The group was back on the road an hour later. Wyvern was still half a day away, and Tuvok didn't want to waste anymore time. He again took the lead followed by Chakotay, Torres then Paris.
Paris finally admitted to himself that he was falling in love with B'Elanna. He didn't know if she felt the same about him, but he wasn't going to give up. He had come too far, and he had just gotten her to open up to him. It would be foolish of him to give up now.
The snow began to fall again, bringing with it a cold wind. Paris wrapped his cloak tighter around him, and saw Torres wrap his blanket tighter around her. He smiled and moved to ride beside her.
"Getting colder," he said.
Torres nodded, "We seem to have something in common, Paris. We both don't like winter."
Paris smiled, "That we do."
Torres looked at him, and saw his smile. She felt herself melt and her temperature rise. She quickly turned away, and stared into the trees.
Paris felt hurt by her actions. He let his horse fall back behind Torres as he stared at the ground. What hurt him was not the fact that she adverted her eyes. It was because she did it after he saw a spark of attraction in her dark eyes. She seemed to be trying to deny the fact that she was warming up to him. She appeared to be afraid of liking him.
He shivered when another cold breeze blew around him. He looked up and was pelted in the face by snow. He wiped most of it away and looked back down at the ground.
The wind sang in their ears as it tossed snow at them. When they had enough of being asaulted, they stopped to rest.
The blowing wind kept them from building a fire. They sat close together for warmth as they went into their packs for food.
"The coming darkness should provide cover for us to approach the castle," Tuvok mentioned, "After that we must be careful. Some of Janeway's own guards are forced to patrol the corridors."
"I believe that flash of light trick should help with them," Paris suggested, taking a bit of fruit.
Tuvok nodded, "If I use it too much, they might realize something is amiss."
Paris agreed with that. He ate his food in silence casting a glance at Torres, who sat beside him. He saw her shiver, so he moved closer to her. She stared at him, warning him.
"It'll be better if we share the blanket," Paris suggested.
Torres nodded reluctantly, and opened the blanket. Paris moved closer and wrapped his half of the blanket around himself. Torres snuggled closer as she brought her half tightly around herself. She placed her head on his shoulder as he wrapped his arms around her.
Paris kissed the top of Torres' head. She looked up at him and into his eyes. He smiled softly at her, and she again felt her temperature rise. She reached up and touched his cheek. He caught his breath and his heart pounded. He stared into her eyes knowing that she could probably hear his heart, for it was beating so loud.
"The snow is letting up," Tuvok's voice brought them back to reality, "We must continue."
The wizard stood up and went to his horse. Chakotay followed suit.
Paris reluctantly tore himself away from Torres, and stood up. He helped her to her feet then went to his horse. Torres watched him go as she wrapped the blanket tighter around her. There's something about him that makes my heart melt and my soul scream in delight, Torres thought as she went to her horse.
She looked at him to see that he was staring back at her. She recieved the same feelings again as she realized what they were. It can't be, she thought, shocked, I'm falling in love with him.
Torres followed him back onto the road still wondering about how she felt.
~~
The snow ceased falling, but the wind continued to blow. The clouds soon parted revealing a setting sun. The sun's rays hit the group's eyes, making them blink in response.
Torres trotted up to ride beside Paris. She looked at him as he stared ahead of him.
"Lovely sunset," Torres said, following his gaze.
Paris nodded and smiled, "With all the snowfall we've been having, I almost forgot what one looked like."
Torres smiled as she watched the sun set before them.
The stars sparkled like diamonds on the black velvet sky. The three moons hung in the sky like different colored beakens. The group had left their horses and continued toward the castle on foot. As they trodded through the forest, they could see campfires flickering before them.
The group stopped at the tree line, and stared at the sight before them. There were scattered campfires and silouhettes sitting or walking around.
"The secret door is on the other side of the castle," Tuvok said, "Follow me."
Tuvok led the way through the forest. When the blue moon, the largest of the three moons, was high in the sky they were at the castle wall. The wizard searched the wall then pushed against it. A portion of the wall slid forward revealing a long passageway.
