*/*

The cabin had been left untouched by man but not by nature or by time. Moss grew over the wooden planks that made up the building and competed with rot for dominance.

It wasn't the cabin they were there to see, though. Father and son skirted around it to the grave, to the simple plaque that marked the final resting place of Adora Cain.

"We should have her moved," Cain murmured, taking his hat off and crouching beside the grave where his Tin Man badge was just about visible. "There are cemeteries now, outside of the city."

"The Princesses idea," Jeb replied, recalling the notice they'd seen in one of the towns they'd passed through. "They're making a memorial garden where the tower stood, with a plaque for every person lost during the war."

The missive hadn't specified which Princess had had the idea, accrediting it to them both. Cain had to wonder how much of it was Azkadellia, and how much was DG trying to give her sister as much positive attention as she could.

"Would you like a moment alone, Dad?"

At Can's nod, Jeb stood to join their men on the other side of the trees that surrounded the property. He'd already said his goodbyes; his father hadn't.

"I'm sorry it came this, Dora." Twisting his wedding band, Cain thought back to the day she'd placed it on his hand. He smiled through his tears, remembering how happy they'd been, how bright the future had seemed for them. "You know I'll never forget you. I'll never look at Jeb without seein' you, rememberin' the good times we had." He paused, his eyes closing so he could picture her face. He could almost feel her hand at his cheek, catching the tears as they fell. "Part of my heart will always be yours, Adora. You gave me my son. I hope... I hope you don't walk the old road alone now."

'I'm not alone, my Wyatt. We walked together while we could. Our roads part now but the journey to get us to this crossroads was ours and ours alone to share. Be happy, my darling.'

Her voice was so clear, so very clear it made him gasp. His eyes snapped open, but he was still alone, despite the phantom touch he felt on his face, on his shoulder.

'Don't be afraid to follow your new road, Wyatt. Don't lose faith. Let it lead you where it needs to, where you belong.'

He stood after a moment and wiped his face. He somehow felt her approval, her blessing, in the warm breeze that encircled him. It was time, it whispered, to close one chapter and begin another.

He put his hand back on his head and turned on his heel to join his son. If DG still needed convincing that his place was at her side, well. He was ready to do just that.

*\*

"How did you know he'd be there?" Glitch persisted in asking the question, even though DG had already told him that she didn't have the answer.

They were back on their planned route, though a little behind schedule. There was no carriage, no procession. DG had fought with her mother's advisors on that; the tour she was to undertake of the realm had to be simple and understated. There would be no show of opulence or power, just DG and a handful of trusted guards, travelling in a way in which the people could relate.

She'd compromised, agreed to visit some of the nobles and dignitaries who lived along the route she'd travel, though had groused to her amused father that that would be her least favourite part of the tour.

"DG listen to instinct," Raw answered on her behalf. "Follow her heart."

She'd followed the voice in her head, DG though, though she couldn't shake the feeling that maybe it didn't belong to her. "Something like that."

"You sure are drawn to the Cain's like a moth to a flame, aren't you, Doll?" Glitch didn't notice the knowing smirks on the guard's faces, Jeb's men, but DG did, and it made her sigh internally. "Can't wait to see the Tin Man's reaction when he hears about this one. Can't wait to see the –"

"Glitch. Quiet now." Raw warned, his voice a low rumble. The Viewer gave DG a concerned look, which she returned with a small smile meant to reassure but which somehow fell short.

Thinking too much of Cain hurt.

Thinking of the conversation she'd have to have with him when they finally saw each other again hurt.

It played on her mind as they continued to ride, distracting her. When Rafe, one of her guards, signalled that they should stop and make camp, she didn't protest. She did her share of the work in setting it up, which had surprised the men at first but they gave in and let her do it when she made it clear she was a princess who didn't mind getting her hands dirty.

At their insistence, she would sleep in her own tent. DG would have been happy to sleep on a blanket under the stars, but apparently, that was a step too far even for the former Resistance Fighters. A second tent was assembled next to her own, one that was big enough to sleep two of the guards, Glitch and Raw. There would always be two on watch, one to walk the perimeter and one to stay by the fire.

After lingering by the fire as long as she could, enjoying the company and the easy conversation, DG excused herself. It amused as much as annoyed her when the guards stood up when she did; Rafe, at least, hesitated before he got to his feet; Bates, Elliot and Bran all got up like a shot.

"If I have to keep telling you gentleman to treat me as one of your own on this trip, I'm going to get very annoyed, very fast." DG rolled her eyes and shook her head. "You can ask Glitch what that's like, but I assure you it's not very pleasant."

They mumbled apologies, which made her smile, but stayed standing until she made her way to her tent.

Settling herself on the cot that had been assembled for her, she removed her boots but remained otherwise fully clothed; she'd learnt from her time travelling the realm with her friends on their quest to find the Emerald that always being prepared wasn't just a motto of the boy scouts back on the Other Side.

