<span style="color: #00BFFF">It was a hot summers day, with the sun shinning brightly and the birds singing delightful tunes as a young Princess played within the castle grounds. There was not a cloud in the sky to offer her some shade so the Princess, who was no older then 13 decided to seek shade under a tree. Unlike most Princesses her age, who liked to play with dolls, dress up in fancy cloths and start acting like a young lady, Katherine Woodville loved to be outside, to explore and to have an adventure. There was only so many adventures that one could have when stuck within the castle walls. It had been a deep desire for little Katherine to see what adventures awaited her from beyond the castle walls, so many buildings, streets, woods and paths that all could lead to something great and wonderful. Unlike the paths within the castle, all in which she knew off by heart. She could just place one foot in front of the other and end up where she wanted to be without thinking about. It made for a very boring adventure. <br/><br/>Looking around with her dark brown eyes and seeing that no one was around, Katherine decided to climb up the tree. Now it was no coincident that she had picked this tree to seek shade in, for it was a special tree. One that would help to her new adventure. The tree that she was climbing was dangerously close to the castle wall and close to another tree which was on the other side. At one part of the trees, both branches from each side interlocked. A perfect place for her to jump from one tree to the other without the chance of either, hurting herself to much and her parents finding out. Once she had reached the part where the branches met across, above the castle wall, Katherine placed her long curly dark drown hair to one side and steady herself for a running start. <br/><br/>On the count of three she ran across the branch and was about to leap to another branch in font of her when the branch she had been running on snapped. With a seconds thought she manage to grab hold of a lower one. She was about to pull herself when she could hear the raring shouts of her father and the panic cries of her mother. "Great" she huffed as she tried to pull herself up, away from everyone's reach but sadly she felt the hard tug of her father's large hands around her little waist. "No let go! Put me down!" Katherine screamed but her father kept hold of her and before she knew she was being carried into the castle and up the stairs, with her mother following behind. <br/><br/>Once they arrived at her room he father placed her on her bed and looked down at her in anger, but there was a hint of something else in his eyes. "How many times have we got to tell you Katherine Mary Woodville?!" her father huffed in anger. Oh dear her middle name was being used, that was only save when she was in deep, deep trouble, which so happen to be most of the time. "You are NOT to go over the castle walls....NOR under them or any other way around them!" he continued raising his voice a little more as she oped it to ask wither another way would be fine. Yes at times Katherine can be a little smarty mouth but then if she didn't ask these things should would only go and try them. "Why can't you be like all the other Princesses and start acting liked a young lady that you are?" He asked though he wasn't looking for a reply so Katherine just sat on her bed watching her father pace the room. "I think it's about time you learn the ways of being a lady and for now on your not to leave your room with a maid being by your side. Do you understand?" he said looking over at her, his eyes fixed on hers. "But, but..." she stuttered but her father wasn't having any of it and he locked her in her room. <br/><br/>The Queen looked over at the King and gave a light sign. "I know dear, I know. I don't like it as much as you but after that witch and her curse...I can't have my daughter falling in love with, with someone like that!" He said waving his hands around. "I understand dear. I do but I guest wish there was another way." she replied wrapped her arm around the Kings arm. He kissed her forehead lightly and gave another sign before they walked off to there own chambers. Leaving Katherine locked up in her room as she started to cry, feeling like all her freedom had been taken away from her. <br/><br/>It all happen a week after Katherine was born. The King had been on some journey around the other kingdoms and had been attached. The kings Knight had saved the kings life but with the sacrifice his own life. The King would have this so he asked for a witch to come and heal him with her magic. But sadly there was nothing that the witch could do, thought the King wasn't having any of it. He thought that she wouldn't help her because he hand banished magic from the kingdom after it was used to kill his brother so he sentence her to be burned that very night. As they lite the wood alight the witch cursed there family with something that she knew the King would hate. She cursed the family that his first born child (Katherine) would fall in love with someone with magic and that, that child would never love another soul. Ever seance then the King has bad sure that she has stayed within the castle walls and that no one with magic ever got close to her. <br/><br/>~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ <br/><br/>Six years later and it looked as if Katherine had giving up on the idea of having an adventure. Well only to her parents and the maids it did. In Katherine's mind she was in full swing on trying to find away out of here. When she knew that no one was looking she would search like crazy trying to find a way over that wall. Or under, or around or even thought the doors, but she was never alone long enough to do anything about it, which just ended up frustrating her more and making her more determined to get as far away from that god forsaken wall once she was over the other side. But that was the problem. Getting t the other side. <br/><br/>It was much like the day when she was 13 and her father locked her in her room and told her she had to start acting like a lady and that she wouldn't be able to leave with out a maid. Her father, the King stuck to his word. Not did a single day pass with a maid by her side. The only time she was ever truly on her own was when she had to use the bathroom and even then they waited by her door. Something which she hated. Katherine was sitting in the flower garden reading to her teacher maid, like all the young lady Princesses did before lunch, when something caught her eye. She stopped reading for a moment and noticed that it was a pure white Rabbit with brown eyes and a black button nose that had got her attention. Her maid mumbled from her sleep and Katherine decided to continue to read but keeping an