The sun woke me up. Shire had fallen asleep next to me, and Hatter was moving around the small cave.
"Morning, sleepy head." He greeted me, smiling at my situation. Shire's grip around my body had tightened in his sleep, and he wasn't letting me go. "Wake him up, it's okay. We have to get a move on anyway."
I kissed Shire's forehead, wiggling in his arms. He moaned and shifted, letting me go. Sighing, I hauled him up to his feet.
"Wake up, Shire!" I yelled, not caring if he lashed out at me. He opened his eyes and glared at me.
"That's a fine good morning." He muttered. I grinned as Hatter quickly filled him in. Apparently, we were to reach Rhymier by night fall. We would camp on the outskirts of the kingdom, and then move in the morning to the castle.
"Are you sure it's a good idea to just waltz right up and burst down the door?" I asked as we were walking along the path. Shire shrugged.
"They'll find out eventually." He replied, his voice slightly monotone. I glanced down at my clothes and cringed.
"Are we going to be able to get better clothes?" I asked. Hatter laughed at me while Shire called me vain. I grinned, taking both of their hands in mine.
"Hey, guys?" They looked at me, identical expressions on their face. "I almost don't want us to reach Rhymier…" I admitted. I sniffled, knowing that my time was most likely coming to a close. I had no idea what the future had in store for me, but I hoped it was more time with these two.
Shire gave me a sad smile. Hatter squeezed my hand. We walked like that the rest of the way through the mountains.
We jumped off of the last rock and into squishy moss. Shire informed us that it was only a small little hike before we reached the slums.
"We'll spend the night there, and try to find some better clothes. Ashton, they don't know your face. You'll be our best bet to buy some things." He eyed Hatter, and then grinned. "But I think that Hatter might work out well, too. He's changed so much from the slightly chubby little boy that used to serve me tea." Said tea addict blushed, increasing his pace as we walked along a small path.
The small forest was beautiful and lush. The sunlight was filtered, tinged green through the layer of leaves. A small breeze whispered through the branches, sending the shadows dancing across the path.
I smiled as I watched the shadows. The forest was peaceful. I almost forgot about the impending doom that Shire faced, and the fact that I was the one to overthrow the Queens.
Shire stopped, his ears perking and his pupils shrinking. Hatter stopped, tugging me behind him.
"Shire?" I asked. His head snapped to the side, and he took off through the woods. I blinked, and Hatter laughed.
"What?" I yelled, without meaning to.
"He heard a bird. That boy has more cat in him than human, sometimes." He stated, his laugh ending in a chuckle. "He'll be back. For now, let's chase after him. He'll stay on the path."
We walked slowly, enjoying the peaceful time before the storm. Hatter sat on a log to take a break.
"You love him, don't you?" Hatter asked, looking at me from the shadow of his hat. I blushed, looking to the side.
"What makes you think that?" I asked in return. Hatter smirked.
"The fact that you're avoiding the question." My blush deepened.
"I don't know…" I hesitantly answered. Hatter's smirked widened to a grin.
"You do!" He exclaimed, jumping up. I could feel my blush spreading along my cheeks as he began to sing it out.
"No, I don't!" I cried, stamping my foot like a five year old. Hatter stopped and gave me a good hard look.
"Oh, really?" With that, he took off running down the path. I was forced to follow him.
"Hatter!" I screamed, forgetting that we were technically on the run. He grinned and used his long legs as an advantage.
"Admit it!" The tea addict called over his shoulder. I pumped my arms, sprinting to catch up to him. I tackled him to the ground, sending both of us head over heels down the path for a few feet.
When we stopped, I was sitting on top of him. I blew a strand of hair out of my face. I was trying my best to glare at him, and it wasn't really working. He gave a Shire sized grin. I tried with all of my might, but I had to laugh. He rolled us over, laying on top of me.
"You have no need to worry." Hatter said. "I won't tell Shire."
"Tell Shire what?" Said man appeared, brushing a feather off of his shirt. I looked at him, and then imagined what it had to look like in his eyes.
"Oh, just that she loves you-"
"Your ears!" I broke in, giving Hatter a hard glare. Shire hesitantly felt his ears, becoming self conscious.
"Sure. Come on, you two. Let's keep moving." He turned on his heel, his long tail swishing as he briskly walked a head of us. I shoved Hatter off of me, giving him a look as I speed walked to catch up.