A/N: Sorry for the wait. You know how school and homework takes up so much time... Anyway, please don't hate me after this chapter... Enjoy!

The sun had set a long ago but that didn't stop Quinn from working well into the night. Sam had left her alone a little while ago, only because she kept insisting that she was fine and only catching up on her work. While part of that was true, she was waiting for Rachel to arrive back so she didn't have to fall asleep worrying about her. So here she was in the forge, melting down metals and shaping them in all kinds of designs. Throughout the night, she worked, all the while waiting for her love and Finn to come galloping back from wherever they went.

Now, the sun was coming up on the horizon, and Quinn had yet to move from her post. Through the night, she had been able to make three swords and a couple chest plates, along with the sword Leroy had requested. To say she was exhausted was an understatement. She was barely still standing on her feet, and she knew she should get some rest, but something pulled at her to stay; stay and wait for Rachel. So that's where she waited; sitting against the bricks of the fire pit, a cup of water in her hand, staring at the entrance of the stables, daydreaming of the day where she and Rachel will be free to love as their hearts desire.

"Are you waiting for my daughter?" A voice said behind her. Jumping up, she turned and saw the King standing before her with his arms folded across his robes, he had a stern face and Quinn was at a loss for words. She had been lost in her thoughts that she hadn't heard him come up from behind her.

"I-I just wanted to make sure she came back alright." She straightened herself and brushed off any remaining dirt that was on her shirt and pants.

"You think I didn't know about the two of you? Of course I did. I know what love looks like and my daughter has had that look on her face since she first came home that night when you saved her in the market. And I wasn't positive about my assumptions until she told me yesterday morning that she loved another and didn't want to marry Prince Finn. You must understand, Quinn. I cannot allow this thing between the two of you to continue. She will marry Finn and our kingdoms will combine. This has been the plan ever since the two of them have been infants. I love my daughter, and I have her best interest at heart, but now I must ask you to leave at once. When she comes back, you will be gone. Do you understand? If you do come near her again, I will have you whipped and thrown in the dungeons, are we clear?"

"Yes, My Lord. We are clear," she felt her heart break like glass as she uttered those words. After everything that happened between them, this is how it was going to end: with her leaving in the early morning never to return again.

The King left and Quinn grabbed her things and left a note on top of the sword for Leroy, before she walked out of the shop. She then went to her chambers and shoved her belongings into her bag, grabbed a piece of parchment and her writing utensil. With a heavy heart she scribbled down her thoughts and feelings and apologizes to Rachel before placing it on the middle of her bed, knowing that Rachel will find it. She then made her way back out to the yard and crossed the beautiful green grass to reach the stables, where she saddled up her horse and then galloped away as fast as she could. Her heart was weighing down heavily in her chest and all she wanted was to turn back and beg the King to let her back in, to give her another chance, but it was too late and her pride wouldn't let her.

Tears trailed down her cheeks as she rode her horse hard as fast and far as its legs could carry, wanting to just escape. She soon found herself on familiar streets and then reached her destination. Jumping off her horse, she quickly tied the reins to the post and ran into the small blacksmith shop. Looking around she saw the boy from next door, who was only a couple years older, hammering away at what seemed to be a small weapon. She then spotted the man who had taken her in, at the front of the shop talking to a customer. Stealing herself she made sure there was no evidence of tears on her face then walked over to the dark haired boy first. Tapping his shoulder, he turned around and a beaming smile crossed his lips. "Quinnie," He exclaimed then took the blonde into his arms before spinning her around. "Where have you been, love? I've missed you!"

Smiling as he put her down, she shook her head and replied, "I've been working at the palace. But I'm back now. I see you've stepped up for Will."

"Yeah, he's a great mentor, as are you, by the way." He lightly shoved her shoulder in the way a big brother would his little sister. "It's so great to see you again."

"You too, Mike. So what are you working on?" He told her about how work was like and how things were going with the shop while she was away. They continued talking for a bit until Will walked over and Quinn flung herself into his arms. It felt good to have a pair of strong arms wrapped around her again. She didn't know it was what she needed until it happened. She couldn't bring herself to let go, even when she started crying in his arms, she couldn't let go.

