Caroline stamped slowly but deliberately towards the rock formation, now in a standing position again, with the man still held gently in her hand.  She didn’t squeeze him or try to cause him harm, but still held her fingers together firmly enough so that escape was impossible.  She looked back down at him trying fruitlessly to wrestle her smooth digits off of his body, and just shook her head with a soft chortle.

                “You may stop struggling if you like and save your energy, I have no intention of releasing you until I see with my own eyes that no harm has befallen my brother, and you and your friends return him safely to me,” she said matter-of-factly, rippling her fingers around his body as if to make her point clearer.  “What is your name?”

                “It’s-It’s Samuel, and l-Listen, P-Princess…” grumbled the man, terrified and confused at the whole situation.  “I-I wasn’t one of the men who went out and picked up the Prince, that was all Peter’s…”

                “Who is Peter?”

                “Peter is our leader, the one calling all the orders out.  He saw you over the trees when you crossed the gorge, thought maybe it was worth investigating!”

                “Who ARE all of you, precisely?”

                “Look, we’re just travelers, Princess, we’re no invading army or enemy of the state.  We’re just a bunch of people with mouths to feed who aren’t given the opportunities.”

                “There are plenty of opportunities, Samuel, there always are.  Perhaps you haven’t looked hard enough before resorting to kidnapping innocent young children like this.”

                “That’s not how it is, all right?” said Samuel, crossing his arms in frustration, his voice settling down as he realized he wasn’t going to be killed in Caroline’s hand, nor was he going to escape with any amount of effort expended.  “We don’t just go grabbing up kids.  I hate the kind of work we do.  But it’s necessary.  Your DADDY’S nice fancy kingdom way out there isn’t fit for people like us, and we do what we have to to make sure we’re still alive next week.”  Caroline considered his words, and sympathized a bit with his plight, having been exposed to a great many poor and hungry people in her life.  She had heard many similar stories from these people as well, and she knew perfectly well that many of them still were forced to lie and steal to make ends meet, just as this man was.

                “Be that as it may…” said Caroline, bending a tree slightly out of the way so she could get through.  “I’m afraid I cannot allow you to take my brother away.  And if a single finger has been laid upon him…”

                “Don’t worry, Princess!” said Samuel suddenly, clearly picturing what the humongous princess was like when angered.  “They simply intended to use him as ransom against the king, none of us truly WANTS to harm anyone.  It was nothing personal.”

                “It would certainly make it easier for all of you if he truly is still all right, Samuel,” she said, kindly as ever.  She brought her other hand up to Samuel’s face, pinching her fingers ever so slightly as they neared him, and he flinched hard backward against the warm flesh of her palm.  “It seems my statements have fallen on partially deaf ears, Samuel; I truly do mean I do not intend to inflict harm on you.  I simply wish to have my brother’s scarf returned, if you please?” she spoke, tapping her fingertips together.

                “Of… of course, of course…” he said, struggling desperately with the material tied around his arm so as not to keep the gargantuan young lady waiting on him.  “Take it, please, please!” he gasped, wondering if he had taken too long untying it as he deposited it between her fingers.

                “You have my gratitude,” she said simply, flattening her palm vertically and allowing the tiny scarf to tumble down into her sleeve for safe keeping.  “I suppose it would be prudent of me to enquire as to how, exactly, many men are inside this hovel?” she asked, looking ahead and realized she was but a minute’s leisurely walk from the rocks.  Upon closer examination from here, they seemed to form a miniature bottleneck canyon, becoming closer together at the top, so dark shadows protected most of the underlying area.  Luckily, it looked tall enough for Caroline to step into and stand up straight at the same time.

                “I’m not certain exactly of our numbers, Princess, but I would suppose around twenty, if not a few more.”

                “Twenty?  You are certain?”

                “Yes…”

                “Thank you.  Will many of them be armed?” she asked sternly, feeling oddly as if she was speaking to her brother after he’d broken a rule and lied about it.

                “All of them.  I would guess that the ones you scared off arrived moments ago and they’re all preparing for you.”

                At this, Caroline felt a chill go down her spine despite the fact that she was in utter control of the situation.  “They wouldn’t harm Phillip now, would they?”

                “I would surmise they will not harm him, Princess, but simply use him as leverage.  I have serious doubts they are aware of your kindness, and most likely will assume that without a bargaining tool, you will destroy them all in no time at all.  I’m frankly quite certain you could, if such a thing occurred to you,” said Samuel, still quite terrified.

