Edmund didn't consider himself a natural leader. He wasn't born with an outgoing personality and innate wisdom. As a member of the royal family of the Dark Kingdom, he had no choice but to learn how to have an air of authority and command the respect of his people. He'd gotten pretty good at it, but then he sent all of his people away. Edmund had been living in isolation for twenty five years, and had fallen out of practice of interacting with people, let alone leading them.

Despite this, he automatically slipped back into the role of leader of their small group as they made their way to Corona. He didn't necessarily want to be the leader, as he was still getting used to being around people at all, but at least some of his companions needed guidance, and he didn't want anybody else to shoulder all that responsibility.

For one thing, they were travellling with a child. Varian wasn't all that young, just barely younger than his father had been when he'd joined the ranks of the Brotherhood, but he was traumatized and lonely. Varian was looking for a sturdy force to rely on, and Edmund knew that if there was one thing he could be, it was sturdy.

But Edmund couldn't only focus on Varian. Horace...no, Eugene, he wanted to be called Eugene, and Edmund was willing to provide that to him. Eugene acted strong and independent, but Edmund recognized when somebody was just putting on a brave face because they felt they needed to be an example. He recognized it, because he frequently felt the same way. Like father, like son.

Edmund understood why Eugene may be struggling. So much had changed for him so quickly. Eugene had just learned that he was a prince, and had a father, and was struggling to wrap his head around those life-changing facts. He was also missing his girlfriend and worried for her safety. At the same time though he was trying to keep Varian safe and sane, and Edmund knew for himself how exhaustingly difficult it was to protect someone from their inner demons.

That brought him to Hector. It hurt Edmund to see his brother struggle so much. Hector had always been reluctant to open up to him, but it was worse now than it had ever been. In the past Hector had snapped and growled at anything that he perceived as a threat. They had been able to help him by fighting off his enemies together, or by assuring him that those voices whispering in his ear, those shadows lurking in the darkness, weren't real and they couldn't hurt him.

Edmund couldn't do that now. Hector's enemy was all too real, but Edmund couldn't see or hear her, let alone fight her. The only thing he could do for his brother was stay by his side and offer moral support.

Hector was more accepting of his assistance than Edmund thought he would be. He was glad that, for once, helping Hector wasn't like pulling teeth. However, it also made Edmund concerned. Hector wasn't one to accept help so easily, and he didn't like to talk about his feelings. For Hector to submit so easily was a testament of just how much he was struggling.

Hector tried to keep an eye on all of his companions, but he spent most of his time with Hector, travelling at the back of the pack and keeping an eye on the others from a distance. Hector didn't want to let Varian out of his sight, but now that the boy had other people to talk to he felt that it would be for the best if he kept his distance.

According to Hector, who had continued to tell Edmund about what the demon was whispering to him, Zhan Tiri had implied that he couldn't be trusted with Varian. Hector didn't know if Zhan Tiri was just messing with his head, or if she was planning another way of manipulating him and hurting Varian, but he didn't want to take the chance.

Edmund could relate. He knew how difficult a decision it was to distance oneself from their family for their own safety.

Hector was suffering, but Edmund refused to let him suffer alone. Though he wanted to keep an eye on Varian and get to know Eugene, he spent most of his time with Hector. Edmund only gave his brother space when Hector directly asked for it. That was when he would check on Varian's well-being and relieve Eugene of the responsibility of being strong for the boy.

They travelled at a punishing pace. Zhan Tiri was a dangerous enemy, and the sooner they got rid of her the better off the world would be. It was also incredibly dangerous to travel the realm with the moonstone beind held by such a vulnerable host. They needed to reach their destination, free Quirin, and figure out what to do about Zhan Tiri, as quickly as possible.

They decided to bypass the Great Tree. It was the most simple way to get to Corona, but far from the fastest. Edmund and Hector knew of underground tunnels and mountain caves. They were dangerous, but nothing that two members of the Brotherhood couldn't handle.

They travelled at night, slept for a few hours in the morning, travelled until middafternoon, when they would stop for a large meal and another rest. They would set out again as soon as the moon rose, and that was the pattern they followed.

They all felt like they needed more rest, as travelling was both physically and mentally draining, but Edmund didn't think that anybody needed rest quite as much as Hector did. The man rarely slept, though he desperately needed it. Edmund was familiar enough with his brother to know that he would keep a vigilant watch as long as there was a possibility of a threat, but he knew that Hector's avoidence of sleep had more to do than just that.

