Rose's POV

After the horses were packed we started our journey to the enchantress. Nick, Ben and Caleb rode infront while Keelan and I rode behind them.

"How do you feel?" Keelan asked for the hundredth time. He acted like I was a piece of glass that could break at any moment.

"I'm fine. What do you think is wrong with me?" I asked.

"I don't know, but if there is one person who knows it will be the enchantress." He said.

"Tell me about her." I said.

"I don't know much about the enchantress. All I know is that her mother was the one who created Ms Mousy, Mr Mole and Mr Frog."

"Mr Frog?" I asked.

"Yes, Mr Frog was once a friend, but he left to make a life for himself and he hates the royal family." Keelan said.

"Why?" I asked.

"I don't know, it was before I was born." He said. I wondered what the reason was.

The rest of the way was fairly quiet except the occasional question from Keelan, asking if I was still alright. We only stopped for a quick lunch before we carried on with our journey. Keelan was determined to get there as quick as possible.

*-*

Unknown POV

I saw the dark haired girl with the moss green eyes riding on her horse along with the fae Prince. She was a real beauty and I knew from the moment I saw her that she would be the perfect addition to my family. The perfect wife for my son.

I heard them talking about visiting the enchantress. The enchantress was a few days ride away and I would easily make it back in time to catch them when they returned. Giving me enough time to ask someone to help me capture this beauty for my son.

And I knew just the place where to find the perfect candidate.

The human taverns.

-*-

Rose's POV

We made camp outside in the clearing for the first night. The stars were shining brightly and it was as if they were reassuring me that I'll find the answers I seek. I sat on a log staring at the night sky as the knights were busy making dinner. I wanted to help,but they insisted on doing it themselves so I let them be.

Keelan came to sit next to me.

"It's beautiful tonight." He said.

"Very."

"I can feel that you're worried."

"I just want to know what's wrong with me. Do you think my mother knew?" I asked.

"I don't think she did, because if she knew you were magical she might've never let you go with that formoggal." Keelan said.

"What does that even mean?" I asked.

"Formoggal?"

"Yes."

"It's a faery cursing word, it sound extremely rude in your language. Thus I will not tell what it means." Keelan said.

"Are you scared I might think differently of you?" I asked.

"No, I just want to use such fowl language infront of beautiful lady as yourself." He said with a mischievous grin. Just then the knights called us for dinner.

After we ate our hearty meal we went of to bed, Keelan taking the first watch. And that night I slept peacefully knowing Keelan was near.

The next two days of the journey went just as the first. And with every passing moment I was getting more antsy to get there.

I wanted to know why I was able to heal Blueby who was now perched on Keelan's shoulder. The swallow took a liking to the fae Prince, just like me. He would sometimes nestle himself in my neck or fly ahead. He was the sweetest bird and I was quite surprised to see that he stayed with us.

The woods were filled with different sounds and I enjoyed the fresh air. I felt a buzzing flowing free in me and every time Keelan drew near I moved away. He looked hurt but I was scared I would hurt him again.

As we took another break near a spring Keelan approached me. The knights were all busy attending to our horses.

"Why are you avoiding me?" He asked.

"I'm not avoiding you." I said as I stared at the ground.

"Yes you are. You're distant since this morning." He said.

"Keelan, I'm scared." I said as I looked him in the eye.

"So am I, but Rose pushing me away won't help. I care for you." He said.

"I know, but I'm afraid I'll hurt you again. I don't want to hurt you. This buzzing feeling feels stronger."

"And you won't. No matter what happens, your powers won't stop me from caring. Now can we please forget about this and put it in the past?" He asked.

I nodded my head in agreement, he immediately grabbed me in for a hug. And right there I knew that come stormy skies Keelan will be by my side.

-*-

We arrived at another fae village during midday meal and I was starving. We ate a quick lunch at one of the inns before we journeyed further.

The fae informed us that the enchantress lived in one of her cabins in the woods just outside the village. We were extremely glad that we were so close and we just hoped that we got our answers that we wanted.

After we thanked the fae for their help we traveled the last leg of the journey. We continued through the forest until we came apon a small cabin nestled between the trees. As we finished tying up the horses the door was suddenly thrown open and the person I saw step outside shocked me to the core.

"Mother?" I asked.

She looked at me before she ran to me and grabbed me in a bone crushing hug. Tears sprang from my eyes and I was over the moon. Only when I saw her again I realised just how much I missed her.

She pulled away and looked me over as she cupped my cheeks in her hands.