                “Never.  I could never kill a living creature, Samuel, and it always makes me sad when people feel they must resort to such cruel and desperate measures to achieve their aims,” she said, nonchalantly raising an eyebrow at him, clearly referencing his brutal attack attempt.

                “For what it is worth, your Highness…” he said, much more respect in his voice.  “I am sorry.  You may not believe me, and simply think that I am saying this because you’re holding me in your hand and I am unable to get away, but I would like you to know.”

                Caroline nodded at him.  “You’re right, Samuel, I find it hard to believe you.  However, it is my hope that after today, you will attempt to find alternative methods to make your way in life.  I know that things are difficult, but I’m certain you can do it.”

                “Really?”

                “Yes, I am.  You were the only man of your company willing to rush forth and attack a young woman who stands above you like a mountain.  Perhaps rude, yes, but someone willing to do such a thing is either incredibly vacuous or very determined.  You seem to speak rather intelligently, Samuel, so I can only assume it is the latter option.”

                Nodding and feeling encouraged by her words, Samuel looked over at the formation as Caroline approached it from the other side.  “They will no doubt have both saw you coming, and felt it in the ground, Princess.  I should think there is little point in attempting to sneak inside at this point.”

                Caroline smiled.  “I am flattered that you thought me capable of such stealth at this particularly cumbersome size, Samuel.  Yes, I believe you’re correct, I should think just stepping inside will solve this rather simply.”

                “I wouldn’t jump to conclusions, your Highness.  Pardon me, but despite your great and newfound strength at your stature, there is but one of you, and many of them.”

                “Then it seems you underestimate my negotiation skills,” said Caroline, winking cheekily at the small man in her fist.  “Leave this to me.  I intend to walk away from you and your friends today with my brother completely unscathed.”

                “Good… luck, then, Princess, and thank you for your words.  But… p-please, you w-will let me go, will you not?”

                “You are most welcome, Samuel, and yes, I will release you in time, unharmed; of that I assure you,” she said, giving him the slightest, gentlest squeeze she could as if embracing him with her fingers before holding her hand behind her back, concealing him from view.  “Now… let us greet your company.”

                Caroline stepped confidently into the rock formation, and watched with amusement as over twenty men in dirty brown tunics, surrounded by hastily constructed tents, leapt into frenzied action like startled gophers and drew their weapons.   Some had bows and some had swords, but all began yelling over each other in a confused cacophony.  In the very back, nearest the other end of the miniature canyon, Caroline could see her brother, held by the scruff of his hair by a very large and tall man, standing easily over six feet tall.  Caroline guessed that if she were to reach over and pick him up, he wouldn’t even fit fully inside her fist.

                “Phillip…” whispered Caroline, terrified to see him in such peril, and took a step forward, the hand not gripping Samuel extending.

                “STAY BACK!” roared the man in back holding Phillip, whom Caroline could only assume was Peter.  “Get back, or I end the little whelp’s life.”

                Caroline felt uncontrollable rage building up inside of her like magma rising in a volcano.  For the briefest moment, she caught her subconscious wanting to run forward, grab up the evil man in her hand, and squeeze the life from him for making such a threat to a member of her family, but she kept her cool, bringing Samuel out from behind her back and into view.  The entire group flinched again, poking their weapons at the empty air and yelling out in shock.

                “Release the man now!” yelled out Peter, taking a few steps back and dragging Phillip along with him.  “I swear I’ll do it, if you don’t comply!”

                “Caroline!” called out Phillip’s small voice, but Peter tugged on his hair quickly to shut him up.

                “Listen to me, everyone,” boomed out Caroline, her voice echoing around the area.  “No one has to be hurt.  I will let all of you go, with no repercussion, if you allow my brother to go free, unharmed.”

                “And what if we DON’T?” yelled out one of the men on the ground, very near to Caroline’s foot.  And feeling that formal diplomacy wasn’t going to be as viable an option as she had previously hoped, Caroline looked down at him, smirking, and even giggled lightly, covering her mouth with her hand.

                “If you DON’T?  Then I’m afraid there will be some unpleasantness taking place amongst us.”

                “Would you listen to her talk?  She sounds like she just came from a tea party in the garden!” yelled out a different man, causing most of them to guffaw heartily, including Peter.

                “EXCUSE me!” bellowed out Caroline as loudly as ever, causing the laughter to instantly cease.  “I feel it only fair to warn you gentlemen that your weapons will have no effect on me whatsoever.”  At this word, though, the break ended and the laughter resumed louder than ever.  Through choked breaths of hilarity, another soldier still spoke up.

