The beauty about going hunting was the silence.

I liked being with my father a lot, however right now this silence was more awkward than strategic.

It had been about two hours since we started, still no game to be found.

"Hey Dad, can we take a little break? I'm thirsty" I sat down on a rock and pulled out my canteen.

He nodded, some sweat dripping off his face. "Good idea" he reached for my canteen.

After taking a few drinks he said "We can just buy a doe and tell your mother we caught it"

I couldn't contain my laughter and nodded in agreement.

I sighed and looked at him, he looked so happy every time he talked about my mom. He loved her so much. They had been through a lot and things like that tend to make people closer. I didn't feel envy nor longing towards them, I was just filled with wonder. Would I experience that? Certainly not with the title, land, and riches. It's not like I minded having all of this, my family and people were still genuine friends and had hearts of gold.

However when other kingdoms nobles visited the situation wasn't so kind. The world was big and unknown, and I could tell when someone spoke lies. A power that I occasionally wished I did not posses. I've told my parents about it however...they simply defined it as me being cynical towards new people. Yet I had been correct 100% of the time.

That was the current weight I was feeling in my chest. My wonderful, kind, perfect parents were keeping something from me. I kept waiting for my dad to spring this secret engagement on me.

I heart my father put the canteen down. He cleared his throat, which was strange considering he had just been drinking water.

Was he feeling nervous?

"Emma" he began "There is something important your mother and I want to tell you"

I shifted on my rock. "Shouldn't we wait for mom then?" I offered hoping to by myself some time.

He nodded "Right. In that case, can I tell you what it isn't?"

I furred my eyebrows, shrugged in his direction and nodded "Sure..." my tone sounding like a question.

"You're not engaged" he said boldly

It took me a moment to process what he was saying, I gave a light chuckle "What?" I asked entirely confused.

He raised his palms as if surrendering "Listen, I know you've been worried about that and I wanted to clear your head. You get to choose your suitor-"

"You mean from the approved suitors list, right?"I interjected.

I heard him laugh "Oh honey, if I had it my way that list would be empty. No one is good enough for you"

"Awe...dad..." I held my hand over my heart, what can I say? I was touched. "Alright continue"

"So..." he continued "I want you to stop over thinking about being betrothed. This kingdom doesn't need to sell their princess for gains alright?" he nudged my chin causing me to smile.

"Alright dad, I love you" and I gave him a hug.

"Well now that you're not so deep in thought, lets go catch dinner!" he exclaimed picked up his bow and then proceeded into the forest.

At first I was relieved but then...what was the news my parents had for me?


After a few hours my father and I decided that today wasn't our day to hunt.

"Let's head back" he patted my head "Oh, I can hear her now" he then posed in a dignified manner and swayed his hips back and forth "'You should've taken me instead Emma. I have way more experience as a hunter'" his voice was high pitched as was my laughter.

When I was able to breath properly I wiped a small tear in the corner of my eye "Dad" I turned to him, his own posture slightly off still.

I looked him in the eyes to grasp his attention "Thank you for taking me hunting again"

The gratitude took him aback but in the end he smiled, however right when he was about to say something back we heard someone scream.

"HELP!"

Like father like daughter we both, without question picked up our bows and dashed in the direction we heard the shouting from.

It was odd he hadn't stopped me from running towards the sound of screaming but our family was one made up of heroes. Even me I carried the gene of heroism too, to my fathers disappointment I had the habit of endangering myself for the sake of helping others.

In the end, he had to accept this part of me. Regardless, our priority now was to help who ever was screaming.

We stopped around a heavily forested area.

"Be on your guard" my father said removing his bow from his chest, I did the same.

"Hello?" I called out gently into the forest.

"Over hear!" responded the voice, it sounded like a boy.

I looked around not seeing anything, taking slow cautious steps towards where I heard the boy.

"Emma be careful, it could be a trap" my father shouted behind

Right when I turned to tell him that I was fine and didn't need that type of advice, I lost my footing.

"Emma!" my father yelled after me as I began skidding down this giant hole I had not seen before.

