Freedom Bound - Part Two

Abigail rode with Andrew quickly through the forest, away from the lake and the palace guards, until she felt safe again. Andrew was especially silent while they rode, allowing Abigail to lead the horse. She could not see his expression, nor guess what he might have thought. When Sky slowed to a walk, Abigail turned slightly to glance at Andrew.

“You must wish to go now,” she speculated, halting her horse. “You are good to help me.”

Andrew smiled slightly, a brow raised. “You’re not lost.”

Abigail lowered her gaze. “Not physically,” she mumbled.

“But you must be hungry?” he asked, “You did not eat much before I interrupted you.”

“I confess I am,” she replied, “But it isn’t your concern.”

“Well I can’t leave you now. Not hungry and… lost,” he insisted. He reached around her and grabbed the reins, giving the horse a gentle kick.

Abigail shrunk within herself as Andrew took the lead of Sky away from her. They followed a well-worn trail out of the forest and to a road. The road entered a small village of which Abigail knew little. Andrew led Sky at a walk through the village and stopped at a quaint little house with a freshly planted garden in the front.

Halting the horse, Andrew dismounted. “Here we are,” he said, looking up at Abigail.

Abigail slid off her horse and gently patted his neck.

“This is where I live,” continued Andrew, “And you are welcome to rest here for a while.”

Abigail smiled a little at the house and at Andrew. “You’re very kind.”

Allowing Sky to graze in the yard, Andrew led Abigail into the house. The little kitchen was tidy and smelled of fresh bread and potatoes. Andrew pulled out a chair for Abigail by a small, but wonderfully crafted, wooden table. Abigail graciously took a seat. She looked at the cupboards Andrew was searching and around the comfortable room. Adjoining the kitchen was a sitting room, decorated in shades of blue and brightened by the morning sun.

“You have beautiful furniture,” she commented.

“Thank you,” he replied without a glance at her.

“Do you live here alone?” she asked curiously.

There was a pause as Abigail waited for him to reply. “Yes,” he murmured.

Abigail said nothing more while she watched him stir a pot on his stove. He added a few small pieces of wood to the stove and closed it again.

“That should be ready soon,” he stated, seating himself adjacent to her. He looked her over and continued, “You can remove your cape if you wish. Let me hang it up for you.”

Abigail unclasped her cape and allowed him to hang it on a hook by the door where hung a few other pieces of outerwear. They were mostly in browns and greens, much like the clothes he wore now. Returning to the stove, Andrew scooped a bowl of soup from the pot and placed it with a spoon in front of Abigail. He also placed on the table a plate full of slices of bread and a container of butter.

“Thank you,” said Abigail.

Andrew brought another bowl to the table and reclaimed his seat. “It’s not much. I’ve been using up the vegetables I had stored over the winter from my own garden.”

“You’re a gardener?” asked Abigail.

Andrew shook his head. “I just keep my own garden.”

“What do you do then?” she continued.

“I work with wood mostly. I make furniture. I can build houses and I make repairs.”

Abigail only nodded. She concentrated on her food and knew that Andrew was watching her closely. She gracefully ate her soup and nibbled a slice of bread.

“And what about you?” asked Andrew. “To where are you travelling?”

Abigail hesitated. “Well, I…”

When she did not continue, Andrew shook his head and leaned his elbows on the table. “Don’t tell me you did not have a destination in mind.”

“I meant to go as far away as I could,” she told him.

“Well I am sorry you didn’t get very far,” said Andrew, a sparkle in his brown eye.

“What do you mean?” asked Abigail.

Andrew smiled. “I mean I can see the palace from my rooftop.”

Abigail rose quickly. “Thank you for your hospitality, Andrew, but I really must be going.” She moved around the table toward the door.

Andrew rose as well and followed her. “Abbey, don’t go –” he said as he grabbed hold of her arm.

Abigail looked sharply at his hand on her arm and back to his face. “I can have you turned in for that,” she warned.

“Oh, but that would give you away, wouldn’t it?” he reasoned, his eyes honest and open, “Stay with me. You can trust me not to send you back to the palace.”

“You would have done that already,” Abigail concluded.

Andrew loosened his grip on her arm and turned back to the table. Abigail followed him and reclaimed her seat. Andrew casually picked up a slice of bread and smiled at her.

“Why haven’t you turned me in to the palace?” asked Abigail.

Andrew’s shoulder lifted in a shrug as he began to spread butter on his bread. “I find myself interested in you.”

“I should think you would already know enough about me,” said Abigail.

“Not at all,” Andrew assured her, “Only what I can see.”

“What do you see?” asked Abigail.

Andrew’s gaze travelled her face before he replied. “I’m still trying to make it out.” He took a bite of his bread.

Abigail smiled slowly. No, Andrew was definitely not dangerous. She took a slice of bread as well. “If you don’t mind my asking: if the lake is not a safe place, why were you there alone?”

“You misinterpret me,” he explained, “It’s not a safe place for you. Not many would give me a second look. But you do not wish to be discovered.”

“You suppose I won’t be discovered here?” asked Abigail.

“I can also be turned in for hiding you,” replied Andrew solemnly.

Abigail shook her head. “I won’t let that happen, Andrew. You have been kind to me. They’ll leave you alone if I tell them to. But… you would actually keep me secret?”

“That’s what you want, isn’t it?”

His question sounded much like a statement and Abigail only smiled in response. She finished her slice of bread in the lull that followed.

“Did you bake this bread yourself?” she asked, motioning to the plate on the table.

“Yes,” he said simply.

“You make good food, Andrew,” she complimented.

“I’m glad you enjoy it,” he replied, “When you live alone for a while, you find yourself learning many things.”

Abigail looked at him seriously. “I would like to live alone for a while, just to see what I can learn.”

This sparked Andrew’s curiosity. “What would you wish to learn?”

Abigail smiled. “First, how to make bread like this. Then… what would you have me learn?”

Andrew’s features took on a mirthful expression as he thought about it. He rose and motioned for her to do so as well. “Come with me, princess, and I will show you.”