you //still\\ have all of [me]~crystalfrost <3~

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Elend met his eyes. "It would be hard not to. That still doesn't mean I can tell you something I don't know." He knew it was awful and selfish and stupid, but if his father found Anne he would probably kill her. He didn't think he could take that.

[~echo~]

The king clenched his fist furiously, then released it. "Go, take him away," he snapped to the guard. "If you feel... compelled to tell me, let your guard know. Otherwise, you will accompany me in the killing of all the maids every night for the rest of your life."

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

"You'll run out of maids," Elend muttered as he turned for the door. If his father ever randomly selected Anne, though... He had to get her out of there before that. He had to make sure she was safe. Too bad he was going to be a prisoner in his own room.

[~echo~]

The king didn't notice his statement and sat back down, waving his hand for everyone to leave.

(Timeskip?)

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

(Yeah. Maybe a few days from now. Elend has watched his father kill multiple servants, but Anne is still safe. He's trying to figure out a way to get away from his guard and escape with her. We can skip to the night where he goes through with it)

[~echo~]

(Okay!)

There was a little bit of rain that night and the guard outside Elend's door was leaning up against the wall outside his room, his head lolling to one side. Nobody else was in the hallway.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Elend cracked open the door and peered outside, checking to see that the guard was asleep. He withdrew into his room and went to the window, sliding it open slowly. He peered outside, his stomach dropping. It was a long way down, and he'd never done this before. But it had to be done. Carefully, he climbed out the window and began the dangerous descent.

[~echo~]

The wind howled menacingly as he climbed down, a few thunderclaps sounding off nearby. Anne was safely inside, warming her frigid hands by a fire.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Elend jumped the last few feet to the ground and landed in a crouch. Then he took off across the grounds toward the servant quarters.

[~echo~]

A few fat rain droplets splattered on the ground as he ran. Meanwhile, Anne had put a kettle on the spit above the flame, filled it with water and tea leaves, and let it start to boil. She had gray, fingerless gloves on as well as a drab, black dress with long sleeves.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Elend pulled up the hood of his rough peasant's cloak. When he reached his destination, he knocked lightly on the door.

[~echo~]

Anne, luckily, had been nearest to the door and carefully went to it, clutching a knife just in case. When she opened it, though, her eyes brightened. "Elend! Wh- what are you doing here? I heard you had been stuck in your room for days now... are you okay?"

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

"I'm fine," he said gruffly. "But if we don't get out of here soon, you won't be. We have to leave. Right now."

[~echo~]

Anne looked confused for a moment then realization dawned on her face. "Just give me a moment," she said, harrying back inside. She swiftly put on a traveling cloak and threw her belongings as well as a bag of coins into a sack which she hoisted on her back. Finally, she put we shoes on and rushed back to the door. "I am ready," she said.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

"Good," Elend said. He shivered and wrapped his arms around himself. "Let's get out of here."

[~echo~]

Anne nodded fervently. "Yes, let's do," she said, adjusting the bag on her shoulder. "What's your plan?"

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

"I talked to the groom at the stables. He won't ask any questions tonight. We'll get in there, saddle up, and we're long gone."

[~echo~]

Anne nodded, still seeming worried. "Let's hurry," she said, rushing quietly over to the stables.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Elend followed her, constantly glancing over his shoulder to see if anyone was following them. When they reached the stables, he went straight to his gelding. "You can have Clover," he told her.

[~echo~]

Anne breathed slightly heavily and nodded. "Thanks," she said softly. "Should I tack? Or would that take too much time?"