Okay, so this is my first fanfic-please read and review-constructive critisism would be nice, so i know what to work on.

Disclaimer:I own nothing--Holly Black owns it all :D

Roiben's POV

Another lifeless day. More terrible people I am shamed to say belong to the same court as I, Rath Roiben Rye. More humans tortured because of ones twisted sense of humor. I couldn't take it anymore, I had to out of there, I needed to go for a long walk-clear my head, and-as much as I hated to admit it-sort out my feelings over the tithe that forced my into the Unseelie court; do I really belong here? It makes my stomach churn just to think of the things being done here. No, I don't think I do, then again maybe I do, whether intentionally or not I have done horrible things- but my mistress bade me to do so.

I am internally arguing with myself, always defending and acusing; I definatly am in need for a walk.

I hadn't even realised where I was headed, I was too wrapped up in my own thoughts. I vaguely recalled leaving the hill and turning towards the woods, but I was still surrounded with my thoughts, which I knew probably was not a good thing, being a faerie of the Unseelie Court.

Still, i could not help but leave myself enveloped in my thoughts, I wanted to be one of the Seelie Court but I was contemplating whether or not I deserved it.

Then all my thoughts went blank with shock.

And turned to pain.

And confusion.

Possibly a hint of denial;there was no way this could happen to I, Rath Roiben Rye. But as I looked down I knew there was no denying it. I had been shot. By who was still unknown, but I was determined to find out-if i lived long enough.

I was seriously wounded and needed to get down, so I propped myself up on a tree trying to find a way to get out of this situation.

I had unconsciously shouted when it hit me and moaned after that, realising the pain-but cut it off when I heard a noise. A truck driving and a person close by. Could it be the one that shot me? Coming to finish me off? One hand still clutching at the arrow jutting from my chest, I grabbed a sword in one hand, prepared.

The person was getting closer as far as I cold hear, and not on the road anymore. I could hear the branches crunching under their feet, getting louder.

Then I saw her.

She was headed towards me, possibly the one who shot me, more likely drawn in by the noise. But, I wasn't going to be fooled by her appearance, she could be wearing a glamour. She had bent down to fix her black stockings, after appearing to be searching for something when I spoke.

"Stay where you are." I spoke the words precisely making sure she got the message.

She seemed to be taking in my appearance. Her face relayed that she was shocked, and I can imagine why. Either because after shooting me with her arrow she figured I would be dead, as most would assume, as it has iron on it. Or, she had no idea what was going on and was seeing a guy leaning against a tree, sword in hand, ready to attack, blood gushing vigorously from a deep wound that had an arrow pointing out roughly. Silver hair plastered to his neck, black armor with intricate feather designs covering it.

"Was it you, girl?" It was only then I realized that my breathing was ragged and uneven, showing that I was in pain.

She shook her head no, seeming unable to do anything else.

"So you haven't come to finish me off?" I questioned.

Again, she nodded.

I unconsciously licked my blood rimmed lips. "Pity," I said quietly. It hurt to much to not want it to end right this instant.

As she took a tentative step towards me I twisted gracefully, yet painfully, into a defensive crouch, letting my pewter hair fall across my face.

I was studying her every move very intently. She looked Asian, but had blond hair.

"You're a faerie aren't you?" She asked soothingly, while holding out her hands in a peace offering.

Her statement sent my mind reeling to fast in pained state. How could she know about us? She's just a human. Isn't she? Yes. The only humans who know about faeries live with them. How could she possibly know anything?

"Let me help you."

How could she know about faeries? I must stay awake. Unless she is one... I must stay awake. Or sent here because of one, portraying a weak human. I must stay awake. Can I trust her?I must stay awake-can't let them get me. She looks nice enough...Kind and considerate, stopping here, possibly willing to help. I must stay awake. But I can't believe that so easily. I must stay awake.

My eyes did not stray from her face once, trying to read the truth from her. I dimly realized i was trembling in my concentration, and gripping the arrow so hard that my knuckles were white.

"You're going to bleed to death."

I stayed like that for a few more uncountable moments, trying to discover what her intentions were, before finally slumping down on one knee, hands in front of me clutching the leaves while I spat blood out of my mouth.

"I cannot draw the arrow myself, they are waiting for me to bleed a little more before they come against my blade." I said softly.

