A/N: I am so unbelievably sorry for the time that it took to upload this. The truth is that I actually had this whole story worked out and the first four chapters written but then I decided that I did not like the way it was turning out so I decided to completely redo it and it was harder than I thought it would be.

Sorry, hopefully it will not be so long again before the next update!

Chapter 2

Jasmine had retreated to the main town. She had begun to find the palace stifling, which was no secret, but after Lief's weird confrontation, she was at loss as to what to do and had to get away from anything to do with him. People stared at her whilst she past and she knew that that was because they all knew her as the 'Forest Girl that helped King Lief in his quest.' She was very uncomfortable with all of the attention and quickened her pace.

"Princess Jasmine," some young girls ran up to her and she cracked a small smile. The girls in the town of Del did not understand that she was not a Princess but merely someone who lived in the palace. This group, in particular, she had formed a sisterly relationship with, because every time she was in the town they sought her out.

"Girls," she said cheerily, nodding at Teresa, the girl at the front of the pack, "how are you all?"

"We're fine, Princess Jasmine," Teresa spoke up and she looked around her friends and giggled nervously.

Jasmine's eyebrows shot up, a little concerned, "what is it?"

"Can we ask you a question, Princess?" Lilly, one of the other girls, blurted out but the cheeky looks on their faces made Jasmine a little nervous.

"Depends on what it is," she said carefully and the children exchanged suspicious looks before Teresa cleared her throat.

"Well," Teresa began, "we were wondering…?"

"Sorry?" Jasmine frowned, not understanding a word the young girl had said, "slower?"

Teresa took a deep breath, "when are you getting married to King Lief," she repeated and Jasmine went red.

"Why would you ask me such a thing?" she said, her voice sounding strangled, "Lief and I have no plans to get married."

"But you're in love right?" another girl, Ella, asked quietly from the back of the group.

Jasmine averted her eyes from the children, "whatever my feelings are," she said carefully, "Lief certainly does not share them." The children exchanged confused glances and Jasmine quickly excused her, "I am sorry but I just remembered that I have to do…something," she finished lamely and turned around and quickly hurried off, back towards the castle.

She slammed through the palace doors and ran up the stairs towards the room where Kree and the other messenger birds lived. Upon entering, Kree quickly squawked and flew over to her, nipping her ear affectionately. "Kree," Jasmine said quickly, "I must leave this place. It is up to you whether or not you stay." Kree tightened his talons on her shoulder and she took that as a sign that he wanted to come with her.

"Jasmine," a quiet voice interrupted her thoughts from the corner and Barda entered her view, a piece of notepaper clutched in his hand, "what is all this about?" Jasmine froze but she did not answer and merely stared at Barda with wide eyes. "Where do you plan on going?"

"Back to the forest," Jasmine muttered, avoiding his harsh gaze, "I do not belong here."

"Were you planning on leaving without saying goodbye?" Barda demanded and Jasmine was shocked to feel a tear run down her cheek. She did not trust herself to reply so simply nodded in affirmation, "what brought this one?"

"I-" Jasmine started and then swallowed and blinked furiously, forcing her tears back into her eyes. "I just…no one needs me here."

"You should at least say goodbye," Barda knew that he could not convince her otherwise. Once Jasmine had made up her mind, little could be done to change her decision, "Everyone deserves that courtesy."

"I-" Jasmine stammered again and in two short paces Barda had crossed to small room and grabbed her by her arms, kneeling down slightly so he could look her in the eyes.

"Do you really want to go?" He asked, "because if that is truly what you want, I will not argue with you. So be it for me to stand in the way of what you desire," Jasmine swallowed but before she could speak, he continued, "all you have to do is look me in the eye and tell me that that is what you want and I'll let you go, without a word to anyone so you will not be followed until you are far enough away to escape. Just look me in the eye and say it."

Jasmine fought with herself to raise her averted eyes to stare into his and once their eyes had met, she opened her mouth but nothing escaped her but a dry sob. Barda continued gazing at her, his gaze softening and she finally worked up the courage to speak, "Oh Barda," she said quietly, "You know I do not want to go, but I… just do not feel wanted… or needed!"

"You know perfectly well that you are wanted," Barda said, his grip on her arms tightening, "let alone needed." Jasmine swiftly turned her head to the side so he had no opportunity to make eye contact with her. "What has suddenly brought this on?"

