The Keepers of the Elements

Alexander

"Eight thousand seven hundred fifty eight bottles of-"

"Juice." Alex interrupted Ash, Pippy, and Tulii's song.

"On the wall! Eight thousand seven hundred fifty eight bottles of-"

"Juice."

"Take one down, pass it around, eight thousand seven hundred fifty seven bottles of-"

"Juice."

"On the wall!"

Huro was walking far, far behind them, trying his hardest to ignore them. He had opted out after nine thousand nine hundred eighty.

The group had been walking on the shore of the stream for the past few hours, trying to entertain themselves as best they could. Obviously, only the girls were really entertained. After Alex had let the girls sing whatever (he probably would have hit them in the heads with his staff, but sadly he was nice), he slowly drifted back until he was next to Huro.

"Are the princesses always this annoying?" Huro frowned, messing with his sword that was hanging from his belt.

Alex snorted. "You didn't live with them for years. But you'll get used to it. Eventually."

"Wonderful."

They continued walking quietly, every now and then groaning at the girls' song.

"Hey Alex! Are we going in the right direction?" The girls had slowed down and were walking just ahead of them now.

"Uh," He stopped and handed his staff to Huro, who wasn't paying attention and got smacked in the head when it fell over. Alex pulled out the map and squinted at it. "Well there isn't anything that says 'you are here' but I think we've been walking south along the water." They started walking again.

"We're probably going north." Pippy muttered.

Ash elbowed her. "I completely trust Alex's sense of direction."

Her sister and Alex snorted. "Better to trust his than yours." Pippy laughed.

"Yeah, remember that one time you were trying to sneak Pippy to the stables and you got lost and were wandering around the castle for an hour?"

"And the one time you and I went to the kitchens to steal cookies for our stash but you forgot which way left and right were and we took the wrong turn and ended up in the middle of dad's meeting?"

Ash chuckled. "He was so mad!"

Both girls smiled to themselves, cheeks flushed pink. They really missed their parents, Alex could tell. The royal family didn't always get along, but they all loved each other, that was for sure.

Alex really missed his dad, but he was different from the princesses. He was already used to missing one parent. Alex stuck his hand in his pocket and pulled out his pocket watch. He was ashamed to admit that he had almost forgotten about it in all the excitement. His mum would be so proud if she knew what he was doing. The hero type of character was always her favorite. He and his dad always preferred the best friend of the hero.

When he thought about it, Alex was kind of the best friend of the hero. He was best friends with Princess Ashlyn, for Zya's sake. Everyone neglected the stable boy with patched up clothes and the father that was too busy to even ask how his day was.

Alex couldn't really remember the last time he and his dad had an actual conversation.

"Guys, what're we gonna do for sleeping and stuff?" Pippy asked, staring up at the orange and pink sky.

Tulii also looked up. "We should probably start setting up a camp before it's completely dark."

"Yes please," Ash wheezed. "I'm whipped."

"I can't wait to sleep in an actual bed again." The youngest princess said dreamily. "I've always liked a comfy bed, but I have such a great appreciation for them now."

Ash and Tulii nodded in agreement. Huro and Alex shifted uncomfortably. "Shall we set up camp?"

"Indeed we shall."

The five of them set up a few makeshift beds with some blankets they had picked up. They made an actual campfire with the matches and Alex slapped everyone away from the food while he made it himself.

He made a veggie stew that everyone happily scarfed down way too fast to be healthy. He then limited them all to two candies, much to Ash and Pippy's disappointment.

"Fine, mom." Pippy said when Alex took the three extras she had snuck and put them back in the bag.

The fire was crackling and giving off a warm yellow glow. Everyone sat around the fire talking for what seemed like hours. Laughter echoed through the brisk night air.

Eventually they all started drifting off to sleep. Ash volunteered to take the first watch. She sat by the fire while everyone started drifting off. Including her.

The sun was barely coming up when Alex sat up, well-rested after the long day before. Huro was sleeping quietly next to him. Pippy and Tulii were also still asleep, both snoring loudly. Ash was asleep next to the faintly glowing embers from their fire. Actually, she was pretty much laying in the fire.

"Ash, wake up!" Alex panicked, rolling her over, momentarily forgetting she was resistant to fire. She groaned and sat up groggily, covered in ashes from head to toe.

"What time is it?" She said, words slurring together sleepily.

"Early dawn. You fell asleep on watch last night. Thank the Keepers we weren't attacked." Alex sat back and relaxed his tense arms.

The princess's eyes widened. "I am so sorry- I thought I was awake enough to watch- Zya, I don't know what I would do with myself if it was my fault one of us got hurt!"

"Hey, calm down. We're all okay!" Alex said with a small smile.

"Yeah, but if we weren't-"

Alex punched her shoulder playfully. "We are, and that's what matters. I'll start on breakfast. We have a lot of walking ahead of us, today." He grinned. "And you may want to clean yourself up."

Ash glanced down at her ashy clothes. "Rightio. Maybe don't tell anyone that I fell asleep on watch? I just... I don't want to fight with anyone this early." Her amber eyes flashed to Tulii long enough for Alex to catch.

"Of course. Go wash yourself up, princess." Ash stuck out her tongue at him and disappeared into the tree line. Alex started slicing pieces of bread and spreading strawberry jam on them. Tulii woke up a few minutes later.

"Who all took watch last night?" She asked.

Alex looked down at the bread. "I took it after Ash and I was awake enough that I just stayed up. Sorry. Everyone just seemed like they needed a good rest."

The elf seemed to understand, although Alex could practically feel her suspicious gaze. "Thanks, Alex. And breakfast looks good."

"It'll be ready soon. We can let Huro and Pip sleep a little more." Alex continued spreading jam on the bread.

"Where'd Ash go?" Tulii asked, gazing around the camp.

Alex pointed through the trees at the stream. "She went to wash up a bit."

"Not a bad idea." She left to do the same.

A few minutes passed. Alex hummed quietly to himself. His mother had used to sing him the tune when he was younger.

A shriek cut through the air from the direction of the stream. Huro sat up and looked around him frantically. Pippy continued snoring away. "What was that?!"

Alex, who had dropped the bread he was holding, grabbed his staff and started running to the stream. "Ash and Tulii went to the stream to go wash up a few minutes ago! You stay here with Pippy and I'll go see what's happening!"

"Wait-" Huro started but Alex was already off running.