eye on the rabbit. <br/><br/>After a while she knew it was safe to stop reading without the maid noticing or waking up. Placing the book gently down on the grass she stood up and walked over to the rabbit. But before she could get closed to it, it hopped away into the bushes in front of Katherine. Glancing around the garden there seemed to be no one around so she decided to follow the rabbit. Walking a little round the bush it appeared that the rabbit had just vanished. "Well that's funny. how could something just... vanishes?" she muttered to herself. As Katherine was about to give up on the Rabbit hunt she saw it appeared from behind a tree trunk. Frowning lightly she was about to follow it when she her the cough of her father. <br/><br/>"Oh look there it is!" Kathrine said brightly as she picked up her earring, which she just so happening took off her ear. She turned round and bumped into her father. "Daddy!" she said shocked, thought she knew he was there the whole time. "You scared me half to death!" she added placing the earring back on. "Hrmm" her father replied raising and eyebrow. Clearly thinking that she was up to no good. "I dropped my earring when I leaned over and smelled the roses. Be such a shame to loss these." she said as she flicked her brown curly hair back showing the earrings her father had gotten her for her 19th birthday, just a few days ago. "Yes it would be" he replied with a light nod. "It's lunch time." He stated as he held out his arm. Katherine smiled warmly as she took her father's arm and walked inside to have lunch, though she glanced back at the Rabbit and gave it a little wink. <br/><br/>An hour had passed when she finally made it back to the spot where she was reading. Yet again there was a maid by her side and she rolled her eyes at. Sitting down on the grass she decided to read her book again. Not because she wanted to but simple because the maid would soon fall into a deep sleep and then she would be free to do as she pleased. Plus her father was busy with meetings and her mother would stay by his side thought out the rest of the day. Perfect time for her to see where that rabbit was coming and going from. Just like she planned within just a few pages of her reading her book the maid was snoring away. <br/><br/>Getting up gently from where she sat she made her way over to where she had seen the rabbit vanish and appear. Looking around to make sure that all was clear she knelt down on her dark green dress and looked around the very large tree trunk. As Katherine was looking the white rabbit hopped out of the wall, all rather a large crack. Katherine gave a little scream but quickly placed her hand over her mouth to stop any more noise from escaping. "You little!" she hissed but her face softened at the cute little rabbit. "I'm sorry I shouldn't be mad at you. So This is how your coming and going." she said to the rabbit as she crawled over a little more to get a better look at the gap. There wasn't much of a crack in the wall, enough for the rabbit to go in and out of but a slim lady like herself. If only the tree was a little rounder, though would of made the crack big enough, after all it was because of the tree there was gap. It too seemed to want to get to the other side, just like Kathrine herself. <br/><br/>With a light sigh she looked at the small gap. It would take years for the tree t make the crack big enough, that's even if the tree would grow any more. The thought made her sigh and she petted the rabbit which seemed to like being around her. Looking at the crack she thought for a moment thinking of what she could do to help make it bigger, but nothing reasonable was coming to her. The rabbit hopped from her lap and started kicking the dirt around looking for treats to eat. She smiled at him and watched him for a moment before an idea popped to her head. Grabbing a stone she started to dig a little under the crack making the space bigger. Luckily there wasn't any roots in her way and the earth was quite soft. Within a few moments the hold seemed big enough for her to go though. "Right." she said as she grabbed the rabbit. "You can go first and show me the way." she told the rabbit and she placed it by the gap. It gave a little look around before going though and Katherine followed him though. It was most differently a tight squeeze to say the lest but with a little wiggle here and there she slowly made her way thought. "If only I was your size." she said with a giggle. <br/><br/>Standing up from where she had just crawled threw, she patted off the dust from her dress and allowed her dark drown hair to flow down her back in tight curls. Not wanting to be notice by people she placed her sliver crown within the gap, both so she knew where to get back over and to keep save out of peoples sight. "Shh. Our little secret" she said with a little wink to the rabbit before spinning round in her new freedom. Katherine let out a free spirited laugh and waved her hands around. Already she felt as free as a bird and it seemed that she had never really taken a real breath of air. Katherine was mostly surrounded by trees put there was two small paths. One she new leaded up to the markets and stools (She could see the tall polls with flags which was the welcoming signs to the market) and the other leaded into the woods some more. "Well i'm a little over dressed for the market don't you think?" she said down at the rabbit who just hopped to along the path that leaded into the woods. "I guess you agree." She replied with a light laugh. <br/><br/>Kathrine smiled warmly and she followed along the rustic path into the woods. It was a bright sunny day and the break in the leaves allowed light to flood into the woods, blighting it all up and making it look more welcoming. There where birds in most of the trees and butterflies and bee's happily flying to the bright and beautiful flowers. Katherine couldn't help herself, she began to hum a delight tune and even skip a little as if she was 12 again. She could feel her hair bouncing with every skip and the sun's rays warming her skin as the cool breeze gently blew passed her. Every now and then she would stop and spin around with her arms outstretched. Just to be free was the most wonderful feeling she had ever felt. All the things she could do and all the things she could see, there was nothing stopping her. <br/><br/>Soon she found herself coming to a road. She took a glance at each end and saw that no one was around. Deciding that walking a long it wouldn't be a bad idea she stepped happily along the road till she hear a cracking noise. One much a like a tree branch snapping."AHH!" Kathrine screamed and within a few short seconds she was swooped up from the ground and hanged high up from the ground swaying lightly within a net. "Shoot!" she