Anna sat beside Nathan and Nicholas silently. The brillant blue sky above them held no cloud in sight. The sun was shining but not too bright, not too hot. It was just warming. That was it. It was perfect. Her eyes flickered to his face and he flashed her a grin before looking down to the green grass that spread in all directions around them, then faded into the fores. The trees seemed peaceful, with their tall branches twisting up to the sky, covered in the green leaves, gently swaying with the summer breeze. They sat a distance from the village, but a safe distance away from the forest.

Anna's eyes shifted to the forest. Six years ago she had been lost in it, doubting if she'd ever get out. Not sure if she would live or die. It didn't seem that long ago, not at all long... The warning bell would still be used every so often... But not as much as it had six years ago. Evey now and then someone would get a slight injury from those they don't speak of. Nothing serious though...

She looked back to her company.

Nicholas' hair had gotten a bit shaggier, and his eyes darker in color, matching Lucius's. He stood up for a moment and Anna looked up to her younger brother who was now already thirteen. Nicholas had certainley grown in those handful of years, but Anna know that he still had more years to grow. She smiled to herself relizing how she'd have to look up to see the face of her younger brother sometime soon. He took a breath and looked at them, "I've got to be getting back now, I have to do a few chores with father." Nicholas smiled at each of them in turn, "I'll see you two later..." He nodded to them then started his walk back to the village.

"G'bye." Nathan and Anna said together as he left them. Nathan looked to Anna and smiled lightly, giving her hand a soft squeeze, wanting attention. She squeezed back and looked at him, "What is it?"

"Nothing." Nathan said with a grin.

"What?" She asked with a laugh, "What is it?"

"Ah, it's nothing... Just thinking." He said in a teasing way. His eyes fell to the ground, but the grin was still on his face as he started to pick at the grass.

"And what is in you thoughts, Nathan?" Anna asked him in a careless voice.

"Oh no, I don't want to be a bother to you."

"You aren't a bother... Now tell me."

Nathan shrugged "I don't know if I should."

"You should and you will. You know you want me to know."

"How do you know that I want you to know what I know?"

"How do I know? I know you want me to know what you know...by the way, what I want to know." Anna said with a smile.

"Oh? You want to know what I know? That I know you know that I want you to know that you want to know?"

"Exactley." Anna said with a nod.

Nathan let out a laugh then smiled softly, "Well if you really want to know..."

"I do."

"It's that I love you, Anna." He said with a smile.

"Well I love you, Nathan." Anna said with a soft smile.

"Then if you love me...Would you marry me?"

Anna stared at him with wide eyes, "What?"

"I asked your father and mother, they both give their blessings. I even asked Nicholas...He approves..." Nathan said slowly, his hands pulling at his vest nervously, "So... Anna Hunt, will you marry me?"

Anna smiled then quickly leaned in and kissed him.

"Is that a yes then?" Asked an excited Nathan.

"Yes!" Grinning, Nathan kissed her softly. Anna pulled back and smiled at him.

He grinned then looked around, "Should we be getting back? To tell...everyone?"

"We'll tell them soon enough,Nathan, but for now..." Anna's voice faded as she kissed his soft lips gently. She felt his fingers run through her hair. "This is perfect." Muttered Nathan, his lips brushing against her cheek.

"It is perfect." Confirmed Anna just above a whisper.

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One chapter left... And so not to get confused... It will be going back to a month or so after Anna gets out of the forest...