                “Perhaps you’ve got a point, there, miss, but you forget that there are MANY of us, with LOTS of weapons.  And you’re just a girl.  A sad, sad, little girl without even a blade to protect yourself in these woods.”

                “Pardon me, sir,” said Caroline slyly.  “But I would not exactly characterize myself with the term “little.”  Frankly, you are nothing more than small animals to me.  Like mice.  Or rats…” she said thoughtfully.  “Yes, I believe rats is the word I was looking for.”

                “I’ve heard ENOUGH!” roared Peter, shaking violently enough in a combination of fear and rage that Caroline could see it clearly, even from her further off position.  “Let the man go, then disappear.  Walk as far as you can, to the Black Mountains, to that peak right within view of this gorge.  You reach that point, climb to the top, and sit there.  And then you may rest assured that I shan’t harm the precious little PRINCE!” he sneered at last.  “Listen, your Royal HIGHNESS; I don’t think you know who I am!”

                Caroline leaned far over toward the ground, squinting at Peter.  All the men yelled out, brandishing their weapons, but all of them took a quick step back in fear.  “That is where you are incorrect.  I do know who you are.”

                “Oh?  And who might that be?” he asked snidely.

                “You’re a terrible, terrible man.  You’re also a very, very small man.  And if you don’t let my brother go right now, I will demonstrate what I am capable of doing to a man as small as yourself…” she growled, and everyone in the room, even little Phillip, was chilled to the bone to some degree.  Caroline herself felt fearful at her newfound attitude, and realized just how enraged she could become when someone she loved was endangered, particularly when she was in a position to do something about it.

                Caroline and Peter stared off for a few more moments before the cruel man cackled loudly at her.  “Kill her,” he stated simply, throwing Phillip to the ground and drawing a sword to help his men.  Caroline lowered her hand near the ground and released Samuel, true to her word.  He scampered past her and outside the rock formation so as to avoid any other form of confrontation.

                Three men dashed forth, their shields out front, most likely to bludgeon her.  Snickering at their attempt, Caroline waved her hand out, palm facing them, and pushed them backward before releasing them with a flourish, sending them flying backward for ten feet or so.  In the next second, Caroline felt a sting on her toe.  She looked down to see a man repeatedly stabbing her toe with his broadsword, although only the smallest bead of blood had appeared.  Caroline flicked at the sword and sent it flying out of the stunned man’s hands, and before he knew it, she had gripped his ankle between her fingertips and was lifting him up in the air, right in front of her eyes.

                “Now that wasn’t a very kind thing to do, little one,” she said, smiling nicely at him, her big blue eyes, accentuated by her long eyelashes, filling his vision.  The man screamed bloody murder, flailing his limbs around helplessly as Caroline gently lowered him to the ground.  He backed against the wall, crouching and trembling.  Looking down, Caroline saw two more men running at her, spears drawn to try and spike her feet.  As they reached her, though, Caroline flicked her big toes into the air, smacking them in the faces and sending them straight onto their backsides with a painful smack.  Both men dropped their weapons, grasping at their sore noses.  Helplessly, they watched as Caroline curled her big toes against the rough earth, then flicked outward, striking each man hard enough to send him rolling backward.  The rest of the men hung back, their arms quivering in horror at the princess’s raw power, but they managed to hang on to their weapons.

