The Huntsmen (7 page)

"Always stronger," Dierk told her with a smile and stood. "While you finish eating I'm going to wash up and dress, then we need to write our letter to the Elven Queen and see if she'll grant us what we so desperately need."

"We should warn her of the dangers that are hot on the princess’s heels," Baldric pointed out. "If she finds out we knew and didn't warn her," he made a face and shifted in his seat, "I happen to like my cock attached thank you very much."

“Yes, but any harm she should dole out should be dished out to me. I’m the one who brings danger to her doorstep, not the three of you. If it would help her in making her choice, tell her that I would owe her a boon as well.”

"She owes us," Niklaus reminded her as he finished his meal and pushed the plate away. Leaning his elbows on the table, he looked at her, "We've done her many a favor over the last many seasons and this, while it's a possible danger to her people, isn't all that bad a favor to ask. Besides," he grinned, "I'm more than sure that her Elven warriors will gladly take out the guards should they dare to breach the Elven lands."

“My father called her friend,” Snow recalled. “There’s something more but I can’t think of what it is. I was so young when my mother died, but I recall the Queen of the Elves coming to my mother's burial. There was something said but I can’t recall what it was,” she shrugged. “I’m sure if it’s important it will come to me, right?”

"That it will," Dierk said walking up behind her chair. Leaning over, he kissed her cheek lightly, "Finish your meal, little one, then we’ll clean up while you relax. You made the meal, which means we clean up.” Dropping another kiss to her cheek, he headed for the hall.

Snow continued to eat, watching Niklaus and Baldric as they ate as well. “Are your days typically spent saving damsels in distress?” she teased with a grin. Reaching out, she took Baldric's hand in hers and gave it a squeeze.

"Not hardly," Baldric said, shaking his head. "Except for one other damsel you're it, Snow. We don't usually run around getting involved. We do odd jobs and escort people through the forests as protection and guides mainly."

“Well I’m very happy you three came my way,” she told him, and stood when she finished eating. “Now, what can I do today to keep busy? I need to have something to do or I’ll likely drive you all batty so give me a task, if you would please.”

Getting up, Niklaus collected the dishes, "You can chop the vegetables for our stew we'll be having for dinner tonight," he told her. Taking her hand, he pulled her into the kitchen and left her by the counter. Getting a board and knife, he handed it to her, "Three onions in big chunks and we'll go from there."

“Sounds good to me, that’s something that I can do.” She looked to Niklaus and smiled, “Thank you for understanding that I need to have something to do. That I can’t just sit by and allow others to do everything for me.”

"Should be interesting to watch you up on the throne," Baldric commented, handing her the onions. Moving, he grabbed a bowl and collected other vegetables before setting it down next to her on the counter. "Can't have the Queen fidgeting about and looking to run off on adventures."

She snorted, “I won’t always sit on that thing. There’s more than sitting on a throne to being a Queen. I’d have to see to my people as well. Then again I will have three men willing to help me do that, right?”

"We would do that," Niklaus said, pumping water into a pot before moving it to warm over the fire. Collecting the rest of the dishes, he scraped them clean and stacked them into the sink. "You’re also right, Princess, a Queen can't just sit on her throne and dispense justice, she needs to be among her people seeing how they’re doing and learning what they need."

“Exactly. I know that’s how my mother and father operated with their people. That’s how I want to be. I need to be all that my people need me to be. I need for us to provide a united front and ensure they always have what they need.”

"It won't be easy," Baldric said, handing her half a dozen potatoes, "Peel these and chop them into cubes," he told her, crossing his arms on the counter where he was leaning.

"No it won't be easy," Niklaus nodded. "The people have lived under the Queen's thumb a long time, and it’ll take time to heal all that she's done. It’ll take much time to show them laughter and love again, to remind them there’s goodness in the world."

“Very true. I hate they’ve lived under such terrible conditions for so long. It’s my hope they’ll learn to have the freedom my father gave them once more. I hope the lands heal quickly from the horror that she’s put it through as well.” It was more than her people, it was the land and the lands of those that were in the neighboring realms as well. The Queen’s dark stain snaked out like a ribbon and wound its way into all of the realms.

