Chapter Text
Z’ymira was tired. Not just tired. Bone deep exhaustion made her feel like she was dragging her body forward with each step.
It seemed strange that for days she could patrol the woods she called her home, only grabbing bits of sleep here and there while safely ensconced in the treetops, and not feel any kind of physical or mental fatigue. Yet just a few hours with other people made her feel like a waterskin that had been drained of every last drop, shriveled and empty.
When years ago she’d first taken to the forest for refuge, being alone all the time had been difficult. There were moments in that first year where she felt intense loneliness, even with Katrix there with her. Eventually she started to feel safe in her solitude, more so as time passed without anyone coming to find her. She realized that the forest she hid in was protecting her and she’d made a vow to do the same, swearing herself to her new sovereign.
When she finally emerged from the forest a year after first fleeing there was no one who knew who she really was. They asked her name and she’d told them only that she was the Huntress, that she had sworn an oath to protect the woods and the townspeople accepted this as truth. In the years that had followed in the rare moments when she would have to go into the village to gather supplies she found herself treated like an enigma, not feared exactly but treated with caution. She would keep herself at a distance from others to preserve that mystery.
She probably never would have gotten close to another person if it wasn’t for the day she first met Sir Adya. Katrix had come to her with news that two people had crossed the perimeter into the forest, both dressed as palace guards, one pursuing the other. Usually Z’ymira never got involved in the matters of the kingdom. It was Katrix who insisted, saying that he had heard the one guard speak cruel words about a woman, saying she was a whore who deserved what he’d done to her.
With Katrix's help she quickly located and captured the man, pinning him to a tree with her dagger to his throat. When she heard Adya getting close, she’d called out to them. Together they gave him the bloody justice he deserved.
Afterwards, while they were cleaning their blades, Adya had admitted that they knew of the Huntress, had heard tale of the beautiful dark haired lady who haunted the woods. They said they had always believed it to be a folk story told by the townspeople to scare the children into never venturing into the forest. Z’ymira had laughed at that, saying that if that was true she appreciated the peace and quiet.
They’d fallen easily into conversation then, and she realized that it was something she’d been missing. It felt good to hear another’s voice actually speaking to her, not someone talking in the distance who Z'ymira could see from her high perch but who never knew she existed. So caught up in the giddiness of that company, she found herself agreeing to see them again. It had become a regular thing then, Adya meeting her at the pond at the southwest edge of the forest. It was on the third meeting that things became physical, Adya asking if they might kiss her. After Z’ymira found herself craving more.
This had continued for a month or so afterwards, but even with Adya’s understanding of her need for solitude she still found the upkeep of any kind of relationship a burden. So she always had pulled away, running back into the forest’s welcoming dark. It wasn’t that she didn’t care for Sir Adya. Whenever she started to crave another person’s touch Z'ymira would send Katrix with a note to them to let them know she wanted to see them.
Yes, she felt guilty about using them that way, about going so long between meetings. But she knew what she was capable of, or rather, what she wasn’t capable of. True commitment to another, the deep love that one needed for it, was beyond her, even with it being the answer to so many problems. After the years of solitude that she’d had, that protected her as she had moved into adulthood, the complexities of a relationship, the trust involved, the sacrifices, the sharing of every part of her life, it seemed impossible. The weight that it was yet another way she was failing those she came from was like a huge boulder she carried.
Who could truly love one of her kind when they’d been scorned and feared for so long? Sharing that secret with someone would only bring about danger, forcing her to flee yet again. No, she always had to hide in the embrace of the woods that kept her safe and hidden.
She’d slipped away from Adya and the Wizard and the King at the first chance she got, feeling her whole body start to finally relax once she was surrounded by the shadowed depths of her home. The woods had been unguarded during a tumultuous time, and despite her exhaustion, she began her patrol rounds, circling the outside edges that skirted the contested kingdoms.
A sound, one that did not belong in the forest, drew her attention. Ducking down, she crept slowly towards it, using all her cunning to approach with no telltale noise. Through the trees she saw twinkling, the colours reminding her of the setting sun that she would see from the treetops. The sound was odd, like an ungainly bird call, an inconsistent honking.
It was a woman dressed in a ridiculously huge gown and weeping loudly into a dirty, sparkly piece of fabric. Z'ymira was about to turn away and leave her when she heard her calling out for someone named Runa in the most pitiful voice. Z’ymira was not without sympathy, though she very rarely acted on it. Then she saw that the woman seemed to be caught in the thorny briar bush that surrounded the inner circle of the forest, the one that Z’ymira had cultivated for years. She was either too helpless or too upset to try and free herself.
