Hush

Hours passed. The couple was so engrossed in their conversation that they barely noticed the sun making its way across the sky as they bantered pleasantly about anything that happened to come to mind.

They spoke of palace life versus life in the countryside. They talked about Ethyn's knight training and Rose's more formal education. They debated about the secret romances between different members of court they both knew.

The more they spoke, the more lively the conversation became and the further the world around them faded away. Eventually the conversation moved to Silver's and Ethyn's adventures together.

"That's when I lunged at Jarek with all my might. The knife flew through the air, but went just wide of Silver's head. Jarek caught me and sneered. His crooked nose only made him look more menacing as he drew back his fist to finish me off." Ethyn acted out his story with such fervor that the princess felt like she was there.

"How terrifying!" Rose had run into her own crooked-nosed man recently; she was beginning to despise the trait.

"Fortunately Aristos, Conall and Aiden came in at the last moment and joined the fight. To my dismay, I was too injured to continue, and finally followed Silver's instructions to flee." Ethyn's brow furrowed. "Alas, I had lost too much blood from an injury on my foot, and my world suddenly went black. I nearly died a hero." He collapsed dramatically onto the rock behind him and feigned death.

Rose wanted to roll her eyes at the man's melodramatic one man play, but she couldn't help but feel there was at least a little truth to his words. "But you obviously survived."

The knight chuckled. "Yes, but it was a close call. In the end, a drop of glowing light healed my foot and saved me. Otherwise you would be talking to a ghost right now."

"Glowing light, you say? Did it come from a small vial that my brother has?" The princess laid down on her stomach with her hands resting on her chin. The lady looked so adorable with her question that Ethyn only managed to barely contain his compliment.

The redhead quirked one eyebrow at her as his arms came to rest comfortably behind his head. He reclined against the stone with a grin plastered in his face. "By your question, it seems you have seen the vial as well. Have you experienced its healing powers?"

Nodding, Rose puckered her face. "It was used on me for a far less vital reason. I sliced my hand with a knife from my bed."

Ethyn whistled softly. "You cut your hand and I cut my foot? What a pair we are!"

"No wonder Silver treats us like children. We must be more careful." Rose giggled.

"I was a child," the knight defended himself. "I haven't been cut by a blade in a whole week!"

Once their laughter died off, the princess sighed. "I am sad that Sean was called away. My brother would have loved this."

"I am a poor substitute, I know." The young man began to apologize, but his tongue got the better of him. "Though Silver has it easier being your brother than I ever could."

Rose narrowed her gaze. "What do you mean?"

"If I were your brother, I would be able to tease you much more easily. As it is I have to struggle to make sure I offend you properly." Ethyn took a final bite of his apple to hide the smirk creeping onto his face. He set the core aside to give to Courage in a moment.

"You know there was almost a compliment in there," the princess gasped.

"How dare you, Haven! I will not be accused of such blasphemy!" Ethyn stood up and prepared to leave in a huff. His act was so convincing that Rose almost took back her words.

She looked up at him and noticed the position of the sun. "It's so late! We need to head back before Sean comes looking for us!"

"Hush!" Ethyn said firmly.

Rose searched his face for humor and found none. She stood up to meet his eye. "I'm not kidding... We must--"

Ethyn pressed her up against the boulder and covered her mouth with his hand. Rose was startled to have his body suddenly holding her to the rock, and she released a stifled gasp.

'What is he doing?!'

"Shhh…" Ethyn whispered into her ear. "Listen." He turned around and pushed his own body to the rock wall next to her.

The princess stopped her squirming and opened her ears. The cove had gone strangely quiet. The horses, too, were on edge.

With his head lifted, Courage's ears were swiveling. His muscular body was tense, ready for action. Fireball, a well trained military horse, stomped his foot eight times then went still, awaiting orders.

"Not good," Ethyn whispered. "It could be nothing, but we cannot risk it."

The princess tried not to be frustrated. After spending the afternoon with Ethyn, she did not think the man would act like this for no reason. But his lack of giving on information left her stumped as to what exactly had him spooked.

He deftly gathered up the blanket and basket thrust them into a small crevice between the boulders. Then without a word he took the horses' saddles and gear, stowing them away beneath large bushes. Everything was done in only a few moments, barely giving Rose a moment to process what she was seeing.

"What are you doing?"

"We need to hide in case they come in here." The knight tried to tug on the princess's hand, but she was too stunned to come easily.

"What about the horses?" Rose glanced at the steeds, who were still attentively monitoring the entrance to the cove.

"They will be fine. You two, act natural!" The knight ordered the horses. They relaxed slightly, and Courage went back to grazing. "See? Now come on!" Ethyn took Rose around the waist and led her to the furthest part of the enclosure from the entrance.

What had once seemed like a cozy hideaway suddenly felt like a prison. The stalwart knight only hoped there was a way out between the mighty pillars of stone if it came to that. It might take a little bit of time, but surely he could find a spot to slip between the stones.

His thoughts were interrupted by the beautiful blonde in his arms. "I don't understand, why do we need to hide?"

"It is probably fine, and I don't really want to alarm you." Ethyn spoke quickly.

"Too late for that," Rose mumbled.

"People are coming. At least a half dozen if you believe Fireball. Now we need to find a possible exit on the off chance they find the entrance to the..."

Voices began to invade the cove. Ethyn and Rose slipped behind a shrub into the only crevice wide enough for both of them to fit. Unfortunately, it was not the escape route they had hoped. It was barely more than a small cave.

The two humans were stuck standing face to face with no space to move. Ethyn pulled his finger to his mouth. The sun's angle shrouded them in almost total darkness, but the man's intention was clear. Be quiet.

Outside, the voices outside grew louder. Six men on horseback stumbled into the tranquil cove.

"I told you I knew where this place was!" One of the men grumbled. "I have never forgotten a thing a day of my life."

"No need to be a braggart. You were right for once." A second man jeered.

A moment of squabbling happened before their leader spoke over the noise. "Silence both of you. Do you want someone to hear you? We didn't come here to announce our presence. We are here to hide until the heat dies down."

Ethyn's heart sank. He knew that voice. It was Sir Kent of Lakyle.