a quiet woman, offering instead a smile and a small goodbye so that she wouldn't cry as she pulled away from her only daughter, her only child. Gwendolyn looked up at them both, her small stature dwarfed by her parents. She'd taken after her grandmother, the little old woman, the previous Queen, had been only 5'0". Gwen herself was 5'2" but it certainly wasn't much of a difference. She was short, especially for an elf. She thought that this did not lend to people taking her seriously. First and foremost, she was a princess... already people thought her weak. On top of this, she was short, quiet, and spent much of her time in her own head. She certainly didn't help herself. But, perhaps her royal journey would be just what she needed to break out of her shell... at least, that's what her parents had hoped.

Gwendolyn on the other hand simply wanted to enjoy something beyond her castle walls. She cared little for personal growth or enlightenment. She just wanted to learn, to see what was out there. What she was missing.

Although, perhaps most intriguing to her at present was the identity of her appointed Royal Arm. She'd mostly been kept in the dark as to the identity of her guard. She knew that she was a woman, that she was half-human, and that she was a skilled warrior but, that was the limit of Gwen's knowledge. She did not know what she was half-human with though, if the whispers in the castle walls told her anything, she had reason to believe her guard might be an orc. This was intriguing. As far as Gwen knew, the previous few Arm's had been humans or fellow elves. Certainly never an orc. Perhaps Gwendolyn would learn more about orc's in her journey. She knew very little to date and what better way to learn than from hands on experience? From word of mouth from the creatures themselves? She looked forward to meeting her guard, even if she was beginning to feel the fluttering of wings in her stomach as she was guided into the carriage.

She sat in the back, alone aside from a handmaid who was preoccupied with speaking to the coachman as he readied the carriage. The entirety of the castle staff stood outside to send her off, familiar faces in the crowd of a hundred, wishing her well, waving her off. Some tears even. Gwendolyn was choking back her own, conflicted, terrified, but most of all anxious. In the best way.

She expected to be gone for a long time, though no one had a set timeframe for her -- it all depended on how smoothly the trip went, they all said when she asked. This of course, told her nothing. But, no matter how hard she pried no one would answer her. So, she'd settled on a long time. That seemed adequate.

Gwendolyn sat back as the carriage began to pull away, the horses whinnying in front, the sound of their hooves clopping on the cobblestone indicative that there was no turning back. She was off. Gwen waved out the window of the carriage, wishing her parents well, her staff well, herself well. She choked back her tears, sitting back as she focused on her breaths. As they travelled out of the castle courtyard, toward the gates, the crowd only seemed to grow. She could hear well wishes, goodbyes... it was overwhelming. Gwen smiled, her handmaid smiling at well as she encouraged her to wave to the crowds of people. They seemed to go on forever into the distance, never ending. A sea of elves, dwarves, humans... endless in number.

The ride down ended quicker than she expected, and sooner than later it was finally time for her to meet her Royal Arm. The guard who would be by her side for the entirety of her tour. Day and night, by the light of the sun and the moon, all hours of the day, every day, they would share their time together. She wondered what they would be like? Kind? Quiet? Pompous? Brave? What would she look like? Surely she must be taller than herself, she thought it impossible for an orc to be less than six feet. Would her hair be long? Short? Somewhere in between? What about her face? Would she be pretty? Handsome? Somewhere still, between? As always, Gwen found herself wondering, lost in her own mind. The sound of trumpets blaring stirred her from her thoughts with a start, the Princess' heart racing as did her breaths as she settled herself.

Her carriage would have to join the caravan, but not before she met her guard, of course. Both her Royal Arm and the men and women she'd brought along. Gwendolyn felt herself holding her breath, her introduction sounding off as she was helped from her carriage, her eyes scanning the crowd in front of her as she gathered herself.

Gwendolyn's doe eyes were immediately drawn to the crimson red of a tall, brutish, warrior-like woman. She stood nearly 7 feet, dwarfing Gwendolyn easily. Her black hair was shaved at the sides, pulled up into a top-knot. The tusks at the corners of her mouth were small but unmistakeable. This was an orc! And the way she held herself, the air of duty around her... Gwendolyn knew. This was her Royal Arm.

 

[midnite_run]

Tane looks up when she hears the blare of trumpets and cheering. "Mount up!" She yells at the camp, waving her arm to signal. Tane hops onto her horse, followed by Briar. The other warriors rush to mount up and form behind her, a phalanx of armor clad fighters. The crowd cheers as they trot down the path; regardless of their opinion on her heritage, there was little to deny that they struck a romantic image. Tane had been provided wtih armor befitting that of an Arm; it was mostly functional, but also ceremonial. Plate-mail buffed to a quicksilver sheen. The crest of the Royal Family was etched into the chest. Briar waved at the crowd cheerily, blowing kisses to anyone who would look. Tane mostly ignored the cheers, her face maintaing her usual stoic demeanor; there was no time to revel in glories, she figured. This was a job, same as any other. The only difference was the paycheck was much bigger.

They arrive at the carriage and Tane sits upon her horse, waiting with a twing of nervousness. She was told nothing about the princess she was meant to guard; while the Royal Family was undoubtedly popular, it was said the princess was a notorious shut in, rarely seen outside of the grounds. While it would have no real bearing on her job, the half-orc would be remiss to deny that she was curious about her. What kind of woman was this princess? Would she be haughty and judgemental? Look upon Tane with the same disdain as most do? How would an elf, a royal one at that, take to being guard night and day by her?

"There she is," Briar whispered to Tane as his horse trotted up next to her. She nodded idly as she watched the princess step from the carrriage. She was short, almost dainty. Her face was soft, features that radiated a type of comfort. Ginger hair pinned with bright flowers. A dress flowed about her body, silk in the wind. The first thought that occurs to Tane is one she expected last; the woman is attractive. Gorgeous. She heard talk of the otherworld quality of elven beauty, but it was something else seeing it. She feels something in her heart, clenching it tightly. Butterflies in her belly. Briar catches the warrior gawking and punches her shoulder, shaking Tane from her reverie. "I think you're supposed to go say hello."

"Right," Tane grunts with a small nod. She hops down from her horse, grabbing the broadsword and strapping it to her waist. She strides up to the princess and warrior is shocked by the sheer size difference. Tane could likely hold her entire body up with one hand. "Princess," Tane begins as she drops to one knee, going through the motions she practiced during her orientation as Royal Arm. The crowd's cheers settle to hushed whispers.

"My name is Tane D'Orthall. I am your Royal Arm. Until the end of this journey, my sword is your sword and my shield is your shield," Tane says gruffly, going through the motions. Her voice is husky, a low rumble that emanates from her chest like rolling thunder. She looks up at the princess and she feels another blossoming of warmth in her heart. "It's an honor to stand by your side."

 

[LunarCinnamon]

Tane D'Orthall. Not a particularly orcish name, Gwendolyn noted. But the way it rolled off her tongue? The deepness of her voice but the obvious note of femininity denoting her womanhood left Gwen's heart skipping a beat. For a moment, the world stood still and the crowds in front of her disappeared, leaving her with no one and nothing but Tane, her steed, and herself. Even kneeling down in front of her, Tane was nearly still taller than her. And standing in front of her? Gwen knew beyond a reasonable doubt that this woman, her guard, could probably squish her like a bug if she so chose. Her cheeks heated at this thought, heart racing beneath her breast as she listened as if underwater to the rehearsed words of her new guard.

"And I, yours," the princess says in return, her hand resting over her heart as a sign of greeting as she smiled down at her. It truly was an honor. To have the chance to even go on this journey, and to have such an obviously capable guard by her side to protect her? She couldn't ask the Gods for much else, perhaps a drink but, well that could wait.

Gwendolyn stood there for a moment, completely enraptured by the creature in front of her before, cheeks heating nearly red, she remembered she had yet to introduce herself. She stuttered over her words for a moment, soft voice but a whisper as she collected her thoughts. "I- ahem, I am Princess Gwendolyn, Heir Apparent to the throne and kingdom of Themania. I hope to have an enlightening journey with you by my side, Tane D'Orthall".

Gwen stood tall, or as tall as her tiny frame would allow her, looking from her guard to the appointed guards around her, chosen by Tane herself. In particular, she noted a dusty blonde haired man who had urged her off her steed to greet her. He seemed to be quite close to Tane, perhaps her right hand? She offered him a smile, the crowd finally melting back into her peripheral when she looked away from Tane. She addressed the crowds happily, though a tinge of nervousness still clung to her voice. It was hard for her, speaking so openly and publicly like this. She was after all, rarely allowed to do so. It was her parents job. She simply stood in the wings, listening, meant to learn by hearing rather than by doing. But here she was now, putting that knowledge to use as she addressed her soon to be subjects.

