So close. They would get there soon. Keiran sighed quietly in relief. Their trip was almost at an end, and they thankfully hadn't had any incidents like the one a couple days ago. Nor had they run into any magic user. They had discussed what had occurred, and (F/n) mentioned that she didn't know what magic ability the user possessed. It could be anything. Just like how other kingdoms only knew that Credel had a magic user, and it'd be best for them not to start a war.

Of course, they didn't have multiple like Stowwen or Aercen, which was to the east of Stowwen. But, they did see the weapons that Credel knights wore, not to mention her late father. It was obvious that they contained magic. Since they didn't know the extent of it, that was Credel's edge over the other kingdoms.

Due to the lack of information, they both wanted to be out of the open and under a proper shelter, not to mention one hidden by an illusion. As for witnessing Keiran's kill and her internal debate of how she would handle having to kill someone to protect Keiran and herself, she remained quiet on it. There was no need to trouble Keiran over it at this time. If they did wind up in a situation where Keiran was down and she needed to fight back, her best bet would be to grab one of his knives with her teeth, but she'd be taken out before she could really even attempt something of an attack.

So, the two of them remained mostly quiet, just thankful that they were close to their destination and tired from the long trip north. It was a comfortable quiet, though, not an awkward one. Not to mention both were more vigilant with their surroundings so that also took their attention.

When the familiar spot came into view, Keiran breathed a sigh of relief and slowed down. (F/n) looked around and told herself that the trees in front of them must've been something more. Otherwise, Keiran wouldn't have stopped. They were supposed to arrive at their destination tonight unless something else made him stop. Her heartbeat quickened at the thought, but it went back to its steady rhythm when he eased her worry. "We're here." A sigh escaped her, and he lowered himself off of the stallion before he lifted her off and carried her.

As soon as he did so, she noticed a figure begin to emerge seemingly out of a tree trunk. The woman was tall, but she was shorter than Keiran. Maybe, a few inches shorter than him. A grey dress graced her form. Straight, long and brown hair glided down past her shoulders. Bangs decorated her forehead, and her eyes were a light brown, like caramel. In truth, (F/n) would've mistaken her for Keiran's sister if she didn't know otherwise. No doubt, though, she appeared younger than Keiran and her.

Noting that Keiran's hands were full, she went over to the stallion and grabbed the bridle before she began to direct him towards the trees ahead of them. "I'll ask questions once we're aside." Her voice was quiet and soft, but it was also serious and wise as though she was older than she looked.

(F/n) looked up to Keiran, and there was no hesitation in his eyes when he began to follow behind her. That gave her more reassurance that things would be alright. After everything, she doubted that Keiran would take them somewhere unsafe or to someone he didn't trust.

Her eyes, though, looked around her in amazement when suddenly the trees that had been around them vanished, and she found herself inside a small stable. Hay was off to the side, and there was a stall around it. Leading the stallion in, she took off the bridle and closed the stall behind the horse afterwards. "Does he have a name?"

"No, we were occupied with getting here. It didn't even cross our minds." (F/n) had to agree with Keiran's statement. Naming a horse really hadn't entered her thoughts.

"Hmm, Finn should do." She turned around fully and glanced to (F/n), her eyes narrowing a bit in suspicion. "You wouldn't bring anyone else here unless ..."

"Yes, so word hasn't spread, then?" Keiran asked before they were both signaled inside. Keiran followed behind her. Wood covered the floors, walls and ceilings. It was two stories. Stairs led up to the second floor. Ahead of them was a sitting area and a fireplace. (F/n) wondered if the smoke from the fire was hidden too from. It had to be. Otherwise, their location would be given away even with the trees around them.

Taking a seat, May appeared curious and rested her arm on the armchair. "I'm sure you'll tell me what I'm missing." Her caramel eyes looked over to (F/n). "I believe that I know who you are." She shared another look with Keiran, and any doubts of the identity of the newcomer to the forge were gone. "No, I know who you are, Princess (F/n) (L/n)." The formal title rang strangely in (F/n)'s ears, and she didn't make eye contact even though her face couldn't be seen with the hood over it.