Damn the gods, I can’t just leave her.
She stepped out, showing herself, but still the woman sobbed into her hands, not seeing her. This was always the part Z'ymira hated. Talking. Saying the right thing. She was so used to being alone that her conversation skills were rusty at best.
What should one say in this situation?
“Uh, hello?”
Brilliant.
The woman looked up, finally seeing her and immediately started screaming.
“Woah, woah, don’t scream, I’m-”
“FOUL FIEND!! LEAVE OR ELSE I WILL CALL MY GUARDS TO VANQUISH YOU!!”
“What guards?”
“MY GUARDS!! WHO ARE JUST BEHIND ME AND WILL BE HERE HENCEFORTH, SHARP SWORDS THIRSTING FOR THE BLOOD OF THOSE WHO WOULD HARM THEIR PRINCESS!!”
So this must be the Princess Thalia that Adya was always complaining about, saying how silly and useless and irritating she was.
Great. I just had to talk to her.
“Look, I get what you’re trying to do, but I know there are no guards.”
“YOU DEVIL WITCH OF THE FOREST!! YOU SHALL RUE THE DAY YOU TRIED TO HURT ME!!”
“Well, that’s okay because I’m not going to hurt you. I heard you crying and came to help.” Z'ymira said, taking off her bow and laying it on the ground in front of her, hoping that showing her she was no threat would get her to shut up.
The Princess took in some huffy breaths, her eyebrows scrunched up while her mouth seemed unable to settle into one expression.
“Who’s Runa?”
She realized that this was the wrong thing to say when the Princess started sobbing again, waving around the fabric.
“PRINCESS RUNA HAS GONE MISSING!”
Oh, gods, another Princess?
“Where?”
“WELL IF I KNEW THAT SHE WOULDN’T BE MISSING, WOULD SHE!?” The Princess angrily shouted at her.
“I mean, is she missing here in the forest?”
“Yes!!” She said between sobs, finally lowering her voice. “My beloved pup is out there alone with all those vicious animals and devils like you!!”
“Your pup? Are we talking about a dog?”
“Princess Runa is more than just a dog!! She is royalty, adored by all her people!!” A look of pure misery, one without exaggeration came over the Princess’s face. “And she is my best friend.”
“What are you doing out here at all?”
“Queen Neve, that treacherous wench, sent her Crimson Guard into King Ridley's castle where we had taken shelter to try to capture Runa and I. Thankfully I was able to sneak out though I had no choice but to run into the woods to hide.”
“You outfoxed the Crimson Guard?” Z'ymira said, doubtfully.
“I lived in that castle for many years growing up, and know of passageways no one else does.”
“That was actually quite cunning of you.”
“Witch devil, do not underestimate me, for you shall rue-”
“The day, yeah, I got that. And when did you get separated from her?”
“I have no measure of time or distance in this monstrous place!”
“Careful, Princess, this is my sovereign and I won’t have you disrespecting her.”
“Or else you will put the Devil’s hex on me?!” The Princess drew back in fear.
“No! I’ll just… Just don’t, okay?”
The Princess heaved out a sigh.
“All I wish is to be reunited with my Runa and to be safe enough to leave this place. I miss my ladies-in-waiting and my soft bed and my pretty dresses and not having dirt on my face and my very favorite pigeon pie and-”
“Got it.” Z'ymira said, cutting her off. “Stay here, and I’ll go look for Runa, okay?”
“Devil Witch, I implore you, do not hurt her if you do find her! She is gentle of spirit and trusting in nature!”
“I’m not the devil’s witch. I’m the Huntress.”
“The Huntress! Oh!” She laughed a ridiculous laugh, a high pitched hehehehe. “I have heard many a tale of you from Sir Adya, you cad!”
“You know Adya? You know what, just, let’s go into that later. I’ll be back. Please try and stay quiet.”
“I fear the rumbling of my empty belly may keep that from happening.”
“Here,” Z'ymira said, digging into her pouch and pulling out the dried venison she had cured herself. “Eat this.”
The Princess looked at it like it was a dead worm, her face screwed up in distaste.
“Fine, I’ll take this for Runa, then.”
Feeling absolutely ridiculous, she wandered around, calling out to some dog in as non-threatening a voice as possible. She looked for a long time, waving the jerky about, but finding no clues to her whereabouts. Just as she was about to give up and turn back to tell the Princess her dog was probably dead, she heard a whimpering.
