What a leap indeed.

******

"I really hope to see you soon." Isabella bade farewell to the elderly lady and turned to James and hugged him tightly.

He whispered into her ear, "If we get to visit that castle of yours I expect to get your room and be pampered young lady."

She grinned. "Of course oh wonderful, life saving, pamper deserving, James." She hugged him again and they laughed.

Aiden walked over and cleared his throat, "'Tis time that we've taken our leave. Huey and his guards are looking a tad bit impatient." She looked over and saw an irate Huey flanked by fifteen guards and waved goodbye once more before mounting Storm.

Isabella hid a smile when the bickering Kings' voices rung into the air. She turned and asked Aiden, "If 'tis so much of a hassle for them to ride in the same carriage why don't we just use our own carriage?"

Aiden looked over at the bickering Kings thoughtfully. "Though things may not be as severe in Jaria as they seem to be in Gardia, 'twould not be wise to have your royal carriage arrive at the castle and to have you all be seen stepping out of it. The refugees would probably be notified and your lives would be at stake. 'Tis a matter of safety. We will send your carriage back to your castle though." He looked at her horse curiously, "'Tis remarkable that you do not wish to ride in a carriage with Myra; there is room because Prince Eric chose to ride horseback this time. We would not want you to get hurt again." He grinned up at her sarcastically.

Isabella huffed, "I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself thank you very much." She patted Storm. "I love horseback riding anyway, 'tis liberating." She spurred her horse and rode over to her men. Aiden shook his head and jogged to his own horse.

They set off, leaving the cries of angry citizens behind them. The Kings rode in the carriage and Aiden lead the way. Myra, still unaware of the cause of their sudden departure, rode in her separate carriage; for she refused to give it up to the Gardians.

Isabella sighed as she road, stuck in her thoughts. This has been nothing like I've expected. Treading into enemy territory. I will have to be extra alert. The sound of an approaching horse startled her out of her thoughts.

"Princess on a horse? I have to say this is a first for me." She turned and saw a man riding at her side. His boyish features and long dirty blonde hair looked familiar. At her confused glance Eric spoke, "Come on Bella you do not remember me? I am hurt." He placed his hand over his heart. Isabella shook her head at his dramatics.

"Who are you?" She asked and then suddenly laughed. "Eric. Just as dramatic as ever I see. You'd think after six and ten years you would grow up no?"

Eric grinned, "Fair Maiden, you wound me. I am a mature, stone faced man who focuses solely on duty. I am rarely distracted you know. Oooo a butterfly..." He trailed off. Isabella laughed, and they began to catch up.

Aiden not very far away heard the sound of Eric's and Isabella's laughter and he wondered what they were talking about. He glanced back suspiciously, how are they getting along so well? He mentioned knowing her prior to this damned Official Meeting as well. Secret lovers maybe? Is that why she agreed to this so quickly? He speculated.

Her laugh rang into the open air again. He noticed her laugh was different. It was a light, kind of husky sound, and he realized he liked the sound of it. It was different from the laughs he usually heard, the ones women did at home when they attempted to sound breathy and airy. He felt annoyed at himself suddenly and urged his horse faster so that he didn't have to hear their laughter. The sooner we reach Jaria, the better. He thought.

They rode throughout the entire day only stopping for food twice and immediately continuing travel. They traveled a straight, dust covered path. The shade of trees made the heat bearable. They covered their faces with scarves so that the sand would not be too troublesome. As more time and land passed, the dust began to clear and the land became fertile.

As the sun set, the troop reached the cover of the forest and Aiden decided to have them set up for the night. He spoke quietly to his men and set up different watch schedules. He glanced over and noticed Isabella speaking in hushed tones to the group of Gardian knights. I never did ask about the whereabouts of their Head Knight. He thought. He saw them nod and even one saluted to Isabella. Wow they are really taking her seriously in that armor. He shook his head, men are so easily influenced by women.

"Aiiiiiden. I am cold, must we sleep out here, what if there are," she lowered her voice "animals out there, watching us, waiting to eat me!?" She stepped extra close to his person.

He took a step back. "There are no such creatures. And Princess you are fine, 'tis not terribly cold out here. I will have a knight get you an extra cover." Though Aiden did not understand why she needed one, she wore a huge poofy low cut gown that left little to the imagination. He assumed the layers of her dress contained enough fabric to clothe a small impoverished nation. A little more should be added to her bodice if you ask me. Maybe her getting a cover is a swell idea after all. He smiled at the thought.

