Two weeks passed. Every day Rose and William were tugged along through the forest until the castle seemed to just be a distant memory, far, far away. They never lost hope, though, not once, not even when Eliad mocked them or forced them to suffer. They reached the main encampment of the rebels within a week. There seemed to be hundreds and hundreds of them - so many, Rose wondered how far Eliad had travelled to seek his army.

Rose's stomach grumbled terribly and was accosted by sharp stabbing pains that cried for food every day. It was the pain of hunger that woke her up. She groaned and rolled over, only to come face to face with a woman. She squeaked and jolted away from the unexpected person. Her hair was a greying brown and her eyes were a hazelnut colour. The touches of wrinkles framed parts of her face and her eyes had deep bags under them. As the sleep fog faded from Rose's mind, she realised she recognized the person.

"Mira?"

"Here, I tried to take as much as I could, but people were watching me." The woman handed Rose a cloth filled with a small portion of food. Rose nudged William awake and Mira handed William his own cloth.

"Thank you, Mira, we are indebted to you," Rose said with a small smile.

"Nay, it is I who is indebted to you," Mira replied.

As Rose ate, she thought back to the day Mira had first approached her.

The woman, Rose knew she was called Mira, walked up to the two captives as the sky was beginning to brighten with dawn. Rose watched her hesitantly as she rushed up to the pair and dropped to her knees.

"I know you do not know me, and you have no reason to trust me, but..." she trailed off and stared at her hands.

William woke up from the sound of her voice and sat up protectively, shielding Rose from the woman.

"What do you want?" He asked defensively. Mira looked over her shoulder nervously and cleared her throat quietly.

"I am afraid," she whispered. Rose moved into a more comfortable position and frowned.

"What do you mean?"

"The first day... did you mean what you said when you stated the royal family are good people? Do you truly believe in the purity of their hearts?"

"Of course I do," Rose replied.

"I think... I think I made a terrible decision," Mira whimpered.

Rose looked over the woman's shoulder. No one seemed to have noticed that Mira was talking to the two captives.

"I do not understand, Mira. Why are you here?" Rose asked as gently as she could.

"I do not want to do this anymore. I regret coming here with Eliad. I am scared of what will befall me if I continue down this road, but alas, I cannot turn back now for Eliad has spies everywhere."

"Why did you come here in the first place?" William challenged, frowning sternly.

"To protect my daughter."

"From who?"

"Eliad... he has information on everyone. He has manipulated most of us here into doing his bidding."

"You are saying you wish to escape?" Rose asked.

"Aye. But even if I were to return to the castle, the King would never have mercy on me. I will be punished for joining Eliad's army."

"No. He will not punish you for acting out of fear," Rose assured. Mira raised one eyebrow skeptically. "I will talk to Tristan, he will understand."

"Er-" William began, raising one finger in protest.

"He will understand," Rose insisted, silencing William.

"How could he? I have made a terrible decision," Mira cried, wiping away the few tears that had fallen.

"Mira... do you think you can help us? The King and Tristan will view you favourably if you assist us."

Mira shrugged helplessly. "I want to, but I cannot help you escape. Even I do not know where Eliad's spies are situated - even if I released your bonds and we fled in the night, they would find us."

Rose felt her face fall.

"That is okay," William spoke up. "Prince Tristan will no doubt be here soon. I imagine we will not be captive much longer."

"What can I do to help?" Mira asked desperately.

"Merely help us however you can - bring us food and water when no one is looking. Tell us any information you hear of Eliad's plans. Listen for any sightings of the Prince."

Mira agreed, and just like that, Rose and William found themselves partnered with an ally.

That had been a week ago, and Tristan still had not arrived. Rose tried not to let doubt and fear enter her mind, but she could not help wondering where Tristan was. What was taking him so long? Rose finished her food and folded the cloth and handed it subtly back to Mira.

"Have you heard any news?" William asked Mira as she shoved the last morsel of food into his mouth. Mira took his cloth and shook her head sadly.

"I am not of high enough ranking to hear anything. Eliad has been very private. His officials go in and out of his tent often, but they do not talk about what they are planning. I have not heard any news of the Prince either. I am sorry, Rose," Mira replied, looking at Rose with true compassion.

Rose tried to shrug casually, but her heart felt heavy and her eyes filled with tears. She missed Tristan so much it hurt. I just want to see him again, God.

"He will come, Rose," William promised, nudging her gently with his shoulder.

"I believe you," Rose said with a smile.

"Does Eliad truly believe he will be able to take the castle and fight all of the King's highly trained knights?" William mused out loud.

"He is mad, he must be," Mira said quietly. "He has been training everyone with using weapons, but even then we will not be as skilled as the knights."