"Citizens of Themania I, Princess Gwendolyn, wish you all well. I hope for the same from each and everyone of you. I hope to return soon with the knowledge I need to lead you all effectively, with grace, dignity, and kindness," she stopped for a moment, wanting to add an addendum but, waiting out of habit for her fathers voice, or her mothers glance. But it didn't come, and with that, Gwendolyn smiled brighter, "when I return from my journey around the Kingdom and the lands far beyond it, I look forward to enjoying all your company again at the Return Ball! I hope you will all come".

And with that, Gwendolyn waved goodbye to the cheering masses, looking back to her guard with a smile that couldn't be erased from her pink lips. She was overwhelmed with joy, nearly jumping up and down with it as she clapped her hands together before urging Tane to rise, "come, come! Shall we begin our journey together, Miss D'Orthall?"

 

[midnite_run]

There was a wave of bone-deep satisfaction when Gwendolyn acknowledged her. The feeling felt foreign to Tane, used to praise coming in the form of a purse of coin. To be appraised softly was a new experience and the feelings it spawned pleased, yet unnerved her. Tane watches Gwedolyn address the commoners; there is a anxiety in her actions upon close inspection, but she takes to the experience gracefully. Tane can see why the royal family was loved so dearly. Tane is too busy staring at the princess that she almost jumps in surprise when she finally addresses her again.

"A-Aye, we shall," Tane replies, rising onto her feet. The crowd is still cheering, people clapping their hands in off-beat rhythm. It would take awhile for them to calm down and Tane suspected celebrations in the town. They would not be participating, however; the journey to the next city-state would be a long one, broken up with visits to small townships. If they wanted to make good headway before night fell, time was of the essence. "Briar! Round everyone up, we ride now! I want a tight formation, make sure we have archers scouting out!" Tane easily slipped into ther role of commander, barking orders. Briar nodded and rode off to arrange the convoy. Tane turns to Gwendolyn and pauses, her lips pursed; this was her first time speaking to royalty formally.

"We make our way to the city of Lor Dhona. It'll be several days by convoy, so we'll be setting up camp occasionally. On the way, we'll cross the Yuga River and visit a township called Evergreen," Tane begins, speaking plainly and bluntly. She does her best to avoid looking directly at Gwendolyn; if she's not careful, she'll find herself lost in her eyes. Already, this was proving to be troublesome. Why could she have not been tasked with a plain woman? What cruel joke was it that this woman did such things to her? "Evergreen is a small town, but it contributes a good deal of crops to the kingdom, so relations are key. You might have to give a speech or two, but mostly, you're just expected to show, maybe shake a few hands, kiss a few younglings." Tane leads Gwendolyn to her carriage, a great gilded thing, far cry from the rickety and musky wagons she's used to riding in. The entire thing smelled of roses and spring flowers.

"I'll be riding in the carriage with you. Briar will be on horseback next to us," Tane motions towards Briar, whom horse trots up to the both of them. He gives a small bow of his head and a comical flourish of his arm. "Aye, Briar is me. Rest assured, I'll keep you two safe. Would hate for some fool-hardy bandits to interrupt some essential alone time between an Arm and her princess, yes?" He turns to Tane and winks. Tane considers kicking him off his horse, but settles for glaring daggers.

"Go on, you fool," Tane growls as Briar leaves, his laugh a twinkle in the air. Turning to Gwendolyn, the subtle tinge of a blush is obvious on her pale cheeks. "Yes, s'pose, it would be wise for us to...get to know each other." She steps up and opens the caravan door, bowing her heard curtly. "After you, my grace."

 

[LunarCinnamon]

Gwendolyn watches her guard rise, mouth dry at her height. She was massive, and no matter how long Gwen stood next to her, she didn't think she'd ever get used to it. She shook her head briefly as Tane addressed her merry men, as it were, her own attention falling to her handmaid inside the carriage who was beginning to make her leave. She would ride atop with the coachman to make room for Tane. Gwen offered her a small smile which the little woman returned as she climbed up top, her attention very quickly falling to the gentleman at the reigns. Gwen rolled her eyes, a sly smile on her lips as she watched them converse. Surely, her handmaid wouldn't mind the fresh air.

The little elf's attention fell back to Tane quite easily, her rumbling voice leaving the redhead's stomach in knots as she nodded and smiled up at her. Her route had been explained to her before, though only a few times, and she'd not really done much to memorize it. But the beginnings of her journey sounded familiar. A city! She was so excited to see what it had to offer... and a little provincial town? How charming! She was excited for the adventures, the fun, the activities but... her smile quickly fell at the mention that all that was expected of her was her presence, "oh," she said aloud, quickly pursing her lips as she climbed back into the carriage. A quick, courteous smile on her lips as she waved goodbye to the townsfolk. She was quickly distracted from her disappointment though as Brair trotted up to them. The Princess stood on the coach step, smiling up at the man as he bowed his head, the animated way in which he moved leaving Gwen giggling behind her hand, despite his innuendo which, without much effort, flew right over the Princess' head.

"Thank you Sir Brair. I look forward to getting to know you as well," she offered a smile, looking back to Tane as he rode off to round everyone up. "It would," Gwen replied earnestly, thanking her guard for opening the carriage door as she climbed inside, sitting down quickly and ushering her new friend inside. As the coach door closed, Gwen found herself lost for words. She'd been so eager to begin her journey, and now to get to know her royal arm, that she hadn't really thought about the fact that they would be in here together. Alone.

Of course, this may not have occurred to her until now because she hadn't really been expecting such a tall, handsome, drink of water to be her guard. She was left speechless, nervous, and above all, with a strange feeling in her chest. Tucking a loose strand of her copper hair behind her ear, Gwendolyn looked up at her guard with a tiny smile, clearly anxious about the small confines of the carriage, of the journey, and of Tane herself. Though she wasn't obviously frightened of her by any means, she still didn't want to come off that way at all. So, she forced herself to say something, "I... it really is quite nice to finally meet you. And, I um..." she fidgeted with the skirt of her dress, looking away as she spoke softly, "you can call me Gwen, if you like".

 

[midnite_run]

As the carriage door closes behind them and the they begin the slow journey, the gravity of her decision finally hits Tane. They're now alone. Nothing to distract the orc from the soft voice or plush lips of her charge. Tane grunts as she tries to make herself comfortable; not many carriage were built with someone of her stature in mind and the woman nearly hit her head climbing on. She adjusts her legs until she manages to get something approaching stretching room. A few awkward minutes pass as they sit in silence. Tane can hear birds chirping and the immature bickering of the other knights in the convoy outside. The Royal Arm stares at the window with an intensity that seems liable to burn a hole through; anything to distract her from the smell of perfume from Gwendolyn, a bouquet that reminded her of spring showers.

Tane snaps to attention when Gwendoly speaks, looks down to meet her eyes. She was small, even to someone of average height. In comparison to Tane, she dwarfed the princess, the size difference almost comical. "Aye, it's an honor to meet you, too.....G-Gwen," Tane replies. The minute she speaks her name, she feels a nervous flutter in her heart; it feels so impersonal, bordering on intimate. Her throat feels dry and she finds herself at a loss for words, desperately trying to bridge the silence between the two. Tane looks back out the carriage window to see Briar peeking through expectantly, his head bobbing with the motion of his horse. Tane's face is all surprise before shiftng into annoyed rage. He mouths 'relax' before galloping forward to check on the forward guards. Tane sighs and attempts to put a smile on her face.

"Bit stiff, sorry. This kind of assignment is leagues above my normal work," Tane says with a small sigh, reaching to unclasp some of the platemail; it was stuffy enough in the carriage, let alone someone sitting in full plate. "I'm no court knight. Just a particularly large enforcer. I entered the Selection on a drunken bet." That much is truth; Tane knew the idea of her being a Royal Arm was ludicrous, but Briar challenged her to a drunken game of darts. The loser would enter the Selection and Tane had always had piss poor aim. She shrugs off the plate-mail top and places on the floor below them, the wood creaking ever so faintly from the weight. This leaves the orc in little more than a sleeveless black shirt. She rolls her shoulders and cracks her neck, flexing her stiff arms. Scars run up and down her brawny limbs, leading down to calloused hands from years of fighting.

"I apologize if I'm not what you expected of a Royal Arm. I'm sure the stories are filled with knights a far kinder sight than I," Tane says with a light chuckle, pointing to one of her small tusks.