He was frightened of nightmares, and Edmund couldn't blame him. Dreams may be just in one's mind, but Edmund knew that one's mind could be unforgiving and dangerous. Especially when that mind had an uninvited guest lingering around. Edmund understood why Hector didn't want to sleep, but that didn't make it okay. People needed sleep. Hector was already struggling mentally, and his exhaustion was just making it worse.

Edmund watched his brother with unease as he just stared numbly at the small fire they had made to cook a simple breakfast. They had stopped for their morning rest about two hours ago, and eaten immediately. Hector still had half a plate of now cold eggs next to him. He hadn't touched his food, or moved at all, since Varian had gone to sleep.

Edmund had hoped that Hector's odd aloofness had been a sign that he was dozing off, After nearly an hour of him just sitting there, Edmund had no choice but to admit to himself that Hector's state was concerning.

Edmund sighed and sat next to his brother. He put a hand on his back. Hector tensed slightly, but soon relaxed. He tore his gaze away from the fire and looked at Edmund. Hector's gaze was distant, but at least he was looking at him.

"Can you hear me now?" Edmund asked. He couldn't help but notice that there were moments when Hector didn't seem to hear a word that they said. During these moments Hector might shut in on himself, or he would react more violently. He would growl, cover his ears, pull his hair, and if it got really bad he would pound his fists against his head and dig his fingernails into his skin.

This kind of reaction was very familiar to Edmund. He had seen it all the time from Hector when they were young. Hector had a lot of overwhelming emotions, and he hadn't known how to deal with it. Edmund thought he'd gotten better and found healthier coping mechanisms, but Zhan Tiri's presence must have set him back.

At first Edmund had thought that Hector was just getting overwhelmed and anxious about Zhan Tiri's words, but his brother explained it properly to him. Yes, listening to the demon sorceress wasn't fun, but the reason why Hector was so scared was because she used her power to block any sound other than her voice. Zhan Tiri was slowly revealing just how much power she held over Hector.

To Edmund's relief, Hector nodded. "Yeah, I can hear you." Hector said quietly. He didn't sound like himself, but at least he wasn't trying to harm himself, and Edmund would be grateful for small mercies.

"What has the demon been saying to you this time?" Edmund asked.

Hector sighed and leaned back. "Strangely enough, nothing. She's been quiet today."

"Perhaps that means she'll allow you to sleep." Edmund suggested. Hector grimaced.

"Or she's trying to catch me off guard, and she's saving the worst of it for when I'm sleeping and unable to avoid her." Hector said.

Edmund adjusted himself so he was facing Hector, though he didn't move his hand from his back. The only thing that consistently seemed to ground Hector was a firm, physical touch.

"Brother, you need rest." Edmund said gently. "You can't go on like this."

Hector's face crumbled, and he looked so tired and vulnerable that for a moment Edmund felt like he was looking at a fifteen-year old Hector, young, angry, and scared out of his skin. "Your Majesty...Eddie, I can't."

Edmund was taken aback. Hector had first called him that when they were young. Their first impressions of each other had been absolutely terrible. Edmund had been a prideful prince, and he hadn't approved of Quirin bringing violent strays to the castle. Hector had immediately noticed Edmund's disapproving and judgemental look, and he'd responded with a sneer of his own.

Hector couldn't have cared less that Edmund was a prince. He'd gone out of his way to be rebellious and defiant to Edmund. When Edmund tried to make him refer to him by his proper titles, Hector had started to call him Eddie. It was absolutely infuriating.

Even when their relationship had improved, Hector had kept the nickname until Edmund's coronation. It was shocking, and worrying, that Hector was using that nickname now. While it had started as a term of disrespect, Edmund now saw it as a term of endearment. A few weeks ago he would have loved to be called that nickname again, but now it was painful. Edmund knew that Hector wouldn't have used that name unless he was feeling incredibly vulnerable.

"Please," Edmund pleaded. "I will keep watch through the morning. If you show any sign of having a nightmare I'll wake you, I swear it."

Hector grimaced. He looked so tired and weak. Despite his insistence to stay awake, he was absolutely drained. He stared at Edmund for a long moment before he sighed. "I'm probably going to regret this, but...I really can't do this anymore."

Edmund pulled Hector in to lean against him. He'd expected some resistance, but Hector just whined tiredly and rested his head against his shoulder. Edmund kept his arm around Hector's shoulder protectively. If Hector got restless in his sleep, Edmund would know right away.

He could tell almost the very moment when Hector fell asleep. The stiffness in his shoulders soon eased out and for the first time in far too long he seemed fully relaxed.

About fifteen minutes after Hector fell asleep, Varian rolled over and lifted himself onto his elbows. He looked at Edmund with sad eyes. "Is he asleep?"

