The Prince and The Hunter

Chapter 6

" Tell me, do you know where we're going?" Asked Varia. " Ahh, to the Dark King's castle." Lucia replied with a smile. " Right, and do you know how to get there?" "Yes?..." Lucia said unsure.

* Varia looked at Lucia while raising one eyebrow showing him that she know he was lying.*

" No, no I don't know." Lucia confessed. " I knew it, what type of rescuer are you if you don't even know where your going." Varia said pushing aside branches. "Look, All I know is that I need to save my bride, and I don't appreciate the negativity you're bringing upon me." Lucia said trying to catch up with Varia. " Your bride? Are you to be wed?" Varia asked moving throw some bushes. " Yes! Princess Odette, I heard she is quite lovely." Lucia cheerful told Varia. "You've heard? Have you ever met the woman you are to be marrying?" Varia laughed at the prince.

" Well, no. It is an arranged marriage, but I know things about her." Lucia said confidently. " Well, tell me some stuff about her then." Varia said. " Ahh well, she likes books, music, animals, and I think she dislike cheese." Lucia replied. " You think she dislikes cheese? Haha, so you are risking our lives to save someone you don't know?" Varia's laugh echoed throughout the woods.

"She is still my birde, even if it is arranged! I-I-I...I am also doing it for the Kingdom. If I don't kill him then he'll start a war killing me first." Lucia said angrily. " Okay, now that makes a lot more sense. Risking your life for a princess you don't even know ha, that's funny." Varia said whispering the last part to herself while trying to keep her laughter in.

" I heard that." Lucia said crossing his arms. " Good! You need to hear how ridiculous it sounds!" Varia yelled back with a giggle.

* Varia and Lucia had they way throw the thick woods till they finally arrived to Varia's home.*

" Wait here, I am going to talk with my father before we leave." Varia said running to her home. " Daddy!" Varia yelled seeing her father cut vegetables at the table." " Oh Varia, your home. How did it go?" Sam said happily. " You know what was on that flyer didn't you! The only person I know who actually reads the small writing on flyers is you!" Varia explained walking up to her father. " Varia, if I told you then you wouldn't have joined, and by the way you are sounding I am guessing you won?" Sam joyfully said.

"...Yes, I won." Varia said angrily. " Oh oh! That's some good news! Is the prince outside?" Sam asked poking his head out the window. " Yes he is, but don't look at him. I don't want you to get attached" Varia pulled her father away from the window. " I won't get attached, I promise! Please let me go meet him." Sam begged to Varia. " No father, we are still not done having this conversation." Varia said firmly.

" Oh Varia, I only did it because I want you to go see the world, and try new things. You know, have dreams like other people your age." Sam said putting hands on Varia's shoulder. " Father, this is a life or death situation. Why did you put me for a job like that?" Varia asked starting to get upset.

" I did it because the prince needs someone strong, and trustworthy like you. Look at him..." Sam pointed out the window to Lucia. " Look how small, sad, and weird he looks out there. He wouldn't survive a day without you." Varia's father explained with a smile.

" I don't know, I have never left you for so long, and I am going to be worried about you." Varia said starting to cry.

( Short song "It's Okay To Be Scared" plays)

Sam: little child let me wipe your tears away as you listen to my small lullaby.

* Sam wipes away Varia's tears away with his right hand.*

Sam: I see that you are scared from the stars in your eyes.

Sam: I know that you are frightened from the shiver of your hands.

* Sam takes Varia's hands into his stopping them from shaking*

Sam: It's okay to be scared, but Don't let it control your lifeeeee.

* Sam takes Varia into a big hug*

Sam: It's to okay to be scared just don't let it control who you really arrreee!

( Short Song "It's Okay To Be Scared" ends)

" You feel any better?" Sam asked. " Yes, thank you." Varia said with a big smile. "Hey uh Varia, are we leaving soon?" Lucia said walking into the house slowly. " Didn't I tell you to wait outside!" Varia hissed. " Varia, don't be rude. Please come in, come in." Sam put his arm around Lucia taking him to one of the chairs.

" Tell me, is there anything you need from me before you guys leave?" Sam asked. " We need a map to the Dark King's castle." Varia said sitting next to Lucia. " You got it, give me a minute." Sam left the kitchen heading to his room. "Your father has a map?" Lucia asked. " My father has all types of maps from around the world. He used to be a sailor when he was younger, but then became a hunter when he moved here to follow his father's footsteps." Varia explained.

" Oh. Well, he seems very nice." Lucia said with a big smile. " Yes, he is too nice for his own good. He gets attached to anyone or anything, I'm surprised he is still a hunter." Varia laughed a little thinking of her father's niceness. " Alright, you guys got lucky. I only have one, so don't lose it" Sam gave Varia the map.

" Thank you, father. I'll see you when get back." Varia said hugging Sam. " Yes, when you come back as a hero!" Sam laughed hugging his little girl as a tear went down his face. " Goodbye, goodbye...goodbye." Varia said waving goodbye at her father as Lucia pulls her away.

* Sam waves goodbye at the heroes that make their way to the Hidden Woods of the Dark King*