"Clever," Chakotay said, impressed.
The ranger went inside first, followed by Paris, Torres then Tuvok, who carried a torch he snatched from the wall of the corridor.
"Another door should be up ahead," the wizard announced matter-of factly.
The group walked for several minutes when the corridor finally stopped. Chakotay felt along the wall beside him until he spotted a discolored brick. He pushed against it, and a door opened.
The ranger listened for footsteps. When he didn't hear any, he went into the castle. The rest followed. When they had gathered in the corridor, Tuvok spoke, "Lady Janeway's room is on the second floor. We should move quickly and quietly."
The wizard then took the lead down the hallway. At the end of the hall, Tuvok saw shadows moving ahead of them. He stopped short as did the others.
"Guards," Chakotay whispered, "What now?"
Tuvok said nothing, for the guards had entered the hall. Before they saw the group, Tuvok spoke some words, and the guards froze instantly.
"Hurry. The spell won't last long."
The group ran down the hallway, took a right, and ran up the stairs. When they reached the top of the stairs, they came to a area that was divided by a wall.
"Janeway's room is at the end of the corridor on the right. We must be careful."
The group went to the right, pressing themselves against the wall. Tuvok peered around the corner and saw two Randerian guards. They were covered in grey fur and wore only leather loin cloths. They appeared to be at least seven feet tall. Tuvok looked back at the group.
"There are two guards. We must act now."
"After you," Paris said, drawing his sword.
Tuvok went into a pocket in his cloak and brought out a pouch. He opened it and brought out a handful of white powder. He cautiously peered around the corner again, and saw a torch not far from where he stood. He tossed the powder at the flame and instantly there was a bright flash of light.
"Now!" Chakotay shouted as he ran into the corridor.
"The group followed him toward the startled guards. Paris hit one across the head with the flat of his blade as Chakotay punched the other in the face. Both guards fell to the floor.
Torres checked the door only to find it locked. She stepped back then kicked at the door furiously. It swung open revealing a blue bed and pale blue walls.
"Lady Janeway," Tuvok called, "I have returned!"
At that moment, a woman dressed in a gold and white gown stood before them. Her reddish-brown hair was tied behind her head in a flowing tail. She smiled and walked into the hallway toward Tuvok.
"'Bout time, wizard," she said, "I was starting to think you forgot about me."
"Of course not, Lady," Tuvok replied, "We've had some trouble along the way."
"The weather wasn't kind either," Paris added.
Janeway looked at him then back to the wizard, "We have to get out of here."
"This way," Tuvok said.
The group headed back toward the corridor and the stairwell. They quietly went down the stairs, listening for footsteps. They entered the hall that led to the secret passage and cautiously went down it.
They almost made it to the door when they heard a voice behind them. They spun around to see human guards. They heard another voice and they knew they were surrounded.
"Perfect," Paris grumbled.
Tuvok said arcane words and pointed to one of the guards. Shards of ice flew toward the guard. The ice hit their target and the guard fell to the floor. The remaining guards drew their weapons and charged the group. The group drew their weapons and blocked the on coming attacks.
"Tuvok, get Janeway out of here!" Chakotay shouted as he blocked an attack.
The wizard nodded, and moved Janeway toward the secret door. The door opened, and the two went into the passageway.
Paris and Torres fought back to back as they blocked attacks, and gave some of their own. Paris tripped one of the guards, who fell on his back. He then brought his weapon down on the guard's head.
Torres swung her weapon around, slicing a guard's mid-section open. She then spun around in time to watch as another guard knocked Paris into the side wall. She blocked the blow the guard was about to give Tom. She pushed the weapon away then ran her sword into the guard.
Torres knelt in front of Paris, and saw blood running into his left eye from a cut on his forehead. He opened his eyes just as Chakotay came up to them.
"This is no time to sleep, Tom," he said, "We have to go now."
Torres helped Paris to his fee,t and the three ducked into the secret passageway.
