Blindsided

"This river ran backwards the day the Queen vanished."

Did it, now? I thought. I lifted my head, though sightless I was.

"Haha, yeah, nobody in the kingdom knows what's going on." Someone outside laughed, "They think it's all some coincidence. Some people are saying it's a curse."

Both men laughed.

I struggled against my bonds, rubbing my wrists against each other in a feeble attempt to loosen the chains around my hands.

Someone outside chuckled.

"That won't work, deary." He said, and she heard the clang of metal as the man pounded a hand on the bars of what she could only assume was a cell. "You ain't never getting out of here. At least, not until the Boss says so."

"You can't hold me for long." I hissed.

"Now, now," He chided, "that's no way for a Queen to act, is it?"

I scowled.

Sure, Queens had to remain courteous throughout any situation, but these men were starting to get on my nerves.

That's right, Queens have nerves.

We're still humans.

I sighed.

I didn't know how many days had gone by since I was captured.

All I remember about that fateful day was that I had been sleeping when I woke suddenly to the noise of swords clashing on swords outside my bedroom in the middle of the night, then the cry of men as the doors slammed open, but before I could jump out of bed and see who it was, someone came up from behind me and tied a blindfold around my eyes, forcing a gag into my mouth.

I struggled as they tied my hands behind my back and led me outside, but eventually, I ran out of strength and was unable to fight back.

Even now, I have no idea where I am.

They still hadn't removed the blindfold, and I wasn't sure if they ever would.

I heard footsteps echoing across the area, growing ever fainter as they got farther away, and knew the men had left.

I grunted as I tried once more to loosen my bonds, but it still didn't work. The chains were too strong.

I turned my face up to the sky.

What would my subjects think of their missing Queen?

Do they really care about my disappearance? Was I a good enough Queen for them to? I wondered, my worries growing the more I thought about it.

But alone in an empty cage, what was I to do but dwell on things?

Have they sent out a searching party, or is all their attention on the river? I feel as if they should have found me by now. I thought, my spirits faltering. My internal clock may be messed up, since I cannot see anything through this infernal blindfold, but surely I have been here more than a day or two?

Is was entirely possible that they did not care.

But... I've been a fair Queen all these years, haven't I? I told myself, I'm kind to my subjects, and I love them all... surely they would not forsake the woman who cared for them all these years?

After King Edgar had passed, I was left to rule over the kingdom on my own, and thought it was hard, it was certainly rewarding work.

I closed my eyes, and a lone tear slipped under the blindfold and traced a path down my cheek.

Would I ever get out of here?

Men shouting.

Metal clashing.

My head shot up.

Were my guards here to save me?

"I'm over here!" I shouted, trying to stand, but I was unfortunately tied down to a chair.

Someone down the hall laughed, which grated on my nerves like nothing ever had before.

"Your guards aren't here, deary, and they'll never find you. This is a place hidden from the world." The man said.

"Don't lie to me," I snapped, "I heard my guards fighting their way in here!"

"Sorry, dear... but that was just the sound of an uncooperative prisoner being taken to the post."