"I-" Jasmine began but was interrupted by someone crashing through the doors to the room. Both Jasmine and Barda swiveled around and saw Keith standing there, panting.

"Chief," Keith gasped out, "there's been another victim!"

"What?" Barda spluttered, "how can that possibly be so? It is the middle of the day!" Keith shrugged, looking pale and helpless. This reaction made Barda realise that something was seriously wrong. "Keith, who was it?" Keith glanced sideways at Jasmine, seemingly unwilling to divulge such information in front of her.

"It is fine," Jasmine snapped, frustrated, "I am not a child!"

"Another child," Keith said eventually, "a little girl, Ella. Apparently she disappeared from her friends whilst they were playing and when they found her… it was too late."

Jasmine felt her stomach jump into her throat. Had she heard him right? Ella? Had she not just been talking to her and her friends outside a little while ago. "No," she squeaked, finding her voice, "that cannot be!"

Barda sent Jasmine a strange look, "you know the child?"

"Yes," Jasmine shook her head, trying to get rid of the haze that was settling over her brain, "I- I was just speaking to her." Jasmine's voice wavered and she felt a tear run down her cheek. She was crying. Jasmine barely ever cried so this was a huge surprise to Barda and in an instant he engulfed her in his arms. She whimpered into his chest.

"Keith," Barda snapped, "go find the King for me and tell him to come here immediately. I cannot leave her until she is with him." None of this registered to Jasmine, however, and she continued to sob quietly into his jacket.

"King Lief," Lief turned around, recognizing the voice from earlier that day. Seeing Keith running down the steps towards him, Lief placed the voice as his, "Chief Barda is with the black birds and Jasmine. He needs you immediately!"

"What?" Lief demanded, seeing Keith's pale and worried face, "what has happened?"

"Please Sire, you really must hurry!" Hearing the desperation in the guards voice, Lief instantly started running towards the Bird room. Shoving his way through the closed doors, he saw Barda standing with Jasmine in his arms. This was an odd sight to begin with because Barda was not one for hugging but then Leif noticed that Jasmine was shaking. Walking slowly over to the pair, he took Jasmine from Barda and held her to himself instead. Barda sent him a relieved glance and after a quick nod, he exited the room. Lief stood there silently for what seemed like days, stroking Jasmine's knotted hair. Eventually Jasmine's sobs became hiccups and she separated herself from him and stared into his eyes.

"Thank you," she murmured with downcast eyes. Lief resisted the urge to gather her up again and simply stood stock still, staring back at her. She swallowed nervously, "I just… I do not know what came over me. I apologise."

"There is no need for that," Lief replied, finally folding to his feelings and grabbing her hand in his, rubbing the side of her palm with his thumb, "I am always here for you Jasmine."

"I know, which makes what I am about to say much harder," Jasmine looked away from Lief. Lief frowned, trying to understand what was going on but she had always been one that could easily hide her feelings.

"What is it?" Lief inquired after she did not speak, "you can tell me anything."

"I must leave," Jasmine whispered and although she did not pull her hand away, Lief felt as though she might as well have done. "And… I do not want to come back."

Lief was astounded by the finality of her tone. He hesitated, searching her eyes, desperate to see that glimmer that she got when she was teasing him, but nothing appeared. Her eyes were dark and tear-filled. He knew that she was being honest, "What have I done?" Even to his own ears, the question sounded pathetic.

"You have done nothing," Jasmine instantly replied. Her reply came so quickly that Lief knew that she was not being completely truthful with him about his involvement in her decision, "I just feel as though it is time for me to leave."

"Can I say nothing to persuade you to stay?" Lief tried desperately but he knew that his attempts were futile. Once Jasmine had made up her mind, very little could ever be done to change her decision.

"I am sorry," Jasmine's voice cracked and in that second, Lief knew that she was telling the truth. She was genuinely upset to be leaving and that made the whole situation even more heart-wrenching for him. If she was leaving although it pained her, he realized that that meant that it would hurt her more if she stayed. Lief did not speak; he had nothing to say. After a few seconds of silence, Jasmine pulled her hand out of his grip and, sending him one last sad look, she disappeared out of the doors and he heard her running down the stairs.

By the time he had composed himself enough to run after her, she was long gone.