 

[LunarCinnamon]

The ride was going to be long, Gwen could tell already from the stuffiness of the carriage, the Princess already feeling hot inside. She couldn't rightly tell if it was genuinely from the summer heat or from the massive woman she was sharing space with who seemed to radiate heat like a campfire. The Princess, ever prim and proper, found herself thinking not so prim or proper thoughts, wondering what it might be like to curl up next to her in the winter months. She cleared her throat, fighting off a blush as she rummaged around beneath the seat for a moment for a bag, pulling a fan out from the pocket on the side.

The fan didn't help her temperature, especially when her name rolled off Tane's tongue. Stuttered, but said nonetheless. Gwen stiffened, fighting a smile off her lips that she knew would make her look absolutely mad.

"A drunken bet?" she gasped, a snort accompanying her giggles before she embarrassingly hid behind her fan, "oh my Gods... sorry. I-- I just wasn't expecting that. You seem so..." how did she say this without coming off as rude or embarrassing herself further? They'd known one another less than thirty minutes and already she felt like a laughing stock. "So... serious. N-not in a bad way of course just... mm," she stopped herself from further putting her foot in her mouth, looking away as she enjoyed the cool air on her face from her fan, pursing her lips together as Tane spoke.

When she looked back at the sound of rustling, metal moving, and the sudden creak of wood below them, she was left absolutely speechless. Sat before her, upper armour removed to allow some breathing room, was Tane. Arms bared to the world from the thin straps of her black top. Her skin was decorated with scars of all sizes, lengths, and colour. She had never seen biceps so massive... nor forearms so well defined. Gwen felt herself growing warmer by the minute and at this point she knew it wasn't the heat around her making her uncomfortable. The way she moved her body, stretching herself, rolling her shoulders... that wasn't helping one bit.

It isn't until Tane's words reach her ears that Gwen is finally pulled away from staring, her cheeks bright red behind her fan as she lets out a hurried laugh, "yes! I mean, no! I mean... um," she noted the point to her tusks, tilting her head just slightly as she wondered. Gwen shook her head, "no, no. I... the stories I've heard about the Royal Arms were all about young men..." she trailed off, realizing after a moment how she'd made that sound, and quickly spoke again, "young elven men, or... or human men. Many of them already had wives, or lovers back home".

Why was she talking about that? Tane hadn't even mentioned that. Gods... living in a castle left much to be desired when it came to the nuance of commoner conversation. Gwen could talk about the weather and the importance of table manners until she was blue in the face, gossip about other royalty until the cows came home but... making normal conversation? With a normal person? Far harder than she thought. And now! Now she'd gone and let on that she wasn't attracted to men. Which, well... not that she was particularly honest with herself but, she wasn't. Not really. She could see the appeal, in fact Brair was quite handsome but, she just couldn't see herself being with a man. In any capacity. Which made the way she felt in this cramped carriage all the more confusing.

"Besides! You're more than a kind sight to look upon," the last part came out as a murmur, the Princess actually catching herself before completely shoving her foot in her mouth but, not quick enough to actually stop from saying it. She rolled her eyes at herself, pursing her lips as she hid behind her fan, looking out the window, wishing more and more as the seconds went by that it could be opened.

 

[midnite_run]

Tane's eyebrows quirk in surprise at Gwendolyn's laughter; she wasn't used to people laughing in her presence. Smiling, even. Gwen's laughter was pleasant to her ears, made her feel at ease. Comfy. The more she speaks, the more she feels as if she never wants to leave the carriage. "Aye, aye, everyone always says that!" Tane says with a tone of friendly exasperation, throwing up one of her hands.

"Briar says the same thing. 'Ay, Tane, how do you fit your pants with such a massive stick wedged up your arse?'" She can't help but chuckle along with Gwendolyn, her massive shoulders shaking gently. A part of her wondered why she was struck with anxiety being around this woman; she seemed no different than any other person. Quiet, yes, but far from unplesant and even less intimidating. Charming, in her own unassuming way. It's not as if Tane had not spoken to beautiful women. Hell, she had bed more than her fair share. Why was a shy little princess doing enough to have her on edge?

"W-Wives, huh? Well, yet again, I seem to be breaking the mold. I am no man, though I have the strength of thirty. Nobody waiting at home for me either," Tane murmurs, leaning forward to place her head on her chin. She had been single for most of her career; most serious relationships tended to fall apart in her line of work, the long days on campaign and the constant threat of danger. The large majority of her romantic dalliances were usually heated flings and one night stands; many women were eager to lay with her, if not to have a spicy story to talk about the next day. A wife seemed out of the question. "Would be nice to find a wife, but work makes it hard. Hell, maybe I'll retire after this is all over and find a nice lady to bring home to mother." Tane's sexuality was a known fact among her comrades along with her unique biology; it took some awhile to get used to, but it was commonly accepted. Besides, there were very men alive and foolish enough to make a vocal show of their dipleasure towards Tane.

Tane catches the tail end of Gwendolyn's reassurance and a blush flushes her face. She looks away and out of the window, hoping to conceal the obvious fluster and embarassment. The warrior is afraid to show the obvious flower of joy that blossomed in her chest. Moreso, why, did it make her feel so good? She wants to smack herself in the face until she regains some semblance of common sense. A few awkward minutes pass before she speaks up, her throat dry. "You are....a kind sight yourself, princess. Not to be....gods," Tane mutters, feeling the urge to bang her head against the carriage door. She turns to face Gwnendolyn. "You are a pleasant sight, princess. It is easy to see why the people love you so. I'm shocked that you have not been wed. I'm sure men are tripping over their heels to take your hand."

Tane is supposed to be this woman's guard and servant, not imagining what it would be like to have her smile at her like that again. Surely not to be having rather uncouth thoughs about her soft lips and delicate hands.

 

[LunarCinnamon]

Gwendolyn was quick to gasp as the language Tane had used, hiding another laugh behind her hand. She wasn't used to such crassness, not that she'd never heard it before but, she certainly didn't hear it often. So when Tane used it so effortlessly, so openly, it surprised her. But, it was nice to see, if even a small glimmer of it, a less serious side of her. Gwen knew the journey would be long, and to be stuck with someone who genuinely had a stick up their... arse, well? She was sure to succumb to boredom fast. Tane however serious she seemed, clearly had a joking side. Gwendolyn let herself imagine, wonder... what it might be like to see more of it. To be the cause of its breach of the surface. She smiled again, looking up at her Royal Arm as she spoke.

Gwen was easily flustered. It came with the lack of contact with non-royals but, at the same time, she was just naturally quiet and introspective. But, it made her feel far less embarrassed about it to see that she could even make a massive orc a flustered mess.

At Tane's words, Gwen surprised herself by first feeling excited -- then disappointed. She did not have a partner, but she hoped to find one. Retire even, after all this was said and done. Gwen didn't know why she felt disappointed, perhaps the implication that Tane would find someone else. Someone who wasn't her. But that was certainly putting the cart before the horse. It wasn't until she put her disappointment aside that she realized Tane had said wife. Lady. Not husband or man. Her fan fell away from her face as she found herself staring, almost gawking. She couldn't place how she felt about it. Something in her felt... relieved. So relieved. Like a weight had fallen from her shoulders, like the gravity bearing down on her had finally let up, if only a little.

And as Tane complimented her, she blushed again. Her cheeks were bright pink at her words, her heart fluttering away in her chest. Why was she feeling this way? She parted her lips to say something but, she was quickly quieted by the last of Tane's words. Wed... men...

"I..." she didn't quite know what to say, the little elf trying to hide the disappointment in her voice as she hid behind her fan again, looking out the window, "yes. I'm sure they are. Perhaps when I get home from my journey I'll... get married," her voice was quiet, a little shrug at her shoulders to indicate she wasn't as serious about her words as she let on.

Luckily, the scenery outside the carriage distracted her long enough to change the subject, "oh, Tane, look! The gates out of town, I've never seen them up close," the excitement on her voice was made more apparent still as she jumped from her seat and looked out the window, the brightest smile on her lips as she waved to the people outside. This was really happening... she was really leaving her hometown. Her castle. Her parents.

She found herself more excited than sad though. And the company she kept inside her carriage was certainly keeping her that way.

"You've travelled around, have you not?" she asked, sitting back down across from Tane as she looked to her excitedly, "where have you been?"

 

[midnite_run]

She feels a mixture of anxiety and relief at Gwendolyn's response. It wouldn't be a shock to hear that her hand had already been promised to some young prince from a prosperous city-state; royal children and heirs being used as bargaining chips was a depressingly common reality. The downside of being born with little to want was having little freedom. Yet, Gwendolyn was still unwed and she was certainly a worthy candidate. There was a possibility of something that Tane herself could not put to words, a ray of hope. The warrior shook her head free of such thoughts. She feared where they would lead, what her heart was trying to lead her towards. The woman in front of her was pleasant, delightful, but she was still her liege. A princess, a patron, a client. To concern herself with anything other than her safety would do nothing to help her.

