The air was thick with the scent of pine and earth as Leif and I journeyed through the dense forest. The dappled sunlight filtering through the canopy above provided a surreal, almost magical, ambiance. We traveled silently, the rhythmic clopping of our horses' hooves the only sound accompanying us. There was an unspoken understanding between us—Leif knew what I had to do, and he was here to support me.

We avoided the main road, knowing my father's guards could easily catch us if we took the obvious path. Instead, we opted for a side trail, one that wound through the trees and kept us hidden from prying eyes. The forest was our shield, its shadows and twists a labyrinth only the desperate or the determined would traverse.

As dusk approached, the sky transformed into a canvas of deep oranges and purples. We found a small, unassuming inn nestled at the edge of the woods. It was a simple establishment, meant for weary travelers, and I welcomed the idea of rest. Though I enjoyed riding, I was not accustomed to being on horseback for such long stretches, and my body ached in protest.

Leif helped me dismount, his strong hands steadying me as my feet touched the ground. We led our horses to the stable, securing them in the designated spots. The innkeeper's boy, a lanky young man with a mop of unruly hair, took over, ensuring the animals were well cared for.

Inside, the inn was warm and inviting, a stark contrast to the cool, darkening forest outside. The scent of roasting meat and fresh bread wafted through the air, making my stomach growl in response. Leif and I approached the front desk, where a plump, middle-aged woman greeted us with a kind smile.

"Good evening. How can I help you?" she asked.

"We'd like a room for the night," Leif replied, his voice steady and calm.

I handed over some coins from a small pouch, a mix of what little I had and some I had taken from my stepmother's purse—the one she used for her town shopping trips. We needed to be conservative with our funds to make it all the way to the palace.

The innkeeper counted the coins, then nodded. "One room, then. It's upstairs, first door on the right."

I glanced at Leif, unsure about the sleeping arrangements. He must have sensed my hesitation because he spoke up, reassuringly. "I'll sleep by the door, for security."

I protested, not wanting him to be uncomfortable. "Leif, you don't have to do that. You should take the bed."

He shook his head, a small smile playing on his lips. "It's fine, Elara. This way, I'll be able to protect you if anything happens."

I sighed but relented. He was a good guy, always putting others before himself. We made our way upstairs, the wooden steps creaking under our weight. The room was modest, with a single bed, a small table, and a washbasin. It wasn't much, but it was a welcome sight after a long day of travel.

Leif set his bag down by the door and unrolled his blanket on the floor. I couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt seeing him prepare to sleep there. "Thank you, Leif," I said softly.

He nodded, his expression gentle. "Get some rest. We'll need our strength for tomorrow."

I crawled into the bed, exhaustion quickly pulling me under. As I drifted off to sleep, I couldn't help but feel a mixture of fear and hope. The path ahead was uncertain, but with Leif by my side, I felt a glimmer of courage. This journey was only beginning, and I was determined to see it through.

Suddenly, I was shaken awake. My heart raced as my eyes flew open, but Leif's face came into view, easing my fears. I was about to ask what was happening, but he instantly put a finger to his lips, signaling for silence. At first, I was confused, but then I heard the voices. There was a small tavern at the entrance to the inn, and drunk men were speaking loudly in the hall. Some of their words were slurred, and they seemed unaware of their surroundings.

"I mean, it's wild, man. That Emberlyn Lord is offering up a fortune," one voice said, his words thick with alcohol. My fears started to grow.

"Of course he is, it's his daughter. Now is not a time for a little girl to be wandering the country," another voice added, his tone patronizing. I felt a mix of anger and understanding. I knew how it looked—a naive girl wanting to get away from home without fully grasping the tense situation in the country. Leif's eyes held an apologetic look, but I knew it wasn't his fault.

"Well, we should sleep off the alcohol and start looking tomorrow. With the amount he's offering, hundreds of people are bound to search everywhere for her," a man slurred, and I heard the others agree, followed by the sound of their footsteps as they went to their room.

Once they were gone, I whispered in a panic, "What should we do?"

