'Have you ever been to the east?' he asked while searching for the others in his field of vision.

'No, never. You?'

'Yeah, me neither.'

No one really used to travel east. It was like those parts had been ripped off the map and the people had avoided crossing them ever since. The truth was he didn't even remember when that started happening, or for what reason exactly.

'What do you think we will find there?' Peter glanced at him with a worried expression.

'Humans? Maybe. I remember my mother telling me stories about the east. She would talk about a royal family who...uhmm...governed those lands. They used to be our allies.'

'And why did they withdraw from us?'

'The son of the royal family inherited the throne after his father's death,' he began recounting the story as best as he could. 'That son had a sister. She was thirsty for power. She couldn't accept her brother as their king and wanted the crown for herself. So, she killed her brother to ascend to the throne. Her family tried to stop her, but to no avail. They started to kill each other. In the end no one remained to take the throne and their kingdom was left as prey to thieves and killers.'

'What about now? Is there no king? No kingdom?'

'That is all I know.'

'I hope we won't find any surprises ahead of us,' she said in a dark tone.

'Do not fret my lady,' he patted her shoulder. 'Another scar in my collection will not make any difference.'

'Now I feel safe,' she rolled her eyes and ignored his boastful words.

Matthew looked at her, his eyes bright with mischief. A graze on her right cheek was her only souvenir from their little adventure back at the castle and the dirt on her nose and hair did little to stain her delicate features. He knew he had lost the battle to resist her wild beauty long ago.

His thoughts automatically traveled back to that morning's argument when she was standing so close to him every cell of his body was on fire. He had barely managed to contain his primal instincts and not touch her lovely face, her rosy lips that right then begged to be kissed.

He had stared into the depths of her dark eyes, trying to figure out what she was thinking, but she was too good at masking her emotions. She still was a mystery to him. He had won her trust and he had broken it, like all the others before him. He had disappointed her.

There were no words to describe how terrible he felt for his stupid actions. Every minute he spent close to her was a constant reminder of his cruelty towards her. It pained him to think that when she set her hopes on him, he proved undeserving of her expectations.

Matthew believed that he might never get another chance to make it up to her, that he was unworthy of her forgiveness, so he was astounded by her unintentional confession. He had never imagined someone like her, an ass-kicking, mind-blowing woman could look at him twice.

Hearing her soft voice telling him she loved him was all the strength he needed to get back up. The moment he heard her profess her feelings his heart mended and was filled with light, like something had finally clicked in his mind. Maybe he did feel the same way about her.

'There they are,' Peter pointed ahead where the lake met the forest trees.

Matthew squinted hard in order to see the elves rushing towards them. Landos, needless to say, was fuming, while Inerma waved at them with a broad smile on her face. He was sad to admit that those two were the closest friends they had ever had.

'I swear, Matt, if I see any more scars on you,' Landos barked at him, 'I will tie you to a tree.'

'Listen to your mother, Matt,' Peter teased him.

Matthew grimaced in annoyance and stomped away, dragging Landos with him. It was time to put him in his place and make clear the fact that he wasn't going to take any orders from him. He had had enough of his clingy behaviour. 'Will you stop patronising me?' he seethed at the elf.

'Will you stop trying to act like a hero?'

'Cut it out! I'm sick of your overbearing attitude. We were fine without you chasing us around.' Matthew glanced back and saw the two women following them a few metres behind. They, babbling cheerfully, weren't really paying attention to them. He hoped they wouldn't hear their humiliating fighting.

'Do you realise how unreasonable you're being?' Landos said, clenching his jaw.

'Please, enlighten me.'

'You are supposed to help her, not cause her more problems. She would have been fine if you weren't there to drag her down all the time.'

'Are you kidding me?' Matthew deep voice echoed in the forest. 'This is unbelievable! I have saved her like a million times, and now you tell me I drag her down? And where were you, by the way? Because you seemed too reluctant to accompany her.'

'I know when she needs me and when she doesn't.'

'And you think I don't?'

'No, you don't. Your presence is complicating things and you keep making it more difficult for her to focus on her task. She always has to worry about you.'

Matthew scoffed at his words and stared at his feet. His hands were itching to hit something, but he resisted the impulse. Didn't he worry about her? Did anyone ask him how he felt whenever he watched her leave his side?