The small dog, one that Z'ymira had to admit looked like an adorable baby bear, had tucked herself away under the protection of some tree roots. Getting down on her knees, Z'ymira used the jerky and a soft tone to coax her out. When it finally did, it leapt up on her, crying a high pitch whine. Z'ymira carried the small animal in her arms, scratching behind its ears.
“Let’s get you back to the Princess so she’ll finally stop yelling.” She said to the dog, who in turn licked the tip of her nose.
Okay, that was pretty cute.
As soon as they were close enough to see the Princess, Runa started barking excitedly, her whole body seeming to wag along with her tail.
“MY RUNA!” The Princess called out, and Runa was jumping out of her arms and running to her.
She had to admit that the tearful reunion was rather sweet, both of them so clearly fond of one another.
“Huntress, I owe you a great debt for returning my Runa. When Queen Neve has been captured and all is returned to as it should be, I shall make you a Knight of the Princess’s Guard.”
“That sounds like my worst nightmare, but thanks anyways.”
If the Princess felt the slight of that, she didn’t show it, instead burying her face into the pup’s fur and blubbering some gibberish baby talk.
What to do now? She had fulfilled her obligation and reunited them, so that should be enough. Except…
“Where will you go now, Princess?”
The reality of her situation seemed to come back to her, and her face transformed back to misery, her chin wobbling.
“Alas, I have no home now, nowhere to feel safe and none to help me.”
Even though it was true and obviously sad, she was saying it with an exaggeration that seemed to be implying something else. Z'ymira knew that when she took the vow of protection to the forest, it included those who sought refuge within it much as she had.
Oh, gods, she’s my responsibility now, isn’t she?
“My cabin is a half hour to the East as the raven flies, you can find safety there.”
“Oh, thank you, Huntress! Truly you are an emissary sent by the gods to help me!”
“Sure, okay. Can you stand?”
“Alas my dress and hair are caught and I am unable to free myself.”
Z'ymira went and crouched behind her to see how bad she was entangled.
“I’m going to have to cut you off this bush.”
“NOT MY BEAUTIFUL GOWN! AND MY RAVEN LOCKS!”
Wow, the screeching is even worse this close to it.
“It’s that or stay here all night, though I wouldn’t suggest it. All manner of creatures roam these woods once it's dark and I couldn’t guarantee your safety.”
A look of terror came over her face.
“Then free me, Huntress. I can be brave in the face of such adversity.”
The definition of adversity and the level of the Princess’s bravery seemed doubtful to her but Z'ymira wasn’t going to say anything about it. Taking out her dagger, she started to cut away the voluminous dress, taking forever with how much sparkling fabric there was. Eventually she had to use her hands to tear it away, coming around to the front to shorten it, making it possible for the Princess to walk unencumbered. She noticed the Princess giving her a sly look.
“You are very strong, Huntress.” She said in a coquettish tone.
Z'ymira chose to ignore that statement, not at all wanting to go there. Once the dress was free, she nipped off the strands of hair that were entangled in the thorns.
“You can stand now.”
The Princess shoved Runa into Z'ymira’s arms and struggled to her feet. Instantly she buckled down again, crying out.
“My feet!”
She knelt down to see that the Princess was wearing a rather insubstantial pair of pink satin slippers that had been shredded on the soles from the rough terrain. Una was surprised that she’d even gotten as far as she had in them.
“Perhaps if you carried me…”
Of course it was the only option, Z'ymira knew, but suddenly she felt shy at being that close to another person for that long. She took in a deep breath, blew it out her mouth, then bent to sweep her off her feet, causing the Princess to let out a little delighted squeal.
“Try not to move. And hold onto Runa.”
She noticed then exactly how heaving the Princess’s bosoms seemed to be in her tight dress, and desperately averted her eyes from all the soft, gleaming flesh. Thankfully the Princess didn’t seem to pick up on it.
“Of course.” She sighed, wrapping her arm around her neck to press even closer to Z’ymira. “You are my hero knight, after all.”
No one had ever entered Z'ymira’s home before, just as she had wanted. It was nothing much, a small cabin that she’d built herself years ago when she first retreated deep into the trees. It was rather dark, with only the one small window, but she’d made it into her nest. At its heart was the fireplace and the chaise she made of twisted fallen boughs, draped in the hides of the wolves she’d had to kill to defend herself one frightening winter night many years ago. It was the only real piece of furniture she had besides the work table outside and a small stool by the mantel. Drying herbs hung from the low ceiling, their spicy, earthy scent filling the cabin, shelves of her various supplies and books along the one wall.
