Author's Notes: One trial down, four to go. As always, comments are encouraged, it only takes a minute. But don't write complaining about how my writing is AU/OC, I already know that, I want constructive criticism. Also, sorry for the delay of this update.

The next trial couple days went rather well. I was discharged the next morning, but I didn't spend a lot of time in the palace. The king did not approve of a romantic relationship between his daughter and an ineligible suitor. I also spent a lot of my time with Blaze, trying to send as much time with her as I could, because now that our relationship hung in the balance, every moment had a distinct sentimental feeling about it. But those moments were not to as, as the three days came as quickly as they went and it was about 8 am when I was approached about my next trial, but not by Marlo, but rather Blaze. It was a quick second and there were many people around us, but she managed to whisper in my ear,

"Dress warm today." I nodded in understanding and she went about her business. I took her advice to heart and was immediately approached by Marlo,

"How is your side feeling?" And I replied,

"Much better." He continued,

"Good. Meet me in the entrance hall at noon for the start of your next trial." I nodded and he left me. I ate breakfast, took a shower, and bundled with a couple extra layers before heading down to the entrance hall. Marlo was also there, bundled up, with two backpacks. Noticing my extra layers, he smiled, knowing that someone tipped me off and said,

"It's awfully warm to be dressed the way you are." I replied,

"I could say the same about you." He conceded this point and motioned for me to follow him.

We walked for what felt like a few hours, eventually arriving at the base of an incline. He stopped me and said, "Are you ready for your next trial?" I only nodded, and he continued,

"Your next trial, is the trial of will. This trial will test your ability to push forward at your lowest points. Your objective is to ascend this mountain and plant your flag." I nodded in understanding. He handed me a backpack, a flag, and added,

"Your essential survival gear is in here. And no flying, I will be watching." He then walked off into the forest and I was alone. Inside the backpack were rations, arctic clothing, but no matches or anything to make a light. Cloths and food, the essentials for life. I decided to hod off on the jacket as it was still quite warm.

I wandered my way up through a forested path for hat felt like an hour untill I began to notice that the trees were starting thin, the wind was picking up, and the sun was starting to set. Finally reaching the treeline, I felt the full force of the wind. And as I climbed a ridge, I could see just how far I was already, and how far I still needed to go. Below me, I could see the trees, a thick forest. And above me, the mountain, barren and snow capped. I could mae out the peak, in all its onmnisity. Now starting to get chilled in my boots, I bundled up and pushed on.

Moving at the pace I was, it felt like I was getting nowhere and yet still making progress. But every time I looked up, I saw the summit, still far away. I had covered about two and a half miles when sunset finally came. I could feel numbness in all my appendages and as the sun finally sank out of sight, I got a feel for just how dark it was. The wind also picked up and after a short while more, I could feel snowflakes falling on my head. I began to wonder if I should be setting in for the night, but that thought was dismissed as soon as it came. I had no means of making a fire, no shelter, and probably would be snowed in if I stayed a night.

The night dragged on and the cold continued to push in on me. I looked t my watch, 3:00 AM. I looked up towards the summit, completely bathed in moonlight. It appeared to only be a couple miles away. I was hoping to make it by sunrise. But I began to start feeling funny. My pace was slowing slightly and my shivering was beginning to increase, I was entering moderate hypothermia. This was also accelerated by the thinning air, making it harder for oxygen to get to my blood.

I soon became aware that I would not be making a trip back down on my own. I hoped that Marlo would be waiting at the top with heat and shelter. I was also at the point where it was too late to turn back as I would be dead before I reached the bottom. I took the notion of my fate very well and continued onward.

Light was finally beginning to appear on the horizon to the east and I was only a few hundred yards from the summit. But as I approached my goal, my knees grew weak and it became hard to stand. My world was spinning and I fell to my knees, unable to go any farther, a couple hundred yards short of the peak. It was so close, but it could of been a million miles away for all it mattered. Barely conscious, I whispered,

"Blaze, I'm sorry, I failed." I fell face down in the snow.

In my place I thought of Blaze, of how she was probably just sitting near a warm fireplace, anxious to hear of my trial. She would be heartbroken to hear of my death. And is was at that moment, at that exact thought, that I felt a fire light inside me. I then thought of how she would be for ed to marry someone she didn't love, and live the rest of her life in sorrow. The fire began to grow even more. And how she would send the rest of her days wondering what could have been, if only I made it to the peak. And at that thought, I felt a surge of energy, a renewed strength. I opened my eyes, and, with every inch of my body protesting, I rose to my feet.

The sun was beginning to crest the horizon, and I felt like I had strength to spare, even though my body was ready to quit. No longer satisfied with walking, I took off in a sprint, racing for the peak. I felt my blood boiling with adrenaline and reached the peak in a minute flat. I threw my pack off and ripped through it, looking for my flag. I found it, buried in my things. I snapped it open and rammed it home in the peak of the mountain. I looked around, I could see the kingdom to the south and the sun rising on my left. I let out a victory cheer that shook the mountain, through all adversity, I had done it.

Feeling my adrenaline wear off, I looked around for Marlo to confirm my victory and offer me shelter from the wind and warmth for my body. I was shocked to find no sign of Marlo, or any sign that anyone was her at all. It soon became apparent that no one was up there, and that I was quite alone. I screamed,

"Marlo! Why would you leave me here!? You said you were watching! So, where are you?!"

I fell to my knees and began to cry, knowing that, victory or not, I was going to die on that mountain. And just as I felt darkness envelope my body and death wrap his cold hands around me, I heard a voice.

"Silver!" It said, but I was unable to respond. I slid farther down into the snow, but I was not cold. No, death's hands felt rather...warm.

I woke up in some place soft and warm. I was unable to open my eyes at first, but it became apparent that I was not dead. I was weak, barely able to move. And as my eyes crusted open, I saw a familiar face. The same face of the short tempered nurse that tended to my arrow wound. She noticed my awakening, but said nothing. She just kept right at what she was doing, fiddling with an IV drip bag. She finally spoke,

"Your lucky Not many survive that severe hypothermia. And if it wasn't for the princess' fire powers, you probably wouldn't have. You're lucky she was with the group on that mountain looking for you. Her father didn't want her to." She motioned to my other side. I turned my head to see Blaze holding my hand, warming it. She looked restless and concerned, but she managed to give me a smile.

"You're awake." She said. I replied,

"Blaze, I..." She cut me off with a hug, wrapping me tight,

"I though I lost you." She whispered into my ear. I wanted to hug her back, but I barely had enough strength to stay awake, let alone lift my arms. The nurse spoke,

"Be careful with him, my lady, he's very weak right now." Blaze released me and sat back in her chair.

"You should be feeling much better by tomorrow, and full strength in a couple days time." The nurse said. I nodded and he continued, "

Get some rest, both of you. There'll be time to talk tomorrow." She got up and left us alone.

Blaze also stood and said, "I'll be back in the morning." She said. And with a kiss on my cheek, she was gone. I was alone again. I was left to wonder, if this was only the second of five trials, what else did they have in store for me.