"What are you all speaking of?" A voice asked suddenly. Everyone turned to look up. Eliad had appeared, his eyes narrowed and suspicious.

"Nothing, Eliad. They were asking me for more food," Mira said calmly. Eliad did not seem to pick up on the lie.

"They are not permitted to have more food."

"I know, sir," Mira said meekly.

"Good. You two," he said, turning to glare at Rose and William. "Stop talking to my people or I will gag you again," he warned. Rose and William exchanged wide glances and nodded submissively.

"Eliad," a voice said. Everyone looked up to stare at the man who ran up to them. He was short but looked strong and trained. His cheeks were flushed and he panted for breath.

"What is it?" Eliad barked.

"There is an army approaching."

Rose barely held back an excited gasp.

"What did you say?" Eliad hissed, a terrible glare on his face. The messenger visibly gulped, then raised his head up high.

"There is an army traversing through the forest. They are onto your trail."

"How far?"

"About three days away."

Rose beamed at William, who winked at her in return.

"How many?"

"At least twice the size of us, probably more," the man replied.

Eliad swore under his breath and kicked a nearby tree.

"What is it you wish to do?" The messenger asked nervously.

"We must draw them out of the forest," Eliad decided. "We will lead them to the Twisted Heart. We have a three-day lead; we can prepare ourselves in time."

The messenger looked doubtful.

"As you wish, sir."

"They may have a larger army, but we have their weakness," Eliad said smugly, cocking his head in Rose's direction not so subtly. Rose glowered at the rope around her wrists, wishing his words were not the truth.

"Ah. I see." The messenger blinked once, his expression masked.

"Go summon Rhett and the others to my tent. We have planning to do," Eliad instructed. The messenger nodded and quickly ran off. Eliad turned around to look back at Rose.

"Do you know what the Twisted Heart is, Rose?"

Rose stared at him and slowly shook her head. "No, but it sounds foreboding."

Eliad chuckled heartily for a moment. "The name springs from an ancient legend only a few know. Would you like to hear it?"

"I imagine I do not have much choice," Rose replied curtly, not fooled by Eliad's supposed friendliness, although truly she was curious to hear the tale. William snorted next to her and shuffled until he was leaning against the tree his rope was connected to.

"Oh, good, get comfortable," Eliad said sarcastically.

"I will, thank you," William replied with equal sarcasm.

"Tell me the legend," Rose said quickly before the two men could begin arguing.

"Once there was a woman who was said to sound so lovely that when she sang the very plants around her would bloom," Eliad began. "She was the daughter of a very noble, wonderful King, who did not hesitate to boast of her wonderful voice. Indeed, her voice was like that of the heavenly beings. Her heart, however, was not as lovely as her own voice, for the woman had been scorned by her first love. Her heart was withered and broken, and she had lost all hope, for to dare hope was to only lead to disappointment.
"One day a peasant man saved the Princess from two thieves who had tried to steal from her. He risked his life to save the Princess. The Princess thanked him, and as they exchanged glances, hope bloomed in the Princess's heart. The King rewarded the peasant with riches and said he may ask for his greatest desire, and if possible, the King would help him receive it. The peasant asked only for one thing - that he could hear the song of the Princess.
"The King agreed and the Princess sang to the peasant. Her song gave him such peace and hope that he marvelled at the woman and begged the King to let him court her. The King was hesitant, but when the Princess insisted that it was her desire too, he agreed."

"Beautiful," someone murmured. Rose looked up to see a crowd had formed around them to hear the tale. Eliad clasped his hands behind his back and continued talking.

"The couple courted and fell madly, deeply in love with each other. They had eyes only for each other and all knew that they were destined to marry. The peasant begged the King for permission to marry the lovely Princess, and the King agreed. So, on an afternoon, the peasant led the Princess to an enormous, lovely clearing in the woods. It was filled with flowers and blooming trees, the epitome of beauty.
"The peasant proposed to the Princess, declaring his heart was only for her. The Princess was overjoyed and agreed with her whole heart. The clearing became a special spot for the Princess and the peasant and they went there whenever they needed time together.
"One afternoon, a week before they were to be wed, the Princess travelled to the clearing alone to find some peace. The sight that met her, however, brought destruction and brokenness. For the peasant, in his newfound riches and wealth, could attract the attention of any and every woman he desired. And there, on that fateful afternoon, the peasant broke the trust of the Princess and lay with another woman.
"Had the peasant only ever been after wealth? Had he ever truly loved the Princess? When the Princess discovered them, the peasant and woman fled from the clearing. The Princess was left standing alone. She was broken-hearted and broken-minded, until the very darkness of despair seemed to overwhelm her until there was no light left.
"Indeed, the Princess became a dark creature - angry, bitter, broken, and despairing. Unable to cope, she cried and sang a mournful tune, one so lost and hopeless it haunted her surroundings. It is said that her song was so dark that the plants that once bloomed when she sang became dark and ugly. The flowers of the field wilted and turned to dust, and the grass became dead and bristled. And the trees, once grand, noble creations, twisted and bent until their frames were sinister and dangerous. The more she cried her terrible song, the more the field died and turned so wrong.
"When her lament had ended, the night had crept over the forest. The Princess turned around and was terrified to see what she had done. There was no life left in the clearing, and, it seemed, there was no life left in her. The clearing, like her heart, had become twisted, lifeless, and hopeless. No matter how long she sang and tried to reverse the deed, the trees and plants would not change back. And, from that day, the clearing was known as the Twisted Heart."