"It will be impossible to avoid everyone looking for me on the path we planned to take," I said, my voice trembling.

"We need to leave now," Leif replied, his voice firm. "We'll make a new plan later."

I nodded and started for the door, but he shook his head. "We can't risk being seen. We have to take the window," he said, shocking me. I didn't mind heights, but this was certainly the most intense climbing situation I had ever faced.

Leif went first, carrying our supplies. He climbed down nimbly, his movements quick and efficient. Once he was on the ground, he looked up and motioned for me to follow. My heart pounded as I approached the window, the cool night air brushing against my skin.

I took a deep breath, steeling myself for the climb. The moonlight cast an eerie glow over the landscape, illuminating the path below. I swung my leg over the sill and began to descend, my hands gripping the rough surface of the inn's exterior. Leif stood below, ready to catch me if I slipped. My heart pounded in my chest, each step feeling more precarious than the last.

Finally, I reached the ground, my feet touching the earth with a soft thud. Leif immediately took my hand, guiding me away from the inn and into the cover of the trees. The forest surrounded us, its shadows offering a safe haven as we fled from the inn and the threat it now posed.

"We need to move quickly," Leif whispered, his eyes scanning the area. "They'll start searching at first light. I'll grab the horses. Stay hidden."

I nodded, my resolve hardening. We had a long journey ahead, and the stakes were higher than ever. But with Leif by my side, I felt a spark of hope. We would find a way to reach the palace, no matter what obstacles lay in our path.

After we had made some distance into the forest, we stopped to reassess our situation. The darkness surrounded us, the forest's dense foliage providing cover but also a sense of foreboding. I sighed, the weight of our predicament pressing heavily on my shoulders. "We can't take the roads; they will find us," I said, my voice tinged with anxiety.

Leif nodded, his expression serious. "I know. We'll have to go through the forest. It will take longer, but I'm trained in navigation. I can get us there."

His confidence was reassuring, but guilt gnawed at me. I knew he wanted to help, but this was too much to ask. "Leif, I would understand if you wanted to go back," I said softly.

He dismissed my words instantly. "What? Of course not. We're in this journey together."

His unwavering support brought a small smile to my lips, a glimmer of appreciation in my eyes. "Let's find somewhere to camp for the rest of the night," he suggested. "We won't be able to stay in nice inns anymore."

I nodded, and we began to search for a suitable spot. The forest was alive with the sounds of nocturnal creatures, the rustling of leaves and the occasional hoot of an owl creating an eerie symphony. Despite the fear and uncertainty, there was a strange sense of peace in the depths of the woods.

After a short search, we found a small clearing sheltered by thick trees. It wasn't much, but it would provide some protection and a place to rest. Leif set to work, efficiently creating a makeshift camp. I helped where I could, gathering sticks for a small fire and laying out our supplies.

As the fire crackled to life, casting a warm glow around our camp, I felt a moment of relief. The immediate danger had passed, and for now, we were safe. We sat by the fire, its warmth a small comfort against the chill of the night.

"Thank you, Leif," I said quietly, breaking the silence. "For everything."

He glanced at me, his eyes reflecting the firelight. "We're in this together, Ellie. We'll make it through."

His words were a balm to my weary soul, and I nodded, feeling a renewed sense of determination. The journey ahead was fraught with danger, but with Leif by my side, I felt a spark of hope.

We both tried to sleep, but it was impossible after the night's events. Though we had managed some rest at the inn before the voices had woken Leif, we still needed to conserve our energy for the journey ahead. It was to dangerous to travel in the dark, so we sat by the fire, our attempts at sleep turning into a quiet conversation.

"Elara?" Leif's voice broke the silence.

"Yeah, Leif?" I replied.

"Could I ask you something, something personal?" he asked hesitantly.

His hesitancy almost made me smile. Of course, he could ask me anything. He had done so much to support me that he had earned the right to ask whatever he wanted. "Of course."

