"I don't understand why you even bothered to get the watermelon back, Dianne. And now look what happened."

Hero was struggling a little with treating Dianne's sprained ankle and scratches on her knees. She was outraged when she saw a spider steal a huge watermelon she was proud of and chased it up a tree.

She fell.

Markus and Ivan were watching with more concern than disappointment. Dianne had dried tears on her cheeks, and she frowned more and refused to talk to anyone. Hero gulped, feeling regretful.

"I'm sorry, Dianne. Next time, just be more careful."

Markus smirked behind him. Everyone had grown a year older, but Markus kept making fun of his older brother's doting on everyone. Hero was the mother of the household, managing food, defense, health and everything else. Markus remembered as long as since he was toddler that his older brother loved taking care of people, protecting people.

That's his brother. He may seem fierce and sarcastic at first, but he is such a sweetheart, loyal and caring to everyone. And Markus loved him all the same.

Finally, Dianne spoke, but in a cracked voice from her sobbing, "I don't know... I was looking forward to making watermelon cake and... And... I could have given you the leftovers for your b-brewing."

She kept on hiccupping in between her words, as Hero finished caring for her ankle before getting on his knees and hugging her tight. She sniffed a little and cradled her head in the crook of the younger boy's neck. "It's okay. Don't worry about it. You're a brilliant farmer, I bet you could make an even bigger watermelon next time round, and I'll protect it from everything, even creepers and flies."

And surprisingly, he was right. Dianne grew a massive watermelon a few weeks later. Hero secretly snuck out from the cabin to stand by the watermelon whenever Dianne was away. No one except Markus knew about his effort to make Dianne happy.

○

Hero chuckled lightly as he read the latest note from Arache.

I hope you like the roses. If there are any more thorns, please tell me and I'll cut them off for you. How is Dianne, by the way? Is your extra guarding paying off on your sight? How is your shoulder? You said a skeleton shot you slightly when you were protecting the fruit.

-Arachass

The roses are absolutely gorgeous. Dianne is extremely delighted, and seeing her smile so wide made me happy as well. Yes, my sight is getting better. And stop worrying about my shoulder, it's nothing. You mentioned you wanted to hunt a deer before? How is that going?

I keep dreaming of meeting you too... You were a rather tall dark-skinned man with strange red eyes in my dream... Am I any close? Haha.

-Princess

Hero giggled as he played with the stalk of bright red roses in his fingers. Melanie watched from the water in pity as she watched her human friend fall in love. She pitied him because he doesn't even notice his own feelings, and he was missing out greatly.

She sighed and shook her head as she threw over a few salmon she hunted by the river. The river was dangerous, yes, but she knew Hero enjoyed salmon meat. Hero yelped as the raw fishes hit his forehead and he grabbed them off his lap. He threw a grateful smile at Melanie, who returned it.

The mermaid returned to the rock and leaned close to the teenager. Hero smiled a little, chuckling awkwardly as Melanie studied him closely. Melanie then gasped and looked upset. Hero got to his knees and asked, "Is something wrong?"

Melanie didn't move. She just hugged her friend tight and whispered, "Take care of yourself, and your loved ones. I will see you again, my friend."

Before he could protest, the mermaid sank to the water and swam away with a wave of her shimmering tail. Hero sat back on his heels and frowned, before leaving his book and gathering his things. He was exhausted.

○

Two months later

It has been so long. Hero went back to the shores to meet Melanie, but she never turned up. He was afraid she left him. Hero was tucked in bed, Ivan was on watch that night. He was still awake though, it has been two hours since Ivan told him to get some rest. Hero got up to his elbows and took his book before flipping to the last page his Arache friend wrote on. He was in a rush earlier so he had forgotten to read the note.

Hey Princess,

Uh, your mermaid friend told me, eh no, DEMANDED me to tell you goodbye. I had no idea why? Are you going away without telling me? Never mind. I hate goodbyes so how about... I'll see you once again? I promise.

I'm really fond of you. Take care, stay healthy and don't forget about me?

-Noah Sebastian Arache

Yes, that is my name. Keep me in your thoughts, always.

Hero was extremely shocked. He had absolutely no idea what was going on. He got out of bed and reread his friend's note again before placing it gently in his bag. Until...

The door shot open, revealing a frantic looking Ivan with torn clothes. He was holding his arm, and Hero caught a glimpse of blood running through his fingers. "The village guards, they're here. get Dianne and your brother and get out the back door quick. Meet me on the shores. Take care of them, okay?!"