"Aye, it looks like we're finally on our way," Tane replies, peering out her own window. The castle loomed in the distance, fading from sight slowly. The gates would be the threshold, the point of no return. The weight of responsibility was beginning to push on her mighty shoulders; her duty was more than a simple job, another contract. This was a royal duty and to make a mistake here would have consequences beyond anything she'd ever consider. To succeed, however, would grant her riches and influence someone of her stature would've never known otherwise. "Figure it'll be a few hours before we reach the Yuga. It'll be late evening, so we'll need to set up camp."

Tane turns around and sees Gwen's smile. It's the brightest sight she's ever seen; the afternoon light frames her face in gold-orange hues and Tane finds herself at a loss for words. She speaks, but the words have formed a lump in her throat, choking her. It takes an impressive feat of strength for her to finally speak and get the words out of her.

"I-I've traveled a lot, yes. It'd be easier to name where I haven't been, if I'm to be honest, my liege." Tane leans back and a small smile takes over her features. "I've seen the Dawnline Shore, camped on it's golden beaches. I've served a lord in the city of Crownmont, killed men and spilled blood on the battlefields of the Aussian Range. I've visited the fae ruins of Luma, guarding a group of scholars." There is a glow about Tane as she goes into detail, regaling the princess. As much as she demanded Briar to never speak of it, the half-orc was a romantic at heart. She wasn't in the line of work for the fighting, although it had its own carthartic benefits. Tane loved the life because it let her travel. See the lands, live in the melange and her own story to it.

"There's so much out there to show you, my liege. I've had apples the size of a child's head, wild boar as delicate as any lamb," Tane gushes to her Gwendolyn. It takes a few seconds before she realizes how much she's lost herself in the stories and she coughs nervously, her pale face lighting up in a blush. "I hope you'll enjoy what I show you....G-Gwen." Saying her name feels like an intimacy; as if she reached forward and touched her hand, clasped in her own. She feels a happiness at being afforded this privelege, to call her by this name.

"Have you ever traveled outside the castle grounds? Surely, you've been on a trip or two."

 

[LunarCinnamon]

Gwendolyn was always one to love a good story. It came along with her amazement with the world, her constant roaming mind, day dreaming up places she'd never been to, people she'd never met. She easily hung on to every world that Tane spoke. It didn't help that her voice was so soothing, that the way her lips moved to form her words despite the small tusks at the corners of her mouth left Gwen mesmerized. Gwendolyn herself was quite the romantic, she'd spend hours in the garden day dreaming every chance she got, and she got many chances. But unlike Tane, she only dreamed of going to these places.

She smiled, finally turning her gaze from the woman across from her to lean against the carriage wall and look out the window. The orchards passed by in almost slow motion, the rolling summer clouds towering high above them like fluffy beds that, if not for the menacing glow of rolling lightning, would almost be soothing. As Tane expressed her excitement, Gwen could only smile wider, turning back to look at her and nodding her head, obviously just as excited.

"I know I will, Tane," she said unabashedly, her brown eyes squinting in her unrelenting joy to finally have someone to talk to, to finally be out of the castle! On her own! For the most part anyhow.

As for travel herself?

"I have," her tone was contemplative as she looked away to think, tapping her fan on her chin as she did. "I've been to Kingdom's outside of Themania, plenty! None that I ever did anything at but sight see the castle and dance at balls". She scrunched her nose at the word. She was indeed a Princess and while she certainly enjoyed the atmosphere and the dancing and the romanticism of a ball, it was the dancing partners she was not particularly fond of.

"I haven't really been anywhere to enjoy myself though. It has always been diplomatic visits. That's why I was so excited to begin this whole journey! I had hoped I'd get to engage with the locals and their customs, enjoy myself, you know? There's so much to do and see and so little time to do it I just..." she sighed, shrugging her shoulders after a second, looking back out the window, "never mind me, I'm just being silly... it.. it must be nice though. To travel wherever, whenever you want. To see such wonderful things all the time. You seem very well travelled, not a homebody like me," she stifled a small laugh, "I've never camped though! You'll have to show me how it's done".

 

[midnite_run]

"Aye, I've done security at a ball or two in Crownmont," Tane replies, her brow furrowing, recalling the unpleasant memory. "The dances are always so forced, if you ask me. Young women dolled up to be but another jewel on some snot-nosed boy's ring." For all of the benefits that being royalty afforded, it was just as restrictive, from what she heard. Stifling, especially for women. Forced to be little more than set-dressing for a lord to show off. It was one of the few things that geuninely incensed, it was seeing women reduced to objects in the eyes of greedy men. While she wasn't sure if Gwnedolyn had suffered the exact same treatment, it seems her own life was still rather strict. Structured. A far cry from Tane's own transitory existence, moving from city to city, job to job. It now clicks with her why Gwendolyn sounded so disappointed back when Tane explained their plans at Evergreen. She curses inwardly; why was she always so thick-headed when it came to reading people's emotions?

"Worry not, my lady. While I can't save you from those infernal balls," Tane assures Gwendolyn, smiling brightly at her. "I can show you a good time. Long as you don't mind getting your dress a tad dirty." Tane knew it was a risk; her job was simply to guard Gwendolyn, not be her tour guide. This journey was wholly diplomatic, but Tane cared little. If nobody was willing to show her the world, the half-orc figured it was up to her.

"Ah, camping is little more than busywork. Briar will have our forward scouts hunting already, so we'll be able to prepare dinner. Your handmaidens will look after you while I direct the children," Tane says with a small chuckle, referring to her follow soldiers; they were an unruly group, most of them mercenaries she worked with on previous jobs, but they were all reliable. As if on cue, Briar knocks on the carriage door and Tane reaches to open it.

"I see you two are having a grand ole time while I toil away leading this convoy," Briar says with a dramatic sigh, leaning back on his horse as if he were to faint right there. Grinning, he rights himself when Tane growls in annoyance, and waves at Gwendolyn. "The scouts have a found a good clearing, just a few miles from the Yuga. Says the rivers are teeming with fresh fish. Shall I have the convoys move for camp, sister?" Tane nods, reaching down to scoop up her platemail, strapping the armor back on.

"Aye, do that. Have the scouts set up a perimeter, I want archers out and posted," Tane orders, smacking her platemail to test if it's secure. Briar nods and trots away, barking orders. A few hours pass, the two of them engaging in pleasant small-talk before the carriage comes to a halt. Tane opens the door and the orange glare of the evening sun streams in through the carriage. She hops down surveys; a good and spacious clearing. Flowers are in bloom and the quiet rush of the nearby river hums in the background. The scouts had chosen well. People are already moving, soldiers hitching up a tent while they split up into work groups, some to hunt and others to gather lumber for firewood. Royal servants work to set up the Gwendolyn's tent, the largest of them all.

Tane turns about and offers a hand to Gwendolyn, to help her down. "Come, Gwen. The handmaidens will take care of you and get you situated. I'll help the soldiers gather supplies. I'll check on you in a few hours and we can......talk more?" The orc looks down sheepishly, a slight blush in her cheeks. "I find your...voice...pleasant. I wish to hear it more."

 

[LunarCinnamon]

"I do like it, the dancing!" she says with a smile, "I just have never had anyone I particularly like to dance with. Not yet anyway. I'm sure one day I will," she made it a point to look to Tane as she said this, smiling behind her fan. As they neared the river and the shade of the forest, she found herself no longer needing it's help to stay cool but, holding onto it anyway. More so to hide herself when she said something embarrassing. Which more often than not, she was doing just that.

"As long as I don't have to wear the dress, I don't mind what of mine gets dirty," she said haughtily, though quickly thanked the Gods she hadn't put away her fan just yet, quickly covering a blush as she looked away from Tane's eyes, "I mean I would prefer to wear pants... if... if there's a threat of getting dirty," she said quietly, thankful for the interruption of Briar.

Gwendolyn was excited to camp. It was certainly a far cry from her pillowy bed back at the castle but, that's what made it exciting! It was different, foreign. Something new. She didn't get to do many things that were new. She often wondered what it would be like to be a bandit, or to be a thief, a rogue, someone on the lam. Running, camping out, living a life so drastically different from hers. She supposed it had to do with her romanticism. What was more romantic than being able to do whatever you wished when you wished it? Of course, Tane wasn't a thief or a criminal, she was a working woman, a respectable woman. But, she still got to do so many interesting things. Gwen had never met anyone who'd killed someone before, that was for sure!

