20 years earlier...
"You really didn't need to stay with me, I would of managed" Evora told Septimus as he helped her sit up for a campfire soup.
"Yes, you really don't seem like you need help" he smirked as he handed her a bowl of soup and some bread.
"I am thankful though" she agreed, she wanted to smile but she still couldn't bring herself to. Almost like smiling would be a betrayal to her family, why should she smile when they never would again? The feeling of guilt was so overwhelming it put her off her food.
"You need to eat and gain your strength" he pushed the bowl back towards her.
"I'm not hungry" mumbled Evora as refused the soup once more.
Septimus frowned at her "You really need to..."
"Why are you helping me?" Snapped Evora, the tears once again forming in her eyes.
The Prince was taken back by her tone, her change in mood and tried not to be offended by it.
"Evora, you have been through a lot. You have experienced and seen things that no one should ever have to" he reassured her.
"I want to be with them" she whispered.
"I know" he whispered back.
"How would you know?" She looked up at him, trying to figure him out.
"My mother..." he replied "And now my sister too it seems. That's who we were looking for when we found you. I know it's nowhere close to what happened to you but its still a blow"
"I'm sorry" she mumbled, not wanting to question him anymore. She could see the pain in his eyes. Even perhaps a hint of darkness building up in them, much like hers.
Septimus offered her the soup once again and she took the offering, a satisfied look went across the Prince's face.
"We only have the one tent. Would you find it acceptable if we shared it? My guard will be outside" he politely asked "If not, I will happily sleep outside too"
"Of course its not a problem, if anything I should be sleeping outside" Evora shifted, feeling slightly awkward at the thought of sharing a tent with him. Septimus felt the uncomfortable atmosphere between them and informed her "I will sleep outside"
Septimus and his guard woke up to the sound of Evora screaming. It was the middle of the night so it was hard to make out anything, nevertheless Septimus ran into the tent but there was no one there except Evora who was flapping her arms around in an almost rage. He tapped her furiously as he said "Wake up Evora! It's just a dream, wake up!"
Evora who was not coming round from the vivid dream grabbed hold of the Prince's arms, digging her nails into his skin as she screamed "Get off me, you murderer!"
"Evora!" This time Septimus let his voice boom as her eyes shot open and she realised she was holding onto him. Her eyes filled with horror as she let her grip of him go whilst her heart still raced.
"What happened?" She breathed as though she had been running for hours.
"You were screaming" he answered "I think you must have been having a bad dream"
Evora looked down "Except it wasn't just a dream was it..."
"Please, try and get some sleep" he told her and went to leave the tent. Septimus then felt her reach for his hand as she pleaded "Don't leave me alone, please"
Evora reminded him of his sister, Una who was a similar age, they were probably the closest of siblings out of all of them so it hurt massively when she went missing. Which is partly why he felt the need to look after Evora, except this time he wouldn't make a mistake like he had with his sister. She had insisted escaping the Castle walls one night like they often would and visit the nearby towns without anyone knowing who they were. Yet that night, Septimus hadn't felt like going and stayed at the Palace. A decision he would regret for the rest of his life as it was that very night Una did not come home.
Septimus nodded to Evora and laid down next to her. She hadn't let go of his hand, like she almost insisted to hold it as she fell back to sleep.