Disclaimer: I don't own anything.
Author's Note: Thank you for those still reading this story.

In Pursuit

King Westerly sat on his throne completely baffled by what had happened a few hours ago. He had told his daughters that they were free to choose who they wished to marry. Considering it was unheard of to allow the children to choose he had known that he was making the right choice.

Sydney had been completely happy and had thanked both he and Elizabeth before leaving. He found out a short while later that she spoken to Bridge. The two were to be married, he had never seen Sydney so happy, and that caused happiness within him.

Elizabeth was different in her reaction. As if she almost didn't believe him. Though he had known it would take a bit more in getting Elizabeth to understand that it was true and she could marry Sky if she truly wished that. Her leaving to think about it also made sense. She had decided to do the honorable thing and just the Kingdom over her feelings, he did not want this for her and yet a part of him was quite pleased with how she had handled it.

Once she left the room he had hoped it wouldn't take her too long to figure out which one it was that she wanted. In truth he had assumed she would choose love over loyalty, she often sided with her sister even if it was against what she should be doing.

Because of this he was astounded when Sky had come to him not thirty minutes later.

"Prince Sky, please come in." King Westerly had been reading a book waiting for Elizabeth to come back with her decision. Seeing that Sky had come to talk to him he realized that he was coming to tell him the news about Elizabeth. Sky was a great man from all that he had heard, he was very much hoping that Elizabeth would agree to it. He had been a bit upset when he had found out that Sydney had already told Sky.

"I came to tell you that I have appreciated your hospitality and all that you have done for me since I have come here."

"The pleasure was all mine, you saved my daughters and returned them to me. I have much to be grateful for. And I apologize that this mess with the betrothals did not go as they usually would be expected to go."

"Things happen sometimes, I understand and my Father will too."

"Your Father said as much in his reply to mine, the one stating that your betrothal is with Elizabeth."

Sky nodded, "I do know that. However, I think that it be best if I just leave."

King Westerly was confused, he had spoken to Elizabeth but a short while ago, "Have you seen Elizabeth?"

"I have. She has made herself quite clear. I am not asking for Syd's hand, merely that I am going to leave without wait or any feast."

King Westerly frowned, a feast always proceeded the departure of royalty, "Are you quite sure. I can have it arranged tonight and you can leave in the morning."

"There is no need for that. As of now I only wish to be home. I have been away much longer than was intended and hope to be there for my brother and what he is to embark on soon."

"I understand. Go then, and be safe. Know that you are always welcome here."

"Thank you. And from my Father I am sure that you may know that no ill will is on our part towards you or your daughters."

King Westerly nodded, Sky bowed and then he was gone.

He had told Elizabeth that she need not worry about marrying Jack, so he was unsure where her thoughts were. There was no need for her to deny her feelings for a sense of duty.

Unless…perhaps he had been wrong, perhaps Sydney had been wrong. Elizabeth might have no feelings for Sky so her telling him that their marriage was not to be made much more sense. She was free of marrying one that she did not. After all when she had come to him she suggested herself marrying Jack while Sydney married Bridge, the only suggestion of Sky and Elizabeth getting married was from Sydney.

And Sky; when he had asked him about wanting to marry Elizabeth he had merely said that he saw Sydney as a sister. Shaking his head the King realized that he should have asked Elizabeth how she felt before letting Sydney know or his thoughts, which were not even certain at that moment.

There was nothing to do now, Elizabeth wasn't bound to Sky and he had left. All was well. His daughters were safe and at home. Sydney was beyond happy with Bridge who was bringing his family soon, and Elizabeth would be quite content to follow her own heart to wherever it led her. As long as she wasn't far from home he would be very happy.

Elizabeth came to the start of a path. To the North were the Dying Woods. To the south were the remains of the woods. This was the closest path to their castle that led through to the Barren Plains and then the Eastern Kingdom, where Sky was heading. She had already gone through them once, though it was with Syd and she had been terrified of not getting Syd out alive.

