Into The Woods - Harry Styles

25.

It's a strange feeling when your heart is reaching for one soul, while your brain is reaching for another. Many would say follow your brain, because it's the intelligent one, but what if your heart knows best? What if Harry is the one I'm supposed to end up with? My thoughts have lingered on the idea of Harry and I together, but then I am reminded of Daniel and our plans we had laid out for our lives with one another.

It's all so confusing. Nothing makes sense anymore, it's like everything I once knew is now so wrong and messed up. I can't help but think how different my life has been the last few weeks as I stare into the back of Harry's head. He hasn't spoken to me since our little talk and I know he probably just needs space, but I would like to figure out our current situation before I see the man I am engaged to.

"Only a few more minutes before we arrive, your highness." One of the guards says to me. I nod my head and prepare myself to see Danny. Now that I actually think about it, I have missed him very much. We have so much history and chemistry between us it's no wonder we had planned to rule a nation.

I remember the day Daniel proposed to me like it was yesterday. The castle was having its annual spring banquet, celebrating the new life that the season brought with it after a harsh winter. The castle was decorated with every type of flower imaginable, the sight was breathtaking. That was one of the very reasons why the spring celebration was my favorite.

Daniel took my hand, leading me away from the crowd of people that gathered in the ballroom and began to lead me outside to the greenhouse. I fondly remember asking where he was taking me, but he kept saying, "Just trust me, Rose." So I did, just like I had the past years we had known each other.

"Isn't it beautiful?" He asked, gazing at the fountain that was placed in the middle of the greenhouse. Candles were lit all around the area, casting rays of light onto the glass walls.

"It is." I was entranced and relaxed by the sound of the water, wondering why no one had ever told me about the fountain. Before I could even comprehend what was happening Daniel was down on one knee, opening a small velvet red box that enclosed a diamond ring. I remember having trouble keeping the smile off of my face as he slipped the ring on my finger. That day was pure bliss, nothing in the world could have ruined it. I never thought for a second I would ever doubt our relationship, and I never did until my kiss with Harry.

When I looked up from the ground my eyes made contact with Harry, who was gazing at me with an unreadable expression. Before I could realize why he looked so dull I spotted Daniel and my heart stopped. He made eye contact with me and before I could stop myself I was pushing past Harry and running as fast as my body could allow me to Daniel.

"I've missed you so much." He expressed, grasping my face with his hands. I couldn't help but let tears slip from within my eyes from the pure joy I felt to be back in his arms. He kept smiling and gently rubbing his thumb across my face before placing his lips on mine, I was so lost in the moment that I had totally forgotten about Harry being mere feet behind us. I pull back from the kiss, Daniel's eyebrows creased with confusion and I just smiled at him knowing now is not the time to tell him about what happened with Harry.

I turn my head over my shoulder to spot Harry with his head down, his feet kicking around a small rock. He glanced up at me with an even more dull expression then the last time I made eye contact with him. This decision will be a lot tougher than I originally thought.

Once I focused my eyes back on Danny, I look up at the safe house. It wasn't huge but it wasn't small either. The oak colored wood gave off a cabin feel. It looked much better than anything I had seen in Death Valley. I feel bad for letting Daniel kiss me, but I couldn't just push him away. I know sharing a kiss with Danny was probably agonizing if Harry has any feelings towards me, but I didn't plan for that to happen.

"I can't believe you're finally back. I've missed my fiancée," he teases, grasping my waist and pulling me into him. I wiggle away awkwardly and say,

"Not here." I smile, hoping he doesn't think anything of it.

* * *

After everyone gathered into the main living space in the small home, we all look over a large map laid out on a table. The map consist of mainly woods with the exception of showing Death Valley's location and a short path to the castle. I was overjoyed to see my beloved home drawn out on the thin paper.

"We're so close... We've been so close. How have you never found your way out of the woods, Harry?" I look over to my right. I can't help but ask him. I know he goes hunting and probably has for the majority of his life so how did he not stumble upon the woods exit before?

"The woods are a dangerous place. My people needed me, I couldn't just go looking for a way out." Harry snaps, rolling his eyes at me like his answer was obvious. I have to hold my tongue from saying something I will regret later.

"Alright, Harry, it was just a question." Daniel butts in, straightening his posture. Harry just glares at him from across the table. I feel uncomfortable being in the middle of them like this.

"You're welcome by the way." He starts, stepping away from the table. I look back at him as Daniel says,

"For what?"

"For taking care of her." Harry's jaw is tight, like watching after me was such a terrible thing, which in a way I guess some bad did come from it.

"Thank you." He simply replies, looking back down at the map without another word to him. Harry shakes his head and turns around, heading out the door at a quick pace. I have to sprint to catch up to him, ignoring Daniels confused questions as to where I am going. I brush him off and skip the last step on the porch, grabbing at his shoulder when I am in reach.

"What now?!" He angrily asks, whipping around to face me. I take a step back from shock and look down at the ground. I hear him let out a sigh before he speaks, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to snap." I lock eyes with him and say,

"Please don't go..." I trail off, knowing Harry staying would only make things more complicated, but I can't lie and say I actually enjoyed my kiss with Daniel earlier. It felt wrong.

"Rose, you know I can't-" Suddenly we are interrupted by one of the guards shouting as he is emerging from the woods.

"The Queen is dead!" The knight comes shouting, holding what must be a body in his arms. The words repeat over and over before I can even process what he is saying, everyone from inside the cabin has came outside to see what all the yelling is about.

"Mom..." I trail off, as tears begin to feel my eyes. I push passed Harry shouting her name over and over until I am standing before the man who is carrying a women who could only be my mother.

"No, no, no!" I begin to scream. someone pulls me away from her, trying to keep me from seeing what is left. It looks as if a wild animal had attacked her body. Blood covered almost every inch of visible skin.

"Rose, please stop fighting against me." I hear Harry whisper. I fall to the ground, as my worst nightmare plays out before me. He crouches down beside me, wrapping his arms around my shaking body. I know I should be worried about what Daniel must think, but at this moment all I can think about is my dead mother.

| Authors Note |

Finally got this chapter done! Sorry it took longer then I thought it would, but hopefully if enough of you comment and vote it'll encourage me to start writing the next chapter soon.

PLEASE LEAVE YOUR THOUGHTS BELOW!

Question for you: Do you think Rose and Harry will end up together? Why should they end up together?