A/N: Aw yeahhhh 2 updates in 1 week. The New Year is going well for me! :) Hope you all enjoy and as always thank you for continuing to read As They Fall! <3 xx

Queen Suraya watched on in sorrow as we reclaimed our weapons and saddled up the horses. After begging us to wait until the next morning before we left, the Queen had given Auriel to Elizabeth as well as enough supplies to last us until we reached the mountains. A large group of elves had gathered at dawn to see us off, including Merek and his family.

"Please be careful, I'd love to spend more time with you when you come back," said Yana as she clutched my hand in hers.

"Once we have rescued my uncle he'll likely need medical attention, so we'll be coming back," I reassured her, pulling her into a tight embrace. Yana and I had bonded during our stay in Eularia and I hoped this wasn't the last time I would see her. Over her shoulder, I could see Charlie saying his farewells to the Queen and, to my surprise, Yuli. After Yana and I pulled apart she returned to her family and I mounted Orchid who whickered softly as I patted her neck, running my fingers through her silver mane. Elizabeth hugged each member of Merek's family, lingering in Merek's arms longer than anyone else. After saying their goodbyes, Charlie hoisted himself into Valiant's saddle and Elizabeth mounted Auriel, surprising me by appearing completely comfortable atop the gentle mare.

"Thank you for your hospitality and for finding my uncle." Despite my earlier anger, I couldn't deny that the Queen had helped us and deep down I knew she did not intend to hurt anyone with her actions.

"All of you are welcome in Eularia," she responded, dipping her head respectfully, her eyes filling with sadness as she gazed up at Charlie. Misaeh placed a comforting hand on the Queen's shoulder and nodded to me, her expression unreadable. I clicked my tongue and turned Orchid around, leading us out of Eularia and into the forest. We rode in silence, a complex mix of emotions churning in our chests as we left the elves behind.

The grey of dawn gave way to the clear blue of morning, streaks of clouds scattered across the sky, threatening to eclipse what little sunlight penetrated the canopy above us. I shuddered as a cool breeze stirred, drawing my cloak tighter around my shoulders. The elves had mended our original clothing in the first week of our stay and I was relieved to be back in a set of clothes that fit me properly. I was grateful to Yana for lending me her clothes but they were ill-fitting and often left less to the imagination than I was comfortable with. As we rode I noticed Auriel's ears consistently flicking backward, listening to something behind us.

"Wait," I said, breaking the silence for the first time. Charlie and Elizabeth exchanged a confused glance but brought Valiant and Auriel to a halt. I turned in the saddle and peered at the patch of forest we had just travelled through, my senses straining as I attempted to identify what Auriel had been listening to.

"Amelia what are you looking for?" asked Elizabeth slowly, her unease evident as shifted in her saddle. Auriel began to paw at the ground and Elizabeth had to pull the reigns taut to stop her from turning to face whatever she could hear. As Elizabeth struggled with Auriel, Valiant and Orchid began to neigh loudly, their ears alert as they pawed at the ground.

"What on ear-" Charlie was cut off by the sound of approaching hoofbeats. The three of us sat in anticipation as the sound drew nearer and I found myself reaching for my shortsword. Auriel tossed her head, erupting into loud whinnies, excited rather than distressed. It was as I urged Orchid forward, that Merek burst into the clearing astride a large grey horse with a long black mane. His arm was free of its sling and an impish grin was plastered across his face.

Elizabeth was the first to react, urging Auriel over to him, her mouth set in a stern line, she began to holler.

"What are you doing here? Are you insane!?"

"I thought you'd be happy to see me!" he retorted. Elizabeth's tone evidently had no effect on Merek's cheery attitude, his amber eyes still twinkling with mischief.

"You. Have. One. Hand!" she cried out, eyes wide with disbelief. Merek winced at her words but didn't back down.

"I'm coming with you, I want to see this adventure through to the end."

"You're going to get yourself killed," spat Elizabeth, her green eyes dark with worry.

"I'll be fine. Besides, you'll need me. I can contact the Queen with any news we find, which will be especially helpful if Amelia's uncle is injured."

"He has a point there," mused Charlie, watching them argue with mild amusement. Elizabeth flashed him an angry look which he merely chuckled at.

"You can't really stop me you know," continued Merek, "Natiro here is Auriel's mate, he can find her anywhere." He patted the grey horse's neck affectionately.

"I can't decide if you're insane, stupid or both..." Elizabeth trailed off, eyes wide as she shook her head slowly, from side to side. She turned Auriel around and set off toward the mountain, her shoulders somewhat slumped. If he was concerned Merek did not show it as he trotted after her, head held high.