"Yes," Edmund said. He gave Varian a meaningful look. "So should you be."

Varian shrugged and sat up. He drew his cloak tighter around his shoulders. Ruddiger whined and looked up at Varian before adjusting his position and snuggling closer to him. "I couldn't sleep." Varian said quietly. His gaze shifted to Hector. "Is he okay?"

"I doubt it." Edmund said. "But you needn't concern yourself with him."

Varian grimaced. "He's being driven mad by an ancient sorceress. I think that's more than enough reason to be concerned."

"I've been keeping an eye on him." Edmund promised. "What you should worry about is yourself. How has your control of the moonstone been progressing?"

Varian gave him a small smile and put his hand on the ground. He raised it, pulling a black rock up from the ground. It grew about a foot tall before Varian started to look strained. The boy took a deep breath and slowly lowered his hand again, pushing the black rock back into the ground where it had come from.

"It's not much." Varian said. "I could probably do more if I was only trying to make the black rocks appear, but I don't want to do anything that I can't take back."

"That is very wise of you." Edmund said. He was quiet for a moment. "What does the power of the moon feel like?" He'd been curious all his life about what it felt like to wield the moonstone. Edmund had heard stories about people getting drunk off its power, but he'd never been allowed to so much as touch it. The only time he'd gotten a taste of the moonstone's power had been when he had aggravated it twenty five years ago.

"It feels...it feels like a nightlight." Varian said. He rubbed at the moonstone. "Like just a faint light shining through the darkness. It's not bright enough to burn, like Rapunzel. It's not even enough to chase away all of the shadows. And I know that if there are any monsters lurking in the darkness, the dim light wouldn't be enough to chase them away, or even illuminate them if they were deep enough in the shadows, but...but I still feel safe." Varian smiled and closed his eyes. "It provides a sense of security."

Edmund had never heard the moonstone described that way. It was a sign that the moonstone truly belonged with Varian. He would wield it well.

"I can't believe my life has become this." Varian pet Ruddiger's fur. "I didn't like thinking about magic, and now I have the powers of the moon, and my uncle is being haunted. It all feels like what I used to have nightmares about as a kid." A small, sad smile sneaked onto the boy's face. "And yet I don't really want to go back to how I was before, when I didn't know just how much I didn't know. I've always thought that knowledge was the most powerful tool I could have, even if that knowledge hurts."

Varian's face fell as he looked at Hector. "I just wish I knew what to do to help Uncle Hector."

"You've already helped him more than you will ever know." Edmund said. Hector had always liked to have a purpose. It gave him a reason to work past the darkness of his mind. Helping Varian, protecting him, gave Hector something to focus on.

Edmund adjusted himself, trying to get into a more comfortable position without disturbing Hector. "There's something I've been meaning to talk to you about." Edmund said. "We don't have to, if you'd rather not, but I think it could be beneficial for the both of us."

Varian frowned, looking concerned. "What's going on?"

"I know that Hector has been trying to tell you to not blame yourself for what happened to your father," Edmund said. "I agree with him, but I also know how difficult it can be to just stop feeling guilty. Like you, I also tried to save my home from the black rocks, only to accidentally cause more harm than good. I know how much it hurts."

Varian frowned slightly as he looked at him sympathetically. "Does...does the guilt ever go away?"

Edmund sighed. "If it does, It's yet to happen to me." Varian's face fell.

"But it happened twenty five years ago. If you're still feeling guilty, what hope is there for me?" Varian asked desperately.

"A lot." Edmund said. "I pushed my family away after it happened. I didn't want anybody else to be hurt because of my actions, so I sent them away. Without my family, I had no support. I started drowning in my own thoughts."

Varian hunched his shoulders and curled in on himself. "I know the feeling."

"But you're not alone anymore." Edmund said. "You have Hector, Adira, and now me. And we're on our way to get your father back. I couldn't fix my mistake, but you have the chance to make things right, and you're doing it without a second thought.

Varian gave him a shy smile. "I've never been very good at leaving things alone. Even if I'm probably going to fail, I can't let that stop me from trying." Varian gave a small, painful laugh. "Far too often, I just made things worse every time I tried to make things better. I'm sure my dad wished that I would just let someone else clean up my messes, but that's not me."

Edmund smiled. "You shouldn't take it personally. Quirin likes to take care of others, which includes taking their problems upon himself. He likes the control it gives him."

