This chapter, especially, was inspired by Elfpen's "Running for my Life", which is a really cool version of Halt's backstory.


Halt crept through the stone hallways, enjoying the advantages of his newfound stealth. Working with Pritchard had turned out to be much more than throwing knives. Some of the things Pritchard was teaching him he already knew- a crowned prince had to be well versed in battle strategy, for example. Pritchard had been surprised at his knowledge, but thankfully hadn't chosen to ask about it. Now Halt was learning to shoot a bow and wield a saxe knife, too. He found that the camoflague and silent movement lessons were particularly useful for getting away to practice more often.

"Where are you going?"

Halt flinched. Apparently he still had work to do in that area. Caitlyn stood behind him, hugging her arms to herself. Halt could see the anxiety in her face. He sighed and turned to face her fully.

"Are they fighting again?"

"I hate it."

"Me too. " Halt agreed tiredly. It wasn't fair that she had to bear all this chaos too. Halt was the oldest, it was his job to take it, but he couldn't protect her from their parents and it was maturing her too fast. She looked older than her fourteen years as she stared back at him.

"Where do you go? Every spare moment you have, you leave the castle." she asked, tilting her head at him. "You seem calmer now, too."

"...just out to the woods." Halt didn't know why he didn't tell her about Pritchard. He knew she could keep any secret. But his time with Pritchard had become something of a sanctuary for him, and he wanted it to stay just for him.

"You can come with me, if you want." he offered, to make it up to her. Caitlyn was constantly looking out for him, and she actually listened when he told her how he felt about his position in life. Feeling a quick rush of protective affection for her, he decided to create a sanctuary for her too. He wouldn't take her to Pritchard, but he had discovered a place she would like last week. He would have to explain his absence to Pritchard later.

Caitlyn paused, and then moved to follow him toward the exit.

"Alright," she agreed uncertainly.

Halt led them deeper and deeper into the woods, until the ground started to become rockier. Halt could sense Caitlyn's uncertainly, but she walked straight and proud, holding her head high. A squirrel darted across the ground next to them and the girl stiffened, moving closer to Halt.

"It's nothing," he reassured her, moving a hand to her back. He was proud of his confidence in the woods and his ability to protect her. She flashed him a cautiously excited smile- the kind of smile a child has when listening to a scary story.

"I think it's adventurous," she whispered.

"Wait until we get there."

"Get where, Halt?"

He didn't answer, and Caitlyn knew he wouldn't answer if she kept pressing him. So she contented herself with enjoying the quiet peace that seemed contagious here.

Soon, the air around them started to change. The heavy heat of the woods started to lift, and a breeze came through the thinning branches. Caitlyn peered ahead, and realized the trees just seemed to... stop? Caitlyn could only see blue sky past the trees, no more ground.

"What is it?"

Halt didn't reply, and Caitlyn felt mildly annoyed. For someone who put so little stock in acting for others, he did like a sense of mystery.

But the girl's irritation was forgotten when they stepped out of the tree line at last- and stood at the top of a huge cliff. The wind picked up and caught at her hair, bringing with it the smell of sea salt and sun-warmed dirt. She squinted a little at the sun, and then gasped when her eyes adjusted. They must have been hundreds of feet above the shore-line. There were a few ships in the far distance, but it must have been too rocky for any to get close.

Caitlyn glanced to either side of the cliff edges, scanning the brown and green for any white. There were no sheep here even.

"Why is no one here?" she breathed at last. Hibernia wasn't large, and although it wasn't overpopulated, it was difficult to find a spot where there was absolutely no one around.

"You can't bring ships this close, and there's no reason to." Halt answered easily, but not arrogantly. "The same goes for sheep- it would be impossible to drive them through the woods, and there isn't anything for them to eat on the other side."

"Of course," Caitlyn murmured. It sounded like the only logical explanation when Halt reasoned like that. She had noticed that trait growing stronger in him too.

"Let's sit."

Guiding her carefully, Halt sat with his legs dangling from the edge of the cliff. Caitlyn gripped his arm for dear life, but managed to sit gracefully next to him. When they were both settled, neither of them spoke for a long time, content to feel the breeze that regulated the heat from the sun. Caitlyn closed her eyes and leaned her head on Halt's shoulder. The boy subconsciously brought his arm around her shoulders and watched a seabird below them bring food to its young that balanced precariously on a little ledge.

"I wish we didn't have to go back," Caitlyn murmured at last. Halt merely nodded.

"Do you think Ferris would like it here too?" he asked suddenly, "Or somewhere similar- we can just keep this for us if you like."

His sister considered.

"No, I don't think he would." she answered slowly. "This hurts Ferris too, but I think he understands them more than he understands us. He'll create his own safe place."

Halt frowned unhappily, but he accepted her judgement. She was undoubtedly the better of the two of them at understanding people, and she hadn't been wrong when he had asked her opinion yet.

"He might like a friend, though." Caitlyn amended, sensing his disappointment. "Just... be careful, Halt. Ferris is changing, and I can't keep up with him. He won't talk to me anymore, and I don't always know what he's thinking."

"Alright." he agreed softly. He wasn't sure if he could reach his brother if he had shut out Caitlyn, but he would try. He glanced down the coastline.

"It looks like rain. We should get back." he said reluctantly, glaring at the darkening clouds floating towards them. Caitlyn didn't argue, but scooted back from the cliff edge and offered him a hand up.

They walked side by side back to the castle. Caitlyn stayed very close to Halt, but she wasn't afraid of the woods anymore. She took the time to point out little things she hadn't noticed on the way there, like flower tucked between two trees. Halt didn't smile at it, but he liked it when she did that.

They paused just outside the gates, bracing themselves to enter reality again. At last Catherine reached over and wrapped her arms tightly around her brother.

"Thank you Halt," she whispered in his ear, "Thank you for that wonderful day."

She pulled back and smiled at him. She didn't look... lighter, exactly, but there was a strength in her now that hadn't been there this morning. She seemed more confident, and stood taller as she turned to walk through the gate towards her room. Halt watched her go, loving her very much at that moment.


Oh my goodness, I just realized Halt's sister's name is Caitlyn, not Catherine. Whoops! Hopefully those are all fixed!

Thank you for reading, and as always, any reviews make my day and are greatly appreciated!