"Father!" I yelled back.

I was sliding backwards into the darkness, hitting every single branch and rock along the way.

"Father!" I began to cry as the hole seemed to be never ending.

"Hang on I got you!" Someone shouted

They sounded as if they were behind me.

Suddenly I was elevated, I felt two arms encircle around my chest "Ahh! Who is there!" I was still falling at a great velocity so who ever caught me simply broke my fall.

We both skidded to the bottom of the hole. I was relieved to finally be on level ground.

"Ow..." I groaned, keeping my eyes closed in fear of seeing all the darkness.

"Hey..." someone said gently poking my shoulder "You can let go now"

Begrudgingly I opened my eyes, surprised to see that some of the suns rays were illuminating my prison.

I let out a deep breath to relax myself

"Are you okay?" the person spoke again. I realized that I was still hanging on to him and quickly let go

"Sorry!" This was embarrassing. I was so scared I hugged a total stranger!

"Its okay" he smiled at me

Finally getting a good look at him, I noticed that he was not as young as he sounded. He seemed roughly my age, maybe a little younger, had shaggy brown hair and grey eyes.

I chuckled

My hero

Whether he was younger than me or not he had still tried to catch me as I fell, but I guess I may have been to heavy for him so instead he broke my fall. I wondered if he was hurt. He wasn't acting like it, instead he smiled and stared at me.

"Uh..." I cleared my throat

That seemed to have snapped him out of his staring

"Sorry! It's just umm..." his face became a little colored and then he stayed quiet.

"My name is Baelfire!" he extended his hand happily.

"Emma" I responded about to take his hand when I noticed his injuries, his hands were covered in scrapes and splinters.

Instead I held it up to the little light we had "You're badly hurt!" I sounded more mad than compassionate.

He snatched his hand back and looked at me eyes wide and cheeks flushed.

Oh I get it, this might be the first time a girl held his hand.

"Have you been trying to climb out of here?" I asked him

He nodded "Yes, I've been trying all day...and you tried to help but now you're stuck here with me...I'm so sorry"

He let his head sink in shame, it was a little endearing.

"Baelfire, don't worry my dad is up there I'm sure he can get us out."

I stood up from the ground having to steady my stance since my knee's had been badly scrapped during my landing.

"Dad! Dad I'm okay! I found the little boy!" I yelled as loud as I could.

I saw my dad poke his head out "Emma! Don't worry I'll find a way to get you two out"

I smiled and turned to Baelfire who was turning over some rocks with a stick "A little boy...she called me a little boy...how old does she think I am?"

Oops...

"Hey don't take it like that" I said awkwardly "He'll work faster if her thinks there's a kid involved"

"Humph" he said and crossed his arms "I'm way older than you" he muttered

"What was that" I asked for clarification.

He shook his head "Forget it" he stood up as well. I was surprised, he was taller than I imagined though not as tall as me. He still had some growing to go.

I snickered and couldn't help compare our heights with my hand.

Again, I embarrassed him. "Knock it off..." he snapped shoving my hand away "At least I'm not afraid of the dark" he challenged

"Pffft, I'm not afraid!" I folded my arms over my chest.

He laughed at my claim "Oh please, you were shaking in my arms and didn't let go"

"I um..." I blushed remembering how tightly I held on to him. That wasn't fair, I had just suddenly fallen into a hole..of course I was scared.

I looked back at him and his face was also red "Why are you blushing?" I asked, I tried to sound coy but instead I sounded nervous.

He turned away "I am not blushing" he told me

I then heard something fall behind me it was a rope!

"Dad! You found a rope!" I shouted happily grasping it but then I remembered Baelfire's hands "Can you climb?" I asked him.

"Of course I can" he seemed almost insulted I had asked and made his way to the rope. I almost wanted to explain that I was concerned for his hands.

Almost, instead the feeling to tease him more overcame me.

"Hey dad! The little boy is going to climb up first!"

From the rope he looked and sent me a mean glare, I simply smirked back victoriously.

I had no idea what meeting this boy would do to my life.