Y/N wasn't sure where she got the name from but deeply regretted it the moment Jungkook reached for his sword, strong fingers coming to rest over the hilt.

Who was Taehyung?

Why did it cause such a knee jerk reaction?

"I don't suppose you would believe me if I told you I wasn't sure where the name came from?"

Jungkook's eyes narrowed, fingers encompassing the hilt but making no move to draw it. There was confusion in Y/N's eyes, a certain bewilderment to her tone which suggests that she's either a very gifted fabulist or was just as blindsided by the name as Jungkook himself was.

How did she know Taehyung?

What did this mean?

Jungkook decided to yield for now, hand falling to his side as he studied the woman before him. "There's a lot of things you're not sure of huh?"

Y/N cocked a brow at his obvious dubiety. Surely he could see she was just as confused as him? It wasn't her fault that she couldn't remember much, that things were coming to her in bits and pieces. The name popped out of nowhere, like it was waiting for the opportune moment to step outside of her chaotic thought process to make itself known.

Why though?

She didn't know who this Taehyung was, couldn't even remember hearing his name before.

"Look, it doesn't matter if you believe me or not. I can't prove my innocence to you, all I can do is tell you that I don't know where the name came from. It's in my head for some reason, when I was thinking back to what happened on the beach it just appeared and I couldn't stop myself from saying it. I can't offer you a better explanation, it's surprised me just as much as it appears to have surprised you."

Jungkook wasn't sure what to think at this point, clearly the human wouldn't or simply couldn't offer him more information at this point and he wasn't the type to force it out either.

They had people back at the castle for that.

Yet something about Y/N sitting in a cold stone cell didn't sit right with him.

"I'm guessing you know who this Taehyung is?" Y/N couldn't help but pry, it was probably a stupid idea to do so as Jungkook didn't seem to take kindly to the name sitting on her tongue but curiosity got the better of her before common sense could gain the upper hand.

"It doesn't matter what that name means to me, best you stop asking questions regarding it." His tone was sharp, words dripping with incredulity.

This woman clearly didn't seem to understand the predicament she was in, especially after speaking Taehyung's name.

Y/N fully expected that response, if she was in his position her answer probably would've been the same. "It seems we've reached an impasse, clearly you still don't trust nor believe me and at this point I've got nothing else I can offer you."

Jungkook nodded, this much at least they could agree on. It left a bitter taste in his mouth knowing this human somehow knew of his brother but until they returned to the castle there wasn't much he could do.

He would keep an eye on her during the journey home, once there Serenity would be able to see if the human was a threat.

"It's not my place to make decisions based on what happens to you, that's down to my father. I'm simply here to make sure you don't misbehave, maintain order. I don't trust you fully, don't even know you but we can agree at this point there's nothing more we can do about it....not until we reach my home."

Y/N understands his reluctance to trust her as the feeling is completely mutual. It's true what he says, they don't know each other and at this point there's nothing more they can do to change that.
It's scary knowing she doesn't have a choice, that when they reach Jungkook's home someone will be waiting there to question her.

Yet she doesn't have a choice.

"I don't know what else to say, my mind is still reeling after everything that's happened and I'm trying so hard to keep it all together. I'm surprised I haven't reached a state of delirium, fuck knows how I'm managing to keep my cool." Y/N laughs, one of perplexity and bewilderment.

There's a flicker of pity that dances through Jungkook's eyes, guilt albeit brief that settles heavy.

She's clearly agitated and afraid.

Yet it could all be an act.

He shakes his head, raven waves jostling and falling across his forehead from the action.

It's in that moment Y/N raises her own, eyes falling across the elongated tips of Jungkook's ears.

It can't be.

They don't exist.

They can't exist.

Just like this place can't exist.

This has to be a dream.

The panic starts out as thin cellophane, something her fingers can pierce breathing holes in. In another minute the panic is a deluge of ice water surrounding every limb, creeping higher until it passes her mouth and nose. That's when the attack becomes absolute, shutting her body down. Her head is a carousel of fears spinning out of control, each one pushing her mind into blackness. Y/N wants to run, she needs to. Sounds that were near feel far away, like she's no longer in her own body. Why her body decided to suffer through a panic attack now is beyond her understanding.

Why didn't she freak out when she woke up alone in a clearing?

Why didn't anxiety come crashing down around her when a strange man appeared informing her she was no longer in Cornwall?

Why did she force herself to appear so calm and composed when it was evident everything Martha said had come to pass?

Elven kingdom....Martha called it the Elven kingdom and said she would be taken there when the gateway deemed worthy.

Y/N barked out a laugh, couldn't even make out the words Jungkook was attempting to relay.

Holy shit.

This was really happening.

She was in another realm.

Martha was right.

And Jungkook....he was a fucking Elf.

Awesome.

~

Jungkook's eyes widen, arms coming to wrap around the human as she slumps against his chest.

She passed out.

Again.

Why?

He wasn't sure what to do with his hands, never the type for enjoying physical contact.

Since meeting this human it was the most he had gotten in years.

His face twisted in discomfort as he hesitantly rubbed circles over the expanse of her back.

The sooner they got back home the better.

He couldn't deal with this babysitting job much longer.

"Jungkook? What the hell happened?" Jin questioned as he appeared through the clearing, brows drawn together.