Myra smirked inwardly at the sight of his smile. He likes my dress. I knew talking to him was a good idea, I'm not even cold. She faked a yawn and stretched making sure to stick out her assets. "I am very tired, 'tis been a very long day no?"

Aiden, annoyed, averted his gaze from her and noticed Isabella approaching. "My knights will help keep watch. I have a schedule I hope would give your men more time to rest. Two men always on watch and my men will keep watch longer because there are less of us." Isabella finished before noticing a glaring Myra. "Oh sorry, did I just interrupt something?"

Myra looked at the knight and glared because of the interruption; she sent a death glare when she realized it was a female. She studied the woman in men's garb. She's the Gardian princess?! Look at her, no threat whatsoever. She tucked Aiden's arm into hers and smiled. To answer Isabella's question Myra replied yes, just as Aiden said no.

Myra laughed what she thought was a breathy seductive laugh and patted Aiden's arm. Aiden pulled his arm out of her grasp and spoke to Isabella. "No, you interrupted nothing," he reiterated. "Princess Myra was just retiring for the night because today has been a long day for her." He turned to Myra, "The men have set the fire and the tented hoods up so you can go rest now." He hoped she would leave.

Myra regretted for a moment feigning exhaustion but then smiled when she realized that Aiden cared about how challenging the day was for her. "Okay. Farewell Aiden, have a very pleasant night." She caressed his shoulder and sauntered away. She then turned and waved over her shoulder before going into her hooded tent.

Aiden sighed and turned to Isabella, running his fingers through his hair tiredly. "Your knights keeping watch is not necessary. We have enough men to watch. You all just rest, tomorrow will be even longer."

"Sir Aiden, my men will watch, 'tis final." She stated.

She said my men. He noticed. Shouldn't it be our men? He thought about it.

Isabella checked with her men and checked in on her sleeping father before laying down like the knights in the open air. She stared up at the stars. What she didn't tell Aiden was she planned on taking a shift also.

*******

Aiden sat up and studied the sky. It was indigo but he assumed the sun would rise soon. He glanced over at the half asleep Gardian knight, shook his head and then went back to surveying the sky. A little later he saw the knight stand up, stretch and walk over to the sleeping form of Isabella and wake her. Before he could tell him to leave her be, Isabella rose and stretched. She patted the knight's arm and said something that made the knight grin before laying down.

Aiden called out in a half whisper, "Why are you up? You still have a little time before sunrise."

Isabella sat down and surveyed the area around her for anything before answering. "'Tis my turn to keep watch. Why are you up?"

"I've been on watch for awhile now. I always get up near sunrise to do some extra training so I am not tired." Aiden replied, gaze still on the sky.

"I've noticed you watch the sky a lot." She said conversationally.

Aiden made eye contact with her slightly startled that she noticed.

Isabella shrugged, "I mean like while we were riding, you would always stare upward and then tilt your head a little before stopping." She blushed a little when he raised an eyebrow. "What?! I'm observant, the habit is hard to miss."

Aiden tilted his head and looked up thinking before he spoke, "I look to the sky for inspiration so to say." His deep voice became reflective, "my father, back in simpler times told me, 'the sky is constant. It continues to stretch no matter what the landscape is. Clouds can cover it, dust can rise but there's always the guarantee it will be there. Constant.' Because of that, growing up I've always looked to the sky for answers. I know 'tis strange..." Aiden explained.

Isabella interrupted him. "'Tis alright really. My mother and I used to walk the gardens at night and the full moon would be out. When she died, I felt lost and unsure of everything. Now every time I see the moon, I feel like 'tis her smiling down at me." She wiped away a single tear and laughed. "Now that is strange." Aiden just shook his head clearly not thinking it strange. His gaze shot to the dying fire.

"I've also noticed something you do."

"And that would be?"

"You curl your hair around your finger when you are thinking or bored."

"That's a less obvious habit." She grinned.

"A habit nevertheless. Speaking of habits, why do you wear war armor as a knight does?" Aiden sat back against a tree trunk and watched the nosy sunlight peak through the shelter of the trees and foliage.

She felt annoyed yet again at that question. I forgot for a moment that he believes me an imposter, well I will show him. "I prefer armor over dresses. 'Tis difficult to move around in those." She shrugged.

