Thanks for all the reviews. They = much love and cookies.

This chapter is for my friend Strictly Untalkative

Hope you enjoy, and please r&r,

Fey of the forest

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She didn't tell her friends what had happened that evening and nor did Henry bring up the subject. In fact, she and Henry seemed to ignore the kiss and just got back to their routine of walking and chatting on the way. Meanwhile in college Alethea got questioned about what was going on between her and Henry by her friends, particularly by Astrid and April, though Lucy and Danni got their fair share of questions in too. Alethea tried to avoid answering but eventually they got it out of her. She didn't hear the end of it for days, and she was dreading their little gathering on Friday where they would gather in Lucy's kitchen and talk, as was their tradition. After all, there was no doubt that she'd be hammered with questions on all sides. Walking up to college on the Friday of Henry's first week, Alethea knew that she ought to warn him that she wouldn't be walking home with him. Only thing was, she wondered whether she should bring him with her or not.

"Henry I won't be walking home with you tonight."

"I know Ali." He smiled. "Your friend Avril..."

"April." She corrected.

"Told me that you were meeting up tonight. It's alright- I've got training." He explained.

"Oh... That's okay then." She smiled.

"Just... Do me a favour?"

"What's that?"

"Keep your phone switched on." Looking at him, she smiled ever so slightly.

"But you don't have my number?"

"Ah... I do actually."

"But I..." he looked at her meaningfully. "April?"

"Astrid." He smiled. "I've had it a few days..."

"Then why haven't you..?" she asked, feeling a bit put out. If he had had her number for a few days then why hadn't he text her? He looked slightly sheepish.

"I didn't know if you'd mind or not." She sighed. Of course she didn't mind... Or she hadn't until he'd told her he'd had it for a while.

"Nah, it's alright."

College seemed to fly that Friday and in no time at all Alethea was sitting in Lucy's kitchen with the others cradling hot drinks. Alethea sipped her tea, glad for the hot liquid as it was cold outside. Winter was well and truly on its way and the girls had felt it as they had crossed over the canal to get to Lucy's house. Alethea wasn't looking forward to going back out in it. Listening to the others discuss their plans for the weekend, her eyes were fixed on her mobile phone, waiting for it to ring. She was dying to know just exactly why Henry had told her to keep it close.

"Waiting to hear from lover boy?" Astrid teased.

"He's not my boyfriend!"

"Yet. Give it chance."

"Nonsense. He doesn't even like me that way." Alethea told them, refusing to think of the kiss. That hadn't meant anything...

"We beg to differ." Danni said.

"Huh?"

"You forget, we share a free period with Henry whilst you're learning about rivers in Geography."

"Oh God..." Alethea murmured, head in hands. There was so much that could have been said without her knowledge. So many embarrassing stories and secrets...

"Your darling Henry will not shut up about you. If he's not talking about you, he's asking us questions about you. What does that tell you?"

"That he's got nothing else to talk about?" she suggested hopefully.

"He likes you Ali. He likes you very much." Lucy told her.

"But..." Alethea blushed as it dawned on her. She had only known Henry for five days and sure, they had got on like a house on fire, but that didn't mean.... No, surely it didn't, did it?

"See. You know we're right." Danni smirked. Alethea looked at her friends to see that they all had the same expression. There would be no winning this argument.

"Oh, alright, so perhaps he does..."

"And you like him right?"

"Henry and Ali sitting in a tree..." If looks could kill then April would be dead and Alethea would be facing a murder trial. "K I S S I N G."

"Ahem." Lucy coughed. "Your phone is ringing Ali." Alethea didn't need telling twice, snatching up her phone which was playing 'You're the Voice' and running outside to get away from the others, trying to prevent them eavesdropping.

"Hello?" she asked as she clicked answer, having not recognised the number.

"Is that you Ali?"

"Henry, to what do I owe the pleasure?" she smiled, listening to the chatter of lads in the background. He'd obviously just finished training and was calling from the changing rooms, which meant... Oh god, no fair. Imagining Henry wearing just a towel made her go weak at the knees, and it wasn't fair in the slightest because she didn't like him that way. Regardless of what her friends said, but then again, if he was just in a towel then...

"I was just wondering if you were free tomorrow?" she shook her head, bringing herself back to earth. Thankfully the cool autumn breeze was also helping.

"I am. Why?"

"Be ready by nine tomorrow morning then. I'll come round and pick you up."

"Why? Where are we going?"

"Just wrap up warm, bring walking boots and don't worry, your parents are perfectly fine with it."

"But..."

"See you tomorrow." He hung up before she could ask anything else. Alethea stared at her phone in disbelief, going back over their conversation in her mind. Just what on earth was that boy up to? Turning to go back inside, she wasn't surprised in the slightest to find her friends had been standing by the door trying to eavesdrop. Going back into the kitchen, Alethea finished off her cup of tea.

"Where's he taking you on your first date?"

"It's not a date!" Alethea denied. "And I don't know."

"He hasn't told you?"

"No. All I know is that I've got to wrap up warm and bring my walking shoes with me."

"He's taking you for a romantic stroll." April guessed. "But if that's the case, you'd best get home."

"Why?"

"So you can go and make sure you've got everything, and get an early night. You don't want to be falling asleep on him now, do you?" Astrid said with a slight smirk.

"True..." Alethea sighed. "Alright, I'll see you guys later."

"Let us know how you get on."

"Don't worry, I will do." She smiled, putting on her coat. "Bye."

"Have fun tomorrow."

