Drue stood over Pacey and Joey the next morning. The pair were curled together beneath the remains of Joey's wedding dress. He watched as Joey slowly blinked, nestling her face further into the crook of Pacey's neck. "Ahem."

Joey's eyes flew open at the sound and she sat up quickly, swallowing nervously. She gazed up at Drue through her lashes. "You seem to be doing better."

"Much better. Whatever you did, it worked." He straightened, "So is this why the entire castle is scouring the woods as we speak? Because you wanted to shack up with Merlin's apprentice?"

Joey's cheeks colored and she shook her head. "It's far more complicated," she answered.

"You know magic." Drue crossed his arms over his chest.

She nodded slowly. "Yes."

"I am no expert on the education of royalty, but I know magic is never taught to women."

Joey pursed her lips together in irritation. "You're being rather impertinent."

"Forgive me, your highness," he smiled in apology, "but I'm trying to find a reason not to take you and Pacey back to Camelot."

She climbed to her feet and folded her arms across her chest, lifting her chin. "I will not allow it."

"I have orders from the King, your highness."

"I do not care."

"Nor do I."

Her eyes narrowed. "Then we quite obviously have a problem here."

"Your duty is to your people, not him," Drue gestured back to Pacey

Joey sighed, dropping her hands to her sides. "There is much you do not know. Camelot is in grave danger."

"So I have heard. Winchester nearly had a heart attack when the news of your disappearance reached him." He took her arm, "We must go back. We can leave Pacey here and he will be spared."

Joey shook her head. "I cannot go back."

"And why not?" Drue sighed heavily.

"My return will solve nothing," she stated with conviction. "I will return once Camelot is no longer in danger."

"She is right, you know," Pacey said, sitting up on the ground, looking up at them. "'Tis not a safe place for her right now. For anyone."

Drue's eyes narrowed, "Will one of you please explain what is going on?"

Joey frowned. "It is a rather long story."

Pacey watched Drue contemplatively. "You can't return to Camelot without at least one of us, can you?"

"And I mean to take her and leave you to escape," Drue took Joey's arm again.

Pacey sprung to his feet and deftly put himself between Drue and Joey. "I am afraid not."

Joey turned her attention to Drue, her brown eyes asking for understanding. "There is a reason I was taught the art of magic."

"And that would be...?" He waited patiently.

"Well, that is…" Joey fumbled with how best to explain and then straightened when she realized exactly who she was. "Just know that it is important to the protection of Camelot and that is really far more than you should be allowed to know. You cannot just expect to order me around."

"And you cannot expect me to defy the King at your whim."

Her face flushed angrily and she glared. "It is not a whim!"

"Joey," Pacey met her eyes, urging her to remain calm.

"He is being rather insolent," Joey remarked petulantly.

Pacey smirked knowingly at Drue, having been friends with the young man since he'd held his first sword. "'Tis best if you address her formally."

Drue let a hint of a smile play at the corner of his lips, "You leave me no choice but to return to Camelot and tell them of your destination. Your Highness."

Joey sighed. "I did save your life, you know."

"There's only one solution," Pacey said quietly.

She raised an eyebrow. "And what is that?"

"That I go with you." Drue said, understanding what Pacey was saying. "I cannot return to Camelot without you." He started to smile, "So I'll just wait until you're ready to go back."

Joey crinkled her nose in distaste. "Are you sure that's the only solution?"

Drue nodded, his mouth splitting into a grin. "Yes, milady. I do believe that it is."

Pacey smiled gently at her, "If he goes back alone, with scars and no explanation for where he's been or why he let me get away, he'll be punished."

"Then…I suppose he has to come with us," Joey said somewhat reluctantly after giving it much thought.

"Besides, you'll need an escort back to Camelot when all is said and done."

She rolled her eyes. "Very well."

"That is settled," Drue grinned again, all smiles. "We need to pack up." He turned to the small clearing, empty but for the two horses and the fire. "All done, shall we leave then?"

Joey glanced around, hating to concede him anything. "I suppose..."

"Best to get an early start this morning," Drue walked up to Joey's horse, petting his muzzle.

"There are only two horses," Joey remarked innocently. "You'll have to walk."

"We can share," Drue said innocently, climbing into the saddle and patting the space in front of him. She pursed her lips together, clearly not finding the suggestion appealing at all.

"Perhaps it is best that he joins us," Pacey said sliding an arm around her narrow waist as he led her to Thunder. "A chaperone."

"I suppose it is a good idea," she admitted. "It is proper. Lady Ryan would be pleased."

He rolled his eyes, "Anything to please the warden." He kissed her lightly on the neck. "Besides, his sword arm might come in handy."

Joey just gave a listless shrug. "I suppose."

"Let us go then. You'll ride with me." He released her and moved to Thunder, untying him from the tree. Joey sighed and walked over to the horse, shooting Drue a glare. Pacey mounted first, and held out a hand to help lift her into the saddle in front of him. "It should take us no more than an hour."

"Shouldn't someone put out the fire?" Drue asked, arching a confused eyebrow at the fire still roaring merrily in the stone circle.

Joey smiled sweetly at Drue. "Why don't you do it?"

Pacey rolled his eyes and flicked his wrist and the flames sizzled away. "Will you two continue to argue throughout this journey?"

"Arguing?" Joey raised an eyebrow. "I was merely making a suggestion."

"Uh huh." Pacey slid his arms around her in the saddle and gripped the reins. "Drue, are you ready?" The brunette nodded, and turned the horse to follow Pacey and Joey as they rode into the forest.