Keiran gently set her down in the chair across from May. He softly removed the hood from her head before he leaned against the wall beside the fireplace. He pulled down his hood and crossed his arms. (F/n) didn't say anything at first since May beat her to it. "I'm May. I'm sure Keiran has already told you my name, though." She nodded. "And, it looks like I've missed something tragic."

That was an understatement. "... Yes."

"You flinched at your title, and you're ... Well, what happened?" (F/n) sighed, and before she could say a word, Keiran began to explain, much to her relief. That way, she could drift off from the words of her reality for a little bit. She didn't want to have to explain everything all over again. The memories in her mind were enough, especially since they plagued her sleep now and again.

"I ..." May started. "Well, I don't know what to say to that, but," she got up from her seat and walked over to (F/n) before she rested her hands gently on her shoulders, "you have my utmost condolences." (E/c) eyes met caramel ones, and (F/n) now didn't know what to say. "Keiran's spoken highly of you, and I trust him. But," she looked to him, "I'm assuming you have a solution to everything the princess has endured."

"Please don't say that. I'm not the princess anymore," (F/n) spoke quietly. "Just (F/n) will do."

May stood up as she looked to (F/n). She seated herself once more and released a light sigh. When she didn't respond, (F/n) wondered why she seemed so hesitant at her words. "Keiran," May started, noting that (F/n) looked a little caught off guard that her comment was ignored, "if I know you, you're planning on going back, right?"

"We haven't agreed on our next actions beyond me making her new arms and legs." He now let out his own sigh. "But yes, it's been mentioned briefly, but it only applies if (F/n) agrees. However, you shouldn't be rude, May. She asked a request of you."

"I'm not." Her sharp caramel optics locked with (F/n)'s (e/c) ones. (F/n) now was just confused, overwhelmed and felt like she was out of place. "Do you want to go back to Credel? Or, do you plan on living the rest of your days here?" Truthfully, (F/n) was at a loss for words. She didn't know if she truly believed that they could take back Credel and return home. "If you want to return home, then, you need to accept that you are Princess (F/n) (L/n); you need to accept your title or getting people to follow you will be all the more difficult."

Keiran went to interrupt, but May didn't let him. "I know you just got here from a long trip and experienced something I can't even begin to imagine, but you can't shy away from your birthright if you want it back. In fact, you're not even a princess anymore. You, by right, are a queen."

(F/n) didn't argue. May on all accounts was right. She was the rightful heir to the throne; she had studied to replace her parents when they stepped down or passed away. And if she wanted to get Credel back, she'd need more followers, and they'd need to respect her position. Ultimately, her heart deep down was decided, but her mind was torn. Would it really be possible? Would anyone in Credel actually believe her after what had happened? Yes, Keiran and May could vouch for her, but had her people's trust already been lost?

If she could've, she would've folded her hands together and rubbed one thumb over the other in thought. Instead, she simply lowered her gaze. "May, that's too much right now. She should rest. We can talk in the morning." Keiran stepped over and rested his hands on (F/n)'s shoulders. "(F/n), you don't have to decide this now. We have time." A frown touched his lips when he looked to May. "May, let's not do this now." His words were more a command than a suggestion. (F/n), however, was too focused on her thoughts to notice such a thing.

"I'm just trying to understand what situation we're going to be in and what I need to do to help. One situation clearly demands more than the other." She crossed her arms and raised a brow. "I doubt that you're wanting me to stay behind and tend to the forge if you go back, right? You'll be wanting my help, Keiran?" His silence answered her. "That's what I thought." However, her response only caused tension slowly to form in the room between the two magic users since she wasn't listening to Keiran to let things go for right now.

Feeling awkward, (F/n) decided to try and break the tension. She was tired, but she could understand where May was coming from. Unexpectedly, May was taking in a fugitive if her being alive ever got around and risking everything for her to be in the forge. Not to mention that she already knew that her help would be wanted if they decided to return home. Personally, she'd want to know exactly what would be expected of her as well.

Was she comfortable with the title of queen? No. It was too soon after her parents' death and the betrayal of her sister and mentor. The wounds were too fresh, but being a ruler meant putting grief on hold if needed. It was the cold hard truth, and she didn't want to face it, but May was making her. May was giving her that shove forward if she wanted to take it. Yes, there was time, but they could use that for preparation. It's not like they could take back a kingdom in a night.