Eliad finished the tale sombrely. The crowd that had gathered was completely silent. Rose swallowed and blinked away the tears that had formed from the terrible tale. Even William, who often seemed to have something to say, did not form a word.

"What happened to the Princess?" One person asked.

Eliad crossed his arms and turned to look at the person. "No one knows. She disappeared that very night. Some say the wolves found her, some say she ran away, and still some hope and say that she found love with another who restored her."

"If she disappeared, how did anyone hear this tale?" Another person challenged.

"The peasant and the woman had been hiding in the forest nearby. They heard the terrible song of the Princess. When they passed through the clearing the next morning, they saw the destruction the Princess had created. The peasant returned to the kingdom and confessed everything. The King was furious. The peasant and woman were put to death the same day."

"That is a tragic story," Rose finally murmured.

"Indeed," Eliad replied, turning to look at her. "Remarkable how similar your stories are."

"What do you mean?" Rose asked suspiciously.

"A noble in love with a mere peasant, and it seems you shall be reunited in the same clearing as the Princess in less than happy circumstances."

Rose was silent.

Eliad turned and walked in the direction of his tent. Gradually the crowd dispersed, most with sombre, grave expressions.

"A most unsettling legend," Mira commented when everyone had left. William grunted his agreement.

"Do you think it is true?" Rose asked.

"Heaven knows," Mira replied with a shrug.

"Do not fear, Rose," William said. "Your story will not end under the same tragedy as the Princess's. The King's army will defeat Eliad and you will be reunited with the Prince."

"Most definitely," Mira assured. Rose smiled at the pair and leaned back against her tree to rest.

Hours later, Eliad emerged from his tent and preparations began. The camp was in a flurry. The people were forced to pack and prepare for war. Rough armour and weapons were handed out as men barked out instructions.

When evening arrived, the camp was packed and the rebels were prepared. Rose and Eliad were tied to a horse once more. Eliad forced the camp to begin moving, even though it was night. They travelled through the woods, stumbling and tripping over the things they could not see. Rose's entire body shook from exertion - not having enough food over the last few weeks was taking its toll on her. Rose had no idea where they were, but Eliad led with confidence and seemed to know exactly where they were heading.

Hours later, when all were tired and complaining, Eliad broke through to a huge clearing.

"Welcome," he declared in a loud voice, "to the Twisted Heart."

The night made it hard to see, yet at the same time made the clearing a hundred times more haunting. The legend had not done justice to the description of the clearing.

The clearing was framed by thick trees. Their trunks were twisted tightly and bent in strange, intimidating directions. The trees were undoubtedly dead. Their branches turned to sharp twigs that resembled daggers more than anything. They reached up into the sky, like terrible, ghastly hands. Rose shuddered and turned her eyes away from the formidable image.

The grass was brown and stiff, it was prickly and sharp and sliced through her dress easily. There were no animal noises - not even the chirping of crickets. The rebels were silent, observing the location.

The clearing itself was enormous - a giant hole in the middle of the forest. It would easily fit two armies. Rose forced her eyes shut. What would this place look like at the end of three days? There would be death and mourning. Rose forced the thought out of her mind - surely the clearing was just making her feel despondent.

"This is almost at an end," William whispered from beside her. "No more ropes!" He exclaimed cheerfully. Rose giggled at his enthusiasm.

"I can hardly wait to stare at something other than trees," Rose replied.

"Aye, I never want to see another tree in my life," William groaned. They laughed together - a strange, unnatural sound in the dark clearing.

"Prepare yourselves," Eliad barked to the crowd. "We have three days."

"To war and to death," Rose murmured. She leaned against William, who rested his head on the top of hers. They stood together silently, unmoving, as people rushed past them in a hurry, loud exclamations and voices filling the air.

"To war and to death," William whispered.