Lost in her thoughts and in the ease of conversation between herself and Tane, Gwen was surprised when it was finally time to rest. She hadn't even noticed the glowing sun dipping behind the mountains, nor the slow sound of a steady stream up the hills. She leaves her fan on the seat, smiling to Tane as she takes her hand, squeezing it tight as she steps gently down from her carriage. She had forgotten in their enclosed, intimate space, just how large Tane really was. Looking up at her almost hurt her neck as she smiled and looked about herself.

Everyone was busying themselves with work, pitching tents, hunting, scouting forward for the continuation of the journey tomorrow. It left little for Gwen to do besides stand there. At least Tane broke her day dreaming.

"I-- yes! Yes I would like that. I would like to talk more. I'd like to hear more about your travels, if that's alright? I... I quite like the sound of your voice, too. Very much". Was that too desperate? Goddess, Gwendolyn was about to strangle herself. She couldn't say much more though before her handmaidens came to drag her away, quipping about this and that and complaining about the journey, wondering where to start, how to wash the grime off of her. All Gwen could do was turn to look back at Tane as she was dragged away and give her a roll of her eyes, a cheeky grin on her lips as she was practically dragged to her tent, just in time for it to be fully pitched.

Once inside, hidden away from the world, she was helped in undressing, changed into a white gown this time. Cotton instead of silk, to keep her warmer in the evening air. She didn't find it practical to be changed like this every couple of hours but, there was nothing she could really do about it. She was a Princess, that's just the way it was. Her hair was left alone for now, but she was urged by her handmaiden from the carriage to find a secluded spot to bathe later, that if she needed help they were there to provide it. Gwen respectfully declined. She knew they were just doing their jobs but, if she were ever stern about anything, it was the need for her privacy when it came to bath time. The only time she'd ever been helped in the bath was when she was a babe or when she was incredibly ill. And the last time that happened was ten years ago. So, yet again, she declined the invitation, opting to bathe herself. In private. Quietly. In peace.

Besides bedtime, bathing was the only time Gwendolyn got to herself. That wasn't about to change just because they were out in the wilderness. Oh no. She would be just fine.

Until dinner, she sat in her tent looking over a map she herself had drawn up for this very special occasion. It had taken her over a year to do it, wanting to get everything just right. She had even taught herself how! And now, she had a perfect replica of the geography of Themania and it's regional neighbours. Perfect for documenting her trip. She marked an X on her castle, indicating her starting point. From there, she drew a dotted line in cyan ink over off-white parchment and black ink of the map itself. The clearing where they were, she had to guess about but, she figured it lay somewhere in the western woods outside the capitals limits. A quarter-way point between there and Yuga, and a halfway point between there and Evergreen. Not too deep into the forest, still following the trail, she marked a little circle where she thought the clearing might be, off the beaten path but not too far.

She looked at the map after finishing her markings and found herself holding her breath. She had barely made a dent in it! There was still so much to see... her journey hadn't even begun yet, not really. The excitement made way for anxiety quite quickly but, Gwen found ways of distracting herself.

"Is dinner ready yet?" she asked to no one in particular, knowing she'd get an answer from somewhere.

"Almost, my lady. It will be coming off the fire shortly. Would you like to come out and sit?"

"Please," she said softly, holding back a roll of her eyes as she stood from her make shift cot, making her way out of her tent, past the handmaiden who had answered her.

 

[midnite_run]

Tane feels disappointment as Gwendolyn is dragged away by her handmaidens, all of them fussing over her. She knows that they are bound to spend some time away from each other; they both have separate duties, requiring individual sets of skills. Tane would tend to swords and security while Gwendolyn would put her charm and diplomacy to work. Yet, there is a seed of longing, small but potent. She watches Gwendolyn walk away before shaking her head. "Eyes up, Tane. You have a job," Tane muttered to herself as she walked off to her own tent, being built by a few soldiers. It felt strange having this authority; she was no longer another mercenary. She was a Royal Arm, a knight. Chosen by the royal family themselves. Her tent was larged, marked with the sigils of royal family. She walks in and finds a small bed, a wartable with a map already laid out.

Tane sighs and undoes her armor, throwing it to the side, stripping down to her black top, worn pants and boots. She leans over the map, planning out a route, unaware Gwendolyn was doing the same. The journey would be long; she hadn't told Gwendolyn exactly how long, but it was likely to be months and that was accounting for the time to travel. Factoring in how long they would be staying in each individual location and it wasn't ridiculous to assume they wouldn't return for a year or two. Tane is fine with this, used to time on the road, but she worries about the princess. Whether she's truly up for such a long task.

The half-orc steps away from the table and makes her way out of the tent; Gwen is a grown woman and it would not do for Tane to doubt her. If she faltered, then it was her job to support and hold her up, such was the duty of an Arm.

"Let's go, men! Must I show you how it's fucking done?" Tane barks as she strides into the clearing where the soldiers are cutting down lumber. She grabs an axe from the ground and gets to work; she would not let her new status exempt her from a hard day's work. The warrior hefts the axe and drives it into the side of a tree with a thunderous crack, bringing it down with a single swing, men scrambling out of the way to let it fall. Briar whistles from the background, clapping happily.

After a few hours, night begins to take hold. A gigantic fire is going and the cooks are serving out bowls of stew and cutting flanks of boar, freshly hunted by the forward scouts. Tane watches everyone eat, taking a small bit of satisfaction in everything coming together. She moves to join them before catching a whiff of her own potent body odor. The orc's nose wrinkles as she sniffs her armpit and recoils. "Right, bath first, I suppose," Tane grunts.

She makes her way to a nearby pond in a clearing away from the camp. Tane looks around, making sure the area was clear of any possible threats or wild animals. Nodding in satisfaction, she begins to strip down, throwing her sweaty clothes to the side in a pile, next to a clean set. Completely naked, Tane moves into the water, taking a moment to revel in the refeshing coolness of the clear water.

The moonlight exposes the subtler curves of her body that armor tends to hide; she's thick-bodied by virture of sheer mass and weight. Long legs topped with powerful thighs, more fit to be on a horse than a humanoid. Her bottom is large but firm, what would've been plush hardened by exercise. She washes her stomach and breasts; she had a modest bust for her size, only notable because they were in proportion to her build.

The most notable part of her body, however, what hangs between her legs; a cock, seven inches flaccid. It's imposing and thick, in front of an equally intimidating pair of balls. Only the men in her company and the women she's slept with were aware of her unique biology; it's said there were other orc women like her, rare and gifted with these parts. What had once been an embarassment and shame is something she's learned to accept and even take pride in, though she rarely talks about it.

 

[LunarCinnamon]

Gwen was disappointed to see that her Royal Arm was no where to be seen around the campfire. Among the crowd were her handmaiden's, guards from the castle, and Tane's chosen guard, conversing easily as they ate. She felt, unsurprisingly, out of place. The Princess was about to turn around and return to her tent when, out of the corner of her eye, she caught a tall, pale figure disappearing into the never ending woods. Quirking a brow, she looked around her. No one would see her if she snuck off, and she was sure that was Tane. Where was she going, she wondered.

Gwendolyn snuck away easily, a feat she was quite accustomed to living in the castle. To do anything by herself she was reduced to sneaking around like she didn't belong there. Now was no different. Guarded from sight by the branches of towering trees and the gradual darkness of night, it was the glint of fireflies and the slight warmth of the sun left over behind the clouds that helped her follow after. Of course, she didn't account for Tane's long strides, the woman quickly falling at least five minutes ahead of her by the time Gwen finally caught up. It was the splashing of the river that piqued her pointed ears, pale moonlit skin pulling her gaze from the trees around her.

It took longer than a few seconds for Gwen to realize what she was seeing. The pile of clothes on the rock up ahead, the glint of pale skin, battle scared and defined, more than she had seen mere hours ago. When she did realize, when she did finally clue in as to what she had followed after and secretly looked upon, she felt her cheeks burning, a hand flying to her mouth to quiet her soft gasp.

She had followed Tane to the river, thinking perhaps she was just going on a walk or... or something but, instead she had walked upon her bathing! Completely nude, exposed to the night air and now to Gwendolyn's own eyes. Gwen didn't know what to do. Should she say something? Should she just leave?

She grew distracted from these thoughts and worries the longer she gazed, peeking through the gaps in her fingers, finding herself growing ever curious. This was not something a Princess should be doing, nor a lady of any caliber. And yet here she was, staring at this marvel of a woman, this Goddess of a woman who towered over her, who she had known much less than half a day, let alone a whole one. What was she to do?