hissed as she blew her hair out of her face as she sat uncomfortably within the net. Looking around there wasn't any sign of anyone. "Just great. Get out of one trapped placed into another!" she hissed to herself as she tried to stand up within the net but having no luck. Katherine tried everything. Bouncing, swaying even used her earring to try and cut thought the rope but nothing was working. The only thing she could do was sit and wait. "Just perfect..." she hissed to herself as she continued to sway lightly</span><br/><br/><br/><span style="color: #8000FF">Gabriel Moncrief was in a jolly mood on his way home. At the young age of 12 he made a bit of money to bring home to his family by working as a fruit picker in and orchard on the other side of the village. As a child of twelve he should have been in school but like many of the more poor families he had to work to make ends meet. He had caught a rabbit on the way home from work and he was able to smuggle a few apples from the orchard, which would make a good meal for him and his parents. It was true pilfering apples from the orchard was technically against the law, but he had never been caught so he saw no reason to stop. He was caught he would get a warning since no one could prove it wasnâ€™t his first time and he would stop after he was caught. <br/><br/>He walked up to the closet sized house he shared with his parents. He was whistling a bit with his pittance of a salary heavy in his pocket. His tune stopped when he saw the house though. The door was broken off itâ€™s hinges and the lights were out there was no smoke from the chimney and worse than that no parents. Gabriel knew enough to realize that his parents had been taken. There were plenty of reasons why people disappeared from this part of town and he knew that this was someone elseâ€™s choice not theirs because the last thing his parents would do would be leave him behind. He walked into the house to see their small table in shambles just like everything else. He poked around the wreckage finding a few pairs of pants and enough shorts that he could get by till he grew out of them. He was able to find his mothers locket, which she had hidden in a china teapot and his fatherâ€™s wedding ring next to it. He knew this meant that they were alive but not coming back. Living someplace where people often went missing they had worked out a way of communication by what was left behind. <br/><br/>As he walked toward his grandmotherâ€™s hovel a few streets away he found it impossible to believe he had been happy only a few minutes before. He passed out the apples to the children in the streets not really in the mood to eat anything but he thought his grandmother would appreciate the rabbit. He had tucked the wedding ring and locket into a small handkerchief and tucked it into the very center of his bundle of cloths. His life had changed forever in one day. <br/><br/>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ <br/><br/>Ten years had passed and his life had changed a great deal since he was twelve. He no longer worked in the orchard he no longer really worked at all. He hadnâ€™t done much real work since his parents were taken. He had decided that day that all real work did was get you punished. As their message had promised him ten years ago he had never seen his parents again and he hadnâ€™t expected to. He had learned to get by without work though and he did quite well for himself considering. <br/><br/>The young boy who had once been known simply as Gabriel Moncrief now had five aliases and more disguises. He would trade with different people under different names so they didnâ€™t know he was the same person who had pilfered half a dozen oranges earlier that same week. <br/><br/>The only people who still called him Gabriel were the people he gave the oranges to. These people were the people in his neighborhood the kids mostly. He helped out the families that needed it and kept only a bit for him and never the things like sugar or oranges. The treats always went to the kids that would crowd around him like hungry birds when he came back to his old home. The parents would watch him from windows and call him and angel just like his namesake. He would always shake his head at them and say â€œa dark angelâ€ on his way home. His grandmother had died when he was nineteen and he now lived in her old house. <br/><br/>His grandmother had taught him a great deal before she passed. The main thing she had taught him about was magic. No one had ever told Gabriel he had magic in him, but he knew from a young age he was special. Since magic had been banned before Gabriel was even born he had never been trained when his parents were alive, but his grandmother thought it was stupid to waste a gift like his. She had taught him how to make use of his magic. He couldnâ€™t do anything big and when he got especially angry he couldnâ€™t predict what his magic might do, but he could set a small fire as a distraction float fruit or other treats away from venders in the market when they werenâ€™t looking. He could tell where a person or game would step by touching the ground and concentrating. He could predict when certain things would happen. These small gifts had allowed him to become quite good at hunting and stealing. He considered it borrowing but no one else did. <br/><br/>He never stole from those who couldnâ€™t afford it. As a matter of fact he more often then not gave away all he had to those who couldnâ€™t fend for themselves. He was well off enough he scraped by at least. He wanted to help the people with less. His multiple identities, another handy thing his magic had made easier, allowed him to pickpocket coins or jewelry from the wealthy and trade it with the merchants, steal apples from one vender and sell him to his neighbor for a nice bit of meat with no one being the wiser. <br/><br/>Gabriel had a very profitable day so far and it wasnâ€™t over yet. He had set a snare for a tax collector on his way into the market. He had known the man would be passing later that day and he loved best taking money from tax collectors since he was convinced that was who had taken his parents away. He had a bag full of pears, a bunch of carrots, a sack of potatoes, and two pheasants he had managed to shoot. He wasnâ€™t a great shoot with an arrow, but he could usually get some meat that way. <br/><br/>He was walking along with his daily haul humming to himself. He was traveling as himself as he always did on his way home. He slipped behind a tree and He peeked to take a look at his trap. Wait that wasnâ€™t what he had wanted to catch. Great he sets out to catch a tax collected and he gets a girl. He would never have enough time to reset the trap. With a sigh he slipped from behind the tree to look at the girl in his net. â€œWhat are you doing? This trap wasnâ€™t set for you girly.