He still did not fully understand why William allowed her to dress in such a way but brushed it off to her being spoiled like Myra and her being able get whatever she wants. He suddenly felt annoyed again too and stood, walked over and kicked dirt onto the fading embers.

Isabella watched him walk yards away from her and shook her head at herself. So much for comrades, I hate him. Why did I tell him about my mother? Lord. She rolled her eyes at his back before standing up herself and walking to the other side of the small clearance. From where they stood, the sunrise could be seen in all of its glory. Isabella smiled at the beauty. Aiden took a deep breath and closed his eyes. Nature always has a way of bringing peace to otherwise troubled minds.

The peace and quiet was broken by the sound of a voice. "Whyyyyy is it so bright? Daddddddy." Aiden's eyes shot open and he internally groaned. There goes the peace and quiet.

Everyone awoke, ate and soon they set off again. Eric rode up to Aiden and asked how much longer he estimated the ride would be. "Originally I said three days but I guess we're are moving at a faster pace than I expected. To be so newly healed, Princess Isabella rides surprisingly well on a horse."

Eric laughed and nodded. "That is Bella for you. If she feels any pain, she wouldn't tell you. Why don't you ask her about her health and see if the wound is ailing her." Eric woke briefly to the sound of their voices. Last night he had noticed a certain softness in Aiden's voice that he hadn't in a long time. Isabella and Aiden were similar and yet complete opposites at the same time, and smirked at the thought. Maybe they will clash and in the process knock each other's walls down.

"Oh no, I am not going to do that. She will somehow feel that I am attacking her. You are worried so you ask." Aiden replied.

Eric's usual witty reply was just a nod. He changed his face into a thoughtful expression, "Hmm do you think she fancies princes? If this meeting doesn't work a royal marriage would not be a bad idea. She is very beautiful. An exotic beauty you know mate? Different from any woman I've ever seen before. I should bring it up to father." Eric watched Aiden's face carefully.

Aiden's mask fell and he looked at Eric wide-eyed before composing his features again. Ah yes, alarm. So my instincts are correct. He's interested and doesn't realize it yet. Well, knowing Aiden, he has and just tries to suppress or ignore it. I want to see how this plays out. Eric thought.

"Eric you are too immature for marriage, always chasing maids' skirts and all." Aiden felt annoyed at the thought of Isabella marrying Eric. I don't like her and she will just hurt him 'tis all. He reasoned with himself and quickened the travel pace hoping to escape such thoughts as Eric slowed enough to ride side by side with Isabella. For some time they just talked literature and art and Eric took note of Aiden's glances at him. He sneakily worked Aiden into their conversation and told her of Aiden's interests he knew would peak Isabella's curiosity. Eventually, he began to recognize the landscape and knew they had entered Jarian territory.

****

Aiden motioned for the group to stop and dismounted his horse. Isabella stared curiously as he walked over to her. "Princess Isabella please dismount."

She lifted her chin, "Why?"

I've never been questioned so much before and this chit has the nerve... "We are on a tight schedule and it will be too dark soon, if you could dismount and get into the carriage with your father, getting to the castle would be easier." Aiden had Gardian knights take their Gardian crescents off as well for the sake of anonymity.

Isabella hated riding in carriages but agreed anyway. She went to get off but her leg got caught and she stumbled off landing into the arms of an impatient Aiden. She slid down until her feet touched the ground and her hands rested on his chest. Her slim waist was encased in his strong arms, and their breathing hitched. Their chests pressed, their eyes met and both of them paused a moment, in shock. Aiden's eyes raked over her face in wonder and Isabella realized how close they were. Snapping out of it, Isabella cleared her throat and stepped back. She rubbed her arms to guard against a sudden chill and excused herself blushing. The flashback of his hard chest and muscles played in her mind. Why am I reacting so? I am no frilly swooning damsel dammit.

Eric watched the exchange very much amused by it all.

Aiden ran a hand through his hair suddenly frustrated. Almost there Aiden, almost. He saw Isabella into the carriage making sure to avoid any contact and mounted his horse again. She was so soft. His groan filled the darkening sky and Eric laughed silently.

They rode past the village and Isabella looked at the villagers in their Jarian dress. She sighed and her father sneered at the sight. The carriage stopped and she was helped out this time by a footman. She smiled and muttered a thank you. She could not see much because of the dark but she did notice how tall the castle was. While the Gardian castle had size, the Jarian castle had height. She stood with her mouth opened in shock at the tower.

"So how do you like it?"

She turned and smiled sarcastically.