Hiding Royalty

11

The trio found a clearing after hours of tiring walking, and all the girls wanted to do was fall straight asleep but they knew they needed to make the camp. Liam watched on helplessly as the girls got out the sleeping bags and collected sticks for the fire; he had no idea how he could help so he sat on a nearby log and stared at the ground.

His mind was still racing and he couldn't help but feel overwhelmed by it all, but this behaviour was seen as reclusive by the girls. Emma stared at Liam and noticed the complete change in his personality; Liam was now quiet and slightly cold towards her.

It was difficult for her to accept this fact because Liam had been her whole world ever since she could remember; as children they had spent all their time around each other, sharing secrets and watching as the days flew past. It was surreal to know that Liam couldn't remember anything of their shared past, and it was agonising for her to force herself to not go up and shake him, trying to desperately make him remember things.

Lyra felt unnerved by his silence as well, finding it difficult to look over at Liam and know that it had been her and Emma that made him change. They had been the ones to suggest that he rid himself of the Yamach, even though they knew nothing about magic.

"The camp is all done!" Emma tried to sound cheerful but there was a somber tone in her voice that still shone through.

Liam didn't respond to her and instead crawled inside his sleeping bag and closed his eyes, blocking out the world around him. He hated the idea that there was so much that he didn't know, and no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't remember anything.

"What are we going to do about him?" Lyra asked, coming to sit next to Emma who was sitting on the ground staring at the silhouette of Liam.

"I really don't know," she whispered and stray tear rolled down her cheek.

All Lyra could do was comfort Emma as she bawled, and despite the feud that had hung over the two girls, they were still there for each other when they needed to be. Emma called an early night after crying, feeling almost as if her body had been zapped of all energy.

Lyra said that she would watch camp even though the likeliness of something attacking them was low; she sat on a log in front of the slowly dying fire and wept silently to herself.

She missed home dearly, and wondered if she would ever see her parents again. Would she be banished to a secluded island forever? Or would she be able to go home? Homesickness made her miserable, and while everything around her acted as a distraction, home was always at the forefront of her mind.

Despite her somewhat brat-like behaviour, Lyra was an emotional and caring person and she hated to see Emma in so much pain. At the same time, she pitied Liam. She couldn't imagine feeling so helpless and confused.

Beside her Emma slept, her breathing ragged and her eyes squeezed shut as she tried to block out her childhood memories. She didn't want to feel even more miserable by remembering how perfect her childhood with Liam had been, she didn't want to torture herself with nostalgia.

But, despite her strong will, memories flooded back like a tsunami, and she could do nothing but let them wash over her.

*flashback*

Emma was around seven, and Liam not much older than her. Summer was slowly fading away, but the heat was still powerful enough to force the children outside and into the woods.

Liam ran in front of Emma, and she had trouble keeping up with him; she always hated the fact that Liam was so much stronger than her and she found herself wishing that she had longer legs so that one day she could beat him.

They came to a clearing in the forest, and Liam placed his hands over his eyes and started counting from ten. Emma squealed and desperately tried to find a hiding place, but failed miserably as she found herself hiding behind a small rock.

"Oh Emma, you're so silly!" Liam called to her and she sighed, wishing that she had found a better hiding place.

She hated feeling like Liam was so superior to her; he was smarter than her, faster than her and everyone seemed to like him.

"Let's play another game!" She said, her disappointment at failing the last game clear in her voice.

Liam smiled and nodded at her, and her moodiness vanished just like that. She could never stay mad at Liam, not even if she wanted to.

*end of flashback*

"That's it!" She whispered to herself as she sat up in shock, still feeling dazed from her dream.

"What?" Lyra asked which made Emma jump, but she quickly regained her composure.

"I think I know how to get Liam's memory back," Emma whispered and both their eyes travelled over to Liam who was sleeping soundly.

Emma smirked to herself while Lyra remained confused but the princess didn't question anything. She had learnt over the course of the trek to never question Emma, and to just follow along.

Emma had her doubts about her own plan, but she knew that it was worth a shot. Especially if there was a chance of getting the old Liam back.

What is Emma's plan? Will it work? Sorry that we haven't updated for a while, life kind of got in the way!

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