Walking down into the village, Alethea was toying with the idea of catching a bus or walking home, but as the next bus wasn't due for an hour, she continued walking. It seemed to pay off in fact, as she walked past college in time to see Henry walk out. Crossing the road, she waved at him but he didn't seem to register that she was standing there. He just continued walking whilst she tried to catch up with him, eventually standing by his side at the crossing at the bottom of the railway bridge. Poking his arm, Alethea didn't feel in the least put out... well, ok, maybe a little bit of her did, but that didn't matter. She had caught up with him now.

"Hey." She smiled. "Why do I need walking shoes?"

"Because we're going walking."

"And do I need anything else?"

"Just yourself in warm clothes. Nothing else."

"Where are we going?"

"Right now, home." He smirked, not giving anything away about tomorrow. "I thought you would know that considering you are a geography student."

"I meant tomorrow. Where are we going tomorrow?" she sighed, not wanting to give in.

"Walking."

"But..."

"It's a surprise Ali. Just be ready by nine o'clock and all will be revealed. I've spoken to your parents and they are perfectly fine with it."

"But..."

"I'm not telling, regardless of what you do."

"Really?"

"Really." He smiled.

"Oh... Then I suppose I had best wait and see, but if I can't sleep tonight for wondering, I'm blaming you."

"Fine with me." He shrugged as they entered the backs of the retail park. "So, how did your Friday go?"

"Other than you annoying me, it has gone fine. Yours?"

"Mine? Not so bad, but even better now."

"Better now? Why?"

"Because...." he began as they reached her house. "Because I'm nearly home."

"Oh... See you tomorrow?"

"Of course." He smiled, watching her as she walked inside. Alethea waved at him before unlocking the door, not knowing that what Henry had really wanted to say was she had just brightened up his day.

---

Waking early the next morning, Alethea grabbed a quick shower and dried her hair before wrapping up warm, putting on a number of layers. Putting on her walking shoes, she put her converse in her bag so she could change into them later and made sure that she had plenty of food to snack on. Putting her scarf, gloves and thick coat near the door, she waited for nine o'clock to come. She was dying to know just where he was going to take her but she was also intrigued as to how he had managed to make her parents keep it a secret too. When she had gone in last night she had asked them, trying everything that she could think of to make them give her the name but they had refused. Eventually she had given up, but now as she waited by the window, she was wondering where they were going. As nine o'clock struck, a car pulled up outside and Henry appeared at the gate. Smiling, Alethea threw on her scarf and coat before slinging her backpack over one shoulder and saying good bye to her parents.

Henry was being rather mysterious as they sat in the back of the car. His dad was driving whilst his mum had a map in hand, and Alethea was watching the world go by out of the window, trying to work out just exactly where they were going. She recognised the route for the first few miles, but then it all became a blur and she was very lost. Henry just smiled, watching as she changed from being curious to being frustrated. Laughing at her, he knew that today would be a good day, and was certain that she would like what he had planned. As his parents parked up at the station, Henry got out of the car and ran around to the other side, holding the door open for his friend. Alethea just looked at him as if he were mad before grinning as she recognised the place. It was a number of years since she had last been here, but she was glad to be back.

"So that's why I needed walking shoes. We're going for a walk around the forest."

"I'm afraid it's no match to Sherwood, but it'll have to do." Alethea laughed at him, especially as he picked up his backpack from the boot. "Now, my parents are going that way, but I hope you don't mind if we take another route?"

"Just don't get us lost."

"I'm sure we'll find our way back." He said as they started walking along one of the paths. Falling into step, Alethea smiled as she admired the scenery. The leaves on the trees were a mixture of golds, reds and browns and it was beautifully rich. Alethea really would not have been surprised if there were fairies flying around somewhere. Henry, seeing her happy, smiled as he led her along to the small stream that ran through the forest, chatting as they walked. In fact, the two got into such deep conversation that it was very quickly noon. Having stopped for lunch, Alethea then let Henry go for a wander whilst she tied up her laces. When he didn't return however, she went to find him, but as she walked in the direction he'd been going, she could find no sign of him.

"Henry? Henry, where are you?" she called before she was aware that there was someone following her. A bit nervous as she didn't really like being so deep in a forest on her own, she picked up a branch that was lying on the ground and turned around, trying not to show her fear. "Henry!" she called, alarm rising in her voice. He didn't appear however and it was then that someone jumped out behind her.

"Boo!" Alethea nearly had a heart attack as she found Henry grinning. Glaring at him, she dropped the branch and took a step forwards. Henry instinctively took a step back.

"You'll pay for that!" she warned. Henry took to his heels and ran, Alethea chasing after him though the menacing look dropped from her eyes and was replaced with mischief instead. Laughing, she chased after her friend until they suddenly burst into a clearing where there was a waterfall to one side. Henry was still running but Alethea stopped dead in her tracks, her feet frozen. She had no idea why, but suddenly Henry was the blonde in her dreams, and he was standing looking into the bubbling pool with mist rising from it, looking forlorn and lost. Alethea wanted to comfort him, but she then heard a voice.

"I will do this Alethea. I will save you... You and everyone else. And if I don't then... Then I'm sorry. But I will do all that I can, even if I die in the attempt. You mean that much to me. You just have to fight it. Just survive until I return, but if I do not, then I love you now... Now and always with all my heart."

The words echoing in her mind, Alethea blinked as everything from her dreams suddenly flooded back to her. The blonde Prince in her dreams was her husband. They had married and were ruling a kingdom together. She had survived three battles, gained a pet dragon, managed to get the ban on magic lifted and been crowned, which made her a Princess... Except the King had sacrificed himself in battle to save her life. Alethea's eyes widened and sank to her knees as realisation hit her. She was the Queen of Camelot, and her husband... Her husband was King Arthur...