Yona and Hak are still in the linen tent where they just made love. Both fully dressed, seated - Yona with arms wrapped around her bent legs, Hak leaning back relaxed with an arm balanced over one knee… He looks up through lashes at her as she proposes their future-
"Each night I go to bed... I want it to be with you. ...I want to have your children. Ours. ...I can already see you training them in the field. Our little warriors. Even the little girls."
Hak watches her in fascination, "How many are you planning?"
Yona blushes, completely adorable… "...I guess we'll be pretty busy in bed."
"You're better at selling this idea than I was expecting," Yona gives him a deadpan look, he smiles at the vision she described for them, "The girls aren't learning swords. Their mother already drove me crazy. And I don't know what kind of 'quiet life' you're planning, but training a little army doesn't sound compatible…"
"Oh. Right. Sorry... it's hard to separate those sorts of ideas from 'us' anymore."
"There's a reason, Princess… you should think very carefully about what you're proposing."
"You don't want to go live a life with me?"
Hak sighs at that, then adjusts, pulls her into his lap, and looks in her eyes, very serious now, "Being apart from you these past couple days… I can't live like that anymore. One way or another we need to be together - and for anyone to see. Everyone to see. And out of all the bad options we have to do that, making a family with you in the countryside is probably the least bad."
"But still bad?" Yona feels it, too, but wants to hear it from him.
"Something doesn't feel right."
"I know. I'm comforted the dragons would stay to help and protect, but…"
"What exactly did he say to you?"
Leading up to this moment, Yona had asked Hak about the idea of them potentially leaving together and living out their lives as commoners, quietly. Avoiding what was coming to a head with the rulers and nobles. No longer putting anyone in contact with them at risk. Just becoming… normal. One thing she did not mention, however, was Soo-Won.
But Hak is no idiot. For Yona's sudden change in heart, something had to have happened. He remembers Gramps' warning about letting those two talk… he'd hoped she'd feel better after that happened, but this… is something else. And he doesn't like how she's looking at him now...
"Are you gonna be OK with me talking about him?"
"...as long as you're in my lap."
"Huh?" Yona's tension lessens as her confusion rises.
"I can't get up under this weight - he'll be completely safe."
There's her smile, Yona scrunches her nose, then, "Some things are serious, Hak."
Wrapping his arms around her waist, "Princess, I have other things on my mind these days. ...and on our wedding day, Gramps told me… he asked me, actually, to let you talk to Soo-Won. That I shouldn't interfere. So… I've been preparing for this conversation for a while. I guess, more like dreading it, but I knew it was coming."
Yona's still stuck on something, "On our wedding day?!"
"Just warning me what I was buying into…"
"Warning?! Buying?!"
Hak kisses her shocked lips to distract her, then shifts his tone, "It was the best decision of my life," then stroking her cheek "We can't avoid this… what happened with Soo-Won? If we're partners now, I need to know. Even if I don't want to."
Yona turns her face to kiss his hand, then carefully… "He asked for one thing: me to stay alive. ...and told me he loved me."
Inside Hak, entire villages are suddenly burning. He's gone some far off place. For cover from the anger. A distant shore, the waves lapping against rocky terrain. It's cold. Barren. And he wonders why. Why the hell… did everything happen. If that's how that guy felt.
"It's not for you to know…" Yona continues as though she could read his thoughts, "Whatever drove him to what he did, what's done is done now. There's no going back. He said as much. That the only way forward is apart, if we're all to survive. And he wants that for us."
"He doesn't get to want," Hak still stares forward, eyes empty.
"I think there's more to all this than we'll ever know…"
Suddenly Hak's back to the present moment, he puts his hands on Yona's cheeks, searching, begging, "Don't ever believe that guy, Princess. I know how you look for the best in people. You love them no matter what. But I can't, I will not, allow him to hurt you again. And if him saying that is why you want to leave everything behind, even if it's for us to be together, then I think you're making a mistake."
Yona starts crying, because she kind of knows that, but there's a bigger reason at play, "If we stay, they'll kill you!"
Hak leans back in shock, "Did he say that, too?"
Yona sobs harder into his chest. He nods in anger and caresses her back.
Hak closes his eyes, torn, seeing those damned waves in his mind's eye, feeling the burning villages. That bastard always makes her cry. Not even her mother dying was this traumatic. Hasn't she been through enough?! And that's the thing… she has, she fucking has been through enough. He had wanted to get her the throne back. He was willing to give his life to end her exile, give her the safety and power she deserves. But if that's not what she wants…
He kisses her hair and whispers in her ear, "I love you. I can't say it enough. Trust me. I will be at your side, whatever you choose. It is your choice, Princess. Tell me what you want."
After regaining her breath, Yona looks into his eyes, "If we fight, will they try to kill you? And if they try... could they?"
He wishes for any other answer, but there's only one truth, "I don't know."
Yona breathes deeply, her fingers clutch his robes, "Then tonight, we'll meet at the edge of camp. Pack your things: we're disappearing."
His breaths are heavy, "OK."