â€ From the way he said it he clearly didnâ€™t really want or expect and answer. He circled her slowly examining her. She had on a nice dress polished shoes that matched the dress and a fantastic pair of ear bobs. Those ear bobs alone would keep the families in his neighborhood fed for a week. He tickled her ear as he got closer. â€œNow those are lovely. I bet you have plenty of pairs at home. Are they a present from your parents? or maybe a suitor? No I think it is probably your parents though a pretty thing like you certainly has plenty of prospects right?â€ He was teasing her and enjoying it far more than he should. He used his deft thieves fingers to pluck the earrings from her. â€œYou probably think it is simply awful for a man to take something so lovely from you, but think of it as an investment. You have just kept another family fed so they can work to keep food on your elegant dining room table and weave beautiful cloth for your charming dresses.â€ <br/><br/>He heard the sound of the tax collector her had known would come down the road. He had wasted too much time. He cut the trip wire dropping her unceremoniously to the ground rather harshly. He dragged her behind the tree he had originally ducked behind and covered her mouth. â€œNot a word.â€ He watched as the tax collector passed his purse heavy with the coins that the poor didnâ€™t have to spare. He cursed under his breath. Once the man was out of sight and ear shoot he let the girl go. â€œYou have cost me a pretty penny today.â€ He huffed but slipped the earrings into his pocket. He gathered his other goods from the day and turned towards home. â€œYou better get back to your ivory tower girl others you meet might not be as kind a gent as me.â€ He said it with a playful smile. â€œThank ye for the ear bobs they will go to a good cause o my honor as a thief.â€ He kept that smile which most would find infuriating. <br/><br/>He was in a fairly good mood he had lost the tax collector but he had a great deal of fun teasing the girl and he still got a great deal to give the village when he returned and come the next day he would have plenty to trade with due to her cartable donation. </span><br/><br/><br/><span style="color: #00BFFF">The swaying of her in the net was starting to make Kathrine feel sea sick. Something which she hadn't felt before, due to the lack of never being out of the castle. She sighed and tried to stay focused on something close to her, whilst all the time keeping her ears focus on any sounds of someone or something. Hoping that either someone was to find her soon or the person who trapped she got caught up in would check on it. All the while still hoping that the person who was to find her, not be someone who she should fear. The last thing she needed was for them to find out who she was and for them to kidnap her and ask for a ransom. These where just some of the things that her Father said would happen to her if she was to leave the Castle walls. But as one might of guessed she never let what her father said scare her from trying to get over the Castle walls. <br/><br/>Though she thought that she would be careful enough not to get into any trouble. She thought that she would be able to stay away from the main villages which where around the Kingdom and just wonder around the woods and broken paths, waiting for her next adventure to start. Katherine gave a large huff at the thought o how far she had gotten into her new adventure. "So much for being free..." she said to herself with a sigh. Then suddenly she her some rustling within the woods. Although she knew she should speak out for help she kept quite, watching the trees and bushes closely, waiting to see who was lurking around. Shortly she heard a sigh and a young man slipping out from behind a tree. <br/><br/>Katherine watched the young man closely as he looked up at her and commented that the net wasn't meant for her. "I'm well aware the trap wasn't for me and i'm not a girly. I'm a Lady" she stated as she watched him walk closer to her. "And I would be very grateful if you could help me down." She added in a kind yet demanding tone, watching his hand making it's way over to her ear. She tried to lean away but it was no use. As she leaned to one side it only made her sway gently more towards him. Being tied up in a net meant for little room to breath let alone move away from someone. "They where a gift from my parents for my birthday." She replied to his question though it seemed he didn't really care on what occasion she had got them for. <br/><br/>It was the naked feeling and the cool breeze that told her that he had taken them. She reached to her ears and felt just her bare skin free from the jewels, though this wasn't an odd feel to her. Many time she had lost her earrings and other jewels. It seemed she never really cared for the things but it was a ladies right to wear such beautiful, handcrafted things. It showed the class she was at and the means of her family fortune. The bigger and rarer the diamonds the richer the family. Which was always import to let people know where one stood in society. Not that Katherine enjoyed any of these facts. She would much rather give up everything and go off traveling, but sadly that was never going to happen. Not if she didn't want her parents to find out. <br/><br/>She was about to reply to his comment when he had cut the rob and allowing her to fall harshly onto the ground. "OUCH" she shouted as she hit the ground with a thud, but before she got any chance to even think about getting to her feet, he did it for her. In one swift moment she was off of the ground and being dragged to a nearby tree. Her heart was racing slight but she felt annoyed and was about to comment on how rude he was being and the way that he was treating her, when she found his hand being placed round her mouth and him warning her to keep quite. With her eyes fixed on his face she watched him as he watched the tax man walk pass, she raised her hands and placed them on his arm, but not daring to try and move it away. <br/><br/>Frowning lightly at him cursing she waited for him to release his hand away from her mouth. Luckily she didn't have to wait to long before he did. "Clearly not a heavily one as you have taking my bobs, as you call them." Katherine stated as she watched him placed them into his pocket. She watched as he took a few steps in the direction of the tax man and just come from. As he commented that he was a gent she let out a snort. "You a gentlemen? You and I must have different meanings of the word." she stated as she followed him. <br/><br/>She knew that perhaps it wasn't such a good idea to follow someone she had just meat, but since had she been someone to do the right thing? What was the point