In This Life And The Next

When Aurora dismounted Michael’s horse, she stumbled and fell on her back in the dirt. She decided to stay there for a moment and looked up at Michael as he slid off the horse easily and gracefully and stood over Aurora.

“Are you injured?” Michael asked.

“I believe so.” Aurora replied when she looked over to her arm and watched the blood ooze out into the dirt. Her ribs hurt when she breathed. Her head ached.

“Will you live?” Michael continued.

“It will take more than an army to kill me.” Aurora assured.

“Will you stand?”

“Not at the moment, no.”

Michael stood over her and inspected her closely. “It is said that betrothed of the Crown Prince is delicate, with her head in books, children near her. It is also said that this same woman was rescued by the Prince from a vicious and spiteful old man who used to beat her near constantly. The rumors say that the betrothed is a fragile beauty and to be taken care of.” Michael slid his sword from his belt and knelt over Aurora’s body, the blade to her neck. “You are none of these things.”

“Rumors mean nothing.” Hazel whispered from behind Michael, her own sword at the back of his neck.

“Should Prince Alec find out that you put a blade to the woman he loves above all else-” Hannah said, her crossbow aimed at Michael.

“Then you would beg for death before the day was over.” Jessica added, her sword lifting the blade from Aurora’s neck and helping her to her feet.

“Drop your sword.” Anna ordered, a bow and arrow aimed at Michael’s face. He did.

“Alec didn’t rescue Aurora.” Hazel began and went around to Michael’s front, the sword still at his neck. Hannah stepped forward and pressed the bolt in her crossbow to Michael’s chest. “Alec merely gave Aurora a ride to the castle after Aurora killed the old man herself.” Hazel smiled wickedly. “I don’t think Aurora could be labeled delicate .”

“Are we done here?” Aurora asked and pulled herself to her feet.

“I believe so.” Hazel replied. She smiled at Michael. “Should you behave while we are here, I’ll forget this ever happened before I see the Crown Prince next.”

Michael, unbelievably, winked. “Yes, Your Highness.”

“Come.” Hazel said to Aurora and she went with her, limping, when her ankle protested. She refused to answer her questions, other than to say that everyone was safe and well and word had been sent to Alec of the fact.

Aurora was given a bath and clothes and shown to the dining hall. Laura was there, pouring over documents with a dark haired woman Aurora didn’t know. Laura embraced her and she returned the gesture.

“Do not be so reckless next time.” Laura whispered to Aurora.

“Had I been able to, I would have avoided it, I assure you.” Aurora replied. She turned to the dark haired woman. “I am Aurora.” She greeted and offered the woman her hand.

“Willow” She said and smiled. “You have been kind to us for so many years, it’s nice to finally meet you.”

“If I had any previous knowledge of this place, I would have visited much sooner, believe me.” Aurora said.

Willow blinked and looked to Laura. “The stories are true.”

“Unfortunately.” Laura replied.

“We have plenty of time for that later,” Aurora interrupted. “Tell me, what’s going on?”

“Roman has sent small forces, hoping to catch us before we got into the keep.” Laura responded.

Earl joined them, sat next to Aurora and shoved a plate of meat and bread at her. “When he failed, we assumed that it was the end of it.”

Aurora did not like the word assumed .

“The Winterfell army marches on us from the east.” Earl cut in. “Roman’s forces are gathering to the northwest.”

Aurora grasped a cup near her hand. She wasn’t sure if it was hers or not but it was filled with sweet water and she drank it down and then carefully set the cup next to her plate. She took a deep breath and when she looked up at Laura, she had Michael at her side, Marc and Bobby close and Ben coming to join them. Hazel watched from the other side of the room.

“How many in the Winterfell army?” Aurora asked.

“Near eighteen thousand.” Marc murmured.

“Do we have any kind of number for Roman’s forces?”

“The small contingent that we have heard of is close to one thousand. His full forces are the on the other side of the Princes.” Ben said and tapped a map on the other side of the table. Aurora didn’t even look up. In fact, she put her elbows on the table, put her forehead in her hands, and asked her final question.

“How many fighting soldiers are there in the keep?”

“One hundred.” Laura replied.