"I'll go tell the dragons. Do what you need to, too."
Yun hands Yona a bowl of his soup, "Here - all the other food here is a disgrace."
She smiles thanks then takes a seat next to Shin-Ah in a circle with Kija, Zeno, and Jae-Ha who are also eating. She shares a smile with Jae-Ha, who looks relieved.
"We missed you," that was Shin-Ah - his comment immediately gets Yona's heartfelt attention.
"Oh how I missed you guys, too," Yona reaches over and pets Ao on Shin-Ah's shoulder, "These days have felt like years."
Yona notices Jae-Ha is still watching her - expectantly. He knows Soo-Won didn't release her just to come eat with her dragons. And there's a reason she could be so at ease about Hak right now despite all those tensions in the meeting this morning.
"I was afraid we wouldn't get to see you until the battle tomorrow," Kija is clearly delighted that wasn't the case.
"Little Miss' bright spirit so close is enough to energize us all," Zeno smiles brightly.
Yona closes her eyes for strength and wraps her fingers around the ring necklace under her clothes, then does what she feels she has to, "Remember when we first met, Kija? I asked you to do something for me."
"To serve you, which is and has been my greatest honor."
"More specifically…"
"Hak," Jae-Ha reminds.
Kija nods, "Protect that guy, I remember."
"Now it's my turn to do that…" and Yona begins to explain.
As Yona walks away from the dragons she loves, her heart in two, she tries to keep her mind busy by cherishing their reactions...
Jae-Ha commented that Hak was worth it. Somehow he was so tremendously relieved they were leaving. Zeno sat in zen, almost reactionless - like always, as though he could already tell the future. Shin-Ah seemed to understand, but was clearly shaken. Ao was stuffing his cheeks, sad-eating-style. And Kija was frustrated, "If that guy had just taken the money I offered him and left the day we met, this never would have happened."
But in the end, they all agreed… the princess' wishes would always be their own as well, it would be noble to save Koukan lives on the battlefield, they were uniquely equipped for just that, and they would find she and Hak again one day, no matter what.
Dreaming of that moment of seeing them again already, Yona turns a corner and sees Tae-Woo in the distance with the Wind warriors. She draws back behind a tent for a covert view - because Hak is with them and she doesn't want to interrupt them. Those guys probably have no idea that Hak won't be there tomorrow. He wouldn't be able to reveal that exactly… on the other hand, what Hak must be going through right now…
Yona sees Hak joking with Han-Dae, Saki, and Ayame, too. His family. And even though the dragons would likely survive tomorrow and see she and Hak again one day… what about these people so dear to Hak?
Yona turns and heads another way, to leave that precious moment to Hak and his WInd family. Something really hits home as she goes though… You were right… there are only bad options.
Lili exits her tent to greet Min-Soo. He cautiously follows her as she leads him down the row between tents.
"Thank you for answering my letter and coming so quickly!"
"Of course, but what did you call me here for?"
"To be honest, I'm not sure what this is about. The king asked me to send the letter."
Min-Soo's chest tightens as they round a corner to Soo-Won's tent. Suddenly Lili sees the fear in his eyes.
"...would you like me to go in first?"
"No, no that's alright," Min-Soo doesn't want to drag her into whatever this might be. He's watched her at the palace these past few weeks. She seems… like she'll be safe.
"OK, then I'm at least waiting outside. I'm curious, too, you know."
Min-Soo smiles a little, "I know, Lady Lili."
Inside the tent, Soo-Won looks up from his desk and takes a deep breath at the sight of Min-Soo.
"You came."
"Your Majesty," tension is already in the air. This was an unexpected, unusual bidding.
Soo-Won rises and focuses on moving the wooden figurines at his war board, "Are you interested in war strategy, by chance?"
"...not particularly."
When Soo-Won looks up, it's pained, "Then why did you tell Yona and Hak where and when I was sending troops when we were dealing with Xing?" Min-Soo is frozen, "You should be careful who you betray the king in front of - Ogi always has a price."
Min-Soo is in sudden desperation, all he can think of- "The peace negotiations with Xing were successful..."
Soo-Won closes his eyes, "I understand that two can play this game. It was you, after all, who gave Keishuk all the information we needed to remove Il. However, I can't have you in the palace if your loyalties aren't with me."
"No, you can't," Keishuk reveals himself from the shadows at the back of the tent - where it's clear even Soo-Won didn't realize he was waiting, "Not just the palace. You can't have him existing at all. With the princess missing since the meeting this morning, who knows what contact he may be in with her."
Soo-Won wordlessly watches Keishuk advance, then finally, "If he's not in the palace, there's no longer a conflict of interest."
"I disagree," Keishuk's eyes are dark, "We're going to war tomorrow. Kouka cannot be led by a weak king."
"We're going to war with Kai, not Kouka. We don't need to harm our own."
"We put that concept to bed the night you killed King Il. Don't forget the greater good."
Soo-Won doesn't move.
