Hours pass and they keep up a steady pace. Unable to keep up, the prince gave up some time ago and now rides upon Charles. As they walk down the unkempt path, Steve is constantly unhooking his skirt from the overgrown plants that catch at his skirt, and scratch his bare legs and feet. His Highness is not doing much better as he tries to duck under low-hanging branches. He is not always successful, which seems to have a negative affect on his temper. It doesn't help that, each time it's happened, Charles has made noises which could almost be mistaken for laughter.

"My Love, mayhaps we should prepare for the coming night. It will take time to prepare fortifications, and night comes on swift wings."

"What?"

Steve Doesn't even slow his steps.

"Darkness will soon be upon us. We must set up an encampment."

Steve does stop now.

"Ya got a tent or a swag'n that pack?"

The prince is slightly puzzled.

"I regret I have no tent to offer you Sweet Princess, but I assure you I will do my utmost to preserve your modesty."

"So no tent."

"No My Lo-"

"Right, so nothing t' set up. Th' only thing we gotta do is build a fire an' find somewhere soft t' kip. Ever'thin' 'round here is too wet, so we'll keep goin' f'r a while an' see what we can find."

Steve doesn't wait for a reply. The prince slouches in the saddle as he follows Steve through the tunnel of trees. He would almost swear the horse was laughing again.

Another hour passes before Steve finds what he's looking for.

"Right. This'll do f'r t'night. If ya wanna clea' th' ground there, I'll get some wood f'r th' fire."

The prince alight Charlie and removes the saddle, setting it on a stump.

"I will retrieve the fire wood, my Sweet Princess. Please avail yourself to whatever comfort this seat might afford you, and I will return Forthwith."

"Fourth with what?"

They look at each other for a moment, trying to puzzle out the meaning behind each others crazy talk.

"Look mate- uh, I mean, um... friend? If we're gonna get this done, we're gonna hafta work t'geth'r."

"But Princess-"

"Tell ya what, you get th' wood, an' I'll just sweep away some dirt, an' scoop up some twigs f'r kindlin', 'kay?"

"It is sweet that you wish to assist me Princess. There really is no call for you to tire yourself, though if you wish to help then I appreciate the gesture, no matter how little you are able to do."

Steve can feel his hand curl into a fist and his teeth clench.

"Riiiight."

"I will away My Beloved, that I may return to your side soonest."

Steve waits until the prince is out of sight before setting to work. It's a moments work to clear an area for a fire pit. A quick scout around reveals some large fallen branches. After stripping the leaves and twigs off for kindling, Steve attempts to break the branches into manageable pieces. He plants one end on the ground, holds it firmly on an angle, then stomps. Hard!

"Bloody hell!"

He hobbles over to the saddle to check the damage to his foot.

"Damn. What I wouldn' give f'r some steel caps right now."

Charles walks over and sniffs at the foot as Steve removes the larger splinters.

"Nah, it's a'right Charlie Horse. Just a li'l bit o' th' red wet stuff. She'll be right."

Walking over to the branch, Charles sniffs at the broken wood. He looks over at Steve and nickers.

"What are ya arfta?"

Eyeing the branch again, Charles lifts his hoof and brings it down hard. The branch lets out a 'CRACK' as it breaks in two.

"You beaut! D'ya think ya could do that again?"

Charles stands silently and watches as Steve positions a few more branches over a small depression. He ambles over and 'CRACK', 'CRACK', 'CRACK'. Steve soon has a tidy pile of fire wood and a fire pit waiting to be lit.

"I don't s'pose that little drizzle has a flint or somethin'?"

Whilst Steve was merely talking to himself, Charles reacts anyway, nudging one of the saddlebags. Steve opens it and finds the flint in a hard leather case.

"Def'n'tly a first choice brumby."

Charles snorts in response. Steve can't help but smile as he works to start the fire.

It's another 20 minutes before the prince returns, and daylight has almost completely fled the forest.

"My Princess, what have you done!?"

Steve throws another log on the flames.

"It was cold."

"But My Love-"

"And Charlie Horse helped."

The prince turns quickly as he feels something cold on his neck. Charles nickers as the princes load of twigs and branches fall to the ground. The horse picks up the small log he's been dragging and brings it to Steve.

"Thanks Charlie. Reckon that'll do us 'til mornin'."

The prince picks up his scraps of wood and makes a small pile next to Steve's hoard of lumber.

"You are... most resourceful, My Lady."

Steve just shrugs.

"So ya said this place is dangerous?"

"More so at night, My Sweet. Terrors and horrors lurk in the dark."

If he is trying to scare Steve, he's wasting his time.

"So we take turns on watch. one'f us can keep th' fire stoked while th' other one has a kip."

It takes the prince a moment to decipher Steve's meaning.

"Nay, My Love. You rest and I shall watch over you whilst you slumber."

He casts a blinding smile at Steve. Steve studies the prince's face for a moment. The weariness is plain to see. He is definitely not used to the physical exertion he's endured today.

"Yeah. All right. I'm gonna lie here an' get some shut eye. If ya wanna use th' saddle as a back rest, it might make it more comfy f'r ya."

"As always your generosity overwhelms me, oh Fairest-"

"Yeah, G'night."

Steve cocoons himself in the layers of his skirt and lays on the ground. He listens as the prince settles himself. less than ten minutes pass before Steve hears soft snores. He walks over to the prince and props him in a less awkward position.

"Yeah, thought so. Like Simon an' Jace. They always say their gonna stay up 'til dawn. Never made it past 'leven. So wadda ya wanna do now?"

He turns to Charles. Charles lowers himself to the ground and lets out a soft snort.

"Fair 'nough. Ya gotta be worn out, cartin' that one about. You doze. I'll wake ya when it's ya turn."

Charles gives his head a little shake before dropping it down and closing his eyes.

"Ya're a good'un alright."

Time passes with little distraction for Steve. He stokes the fire and adds more fuel while he watches the dull light of the flame pale, as the light of the full moon finally breaks through gaps in the tree canopy overhead.

This seems like a good time to wake Charlie.

"If I have a kip now, c'n ya wake me if there's trouble?"

Charlie lifts his head higher, his ears prick forward taking in all the different noises the night has to offer.

"Thanks Champ."

Steve settles himself against Charlie's side.

"Wake me if th' fire gets low. I doubt anythin' will come near us with th' racket 'His Nibs' over there is makin'."

Charlie nickers his horsey laugh.

"G'night Champ."

Steve turns his head towards the darkness and closes his eyes.

"G'night Darlin'."

Charlie stays alert and on guard. He knows those last words were not meant for him.