A/N: As usual, I would recommend putting the video on loop.

"But, I..."

"I understand that you don't mind how you view me, but recall that nightmare that you had. I might look like that if things go sour for us. Will you be able to come to terms with that image of me being a reality?" he asked while his fingers glided away from her (h/c) locks.

Remembering how his teeth were stained with red, she gulped. He had a fair point. Her stomach was already turning at such a possibility occurring before her, and she would be lying if she said that she wasn't fearful of him in that light. She had to trust him, however. If she closed her eyes, she would be sending the message that she didn't trust him completely. Yes, she could easily picture him going against her when he was in that state, but she needed to push that image aside. It wasn't reality; it was merely fear trying to control her.

"I understand ..."

She cut him off. "No, I won't close my eyes. If that happens, you'll be protecting me. You won't be harming me. I won't stay in the back and cower in terror." Keeping her voice low so that the guards wouldn't hear, she added, "I'll help you fight against them. If one manages to sneak on you, I'll strike them down. If too many surround you, I'll draw some to me and finish them off. I'll be your taken daggers." Her hands wrapped around his. "I won't take no for answer."

Before he could utter a word, she leaned towards him and pressed her lips to his. The action caught him off guard, but he returned the gesture nevertheless. Their kiss remained short, but it was enough to allow the other's feelings to get across. Both were saying that they had the other's back.

With the kiss ending, they remained close to each other. (F/n)'s forehead rested against his chest while his arms were now encircled around her. She only wished that this intimate moment didn't have to be shared with the guards in the room. It would've been easier to ignore them had they not been shifting in the water occasionally. At least, she didn't have to look at them.

A feminine cough, though, drew her attention towards the larger pool. She drew her head back and peeked around Tarhuinn. The four council members had returned. Cetar seemed less than pleased while the other three wore expressions that weren't easy to read. Aqua swam closer to the edge of the pool. All of the guards kept near to her, and their spears remained pointing at Tarhuinn and her.

"We have come up with a proposal, and all three of us have agreed to it. You two are traveling towards the authors' home. In payment for letting you both continue to head there; you'll bring us back the five authors. They'll most likely try to kill you on sight given your mention of their past attempts on your lives. So, we won't ask you to bring them back alive, but we do want their bodies. They were made from those five merfolk, and we wish to give our ancestors a proper burial by stripping the authors of the pieces that they make them part merfolk."

"I have no issue with that," Tarhuinn answered swiftly. "I was planning on killing them regardless."

"That's if you can kill them," Cetar cut in. "They have at least one mage on their side, and they're no apprentice in magic. Guards have reported some of the terrifying things that this mage can perform, and those were merely things to entertain themselves on their travels. There's also the more simple issue; you two will be severely outnumbered. Spies are most likely around and in their home as well, and they'll be the ones that you'll encounter first. Making it through them won't be a mere swim in the pond."

"I'm sure that they're both aware of that," Lacus commented, crossing his arms over his chest. "Besides, it's their only option. They either agree to bring us them, dead or alive, or they don't leave our home." He moved his gaze to both of them, and he had to peer up some since they were standing now. "And if you do kill them but don't bring them here, you better be careful of any water. Merfolk will come after you, and, eventually, no water will be safe for you."

"It would be foolish of us to not pay our end of the bargain," (f/n) answered, though; she had no intention of going back with Will once she gave him the supposed serum of eternal life. Thankfully, this deal involved no sadistic, cannibalistic mages.

"It would be, though; I wish that I could see this fight," Piscina remarked as excitement laced her cerulean eyes. "It would certainly make the blood pump in one's body. Just thinking about it is making my heart beat faster. Perhaps, you could also tell us the details of the fight when you return."

Lacus chuckled. "I doubt that they wish to spend a long time here when they return, Piscina. They'll most likely drop off the bodies and leave immediately after."

"Not if we add it to be part of the deal," she argued back, a small grin tugging at her lips.

"That wasn't part of the deal," Aqua mentioned, though; there was an amused smile on her own lips. She kept her gaze on Tarhuinn and (f/n), however. "Since you have accepted, we'll guide you out of our home, and some merfolk will bring your belongings shortly after."

The two of them nodded, and, shortly, they were back in the water. Tarhuinn kept a firm grip on (f/n). One of the guards offered to take her since she couldn't breathe under water and they could swim faster, but he refused as did she. If the deal hadn't been reached, the guards would probably be attempting to kill both of them at the moment. Such a thought caused her to grip all the harder on his shirt.

Holding onto him tightly, they went under. Darkness enveloped them both. She didn't focus on her decreasing air. Rather, she paid attention to the fact that they were going to get out of the merfolk's lair alive. Their journey could continue, and they were near to their destination. The authors wouldn't be able to hide their ways in secret for much longer, but Cetar was right. Even if their intent had been to still only ask a question, they would have found themselves in a dangerous situation.

(F/n) did find it difficult to think, however, when her air supply was nearing its end. She shut her eyes and gripped Tarhuinn's shirt more. Her lungs were beginning to cry for air, but she had seen previously that the waters remained dark. How much longer did they have until they reached the surface again?

No answer being given to her, she nearly wished to bang her fists against Tarhuinn in a panic. She refrained from doing so, but she noted that her consciousness would fade soon. Air didn't greet them shortly. Her grip on him weakened. The last thing that she thought of was how thankful she would be for solid ground. Feeling (f/n) go limp in his arms, Tarhuinn swam all the quicker.

Warmth greeted her upon waking up. It came from whatever she was laying upon and from the few beams of sunlight that broke through the clouds. Dry fabric was draped over her shoulders and around her form partially, but she was pressed against something firm. Her fingers traced over skin, and her (e/c) eyes were met with medium blue. Blinking a few times to confirm the truthfulness of her vision, she found herself using Tarhuinn as a makeshift bed.

Heat dominated her cheeks. Why didn't he have a shirt on? Noting her exposed arms, she soon realized that she was lacking a shirt as well. She only had her underclothes on, and the same applied to him. Her cloak was over the two of them, mostly her, though.

Sitting up, she kept the cloak wrapped around her form. She saw that he had his eyes closed, but he was most likely awake. He was probably enjoying her confusion. What had happened after she had lost consciousness? No question left her lips, for she was tugged down.

Laying on him once more, she felt his hands secure themselves around her waist and slip under her undershirt slightly. The heat in her cheeks increased. He beat her words again, but this time with his own, rather than with an action. "You should keep close. Our clothes, blankets and my cloak are all drying. This is our best way to stay warm for the time being. You were freezing when we left the water."

Doing her best to rid her mind of the image of him undressing her partially, she inquired, "Did the merfolk say anything before they brought us back out here?"

"Only to keep our end of the deal." An annoyed, "tch," left his lips. "I'm happy to be out of there, but part of me wishes to go back. I desire to slay a few of them so that they understand that we're not to be trifled with and to pay them back for the harm that they had caused you."

"We have nothing to prove to them. They injured and insulted us. We shouldn't waste any more time than we have to on them. If anything, it makes me want to complete this journey already. That way, we can deliver the authors to them and be on our way. We can be finished with Will and relax at home."

Chuckling a little, a smirk tugged at his lips. "I don't think that will be the case on the first night back, (f/n)." Heat traveled to her ears now. In retaliation, she huffed and slapped his left upper arm playfully. She mumbled something under her breath, which only caused him to become more amused. (F/n) was about to hit him again, but the smell of rain caught her nose. They were under no cover and were just beginning to get dry.

"We should find some cover. We don't need to be poured on." Hearing his agreement, they both sat up. His arms stayed around her as he lifted her up and headed towards some of the pines.