in starting now. "Yes but could you not be a kind thief?" She asked softly "I know I have coats you dearly today but can I please have a least one of my earrings back?" she added as she continued to follow right behind him. She knew that he wouldn't give up both of the earrings so there was no point int trying, but maybe if he was kind enough he would allow her to just ave the one back. Plus that would be all she needed to persuade her parents that she had just lost one was she walked bout the castle grounds. <br/><br/>"If you really are in dire need of both I could give you it back another day?" Katherine continue to pester him as she now walked along side him. As she looked across at his she could tell that he was starting to get annoyed by the fact his playful smile had faded. Perfect her plan was working. Annoy the guy in giving her at least one of the earrings back. The playful smile which he had was now placed on her own lips. She knew that perhaps she was starting to push her luck a little but she was never one to give up on something that she wanted or needed. Jumping in front of him so he had to stop walking, she smile across at him gently and looked into his eyes "please..." she asked as she stood strait making herself look taller, making her stand just above his shoulders.</span><br/><br/><br/><span style="color: #8000FF"><br/>He set off on his way determined to get home before it was dark. He had more than enough of this girl. He had what he wanted off of her and she was better off in whatever grand palace she lived in than out here on the road. He didnâ€™t wish her any ill but what happened to her was none of his concern he had plenty of people who were his concern and she was not one of them. There were children who would go hungry if he didnâ€™t get back soon. <br/><br/>He wrote her off as unimportant figuring she could decide and assume whatever she liked about him. He was much more of a gentleman than most people would ever give him credit for. His mother and father had taught him right while they could. They say there is no honor among thieves but that did not apply to Gabriel in the least he was very honorable in his way, but he was also a thief through and through. <br/><br/>He did not expect the girl to fallow him and was thoroughly annoyed when she decided to do so. He rolled his eyes trying to tune her out with no success. â€œDo you ever shut up girl? Iâ€™m sure you think you have great need of your baubles, but trust me you donâ€™t. What good would one do you anyway? These trinkets wear could build a new house or feed a family for weeks and all you think of is the status it shows others.â€ He shook his head a kept walking. He knew he shouldnâ€™t rise to her baiting, but she was really starting to irritate him. <br/><br/>He looked at her as she stood in his path. He walked around her still determined to put BOTH the jeweled decorations to good use. She wasnâ€™t to be ignored though and seemed just as determined as he was though she clearly didnâ€™t need them the way the people in the village did. He was getting close to home though and there was no telling what she might do to the people he did care for. <br/><br/>He was walking into the town knowing children would soon ambush him, he sighed in resignation. â€œFine girly take your bauble I hope the good it COULD have done will weight heavily on your conscience till you die.â€ Just as he tossed the single earring to her the children he had spent so long helping mobbed him. Be knelt down in the filth on the street not caring at all for his own cleanliness or belonging. He hugged certain children and tickled others. He gave each one of them a pear, which they all eyed hungrily. He tried to keep track as the children as they scattered home clutching their prize. That was the end of the pears. He would have dearly loved to have one left for himself but he didnâ€™t need it. He walked to the houses where the adults would open their shutters and handed out the remained of his haul to the people in the most need. He kept only a small potato from the sack for himself. <br/><br/>Relieved of his load he turned to return to his shack of a home and a dinner of stale bread and potato stew. He opened his door turned to close it and saw her still there. She seemed astonished at something though he couldnâ€™t imagine what. â€œStill here? You should have gone home you got your trinket and you have no chance of retrieving the other one.â€ He was glaring at her. He had given up more than enough money and time to her already he was not willing to give up any more. â€œI have nothing more for you and you donâ€™t seem inclined to donate anything more so as I said before return to your ivory tower I will not be responsible for what happens if you wander after dark I have enough people to look after without some pampered high brow to keep from getting herself into trouble. Shoo!â€ He turned determined not to waste anymore time or effort on her. </span><br/><br/><br/><span style="color: #00BFFF">Katherine was sure that jumping in font of him would get his attention and the earring that she wanted. She was surprised to find how reluctant he was. Normally people would have given up by now, just so they could get read of her and have some peace. Giving a heavy sigh, she turned on her heal and continue on her annoying ways. "LADY!" she stated loudly to his comment of calling her a girl again. "I'm a lady not a girl" she added walking quicker to keep up with the man. "Oh and your'll be very surprise what I could do with one earring." Katherine said in a matter of fact. <br/><br/>It was true. Although you would't think it, Katherine had many uses for just one earring. Like picking a locked door. Many of times she had needed to do that over the years, though more in her younger years then now. All her failed attempts to try and find and get some freedom had coast her a few miserable days being locked up in her room. Though when all was quiet, Katherine would come out and play. The long dangling earrings always worked the best to pick the lock and didn't require much time or make much noise. Though most of the castle was locked up, she would venture down to the kitchens for some food and head into the library. Here she could indulge in tales and adventures and, though wishing that she was the one outside living the tales and not the characters in the book. <br/><br/>"Just one of my little earrings, which I promise to give back at a later date." Katherine asked again now walking beside him again. Soon Katherine could make out the broken down homes of a small village. She supposed that this was where he lived. "Look If I could just have-..." she cut short as she looked around village. The place seemed to be deserted with not even a cat or dog. The houses looked run down and the