Disclaimer: I don't own anything.
Author's Note: I am still working on getting back to my rhythm; it's a lot harder than I anticipated. Thank you for being patient.

Plans and Check Ups

Bridge looked up at the sun, it was close to noon. He had been walking for so long and still he found nothing. He wasn't even sure if he was looking in the right direction. He figured that this wasn't even something that he should be doing. Other people were out there finding them. What was he? He shook his head; he wasn't going to let his dad's thoughts in his mind, they would only discourage him. Not that his Dad intentionally did that, but this time he had.

He knew that he would have to stop soon so he could eat. What would he do once he ran out of food? Well obviously he would have to catch something, but that could take time. Time Syd might not have.

At that moment Bridge heard voices, he paused and looked around. He slowly moved towards the source. He wanted to be sure he could trust them before he let them know he was there. Just through the trees he could see a cabin with a group of men standing outside it. Then he saw this man walk from around the cabin and stand in front of the group.

"Alright. I have finally determined which way we should go. Those Princesses can't have gone far. Now we don't want Ott to find them. So I want you men," he pointed to a group on the left, "to head east, I highly doubt they went that way, but best to cover all areas. You men," he pointed to another group, "head west. The rest of you will come with me and head north. I'm fairly positive they went north, but that does not mean that the rest of you don't need to look. You still should look, look good and hard. If any find either of them bring them back here and then send a scout out. This time don't let them escape."

"Juneston sir, what about south?" One soldier asked.

Juneston looked at the man standing closest to him before answering, "Alright go ahead and you," he pointed to a few of the men from the different groups, "go south."

Bridge realized that would mean that they would be coming right in the area he was at. Looking around he realized he didn't have anywhere to really go. He moved more behind the tree that he was standing by and then paused. Looking up he realized that he had his escape route right in front of him. Quickly he climbed up the tree giving himself a few scrapes along the way. He made sure he was as high as he could go without a chance that the branch wouldn't be able to support him.

He had to wait for just a bit until the men going south were past the tree and gone. Then he was going to have to follow Juneston. He remembered Syd talking about him. She didn't like him, and now he wanted to rescue her? That just didn't sound right. Maybe there was something else going on. Although he didn't have any idea what it could be, but something about what he heard and the Duke didn't sit right with him.

Finally after waiting for a while after the men passed under him Bridge slowly climbed back down the tree realizing that he needed to catch up to the Duke as quick as he could. If he followed him Bridge might get to Syd faster and also insure that she wasn't captured by him. Silently Bridge began working his way north.

"Do you think he'll be alright?" Syd asked for the millionth time.

"Syd, the doctor is in there taking care of him; he wasn't too worried about him when he got there, so I think it'll be fine alright?"

"Alright, but…I just don't want him to die or anything because of us."

"Don't worry, that's not going to happen. He'll be fine and you don't have to stress about him dying or anything."

Z looked back at the cottage, the doctor and his wife had been in there for a few hours. She knew that if they wanted to get back to their home before it got to dark they would have to leave soon.

She looked over at her sister who was worriedly watching the cottage as well, her sister was really worried about the guy. Then again her sister never wanted anyone to be hurt, she was too nice. Z found herself smiling as she realized that last statement wasn't exactly true, there were some people that her sister did not like and she could be very…demanding. But she wasn't horrible or anything, not snobby like Princess Gianna. She was absolutely horrible.

Wondering where exactly they were at was on Z's mind. She knew that they were going to have to leave soon, they couldn't let anyone that might know them see them otherwise they would be brought back to the castle.

Sky. She was worried about him but not for the same reason that Syd was. Syd wanted him to be better. Z was worried because he seemed like the type to follow rules whatever the cost. Even refusing help from her in the woods. That was intelligent. Stupid boy rules. At least Jack would have let her. Sighing she realized that it wouldn't have been bad marrying Jack, but…she just…didn't want to be married to him. She wasn't a romantic but she wasn't…

At that moment the cottage door opened and the doctor and his wife stepped out. The elderly man was looking around until he spotted the two girls. He moved towards them and Z and Syd met him halfway.

"You needn't fear. He is resting at the moment. You girls did a good job in handling him last night and you got to me in just enough time."

"He'll be okay?" Syd asked.

"Yes, don't worry. He'll be good as new in no time at all. He's a healer."

Z looked over at Syd and then back at the doctor, "So, is there anything else?"

"I just want you two to keep an eye on him, make sure he drinks plenty of water, eats and rests. I'm sure you can take care of that."

Z almost groaned, this was not what she wanted. She, Syd and her needed to leave. Be gone. Make their way…she didn't know yet, but not here. "I'm sure he can take care of himself right?"

The doctor gave Z a puzzled look, "You need to leave?"

Syd looked at Z and then back at the doctor, "No."

"I'm just asking, you need us to feed him?"

The doctor gave a small laugh, "No, no. Just make sure he eats. But the important thing is that if he doesn't have an appetite or starts to be off in his behavior, come and get me right away. This is why you need to be there. Understand."

"Yes."

"Good. Now, I'll be off."

"Wait." Z said causing the doctor to turn back to her, "How long?"

"To get better? Hmm…it's hard to say, I'll come back in a couple of days though to check up on him. We'll know then alright?" He smiled at her very reassuringly and turned back to his wife.

Z watched as the doctor and his wife got in their carriage and left. This might take a long time. Hopefully after the doctor came back Sky would be fine and they could continue…wherever.

"Z you coming in?"

The brunette turned back and saw Syd at the door of the cottage beckoning her. Nodding Z began walking towards the house, "Are you going to be okay?"

"Of course." Syd paused Z, "Wait, are you not?"

"Just worried."

"The doctor said he'd be fine."

"Syd, that's not what I was talking about."

"Then what?"

"Us leaving, not getting caught and being brought back so I have to marry Jack and you that other Prince."

"Oh, right."

Z watched as happy, sad and scared expressions flickered across her sisters' face, "Are you alright Syd?"

"Yeah, don't worry."

She smiled at her and the two girls entered the cottage that was to be their home for the next few days.