"Who is waiting?" she asked, confused.

"If you would help me, draw this arrow." I narrowed my eyes and shook my head, "If not, then push it in as deep as you can and hope it kills me."

"It will bleed more," she replied.

I laughed bitterly at that, "Either way, no doubt."

She is defiantly here to kill me, there is no way a mortal would help that of the Unseelie court if she knew of faeries. Still, I slid my body down until I could lean against the trunk of the oak, bracing myself for what might come next.

She seemed in deep thought, but then her fingers flinched away from the arrow in my chest. "I can't do it."

But she wants to. "What do they call you?" I asked in a soft voice.

"Kaye," she said.

I need to earn her trust. I need to earn her trust. I need to earn her trust. I chanted to myself, If I want to live I must. "I'm Roiben."

She knows about faeries, she better know that I don't give my name out.

"Give me your hand."

She let me guide her hand to the arrow, my hand closing over hers, both of our hands cold and wet, though only mine had callouses. "Just close your hand on it and let me pull, you don't even have to look. As long as I'm not touching it, I might be able to draw it out."

"I'll do it," she said determinedly.

I let go of her hand and she gave a sharp pull. It took all of my strength not to scream out in pain as loud as I possibly could, and I'm quite sure my face was constricted in pain, though I doubt she noticed.

"Again, Kaye."

She changed her position, so the arrow wouldn't catch on one of the plates of my armour. She raised herself up on one knee, braced herself and stood up pulling the arrow free. As hard as I tried, though, I could not hold back the harsh cry filled with pain as the arrow came loose, and escaped.

I raised my fingers to the wound, and they came up slick with blood. I can't believe I, Rath Roiben Rye, the Unseelie Queens favoured knight, just got shot-more so, was saved by a human. It just can't be happening.

"Very brave," I commented touching my fingers to her leg.

Very brave indeed, not many girls-human or other-would do this, especially to someone they do not even know.

Kaye threw the stick away from her, and I noticed that that she shuddered. "We have to stop the bleeding, how does your armour come off?"

I sat there uncomprehending for a moment, fighting unconsciousness, wondering what she could possibly mean, then shocked that she still wanted to help.

I stared at her with incredulity, she still wants to help...she's wonderful, how did I become so lucky-damn, I'm staring!

I leaned forward groaning, "Straps," I managed.

I felt her come and sit behind me, trying to find the buckles. A large gust of wind sent an extra shower rain drops down over us. Finally, she managed to get off my breastplate, unconnecting the numerous buckles; on the backplate at my shoulders and sides, and then the ones attacthing it to my shoulderplates, and the the ones attacthing it to my legplates.

Underneath I could feel my skin covered in blood, but I just tipped my head back, closed my eyes and said, "Let the rain clean it."

I stayed like that for a while, then felt material rubbing against me. My eyes flew open then narrowed at her. I realised she had ripped her shirt into slices and was wrapping them around my chest. I widened my eyes, and sat up horrified, "I didn't even hear you rip the cloth."

"You have to try to stay awake. Is there somewhere you can go?" she asked.

I shook my head, then thought of something, grabbed a leaf, rubbed it on the underside of my breastplate and pulled it back shiny red with blood. "Drop this in the stream. I-there is a kelpie in there-it is no sure thing I will be able to control her in this weather, but it is something."

Kaye nodded and tried to take the leaf, but there was something I still didn't like, so I did not release it immediately. "I am in your debt. I mislike not knowing how I must repay it."

"I have questions..."

I let her have the leaf, "I will answer three, as full and well as is within my power."

She nodded.

"When you drop the leaf in the water, say Roiben of the Unseelie Court ask for your aid." I instructed.

"Say to what?" she asked warily.

"Just say it aloud."

Kaye nodded and headed off in the direction of the stream.

As she went off in search of the kelpie I threw on my breastplate-haphazardly because the kelpie was coming, and then had to wrestle my way on to it, since she thought it would be funny.

I saw her emerge from the canopy of branches and smiled. "Were I you, I would stay clear of the Folk, we are capricious people, with little regard for mortals."

She looked me over and seemed shocked-most likely by my fast recovery and the scratches on my armour from the kekpie. "Did something happen?"

I felt my smile deepen, making me feel less weary. "Don't waste you're questions."

And with that I rode off.