The packs were full. Alex had gathered some remaining herbs and flowers. Vincent had filled their empty canteens with fresh water. Oliver had been fed and watered before they had saddled him and fixed both of the packs to his back. It was good that they were lighter from before, because there might come a time when they both need ride the poor beast.

They decided to walk at first, in order that they should pick the smoothest path. Alex scouted the right side and Vincent the left, which resulted in them taking the right side for their journey. It was not as steep and seemed to follow the stream more closely. Vincent was not fully recovered of his strength, so he would have to take turns riding Oliver.

They departed from their secluded waterfall paradise and made their way into the forest. The trees stood tall and cast great shadows below them. The large rays of light that did filter through the canopy created pockets of sunlight and vegetation. The air was moist and still as a tomb. Each sound of their footsteps on the dirt seemed to echo about them.

They stayed silent at first, concentrating on manoeuvering through the somewhat rocky hillside. Oliver was careful as he picked his way over the uneven ground with the boys. They rested now and then, but still Vincent felt tired with the increased exercise. Sweat poured from his brow as they pushed on through to the Fae kingdom.

When the ground leveled more and their stores of food became low again, Alex moved towards the sound of the stream to walk and gather more food. Oliver was able to scale some smooth paths and they picked their way along the stream's edge. The little bird followed them in the treetops, chittering to them when they stopped to rest.

Alex found some fresh berries and held out a hand to share the bounty with Vincent. They smiled and ate the sweet fruit with glee. He sat with the last berry in hand and held it out to the treetops. The little bird swooped down and plucked the small blue round with its tiny beak. Alex smiled and watched, happy that the little guy would get some too.

The stream widened into a small river at a junction, and they sat down for a break to eat a meal and consult their map. Vincent traced the small black lines with his finger in the light from the fading sun. They were going in the right direction, he thought. If the river they were next to now was the small black line under his finger, then they were only a few days away from the entrance.

He showed Alex on the map, and the little prince agreed. They would follow the larger section of the river. They bedded down under some bushes next to the waters edge to sleep. Alex curled into the warm embrace of his love and held tight. The sounds of Vincent's heartbeat lulled him to sleep. They had their animals to warn them of danger this time.

There was none. Only the never ending rush of water and the gleam of sunlight through the trees. The other wildlife avoided them. They heard the occasional flap of wings or scurried feet in the underbrush, but saw nothing. It was almost eerie how still the great woods were. Even the little bird and Oliver took to staying as quiet as possible.

"One more day. I think we should be there in one more day." Vincent whispered in the gloom of the evening.

"Yes, we made good progress today. We will have to part with the river to find the gateway." Alex said nervously. They shivered at the thought of leaving the safety of the waters edge.

"We will do what we must. Do not think about it. Get some rest." Vincent said to his love. They curled together for warmth and comfort once more. Oliver stood guard next to their tree, the little bird sat in the branches, and they fell into a deep slumber with the soothing sound of rushing water in their ears.

In the morning's first rays of light, Alex yawned and rose from the ground. He searched the area for herbs and grasses to take with them and feed themselves with. There were some mosses further into the trees that he sampled and brought to the light. They had little flowers that sprung from them, and he marveled at the lovely sight.

"What did you find?" Vincent asked him. He showed the tiny flowers in his hand and they smiled at the sight.

"Aren't they pretty? I have not seen such moss before. We must be very far from the swamp now." He commented absently.

"We are. I have been counting the days that we travel. It has been months since we left the castle. I hope our parents have not given up hope." He looked a little worried. Alex took his hand and squeezed it.

"It will be alright. We just need to finish our quest and return to them." He said optimistically. Vincent nodded with a new determination.

"You are right. The sooner we finish this, the sooner we can return home." They stood up and packed the small number of things from the night and pressed on along the river. At luncheon time, Alex wordlessly handed over some grasses for Oliver to chew on, some sweet herbs for themselves, and they did not stop.

As they drew closer and closer to their destination, the urgency they felt overwhelmed them. Eventually, as the sky above them grew dim with the coming sunset, they came to the awaited junction in the river. On the map was a brook, barely discernible as it wound through the trees. It ended in a small pond that was only a small distance from their end destination.

"Should we stop?" Alex asked tiredly. Vincent looked at the beads of sweat on his forehead and reluctantly nodded.

"Yes, we should. We will rest once more, and should reach the gate by evening tomorrow." He sighed. He was gaining strength still, but it felt so slow with their walking. Surely it was taking twice as long as it would if they had not gone on foot.

"At least we found the brook. We know we are going in the right direction." Alex said firmly. They collapsed next to a large, mossy tree and leaned into one another. Neither felt the energy to do much more than take a few sips of water and chew some herbs for dinner. Oliver nosed his way to the river edge to drink his fill.

The little bird came down and perched on Alex's shoulder as the boy drifted off to a restless sleep. They did not even remember to grab blankets, simply leaning into each others' warmth to rest the cool night away. They did not sense the eyes that regarded them. Did not hear the footsteps approach them. Did not feel the gentle brush of fabric as they were covered for the night.