"With you at the helm, it will get back there," Dierk commented as he walked toward them, running his fingers through his still damp hair. "You put her to work?" he asked looking at his friends, "Come on, men, if you're going to make her work then you should at least be helping. You’re not exactly setting a good example here, boys."

Snow laughed and shook her head, “I’m happy to be put to work. I don’t do sitting still very well. The first two years I was in that prison I was chained to the walls so trust me, moving is a very good thing.”

Sharing a frown with the others, Dierk moved to her and pressed a kiss to her temple before wrapping his arms around her from behind. "It doesn't mean you need to constantly be doing things, Snow," he murmured softly. "While doing things is great, having time to just sit and relax, read or nap is also good. We’ll just have to teach you the true art of being lazy I think."

“It could be.” Leaning back against him, Snow sighed and closed her eyes. “I taught myself to fight, in that small dungeon. I knew one day I’d get out and I was right. Now I’ll rely on you to teach me to relax.”

Squeezing her gently, Dierk smiled against her cheek and kissed her skin. "We'll gladly teach you anything you want to learn. Including the art of relaxing and having fun," he said before loosening his hold on her. "Now, it looks like we're getting a stew ready. I'll grab another knife and help you chop everything up then we shall endeavor to help you relax."

“Sounds good to me. Get to chopping, mister, so we can eat tonight,” she teased. Looking up at him, she murmured, “Thank you, Dierk, for everything,” and went back to chopping the veggies.

"That's my cue to get more wood," Baldric said, pushing off the counter. Grinning, he headed out the door only stopping long enough to grab his boots and the axe leaning near the doorway.

"It's truly amazing how he manages to always get out of cooking and cleaning," Niklaus commented as he collected the pot of steaming water and poured it over the dishes.

"It is," Dierk agreed, stepping next to Snow with a grin. "But it saves us from having to chop all that damned wood."

Snow laughed at that and shook her head. “You three have the oddest relationship. I love it. The three of you just seem to fit together. It’s like where one might be lacking, the others make up for it and vice versa. It’s wonderful.”

"Oh they’re definitely lacking," Dierk muttered and grinned at Niklaus when he growled at him. "But they’re my best friends so I put up with them," he admitted, grabbing another potato to dice.

“And you share with them?” Snow asked softly. She wasn’t going to hide anything from any of them ever. “Because Niklaus stroked me, touched me, and I very much enjoyed it. I’m not saying it to cause issues, just saying it so you know that I’ll never hide anything from you.”

"Of course I share with them and they with me," he said softly with a smile. "Where did he stroke and touch you that you enjoyed so much?" he asked, setting his knife down. Leaning his hands on the counter, he leaned in closer to her, "Tell me."

“Between my legs,” Snow said as she watched him. “Between my curls and folds. It felt very, very good,” she admitted bluntly and then looked to Niklaus. “I also really enjoyed feeling how hard he was, pressed against my buttocks like he was.”

"I'm still that hard," Niklaus told her with a wicked grin. "Have been ever since I first saw you with your ass up in the air bent over that dress, but that's alright, I'll live for the time being."

Snorting at that, Dierk shook his head, "I'm sure you will," he said with a chuckle. Catching Snow's chin, he turned her to face him, "So you liked being touched and stroked. Did you know there’s so much more that can be done that’ll give you even greater pleasure?"

Snow shook her head. “I didn’t know that would bring pleasure until he did it,” she admitted and looked up into Dierk’s eyes. “Just as I didn’t know sleeping in a man’s arms could feel so nice, or a kiss so wonderful, until you.”

"There's much a man and woman can do together that brings pleasure," Dierk said softly. Leaning in, he kissed her gently, "Or many men and a woman," he whispered for her ears alone. "But that’d be a discussion for later, when we’re teaching you to relax."

That had Snow grinning and nodding, “I look forward to the teachings you’ll give me.” She leaned into him and licked her lips, her face turned up to him. “How about you kiss me again and then we finish with the chopping for our stew?”

"As you wish, Princess," he murmured. Cupping her face he pressed his lips to hers and teased her to open for him. Sliding his tongue along hers, he gently stroked and suckled before drawing back with a light nip to her lower lip. "Any more of that and I'll have you naked on this counter and from there, we really won't be having dinner."