ground looked boned dried. Where there once stood fences now just stood rooting wooden. It was a sad, cold place. Even the warm sun shinning down upon didn't seem to cheer the place up. Surely no one lived here, no even him? <br/><br/>She was distracted by looking around that she almost missed catching the earring. Within seconds of her catching it Children come running out of now where. Well that was what it seemed like to her. After all she thought that no one was living here. The sight of the children running to the man who had helped her and then stole from her made her wonder what kind a man he really was. Soon the man was giving out pears to all the children, making sure that each child had gotten one as he went along. There faces lite up with delight over just a simple pear. Well to her it was a simple pear, to them it was like gold. <br/><br/>Standing there at the entrance of the village, she watched the children run to their homes, showing their parents what they had just receive from the man. As he walked over to there homes they welcome him with warm smiled and blessing for the more food he handed to them. This was such a huge shock to Katherine to see how these people lived that she didn't know what do to. She couldn't move nor open her mouth, her eyes stayed fixed on the children. It was the children that worried her the most. Some so skinny that even a tumble on the ground could cause a break. These children where far-less fortunate then her or even the children outside the Castle walls by the market. How could they gone unnoticed to the kingdom? <br/><br/>She was torn away from her thoughts when a young girl, no old then seven had fallen by her feet. She light blond hair down to her waist and her clothes where dirty, though you could just make out the floral pattern at the bottom of her dress. Katherine looked around before deciding to help. She wasn't so sure if it was her place too, but no one else seemed to be coming to her aid. "Oh here let me help you." she said kindly as she knelt down and helped the little girl up from the ground. Though the child looked small she was much lighter then Katherine had first thought. Placing her to her feet she smiled up at her and brushed off a few stands of hair from her face. The girls big blue eyes looked upon Katherine's browns one and she smiled shyly up at her. "You such a beautiful young lady." Katherine replied truthfully. Though her skin was a little dirty she looked like an angle with the sweetest smile placed on her lips. <br/><br/>Soon the girl was off to play with all the other children and she watched as she played with the others. Katherine had always had a soft touch for children, though she never really got to meet any. Just some of the young Princesses and Princes from neighboring kingdoms. It was no secret that Katherine want's children, a huge family. Growing up she hated not having brothers or sisters and she grew up believing that each family should have more then one child. Just so they would have someone to play with and get into trouble with. A childish thought but she still believed in it. <br/><br/>It was the sound of the man that called for her gaze to leave the little girl. She listened to every word he said, not saying a ward back. Finding that she could move her feet she walked over to his house. Looking inside it had all the basics, everything that she would take for granted at home. He wanted her to shoo away, but how could see, after seeing the children they way there where. She wanted to help them but what could see do? she couldn't go to her father, for he would know that she had been out of the Castle walls. She then looked down at her hands seeing her fingers play with the earring. Two would get fare much more then just one and she could always make something up to her parents. <br/><br/>Katherine gave a light cough to grab the man's attention. With out looking him the eye she held her hand and gave him the earring. "Your right. I don't need it." she said with a light nod. As he took it she looked over at the children. "Make sure you use the earrings to get as much as you can for the children." she added as she turned to look aver at him. With a half weak smile, she lifted up her dress lightly and headed out of the village, not wanting to look back as her eyes become teary with just the though of how they had to live. <br/><br/>It now started to get late and things looked different as the sun set below the trees. It seemed that she had been walking much long then when she was walking with the young man and it felt like she was going round in circles. "Oh now i'm sure i'v seen that tree before!" Kathrine let out with a large sigh as she sat down on a stump. "Why does everything look the same at night...?" she said out loud. Not expecting anyone to reply. Soon her eyes began to water and tears where rolling down her cheeks. All she wanted to do was find her way and be somewhere where she knew she would be safe. </span><br/><br/><br/><span style="color: #8000FF">He took the earring. He almost wanted to thank her, but he couldnâ€™t make himself. It had been too long since he thanked anyone. He had gotten by on his own for so long that it was unnatural to thank anyone for anything even if he should. It was true that she didnâ€™t need to give him the earring he had fully expected her to leave once she had gotten it back that was what most people would do. They would take their treasure and run desperate to get away from the filth and poverty of his village as if it were contagious. <br/><br/>She was more than he thought she was that was for sure. What sort of person would fight so hard to get the earring back but then give it to him after seeing the state of things? She must be even higher up than he had thought. She was probably having some sort of philanthropic urge. The virtuous aristocrat goes slumming and gives her jewels to the poor. He had heard stories like that but learned even before his parents left that things like that didnâ€™t happen in real life; except for today apparently. <br/><br/>He ate his stale bread and a bit of the stew but he wasnâ€™t really hungry. His mind was too busy. He took the stew and put it in a heavy lidded pot. It would be fine tomorrow maybe he would have some before he set out. If not he could give it to the Thompsons in the morning. He sat doing nothing but staring at the two earrings he had placed side by side on the table. They were even finer than he had originally thought. He got up and placed them in a small jar in the single cupboard that remained in the place. <br/><br/>Frustrated with himself and the girl and the tax collector and the dilapidated state of everything he threw himself onto the pallet he used for a bed. It took Gabriel all of ten minutes to realize he wouldnâ€™t get ANY sleep