Even though she loved her small home, she saw it from the Princess’s eyes when she brought her inside, how it must seem to her in contrast to the grandness of the castle in which she lived. She quickly shook out the furs, put away her woodworking and leather making tools, tossed the wood shavings into the fireplace.
“It’s not much, but it’s dry and safe.” Z’ymira said defensively.
“I think it’s quite cozy.”
She was sure that the Princess was lying, but when she looked there was no jesting in her face. Instead she was walking, well, limping around, running her hand over the trinkets from the forest that Z'ymira had gathered in her fancy, long eagle feathers and stones that were filled with sparkling gems when you broke them open.
“Sit, Princess, and I will tend to the wounds on your feet.”
After starting the fire in the fireplace, Z'ymira went to the shelf where she kept her medicinal pastes and herbs, pulling out what she needed. Taking the small stool and then placing it in front of the Princess, Z'ymira sat.
“May I?” She asked, gesturing to her feet, and the Princess nodded, a little smile creeping across her face.
Taking the dirty, torn shoe off, she balanced the Princess’s left foot on her own knee, letting the growing light of the fire illuminate the damage. Indeed, there were some very angry looking cuts, and she felt her hardened heart thaw some, thinking of how much pain she must be in.
Maybe she’s braver than I thought.
She picked the bits of dirt and detritus out of the cuts to clean them, then spread the healing ointment that she’d gotten from Lady Audrey that helped keep wounds from inflaming. After she did the same to the other foot, she sat back, suddenly very uncomfortable with how close they were.
“There, you should be, that should be, that should help.” She stammered, feeling foolish for doing so.
“Thank you, Huntress. Now prepare a bath so I may wash this dirt from me.” She said in a very irritatingly lofty and entitled tone.
“Wow, that is so not going to happen.”
“What do you mean?”
“The best I can do is a bucket of water and a cloth.”
“That can not be how you yourself bathe.”
“You’re right. I bathe in the cold water spring outside, but I doubt that is something your Highness is willing to do.”
The Princess' face screwed up in determination at the accusation.
“You don’t know what I am willing to do, Huntress.” She said, and then completely undercut her own declaration of fortitude by saying “carry me there henceforth!”
Luckily the spring was close to the cabin, as she’d purposely chosen that spot for the access to fresh water. As soon as she set her down at the edge, the Princess started to pull the ornaments from her hair and handing them to her. Z'ymira took them on instinct, suddenly mesmerised by the sight of the Princess unravelling the twisting braids on the top of her head. She leaned her head back to shake it out, her hands lost in the curls that went past her waist then twisted all that black hair up into a large knot. The Princess finally turned to her, looking at her critically.
“I need one of those leather strips.” She said, pointing to the long fringe of them hanging from under Z’ymira’s chainmail.
Z'ymira had tanned and worked that leather herself to make her vestments. The time and energy she’d put into It had made her proud of what she’d created and normally she’d never dream of altering it. Weighing the alternative of having anything else that would do the job she realized that she had no choice. Heaving out a sigh she took the dagger from her belt to cut one off and hand it to Princess.
“Hold this.” The Princess said.
Hold what? she almost asked, finally realizing she meant that dark twist of hair. With trepidation she reached out and held the heavy, silken weight in her hand as the Princess wound the leather strip around it to hold it in place. Once it was secure, she turned her back to Z'ymira, looking over her shoulder.
“Undo my dress.”
“What?!”
“I have no lady’s maid to help me, and I certainly can’t do it myself.”
Z'ymira looked at the long series of buttons and knew that she was right.
Oh, fuck me.
After placing all the bejeweled hair ornaments on the flat stone next to the spring, and with only slightly fumbling fingers, she undid the buttons and unhooked the waist. As soon as it was free, the Princess pulled the dress down off her arms and then her hips, daintily stepping out of it. Z'ymira felt an illicit thrill go through her at the Princess being clad in nothing but her underthings, the corset making her slim waist even more tiny, the thin material of her white chemise showing the slightest hint of her shapely legs and rather high, peach like…
“Now unlace me.”
It was the obvious next step, but even knowing that she still felt overwhelmed. Looking down at where Runa had sat herself on the puddle of the Princess’s dress, it was as if she was laughing at her.
Stupid, adorable dog.
Once she’d unlaced it, the Princess pulled it up and off her, laying it in the grass next to the stone that held her ornaments. She fully expected the Princess to get into the water in her chemise, as she knew was the habit of fussy, prudish ladies. Instead, she was pulling it up and off herself so quickly that Z'ymira barely had enough time to turn away before she saw anything untoward.
