When an attack on your carriage becomes a meeting of swords and souls, you find yourself saving a stranger and ultimately defying the powers trying to control you. Do you dare to dream, following him into the dark, forbidden forest to discover what...
"This is madness. A terrible idea. What's wrong with you?"
Namjoon tunes out Hoseok's constant string of uncertainty. No matter the risk or how reckless it might be, he can't let this opportunity slip between his fingers.
"If you have a better one, let's hear it," Namjoon grumbles as he adjusts the strap of his bow across his back.
Hoseok sighs, glancing Jungkook's way. "Why are you so silent on this? You can't possibly think this is a good idea either."
There is a moment of silence as the trio trudges through the thick underbrush of Sherwood Forest. Jungkook finally breaks the silence, saying, "I think this idea is better than not taking action at all. If what Friar Park provided to Namjoon is indeed true, then this is fate guiding us. Who are we to question that?"
"Never been much of one for trusting fate," Hoseok huffs, dragging a thumb over the scar that angles along the side of his jaw and down his throat, courtesy of The Sheriff of Nottingham. Yoongi is the reason Hoseok disappeared into the Woods all those years ago, bloody and nearly frozen to death in nothing but his underthings. It was dead of winter, and he was lucky that Namjoon had found him before the wolves could.
The history between Hoseok and Yoongi is nearly as thick with tension as the one between Jungkook and Seokjin. Namjoon glances between his two closest friends, wondering not for the first time whether or not he's leading them to their demise. They both escaped the crown's wrath once; there is no guarantee of a second time.
Namjoon knows Hoseok is right; traveling to Nottingham in an effort to participate in the Royal Games is absolutely nonsensical. But on the chance that Namjoon might once again lay his eyes on the ones that tracked him with hawk-like grace nearly a week ago, it's a risk he's willing to take.
"You're both welcome to stay behind," he reminds them. "I can do this on my own. It's my risk to take."
"No," comes Hoseok's terse reply. Despite his woes, Namjoon knows there is no way Hoseok would abandon him to do this alone.
"As someone with experience in these Royal Games, I can say that you, in fact, could not do this on your own. They wouldn't allow you to compete without at least a squire or attendant by your side. Even the low-born must bring a partner. It's simply the rules," Jungkook explains. His easy stride is so full of assurance that it is as if walking into the place he was exiled from is just a casual stroll through a meadow.
Namjoon just grunts his acknowledgement. Because, once again, one of his friends is right. He knows, without a doubt, he'd be lost without them both and is tremendously grateful for their company. He tells them as much before a comfortable, if anxious, silence befalls the group as the stone walls of the city come into view.
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
"Name?" the gruff guard asks before hawking a glob of phlegm into the dirt beside Namjoon's leather-boot-clad feet.
"Haejoon of House Lee," Namjoon says, pointedly ignoring the ill-manners of the guard. Best not to draw more attention than necessary by commenting.