When she thought she knew, she caught Tane turning around. Gwen quickly ducked behind a tree, catching her breath in her throat as a hand flew to her chest in shock. Did she dare? Did she look? Did she take the risk of being caught to do something so awful as spying on her guard? Of course, she was sure the two of them would see each other naked eventually... they had to! Spending hours, days, months together... it was impossible not to. She just... didn't expect it so soon. Nor to feel this way about it. Her heart was racing like a humming bird beneath her breast, her breaths caught in her throat, shallow and unsatisfying as she squeezed her eyes shut.

She turned to peak around the tree. She should leave.

She looked, pursing her lips, holding her breath. She should leave.

But the moment her eyes fell on Tane's full form, all thoughts of leaving melted away. All she could do was stare, absolutely struck frozen at the sight of her. She was like a marble statue carved of the God's. All muscle and tone, not a single part of her wasn't exercised, wasn't worked. So unlike Gwen's own body... plush, well defined muscles no where to be found. It was amazing to look upon her, so absolutely different from her and so... handsome. Gwendolyn covered her mouth with a hand as her eyes roamed her body, spying her breasts hanging at her chest, perfectly balancing her upper half. And as her eyes followed Tane's hands on her body, she found herself holding her breath for an entirely different reason.

Between two beautiful hips was not the biology that Gwendolyn had expected. Instead, between her guards legs, hung a cock. Obvious, impossible to ignore, and massive.

Gwen could only stare, her breath caught in her throat as she found herself wondering again, as she very often did. And as such, as it always did, she got herself in trouble with it. She lost her footing on the muddy embankment, sliding forward and hitting the tree in front of her, a twig cracking beneath her toes. She gasped and without much second thought, she quickly stole away, turning to run up the bank and back into the trees, hoping to disappear unseen into the night, back to camp before Tane could catch up to her.

 

[midnite_run]

Tane was in the middle of pouring a handful of water over her hair when she hears a twig snap. Combat instincts kick in and she whips herself around, waves plashing violently. Her hands are at the ready, scanning for an enemy. Looking around, she sees nobody, only a few stray squirrels and birds. The half-orc relaxes and her brow furrows in confusion; it seemed likely to just be a wild animal, maybe a wolf. The warrior sighs and makes a mental note to tighten up security. Finishing her bath, she clambers out of the pond and gets dressed, letting her wavy black hair rest and dry. Walking back to the camp, she's greeted with joyous laughter. The air is filled with the smoky scent of roasted boar, intermingled with spices. Soldiers bang their mugs together, spilling honeyed mead all over themselves. Some have begun dancing with the royal servants.

Tane looks around and notices that Gwendolyn is missing from the festivities. She feels the seed of panic in her gut and clenches her fists, takiing a deep breath. There's no reason to panic just yet; it's likely she's still in her tent, freshening up for dinner. There's no reason to sound the alarm just yet, especially when they were relatively isolated from any civilization. Instead, Tane decides to calm herself by taking a seat next to Briar, currently chatting up one of the handmaidens. "Ahhhh, Tane! Finally ready to join the festivities? I noticed you no longer smell like a stable," Briar says with a playful lilt in his tone; the half mug of mead in his hand made it clear he was just a bit tipsy. Tane scoffs and reaches forward to rip the leg off of a large seared boar before biting into it viciously, juices flowing down her chin.

"I see you're already trying to find your way between some pool lass's legs, hm? Did you tell her of the fifty other handmaidens you've bedded?" In response, the handmaiden looks at Briar with a withering glare, prompting Briar to laugh nervously and change the subject.

"H-How is Gwendolyn? You getting along?" Briar asks, taking another long sip of his mug.

"I think.....I cannot say," Tane says before big bites of her food, chewing slowly. "I'd like to think she finds me pleasant. Despite my....status." The orc looks down at the ground, boring a hole into it as she thinks carefully about their previous conversation. An anxious part of her over-analyzes the exchange, wondering if there's something in Gwendolyn's body language she missed. Did she truly think her voice pleasant? Maybe she overburdened her with her stories or put her off with her strange tusks. She looks around the camp wondering where the princess has gone and praying she hadn't somehow scared her back to her room.

 

[LunarCinnamon]

Gwendolyn was beside herself.

She paced her tent, back and forth until she was sure she'd burned a hole in the ground. She had snuck back inside through the back, unseen by anyone outside in the glow of the firelight. No one was inside her tent to ask where she'd been. She was utterly alone, besides her thoughts and the heart hammering in her chest.

She could think of nothing else but Tane. Her voice, her stories, her body. She was fascinated, hyper fixated. How could she possibly go back out and face her? How could she possibly see her tomorrow?! Or for the rest of the journey! Why hadn't she just turned around, it wasn't any of her business... but now? Now she couldn't banish the sight from her eyes. She couldn't stop thinking about her brawny body, glistening under the light of the moon, the water pouring down her breast, her abs, straight between her legs. And soon enough, the thoughts about her body turned into thoughts of that body on display just for her. Gwen was losing her composure, fast. She let out a small cry of frustration, falling to her bed and burying her face in her pillow.

They had known each other now for perhaps half a day, and already she had embarrassed herself in front of her several times, spied on her, and she was now very badly staving off an obvious crush. And what could she say! What could she possibly say to her now? How could she look her in the eye knowing she'd looked upon her in such a private moment? Gwendolyn rolled over onto her back, cursing herself aloud as she banged her wrist against her forehead, "stupid! Stupid, stupid, stupid!"

She stayed in her tent for a while longer until, finally, her stomach began to beg for food. She hadn't eaten anything besides some fruit early in the morning today and... the wild boar out there was smelling more and more delectable the harder she tried to ignore it.

She could hear Brair practically shouting his greetings to Tane, so Gwendolyn knew she had returned. She took a deep breath, standing from her bed and making her way to the opening of her tent with purpose... all of which quickly melted away when she laid eyes on the massive half-orc mere steps away. Her nervousness wasn't helped by the fact that still, she felt entirely out of place. She was the odd one out here. A royal among the commoners, among the rowdy men and women of the world who worked for a living. Even as well liked as her family was, Gwendolyn acknowledged that she could not relate to these people, nor they to her. She felt like she was encroaching on their time together, like an authority figure overseeing their pupils. Gwen's footfalls for quiet as she approached the crackling fire, eyeing the people around it, taking in the music sounding off from somewhere, the conversations, the mass amounts of people. So many of them... on this journey with her. It would do her well to get to know them.

But, for now, she found a quiet spot, one illuminated by the campfire light before sitting down, a bowl of stew finding its way into her hand before she could even say a word to anyone.

"Th-thank you," she said with a small nod, turning to the bowl in her hands and moving around the meal with her spoon. She sat cross-legged on a tree stump, distracted by the sound of people around her, and by the overwhelming urge to leave. Her eyes flickered up, catching sight of Tane through her lashes as she slowly tucked her hair behind her ear, trying her damndest to put the dirty thoughts out of her mind as she looked upon her. It was proving to be difficult, especially with her hair still damp and that tight black top.

 

[midnite_run]

Tane feels worry grow in her gut, congealing like a lump of fat. Her eyes dart around nervously and Briar's excited drunken chattering becomes muffled, white noise. She feels tension grip her and her anxiety gorges on her. What was she thinking, assuming that a princess was going to grow close to her? Tane, of all people! A warrior and a half-orc, not a noble prince befitting someone of her stature. To entertain even the vague possibility that she would look upon her kindly, even fondly, was a fool's errand.

She chews idly on the the hunk of meat, it losing some of it's flavor on her tongue in her worry. The guard stands up to head back to her tent when she spots Gwendolyn sitting on her own, a bowl in her hand. Hunkered up off into the corner, she looks so terribly isolated. Out of place. Looking around, Tane could understand why; this was likely Gwen's first time spending time with people such as Tane. It's understandable that the young lady would feel like a fish out of water.

Grabbing a mug of mead, Tane walks slowly towards Gwendolyn, staring down at her own mud-caked boots the entire time. What did she say? Should she apologize for her yammering back in the carriage? Should she come clean about the nascent fondness she had for her, vow to keep their relationship professional? Her mind is a flurry that shre barely manages to calm as she reachers Gwen.

The light of the campfire reflects off of Gwendolyn and, in this particular light, Tane is reminded of the woman's beauty, easy to dismiss with how easily she took to blending into the background. The light brings the copper in her hair to life, like a crown of gentle fire. Tane slides down next to the tree stump, crossing her legs and sitting on the cold ground. She takes a sip of her drink, as if to loosen her tongue before finally speaking.

"I was....looking for you earlier, my lady," Tane murmurs, looking down into her mug, watching the golden liquid swirl around in the cup. "I feared I might have....scared you away somehow." The words feel awkward, tumbling off her tongue like she was a newborn babe learning to speak for the first time. Tane curses inwardly at her awkwardness, an inability to express herself without feeling like she was bearing everything she had.