Varian cheered up slightly. "That's another thing we have in common, I guess." Varian rubbed at his eyes. "I can't believe I used to think that me and Dad were nothing alike. I...I can't wait to talk to him about all of this." There was nothing but confidence and hope in Varian's voice. He was certain that he'd be able to save his father. Edmund thought that hope was good for him. It would give him the confidence he needed to master the powers of the moon, which would give him his best chance of saving his father.

Varian yawned, though he did his best to try to hide it. Edmund raised an eyebrow at him. "I think it's time for you to sleep. We have a long journey still ahead of us."

Varian grimaced. "I guess so." He gave Hector a concerned look. "Will you really wake him up if he has a nightmare? He needs to sleep."

"He also needs relief from the witch." Edmund said. "And he needs to know he can trust me as well, and that won't happen if I go back on my word."

Varian nodded, a determined look on his face. "Keeping promises is important. Trusting people is hard, and having that trust betrayed...it hurts." Edmund found himself even more concerned about Varian. He was still so young, and yet he knew far too much about pain that he certainly didn't deserve to deal with.

Varian picked up Ruddiger as he laid back down. He curled up on his sleeping mat, holding Ruddiger close like he was a small child seeking comfort from a well-loved toy.

Edmund was left on his own, but he wasn't left in silence. He knew how to have a conversation with himself. It came so naturally to him that talking to himself just slipped out if he wasn't very careful. He did his best to keep his thoughts to himself, for his brother's sake.

Hector tried not to let his discomfort show, but it hadn't taken Edmund long to realize that his brother was unnerved by his tendency to talk to himself. Hector hadn't told him why, but Edmund could be observant when he wanted to be. He sometimes caught Hector seemingly talking to himself, when really he was just addressing Zhan Tiri. Edmund imagined that when Hector saw him talking to himself his first thought was that Zhan Tiri was talking to him as well. Edmund didn't want to needlessly worry his brother, so he kept his thoughts to himself.

Edmund talked quietly to himself for about an hour before he heard a quiet whimper. Hector stiffened in his sleep and curled up closer to Edmund. The king tightened his grip around him. This would normally be enough to provide at least a little comfort to Hector, by giving him something physical to focus on, but he didn't relax at all this time.

Hector's sleep was too deep, he was completely unaware of Edmund's attempt at grounding him. Edmund frowned and gave him a small shake "Hector, brother, wake up." There was no reaction. Edmund didn't know what was happening. Hector was an incredibly light sleeper, especially if he was trying to sleep when he felt threatened.

"Hector." Edmund said louder, more stern. Hector groaned and stiffened, but he was still fast asleep. "Hector!" His tone was commanding, something that Hector wouldn't easily disobey, but it did no good. Hector stayed asleep.

Edmund needed to take more extreme measures. "Forgive me, brother." He gave Hector a harsh shove, pushing him to the ground. Hector grunted at the impact and jolted awake. He looked around in a panic, and Edmund was confused and alarmed to see that there was an odd speckle of purple in his normally yellow eyes.

"Hector," Edmund reached a hand out to him. Hector grabbed his hand and clung tightly to it. He looked reluctant to let him go. "Are you alright?"

"I...I need to go for a run." Hector said breathlessly. "I need to hit something."

"Then that's what we shall do." Edmund said as he pulled Hector to his feet. His brother held tightly to his hand, and Edmund didn't have the heart to make him let go.

Edmund knew all about the hunting games that Hector and Quirin used to play. He hadn't ever understood them, but Quirin insisted that they helped Hector, so who was Edmund to forbid them from doing it? He had never participated, despite how many times they had invited him, but Hector planned on changing that now. Hector needed this, and since Quirin wasn't here it was up to Edmund to do this in his stead.

"Let me wake Eugene first." Edmund said. It may not be completely necessary for someone to keep watch, but it was better to be safe than sorry. Still holding Hector's hand, Edmund walked to where his son was sleeping. Since his hand was taken, Edmund gently nudged his son with his foot. He was glad that, unlike Hector, Eugene woke up right away, though he was incredibly groggy at first.

"...Dad?" Eugene stared up at him numbly. Edmund felt a thrill to be called that, but he pushed those feelings to the back of his mind. He had to focus on his brother, not his own joy. "What's going on? Is something wrong?"

"No," Edmund said. "I need to do something with Hector, and I need you to keep watch while we're gone."

"Yeah, sure." Eugene yawned and sat up. "I can do that. Go take care of your brother."

Hector growled and squeezed Edmund's hand. "I don't need to be taken care of."

Edmund disagreed, but he knew better than to say as much. "Don't mind him, Hector. Let's go for that run." Hector finally let go of Edmund's hand. He pulled his cloak up, and Edmund pulled up his hood as well. He may not understand Hector's game, but he still knew how it went.

