A/N: First, to thank all my reviewers. I'd like to thank Arbella Scott, Lanayru, and meguin the penguin though the review was for chapter one for - as always - reviewing.

I'm sorry that it took so long to update. Though school has started yes, (I think that's more than oblivious), I'm not using it as an excuse for the late update because I was gonna post this chapter up as a first day of school gift from me (who has been in school for a long 4 weeks now). And don't ask why I'm using these bracket things instead of these (parenthesis) things because I'll just say: "because I feel like it". Hey, they don't show up... well, I guess I'll be using the parenthesis after all... Hmm... what else should I say? Wait. Maybe I should stop talking and let you read what you've come here for.

Happy Reading! :D

Chapter Four: Journey to the Woods (part 3)

It had been only three hours since they arose, yet the three of them were already bored out of their minds. Princess Elincia was seated on the ground, fiddling with the hem of her dress; Geoffrey lay on his bed, just staring at the white ceiling above him; and Lucia was sitting in the open window, polishing her sword for the tenth time that day.

The young girl let out a sigh as she ran her empty hand through her turquoise blue hair. "It's such a nice day outside..." She held her sword out in front of her, trying to catch the sunlight. It was as she was as she was admiring her blade when a knock came to her door. "Come in," she called, not bothering to use body gestures of any sort.

"Still polishing that sword, eh Lucia?" said the young maid as she caught Lucia adorning her blade.

The young swordsman nodded, refusing to avert her glance from the object she held before her.

"Well," she said, nervously. "I brought you a new glass of water." She took a pause, hoping for – but not receiving – a response. "I guess I'll just leave this here then." The maid laid the glass down on the table and turned towards the door.

"Wait," said Lucia, the maid withdrawing her hand from the door knob and turning to her. "Thank you, Alana," Lucia said, giving her a sweet smile with a tilt of her head.

The maid mirrored her very smile back at her before replying, "You are very welcome Miss Lucia."

--

Geoffrey lay on his bed, staring up at the ceiling as if it were stars in the sky. He let his imagination run wild, picturing Elincia convincing his sister and himself to help her escape and wander the woods again. Then, King Ramon popped into his mind; and just like that, he imagined the three of them before him once again, receiving another scolding for disobeying his word.

Then a knock came to his door; but, being caught up in his own thoughts, he missed it. Then, a voice proceeded this knock. "Geoffrey? May I come in?"

"Huh?" he said to himself, snapping out of his trance the moment her heard the voice. "Oh, yes. Of course."

The door creaked open as a familiar face popped in. "How are you doing Geoffrey?" she asked.

"Oh, hello Alana," he kindly said. Geoffrey sat up on his bed and turned towards the maid as she entered.

"Do you need me to get anything for you?" she asked him, offering to serve the boy.

He took some time to decide, thinking what of what he needed. He scanned the room, seeing that he still had a full glass of water sitting at the table. So, not wanting to burden the maid with any troublesome duties, he decided upon something more simple, yet of more importance. "Do you think you could deliver a message?" he wondered aloud.

"Yes, certainly" Alana replied.

Geoffrey nodded his head in understanding. "Well, could you then tell Elincia," he took a deep breath before continuing, "that she should stay out of trouble... for her own sake."

Alana looked at Geoffrey, seeing his great nobility and care through his youthfulness. "I would gladly deliver this message for you Sir Geoffrey." She gave him a smile before leaving for Elincia's room.

"Thank you Alana..." he mumbled to himself. 'I hope Elincia understands...'

--

The young princess sat in her room with boredom, wishing to sneak out. She had already tried it, but every time she would reach for the door knob, she found herself unable to leave. She couldn't understand; she knew she wanted to leave, but there was something in the way.

She too, soon heard a knock at her door; but when she heard it, she ignored it. Another knock then proceeded the first, but that too was ignored. Soon enough, the knocking ceased and the door was opened wide.

"I am sorry to intrude, Miss Elincia, but I must fulfill my job as to checking upon you every hour," explained Alana as she entered the room.

Elincia payed her no attention; she didn't even spare her a small glance. But Alana wasn't offended by her rudeness, for she could see that Elincia was unhappy.

"I am also here by Geoffrey's request." Elincia instantly gave her attention, turning to listen to Alana as she spoke. "Geoffrey asked me to deliver a message to you," she stated. "He wanted me to tell you to stay out of trouble, for your own sake."

The young girl shock her head in a puzzled fashion, wonder what inspired Geoffrey to say that. She wasn't expecting this message from him, but it wasn't out of his nature to do so.

"So, do you need anything Elincia?" the maid finally asked.