"You seem troubled, Gwen," Tane says as she looks up, noticing that some type of distraction grips her. A stray worry crosses her mind that someone had harmed Gwendolyn; there was the vague possibility one of the men were bold enough to get just a bit touchy-feely with the elven princess. She tries not to jump to conclusion and focuses on her charge. "I know I do not seem the type, but Briar tells me I am a good listening. I wager it's because I prefer to just let him ramble, but....y-you know...," she trails off as she takes another sip of her mead, wondering if she could somehow hide her entire head in the mug.

"Anyways. I am your sword and your shield, milady. You can....s-speak to me."

 

[LunarCinnamon]

Gwen stares at her bowl of stew, stewing herself over the choices she had made already today. The things she had seen, the things she had done. They weren't much, and they weren't anything to write home about but... they were memories she was sure to cherish. And, of course, memories she wished would stop showing up in her minds eye, pulling the rug out from under her.

It wasn't until Tane's voice reached her ears that she was startled away from her dinner, nearly dropping it in her lap. She had been so preoccupied by her mind she hadn't been paying much attention to the world outside it. This was a bad habit of hers, one that got her in an awful lot of trouble. Case in point, the sudden realization that the woman causing Gwen to intensely stare at her stew was standing right beside her.

Gwen avoided her eye travelling anywhere too obvious, but allowed herself a moment to linger at Tane's breast as the bigger woman chugged her mead. When her rumbling voice reached her ears, Gwen quickly pursed her lips, turning away and back to her food. She took a bite, finally, melting into herself with a hum of satisfaction. Games, yes but, tender, sweet... nothing like the five course meals she had at the castle. This tasted incredible. Filling, energizing... how she imagined food ought to be.

She let herself swallow her bite as Tane finished, her voice low like thunder as she spoke. Gwen felt herself sit up a little straighter.

"Why would you scare me?" she asked quietly, setting her bowl and spoon in her lap. It was more a rhetorical question, she didn't exactly expect an answer, nor would she pry for one. She wasn't stupid. Perhaps a little naive but not stupid. She could sense the doubts Tane had about herself. None that got in the way of her work of course but, they were certainly there. Gwen hummed at her words, happy for the distraction from her thoughts, even if by the very woman causing them. At least... until she keyed in.

Something was troubling her, but she couldn't very well say it. Especially not to the very woman who was busting herself working inside her head. Gwendolyn quickly shook her head, stuffing another spoonful in her mouth, "no. Nope. I'm fine just..." she swallowed, though it was more of a gulp, "I'm anxious. I've never been around this many people before who weren't, well, like me. I don't want them to feel like i'm encroaching in their time to relax... I feel like I'm sitting outside, looking at something I'm not supposed to".

Her last words were not intentionally meant to relate so much to her other situation but, still they left her lips. She stiffened, wishing she herself had a cup of mead right now.

 

[midnite_run]

Gwendolyn doesn't know how much relief it fills Tane to hear Gwen's question, rhetorical or not. Tane rarely cared about how people saw her; being intimidating was part of the job, but what Gwen thought of her meant more than she knew. Seeing her smile at her, the sparkle in her eyes when Tane regaled her with tales seeded such a joy in her chest.

She smiles faintly into her mug and nods firmly. "Aye, you know some men have found me a tad intimidating. Some would say terrifying. I suspect it could be due to my inability to tan," Tane jokes, holding up one burly arm; it's practically aglow in the pale moonlight. She watches Gwendolyn eat, satisfied to see she wasn't put off by the food. It was likely a far cry from the lavish dishes she was accustomed to; life on the road influenced their cooking, preferring stews and game meat over more delicate foods.

Tane finishes her boar with a final bite and throws the bone to the side. The orc hesitates before shifting herself closer to the princess, occasionally checking her face for a negative reaction. They both sit there, basking in orange glow of the fire, servants and soldiers dancing among the licking of flames. The roasted boar sits half eaten on the spit and one of the servants have their hands full pouring out mugs of mead for everyone. It feels almost storybook-esque, everyone forgetting the daunting task of a long journey and taking this short period to celebrate life.

"What? Princess, that's not true. You're....," Tane begins, somewhat confused as to where Gwendolyn's fears are coming from. It only takes a few seconds before she understands the anxiety from which this is born; she's ultimately a stranger, in a lot of ways. Gwendolyn was the only royalty, the odd one out, surrounded by veterans and people who were only meant to serve her. Now, suddenly, she was expected to become comrades and allies. It could be jarring to anyone, no different than if Tane was suddenly shoved into the royal court and expected to mingle.

Tane bites her lip in thought before shouting at one of the soldiers. "Aye! Bring me two mugs of mead!" The soldier stiffens up, ram-road straight, before filling up two mugs and rushing them over. Tane thanks them and holds one out to Gwendolyn. "If you feel out of place, then surely you must fix that? First lesson of us commoners. We drink after a hard day's travel." If Gwendolyn felt out of place, Tane would take it upon herself to fix that. She's reclutant to say it, but seeing her anxious and unsure puts a very palpable sense of sorrow in Tane's chest, as if she could feel the same anxieties Gwendolyn felt.

"Would you drink with me, Gwen? I wish to see you smile again."

 

[LunarCinnamon]

Gwen snorted at Tane's joke, covering it up by shoving another spoonful of food in her mouth. Inability to tan... it sure was striking to see an orc with pale skin. All the orc's she'd read about were green at the very least but, Gwen reminded herself that Tane was a half-orc, and biology was surely a fickle thing. "I'm the opposite," she says in return, holding out her own arm against Tane's pale one. The princess was clearly several shades darker than Tane, her skin was sun kissed, both naturally and by being out in the rays. She tanned very easily, and with that it brought out the freckles on her nose and her hands. She was sure with all the traveling under the sun she'd be doing that she was going to have a much more permanent tan than she ever had before.

Gwen's own arm looked like a twig next to Tane's, and looked especially untouched compared to the scars her royal arm sported. Gwen wanted to run her fingers over them, ask about them but, instead she withdrew her arm and went back to her stew.

Tane's movement closer didn't go unnoticed by the princess but, she didn't say anything. She figured it must be the noise, it was easier to hear the closer they sat together. She looked down at the woman from her small perch, smiling absentmindedly as she began to try and convince her that her anxieties were unfounded.

Of course she knew that. She knew that many if not most of these people didn't truly care for her status. They were mercenaries, soldiers, hardened veterans of combat. They had no reason to be scared of some Princess away from her tower but, still. She worried that she was imposing. That she should be hidden away in her tent until morning came. Hidden away in her carriage until they arrived at the next town. The journey there hadn't really been something she'd asked about, nor was she told about it. All she knew was what she had to do when she arrived where she was going. And that was that.

But sitting out here? Amongst everyone... all of these normal folk? She felt a strange sense of calm. Like, despite her worries, everything was okay. This was were she belonged, no one was going to bite her head off for indulging in some dancing, some drinking... she had the reigns. She reminded herself she'd do best to remember that. Yes, Tane was in charge of watching over her, and of leading everyone and making sure things ran smoothly... but if Gwendolyn wanted to do something? There was no King, or Queen, or even advisor to stop her. She could do whatever she wanted! What a terrifying thought.

She quipped a brow at Tane using the P-word, side eyeing her as if to say that this was exactly what she'd meant but, the smirk on her lips said otherwise of her seriousness. She was beginning to settle, feeling the care and warmth of the people around her, and especially of Tane.

Of course, she did stiffen up, much like the soldier Tane had called up, when she was offered a mug of mead. She'd never drunk mead before. It wasn't that she'd never drank, she certainly had but, it was mostly wine. Fancy stuff. Not commoner booze. She'd be reprimanded for doing such a thing! She thought of the stern expression of her advisor when he'd found her sneaking out to the gardens before her daily lessons, how absolutely scrunched up and wrinkly it might look if he learned she'd even thought of drinking mead. He might look like he'd swallowed a skinned lemon. The thought and the offered mug left the Princess fighting off giggles as she thought just a moment longer.

Screw it.

With that, she happily took the drink from Tane, eyeing it in the cup. The golden brown of the mead shone in the firelight, sparkling like liquid gold as she brought it to her lips. The taste was nothing like she'd ever had before. Nothing like the nauseating sweetness of wine, to which she was certainly not a fan. But, it did have it's own powerful sweetness to it, the taste of fruits intermingled, and of course the telltale kick of alcohol that, after a few sips, left her cheeks bright red and her body feeling looser already.

Her heart squeezed in her chest at Tane's words. Everything she said to her, no matter how small, struck her as genuine. She wanted to see her smile again... did she like her smile? She had wanted to see it, she must! This caused Gwen to smile sheepishly, nothing like the bright smile she'd had hours prior but, nonetheless impossible to stave off.

