The Runaway Princess Read Online Free PDF

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    For the ninth or tenth time, the others made sure no one was coming. “It’s all right,” Dilly said. Meg began to clonk and scramble her way down the tower wall.
    â€œYou’re going to … !” called Cam.
    Meg bounced against a sharp stone. “Oof! Tell me a bit—ow—sooner!”
    â€œWe can’t leave the rope here. Arbel will see,” Nort said.
    â€œThe night guard?” Dilly asked.
    â€œThe night guard.”
    â€œWe need it in case she has to go back up,” said Dilly.
    â€œJust a little farther!” Cam told the princess.
    Meg caught her skirt on a rusty hook and tipped sideways.
The fabric ripped as she managed to right herself. With a final slide, a rope burn, and a thump, Meg traveled the last ten feet to the bottom of the tower. “Free!” she announced, lifting her arms exultantly and twirling about.
    â€œNow help us think,” said Dilly. “What about the rope?”
    â€œIt’s nearly the same color as the stones,” Meg said.
    â€œSo they won’t be able to see it from the castle.”
    â€œMaybe not,” said Cam. “But they’ll expect to see candlelight up here in the evening.”
    â€œShe’ll just have to come back every night before the changing of the guard,” Dilly said. “She can pull the rope up and then bring it out the next morning when Nort’s here again.”
    They all looked at Meg. “I’m not going back!” she proclaimed.
    â€œYou have to sleep somewhere ,” Dilly said.
    â€œBut I just got out!”
    â€œThe point is, it will buy you days and days of freedom,” Cam told the princess.
    â€œIt will be much easier for all concerned,” Nort added, determined to join the conversation.
    They were ganging up on her now. “But—”
    â€œIt wouldn’t have to be you, even,” Cam added, glancing over at Dilly.
    Dilly folded her arms. “Oh no no no. I’m not going up that thing.”
    â€œIn an emergency,” Cam said, “you could.”

    â€œRight,” Meg told her, “in an emergency.”
    Dilly glowered. “Let’s not have any of those, then.” She changed the subject, handing her bag to the princess. “You’d better change.”
    Meg flapped her shining skirt. “You think this might give me away?” She took the bag and disappeared around the tower into the edge of the Witch’s Wood.
    â€œWhat if somebody comes while she’s not up there?” Nort asked.
    â€œJust tell them she’s in a snit and won’t talk to anyone,” Dilly told him.
    Nort nodded fervently. “They’ll believe that.”
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    The others were leaning against the tower, all but dozing in the sunshine, when the princess came back. She looked like a castle servant now, unremarkable with her light brown hair, freckled nose, and greenish brown eyes. The dress was blue cotton and not quite anklelength. The shoes were of sturdy leather. Meg handed the bag with her gown stuffed in it to Dilly.
    â€œBetter?” Cam asked, remembering Meg’s feelings about satin skirts.
    Meg grinned. “Better.” She kicked out a foot. “The shoes are heavy.”
    â€œThey’ll take you farther than those thin slippers,” Dilly said. “Let me fix your hair.” Dilly braided Meg’s hair tidily, completing the transformation.
    â€œWhat are the princes up to?” Meg asked.

    â€œStrutting around showing off their weapons,” Cam said, disgusted.
    â€œBearing their arms like true heroes,” Nort corrected. Cam ignored him.
    â€œI want to see them,” said Meg.
    â€œYou can’t go inside!” Dilly exclaimed.
    â€œNot the castle. I’ll just walk between the tents.”
    â€œThe princes don’t know what she looks like,” Cam pointed out.
    Dilly gave her approval only after Meg had agreed to wear Dilly’s scarf and carry