Water dripped off the tips of my hair as I carried Winter out of the lake. Her eyes were closed as she layed against my chest. Her breathing was shallow which meant she'd gotten a lot of water in her lungs.

I layed her in the grass and pushed on her chest, causing her to throw up all the water. She coughed, the liquid dripping down the corners of her mouth.

I went and pulled down a blanket I'd stashed by a nearby tree, wrapping it around her and picking her up again. I couldn't afford to wait for her to wake up. We needed to get moving. She'd wake up soon enough and I'd explain everything then. She probably wouldn't be happy but, that wasn't my business. She vwould take it up with him.

As we got further into the forest, she began to shiver and toss around. I sighed and gave her a look of disapproval. "What a pain..." I muttered.

I set her in the grass gently, pulling my coat off and putting it behind her head as a pillow. Then I went about making a fire.

*******

(Winter's POV)

I roller onto my side and curled into a tighter ball. Why was my bed so hard...? Why was it so cold...?

I opened my eyes and sat up slowly. The wind blew through my hair, whistling as it passed. Where was I...? There were trees and stars. Suddenly, everything came back to me and I stood up, wobbling on my shaky legs for a minute. I steadied myself on a tree and looked around, "Dark, where are-"

My eyes landed on the body of a man laying on the other side of the fire. He had his muscular arms crossed and was laying against a tree with his eyes closed. I stared at him for a moment before I walked around the fire slowly, kneeling down in front of him.

As I got closer I realized, he wasn't a man at all. He was just a boy, probably only a few years older than I. But, what was he doing out here by himself?

I reached out, going to brush his bangs out of his face. Suddenly, he grabbed my hand, his eyes popping open and glaring at me. I gasped and pulled back, triping and falling on my butt.

He stood up, staring down at me. My eyes were wide with fear and I clenched my eyes closed as he took a step. I thought he was going to hurt me but, he just walked around me and started putting out the fire. I let out a relieved sigh and stood up, turning to him cautiously. "Do you know where I am?" I asked.

He kicked dirt over the fire emotionlessly. "Yeah."

I frowned. "Can you tell me how to get home? Or if you've seen my horse?"

"Yeah."

My frown deepened in annoyance. "Will you tell me?" I asked.

By this time he'd finished with the fire and was picking up a bag, slinging it over his shoulder. "No."

I put my hands on my hips. "Why not?"

He finally turned to look at me. "I don't have time for this. Either you come with me or I carry you."

I stared at him in shock. "You... You're a psycho!" I said. I clenched my hands into fists before I swung one, punching his square in the jaw. He stumbled back and I took this chance to race into the trees, running as fast as I could away from him. "Dark!" I called, hoping he'd come help me. "Dark!"

I could here the boy running behind me, closing the space between us quickly. I felt his hand grab onto my wrist and pull me back. I tried to gain my freedom again but, he just planet his feet into the ground.

I turn towards him, intending to scratch him, when he suddenly hoisted me up and threw me over his shoulder. "Stop! Get your hands off me!" I screamed.

I kicked my legs and beat on his back. "Let go!"

He growled in annoyance and slapped me. "Shut up, would you?! God, you're so annoying!"

I elbowed his head and kneed his stomach, kicking and punching until my arms were sore. Finally, exhausted, I stopping fighting and panted, allowing myself to be carried.

As I lay there, I noticed his grip lossen some. I came up with an idea and rubbed my eyes until they were red. Then I started sniffled. "What do you want from me...? Why are you doing this?"

He slowed and came to a stop. "Tch." Then he set me on my feet gently, making me sit down. "Don't blame me, princess. I could care less what happens to you."

I hesitated at the strange nick-name. He pulled his bag off and nelt down, pulling out a bottle of water. "I'm just doing my job."

He started to pour me a cup. I glanced at the trees and then back at him. I took advanced the distraction and jumped up and ran. I didn't make it very far before he grabbed my ankle and tripped me, causing me to land with a thud on my side.

I went to stand up again when he pressed a knife to my neck. "Enough! I'm done play I games with you!" He shouted.

I stared up at him. He glare at me. "I have no problem tying you up and treating you like a sack of potatos." He hissed. "Is that what you want?"

He was trying to be intimidating but, I just narrowed my eyes and yelled back, "Go ahead! But, I'll never go with you willingly!"

He looked surprised by my reaction and I shoved his knife away, sitting up and glaring at him. "What do you want from me?"

He snapped out of his shock and looked away. "I'm only following orders. I am to protect you until I've returned you safely to the king. That is all."

"King?"

"His orders were specific."

He stood up and helped me to my feet. "He said to bring you to him, even if by force."

"I don't know any king... Why would he want me?"

The boy began packing up his bottle, picking up his bag again. When he was finished he turned to me without expression. "You'll find out when you get there."

As he started walking away I followed him. "Don't you know? I mean, you were 'ordered' to bring me to him. Wouldn't he tell you why?"

He didn't reply and I ran to keep up with him. I expected him to answer me but, as his silence stretched on I frowned. What was his problem?

Suddenly, I stopping and looked back. "Wait. I have to find my horse." I said.

The boy sighed and stopped walking, turning to look at me. "That was me, and I'm not carrying you anymore."

I stared at him. Him? That didn't make any sense. Suddenly, I started thinking again. Kings we from fairytales and fiction! I stepped back as the realization sunk in. "You really are a psycho..."

******

Hey everyone! I know I don't update this often but, I'm hoping to change that and work on it more. Sorry for making ya'll wait. Hope you enjoyed this chapter! AS ALWAYS, VOTE, COMMENT, FOLLOW, AND STAY AWESOME!

-Nekoco