Hector gave an animalistic growl, pulled harshly at his hair, and ran away from their small campsite. Edmund nodded his thanks to Eugene before running after his brother.

Hector had always been fast, but this speed felt different than Edmund was used to seeing from him. He knew Hector to run for one of two reasons, because he was chasing something, or for fun. This morning though he seemed less like a predator and more like a startled and desperate deer. Hector was trying to run away from something, and Edmund didn't need multiple guesses to figure out what that was.

Hector ran frantically for several minutes, and Edmund nearly lost sight of him multiple times. Finally Hector huffed and hit a tree so harshly that it looked like he had crashed into it. Hector scowled and shouted as he continued to hit the tree, uncaring of how he was making his knuckles bleed.

Edmund watched quietly for several minutes until Hector burnt himself out and just leaned against the tree, breathing harshly.

"Are you feeling better?" Edmund asked.

"No." Hector sighed. "But I haven't attacked anybody, and I didn't hit your son, so there's at least some progress going on."

Edmund gave his brother an alarmed look. "You wanted to hit Horace...Eugene? Why? What did Zhan Tiri say to you?"

"It wasn't what she said to me." Hector glared at the tree like it personally offended him. "It's what she showed me. The witch manipulated my dream, and showed me exactly what Varian went through in Corona."

Hector growled to himself. "That kingdom hurt him. They dismissed and mocked him, just because he was passionate about something they didn't understand, and it wasn't fair."

"No, it wasn't." Edmund agreed. He kept his tone quiet and comforting, hoping that it would encourage Hector to calm down. "But we know how deceitful and manipulative Zhan Tiri can be. Do you think it wise to trust her visions?"

"Normally, no." Hector said. "But Varian already told me all about his life in Corona. I already knew he'd been hurt, but this dream showed just how bad it was." Hector took a deep breath and clenched his fists. "The princess hurt him. The king attacked him. Your son was needlessly harsh when all Varian had done was admire him."

Edmund understood Hector's anger. He couldn't help but feel proud of him. "You're angry at Eugene, and yet you refrained from doing anything to him." Edmund knew how much Hector struggled with control. He had held himself back. "More than that, you trusted him to watch Varian for a short while while we were gone."

"I don't trust him." Hector said harshly. "But Varian trusts him, and that had to be enough, because I knew if I stayed there I would absolutely destroy him, and wouldn't that be a fine way of repaying you for everything you've been doing for me?"

"Well, thank you for that." Edmund said, and he meant it. He may understand that his brother was angry with his son, but he certainly didn't want that anger to come out through aggression and violence.

"I didn't really have a choice." Hector scowled. "I refuse to play Zhan Tiri's game."

"Did she want you to attack him?" Edmund asked. "Why?"

"Not me." Hector said quietly. "Varian. She wants Varian to attack the princess with the powers of the moonstone. I don't know why, but Zhan Tiri wants there to be conflict between the moonstone and the sundrop. And I guess she thought that I could encourage Varian to give in to his anger."

Hector sighed and seemed to deflate. "If it was just me, I would probably give Zhan Tiri exactly what she wanted. I want to make the princess and her precious kingdom pay for what they did to the kid. I don't mind being someone's tool if I can get what I want out of it too, but I'm not letting the kid get dragged into that. I'm not going to make a deal with the devil if Varian is the cost. It's not worth it."

"I'm just still so angry." Hector said quietly. This was probably the first time when Edmund had heard Hector's anger come off as cold and detached. "I want to hurt them. I want to do it so much, but instead I have to keep quiet and watch the kid make friends with someone who hurt him, even as we're on our way to the very kingdom that did its best to break him. I don't think I can do this."

"You can." Edmund said. "You're strong enough to not let your anger, or your demons, control you."

"Well, at least one of us believes in me." Hector scoffed. He was quiet for a moment. "...Brother, if I do lose control, can you promise me something?"

"That depends on what it is." Edmund said cautiously. He was always happy to do something for the Brotherhood, but he was hesitant to make any such promise when Hector was in this kind of mood. He didn't want to feed into his brother's self-destructive tendencies.

Hector looked him in the eye. "Do whatever it takes to keep me from doing something that I'll regret." The wording was vague, and Edmund didn' like to think about just what Hector meant. However, if Edmund interpreted the request the way that he wanted to, it was something he was more than happy to do.

"I will do my best." Edmund said. Hector sighed in relief. Edmund desperately hoped that he wouldn't come to regret this.