Which did almost happen…

In fact had Sky not shown up she and Syd would have been dead. Still, it wasn't like she wanted to be in the woods. They were creepy and she had grown up hearing about how horrible and full of death they were. As Z looked at the brown leaves and moss covering some trees while others remained barren she knew that it would be ridiculous for her to turn around and head back to the castle know.

Was he worth it?

She was in love with him. She could tell that much, why she had to fall in love with one of the most stubborn men in the world she wasn't sure, but it was there. Even know though she could remember many times he would annoy her, but that didn't stop her feelings. He was a good person to talk to, they seemed to understand each other.

At least they had…now…after that kiss? What was that about?

She had enjoyed that kiss. She enjoyed his company, most of the time. So why not marry him? Again she realized that she needed to speak with him.

Sighing Z knew what she needed to do. She took one last look at the clear bright blue sky and then plunged into darkness.

She had been moving along the path fairly quickly; she was grateful that she knew he would have gone straight across and not made any side trips. She hadn't heard a thing since she had began moving along the path. She was quite glad on the silence; though it was also a bit unnerving; though it was better than the creatures that had introduced her and Syd to Sky.

As she continued forward the silence was shattered with a loud, deep growl coming just ahead and to the side. Looking around herself quickly she was able to assess that she didn't appear to be in danger at the moment. She knew that had to be one of the creatures of the cursed woods and only hoped that she would be able to make it through and that Sky had also managed to get by.

Z knew she couldn't just return down the path she was on; it would waste all the time and she wouldn't be able to speak with Sky, though that thought made her contemplate it. She wasn't a coward in any way, which meant that she was going to keep on the path and just figure it out.

One thing she was grateful for was that Syd was not with her. She didn't want to think about the idea that she could get her sister's life in danger yet again.

There was a curve in the path ahead with branches half covering the path which would make it hard for her to see if there was something waiting for anyone…anything. Slowing her horse down more she slowly moved up to the corner and moved forward. To her surprise and great relief there was nothing there; however her relief was short lived when she realized that there was yet another curve and much closer. Realizing it could be the end for her at any moment Z once more slowly overtook that curve, only to find yet another one.

Now she was truly wondering how many curves there would be in this path. Why wasn't the path straight? It was supposed to be. The Princess shuddered as the thought crossed her mind of the woods changing the path. That was dark and something she didn't want to even go towards.

As she continued moving through the curving path she would hear growls pierce the silence every now and then. She was sure that she would come face to face with the thing that the terrifying noise came from soon enough.

She had been moving though the curves for at least twenty minutes when the next growl she heard sounded as if it came from right behind her. Turning quickly she saw that nothing was behind her. Which meant that perhaps she had passed it?

No, she knew that was much too easy.

And just as she passed the next curve she saw that she was right; there was a bag lying in the middle of the path. It had a huge rip in the side where some bread had fallen out. Getting off her horse she held onto the reins as she stepped closer to the bag and examined it. As she looked at it she realized that she had seen that bag before. Looking around she tentatively called out, "Sky?"

Silence was the only thing that answered her. His horse was nowhere in sight so she wasn't sure if perhaps the bag had been ripped and abandoned because he had been killed or that he had managed to get away. She could move forward and finish passing through the woods but she would still have to cross the Dying Plains in order to get to his land; she also could go back to her castle, either way would provide help for Sky if he needed it. However she knew that if Sky needed help her leaving would only put him in a greater risk and that was not something she wanted to bargain with.

She was lucky that she had the foresight to bring a sword with her; she had grabbed it as she was leaving the stable. If she was going to go in the woods she would need protection.

If.

She knew that the correct phrase would be that she was going into the woods. Even if she hadn't fallen in love with him she couldn't leave him to find his fate in the forest. Z would do all that she could to get Sky back. Another part of her mind told her that he could very well be out of the woods and was fine but she didn't want to take the chance.

Getting back on her horse she turned her horse towards the north part of the woods. She knew there was a chance she could die. There was also a chance that she could make it in and out alive, with or without him. Sky was alive or dead and she wouldn't be able to make sure if she stayed there any longer. She decided that contemplating more was only increasing the odds of Sky being in there and getting hurt so without another though Z and her horse plunged into the depths of the Dying Woods.