Chapter II: Gypsy

                       "Elizabeth," Alistair was calling my name.

 I woke up. I walked outside. 

 The crisp air woke me up immediately. 

 "I got a rabbit this morning." He said.

 "Great," I smiled. 

 The lake we had camped next to was bright blue and clear.

 "It's still cooking, it'll be awhile."

 "Okay. I'm going to take a swim or something." I hesitated at the edge of the water. "Turn around."

 I left my shorts and corset at the edge of the water and quickly got in.

 "Safe?"

 "Safe,"

 The water was surprisingly warm. I swam out to the middle.

 "I'm coming in. You, turn around."

 I laughed and went under the water.

 There were ruins of towers or something under, buried deep in the sand.

 I came up as I lost my breath.

 Al grabbed my shoulders.

 "Stop!" I yelled and laughed.

 "Hey, calm down. It'll be business tomorrow, once we finally reach the gypsy cam. But now, let's just have fun like old times."

 "I thought a prince was all business." I whispered.

 "No, not this one."

 I bit my lip and looked away. 

 "I'm sure wherever Alex is, he's thinking about you."

 "No, he's probably thinking how to get back-so he can beat you up." We laughed.

 "Eliza,"

 "What?"

 He looked at me carefully, hesitating. I watched him come closer. "I...I think the food is done. Let me go get it, you go get dressed."

 We ate in silence, packed in silence, and walked in silence.

 I struggled to say something. But what to say?

 "Give me your hand,"

 "What?"

 "A gypsy, right ahead."

 He took my hand and held it tightly.

 "Travelers, I see." She was very short. Her short sleeved white shirt was baggy and ended right above her belly button. She wore big bracelets and a long red skirt, and no shoes. 

 "Yes," He said. "We're looking for a gypsy camp, we ran out of supplies."

 "Well, follow me." She smiled. Her hair was blond, but falsely dyed from a dark brown. The ends were turning brown, like that top already had. "I'm Mica. They call me the Gypsy Princess. Who are you?"

 "I'm Elizabeth."

 "I'm Alistair."

 "Prince Alistair?"

 We looked briefly at each other.

 "No."

 "Hmm. I thought you were, sorry." We came over a ridge of rocks, where we could see a big group of people and large covered carts. "This is my tribe. Please, go see Mother Fawn."

 Mica led us to a midaged woman with graying hair. She smiled at us. 

 "Mica, who do we have here?" She stood and bowed to us. 

 "Lady Elizabeth and Sir Alistair." Mica said. "They lost some supplies."

 "Ah, well, Mica, go help your brother fetching eggs. I'll take care of our guests."

 

 "So, Elizabeth and Alistair. You are a young couple, am I right?"

 "We're both nineteen." 

 "Oh, young love. I met my husband when I was sixteen." She led us farther into the big tribe. "You guys must be so in love. A handsome boy and a beautiful girl like you."

 I didn't say anything. I just smiled and kept walking.

 "Yes," Al laughed lightly. 

 "Marriage coming soon?"

 "Well..."

 "Ah, sorry to pry." She apologized. "My daughter, Mica, I only hope she finds love like yours."

 I looked away.

 "Here we are," They came to what looked like storage. 

 "Thank you,"

 "What do you need?"

 "A tent, some blankets, and a change of clothes." 

 She handed us these, plus some herbs and gold, even though we had more than enough. 

 "Thank you again,"

 "No problem. Do stay for dinner."

 I smiled. "We'd be pleased to."

 "Good! Go find Mica, she and her brother will help you get dressed."

 

 "Alistair...is he a good guy?" Mica asked as she looked through her mother's jewelry.

 "A great guy." I said quietly. 

 "Do you love him?"

 I thought. "Yes,"

 "My mom wants me to get married by the time I'm seventeen. I just can't find someone in our tribe. I've known them all too long."

 "I understand." I smiled at her. "I met Alistair through my brother, Alex."

 "Alex? Why, an Alex came through just last week! You know, he had the same eyes as you; pale blue, as beautiful as the still ocean."

 "Really?" My stomach floated with excitement. "I kind of lost him..."

 "That's what he said! He said his sister and best friend were back home, probably looking for him. But he wanted to continue on, so he set of toward the ocean." She smiled. "He also said you guys probably already were married with crowns attached to your very skulls."

 I blushed. "He would say that, always the kidder,"

 "I know Alistair is the prince, I am not dumb."

 "I got that impression,"

 "And I know you didn't lose supplies. And I know you two aren't really a couple...yet. But I won't ruin the disguise, I swear. But...take me with you."

 "What?"

 "Gypsies, we are known for our magic. Well, me, I can see the future and the truth. So take me."

 "I-"

 "Elizabeth, I need to talk to you, alone."

 Mica stood and left and Alistair came and sat next to me.

 "Alex was here."

 "I know! He's still good, though. Mica told me he said you and I'd probably gotten married by now." I laughed but stopped.

 Alistair looked at me with an awkward smile.

 "What?"

 "Nothing," He laughed. "The gypsy look suits you."

 I looked away.

 "Al,"

 "Yes?"

 I turned back to him.

 "Mica asked me something..."
 "What?"

 "She asked me if I loved you."

 "And?"

 "I said I did."

 "Oh."

 "She knows we're not really together; she's a very smart girl." I looked in the mirror. My eyes-my brother's eyes-filled with regret.

 "...Oh."

 I didn't say anything.

 I turned back to him, about to say something else, something like I only said it because I didn't know she knew, but he quickly grabbed me and kissed me.

 My arms threw themselves around his neck.

 I didn't lie. I didn't say it because I thought she didn't know. I said it because it was true. I said it because I'd been needing someone to say it to. 

 But now I could. Now I couldn't hide it. Now I couldn't wonder what could be. 

 We both drew away.

 We stared at each other and laughed.

 "It's about time," I could almost hear Alex's voice say in my head. 

 Al stood up and walked outside of the tent. 

 I could feel my burning cheeks.

 "Eliza?"

 "Yes?" I turned to see him peeking in. "I love you, too."

 He walked away.