                “Please, all of you…” she appealed to them.  “This does not have to happen.  Let myself and my brother leave, and we will gladly forget this and let you all go on with your lives.”  As she said this, though, she heard a slight rumbling sound.  She looked above her head to see a shifting boulder blocking out her view of the sun for the slightest moment before it plunged over the rocky edge, pushed by three of the group’s strongest men.  “Oh, dear, none of this will do at all, gentlemen…” she cooed while simultaneously tsking at them and shaking her head.  She quickly reached her arm up, palm and fingers extended, and caught the ball in her hand, the large thing resting on her appendage and above her head like a regal tray.  It did feel a bit heavy, but not so much that Caroline couldn’t hold it over her head with ease.  It reminded her of a ball she used to have in her childhood nursery back at the palace in its size and weight.  Bending at the elbow a little to gain some leverage, Caroline grunted as she lunged forward, throwing the boulder.  It sailed through the air until it landed with a deafening crash far beyond the confines of the miniature canyon.  Everyone turned slowly to look at it, then looked back at Caroline.  She crossed her arms, raised an eyebrow, and tapped her foot against  the ground, shaking them all with each rumble.  “Now…” she sighed, and that was all that was needed for every man to throw his weapons to the side and drop to his knees in respect.  She smiled.  “Good men.  Thank you.  I’m grateful it was not necessary to continue this game with you all any longer.  Now, if you please, my brother…” she said, and suddenly realized her brother had disappeared.  So had Peter.  “Where… where is Phillip?” she gasped, the fear returning.  One man, his arm trembling, stood, and pointed toward the opening on the other side of the gorge.  Leaving a pathway wide enough for the massive young woman’s powerful footfalls, the men dashed to the sides as Caroline marched quickly to the other side of the rock formation, emerging in the blinding sunlight again.  As her eyes adjusted, Caroline squinted and realized that the main river gorge she and Phillip had been walking along must have curved inward toward the mountains at a certain distance, because as she looked outward she realized that the edge of the cliff was no more than a couple dozen steps away from her.  And despite the bright light, she saw two figures standing right by the edge of the cliff.  She walked forward immediately, stopping at a distance roughly four steps away from the edge for her.

                “That is QUITE far enough, you… you…” roared Peter.  Grabbing Phillip by the front of his tunic, he pushed him toward the edge of the cliff.  Caroline screamed with fright, the sound echoing through the gorge for miles, but held her breath again as Peter skillfully caught Phillip again by the tunic with one arm, allowing him to lean precariously over the edge at least a foot.  Her breathing became heavy again, and Caroline covered her mouth with both hands to avoid a further outburst.  She didn’t want to startle Peter and cause his fingers to release their grip on Phillip, thus dooming her brother.  “You… you… MONSTER!  You disgusting, freakish…” he snarled, and despite herself, Caroline felt a deep sense of hurt in her heart, having not yet had such words spoken to her aloud, even though she had been thinking them all along during this terrible process.

                “Please…” she said, feeling no more strength to use toward intimidation, so great was her fear for her brother’s life.  “Just… just let him go.  He hasn’t done anything to you.  It’s me you want.”

                “Be that as it MAY…” he said, the volume of his words fluctuating irregularly as if his brain was just a bit off.  “I highly doubt there’s anything I could do to you, or rather, any way I could hurt you, as opposed to the sweet little prince here, if I had to.”

                “But why do you have to do these things?” asked Caroline, her voice cracking.

                “Because NO one will GIVE me what I DESERVE!” he yelled out with such passion Caroline herself almost did a double take.  “Our lives… everything we have… it’s all some terrible mess caused by that kingdom, and your FATHER.”

                “Never…”

                “You don’t seem to understand the world very well, “Princess,” so allow me to explain.  This is what happens to the members of your perfect little society that don’t quite fit in.  That don’t have a purpose.  We can’t make anything, we can’t stay and SURVIVE at the same time!” he spat.  “So we’re forced out like revolting insects to the furthest reaches of the kingdom, and usually even further.  And that’s why we have to stay on the move, never staying in one place for too long, so they don’t force us out.  Nomads.  Where else can we go?”

                “But, the kingdom, the poor houses…”

                “Don’t flatter yourself, princess, not everything can be solved by bringing a goblet of water and a crust of bread out to the starving little babes of your pathetic attempts at charity.  Remember that.”

                “There are always places to go.”

                “Such as WHERE, exactly, Princess?  Where?  The kingdom isn’t an option.  And if we tried to stay in the Otherlands, we’d be eaten alive by those… things… after a few days, no matter how tough and ready my men are to face a challenge.  We have wives.  Children too.  And there’s not a thing we can do or say to them to convince them positively that they will be alive a year from now.  No.  There’s nowhere.  Nowhere to go.”

                “I’m…” said Caroline, a single tear rolling down her cheek.  “I’m sorry, Peter.”

                “Well, thank you so much!” said Peter, putting on a fake smile and sounding as falsely energetic as possible.  “I’m so GLAD you’re feeling a little something for us.  You’ve given us everything we ever wanted.  You’ve solved all our problems, forever, just like you permanently solve the problems of each and every one of your lazy, grub-munching poor people.  What a wunderkind you are, Princess.”

                Caroline wiped the back of her hand across her damp cheek, sympathy and rage mixing into one very complex and indescribable emotion.  “Let… my… brother… GO…” she murmured in a low and determined voice.

                “With pleasure, your Highness,” shrieked Peter with glee, releasing his hold on Phillip over the deep gorge.