"So be it, I'll do it," Keishuk pulls a dagger from his belt and lunges toward Min-Soo, whose eyes go wide-
Soo-Won swoops forward to stop him and while pushing upward against Keishuk's hands to keep the dagger away from Min-Soo, Soo-Won finally gives in, "Let me."
Evening will be falling soon. Yona is in the medic tent tending to her second to last farewell. It's Tae-Jun, who was injured on the field in training today. He doesn't know it, but Yona is immensely relieved he won't be fighting tomorrow because of this injury.
"If you hadn't taught me to care for the villagers, I wouldn't be much help in here tomorrow. I wish I could fight, but I think I can do some good in here, too," he looks around at medic workers moving linens, stacking ointments.
"You should rest. That would make me very happy," Yona beams, "Be healthy, Tae-Jun."
Yona knows that some of the nobles like Keishuk are likely already suspicious of why she isn't with Soo-Won by now, but she felt these goodbyes were worth the risk. She'd always regret it if she didn't see them one last time, to treasure them and remember the moment forever.
Suddenly Yona sees Lili frantically rush into the tent, grabbing an armful of supplies. She's sweating and looks worried out of her mind.
"Lili!"
Lili turns, her face white, and now also mortified to be facing Yona right now, "Yona…"
"Is something wrong?"
There are tears in Lili's eyes and she nods. Yona rushes over and throws her arms around Lili in a hug. This was to be Yona's final farewell - Lili. But what has happened?
Yona follows Lili into her tent and there he is - Min-Woo, unconscious and bandaged, still bleeding heavily. Tears stream down Yona's cheeks as she watches Lili get back to work on him.
"How did this happen?!" Yona bends down to lend a hand.
Lili is unsteady in her words, "I just heard the scream… he was with Soo-Won and then… but why would he do this to Min-Soo?"
All the pieces are falling together in Yona's head… this is her fault. Undoubtedly, this is because Min-Soo helped her. But… Soo-Won knew she was leaving today… why would he still do this?
Yona looks up at Lili, a furious fire in her eyes, "Keishuk."
Lili thinks, "...right, I didn't see him go in, but he did come out."
"Lili, how did you get him here?"
"I found Jae-Ha."
"Where is he now?"
"I thought he went looking for you."
"Listen, no one can discover Min-Soo here. Or they could try to hurt him again."
Lili nods and continues to work on her patient.
"If you need more help to save him, Jae-Ha will know who are friends here."
Yona moves to the flap of the tent and peeks out to see that evening is beginning to fall. She needs to go.
"I'm sorry," Lili is earnest as she continues to work, "I didn't get a chance to tell you that. But it's important to me that you know."
Yona knows she's talking about their misunderstanding the night before, "I'm sorry, too, for lying to you about Hak. Jae-Ha let me know he told you."
"I could always tell Hak loved you. I hope you know how much this proves I trust you - to fall for a lie that obvious."
Yona laughs a little, "Our friendship is precious to me, Lili. I know where your heart was. And I hope you know where mine was, too."
"Of course," Lili turns from Min-Soo and smiles up at Yona, "Our lives are sorta complicated, huh?"
The girls laugh sadly at the ridiculous situations they find themselves in - like this one right now.
"There's something I need to do, Lili. Take care of him, alright?"
"Like hell I'm letting him die on me!"
And with courage from that determination, Yona leaves.
"You're lucky," Lili sighs to Min-Soo, "Where exactly he cut you is very lucky... I really think you're gonna make it."
Hues of pink, purple, and orange reflect on magnificent clouds. The sun has fallen low to mark the end of the day… and the beginning of the moonlit journey to tomorrow.
Hak stands at the edge of camp with his glaive and a small backpack, looking at that colorful direction they'd soon be walking together, worried about the darkness that will fall on the camp behind them.
He hears her coming and turns to face his living, breathing future: the princess.
"Tell me, Hak…"
He notices she's empty-handed...
"I never asked you… and you should be the first person I ask. Tell me, is there a way we can fight tomorrow… and survive?"
His eyes well, why is his heart lifted by such a morbid question? "...Princess...," of all things he has to be honest about this, "It doesn't look good."
Yona nods sadly, as though the wind were knocked out of her.
"But… there's a chance. If the gods willed it."
"You don't believe in gods."
"I do now," he says casting his hope over her, "And I believe in you."
"You want to stay," Yona can see it clearly now.
"So you do."
Yona nods, then, "I don't think we'll feel like we're living freely if it's in a world where those we care about are still getting hurt. People like Keishuk and Soo-Won can't stay in the palace any longer or it will never end. I'm the queen, Hak. It's only I who can right this against them. But I won't ask you to join my side tomorrow… unless you will have it no other way. Because they will come after you like no other. You are my king."
Hak takes Yona's hand and weaves his fingers between hers. Looking down at her, the sunset cast on them both, "Never forget, I'm also a beast and a dragon, my queen. Our odds could be worse."
And somehow in this dire moment, they're smiling at one another, ready for anything, "Then there's much to prepare tonight. Tomorrow… we fight."