The long way

You remember your father once telling you that the short route to the Elven Kingdom is littered with bandits trying to steal people for the **** trade... So you respond with confidence, "Let's take the longer road... perhaps it will give us time to catch up."

Elizabeth smiles and responds, "Ok... but just so you know, it will be a two nights walk to the Elven kingdom..."

Thinking of what could happen in two nights, you reply, "That's fine with me, Elizabeth."

Elizabeth smiles before she motions for you both to fall back alone, allowing the others to lead on. Margaret pauses until Rachael kicks her hard and shouts, "Move along, you bitch..." You laugh as you can tell Rachael is enjoying the idea of kicking a stuck-up and enslaved noblewoman...

"Get your hands off me, you little..." Margaret shouts until you stare at her with rage.

"Perhaps I need to make myself more clear... Rachael is my companion... not my ****... and is therefore above you... understand...?" You snarl at her, making Margaret nod in defeat.

Once Rachael and Sara are out of earshot on the trail Elizabeth leans into your ear. "I figured now is the best time to talk... you know before we leave my father's lands...."

Looking over at her, you say softly, "I agree... what do you want to talk about...?"

"Well, a few things." she says, kicking a small pebble down the road before continuing, "I know that I confessed to liking you.... but I have to ask you a favor."

"What is it?"

"Well, contrary to Margaret's rumors, I am still a virgin and... well, I've been holding myself out for the one that will be with me forever. I can see it in your eyes that your not sure about that yet... and I am fine waiting for you... but..." Looking in your eyes, she smiles and says, "John please respect my wishes until you decide...."

You nod; while you are not sure if you're actually going to live up to it, you agree all the same giving her comfort...

She quickly adds, "Oh, and I know there are two other women on our journey with us... one of them is your ****... and the other your um... close friend... and you're the future king. So ... ah ..." You find it amusing as she stumbles on her words, "I don't expect you now or ever to ... ah ... to be the only one in your bed... just .... ah ... until you choose don't do it in front of me... Can you do that for me?"

Her request seems fair enough, so you quickly respond, "Sure Elizabeth... that sounds satisfactory..." You can see her gaze on you change as if she just fell more in love with you with that answer. As the sun lowers, her eyes never leave you, her hand brushing against yours until you take it. She smiles as you hold hands, walking down the road. At dusk, you set up camp with Rachael cooking a quick dinner for the group, smiling knowingly as she catches Elizabeth's eyes on you. It was only as everyone went to their tents to retire that Elizabeth's eyes finally left you.

Elizabeth has a tent of her own while Rachael shares a ten with Margaret, due to her having a complete lack of knowledge of the outdoors and to prevent her from escaping...