that night. Even more frustrated than he had been before he threw off his thin cover and let out a growl that had it been louder would have woken his neighbors. He knew they wouldnâ€™t have minded after all they had spent years waking up to his screams from nightmares about his parents. They felt sorry for him; he couldnâ€™t stand pity. Knowing this wouldnâ€™t be a night with nightmares or sleep he got out of bed and changed into a clean set of cloths. He grabbed a bag, his bow and arrows, a small knife, and his parentsâ€™ last gifts to him. <br/><br/>He would spend the night in the forest. Things made more sense and if he found some game at least he was prepared. He didnâ€™t expect to catch anything though. He got deep into the forest and climbed a tall tree that reminded him of the ones he used to climb in the orchard when he was young. He could see the stars through the thick foliage up here. They glittered like the jewels he so often stole. Why couldnâ€™t others be content with the glitter of the stars as he was? He opened his bag and took out his motherâ€™s locket and his fatherâ€™s ring. He slipped the ring on his finger finding comfort in the cool metal. It used to be far too big for him but it now fit snugly around his ring finger as it used to fit his father before him. With a sigh he wrapped the chain of the locket around his wrist and opened it. Inside on one side was a picture of his parents on their wedding and on the other was a picture of the tree of them. He sighed and looked back up at the stars. <br/><br/>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ <br/><br/>After some time, he couldnâ€™t say how long he heard a sound off to his left. He carefully climbed down out of the tree his bow at the ready. He was wary of the animals that roamed the forest at night. Usually they left him alone and he left them alone but that didnâ€™t mean that an especially hungry one might attack if he wasnâ€™t careful. He slowly made his way toward the sound till he heard the words clearly, for words they were. <br/><br/>He saw her. He had told her she would get lost. He should have known really. Nobles werenâ€™t good at anything. Couldnâ€™t she at least have kept herself out of trouble? It would serve her right if he just left and he was about to do just that. He turned back when he heard the unmistakable sound of tears. Most people thought tears only had a sound when they accompanied sobs but Gabriel knew better there were too many tears without the luxury of sobs in his village. He felt sure he would regret it but he couldnâ€™t just leave her here in the forest crying like that. <br/><br/>He tucked away his motherâ€™s locket his fatherâ€™s ring slung the bow over his back. As much fun as it would have been to scare her to death by aiming an arrow at her she had a traumatic day already. He took a moment to make sure he wasnâ€™t too grubby before he revealed himself. Gabe took a deep breath and stepped out from behind a tree next to her. â€œEverything looks the same at night because you are used to your candles and lamps so you donâ€™t know how the lack of light changes the look of things the way those of us who must live without light have learned to.â€ He shook his head and walked away. <br/><br/>He turned after only a few steps. â€œAre you coming girly? God only knows why Iâ€™m helping you but if it will get you out of my hair for good.â€ He shook his head again as he waited for her to join him. â€œWe will have to cut through the woods if we want to get back before dawn. How did you even end up here?â€ He heaved what could only be a long-suffering sigh. â€œLook Iâ€™m taking you back to where I caught you but past that you are on your own you understand no more favors I shouldnâ€™t even be doing this. I will be in no shape to trade come morning. He was grumbling and didnâ€™t care if she heard him or not. <br/><br/>He quieted after a while and walked in silence trying to ignore the girl that walked with him. He looked up to see the flags that waved from the turrets of the castle a little further and they would be on the road close to where he had caught her. He huffed a bit at the sight of the banners flapping in the night breeze. â€œStupid nobles donâ€™t even think about how lucky they are.â€ He was saying it under his breath but he was sure the girl heard him. Well let her think what she would about his manners. <br/><br/>With a sight he stopped and leaned against a tree. This was as far as he went. â€œThis is where I leave you. You can surely find your way back from here.â€ He dg in his pocket and took out a crudely carved bead. He always had a pocket full they were his marker for the people who knew. â€œIf you canâ€™t get home go to the Dancing Dove, Tom is a friend give him this and he will give you a place to rest for the night.â€ He sighed finally tiered. He handed her the bead and rubbed his head. â€œTry not to get into anymore trouble Iâ€™m getting tiered of saving you girly.â€ He gave her a mock bow before disappearing into the trees to take a short cut back home. Maybe if he was lucky he would be able to get a few hours of sleep before dawn still. <br/><br/>~~~~~~~~~~~~ <br/><br/>Gabriel was bone tiered the next day. He usually would have forgone the market and stuck to scavenging in the forest, but he had something to trade today. The girlâ€™s words rung in his head. He had to get what the earrings were worth for the kids if nothing else. As he walked to the market with his bag over his shoulder he slowly constructed his disguise. He wore his nicer cloths and scrubbed up his face. He still had to do a bit of glamour to pull off the disguise of a young gentleman well off enough to have the earrings. He affected a slight accent and stood tall as he did the final glamour over his face he walked into the market as if he owned it. He was bowed to and greeted as if he were a real gentleman instead of a back alley pickpocket. It always amused him when the highborn treated him as and equal. </span><br/><br/><br/><span style="color: #00BFFF">As tears fell down Katherine's cheeks she placed her knees up to her chest and wrapped her arms around her legs, acting like she was ball. She knew she looked very childish but she couldn't care, plus it wasn't like there was anyone around, or so she thought. The tears kept running down her cheeks though she did sob about. There was no telling what kind of animals where in these woods at night, or the kind of people that might be passing though. The thought made her shiver and she whipped away the flowing tears with her hands, wishing she had something else to dry them with. <br/><br/>With her head tucked down within her arms and legs, she heard the man before she saw him. Raising her head slowly, with her tears now slowing and almost coming to a stop, she looked over