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

Dawn steadily came and met (f/n)'s (e/c) orbs. A smile rested on her lips as she could feel the warm beams break through some of the clouds and trees. It wasn't too warm, but it was still more welcoming than the arms of night. She loved how the light hit the running water and caused it to sparkle. The scenery took on a new life, yet the dangers still remained. They were just unseen for the moment.

She turned to her partner, about to wake him up. An image from her nightmare flashed before her eyes, however, and she withdrew her hand back. A frown dominated her mouth until she pushed the picture away. (F/n) couldn't let that nightmare conquer her mind. For this journey, she needed to be comfortable around him. They were a team, and they would have to work together to get through whatever obstacles laid ahead.

Perhaps, one of them could go forward on their own. The journey would take longer, though, and nights would offer little sleep. Besides, he was her husband. She felt the ring around her finger to remind herself more. Despite being terrified of his violent side, she needed to trust him. This nightmare was only putting doubt in her mind. It was just that, a nightmare and nothing else.

Reaching towards him again, she gently shook him. He shifted some in his sleep before he rolled onto his back and opened his eyes. His dark blues glanced up to her. A smile fell upon his lips. "Beautiful." Heat rose to her cheeks. It came even more so when his right hand raised itself to her left cheek and brushed against it. "This is one advantage to having our bed where the sun can reach. It highlights your beauty in an exceptional way, my ..."

Quickly, she threw her hands over his mouth. A questioning look crossed his eyes. Just as swiftly, she pulled back her hands and apologized. "Sorry, but thank you for the compliments. Still you shouldn't call me by that nickname now. We might have a long walk ahead of us."

A light chuckle escaped his lips as he sat up. It reminded her of smooth honey being poured into a warm winter drink. "Forgive me, I got ahead of myself. Now, isn't the time for that."

"Tomorrow morning, I'm stealing my cloak back before you wake up," she mumbled before she got off the makeshift bed and stood up. Another pleasing chuckle reached her ears. To get his mind off of such a thing, she asked, "Are we going to be eating while moving?"

"Yes, I think that staying here any longer would prove unwise. We may not be able to see that door, but we're still close enough to it. Let's put more distance between it and us." Standing up himself, he pulled up the cloaks and handed hers back to her.

Readily, she tied it up around her and hugged it to her body after she pulled up the hood. Her head finally had some protection against the biting cold. Tarhuinn did the same with his before they put on their packs and started to head down the stream more. Along the way, he took out some dried apricots and some of the dried meat. The taste of the seasoned meat almost caused her to gobble it down, but she forced herself to savor it. They probably wouldn't eat again until dusk.

The sun rose higher in the air as they continued downstream. She still avoided the dried twigs and fallen branches. Her attention, though, was also focused on their surroundings. Something could easily hide behind any of the many trees in the area. One of those things could be that snake creature that Tarhuinn told her about along the way. Thankfully, he did mention that they only come out at night, but she kept herself alert regardless. There might be one who stayed out later to try and get some hair.

According to Tarhuinn, they weren't a real threat, but, in her opinion, it would still be better to avoid them. Anything that saw them could always report their presence to another. It was relieving to know that they were headed down the right path, though. Granted, the part about the third kelremm possibly being a mage was disconcerting. If the authors had found a way around the issue with a kelremm and human mage mating, then what other things had they found a solution to?

One thing after another just seemed to be added to their list of concerns. At least, Tarhuinn now understood that these five authors couldn't be trusted. This discovery only begged the question of what else in the texts was questionable or hiding some secret.

Both of them halted their movement, however. Ahead of them was a fork in the stream. The trees blocked the view, so they couldn't tell if the two paths met up again. Movement behind one of the nearby stones caught (f/n)'s attention. She stepped closer to her partner. Her gaze didn't move from the rock. "Tarhuinn, there's something there," she warned, pointing to the place slightly.

Instantly, he went on alert. He grabbed her left arm and moved her to stand as close as she could without getting in the water. A blade rested in the grip of his left hand. Small translucent wings flicked out from the sides of the rock while a tiny head popped up. Long strands of white hair draped down and skin as pale as the snow covered its body. Eyes, a very light blue and almost white, stared up at them.

Blood drained from (f/n)'s face. It was a snow pixie; it had to be. The only strange thing was that it was out during the day, not night like in the tale. Maybe, it wasn't an accurate account. She would keep her distance, though, until she learned of the pixie's intentions.

"State what you want," Tarhuinn ordered as the pixie flew up from her hiding place.

"I saw your human and was interested. I've never seen one before, but I've heard tales of their appearance. She's prettier than I expected a female human to look like."

Tensing up more, (f/n) prepared herself to reach for the blade in her boot. Tarhuinn kept a firm grip on her while his gaze remained threatening. "Is that all? Or, is there something else?" he inquired, eyeing the pixie for a sign of attack.

"Well, I'm a guard to this part of the forest. We're not allowed to let unwanted visitors past. Technically, we're supposed to give a surprise ambush, but I couldn't help myself from seeing your human. Maybe, we can arrange something to allow you both passage. My king and queen would love to see a human as well. None have come through these parts in ages, or so my leaders tell me."

"And if we refuse?" he questioned, noting that (f/n) was eyeing her right boot like it was a prized jewel.

"In that case, I'll attack and so will the other pixies. You should know that we can be quite the killers when provoked. You might take out a good number of us, but, in the end, you'll both die. It will be a slow, painful death. And, it would be a waste of a pretty human. Your other option is to follow me, and we can arrange something. I can guarantee that if you come with me, neither of you will die by our attack."

If only Tarhuinn could walk in snow, they could get around this part. Of course, that would mean that it would be harder to find Tergii and Bimaa. She didn't want to go with the pixie. Maybe, they wouldn't be eaten, but she didn't think that this arrangement would be a completely positive one. "Who told you to block visitors? And, how do you distinguish between wanted and unwanted? What are you leaving out?" she asked, gaining the courage to talk to the creature.

A serious expression covered the pixie's countenance. "They're individuals who we despise but cannot harm. If you come, your questions will be answered. Otherwise, you face our attack. Please, decide. I won't give you too much more time to choose."

Glancing up to him, she wanted to tell him to not even consider. That they should fight, but that was her fear talking. The gruesome tale was clouding her judgment. Another memory of the nightmare formed before her eyes. She saw that smile again. (F/n) clenched her hands and bit her bottom lip; she had to trust him. "I'll leave the decision to you, Tarhuinn."

Surprised, he swept his gaze over her. He saw how her hands trembled lightly and noticed how she looked to the pixie with terror. If he declined the offer, the pixies would attack. Realistically, he could handle a good number of them, but some would get past and attack (f/n). She wasn't skilled enough to deal with a small, speedy opponent. To make matters worse, there would be well over one coming after her.

Like with the snake, he was put into a situation that he despised. The pixie was obviously only interested in (f/n). If it had only been him on this journey, he would've been swarmed already. That meant that whatever arrangement was made, it would probably only concern her. Her life was ensured not to be threatened by an attack, but she could live and still be injured.

Even though he would like to think that he could take on a whole colony of pixies, he knew that was an unrealistic assessment of himself. To keep her ultimately alive, he would have to surrender them both to the mercy of the creature before them. Sheathing his blade, he agreed. "We'll follow you to your king and queen under the condition that neither of us is harmed."

"There will be no conditions added. You follow or you die."

Practically growling, he responded, "Fine. Lead the way." Back to being cheerful, the pixie nodded and signaled to follow. As they moved forward, more pixies made themselves known. The countless pairs of eyes observed. Hopefully, they would both be alright.