Another Fairy Tale /Ateez

Chapter 17 - The friendzone

I can't see the road
Between the dim lights
I'm afraid of walking on this fearful night,
But I walk back again

- Ateez, Mist

After the meal the boys were definitely happier and more enthusiastic to search for the key holder. Now walking next to each other, Yunho and Rory were walking behind the boys. 

"Excuse me?", Rory asked a younger Lady selling jewellery. The woman looked at her with a smile on her face. "Is there someone who can bring us to the person who keeps the keys to Wonderland?" 

The woman froze in her action and stared at Rory in shock, her smile immediately dropping as she shushed Rory. "We don't talk about him in public."

Yunho raised an eyebrow. "But you do talk about him."

 The woman looked around before answering, making sure no one could hear them. "We call him the Keeper. Nobody has seen him in years and the King is intimidated by him. Only crazy people go to the mountains." 

"So this Keeper lives in the mountains?", Yunho asked now. The woman's eyes widened as if she had now realized her mistake. 

"Yes. Why are you so interested in him?" 

"We need to find him. Is there anything else that can get us to him?" 

The woman shook her head, a scared look on her face. "The King sent out his best warriors to fight the Keeper and none of them came back. Your plan is suicide." 

"Please.", Rory begged now. Then she leaned forward so Yunho couldn't hear. "It's the only way I can save my friends." 

The Woman's eyes softened and she remained silent for a few moments. "The land is too rocky for cars. My brother has horses you can borrow. Follow the moon in the night to the mountains. On midnight you will see." 

"Thank you.", Yunho said relieved. The woman nodded at him with a sad look. Rory already ran towards the others and quickly informed them about their new plan while Yunho looked at the woman once again. "I'm sorry, but is there anything you can recommend to me? For her?" 

A sad smile appeared on the woman's face when she gave Yunho a ring, a feather engraved into it. "In our culture the eagle stands for strength and intelligence. You will need both of it." 

"Thanks. How much?" 

The woman shook her head. "Nothing. Just promise me one thing." 

"What?" 

"Protect her. Love her. As much as you can. I have a feeling she will need it." 

Yunho thanked the woman and made his way back to the others, the ring securely in his pocket. He was already planning the perfect moment to give it to her. Meanwhile the woman looked after them, praying they would survive the meeting with the Keeper unlike many others who had lost their live already because of the dangerous path up the mountains.

"Nobody of us can ride a horse, are you sure this is the only way up there?", Hongjoong asked doubtful. Jongho shook his head as he jumped onto a big brown horse. 

"That's not actually right.", he smirked, making Wooyoung groan. 

"Of course you can do anything. What can't you do?" 

"Deal with your stupid ass." 

"Anyway. We have enough supplies for all of us, but I'm not sure of the horses.", Hongjoong said, already having a plan in his head. "We share them. Mingi, you're going with Jongho. San, Wooyoung, you take the white horse. Seonghwa and I will take the black one. I'm not sure about Yeosang-"