towards where the man from earlier was standing. From what she could see in the dark and by the tone of his voice, he didn't seem to pleased. She found his comment strange and she wasn't sure if he was meaning for her to follow him or that he was just simply stating something before he left. Her sprites roused greatly as he paused and turned round to her and asked if she was coming along with him. <br/><br/>Quickly Katherine got to her feet and caught up with the young man. She thought about correcting him about calling her girly again, but she thought that he would have had enough of her for one day, so she kept quite. To her everything looked the same but clearly to the young man he knew exactly where he was going. "I thought I was walking along the oath that we walked earlier today...but" she trailed off a little as she looked down at woodland ground below her feet. She was very thankful for the small bet of light that moon was giving off, in which the trees allowed though. A few times she had almost stepped on some little bug or trip over a tree root. <br/><br/>As it was very quite in the wood she heard every wood in which he was grumbling. She wasn't sure wither or not that she was meant to hear what eh was saying or not, so she kept quite and kept her eyes onto the ground. When the come closer to the castle they could both see the flags that moved in the cool night breeze. Katherine looked across at him as he talked about the people inside, about herself. "Perhaps one might know?" she said quickly. She was unsure if he could hear her so she didn't bother to look up, over at him. <br/><br/>When he stopped walking she notice she knew where she was now. This was where he found her hanging in his net. As he leaned against a tree she smiled kindly over at him, great full for all of the help that he had given her for that whole day and not just for helping her find her way. As he handed her the bead she looked sown at it and rubbed it's smooth surfaced. "Thank you, for everything." She said softly. As she looked up from the bead she saw that he was gone, with not even a trace of him being there. <br/><br/>Following the path that she had taken earlier that day she soon found herself at the gap in the wall. Bending down she picked up her crown and squeezed her way though. The castle garden was much lite compared to that in the woods. Normally she had thought that the castle was a dare placed at night but today it seemed like it was daytime. Walking along the neat path she headed inside into the castle. There she pumped into her parents who where off to there chambers. "We thought you went to bed hours ago my dear." he mother said a little surprise to see her up. Katherine gave a little yawn "I fell asleep outside again." She lied. Her father frowned slightly and for a moment she thought he knew the real answer. "Where are your earrings my dear child?" he asked as he gently placed her hair back. "Oh um, they must have fallen out whilst I was a sleep. I'll get one of the maids to look in the morning." she replied and she headed off to bed before her parents could ask her any more questions. <br/><br/>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ <br/><br/>Katherine woke up the next day quite early to her surprise but then again she was itching to get of the castle again. Though this time she planned on not going to the woods. Not till she knew the area better. Even from her bedroom window at the face end of the castle she could hear the buzz of the market. That was where she was going to go today. Just one slight problem. If she was to go in any of the kind of dress she wore the day before she would surly stick out like a sore thumb. <br/><br/>Swinging her legs out of bed a maid attended to making her bath and she went along looking at her clothes. Almost everything was fancy apart from a few clothes in which she wore when she would pick flowers from the gardens. As the flowers where in beautiful blossom about now she would have the perfect excuse to ware it. After she was washed, dressed and her hair lightly placed up she headed down for her breakfast. Her parents looked at her with as a deep frown placed on the faces as she sat down with them. She explain that she was wearing the dress as she was going around the castle grounds picking flowers and go into the maze in which they had placed to keep her entertained. Though she learnt her way around the thing within a week but she never told her parents that. Now she could say she got lost if she was never back by dinner time. <br/><br/>After breakfast she soon harried off to grab her large scarf that went around her arms keeping her warm , some coins and gold from her room and her basket which she used to place her flowers in and a little towel in which she could place over the top of any good that she brought. Walking along the path toward the tree which was hiding the crack she made sure that no one was looked before she dashed behind the tree and out of sight. Bending down she placed the basket though first then herself. With a little less puffier dress on she seemed to fit though a little easier. Placing her crown back into the crack she headed along the other path. <br/><br/>It didn't take her long to walk along the path and get to the market. It was a huge place with loads of people and stools in which people where buying and selling from. Although what she was wearing was one of the lest glamorous gowns she still looked farther fancy. Placing the plan deep green scarf around her head loosely, so that it would be harder for people to notice her, she headed into the busyness of the market. There where all kinds of stools, from ones that just sold fruit and veg to ones selling cloths and Jewel's. <br/><br/>Looking at the fruit stool she grabbed a few apples and paid the man kindly who thanked her with a warm smile. From the corner of her eye she could see two children eye up the delightful apples on the store. By the looked of hem they where poor children but not the ones from the small village that she had wondered to the day before with the young man that had helped her. Grabbing a few a more apples she handed them to the children with a warm smile. The two kids took the apples without any hesitation and ran off. The man behind the store glared at her and she gave a weak smile before paying him him back. <br/><br/>With her eyes still focus on the old man behind the fruit store she didn't realized she was about to bump into someone. "Oh sorry!" Katherine said placing her hands close to herself and her scarf fell a little from her face. Looking over she saw that she had bumped into a some what well dressed man who stood with class, though there was something a little unusual about him though, but it wasn't something that she could place her finger on. </span>