Hey Guys!

Sorry its been so long since I updated but my computer kept hanging and now I have to use my old one which is an absolute pain to write on. Besides I've been crazy busy and the weather round here's been pretty lethal. Any who, here it is. The long awaited new chapter. Hope you guys enjoy! Besides, I'm thinking about adopting a more manageable updating schedule. What say, once a month I put up a nice long chapter worth the wait? Last but never the least, thank you everyone who F/F/R. I;m so thankful for your support. Its what inspires me to write, even when I don't wanna. Also, this is a kinda filler chapter as I'm plotting out what happens next, promise the next one will have more action.

Comment for MALEC. I've done an Alec POV here, tell me how you like it.

Love, BookwormWRITINGwhiz

Clary really didn't expect the royals to be very tough with their posh upbringing, but so far they had proved pretty resilient. Even the dark haired girl with skin like porcelain hadn't flinched at the knife at her throat. And her brother certainly had guts. They could make brilliant bandits with the right training. The prince on the other hand was a different matter. He seemed the kind to be good in combat but he was too reckless, impulsive, stubborn...stupid. A bit like her , she mused, but immediately dismissed the thought. They had nothing in common.

She trained her eyes back to her group of outlaws. Tessa walked in the front next to Will who had a hood obscuring all of his face. His back was hunched slightly, he was still mourning Jem's sudden passing. Behind them came Simon and Jordan, between them walked Isabelle Lightwood, her hands tied together and a blindfold covering her eyes. Simon's hand was at her elbow, guiding her and Jordan had his broadsword unsheathed, in case she was foolish enough to try to run for it. The two were laughing and bantering easily as they walked the snowy trail.

Magnus was walking next to Alexander Lightwood who was stumbling on the snowy ground. As Clary watched, Magnus placed a hand on the duke's shoulder to help guide him. Charotte Branwell and her husband, Henry walked behind the pair. Being somewhat distant relatives of hers, Clary trusted them explicitly, Even if Henry could be a bit absent minded sometimes, Charlotte was absolutely no nonsense. She held the weapons they had confiscated in a sack and her own dagger in the other. Henry's rapier was sheathed.

Emma was leading all the horses to the right of the group. Her family sword, Cortana strapped to her back. Julian was as always next to her, his arm draped across her shoulders as he teased her.

And directly in front of her, Jonathan was herding Herondale forward, his Morgenstern blade poking the prince-ling's backside. Every time he stumbled or went of trail, Jon poked a bit harder, which made Herondale squeal in surprise, much to the amusement of the bandits circling the perimeter. They bust into laughter when the prince started swearing.

Shaking her head in amusement Clary called Panghorn and Blackwell out of the formation. "Clear up the tracks." she said simply. The two men nodded and turned to the back of the group to begin their task. Once she was certain they had started the task, Clary made her way to walk beside her brother. He looked up as she approached an a brief smile crossed his face in greeting.

"Hey Jon."

"Hi sis."

"All going well with Princikins here?"

"Ship shape as you can see. But Clare, I don't know if this is a good idea. Taking them to camp, that is. We should just slit their throats and dump their bodies in a ditch in the forest."

"You wouldn't!" Exclaimed Jace Herondale as he tried to turn around to face the siblings. But the toe of his expensive leather riding boots caught in a root and ended with him face planting in a pile of questionably brown snow. He spluttered and spat it out.

"What the hell was that?"

"Don't they have decomposed dear guts where you're from Prince-y?" Called out Emma over Julian's shoulder. In response, Jace started pawing at his face with his tied hands which only succeeded in making it seem as though he was hitting himself. In spite of herself, Clary let out a little giggle. Jonathan next to her had no such reservations and was downright guffawing.

The prince's face was tinged with red by now as he attempted to stand up but fell down again. Ultimately, Jon had to wrench him up by his collar which left Jace spluttering at the indignity of it. He was obviously not used to being ridiculed and his chest heaved in anger.

"You cowards!" he declared, "You captured us immorally and now treat us like common cattle. My father will have all of your dirty lice ridden heads! If you had any honor or courage you would face me in fair, single combat. Lets seen how well you useless bastards would last then."

The woods were deadly silent as even the parties in front turned back to face the commotion. Clary could see that his two companions had paled considerably from his stupid statement that put their necks on the line. Clary could see that Emma's face was stony as she reached for Cortana at the same time, Jules reached for her arm, restraining her. Behind her, she felt Jon stiffen and beside their respective prisoners, Simon and Magnus were clenching their hands and gritting their teeth. The other bandits were also bristling at the insult and she saw Charlotte pull out a dagger from her sleeve and Henry place a hand on his sword. Jordan had cocked his head as though he was amused but Clary could see the underlining hostility in his posture. But perhaps the most obvious reaction, and the one Clary was looking for was that of Will and Tessa.

Will had turned around and his posture was proudly erect. His body was taunt and under his mask, Clary saw the faint twitch of muscles that meant he was sneering. Tessa had a firm hand on his shoulder and another the belt of knives fastened around her waist. In the periphery, Clary saw the others circling like hungry wolves. She had to do something. Fast.

Jace Herondale was of more use to them alive than dead. At least for now.

Alec could not believe how reckless Jace was. Saying something like that could get them all killed, hell if he hadn't signed his death warrant already he certainly had now. With his eyes blindfolded, his other senses were greatly intensified and he was pretty certain he wasn't imagining the hostility in the air. Typical Jace, leaving him to pick up the pieces.

"He doesn't mean that! He just-" started Alec but was abruptly cut off as his escort grabbed him and pulled him back. The man whispered in his ear in a husky, velveteen voice, "Shhh. Stay back. If you value your life, don't draw any excess attention to yourself."

Alec shivered. He hoped it could be passed off as the cold, although with this man's arm around him, he felt as though he was burning. What was wrong with him? He had never responded so in his life to anyone, not even to the numerous court ladies who threw themselves at him in hopes of attracting a duke. He could imagine his parents' disapproving faces. Letting the Prince get away. Getting captured by the Morgenstern siblings. Not protecting his sister. Not protecting Jace. Dying.

He could practically hear them say, "You're such a disappointment, Alexander. Can you do nothing right?"

So lost was he in his wandering thoughts that he almost missed the male Morgenstern's pronouncement. Almost but not quite. For as the man spoke, the woods seemed to thrum with menace and he could feel the bandits around him holding onto every word. He spoke quietly but his voice was level but held the undercurrents of something so much more dangerous.

"You think you can lecture us about immorality Prince-ling? You think you have the right to question our bravery and sacrifice? You? A man who has not worked for anything in his life? You are no man, Jace Herondale. Hell, the children in our camp have worked harder in their short few years than you have in your pathetic lifetime. A true warrior does not hide behind his father's cape, especially not one like yours. You talk of your father's integrity, boy? You know nothing! He is no king to us!"

Alec had a strong feeling that the speech ended with the male Morgenstern spitting at Jace's feet. He prayed to god that his friend wouldn't do something foolish again and keep his wits about him for once in his life, or else, they were all dead. Luckily, Jace said nothing more and soon he heard a woman's authoratative voice say, "Hurry up! We don't have all damn day." With a slight nudge from his guard, Alec found himself walking again, in the direction of God knows where.