"Gotcha," he said, his tone teasing. He gripped the female tighter and used his other hand to tickle her sides, causing her to squeal and wiggle around.
Holli, the young girl that was being held captive, tried to kick the captor's legs. "Put me down, git!" She whined, eventually stilling in his grasp.
The male complied, setting her down gently. "Ah, fine. Don't want to hurt the princess, 'ya know?" His British accent was evident, but it wasn't exactly British. It was Scottish.
Holli squinted slightly, pouting and glaring at Hector- who was the boy she was talking to. "But your the prince," she pointed out, her short blue and black hair shining in the sunlight. "Don't you get to make the decisions?"
The boy smiled a bit. "Not yet, lass. Maybe not ever. I'm only 14 and your 13! You know how the British monarchy works, you've had enough classes!"
She sighed, "But Hec," This seemed to be a pet name, based on Holli's whine and the scrunched up face. "I don't want to be a princess. I want to go back on vacation with da in Scotland! How come Louis gets to stay?" She stamped her feet angrily.
The older male gave a little sigh, squatting down a bit to match Holli's midget height. He was 5'5 and she only 4'9. "Louis is the heir of Scotland, Holli. You, me, Willy, and Hayden are the heir of England."
"But why Louis?!" She seemed exasperated. "I want to stay with da!" Holli cried, tears at the side of her ocean blue eyes. "I don't like ma!"
Hector wiped away her tears gently. "It's okay, lass. Just do what she says. Your most amazing brother and Glacies will be here for you." He smiled gently, which brought a smile to Holli's face. "Speaking of Glacies, you two have a swordsmanship class! Hurry your arse over there!"
She put on a goofy grin, hugging her older brother before running away, her dress flowing behind her. "Thanks!" She said, turning and smiling at Hector before gracefully hitting her face into a tree.
She was aware of some beeping, but kept her eyes clothes and kept her breathing slow. 'Take it in slowly. It doesn't matter where you are. Take in details slowly, let them think you are still asleep..' Lessons she had learned. In the distance she heard something. She made sure not to furrow her brow.
It was Hector's voice. "Oh yeah ma, we were hunting a deer and she almost had it! But it bucked at her when she was sneaking up behind it."
Holli could practically hear the female roll her eyes. "Right. Not like she can actually sneak up on anything! I bet she just did some dumb mistake and hit herself."
The princess cringed at the words, letting her breath quicken as she pretended to just wake up. Her eyes shot open. She was met by her mother's scowling face. "What's you do this time."
Holli frowned sadly, tears coming to her eyes. "I-I was trying to hunt a deer, but it bucked on me when I almost had it.." She said, stuttering and trying to hold her tears back.
Her mother narrowed her eyes, her dark brown eyes and long black hair gleaming in the hospital lights. Her posture was straight, dominating and enough to cast fear in everyone's hearts. The way her hands rested on her hips. The female's lips were set in a straight line.
"Do better next time. Louis was able to hunt a deer by himself when he was your age. And you should actually TRY to learn from your classes. Don't you remember the one about what you should do when you are in an unfamiliar place?"
Holli widened her eyes. "But ma! I'm doing my best! I did remember!"
But her mother didn't care, stepping and turning away. Holli felt tears sting in her eyes. She was so tired of her mom putting her down. Hector was right behind the spot where her mother was, right hand on his elbow, looking down, his warm ocean blue eyes were downcast. Holli and Hector looked the same. Just like their dad. Holli had dyed her hair though, a dark blue with black. Chopped off all of her hair too.
Hector walked forward and grabbed Holli's hand. "How long were you awake?" He asked quietly. He knew that the deer incident didn't actually happen, and therefore his sister must've heard.
Holli tried to make a weak smile. "Long enough to hear your story." She gently squeezed his hand when she heard the door burst open. Holli winced and let go of Hector's hand, thinking it was their mother. But she was greater by someone else. Someone that was broad-shouldered and well-muscled for a thirteen year old.Shining black hair that would make a blackbird jealous. Blue eyes the shade of an underwater iceberg. "Glacies!" She let the name come off her mouth with a happy tone, sitting up in her hospital bed.
"My princess," he murmured sheepishly, awkwardly getting on his right knee, bowing his head and shakily putting his right hand over his chest. His sword was in its sheath on his left hip. "I apologize for not coming earlier, but I got held up."
The male took a few steps across the tile floor, his heavy training boots making loud taps. Seeing the state of Hollis's bruised forehead he frowned. "My love, what happened."
Hector squinted, that overprotective brotherly look on his face. "She got hit in the face with a deer hoof."
Suddenly another form appeared. "Hey bro," it said walking in. The form gave a glare towards Holli. "Hello, Glacies." The voice was male, his posture straight.
"Hello brother," Holli and Hector said, the first of the two exasperated while the latter put happiness in his tone. "Back from Scotland, yeah?" The latter asked.
"Oh yeah. Pa is thinking of taking you back to Scotland. You know. To be the heir after me. Also thought of bring her," he pointed over at Holli without looking at her.
A look of hope appeared on Holli's face.
"But he decided not to." He finished, causing the major downfall of emotions from Holli. Hector strained a smile. "How long are you staying, Louis."
"Oh.. A few days maybe? Have to spend time with my.." He paused and wrinkled his nose. "Favorite siblings.." He finished.
Glacies was gently murmuring things to Holli, hoping to cheer her up.
"You!" Louis said, taking a few long strides towards Glacies. Louis was the oldest one there, being 5'8 and 16.
He pulled out his sword with a zing, the shiny metal shining like a newly polished car. He put the tip on Glacies' chest, pushing him into a wall.
Glacies' eyes widened, looking around wildly. The twelve year old wasn't sure what to so, knowing well enough not to draw his sword on the royal family.
"I believe that you aren't allowed to talk unless spoken to?" Louis' voice rung out, causing silence. Holli opened her mouth to say something, but Hector stopped her.
Glacies gave a meek nod.
"Then I shall report you to your captain."
Glacies paled, opening his mouth.
"Did I ask for your opinion?!" The heir of Scotland asked, voice outraged.
Glacies shut his mouth.
Louis gave a nod, lowering his sword and walking away. Glacies followed, head down.
"Hector! Louis likes you the most! Please stop him!" Her cry was desperate but Hector shook his head. Louis was also the favorite of both their mother and father. Going against him would cause not only him to get hurt, but also Holli and Hayden.
Eventually Holli was settled down in the hospital, even though she purely insisted she was fine. It was 11:40, according to the bright red lights on the nightstand. She was awake as always. Holli hardly needed sleep. Three hours was enough. She wasn't exactly an insomniac, but sleep didn't interest this young female. Holli would just splash water on her face. Her thoughts were torn away from her as she heard a quiet knock.
The door clicked open, Holli squinting in the dark. It was a quiet voice, clearly broken. "H-Holli?" He said quietly. He made his way to the bed, keeping his right arm outstretched to check if anything was there. "Glacies," she murmured gently. She turned on the little lamp table only to be met by Glacies' bruised and cut face, salty tears mixing sight the blood.
Pain hit Holli as she looked at him. She scooted over in her hospital bed, patting the next to her. He laid down slowly. Cautiously. It pained Holli to see one of her best friends to be afraid around her. She wrapped her arms around Glacies, the young boy returning the action, his frame shaking. Holli said nothing.
There was nothing to say. Glacies didn't want pity. He didn't want words telling him that everything would be okay. Everything wasn't okay. He sniffled, glad that he had someone to be his friend. Holli and Hayden were his only- Hector seemed skeptical of him.
The two laid like that until the early morning, where Glacies wanted to leave before anyone noticed. And no one did.