"Oh my sweet, sweet girl. I was so worried about you. But don't worry the enchantress told me everything." She said and that was only when she noticed that we had company. She looked Keelan over and a angry look spread over her face. She suddenly struck Keelan across the cheek so hard and fast that I barely had time to register what she was doing.

"Mother!" I exclaimed.

"That is for kidnapping my daughter." She spat and then all of the sudden her face returns to its normal colour and a smile spreads across her cheeks before she pulls Keelan in a motherly hug, like nothing happened.

"And that is for saving her from that monster." She said as she pulled away and gave him the brightest smile.

My tense body relaxed at her words.

"I'm sorry your highness, but I had to explain my feelings." My mother said.

"No need to apologize madam, I would've done the same were it my daughter. And please call me Keelan." He said as he placed a hand on his sore cheek.

"Only if you call me Evelyn. Now you all must be hungry from your trip. Let's get you fed and cleaned up." My mother said as she hooked her arm with mine, leading us to the cottage.

I turned around to see if Keelan was alright and asked the question in my head knowing he will hear me. He gave me a reassuring smile with a small nod. I smiled at him before I followed my mother into the cottage.

When we stepped inside there was an old lady that sat on a chair infront of the fire place. When our eyes locked I immediately recognised her as the woman from the woods and my dream.

"It's you." I said the same time I heard Keelan say the same words. I turned around to face him with a puzzled look on my face that matched his.

"Keelan, Rose. I know you both might have a lot of questions right now, but first let's eat and rest we can talk about everything later. Oh my goodness, where are my manners? I'm Carling, the enchantress." She said with a smile.

"Nice to meet you." I said followed by Keelan and the knights.

"You all must be hungry? Let me get you something to eat." She said before she hurried through a door and returned moments later with a steaming pot of stew.

"I made this especially for you." She said as she placed it on the dinning table.

"You knew we were coming?" Keelan asked.

"Of course I did, it was the only way I convinced Evelyn to stay here." She said as she started dishing up.

"How did my mother get here? Do you know her, and from where-" I started to ask but was cut off by Carling.

"All your questions will soon be answered, but first you must eat." She said as she held out a bowl towards me which I took. She then started to hand everyone a bowl of stew.

We all sat around while we ate. The stew was delicious and I wolfed it down, trying to fill my empty stumach. Keelan and I would give each other secret glances, both of us having million of unanswered questions.

After the knights finished their stew Carling showed them their rooms and I was left alone with my mother and Keelan.

"So how long have been courting each other?" My mother asked suddenly and I almost swallowed my spoon.

"Mother!"

"What? You don't think I didn't see those stollen glances?" My mother asked.

"A few days." Keelan said as he looked at me with a smile which I returned. Our eyes locked and it was moments like these I wish I could read his thoughts. A squeal brought us out of our moment and we both looked at my mother.

"I'm so glad you found love again, my child." My mother said as her eyes glazed over.

"After what that man did to you..." She said and I could only assume Carling told her everything.

"Rose, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry." My mother said as sobs escaped her lips. I quickly walked over to her and placed my arm around her to calm her down.

"Mom it's alright, it wasn't your fault and you didn't know." I said as I rubbed her back trying to calm her.

"I'm going to check on the horses." Keelan said and I gave him a thankful smile. He left us and I started to tell my mother everything. Even though I knew that she knew everything, I wanted to tell her myself.

We talked for a while and she told me that Henry came by a few days later looking for her, he was about to kill her for helping me run away when Carling showed up. Carling told her that they needed to escape and brought her here to her cabin, where she was living for the last few months while I was at the castle. She told me that she knew where I was all along, but Carling told her that she couldn't come to me and that was the only thing that stopped her.

I didn't care that she didn't come, all I cared about was that she was here now with me and I had the opportunity to see her again.

Carling returned with the knights and Keelan. She promised that she would answer all my questions in the morning. After we ate dinner we went to bed and I slept like a baby knowing I will get my long awaited answers in the morning.

-*-

Unknown's POV

I visited tavern after tavern in search of someone to help me kidnap the girl. I promised a hefty sum of money to the one who would assist me, but no one wanted to. Not even after I described her.

All my hope of kidnapping the beauty was lost as I visited the final tavern in the human realm. I sagged in my seat as I gulped down my drink.

A hooded figure suddenly approached me.

"I heard you need help kidnapping a girl, and I'm here to offer my assistance." The hooded figure said.

"And who might you be?" I asked.

"You can call me Henry." He said as he took of his hood.
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Hey guys.

Henry's back and who's happy? Who do you think this unknown person is? Any ideas.

Thanks for reading.

-Amorie