She took a second to think, but shook her head when she found that there was nothing she wanted. "Umm...no, I do not need anything."

Alana gave a slight nod and a small smile before she spoke. "Okay then. I'll be back in an hour." With that, Alana was gone, leaving Elincia to herself once again.

"Stay out of trouble...for your own sake...?" she quietly question the words to herself. "Why would Geoffrey need to tell me this?" It was then, when she remember a scene that she overheard the day before.

"Do you understand Geoffrey?"

The young blue-haired boy nodded with full assurance. "Yes sister; I understand. No matter what, we are to resist all urges and remain in our rooms."

"Yes," she replied with all seriousness. "We must no let Princess Elincia suffer on our behalf, ever if it is something as simple as this."

He gave her a nod once again. "Yes, of course..."

Elincia could clearly remember the scene, knowing the conversation word for word. But something that Lucia had said, stood out to her: "We must not let Elincia suffer on our behalf..."

It was as she continued to ponder her words, that she finally made a connection. "We must not let Elincia suffer on our behalf..." "Stay out of trouble... for your own sake..." These two phrases could not leave her mind; somehow, they made her feel uneasy, maybe even guilty.

"Why does it seem that I have their lives tied on stings? Why does it seem that their life is meant for me..." she thought aloud to herself. "...Well, this is going to go both ways; I must not let them suffer on my behalf..."

--

They day went on as Alana continued checking upon the three every hour as instructed. Somehow, all three of them managed to make it through the day without disobeying the king's orders.

"I see..." uttered King Ramon. "It seems that all three of you received a good report."

"Yes, Your Majesty." said Alana, doing a slight bow before the king.

"Well then," he said, looking from Elincia, to Geoffrey, to Lucia, "come with me."

The king stood up from his place on his throne and walked down until he came to the Palace doors. All three of them followed behind in silence, all unsure of what was going to happen.

They continued to stroll along until they were out of Castle Crimea grounds, finding themselves in a familiar place; the very place that started this very story.

"Your Majesty, what are we doing here in the woods? You said it yourself that the woods are off limits," started Geoffrey.

"Yes... well, this time is an exception."

"An exception? What do you mean father?" questioned Elincia.

"Well, you are allowed to be here, because I am here to protect you," he answered.

"B-but Your Majesty!" said Lucia in alarm. "Geoffrey and I, as your loyal retainers, have sworn the royal family of Crimea, and that includes you Your Majesty."

King Ramon looked down upon the young swordsman and let out a sigh. "Don't be too quick to disclude yourself. Although you may not be of royal blood, you are still part of the royal family," he contradicted. "I'm telling this to both of you. Lucia, Geoffrey, don't sell yourselves short."

"Yes Your Majesty," they said in unison, simultaneously bowing their heads before their king.

--

The remainder of their walk was done so in silence. No one uttereed a sound except when observing the scene around them. However, there was a complete contrast when they reached their destination.

"Wow..." they all said together.

"It's so beautiful..."

"It's amazing..."

"It's the lake!" exclaimed Elincia, with a smile reaching ear to ear. "Wow... thank you papa..."

A smile too, soon appeared on the king's face. "Well, you all deserved it..."

The threesome were in awe as they gazed upon the lake before them. The colors of the sunset sky reflecting down upon the lake, dying it shades of red, purple and orange. The sight they beheld was like none other; it was both beautiful and amazing. And to them, their little adventure was well paid of in the end.

-Fin-

A/N: And that's it! Yeah... sorry the ending was kind of rushed... heh heh... Well, I didn't have time to write then edit, and rewrite it because I wanted to update this fic and post this chapter becuase I felt bad that I haven't updated in a while. Wow... that was a bad run-on sentance...

And yup, another sunset ending. I don't know why it ended like htat agian...it just...did, i guess. Hey, and, it looks like I was right, I did finish this is three parts. well, I hope you all liked a slightly longer chapter; I even made the preview thing a little longer (that, and my authors note. I normally don't write this much at the end...) Anyways, as always, reviews are welcome :)

And so...

Next time: "Just because I'm the princess does not mean that I can't fight beside you. I have been watching you trail for years now... and when I think about the time that you will need to use your skills, it will probably be to protect me... I-I don't want to see you suffer on my behalf. I need to learn how to protect myself, because while I am in hiding, not many soldiers will be there to protect me. But even if they do, I would not stand to watch them die because of me."

Elincia wants to train besides Lucia and Geoffrey, but because they have sworn to protect her and all the royal family with their lives, they cannot allow it. So, because of that, Elincia feels the need to tell them to not throw their lives away for hers. Chapter Five: To Fight Beside You