She heard splashing and then some squealing, and finally giggling.
“Oh Princess Runa, look how silly she is! Or perhaps this is the first time she’s seen someone as beautiful as me naked?”
There was no way she wasn’t responding to that challenge, turning back with her eyes open. Any illicit thrill that she might have had at what she was going to see was taken away when she saw the Princess waist deep in the water holding Runa to her chest.
I have to get the fuck out of here.
“I’m going to go catch us some dinner. I’ll still be close by, so if any danger comes, call for me and I will hear you.”
“And I am to go naked for the rest of my time here, now that my dress is ruined? Or is that what you seek?” She said in a sly tone, and much to her shame Z’ymira felt herself flush at the implication.
“What? No! No, you can, just let me…”
Z'ymira went into the cabin, coming back with her black wool hooded cape and socks that she wore in the winter. She placed them on the ground a few feet away from the spring, keeping her eyes averted from all that wet flesh.
“Here. I’ll be, yeah…” she said, turning and almost running away, hearing the Princess’s giggles as she did.
When she came back into the cabin with a brace of prepared coneys about an hour later, the Princess was curled up on the chaise, lost in the long depths of Z'ymira’s cloak. Her face brightened when she saw her.
“You came back.” She said, as if she had doubted it.
“Of course. All my stuff is here.”
“Oh.”
Was she disappointed? At what?
“Are you making rabbit stew? I haven’t had it in so long.”
“I imagine this will be very different from the fancy kind you’re used to.”
“I’m actually quite fond of a more rustic preparation. My father used to hunt coneys and make a stew of them when he would go on his hunting trips. He would always bring me some home because he knew I loved it.”
This bit of information surprised Z'ymira. She knew that King Quinn had died many years ago when the Princess was still quite young. When the Queen had married King Ridley, he went on to show he was a generous ruler by giving the Princess her own realm to govern. After seeing how wise and knowing the King was, Z'ymira allowed herself to believe that maybe there was more to the Princess if he entrusted her with it.
And then she was back to being a pain in Z’ymira’s ass.
“I was going to try and look for a comb, but by the looks of your hair, I realized you most likely don’t have one.”
“I do too.” Z'ymira grouched, feeling rather embarrassed when it took her way too long to find it.
As the stew simmered, they grew quiet. Z'ymira stayed next to the fire, stirring their dinner way more than was necessary, but needing something to distract her from the sight of the Princess combing out all that long, beautiful hair. Some foreign impulse came up in her at that, and she had an intense desire to be the one handling all those dark curls. Gripping the wooden spoon so tightly her knuckles went white, she desperately fought it.
I must be more exhausted than I thought to think such a crazy notion.
Finally the Princess heaved a deep sigh, and Z'ymira watched from the corner of her eye as she laid back, spreading all that glossy hair about her. They went quiet again, Z'ymira watching Runa as she slept in front of the fire, her little legs kicking in a dream. When the stew was done, she dished some up in her hand carved wooden bowl.
“I’m afraid I only have this one bowl, but when you’re done I can-”
It was then that she saw the Princess had drifted off to sleep, obviously as exhausted as Z’ymira was, especially considering how hungry she was.
Oh gods, what do I do now?
The obvious solution seemed to be for her to go ahead and eat first. She found she was actually famished and ate it quite quickly. While she ate she heard a whine and looked down to see Runa looking up at her with big eyes.
“Does your mistress allow you to have food from the table?” Z’ymira asked.
Together they both looked over at the sleeping Princess and then back at each other, like they were conspiring together. She couldn’t help but smile down at Runa, using her spoon to scoop out a piece of rabbit and putting it in front of her. The small dog ate it with such enthusiastic gusto she had to give her more.
Z’ymira thought then of her two options, whether to wake the Princess up to give her the food and then having to interact with her again, or letting her sleep and getting some rest herself. Thinking of it that way made the correct choice obvious and she stretched out in front of the fire, propping her head up on her arm. Almost immediately the warmth and the safety of her home started to lull her off to sleep.
Before she could drop off though, she turned to look at the Princess again. She noticed the effect of her red lips against her pale skin, the heart shape of her face, the smooth brow, and all of that dark hair.
In that moment a feeling of familiarity tugged at her. She wondered if it was actually a Remembered, that feeling one would have when it seemed like you’d lived a moment before. But something about that face, the thought of it being known yet not at the same time.
Maybe it was something to do with her Other, the one who spoke to her in her dreams, the one who looked like her but was so different.
Una, she called herself, a being who lived in the stars.