EPOV:

I could see the village ahead, too. My stomach complained again.

"Okay, that sounds good." I realized then how true my words were. I was starving. "Actually, I'm hungry. And I really want some opossum stew and pumpernickel loaf, suddenly! Mhmm, my cook always made the best." I sighed, thinking of Marzipan, the short, fiery, dark-haired little castle cook. I smiled, remembering all the times she had let me try to "help" in the kitchen as a little girl.

"Homesick already?" Finn asked.

"No!" I answered too quickly, and he gave me a look. I sighed, giving in. "Well, kind of. You?"

His reply was a sad, almost shy look. Well that answered the question. Aww! I wrapped my arms around the poor boy's waist and kissed him on the cheek. "When we get to the village, we'll send a message to both our families, saying that we're alright, but not to come looking after us."

This seemed to make him a bit happier and he started to sprint up the road to the small town, now only a short distance from us. I watched him go up the path, but when he turned to see if I was following, he caught me staring. He smiled and laughed, waving for me to follow. I ran after him.

On a few of the trees, though, were flyers that caused panic to run through my body. They looked exactly like the stationery my father used for royal decrees and notifications. Finn tightened his grip on my hand and slowed down. He walked over to one and it read,

Missing:

The Royal Princess Enna Sarena Kiladra

of Kildenzo

and

The Royal Prince Finnathon Theodosius Delerio-Brahman

of Isilee.

Reward of 10000 kshatriyas

By order of King Rybalt and Duke Brahman

Finn was suddenly furious.

"I can't believe this! Not even five hours and they're already sent out flyers? I bet there are knights filling these forests! Not to mention all the peasants looking for that reward. Like I can't take care of myself! They don't believe I know what I'm doing??" It sounded like he was growling the words, all the while still facing the paper-covered tree.

I tried to calm him down. Maybe if I tried to make him laugh. "Will my name really be Enna Sarena Kiladra-Delerio-Brahman? Or will it be Mrs. Finnathon Sarena Kiladra-Delerio-Brahman? Those are awfully long name..." I said, forcedly laughing. Right. Like my rambling would do anything to calm Finn's suddenly bad mood.

And then, as he was constantly doing, Finn surprised me by paying attention.

"Hey, for all I care, we can keep your name," he said in a huff. The new train of thought seemed to cool him down for a moment, but when he looked at the poster, he became enraged again. This time, I gave my all to stop his angry frame of mind. I kissed him for a long time until I was sure he'd be mellowed out.

He looked confused.

"I don't know what that was for, but I suppose I'll take it." he told me.

"That, sir, was because you need to calm down."

FPOV:

We started walking again.

By this time we were nearing the edge of the village and it was beginning to get dark.

"We can stay the night at the hotel in town and eat. Then we'll head out bright and early tomorrow morning," Enna said, moving the conversation away from anything upsetting. I sighed, embarrassed with my previous behavior. So, when in doubt, be funny.

"But will we get one bedroom or two?" I asked, jokingly, and she wasn't sure how to reply.

When she was done gaping, she stuttered, "You'd fit right in with those tavern men at home, I swear," and playfully slapped my arm.

But, at that point, I had forgotten about uncomfortable talk with my fiance and was looking wide-eyed ahead. You could see a faint glow of fire above the hill we were walking up. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Enna look at me, and she saw that I was looking ahead. She turned to see what I was staring at with a mixture of disbelief, anger, and confusion.

"If we can even get in to town without being taken by those knights up there!" And she was right. The light was from the fires of the camp of knights, a search party most likely, looking to steal us away. Enna clutched onto my arm tighter.

"Finn, if they find us they'll take us home and we'll never be together! What do we do? We have to do something!" Enna practically screamed in my ear, frightened and on the verge of tears. She sounded like she was about to break out in hysterical sobs.

It was obvious she did not like the idea of returning to Kildenzo. Or being away from me, I thought smugly.

"Enna, it will be okay. They will not take you away from me. I promise, Enna. Trust me, and listen to the plan..."