Her fingers itched for her sketch pad, and after trying to fight it for a few minutes, DG reached for the paper and pencil that she'd stashed under her cot earlier. Drawing Sam Cain was easy enough; his features were burnt into her mind's eye as soon as she realised who he was and who he was connected to.

The words came a little slower, an unplanned letter written in haste.

She knew Cain planned to join her on her tour; he'd not told her himself, but she'd heard Rafe and Bran talking about it in low voices as they'd left Central City. They were two of Jeb's best men, she knew and were still close to the former Resistance Captain soon to be Captain of the Royal Guard.

At first, she'd been looking forward to seeing him again, hungry for a glimpse of the man who so often frequented her thoughts and her dreams. But then the conversation she'd had with her family came back to her, and she felt chilled by the obligation that weighed heavily on her shoulders.

The old adage that absence made the heart grow fonder seemed to be true, at least in her case.

She missed him.

She went to bed each night wondering why she'd sent him away, cursing herself for not being selfish and demanding he stay with her. She woke up each morning have dreamt of him, more often than not reaching across an empty bed for someone her heart told her should be there but her mind would cruelly remind her that he had never been.

And never would, if the Prince from IX was as determined to claim what he thought was his as her mother's advisors suspected.

With that thought in mind, she started to write.

First thing in the morning, bleary-eyed and aware the glamour spell she'd cast on herself could only go so far in masking her sleepless night, she passed the sealed letter to Bates and asked if he'd mind a small detour so he could deliver the letter for her.

After getting permission from Rafe, who was in charge of the operation, Bates took it with a cursory glance and was soon on his way.

DG hugged herself as she watched him go, faintly aware of Raw and Glitch joining her.

"DG heart ache," Raw murmured, resting a furry hand on her arm even though his gift for healing didn't extend to pain that wasn't of the physical kind. "Fading hope. Must cling to it. Will need it."

She gave him a curious glance and covered his hand with hers, unable to decide if she was comforted by the words or disturbed by them.

Glitch, in the dark as to what she'd done but knowing she needed her friends, slung his arm around her shoulder. "Cheer up, Doll. We've got an adventure to have! Good company, fresh air, wide open spaces... What's there to be sad about?"

A small smile curved her lips, and she found herself leaning into him. "That's a nice way to put it, Glitch."

Still, the smile slipped from her face as the three friends parted ways to help the soldiers begin the tedious job of packing up their camp.

*/*

Dear Wyatt,

I hope you don't mind me calling you Wyatt; I know I never have before, but it somehow seems appropriate this time.

Firstly, the good news. Or at least I hope it's good news. The sketch enclosed is of a man I met in the small town of Coldstream just West of Central City. His name is Samuel Cain and he was overwhelmed to discover that his son and grandson, both of whom he believed had died during the Witch's reign, were not only alive and well but were heroes of the Eclipse.

I know this may come as a shock to you, and to Jeb, and apologise for breaking the news via letter instead of in person but I felt it might be prudent to do so so you have the choice on whether to go and see your father sooner rather than later. He's desperate to see you, Wyatt, and Jeb, of course.

Now onto my second reason for writing this, and again, I can only hope you forgive my cowardice for doing this in a letter instead of to your face. In all honesty, I don't know how to write it; I can only imagine that trying to say it would be a hundred times worse.

There is every possibility that I am betrothed to the Prince Faseem of IX, and that our engagement will be announced within the next annual.

I'm trying to hold out hope that he'll feel the same way I do about our arranged marriage and that we can come to some agreement when we meet in person that will involve finding another way to establish peace between our countries. I've said as much to my parents, to Az, but in my heart, I fear I already know that such optimism is misplaced.

I'm not too proud to admit that I'm scared of what the future holds; it feels like every time I allow myself to want something and hope I can one day have it, fate steps in to remove it from my grasp.

My Mother is devastated, so I can't find it in myself to blame her. She did what she had to do, for the land and people she swore to lead and protect.

Perhaps it's what I deserve, my punishment for releasing the Witch all those annuals ago when I let go of Az's hand.

Perhaps it's fair, a future I can't choose or control, retribution for the annuals I spent on the Other Side blissfully unaware of the consequences of my actions in the OZ.

No matter what the fates have in store, please know that if I had a choice, it would be you.

In my heart, it always will be.

Your Princess,

DG

*\*

Ooops.. Little bit more angst there...

So this story is taking on a bit of a life of its own and going in different directions to what I'd originally had planned. One of the storylines I'd had planned is therefore being cut and will make an appearance in its own story one day, which I suppose is a good thing maybe? And since I'm writing a note at the end of this chapter... Anyone have any preference as to who the lovely Azkadellia finds happiness with? The options are Jeb, Glitch or an original character... :)