The weeks of the journey flew by. The princess was aware of how Lady Elizabeth seemed to be an expert at distracting the red and green travelers when Sydney and Sky were talking by themselves, and she was grateful for it. As for her own feelings towards the blue knight, the princess knew she was in love with him, always had known, but she was uncertain of what to do about it. She was betrothed to the emperor of Troobia. While she had no choice in this, she realized the fact that she didn't have to love the emperor, just wed him.

But there were times Syd was positive that her bodyguard returned the feelings she felt for him. He was a wonderful knight and an excellent friend, but she noticed that Sky treated her differently. While he was impatient with his squire's remarks and Bridge's strange way of thinking and Elizabeth's…stubbornness, he seemed to respect Sydney's opinion.

Then there was the way Sky always seemed to be near her as the group progressed, talking to her about whatever events had occurred recently. He made it a point to do so, actually.

He had also taken to teaching her some proper technique about how to wield a blade, covering her hands with his, correcting her. Sky was so gentle and kind about it, while she had seen him be the exact opposite that night the wolves had attacked. It was all very confusing.

One morning as they traveled, the air was noticeably cooler, which meant both that the travelers were reaching their destination of Troobia in the north, but also that there was a large body of water nearby.

Indeed there was, as Jack pointed out. Down in the valley below the group, there was an immense crystal clear lake, golden in the still rising sun.

"What a breathtaking sight, yes?" Syd found herself asking the knight. Sir Sky was, as usual, riding at her side, and now he had stopped his mare next to hers to look upon the view.

"Quite, Princess," Sky agreed, sending a smile towards her. Sydney's heart skipped a beat. Why had the gods blessed him with such a handsome face, not to mention that body…knighthood had served him well, of that Princess Sydney was certain.

"Perhaps we should take advantage of such a beautiful lake," Bridge said as he joined the others. "It is a lovely summer's day; but summer shall soon fade into autumn."

The princess bobbed her perfect golden head in agreement. Clapping her hands together, she giggled. "Shall we race to the lake's edge?"

"We shall indeed," Z declared. "Come, Princess, we will show those men who is the boss."

Having said that, she urged her mare into a canter down the grassy slopes. Syd followed, her laughter echoing all around the group of travelers.

She sounded like jingling bells, Sir Sky mused as he too followed the girls down into the valley. By the gods, he never thought it was possible to love anyone with the intensity of which he loved the princess of Marin. He would never even be allowed to tell her his feelings, but that did not stop him from feeling them in the least.

It could never be, something he had realized and accepted until now. This made no sense, really, if there was ever a time when he needed to concentrate on his duty as a Knight of the House of Grayson, it was now. But watching over the princess, talking to her about everything, and (though Sky hated to admit it) staring at her as she slept, all of it he could not resist. She was a sorceress and he the victim of her spell.

Maybe he needed it, Sky thought, trying to find reason for his actions. Maybe he needed to allow himself to love the princess now that she was engaged to the Troobian brute. Maybe he deserved these few weeks to be close to her.

"Something troubles you," Jack muttered at the knight's right side. "Do not act as though you are not insanely jealous of the princess' suitor and like you will easily bid her goodbye."

"I am not-" Sky began. Jack was looking at him with smug tawny eyes, and then Sky decided to drop the whole charade.

"If you were in love with someone who was marrying another you would not find it easy to let her go, either."

"At least I would make my affections known, Sir."

Jack's statement was hardly fair, but it was also true. What did it matter now, if she knew he loved her? It would enable him to be both honest and stop kicking himself for keeping it from her when she was married in Troobia. Sky's admitting it would change nothing.

"I shall tell her, then, Jack," Sky decided.

The other three had gotten to the lake's edge first and Syd and Z were already splashing about in the shallows, laughing at some girl joke. Bridge was merely curled up on the grass, watching the princess and the lady.

"Never has there been a woman so beautiful," he announced, looking upon Elizabeth with longing. "Oh, how I wish I might tell her of my affections."

Jack and Sky had both heard the court jester's wistful declaration. Jack mumbled, "I hope I never become this way for a stinkin' woman. I would take a perilous quest in the forest any day of the week."

"Sky!" Sydney called from the water. "Please join us."

"We will stay here for the day, Princess," he replied. "There shall be plenty of time for us to join you and Elizabeth."

Jack, meanwhile, had gone about spreading out the woolen blankets so that the travelers might relax and nap in the sun. "What a perfect day," he said loudly. "So appropriate for, let me think, confessions of the secret yearning one has had for another for several years?"

"Again, it is advisable that you stop speaking," Sir Sky said through clenched teeth.

Syd, a little hurt that Sky had turned down her invitation, waded through the shallows of the crystalline lake, carrying her soft leather shoes in one hand. She plopped herself down onto her pink blanket and stretched out, running her hands through her luxurious curls. "It is a nice day," she concurred. "Does anyone think a picnic would be most enjoyable?"

The travelers spent the beautiful day laughing and playing around. Bridge amused them by doing an impression of Emperor Gruumm, one of his very best. Jack found this particularly humorous, doubling over with laughter.

Before the little troupe even registered that it was so late, the sun was setting. Syd settled in next to Sir Sky, sighing contentedly and leaning against him. "Sunset is easily the best time of day, is it not?" she wondered.

It was like Sydney could read his mind, Sky thought. He told her so with a grin. Jack brought supper around a while later, but neither pink nor blue moved. They stayed, watching the sunset in the hills behind the lake and enjoying the other's company.

As Lady Elizabeth, Bridge, and Jack began to settle in for sleep, Princess Sydney and Sir Sky remained on his blue blankets, chatting. He knew her quite well now, having had weeks of nights where they stayed awake longer than their friends to talk. She knew him inside and out now, too, and Sky liked this. At least they could have the memories of their journey together, even after she was married and an empress. It was a comforting thought, one that Sir Sky wrapped around himself at night like a security blanket.

"I have enjoyed these last weeks with you, Sir Sky," Princess Sydney mewed. "It has made what I thought was to be a bleak journey much brighter. I shall be desolate when we must part for the gods know how long."

Without thinking, Sir Sky reached out to her and took her hand. "So shall I, Princess, so shall I."

Somewhat soothed, Syd curled against him closer. "I do wish I was not leaving to marry that brute, you know," she informed him quietly. "I was rather fond of my life in Marin."

"That is simply the way your destiny has unfolded. For instance, my destiny has caused me to fall in lo-, well it is not important."

"Of course it is," Syd assured softly. "You may tell me if you wish to."

"There is a woman who I love," he said, keeping it simple. "I just cannot bring myself to tell her so."

Sydney regarded him with a knowing look. Blue gazes locked, and then the princess found herself leaning in to kiss him.