"Thank you," she murmured, finishing off her stew as she scraped the wooden bowl with her spoon. She slowly sipped at her mead, all her anxieties and worries melting out of her, leaving her lightheaded and content. The mead worked it's way through her quite quickly, considering her small stature and her lack of experience with harder drink. Soon enough, about a third of the way in to her drink, Gwen was on the borderline between tipsy and drunk.

"So... if the first lesson is that you drink, what's the second one?" she asked, a slight slur to her words as she swayed to the music in her seat, looking down to Tane with a cheeky smile.

 

[midnite_run]

Some of the soldiers stop to watch Gwendolyn drink; the sight of a noble elf drinking mead from a dingy mug was a rare sight to these warriors. When Gwendolyn finally takes a sip, they all let out a rowdy cheer and bang their mugs, returning to their drunken dancing. Tane is already on her third mug, feeling a slight warmth in her cheeks, but far from tipsy. She sees that Gwen has not fared as well and fights to supress their laughter; it's not surprising that such a small woman would have trouble holding her booze, but she expected her to at least manage to get through a single mug.

"Aye, no need to thank me. I wish to be more than your weapon....I wish to be a companion," Tane murmurs, looking into her mug. She immediately realizes the phrasing and implication of the word "companion" and groans inwardly, hoping she wasn't put off. It would seem the drink was getting to her as well, albeit after a great deal more of it. Tane rarely got drunk, her constituion making her resistant, but it happened on occasion and she was known for a comical lack of inhibitions during, prone to making poor choices on impulse. The tactician in her knew it was poor choice to be drunk when she was in charge of keeping Gwendolyn safe, but her very company made Tane feel joyful. Light. Like she could relax and let the tension fade from her muscles, be her and nobody else. Bright eyes that were utterly lacking in disdain or judgement, only compassion.

"The second? Well, that one is....uuhhh, you don't need to know about that one," Tane says with a blush on her face, looking away and peering off into the distance. Briar overhears their conversation and speaks up, yelling from across the fire. "You bloody dance! A drink without a lass in hand is a poor drink!" He falls back drunkenly, digging around in his belongings before pulling out a small lute. Tane groans and yells back, tempted to chuck her drink across the fire and into his face.

"Mind your business, you fool!" Tane barks back, but Briar has already begun playing, humming an off-key tune loudly. She knew, in his own insufferable way, he was trying to help, get them to loosen up. It had always been his way, serving as the one who would drag Tane out her shell and show people she wasn't nearly as vicious as she seemed. The jovial and open right hand to her angry and closed left.

"Arrrgh, fuck it!" Tane yelled before upturning the mug of ale. She downs the entire drink in a single unbroken series of gulps, some of it running down her chin. The orc wipes it away the back of her hand before standing up quickly. Her head swims slightly from the sudden motion and she lets out a small burp; there's now a faint shade of pink on her cheeks. Her hair is still somewhat damp, but it shines in the fire and she tucks some of it behind her ear. "If the man demands we dance, I suppose we dance. Lest he never shut up," Tane says before bowing with a comical flourish of her hand, holding it out for Gwendolyn to take.

"My lady and liege, would do your Arm the honor?" Tane was, quite frankly, a rather piss poor dancer, but she was eager and drunk and that was all that mattered.

 

[LunarCinnamon]

"That's so formal!" Gwen practically whined with a wave of her hand. Her inhibitions for gone that was for sure. Not yet drunk but certainly close to it. "Companions," she mimicked, her voice canting low to mime Tane's own, "we should be friends," she gave an astute nod of her head, as if banging a gavel, making it so.

Gwendolyn had been drunk before, this wasn't her first time. The wine at those balls was usually the best the castle had to offer and with that, the highest alcohol content they had. And, being that she loathed to dance with the men at those parties or to even talk with them past a certain hour, she found herself often indulging in a little alcohol to lighten herself. And sometimes, depending on the night, she took it a little too far.

Drunk Gwendolyn was an uninhibited Gwendolyn. An anxiety free Gwendolyn, and certainly a wonder free Gwendolyn. Drunk Gwendolyn was cheerful, giggly, and up for anything. She was the life of the party, at least at the balls which, did not take much effort. Here though? Brair clearly had that need met.

Gwen was about to protest that, yes in fact, she was in need of knowing the second lesson to living on the road, Briar beat her to even doing so, telling her outright.

"Well then, I need a lass!" Gwen said with a laugh, turning to Tane as the sounds of cheers erupted around her, as did Briar's off-key singing and lute playing. This was all so unlike anything she'd ever experienced. This was, in a sense, a party, was it not? A celebration at the very least. And all the celebrations she'd been to in the pass were staunch, sophisticated, and stressful. There was no time for fun, all the dancing was strictly political or romantic, it wasn't done for the enjoyment of the art. The music too was so different, all strings and piano... nothing like the absolute shredding of the lute that Brair was happily doing from across the campfire.

Gwen giggles away as Tane shouts back at him, stewing for a moment before she seems to give up on holding onto her own inhibitions. Gwen claps her hands together when she watches Tane down her drink, the blush on her cheeks now not only from the booze as she watches her drain the cup with ease. And Gwen, swaying now toward the other side of the borderline, is struck with the urge to do just the same. She picks up her mug, much less left in it to chug than there was in Tane's, but she drinks it down anyway. The liquor slides over her tongue, down her throat with ease, burning just the slightest on the way down, enough to make her scrunch her nose and shake her head but, in the end, it leaves her feeling energized. She quells her own burp behind her hand, looking up at Tane as she stands and offers her hand.

Gwendolyn, all blush and giggles, stands on her tree stump. Her white dress slides easily down her figure, airy and bright in the firelight, her copper hair catching the orange glow like an ember, a halo around her head as she stands with her back to the flame, taking Tane's hand with ease. "I would be more than happy to," and with that, she hopped off the tree stump and pulled Tane toward the campfire to dance, turning to take her other hand with a smile.

 

[midnite_run]

She half-expected Gwendolyn to refuse, being put on the spot like she just did. This was a lady of the court, used to balls and formal gatherings, not the drunken partying Tane was used to. If anything, she might've been embarassed to engage in such antics. Imagine her surprise when the petite elf downs her drink as well; she's surely drunk after that feat, but it's a feat nonetheless, earning a satisfied cheer from Briar.

Tane takes a moment to admire her; in the fire light she seemed otherwordly, a spirit or like the fae she heard tales of from old sages. As if she stepped down from a throne, wreathed in flame. Her smile is bright and it stokes a fire in her breast, along with other places she's not drunk enough to mention. What right had this woman to have such an effect? What right did she have to make Tane want to melt with the smallest laugh, the joy in her laugh pleasant as a wind chime? The orc is downright gawking at her dance partner before Gwen's voice manages to snatch her from her reverie.

"Right, right," Tane replies with a laugh as she takes Gwendolyn's hand; it's soft in comparison. Small and dainty, hands that reminded her of a painter or weaver. Her own hands are massive and calloused, her nails pointed by virtue of her orc heritage. They eclipse Gwendolyn's and she takes a moment to admire their gentle touch before they begin. Tane is a poor dancer. Outside of battle, her body lacks the grace needed, so she starts with a simple one; an old dance her mother once taught her. Whenever she cleaned the tavern after a long day, she would hum and do a small dance with Tane, who followed along confused, but happy. The memory always brought a wave of nostalgic joy and she wishes to share the dance with Tane, a small peek into her childhood, even if she did not know.

"Follow my steps and I'll try not to crush your feet," Tane chuckles as they start, moving slowly and gently. Tane's arm wraps around Gwen's waist, holding her in place as she guides her through it before she picks up the pace. As her arm rests around Gwen's waist, she can feel the swell of the smaller girl's hips and it takes her by surprise; the dress did a good job of hiding it, but Gwendolyn is very much on the voluptous side of the scale. Tane keeps her composure, making sure her hand did not accidentally wander. Yet, she finds uncouth thoughts worming her way in her mind. She wishes she could see Gwen smile at her again, but without the dress, that this small elven beauty would grace her with all the gifts her body had to bear. The mead has slowly eroded her inhibitions, set her mind free to wander.

"Y-You're doing great, do you want to pick up the pace a tad?" Tane murmurs as she looks Gwendowlyn in her eyes; she can see the reflection of the fire behind Tane in her eyes. A stray strand of copper hair shook itself loose and, practically on instinct, Tane reaches and tucks it behind her ear gently. The alcohol had hit her harder than she realize. If she wasn't careful, she was afraid of doing something to embarass herself.