“Then I suggest we hurry so we can get back to what we were doing.” Snow put out there, “The stew will take a while to cook and I do need lessons on relaxation right?”

"We should definitely hurry," Dierk agreed, pressing closer to her. Rubbing his erection to her belly, he smiled slowly. "We have much to show you after all," he whispered quietly. Dropping another kiss to her lips, he stepped back and turned to the counter. "Chop," he told her, putting some carrots on her board.

“Right, chopping, right now.” Snow began chopping the carrots as she had the other veggies, trying to keep their sizes the same as she went along. Finally, when her board was free, she looked to the men, “Anything else for me to cut?"

"That's it," Niklaus told her, taking the large bowl from the counter. "I'll just toss these in with the other bits and we can grab a seat and wait for it to cook."

Taking their knives to the sink, Dierk washed them and set them aside to dry. "Which then leaves us the entire afternoon to teach Snow her first lesson in relaxation and enjoying life in all ways."

“I think I really rather love the way you think, Dierk.” Snow moved to the sink to wash her hands as well, drying them on the towel Niklaus offered her and then looked to them. “Where do we begin?”

"First we choose a spot to lounge," Niklaus took the towel from her and waved his free hand toward the large area with seating. "You’ll want something comfortable and yet with some structure. Space but not so much that you drown in it. So go look around and make your choice."

Chapter Five

Snow was surprised by this but nodded. “Okay.” She moved into the living space of the home and chose the large sofa. “I like this one. It’s large and structured, will this do?” she asked Niklaus, her hand on the back of the sofa.

"Excellent choice," Nik told her with a smile as he hung up the towel she'd handed him.

Moving closer to her, Dierk went around the sofa and sat down to await her. "You need to sit, stretch out or curl up, however you feel most comfortable sitting for long periods. Then close your eyes and let all thoughts just drift away."

Snow moved to him and stretched out on the sofa, laying her head in his lap and closing her eyes. Sighing, she smiled. “This is nice,” she admitted to him. She turned so she was on her side and wrapped her arms around her middle. “Very nice.”

Stroking his fingers slowly through her hair, he smiled at her, "Close your eyes, Princess," he murmured quietly. "Let all thoughts, worries, and troubles flow away. They have no place here," Dierk said, running his fingers down her arm.

She did just that. Sighing, Snow simply let everything flow. She gave up her worries and let them take care of her. A shiver raced down her arms, but not in a bad way. “You’re very good at this,” she whispered softly.

"Hardly," he murmured, tracing a lazy pattern to her skin. "But I do know that to truly be at rest you have to let your mind settle first. If you can't let every thought flow away than your rest will always be disturbed and troubled."

“Well I think you’re very good at this.” She hadn’t felt truly relaxed, safe enough to relax, since her father’s death. She sighed and nestled in closer to him. “I think you should teach me more.”

"Alright," he said before lifting her head. "Hush, just changing position," he assured her and encouraged her to move further on to the deep-seated sofa. Laying down on the edge facing her, he wiggled in until they touched all along their bodies. "Head on my arm," he instructed, slipping one arm under her head. "Then I put an arm around you and you put yours around me. Hike a leg up to rest on top of mine."

Doing as he instructed, Snow was soon wrapped around Dierk and smiled, “Isn’t this how we slept last night?” Well when she wasn’t draped over the top of him that was. “I like this,” she said and wiggled slightly so she could brush her leg over his cock.

Hissing out a breath, he smacked her bottom, "We're to be relaxing not thinking of sexual needs and desires. Now close your eyes and take a slow breath, letting it out in tiny increments.” Pressing a kiss to her cheek, he nuzzled at her skin, "Relax, little one."

“I can’t help it,” Snow complained with a smile. “You’re so hard and feel so good. I just,” she shrugged. “I want to feel good again. Alive.” Needed. Necessary. All kinds of things she was desperate to feel right then.

Lifting his head, Dierk stared at her, "You are alive, sweet," he murmured quietly. Sliding his hand up her side, he rubbed his thumb to her nipple. "Every breath you take gives proof of that, Snow," he whispered, pinching her nipple lightly between his fingers and tugged.