The Massive tree creatures had me surrounded. My heart pounded so loudly I thought it would jump right out of my chest.

Ba-Dum Ba-Dump

Was that my heart thundering or... could it be?

Before I could even turn around I was swept up off my feet and onto a black stallion.

I shrieked and clung onto the man who rode it.

"Duck." His voice carried such authority, I daren't disobey it.

I brought my head down, my face on his chest as he unsheathed a glittering golden sword.

I heard a slicing sound and felt something sticky drip down my neck.

I whimpered.

"It's alright Belle we're almost out..." the man replied calmly.

"You... you know my name?" I gasped.

"I do" the man replied distractedly.

I looked up at him, taking in his pale blue eyes and curly blonde hair.

"Keep your head down, we're not finished yet." he ordered.

"What do you mean?" I asked looking over his shoulder, "The tree creatures aren't following us anymore..."

"And aren't you wondering why?" The man asked, nodding behind me with a smirk.

I looked back over my shoulder to see the wall we were galloping full speed towards.

"Are you INSANE?!" I shrieked.

The man's smile only widened.

I struggled in vain to get out of his grasp, but he had a vise-like grip around my waist.

"You'll kill us both!!" I gasped.

"Hang on little one." He quipped.

I screamed as he grabbed my head and pulled it to his chest again.

And then everything went dark.

.

.

.

I opened my eyes and gasped as the horse slowed to a stop.

It was like we had entered a cave.

I blinked.

I gasped, smacking the man on the chest.

"You. Ass." I growled.

The man chuckled.

"Who the hell do you think you are?" I fumed.

"Isn't it obvious?~"

I glared at where I assumed the man was.

The man was smiling, I could feel it.

"I'm your night in shining armor."

"You're a dumbass, and you aren't wearing any armor." I replied struggling out of his hold and onto the floor.

My boots clopped as they made contact with the rocky ground.

"And as far as I'm concerned you just kidnapped me." I added.

"Listen princess." The man spat, hopping down from his horse.

"I'm all ears." I huffed.

"Sorry... you're what?"

"It's an expression..." I sighed.

"...Well anyhow. I didn't kidnap you. I'm helping you get back to Everard's castle..."

"...Everard sent you?"

"Yes."

"hmm..."

"You don't believe me?"

"No."

"I can prove it. But I'll need some light to do that." the man mused.

So I waited while this strange man built a fire. Watching him curiously.

I looked him over. And he seemed rather ordinary were it not for his ears which were pointed.

"So are you an elf?" I shocked myself by saying.

"An elf?" He asked in what sounded like an offended tone.

"Yeah..."

The man sighed,"Elf, fairy, fair folk, fae, Nymph, Pixie, sprite, imp... need I go on?" He asked, a flicker of blue flame shooting out from his hand, and devouring the wood he had set up.

The fire gave his face an eerie glow.

"You humans sure have had a lot of names for us..." He remarked staring into the unnatural blue flame.

"Alright, then what do you call yourselves?"

"The Fae." He replied his blue eyes meeting mine.

"So you're a Fae?"

"Yes."

...

I bit my lip breaking eye contact, "You said you could prove you were sent by Everard?"

The man shook himself, "Ah, right. Here let me see your hand."

I stepped back from him distrustfully.

"Why?"

"Fear not my dear, I only wish to show you something."

I tentatively gave him my left hand and he cradled it in both of his.

"Look." He encouraged.

I gasped, "The rings! They match!"

The shade of blue was unmistakable.

For in the silver ring that rested on the ring finger of his left hand, was carved a blue scroll design that made the rings seem like a pair.

And if I had any doubts. They would have been dismissed when he grasped my hand and the rings touched, for a jolt almost like lightning traveled up my arm, and I pulled away from him.

"So now do you believe me?" he asked, quirking his brow. 

I nodded mutely.

He smirked at me, then frowned.

"What is it?" I asked.

"We need to set up camp for the night."

"Well we have a fire what more do we need?" I asked.

"Salt. But I only have enough for two nights... if we sleep close." He ran a hand through his golden hair.

"I beg your pardon?!" I asked, putting a hand on my hip.

"We need the salt circle to go around us. And if we are to spend a few nights in Pan's territory we will need to conserve the salt." he explained.

He glanced up at me waiting for my reply.

"Fine." I snapped.

He smirked.

"But I feel obliged to tell you, I have a knife in my boot and I'm not afraid to use it."

His smile fell.

"So don't try anything."

"I wouldn't dream of it." He replied holding up his hands defensively.

He set up the bed roll that was in the horses' saddlebag, and fed the horse whilst I lay down.

"How is Everard?" I asked softly.

"Worried about you... but he'll be alright." The man replied with a charming smile.