'You don't stop to think before you act. You ignore her thoughts and do whatever pleases you, just so that you can feel proud about yourself,' Landos went on.

'You think I care for that?'

'Don't you?'

'No!' Matthew snapped at him, his eyes blazing with anger.

'Admit it, Matthew. Why else would you follow her through fire?'

Matthew paused and turned to the elf. The silence of the forest was excruciating. It made the screaming in his head even louder.

'You are a spineless coward,' Landos smirked. 'You can't admit that you only think about your pride. You are jealous of her, aren't you? Of her abilities.'

'Don't talk about things you have no clue about,' Matthew gritted through his teeth.

'I don't have to, it's obvious. You are afraid that you'll stay behind while the others get all the credit.'

'Shut up, Landos!' Matthew's face contorted in rage, his fists clenching and unclenching. He wanted to smack him so bad, it was nearly impossible to control himself.

'You have done enough already,' the elf said in a stern tone. 'You are coming back with me to our city. It is final.'

'I'm not going anywhere!'

Landos pulled him by the arm, but Matthew was strong, and he was able to push him away. The two men stood opposite from each other, daring one another to make a move first. Their expressions clearly reflected their not so amiable emotions.

'I suggest you listen to me,' Landos poked Matthew's chest with a finger, 'otherwise you'll regret it.'

'I'm going with her, and you cannot stop me.'

'I won't let you endanger her life again!'

'Without me she wouldn't be here at all!'

'She would be fine alright! Why do you always have to meddle in her matters?'

'That doesn't concern you!'

'You see? You are doing this for your ego!' Landos accused him and grabbed Matthew's arm again, leading him back to the elves' realm.

'It's because I love her, God damn it!' Matthew yelled angrily before he could register his words.

The elf immediately stopped dead on his tracks. He slowly turned around and glanced at him with a blank expression, like he hadn't heard him at all. Right then, realisation settled in Matthew's mind. I have fallen in love with her, he finally admitted.

How could he ignore the love that was there for some time now and couldn't be subdued any more? The more he repressed his feelings, the more he felt them bursting inside him, taking over his body and soul. It consumed him to such an extent that it terrified him.

Matthew's eyes flickered to Landos who was still staring at him. A smirk had formed on his lips, as he stood there silently with his arms crossed. Matthew avoided his gaze and nervously scratched his neck, cursing at his uncontrollable mouth and his inability to preserve the little dignity that was left in him.

'You owe me a penny,' Landos words made him frown in confusion.

'Excuse me?'

'I hate you,' he heard Inerma say from behind him.

Matthew quickly turned around and saw her take out a coin from her pocket and give it to the elf begrudgingly. What is going on?, he thought, awkwardly watching their exchange. Landos came and stood beside him and put a hand on his shoulder.

'Unfortunately, she lost the bet,' he explained in hushed tones.

'What bet?' Matthew narrowed his eyes in suspicion.

'She didn't believe I could make you open up your heart to me.'

Matthew stared at him with wide eyes, causing the elf to chuckle at his shocked expression. So, he had planned that from the beginning, and he had fallen into his ingenious trap like the stupid man he was. He had given them something to laugh about without even knowing it. Landos, sensing his discomfort, took a step back and beckoned Inerma to give him some space.

'We're going to collect some herbs around here,' Inerma said, and the elves drew away.

Matthew nodded at them and watched them gradually vanish behind the pine trees. His eyes couldn't help but tentatively glance around, searching for Peter, even though he knew she wouldn't want to talk to him. He scanned his surroundings and noticed her retreating back between the trees. She hadn't even waited for an explanation.

He let out a deep sigh, thinking over the embarrassing conversation they had just minutes ago. Why did he have to be so daft and shame her with his over emotional outbursts? He acted without considering her feelings. She had managed to hide her emotions for so long, while he was going around beating the drum for his love for her.

The chance of her forgiving him were so slim they were nearly nonexistent, but he needed to at least try. After all, he had no choice in the matter, she was his purpose now. Matthew ignored his racing heart and went after her.

- - - - - - - - - - - -

A/N: YEEEES!!! I've been waiting for this moment for like AGES! Tell me what you think in the comments below. You know what would give Matthew some encouragement? STARS! Come one people, give him a star as a boost.

Phrase of chapter: he who scorns false glory shall possess the true / vanam gloriam qui spreverit veram habebit - Titus Livius