"It's been some months now, but I confessed my love to her recently, before going on the mission."

She had been too busy with the hybrid princess, that she didn't notice him having feelings for a maid. She could condole a fling and all, so long as he doesn't turn him into King Bayard and his son.

What she couldn't condole, was him falling in love and with a maid at that. What happened ex to all the n.o.ble maidens! He had to fall in love with a maid. Love was overrated, she hated that feeling and thought she could mould him to hate it as well.

Love was for the weak, she had greater plans for him, she couldn't let a stupid feeling as that get in her way. She had to focus, think, she had a lot on her plate now, the hybrid was still out of her reach and now Cullen wanted to make his life useless.

"Hmm, not if I can help it" she murmured to herself.

"I didn't get that My Lady."

"Nothing. I see you are better, you can go to your chambers now" she said to him, her anger slowly fading away now.

"My Lady, I'm... "

She raised her left hand to stop him. "Forget it," she sighed and her eyes closed, taking in a sharp deep breath. "By the way, Bayard wishes you quick recovery."

"You came back early, anything the matter?"

"That good for nothing Prince arrived, so I left. I have no interest in whatever he had to say."

"I see you are getting your usual self back My Lady."

"Hmm, I would have another maid a.s.signed to you. She would no longer serve you" her voice became more cold than before.

"My Lady... " he tried to protest.

"It is not up for discussion. Now, I have somewhere else to be." Without waiting for his response she left the room and chambers, leaving him to his sorry fate of love.

---------------------------------------------------

~Elven Forest~

Astrid sat on the ground with her knee raised up near her chest and hugged her legs, with her head down on her knee. Her tears dropped softly on her dress as she cried the more.

After some minutes, she slowly lifted her head and stared at the trees in front of her.

"It was stupid of me huh, thinking he'd have feelings for me" she muttered to the trees around her. Slowly a small smile crept up her cheeks.

She used the back of her hand to wipe her tears away. "It's better this way. After all, he would leave me after taking me to the borders. I also have a mission at hand, find mother and my kingdom" she sighed at how far fetched that dream was.

"I wish Aunt Nerissa was here" she s.h.i.+fted her body back a fraction and supported her frame with her hands on the ground, at her sides.

It was faint, but she felt a slight pull coming from below. "Huh! I felt a connection, like it was tugging on me. Are you trying to comfort me?" She asked her surroundings, not taking her eyes off the ground.

"That's it, I am one with nature, I should also train to strengthen my hold on the elements around me."

Astrid got up from the ground, looked around and focused her attention on her hands. Letting her eye lids close shut, she took in deep breaths, reaching out to the elements, answering their call.

The wind blew a little bit strong, something circled her hands, one hand was cold and the other warm. It was a little bit strange but welcoming.

It felt as though she spoke the same language with them, they understood her, her pain, joy, sorrow. All of a sudden she felt light on her feet.

"Hmmm" she t.i.tled her head to the side, enjoying the breeze blow on her face and hair. It was truly and simply magnificent.

She opened her eyes after some minutes, what she saw surprised her and she almost fell.

She was suspended in the air, her feet completely off of the ground. Her right hand was covered with a thick layer of earth, while her right was covered with water.

It was a stunning sight for her, she could feel her powers, it flowed within her. She had a satisfied smile on her face seeing this.

At that instance, she felt like rus.h.i.+ng to meet Jareth and telling him the good news, but when she recalled what had happened, she felt down and lost control of her powers, falling down on the process.

Astrid gritted her teeth in anger, "d.a.m.n I lost control because of him. Hmm perhaps I should practice with my magic instead."

Finding a new motivation, she got back up and started chanting some spells.

"Ver que trha lacq est vai... "

----------------------------------------------------

Jareth sat down, lost on his own thought. Slas.h.i.+ng sounds could be heard and bright light followed suit. Her magic broke him out of his reverie, he lifted his head at the sound and saw bright blue light coming from where Astrid ran off to.

"d.a.m.n it, what the h.e.l.l is she doing!" He blurted out. "Wait, is she being attacked?" Alarmed, he quickly got up and ran in the direction of the lights.