The Lost Prince || Dreamnotfound

fourteen

"My home is only a few hours away from here," George mentions, once they've said goodbye to Tina.

Dream doesn't reply. He doesn't know what to say, so he just reacts with a subtle head nod. He and George have put on their armor, Dream is thankful for that; he doesn't want to walk into enemy territory defenseless, not that he knows how to fight. No, not enemy, Dream scolds himself. He shakes his head, nose scrunching in thought.

If George notices, he doesn't comment. Lav, however, looks up at Dream, head tilted in quiet wonder. Dream pats his head reassuringly, letting his companion know he's okay.

The rest of the trip passes in a similar fashion. When they reach George's home, which George had said was called Začarano Kraljevstvo, which Dream was told means Enchanted Kingdom. The name itself has Dream putting his guard up; he isn't sure what to expect.

But once Dream sees the opal and gold gates of George's kingdom, his breath catches in awe. Eyes wide, he sees sentinels stationed on the walls around the kingdom, bows aimed right at them. Upon recognition, the sentinels cheer at the sight of George, lowering their bows. A guard on the ground runs up to them.

Dream blinks, shocked when he realizes the guard is a woman. With nearly white hair pulled into a tight braid, the guard grins, elated at the sight of her prince. She bows deeply before George, not even paying attention to Dream. The sheathed sword at her waist makes Dream tense.

Suddenly, he isn't sure if he should be here.

The woman greets George in his language, words too fast and complex for Dream to understand. They continue to talk animatedly.

George could name him an enemy at any moment and he could be executed.

Dream takes a step back, fists curled. Lav stiffens beside him, conflicted on which side he should take. At his movement, the woman's bright eyes dart to Dream, narrowing instantly. She unsheathes her sword.

George lifts his hand, talking swiftly. Dream looks between them, noticing that her eyes don't lessen their glare. George turns to Dream, completely at ease. When he notices Dream's stiffness, he is quick to speak.

"Dream, this is Niki, head of the sentinels," George says. "She is one of my fiercest fighters, so don't get on her bad side."

Dream says nothing, mouth twisting when Niki spits, accent thick, "One wrong move and I'll slit your throat."

George gives Niki a half-hearted glare, replying, "You're not to lay a finger on him. Make sure the rest of your sentinels know that."

Niki nods stiffly, watching Dream out of the corner of her eye as she leads them to the gate. Sentinels open the gates, beaming at George, only to glare at Dream seconds later. Dream's shoulders are tight as the gate closes behind them.

Niki walks beside Dream, her hand on the handle of her sword as George leads them up the cobblestone path.

Dream almost forgets about Niki, attention rapt on their surroundings. Dream understands why it's called "Enchanted" like the forest. The grass is the brightest shade of green, a sharp contrast to the blood soaked grass of the battlefield. Willow trees line the path, fairies flying amongst the branches. As they near the city, creatures of all sorts bustle around. They notice George instantly, clapping and cheers. A couple young kids run up to give George flowers. Only the educated adults notice Dream, glaring at him with hate.

Dream tries his best to ignore them, observing the city around him. Unlike the stone houses of Dream's home, here the people live in all sorts of houses. Bricks, wood, stones, even little cottage looking hobbit homes. Lavlji soaks it all in, basking in children's pampering.