Disclaimer: I don't own anything.
Author's Note: I do apologize for the delay in updating. I was re reading Twilight and New Moon in preparation for New Moon, which I thought was absolutely amazing! If I don't update, I hope everyone enjoys their holidays.

Fight and Flight

Sky stopped his horse at the edge of the woods and frowned; he had been chasing a deer and it had run into the Dying Woods. He knew that he could pick up the trail of another animal, but it might be a while and the door was going to be his food. He hated losing, but he knew that there wasn't going to be anyway that he could go into the Dying Woods and come out unscathed, or even alive.

There were many, many stories of the things that lived in the woods. Those who went in didn't come out. There were a couple of safe passages…as safe as one could be that is.

He shook his head, disappointed that he would have to go and find another animal. As he turned his horse to head back in the opposite direction he heard a scream. Startled he turned towards it and froze for a second as he realized where it came from.

The Dying Woods.

It was basically a death sentence to go in there, but…it sounded like someone was in danger.

It took him another second to make up his mind and in less than a minute he was in the Dying Woods.

As he hurried through the woods he realized that it could be an animal…or a creature…making that noise. Could be. But highly unlikely, that was too human to be an animal…creature…whatever. If it was indeed a human why were they in the Dying Woods. Off path. Everyone knew that you didn't go there.

Then he heard voices…two female ones.

"Z help!"

"Come on, let's go. Here get behind me."

At that moment Sky came through into a dark clearing where two girls, one blond, one brunette, where facing off against a creature that resembled a giant cat but with more rows of teeth and almost as big as his horse. Sky quickly pulled out his sword and moved his horse in between the creature and the girls. The cat swiped at this horse and Sky was able to move his horse away before the claws came.

He realized that he needed to be off his horse to better attack the cat creature. Jumping off he positioned himself once more in front of the cat ready for when it took another strike.

As soon as he was positioned he heard one of the girls' scream and he looked to the side of the feline in front of him and realized there was another creature, one not so readily explained. He supposed it was like a gigantic spider and a dog combined. Instead of going for him or the girls it attacked the cat. Stepping back he paused and watched for a few seconds as the two monsters began to fight.

He knew that he didn't have long and the girls didn't have horses. "Get on my horse and head North until you're out of the woods!"

"What about you?" The blonde girl asked.

"I'll follow, just go."

"I can stay and help." The brunette had come up behind him.

"No, I need to focus on this creatures. One will survive and come after us."

"I'm not just a dumb girl, I know I can help."

Sky could hardly believe this girl, trying to act like she could do better than he could in protecting them. Shaking his head he pointed, "Go!"

He saw her raise an eyebrow but before she could respond the other girl screamed, "Look out!"

Sky turned and saw that the feline had already won, the dog/spider creature lay on the ground its' legs still twitching. The eyes of the cat were back on the three of them and slowly began walking forward. It picked up its paw that had six claws sticking out of it and swiped at Sky and the brunette. Sky used one of his hands to make sure the girl was moved to the back while he moved his sword in front of him to hold off the claws from reaching him.

"Z! Please, we all need to leave! Do what he says! Please!"

At least the blonde had some sense. "I can help."

"Right now you're only hindering any rescue. Don't be ridiculous go."

"I'm not—"

The cat hissed at them and swiped another paw at the two of them. Sky grabbed the girl and pulled her to the ground listening to yet another scream from the blonde. The creature looked towards the girl and leaned back on its' legs preparing to launch itself over Sky and the brunette. Quickly he stood up, followed by the girl, and took a step back holding his sword ready.

"Go!"

"Please Z. I need you."

The brunette reluctantly left his side and hopefully was getting onto his horse with the blonde. In another few minutes he could hear his horse galloping away. The cat swung at him and this time he brought his sword down digging into the creatures' flesh. It yowled and then stepped forward. Sky began backing up and moving towards the North.

He knew that outrunning the cat was unlikely. He had to try something. Quickly he rolled towards the cat and moved his sword up close to the throat. The cat's cry quickly filled Sky's ears, but before it could attack him he rolled back out and took off at a sprint.

After a couple of minutes he could hear the cat coming. He tried to go faster, but even with his head start he'd have to go back and face it again, he knew that. He could hear the creature gaining. Perhaps he wouldn't make it. It would save him from having to go through the horrible duty that lay ahead of him, and at least the two girls would be safe. Risking a glance behind him he thought he could just see the creature's paws coming through the underbrush.

He moved to the left and then stopped. As he caught his breath the cat turned its' focus on him. Sky moved his sword into the forefront and waited for it to make its' first move.

Bridge looked up at the sky; it was getting dark and that would mean he would have to stop soon. Even though he could still see, he didn't really want to have to worry about trying to find someplace to sleep at in the dark. He hadn't put too much thought into this, as his Father had said, ridiculous notion. He sighed as he thought back when he told his family what he was doing.

"Bridge you can't be serious. You're going to abandon your work for such a ridiculous notion." His Father stood with his arms folded.

Bridge looked over at his Mother and two sisters, "Look, I want to be able to help her if she needs help."

"This girl…whoever it is that you're wishing to find, you should leave it up to her family."

"Unless…" His mother began and then glanced at her husband before turning back to Bridge, "unless you two were planning on being more?"

Bridge felt an odd tear in his chest; he knew that could never be possible. Syd was a princess and as such she would marry a prince. He wasn't anywhere close to being a prince. He was a blacksmith and that was it.

Nothing more.

Not worthy enough of a princesses love…and yet…sometimes it seemed as though Syd really did care for him.

Shaking his head he focused back on his parents, "Look, I know that people are looking for her, but I want to do what I can do."

One of his little sisters giggled, "I think it's romantic. He's going off to rescue the girl of his dreams."

His other sister nodded, "Me too. Can he go Daddy? Bridge might fight dragons!"

"Or find unicorns!"

"Or see royalty!"

"Enough of this nonsense!" His Father raised his voice slightly and then turned back to Bridge, "You can't leave."

Bridge swallowed, "I can and I will."

"What are you going to do when you don't have a place to live when and if you ever get back?"

He was silent for a minute, "Well, I'll come to that when it comes." He slowly exhaled, "Please don't though. It's not that I want to leave you, it's that I can't leave her."

His Mother placed her hand on his Father's arm, "Please."

He watched as his Father struggled inwardly with what he believed to be the right path and what his son was trying to do. "Fine. Leave. But this is a ridiculous notion I am not joking. Even if you find her what will you do then?"

Run away together?

Bring her back and introduce her to his family?

Start a life together?

"Bring her home."

This time his father slowly let out a breathe, "Don't be gone too long."

His mother left the room and after a few minutes came back with a small bundle, "Here, take this and be careful."

"I will."

"Say hi to any Princesses."

"Or unicorns."

Bridge smiled and hugged his sisters, then his mother. He and his father shook hands and that was it.

Was it a ridiculous notion to come into the woods after Syd? Bridge looked up at the sky and had his answer almost immediately, no it wasn't. Even though he would never be able to be with her, he would still ensure that she was safe.

He saw a little section of small trees that were close enough that it gave some protection. Sitting under there he pulled out some of the food his mother had packed for it and quietly ate it. He truly hoped that he would be useful, she was important.

He looked out towards the sky and hoped that she was alive and well.