I let out a heavy sigh and followed them, apparently, I was no longer in charge of who travelled with us. At least I was no longer as irritated by his presence as I had been the first time he joined us. During the month we spent in Eularia, Merek had shown his more lovable side and the incident in prison felt like a distant memory, and a different person. He had not brought up the money I promised to him and I couldn't help but wonder why. Had he truly fallen for Elizabeth? Or had he decided we were even, after we saved his life and brought him home? Questions ricocheted around my mind and eventually I decided it would be simplest to just wait and see, rather than speculate. Sooner or later, Merek would show were his loyalties lay.

It took us three days to reach the edge of Hilfdyr Forest. The days had passed rather quickly, mostly thanks to Merek, who had sung and taught us different things about the elves, Eularia and the forest. By the second day, Elizabeth seemed to have forgiven him for tagging along in his crippled state and they were as close as ever.

"We need to be careful where we make camp tonight," murmured Merek, slowing Natiro to match Orchid's pace.

"Aren't we always careful?" I replied, my brows arching in confusion.

"I mean more careful than usual. There are dangerous creatures living in these parts. Dragons aren't the only creatures that dwell in the mountains." His voice was ominous, his eyes clouded over as if his senses were somewhere else entirely. I suppressed a shiver and nodded to him.

We made our camp at the base of an ancient Yew tree, its wide, gnarled trunk protecting us from the brunt of the strong, icy gale that had been blowing strong for the last few hours. Charlie found a sheltered spot and attempted light a fire, but just as it began Merek darted over and smothered it with dirt.

"What are you doing?" exclaimed Charlie.

"No fire."

"Why not?"

"It will attract unwanted attention from the creatures that prey on travellers and merchants in these parts." Charlie let out an incredulous scoff and turned to look at Elizabeth and I, who had been laying out our bedrolls.

"Do you really believe all this talk about dangerous creatures," he demanded, his gaze flitting between my face and Elizabeth's. I shrugged,

"If dragons and elves exist, why not other non-human creatures?" I replied, hoping he would calm down soon. His mood had darkened considerably the closer we got to the mountains and as a result he was lashing out at the slightest provocation.

He scowled at me and before grunting something inaudible and stalking off into the trees. I sighed and got to my feet, before muttering,

"I'll go get him."

I trudged through the forest, following the path Charlie had taken, struggling to traverse the undergrowth with my considerably shorter legs. I travelled for a few minutes before I heard a noise.

Thud. Thud. Thud.

I followed the sound until I reached a small clearing where Charlie had drawn his sword and was hacking at a fallen tree.

"Every blacksmith knows that you'll dull the blade if you do that," I teased, hoping he was in a more agreeable mood. He was not. Charlie flashed an angry look at me that caused my stomach to lurch as my hand flew to the pommel of my sword. He rolled his eyes at my defensive position and resumed his assault on the chipped bark before him.

"Charles." I continued, my voice stern this time. He ignored me but I pressed on. "What is the matter with you lately? In all the years I've known you, you have never acted like this." My stomach forming a hard knot as I crept closer to him, I waited for a response. When he did not reply, I stepped forward and gripped his arm, tugging gently.

"Please stop. You're frightening me." My voice was softer than a whisper but it was enough. Charlie dropped his sword with a muffled thud in the grass and dropped to his knees. I knelt beside him and wrapped my arms around him, my forehead pressed against his shoulder which had begun to tremble.

"I don't know what's wrong with me," said Charlie, his voice low and hoarse as if he'd been screaming. I gripped him tighter and he breathed in deep before he continued. "I feel like something is inside me, feeding on every negative feeling and experience I've had. It's making me feel so angry, so sad, so frustrated all the time! I nearly killed my own mother for being selfish enough to want to spend time with me."

"You were just angry," I murmured in an attempt to soothe him.

"I'm terrified. What if I hurt one of you because I can't control myself?"

"That won't happen Charlie," I promised, turning his face so he was looking at me. His normally bright eyes were dulled with fear as he gazed at me, our noses almost touching.

"How do you know?" he whispered.

"I trust you." My reply was simple but it was enough. His eyes smouldered as he leaned in and placed his lips on mine. Heat spread up my neck and into my cheeks but I didn't fight it. This was what I wanted, what I had always wanted. Charlie placed a gentle hand on my waist as his other hand threaded through my hair. I felt as if nothing existed beyond this clearing as I pressed myself against him. 

When we pulled apart Charlie gave me a sheepish grin which I returned, my cheeks still blazing. We sat together in silence for a few moments until Charlie cleared his throat and said,

"We should probably head back, it's getting dark and the others will be wondering where we are." I nodded in agreement, trying in vain to conceal the jubilant smile that was forming on my lips.