A/N: I wrote this chapter really quickly on the way home, so hopefully it's alright. I still have that other longer chapter to finish, haha, but I wanted to be able to post something quickly, after all the amazing chapters you've posted. Anyway, this is a short chapter of things that happened in the past, although fairly recently.

Starting to feel sore in the saddle, Kellan tried to adjust to a more comfortable position, although it was of little use. He wasn't used to riding for long periods – he'd only learnt how to ride a horse at the Hunt, and he'd rarely needed to ride since. That's what he thought anyway. Of course, he could have learnt how to ride in his past life, but from the unfamiliar feeling when he first rode, he doubted it. Deciding he wasn't experienced enough, he'd quickly decided to use a saddle and reins to help out.

Sol on the other hand, looked like a natural, when Kellan glanced over at him. The other faerie's horse tossed its head, and Sol kept his hand in its mane, keeping up a fast pace. Sol's horse's eyes were unnerving when they shifted to him, and Kellan could have sworn that one day its red eyes would burn a hole through him.

Looking away from it quickly, Kellan glanced around at the rolling hills of the Land Under the Hill in wonder. He doubted he'd ever be able to get used to the view and ever-changing landscape, its contents a mystery to him. It was undoubtedly a beautiful place, although he kept a careful eye out, well aware of the dangers of the free lands. He almost felt like he'd feel more relaxed once they made it to the Seelie Court, since the Queen had not yet meant them any harm, and he was more familiar with that threat, than with the unknown creatures in the bushes, whose laughs rang out when they rode past.

The main thing he missed from the mundane world, was his bird companion, and he'd been sad to leave the bird behind. Of course, he couldn't bring it to the Faerie. It wouldn't understand the threats, and he doubted it would live long. Even Kellan himself felt a bit out of place, as if the Land Under the Hill could sense he was only part faerie. It wasn't like many with Shadowhunter blood – even if he was a Hunt faerie now – travelled there, and he felt noticed, and not in a good way.

Hungry and tired, he glanced over at the messenger, to see how he was faring. He didn't look like he was in much better shape, and Kellan didn't blame him. It was their second day of riding, and they'd only had a short break the night before, with Sol then forcing them onwards.

Knowing an argument might ensue, Kellan glanced over at Sol reluctantly for a moment. "I think we should stop for another rest now," he suggested. "We've been riding for a while."

Sol frowned, the faded green at the ends of his hair indistinguishable in the increasingly dim lighting. "We can go a bit longer, surely. The faster we get there, the better."

"I think we're all hungry and tired," Kellan replied, trying to sound reasonable. "Are you tired?" he asked the messenger, and he nodded quickly. "Then we'll stop. We don't want to be exhausted when we reach the Court."

Sol made a sound of annoyance, although he stayed silent, and they stopped at a clearing. Kellan got off his horse in a rather ungraceful manner, his foot accidentally catching in the strap of his saddlebag for a moment, causing him to tumble down to the ground. Sol gave a snigger, dismounting with one, graceful leap. The messenger dismounted as well, and Kellan led the horses over to a patch of grass. "I can do first watch-…" he started to say, before Sol interrupted.

"I will," Sol snapped. "We can't trust someone inexperienced out here, like you, to be keeping an eye out. The only reason you're coming, is on the Queen's request. Why she would be interested in you, I'm not sure."

Kellan merely sighed, not seeing the point in arguing. Sol certainly hadn't been great company for the trip, but he was a skilled fighter, and had helped them avoid a few close calls. However, he couldn't help but ask, "Are you questioning the Queen's taste?" He knew Sol had a high opinion of her, and he regretted his remark almost instantly, especially at Sol's scowl in response as he walked off to scan the perimeter. "…Let me know if you want to switch with me," Kellan called out quickly, wanting to avoid an argument.

Laying down and using his cloak as a pillow, Kellan's thoughts raced, a little too nervous to sleep. He wasn't looking forward to seeing the Queen, after all. Her keen interest in him was disconcerting, and he guessed it must be because he was a former Shadowhunter, turned Hunt faerie. She always did find things that were different, quite fascinating, or so he'd heard. Closing his eyes, he tried to slow his thoughts, focusing on the light breathing of the messenger as he slept, and the sound of Sol's footsteps on the grass.

Sick of spending so much time cooped up indoors at the Institute, Rose accepted an invitation from her mundane friends to go out to lunch and shopping, gladly. She hadn't seen them in a long time – since before the Hunt incident, after which she'd been afraid to go out. Despairing after her hair for a while, she then curled it a little, so it would have a slight wave, before applying her usual makeup to accentuate her gold eyes. It often took her hours to get ready, and she was glad they'd given her plenty of notice.

Skipping down the streets, it didn't take her long to make it to the shops, and she texted her friends, to ask where to meet them. She got an almost instant response, and she hurried to meet them outside of H&M. When she got there however, she looked in disappointment at their numerous shopping bags already hanging from their arms, as the three of them talked. They were too enwrapped in their conversation to notice her, so she sang out their names, with a sweet smile. All turning to her at the same time, they looked at her for a moment, with their mouths slightly ajar, staring at her hair.

