It amazed Rhodri how two years could seem like an eternity. When he was younger, he had lived under the illusion that things would get better for him. However, he was a young man, and still found himself staring at the same gaggle of goats as he had when his brother left for the army.

Granted this didn't mean that he simply sat still and watched his life deteriorate into mediocrity. No, he had kept up with his plan to save up for a boat like he planned. It was just taking him a little longer now that his best friend was under close watch. That was among the least of his problems. He looked up from his mind numbing task to the teen tangled in the tree above him.

"Don't you have your own farm land to stare at JD?" Rhodri asked bitterly.

"Well yeah," the dark haired boy shrugged, "but my brothers got things covered y'know. Besides, I figured you could use the company. It's not like the goats are terribly social." JD continued. "Wouldn't want you getting in to trouble again." As much as Rhodri hated to admit it, the grain farmer was right. His father wasn't as lineate with him as he had been with Harv and, like it or not, this boy was his only source of entertainment at times like this. Over the years, the two had associated mostly by chance. When you were in farm work, you tended to learn who took care of the other goods. JD, being the fifth youngest of the planters on the other side of the goat farm.

"Thanks…" Rhodri muttered. "Anything new to report from the outside?" His friend breezed past Rhodri's bitter attitude.

"Nothing much," JD shrugged, "well there was a proposal from a noble a few days back. I wish I was as lucky as those knight fellows. They get to have their pick of the ladies. It's not every day that a guilds' daughter moves down the social ladder if y'know what I mean. Them tailors won't even let me near the guild anymore. Still it's supposed to be a nice affair once he gets back from the front."

"Wait," Rhodri frowned, "did you say a daughter from the tailor's guild got a proposal?"

"Yup." JD sighed. "The other day our chickens-"

"Which daughter?" Rhodri demanded. The freckle-faced youth gave him an incredulous look.

"The only daughter of the guild," JD stated, "you know, Emet." Rhodri shoved his herding staff up at his friend.

"Hold my post for a bit, would ya. I have some urgent business to take care of." He ignored JD's indignant yelp and ran off to town.

+ o +

Emet looked up from her work to address the hammering at her window. With a sighed, she swung the glass open.

"Is it true?" Rhodri asked. "Are you really getting engaged?" She gave him a weary look.

"News travels fast doesn't it?" She sighed. "We're you expecting an invitation?" Being under her parents' watchful eye hadn't suppressed her willful spirit. She would talk to whoever she wanted, whenever she wanted; even if it meant they had to scale the wall. Granted this narrowed her social window to the Rhodri, but she was just fine with that.

"You're seriously going to let this happen!?" Rhodri barked. Emet slammed her hands on the table.

"Well it's not like they asked for my opinion in the first place! Ideally, I wouldn't even be here right now. But I am, and they won't even let me set foot outside this house until I've shacked up with somebody. And the only somebody that's made an offer my parents care about is waltzing around at the front!" She shouted. "I've already tried talking to them, but they won't listen! They've got it in their head that my opinion only matters when it comes to dresses."

"Then stop shouting at them and use that." Rhodri argued.

"What are you talking about?" Emet frowned.

"You've read fairy tales haven't you?" Rhodri professed. "You have to outsmart adults to get your way."

"Oh, and what do you suggest; oh high and mighty?" Emet snorted.

"I don't know; you're the bride to be." Rhodri said. "Just whatever it is, make it good. A ship's no good without a captain." He slid back down to the dirt road.

"Wait, Rhodri!?" Emet shouted.

"I'll be back later." A knock came at her door.

"Emet sweetie, I have a surprise for you!" Her mother's sickeningly sweet voice rang. She barged in as she dragged a dress-form behind her. "Sir Berwickshire was granted a leave of absence to come see you! He'll be here in a couple of months, isn't that exciting!? So I thought you could wear this for the wedding." Emet's face scrunched up at the sight of the cotton dress. It was so bland and feminine like everything else in the shop. "You don't like it?" An idea struck her.

"Mother, didn't you make your own wedding dress when you got married?" She did her best to seem sweet.

"Well of course dear, but back then it was because-"

"Because I was sort of hoping that I could make my wedding dress. I simply couldn't walk down the aisle in less than perfection." She pouted. "You understand, don't you mother?"

"Well of course." Her mother said, though she was a little hurt by her daughter's decision. "I'm glad you've started to get excited. This is, after all, a big step for you. If you need anything, feel free to get it." The dress-form was dragged back out of her room and the young warrior couldn't help but smile. She grabbed her sewing shears and with one fluid movement, loped off her hair.

+ o +

A soft light poured from the moon onto the grassy plains of Cailburry. The smell of the day's battle lingered in the warm summer air. The soldiers were resting, close to being able to see the world outside of their country. In this time of peace there was little to do but train and guard the border. Very rarely did anyone from Grimalde dare to cross the border. However, in the dead of night, one man would creep through the company's camp to a disheveled tent.

"Harv, it's me." He whispered at the flap. As if by magic, the tent opened up and he was pulled inside. His dearest friend quickly closed the tent, certain no one dared to follow. It was childish to have his friend sneaking around, especially when the two were in their twenties. However, this was the only solution the brunet could think of.

"You changed your tunic." Harv commented. His blond companion chuckled in the lamp light.

"Would you rather I track beans all over your room?" His playful smile twisted into a frown. "Honestly those warriors wouldn't know good music if it hit them on the head." He looked down at the small lamp. "You know it's dangerous to leave these on in a closed tent." His calloused fingertips reached for the switch, but were stopped by Harv's warm hand.

"Not yet Finn," Harv ushered, "I haven't seen you all day." His blue eyes lingered on the bard.

"You just saw me at dinner." Finn snickered. If they were to be honest, they had been together the whole day.

"It isn't the same." Harv murmured. Moved by such simple words, Finn came closer. The distance closed between them and soon they were kissing passionately. Pale hands ran over tanned skin, until Harv's better judgment got the best of him. "We can't." He panted. "We might get caught."

"Right." Finn smiled weakly, but dared not to object. "I'll get the light." It was an old routine of theirs. Once everyone fell asleep, Finn would crawl next to Harv for the night. Yet every now and again, Harv would cut their time sort. By all means, Finn would have been more than happy to continue, but he was afraid to push Harv out of his comfort zone. He knew that the man had a habit of sulking and avoiding what bothered him. The last thing Finn wanted was to be pushed away.

After all they had been together for four years; a record in successful relationships from what he'd seen. Aside from arranged marriages, the longest standing relationship he knew of had been held by his mother. From what he told her, it was six months and the outcome was obvious. Even after four years, he couldn't read what was on the warrior's mind. So, despite his inner grievances, he laid content in the warrior's embrace for another night.