This is getting out of hand. Alfred thought angrily.

Once again, he finds his brother's bed made and empty even before dawn arrived. Their tree house was quiet, and Mattheiu was missing from the usual tree talan he spent his time reading during the day. If their father, the king, was to know about this, the firstborn son wouldn't dare to imagine what could happen.

The firstborn son stomped down from their tree house and made his way through the market grounds. Already vendors were setting up shop and delicate scents of baking bread wafted through the early morning air. The guardsmen had changed shifts, some greeting the furious Head Knight. Alfred did his best to not let his temper show. He couldn't help having these thoughts though, he was the elder sibling and he was supposed to look after his younger brother. No less the future king for their realm!

He reached the stables and asked for his horse. He knew where his brother might be, anyway.

Matthieu hid himself among the Old Willow's leaves, the vines concealing him enough but still the human below could see his bright blue robes. Oh bother! He shouldn't have followed the band of hunters at the forest edge just now.

Gilbert sighed, prompting to sit on the ground waiting for the other to come down. He was sure this was the same being he saw nights ago at the festival. The one he danced with. "I know you're still up there! I can see your feet dangling," he calls. "I won't hurt you. I just want to talk."

Matthieu, knowing best, despite his deafening curiosity, kept quiet. Perhaps the human man will leave if he shut up and stay put. Old Man Willow however, brushed a vine against his cheek in a manner of consolation. The old tree whispered to the elf something similar to I told you so but Matthieu brushed it off, giving the bark an affection pat of thanks for letting him hide here.

Gilbert was getting impatient, however. His fingers tapped on his hunting sword's scabbard, the leather needing a change soon. The other village men is probably still looking for him in the forest after he dashed away like a madman after the strange boy. If he stayed here any longer, it wouldn't be good to his reputation as the village chief's grandson!

He sighs, standing up and brushing the dirt off his pants. Matthieu looks on curiously taking in the detailed symbols decorating the human's shoulder guards. He recognized the runes, it was ancient elvish for protection against danger and death. Why would he wear it when their lands are at peace?

"Just so you know- You can't hide up there forever. It's almost lunch time." Gilbert said, taking out an apple from his pack and biting into it with a loud crunch. The elf winced as his stomach made a gentle grumbling sound. He didn't have enough to eat for breakfast.

"Would you like one? It's fresh from the farmer's and it's really good," Gilbert coaxed, placing another apple just by the Willow and backed away. He took another casual bite, still watching the other in the tree.

Old Man Willow, always the nice elder tree of the land then picked up the apple with a vine for the prince. Matthieu saw the shocked expression of Gilbert's face at the motion. Has the human never saw a tree doing that? He probably have never saw a tree move in the forest before.

Matthieu sighed, taking the apple from the vine. Biting and holding the fruit in his mouth, the prince carefully climbed down the tree and dropped onto the ground with a relaxed stance, but he did not advance. Gilbert however, broke out to a wide grin as he finally saw the familiar face.

"Hi. My name's Gilbert!" He piped. But the other stayed quiet, face still in doubt. Maybe this one lived deep in the woods? He knew there are people who braved the forest and usually they were border wardens..

The boy opened his mouth and spoke, but in a different language. Gilbert gulped.

His horse happily grazed at his favorite meadow as Alfred walked on. They were far from the realm's borders and now in human territory, his hand never straying from his sword on his side. Why would Matthieu be so infatuated with the human realm? He's heard of many tales on men being burglars and deceivers, he wouldn't count on one to save his life.

Coming to a clearing, Alfred sees his brother. He recognized Matthieu from the bright mop of hair and robe, standing under Old Man Willow. Angry speech ready at the tip of his tongue, Alfred came out of the bushes towards his brother and saw another- a human and so close to his brother!

Instincts kicks in and he charged, sword in hand with a roar.

Hi guys, author here. I know it's been almost two years since I continued this fic. I was busy when college started and my health declined pretty badly- I have MS now. I'm picking up the fic again, albeit a bit slowly.