"Wow, your hair!" One of them, Melissa, called out.

"It's so-… Short," Sally commented, walking over to run her hand through the ends.

Rose tried hard to not let her smile slip. She was suddenly glad that Cadyn had drawn the Rune on a place where it couldn't be seen – on her back, right under the hem of her dress - when she'd come back from the Hunt. "Oh, I know. Surprising, right?"

"It's-… Nice," Maria added, although Rose could tell she didn't really like how short it was. "I could hardly recognise you."

"It's very brave, going for something so different," Sally continued. "I mean, long hair is still so in fashion at the moment."

The light in her eyes faded, and she tried to keep a chirpy tone, replying quickly with, "Oh, don't worry. I'll grow it back," she giggled. "I just wanted a change. That's all," she said, swallowing at the sour taste of the lie.

"It looks good, of course. Although I've always been envious of your long, curly hair," Melissa said, moving to link arms with her. "We were just going to have lunch. Want to join us and get something?"

Rose nodded, scanning the shops. "Of course I'll come. I don't think I'll get anything though. I'm not… hungry," she replied, standing up a little straighter, and wishing she was taller. Melissa always seemed to tower over her.

"Oh, you're so good, Rose," they all smiled, saying how they wished they were as skinny as she was, reaching out to tug on her arm.

With a beaming smile, she followed them over to the cafes, happy at the praise, and the thought of being included.

Relieved when he'd finished his shift, Jai headed to Finn's work, without thinking. He knew Finn would be finishing up as well, and he decided to walk home with him. That was if Finn was going home, and not out again, like he did sometimes.

Calling out a greeting with a slight smile, when he watched Finn struggling to lock the old doors of the strange exhibit where he walked, Jai paused beside him.

"Ah, Jai," Finn grinned. "Come to accompany me back? How kind of you."

Finn tucked the keys into his pocket, before taking Jai's hand, as he tugged him down the street.

"How was work?" Jai asked, glancing sidelong at him.

"Oh, the same as usual. Although I had some really cute werewolf customer today," Finn replied, looking cheerful, before explaining what he looked like in great detail.

"That's… good," Jai said after clearing his throat, careful not to frown. He didn't particularly like hearing about such stories, but Finn wasn't afraid to confide everything and anything in him, and he wasn't about to complain.

Finn changed direction, and Jai knew exactly where he was heading. There was only one place down the old street that Finn would go to. "Hungry?" Jai asked, following along without protesting.

"I haven't had anything sweet in like… ages. I promise," Finn laughed, and Jai didn't point out his lie, having seen him sucking on a lollypop a few days ago. Then again, maybe that was classified as ages, for Finn. Instead, Jai merely laughed good-naturedly, regarding him with a smile.

"Oh, I'm sure," he replied knowingly, as Finn pulled him into his favourite lolly shop. It had a large range, and if Jai didn't eventually persuade Finn that they had other things to do, then sometimes he doubted Finn would ever leave.

"I won't be long, I promise," Finn said, his different coloured eyes excited, as they roamed the shelves.

"It's fine, don't worry," Jai said, before making a quick decision. "You can pick what you like, and I'll buy it. The apartment needs a restocking of some sweets, anyway." As much as he made out it might be for both of them, it was obvious that Finn would be the one to eat it. Jai had always preferred savory, and he was never one to eat too many sweets when they weren't healthy, anyway. However, he wanted to add some more to the lolly bowl he often left out for Finn. He didn't often splurge on things, but he was happy to brighten Finn's expression, and it wouldn't take too much out of his pay.

"You're the best, Jai!" Finn exclaimed, leaning over to kiss his cheek for a moment in thanks. Then, he continued roaming around the aisles, filling up his arms with his favourite lollypops and sour worms and other assorted candy that Jai couldn't recognise or keep up with. Jai leaned against the wall, watching him fondly when he wasn't looking. There was nothing quite like watching Finn at a candy shop.

Finally, Finn looked somewhat satisfied, and he dumped the candy onto the counter. Jai laughed, shaking his head at the assorted bags, as he pulled out some cash. Finn's grateful smile was worth it though, and he picked up the bags after he'd paid, heading to the door.

Finn wrapped his arm around Jai, resting his head against his shoulder for a moment. "Let's go home," Jai suggested. "Before I go broke, or you go into some kind of candy coma," he added, in amusement.

"Alright! Let's go back," Finn agreed, although he reached into one of the bags to pull out a lollypop as they walked. Jai expected him to put it in his own mouth when he unwrapped it, and he was surprised when Finn held it to his lips, teasingly. "You've got to try this one. It's a new flavour. Please," Finn begged, and Jai couldn't help but comply, opening his mouth a little, so Finn could move the lollypop into his mouth.

"It's good right?" Finn asked, in excitement.

Jai raised a hand to hold the stick of the lollypop, and he gave it an experimental lick. "Yeah, it's good."

Looking just as happy as he had in the shops, Finn reached over to pluck it from his fingers, and give it a quick lick himself. "Mmm, I think this is a new favourite. Although it's not as nice as you, don't worry."

Jai blushed lightly and adjusted his glasses, unable to help a slight smile as they walked back.