"You know," (F/n) let out a quiet chuckle, "that you remind me of my father in our study sessions. He pushed me hard to succeed in my studies because he knew what it took to become a good ruler. But, you're younger than me, aren't you? You look young."

Her response really did break the tension. Keiran relaxed and, honestly, was amused a little bit, especially when he noticed that May was caught off guard. "... Yes. Keiran told me you were a couple years younger than him." So, Keiran was twenty four (F/n) thought to herself since she had expected him to be older given his level of experience in blacksmithing. Then again, she didn't doubt that Barrett was an excellent mentor based on what she had seen and heard. "I'm twenty, but I had to grow up fast. I needed to look after this place, after my home, and make sure that a certain blacksmith had someone to talk to who kept him grounded. Honestly, Barrett spoiled you."

"Yes, and I didn't spoil you with castle gossip," Keiran retorted.

May huffed and smirked at a thought, but she didn't say it outloud. Keiran looked relieved, but (F/n) missed his expression since her gaze remained on May. (F/n), though, didn't pry into why May smirked. Rather, she commented with a small smile, "I thought so." A quiet sigh parted from her. "But to answer you, I know that deep in my heart I want to return. Credel is my home, and it pains me to think of what's happening there now with those two in power." A saddened smile touched her lips. "And, I know that you're right. I need to accept my title if I want to go back and repair what's been done. It's just ..."

"(F/n), you don't need to explain yourself," Keiran reassured as he moved some (h/c) strands away from her face.

"It's fine, Keiran. May needs to know where I stand. I'd want the same if I was being requested to make such sacrifices as we're asking of her." Keiran didn't argue. Rather, he admired (F/n); he just hated seeing her suffer. "It just hurts given how I acquired it. By accepting it, I accept that I was betrayed by those close to me and that my parents are dead." She bit her bottom lip. "You'll help, Keiran and I, right? You're willing to sacrifice everything to bring us back home?"

May shared a glance with Keiran before she returned her optics to (F/n). "Under one condition." She ignored the frown that began to form on Keiran's lips. "We leave here, and I'll no doubt have to move my illusion onto another item to help our cause. This place might not be here when we're back. It might have other occupants. Anything could happen. Will I have a home? Will you guarantee that I can live in Credel and be treated fairly? Or, will I merely become a tool for royal politics?"

"May, why even ask that? You know how I was treated there!" Keiran was furious that she'd even imply that (F/n) would treat her poorly. She knew his feelings for (F/n). Yes, the royal family of Stowwen were horrible to those with magic if they could get their hands on them, but there was no reason to accuse (F/n) of such behavior. "Where is this coming from?!" (F/n) winced from his last yell as he was closer to her ears now, and he gave her a quiet apology when he noticed. But, (F/n) was appreciative of him defending her even if she didn't take offense to May's questions. It was fair to ask given Stowwen's environment and what was being asked of her.

"I know the character of (F/n), but not of those in her courts. I know how her parents were. But, there are more people involved than just them." Her caramel eyes didn't waver in their serious gaze. "Can you promise me the treatment your parents offered to us magic folk?"

"Yes. I won't change that." May sat up straighter. "And, you're ready to accept your title; you're ready to accept the responsibility of what returning to Credel means?"

"... Yes," she finally answered. Her heart tensed a bit at her own words, but she wanted to go home. She wanted to right what was wrong. (F/n) was ready to accept what her father and mother had given her even if it pained her to. Feeling Keiran give her shoulders a reassuring squeeze, she leaned into his hands appreciatively.

"But, then, you both need to accept yours. We're forming our side, and I need help from both of you." She looked to May first. "I need you as my advisor. You're wiser than your years, and your honesty will serve well." (F/n) looked up to Keiran. "You're going to be in charge of our forces, my grand officer, as they develop. You've worked with the knights of Credel in weapons and trained with them."

Moving around her, Keiran knelt down. May followed suit. "Yes, my queen," they both said in unison, and (F/n) took a deep breath, hoping that she would serve well like her parents did.