There was a short pause, as if he was struggling with how to word his question or afraid to voice it. Then, suddenly, he asked, "Why him?"

I was a bit confused. "I don't understand," I admitted.

"Why Malachi? Why do you want to be with him?" he clarified.

I was taken aback by the question. "I'm not doing this just for Malachi. It's more for myself, to gain a life where I can be important, have some significance," I explained.

"You have always been important to me," he mumbled quietly to himself, causing me to smile slightly and blush.

"There are many ways to do that, Elara. There must be something about him, or you wouldn't want to return to the palace."

He was right. I now knew that I was capable of making a difference. With this confidence, I could find a way to do it entirely unrelated to Malachi, yet I still wanted to be with him. "You're right," I admitted. "But I can't really explain it. When I'm with him, I feel like I am the best version of myself. I want to feel that way always."

I took a deep breath and added, "And I want to help him be the best he can be. I want to be there for him and support him the way he supports me."

I probably sounded crazy, I thought to myself. There was no way Leif could understand. "I know it doesn't make sense," I said dismissively.

Leif let out a dry laugh, and at first, I felt embarrassed. But then I realized the laugh was because he understood entirely. "It makes perfect sense. I couldn't have explained it better myself."

I was confused for a moment. Did he feel this way about someone too?

"It is how I feel when I'm around you," Leif admitted, startling me. My heart stopped, and I began to sweat. However, I guess I sort of always knew; this isn't a complete shock. But I never felt the same way, so I was in denial about his feelings. I wanted us to just be good friends, so I made myself believe that he wanted the same. I felt awful. He was such a good guy, such a good friend, but I couldn't return his feelings. I loved him, but not in that way.

"Leif..." I began, unsure what to say, but he beat me to it.

"It's alright, Elara. I know you do not feel the same. For a moment after our return, I had hoped that your feelings for Malachi would disappear, but I began to see how being apart from him was affecting you." He was so sweet, so perceptive. He continued, "When Caius told me that you wanted to return to the palace, I knew there was no hope for us. But even if it could never be in that way, I do love you, Elara, and I will do whatever it takes to make you happy, even if that means not being with me."

I felt tears in my eyes. He was too good, too good for me. I didn't deserve his love. "I want you to be happy too, Leif," I managed to choke out.

"I know, Elara," he responded. I wanted to say more, to explain myself, but he stopped me.

"Please do not say anything more. I just wanted you to know that you make me feel like the best version of myself, and I am forever grateful for that. We should rest now; we will leave at first light." I wanted to say more, to let him know how much I appreciated him. That he made me better too. But I could tell he understood that. And he knew that the way I felt about him and Malachi was different. I felt honored to be loved by Leif, and I wanted him to know, but I would honor his wishes.

"Thank you, Leif, truly," I whispered, then said no more as he requested.

I lay there, listening to the sounds of the forest and the steady breathing of Leif beside me. The night was cool, and the sky above was dotted with stars. Despite the tension and uncertainty, I found a strange sense of peace in that moment. Leif's confession had stirred a storm of emotions within me, but it also solidified my resolve. I knew what I had to do, and I was determined to see it through.

As the first light of dawn began to creep through the trees, I rose quietly, careful not to wake Leif. But, as if sensing my movement, he stirred and was instantly alert. We exchanged a brief, understanding glance. There was no need for words. We had a journey ahead, fraught with danger and uncertainty, but also with hope and determination.

Together, we packed up our camp and prepared to move on. The road ahead was long and perilous, but with Leif by my side, I felt ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead. We mounted our horses, and as the sun began to rise, casting its golden light through the forest, we set off towards our uncertain future, hearts full of resolve and determination.

With each step, I felt a mixture of fear and excitement. I was leaving behind the safety and familiarity of my family, but I was also stepping into a new chapter of my life, one where I would fight for my place, my purpose, and for the love I believed in. As we rode on, I glanced at Leif, grateful for his unwavering support. No matter what happened, I knew I wasn't alone, and that gave me the strength to keep going.

A/N: What are everyone's opinions on Leif?