The fire is low and the moon has crossed the sky when Charlie nudges Steve awake. He yawns and looks around. Even though it's cold and uncomfortable, Steve is relieved. The gnarled trees and dark shadows are a welcome sight, as he'd secretly feared that he'd wake and find himself back in the tower. Charlie nudges Steve again.

"Yeah Champ, I got it."

It takes him a few minutes to get the fire roaring again. Through the dancing flames Steve can see a large shape just inside the treeline. He squints, trying to make sense of the obscure shadow.

Why has it caught his attention?

The figure moves!

Steve slowly moves around the fire to get a clearer view, unsure if this is one of the dangers 'Prince Dingus' alluded to. As he gains ground the shadow crouches. It's seen Steve too. Steve starts to reach for a large branch from his pile of fire wood. A loud snort stops him short. Turning his attention to the horse, he sees Charlie shake his head.

"He's a'right?"

Charlie simply lowers his head and closes his eyes. Seeing how calm Charlie is in the situation, Steve pulls his hand away from the timber.

"Well a'right then."

Returning to his post, Steve leans against Charlie as he resumes his watch. He keeps one eye on the animal cringing on the far side of the fire. It edges closer to the flames, seeking warmth and a soft place to rest. Though he can't see it properly, Steve knows it's watching him as it finally settles, curling itself into a dark ball of black nothingness. A vague black hole with two golden eyes, barely visible, peering through the flames.

"Ya 'right Mate. You get 40 winks an' I'll wake ya if there's any excitement."

The creature let's out a low growl, causing Steve to tense. He relaxes again at the sound of a soft rumbling snore.

Whatever this animal is, it's exhausted.

Steve moves slightly, so his peripheral covers both the prince and the unknown shadow. There's still a few hours until sun-up and Steve is still so tired, but if there is anything he's learnt from being a Dad, it's endurance.

*********************************************************************

The pre-dawn light slowly lifts the darker shadows. Though the gloom will always remain in the densely wooded area, the atmosphere is somewhat lighter, relieving Steve's tension by a few degrees. He stirs the dying embers, calling a small flame to back to life. The unknown animal had slunk off before there was enough light to identify it. The prince remains unmoving, lost deep in slumber. Steve leans back against Charlie again, causing Charlie to rouse. He lifts his head and blinks blearily at Steve.

"We'll let 'that one' sleep 'til th' suns up prop'ly, othawise he's li'ble t' fall off'f a cliff or somethin'."

Charlie snorts in reply and lowers his head again. Laying against the horse's side, Steve half closes his eyes, still watching his surroundings as he absentmindedly strokes Charlie's soft muzzle. Half an hour passes before the prince finally stirs. Steve watches through his lashes as the prince stretches and looks around guiltily. Feeling the early morning chill he goes to the low fire and dumps the last of the wood on it. The flames are snuffed out instantly and embers scatter across the ground. It's all Steve can do to stop from laughing as he watches the prince dance around, trying desperately to extinguish them. Charlie lets out an amused snort. Turning quickly, the prince glances at them, but both Steve and Charlie appear to be fast asleep. Turning his back to them, the prince moves further away. Steve can taste blood as he bites the inside of his cheek, trying to keep his face neutral as he watches the prince continue around the clearing.

"Godmother!"

At this exclamation both Charlie and Steve jerk upright. The prince is staring at the ground where the dark shadow had slept the night before.

"Shadow-cat!"

Quickly passing through pale, the prince is turning a disturbing shade of puce.

"I could have been- it might have..."

As he starts to sway, it's clear to Steve that unconsciousness was moments away for the prince. Steve turns to Charlie.

"Seriously?"

Charlie shakes with laughter as Steve uses his back to get to his feet.

"C'mon Champ, best be gettin' on."

He gives his skirt a shake. The days grime falls away, and the pleats fall perfectly back into place.

"Don't know what this's made'f, but we could use it back home. I hate doin' th' damn ironin'!"

Getting up, Charlie walks over to his saddle. It takes a moment to figure out the straps, but Steve soon has the saddle in place. Steve gives it a pat, proud of a job well done.

"I s'pose we gotta take that streak with us?"

Charlie rolls his eyes and the two of them approach the prince, who's still staring dazedly at the ground.

"Ya ready t' hit th' road?"

"Oh my Beloved. You wake at last. Come, see what came in the night."

Steve moves closer to the disturbed earth.

"Whilst you slept, I diligently watched over you. Sometime in the early hours a shadow-cat approached. With my keen eyesight I observed him afore he could catch my scent. You see here dearest..?"

The prince points to the tussock of grass that had served as the panther's resting place.

"...That is where we battled. I matched my wits to the brawn of the mighty cat and sent him away, tail twixt his haunches."

Steve and Charlie exchange a look. It takes all of Steve's self control to hold back comments about half wits being half armed.

"We really gotta bring him?"

Charlie huffs and walks away.

"One sec Charlie Horse."

Steve dumps sand into the fire pit and checks to ensure every last spark is extinguished.

"Righto, off we go."

Steve and Charlie walk side by side as they start down the ruins of the old road. The prince picks up his sword from where he's left it lying in the dirt. He quickly gives up trying to attach the scabbard to his belt as he races after his companions, waving the still sheathed blade overhead.

"Wait My Love! Wait for me!"

"Move y're arse Princey. Daylight's awastin'."