"Quinn? Sweetheart, what's the matter?" He asked softly as he looked up at Mike who only gave him a confused look back. "C'mon, let's go inside and talk, hmm?" She barely nodded and he led her out back and into their small home made for two. He sat her down at the small wooden table and he grabbed her a cup of water from the barrel beside the basin. Crouching down in front of her, he brushed a blonde strand out of her face and wiped away some of the tears on her cheek with his thumb. "Tell me what happened, Quinn."

"I fell in love, Will. I fell in love with the wrong person…" She then proceeded to tell him everything that had happened within the past month. He nodded and rubbed comforting circles in Quinn's knee as he listened to her tell him everything.

Quinn couldn't remember falling asleep, but she did remember telling Will everything and him holding her while she cried in his arms. And now she lay in her old bed, thinking about the brunette who has held her heart since she first heard her voice over the crowd in the market. She didn't know what to do now, of course she could stay home and work, but Rachel would eventually come looking for her and if the King found out… it just wasn't an option. That left only one option for her: she had to leave. Go where? She didn't know. All she knew was that he had to go. She could find another kingdom to live in, she could find work, and she could make a new life for herself. She could do it right? No, she'd never get over Rachel, but she could find somewhere to live peacefully for the rest of her days.

Her thoughts were interrupted when there was a knock on the door. Sitting up, she rubbed her face with her hands before saying, "Come in." The door opened and Rachel stood there with her note clenched in her hand. Seeing it was Rachel, Quinn got to her feet and shook her head. "You can't be here, Rachel."

"I don't care! What the hell is this? You're just leaving me? After everything we've been through, you're leaving?" Rachel barged into the room and she tossed the note onto the table. "What happened? What is that?" She yelled as she thrusted a finger to the crumbled parchment.

"What happened? What happened? The King approached me! He knows about us! I couldn't stay! You think it was easy for me to just leave you like that? Last night I waited up for you, into the early hours of the morning, and the King found me. I didn't have much of a choice after what he said to me. So what was I supposed to do? Stay and be whipped then thrown into the dungeons never to see daylight or anyone again, or leave? I'm sorry that I chose life, Rachel. And I wish I didn't have to, but it was you who told him that you didn't want to marry Finn because you were in love with me. But tell me, Rachel: what did you want me to do?"

"I didn't want you to give up on us, that's for sure!"

Quinn's heart tugged at her words, tears forming in her eyes as she choked out, "Is that what you think I did?"

"I honestly don't know, Quinn."

Biting her lip to keep her tears at bay, she nodded then said, "Then you don't know me at all. I must ask you to leave, Rachel. I can't see you again, you have to marry the Prince and fulfill your father's wishes. As much as I hate it, it must be so."

"But I love you. I don't want to marry Finn, I want to marry you. I want to be with you, no one else! You're the one I want to be with, and I don't care what it costs us, as long as I'm with you in the end. Quinn…" Rachel walked over to her and placed Quinn's right hand against her cheek. "Quinn, please. Don't leave."

Quinn ran her thumb across her cheek, memorizing the feel of her soft, silky skin. "I don't want to. I never want to leave you, Rachel. You're the world to me; you're the air I breathe in. I never want to be without you, Love. But this is where we are."

Quinn dipped her head and nuzzled their noses together and breathed in their combined breaths. "Kiss me, Quinn? Please."

She felt her breath hitch at the request but should she do it? After what just happened? Shaking her head, Quinn barely managed out, "I-I can't…"

Her words went unheard and Rachel closed the space between them, clicking their lips in place. Rachel stood up on her tip toes to get closer to the blonde and she slung her arm around her neck pulling her in. Tongues swirled and twirled around each other and Quinn didn't know whether she should pull away or pull her tighter against her body. She didn't have to choose because suddenly the door to her home was being slammed open and Rachel was being pulled away from the blacksmith. It was Rachel's terrified face and her voice screaming out her name that was imprinted Quinn's mind before she was met with complete darkness.

A/N: Thoughts? Review! Remember to please not hate me...