Hero nodded and picked up his satchel. He grabbed his old iron sword Ivan gave him years ago and ran out to his brother's room first. He grabbed his brother's own satchel for him and pulled him from bed, yelling at him to hurry up. The two brothers fetched Dianne and her own bag before they rushed downstairs.

Ivan was protesting loudly to three guards who pointed guns at him. With what Ivan taught him, Hero understood the words the guards were shouting at his father figure.

"¹Предатель! Как ты смеешь, что-то против нас!"

What Ivan shouted back made Hero gulp.

"²Его приказы жестоки!"

Ivan and the guards turned to the kids, and Dianne whimpered behind Hero. Hero pushed them forward and screamed, "³Skynda dig!"

Dianne looked confused for a second before Markus muttered something and the two sprinted out, Hero behind them as he kept looking back. They were still trying to get to the forest, until Dianne lost her balance and stumbled. She fell backwards and hit her head on a big rock. She froze and fell limp, as Hero went back. She was still conscious, and Hero tried to hurl her on his back.

She pushed him away feebly, and whispered, "Get Markus to safety. Please."

Hero saw the guard nearing.

"I can't just leave you behind! I left your brother behind, please let me help you!"

Dianne smiled and said, "You would never leave anyone behind, and you certainly won't leave me. You are a good friend to me, Hero. Be a good friend and brother to Markus."

The guards were so close. Hero felt tears coming as he shot back and pulled Markus on his back, who yelled at him for leaving Dianne. Hero ignored his brother's thrashing and used his strong legs to get them further away.

When they reached the shore, Hero slid to a stop suddenly that caused him to fall to the sand backwards. He wheezed as Markus got up and started whining at him. Hero was just panting, staring blankly at the sky. Markus stilled for a little when he noticed Hero crying. After a few moments, he joined in as well.

The two brothers were holding each other and raised their heads when the trees started rustling. Hero immediately pushed Markus' head into his chest and picked up his sword, narrowing his eyes at the rustling leaves.

Ivan stumbled out, but he was shivering and covering both arms. Hero saw that blood was seeping through both his hands and gasped. Ivan approached them, looking relieved before he looked around and froze. Hero froze as well.

"Where's Dianne?"

It was silent.

Ivan ran forward and tore Markus away from his brother and pinned Hero down, his foot on his forehead. The sword dropped from the Swede's hand and the Russian picked it up, the blade hovering above Hero's face. Markus shrieked and backed away.

"Where is she? I told you to take care of them! You had one job!"

Markus shot forward, "She fell! He had no choice but to-"

Ivan swerved and shouted at him, "⁴Заткнись!"

Markus whimpered and sank back to the sand, shivering in terror. Ivan looked back at Hero, his foot has moved to his neck without him knowing, and the boy was choking. Ivan pressed down harder, practically shaking with anger. Hero stopped crying, but his face was all red and his hands were trembling as it wrapped weakly around Ivan's ankle. Hero's eyes were screwed shut as he made choked noises. The Russian did stop when he heard something he regretted.

Hero shook his head frantically and spoke in a slightly familiar tongue to Ivan, "*Inte igen, snälla, pappa..."

Ivan immediately removed his boots from the boy's neck and kneeled down to bring the spluttering boy to his chest. Hero flinched away from his touch, but Ivan just held him and whispered, "I would never. I'm sorry, moya Rosa."

Ivan pulled away, but Hero was staring blankly at the sand. The Russian stood up.

"I'll get her."

Hero didn't say anything, but Markus got to his feet and objected profusely.

"No! You'll get caught. Then where do we go?"

Ivan started fishing through his backpack and pulled out a map. He set it down and the two brothers huddled close. Ivan pointed at a part of the map and explained, "We are here. Now, if you head East, there is a village about one forest, one swamp area and another forest ahead. The village has walls like we do, but if you head to the South-West tower, and tell the guard stationed there that I sent you, they'll let you in."

He raised his head.

"Only if I don't come back when the sun rises. Stay low, I love you two."

Without giving the brothers a chance to protest, he ran to the trees. Markus leaned against his brother's shoulders, and the two waited in silence.

□

Translations:

1. Russian: Traitor! How dare you, siding against us!

2. Russian: His (the lord) orders are cruel!

3. Swedish: Hurry up!

4. Russian: Shut up!

*. Swedish: Not again, please, dad...