"I don't know, one minute we were talking and then the next she just freaked out before collapsing.....again." Jungkook's eyes widened even further when the human stirred, face falling to rest across his shoulder.

Jin couldn't help but smirk, it wasn't everyday he got to see his younger brother in such a predicament.

"It's not funny Seokjin! Help me please, she's heavy."

She wasn't.

He just didn't like how close they were.

"Okay, just relax." Jin walked across the embankment, taking one limp arm and placing it gently around his shoulder as Jungkook did the same with the other.

Jungkook wasn't sure what it was that caused Y/N to finally snap but he couldn't really blame her, so much had happened and he hadn't even been able to give her the answers she undoubtedly needed to piece things together.

"Father wants us to move out, doesn't want to stay another night especially with what lurks in these parts of the forest." Jin informs his younger brother as they carefully carry the human back through the clearing.

"It makes sense, we've already stayed here long enough and can't afford to risk another night." Jungkook never felt comfortable staying in one place for too long, especially not out here where they were clearly at a disadvantage.

"I'll take the human on my horse with me." Jin instructs, tone adamant. The one his older brother uses when he doesn't want the younger arguing with him.

Jungkook doesn't like it, not one bit. If the human wakes up and attacks his brother he would never forgive himself. It was too much of a risk, surely Jin could see that.

"It's my job to watch over her, she's not to be trusted and we still don't know why she's here hyung. It's my duty to protect you and if she wakes up during the journey back and attacks you then what? The kingdom isn't ready to lose a member of the royal family and I'm certainly not ready to lose my eldest brother."

Jin understands his concerns but refuses to concede. "I'm perfectly capable of defending myself Guk, we both know that."

"Hyung that's inconsequential."

The older of the two narrows his eyes.
"My decision is final Jungkook, please don't push the matter."

"Why are you so insistent on having her ride with you?" The younger dares to push even though his brother explicitly asked him not to do so.

"I worked out why she collapsed again." Jin smirked as the two reached the second clearing, the eyes of their father and guards filling with concern and confusion as they fall over the human hanging limp between the two.

"Your ears are showing Guk, guess that was the tipping point for her."

Pun totally intended.

Jungkook made sure his ears were covered before speaking with her, whenever the wind disturbed his raven waves he made sure to push them back.

When had they pushed through again?

Traitorous things.

"It's best she doesn't see you when finally regaining her consciousness, especially when it was you that caused her to panic in the first place."

"It wasn't just my ears hyung! The girl has been through a stressful experience, she's still not sure what's going on so a panic attack was obviously going to happen at some point."

"Yeah, we can agree on that. It was still you that tipped her over the edge though, that's why she's going to ride with me." Jin smirked, expression smug as the two placed the human down on a spare bedroll carefully.

Jungkook knew it was futile to continue the argument, his brother would win regardless.

"Jungkook, what did you find out about her?" The younger brother turned his attention to their father as he approached, two heavily armed guards flanking him just in case the human woke from her slumber.

"I know she's just as confused as we are as to why she's here."

"She has no memory of passing through the gateway?"

"No, last she remembers she was back with her friends on a beach in place called Cornwall."

His father hums in understanding, eyes gentle as they fall over the young human.

He doesn't seem afraid of her.

Why?

Does he know something Jungkook doesn't?

Come to think of it he's been acting unusually calm since the girl arrived.

Surely he must be afraid for his people, for their kingdom.

Jungkook doesn't voice his concerns, not yet at least.

"What else did she say?" His father turns his attention back to him, eyes inquisitive as Jungkook proceeds to explain everything that transpired in the clearing and then down at the brook.

"She said Taehyung's name?" There was finally some concern in his father's voice at the mention of Taehyung.

Jungkook nods. "Yes, although she was adamant in not knowing how or why she seems to know it."

"I guess all we can do now is wait for Serenity to tell us more, just keep a close eye on her during the journey back and once we get home make sure Taehyung is safe in his room. I don't want them meeting, not until I have answers."

Jungkook nods his head in agreement, there was absolutely no chance he was going to let the human anywhere near his brother regardless of what anyone else had to say on the matter. "I was already planning on doing that once we returned home."

The King smiled.

Of course Jungkook had already thought of that, it's what he did best.

"Why don't you help the others pack, I'll watch over the girl."

Jungkook goes to open his mouth, refusal on the tip of his tongue because there's absolutely no way he's going to leave his father with someone who could potentially be a danger to him but before he can voice this his father speaks.

"It's an order solider not a request."

"Of course father, right away." Jungkook rests his hand over the hilt of his sword as he bows, curls of unruly black hair obstructing his view.

"At ease." The older man smiles, eyes fond as he reaches out to move the curls back behind pointed ears.

Jungkook is surprised by the gentle touch but doesn't voice it. "I'll stay close should you need me." He says instead, hesitating for a moment before leaving to join the rest of their men.

The king returns his attention to the human once left alone with her.

So it seems there was truth to Serenity's vision.

Things are indeed about to change.

((Done! Hope you guys enjoyed this chapter! I really enjoyed writing it and can't wait to show you guys what comes next! It won't be long until Y/N and Tae meet! The moment will be here soon I promise lol so what did you guys think? Sending all my love and hope you guys are okay 💜💜💜))