Feeling an uncomfortable nudge on his nose, Dastan rubbed his face. Yawning he remained sleeping until he felt another poke against his cheek. Scrunching up his face his eyes slowly opened only for him to give a surprised yelp and sit bolt right up. Grabbing the dagger he kept beside him when he slept the dwarves jumped back.

"Wretched things!" Crowen grumbled as he tried to shoo away a small group of dwarves that were trying to peek through his bags.

"Who was on watch!" Gwaine shouted angrily. His booming rough voice made several of the younger dwarves scarper, however majority of them just retreated their steps. The tension in the air thickened as swords were drawn. The dwarves glared, their eyes and hands glowing, ready to enchant their first spells.

"Gentleman, I am sure we wouldn't want to insult Nox with weapons when he has given us his hospitality" Em's wise voice echoed as they all turned to see her standing in the doorway beside Nox, the dwarf who helped them the previous night. Dastan felt a smile beam across his face to see her glowing with health. Gwaine almost couldn't believe it as they slowly placed their weapons away.

"You shall eat before you continue on your journey" Nox commanded as the dwarves vanished down their tunnels. Nox bowed towards Em before he vanished into his caves.

"How are you feeling?" Dastan questioned softly as she walked over towards him.

"Much better thank you. I am indebted to Nox and Sir Gwaine I believe" She responded before glancing over towards Gwaine with a small smile. Feeling eyes watching him Gwaine glared in their direction with a sharp snort.

"That's not necessary" He grouched before adjusting his wrist guards. Em and Dastan both bit their lips struggling not to laugh. They both sat back down on the grass watching as the dwarves came marching out in pairs. Between their shoulders was a chicken freshly roasted with a glaze of honey and herbs.

The dwarves didn't say anything as they handed over a chicken to each of the men. The warm smells filled their noses causing their stomachs to rumble. Losing their manners they ripped into the chicken with their teeth, juices dripping down their chins. Edvard, Dastan and Em were appalled by the display before them and angled themselves away from the group. Em hoped that not being able to see them act like beasts would mean she kept her appetite.

Feeling Dastan's gaze upon her own she sneaked a view of him from the corner of her eye. He slowly plucked the meat and chewed it slowly. His eyes continuing to glance in her direction. He looked uneasy and uncomfortable as though he wasn't sure how to start up a conversation.

"What is it you wish to ask me Dastan?" She huffed keeping her focus on the chicken in front of her. He hesitated in his words trying to figure out how to phrase his question.

"You said weapons are not your area of expertise. Yet you are extremely skilled with a bow" He slowly spoke with a raised eyebrow. She paused mid-bite before glancing down at her boots. She slowly chewed and swallowed before a small smile lifted on her lips.

"You should see me with a sword or dagger" She chuckled remembering the times she spent with her father fooling around in the armory and the training grounds.

************

"You cheated!" Em pouted, her high pitched eight-year-old self frowned whilst her father laughed. Placing a hand over his heart, the sunlight caught made the gem on his finger glow.

"Are you accusing me of cheating" He gasped still letting out a deep belly laugh. He gently placed his sword on the ground before scooping her up and lifting her towards the sky. Squealing with laughter as he tickled her sides she wrapped her arms around his neck to cuddle him. His strong scent of pine tickled her nose as she clung to his velvet tunic.

"How am I supposed to learn when you cheat?" She asked him. He merely smiled, kissing her forehead. She was too wise for her age sometimes, and he prayed she would remain his little girl forever.

"Not everyone will play fairly." He taught her.

************

"Why did you save my life? Surely yours wasn't the price over a stranger you've just met?" Dastan question drawing her out from her memories. Her heart grew heavier at the happy memory.

"Your name is in that prophecy, Dastan and I would like to live long enough to know why" Em whispered to him causing his back to straighten. Edvard in his old age hadn't heard what she had said, but Dastan glanced around at the remaining of the group. He didn't want this information to be public knowledge as he glared down at her.

"How could you possibly know that?" He hissed. Threat and warning appearing in his eyes and his stance. He had gotten stiff and reached for his dagger in his back belt. He thought his movements had gone unnoticed by Em, yet she was fully aware of what him.

"I am no threat to you. If I was you'd be dead already" She hissed back in his ear. Her voice sent a shudder down his spine. Even though she lacked strength and size against him, Dastan knew she could easily kill him by the flick of her wrist if she so desired.

"I want you to take this." He offered as he pulled out the dagger from his back belt. Holding the blade for her to grab the handle she glanced at the weapon with a foreign look.

"Your dagger?" She questioned before looking back up at him. They both knew that now her oath was broken it wouldn't hold any consequence to her. Her mind tried to comprehend the notion of carrying a weapon once again. She had stuck by her oath for so long and now it was broken she felt guilt seep into her.

"Swear to me, that you won't be in the midst of battle and handle a weapon. Swear it. So my soul may rest to know you are far from danger" His voice rang clear as day in her ears, as though she was reliving the moment. She was sure he would be turning in his grave, growling at her for her own stupidity. What had happened to her life of solitude and hiding away in protection?

"Em?" Dastan questioned looking into her glassy eyes. Breaking her out of her thoughts she stared back at him.

"I'd sleep better at night knowing you have some form of protection," He told her offering the dagger once again.

"That is not necessary" Her scoffed insulted at the notion. Em was desperately trying not to laugh, she could protect herself. Yet she was touched at the softness in his eyes.

"Take it. Please" He whispered, his voice going husky. Slowly nodding her hand shook as she grabbed hold of the dagger handle. Waiting for the consequences of the oath to fall down on her, nothing came. She was free from one promise. Smiling he patted her shoulder before getting up from his seat to talk to Gwaine. Watching him over her shoulder a smile escaped the corner of her lips.

Thanking Nox once again for his help they left, dragging Crowen along with them. He was too preoccupied exchanging recipes and writing down herbs to enhance flavours. Gwaine grumbled at the thought of being behind a couple of days set Em merely growled in his direction. The commander found himself clumsily slipping face first into a mud bog along the forest floor.

Their pace was slower than they would have preferred due to Edvard's knees. He would often require to rest much to Gwaine's disgust. He'd growl in another language whenever they paused for the old man. This was the very reason he didn't want him here. Em would walk beside Edvard and give him a hand when he needed it.

She found a large thick branch along the ground and gave it to Edvard to walk with. It made some improvement, but Edvard noticed that almost every time Em would touch his arm to help him over the uneven forest floor his felt youthful again. The ache in his knees would vanish, the wheezing in his chest would vanish and his hearing enhanced.

"We'll rest here tonight" Gwaine instructed allowing Edvard to cry out in praise. They were still hidden by the edge of the woods yet beyond was the mountain they sought, were large caves stood twelve feet high and seven feet wide. The Caves of Sllort! The caves were like chunks missing through the mountain. There were too many to count, but the cold foul air set Em on guard.

"Get a fire going!" Gwaine instructed as Em allowed the branches to snap back allowing the group to hide.

"No fire! We don't want to attract any attention from those who reside in the caves" She warns. Gwaine snarled at the idea of being ordered around, yet she had a point. He glanced over to Dastan for the final order. A mere nod of his head was all that was needed before they all got out their sleeping rolls.

Dastan watched as unlike the others Em merely climbed a tree up to a wide thick branch. He lost sight of her until he noticed her corner of her cloak blowing gently in the breeze. He waited for an explanation but registered she would be sleeping up there. Shrugging he allowed himself relax against the ground, sword by his side. As they all drifted to sleep and darkness fell upon the forest, a warm fiery light began to glow from inside one of the lower caves.