AN: I'm not sure of where exactly Irelia actually lives, so we'll just go with "Near the Placidium". Thanks for all the reviews so far! Some have been extremely helpful. Regardless, I love to hear any of your thoughts. The story may be somewhat slow for some of you so far, but I promise it will pick up.

Edit: I changed this around. It is now from Irelia's perspective for the first bit, then it switches to Riven's after the horizontal bar thingy. Lyrics are from "We Are the Archers".

They watched me fall for the last time, but how is such an elegant blade to be stopped?

When in times where eyes set sites to cross-hair the weak

It's all I can do to control my gaze from the curiosity of seeing myself as prey

Chapter Two

Being close to the Placidium, the Lito home was quite far south of where Riven had made her intrusion, northeast in the area of the Hirana Monastery. They stopped at a good sized Inn for the night, as the trip was far too long at the pace they were forced to ride.

Under Irelia's orders they shared a – spacious - room. She wouldn't let the Noxian out of her sight if and when she could help it. The old "poster child" of Noxus.

The country that invaded her homeland to butcher those who had no defense and those who had, indiscriminately.

She wouldn't forget. The two had never met in battle during the invasion, but she would never forget. She saw first hand what Noxus did to her people, and what their intentions were. Complete domination; perhaps annhilation. And for what?

She would never forget.

Despite this, the Exile's confession of guilt earlier that day had struck something within her. It surprised and completely unnerved her. She couldn't get it un-stuck from the forefront of her mind. But...

She could push it aside. And that she did.

The two decided they were famished from the long ride, and took a table in the tavern below the housing section of the inn. There was a slightly uncomfortable silence as they waited, and when Irelia's eyes began looking distant and thoughtful Riven's started to wander. She took in her surroundings with the keen instincts of one who'd wandered long and far. A few drunken patrons made a racket near the bar. Many others were enjoying meals with their company.

Suddenly, the Noxian stood with a start, her eyes locked to something behind Irelia. This startled her Ionian companion, her hovering blades spinning readily as she watched Riven questioningly. The Exile's pupils were tiny pin-pricks surrounded by molten amber. They became anxious and released their hold on whatever it was to glance around the spot, as if what she'd seen had vanished.

"What are you doing, Exile?" Irelia asked, eyes scanning where Riven's were directed and returning, filled with confusion and wariness. The room had quieted, surrounding patrons speaking together in whispers. A few seconds more, and the Noxian woman's eyes finally met Irelia's. The Will of the Blades almost immediately understood that Riven was just as confused as she was. The question was, why?

"Tell me what you saw, I must know." She commanded softly, yet the hardness in her eyes returned. The Exile took a glance around the room once more, and sat again. Her brow creased, she leaned across the table toward the Ionian and finally spoke. "Noxus is watching. The Du Couteaus' dog was watching us, just over there against the far wall." Brow creasing further, she continued with a tone of frustration "He said nothing and made no action, but nodded to me and left. If not Noxus' high command...the Du Couteaus know at the very least where I am." She rubbed her face with a palm and then stared hard at the tabletop. Irelia closed her eyes momentarily, and when she opened them her expression was carefully devoid of emotion. She answered, "Well, you were found by both Shen and I first, fortunately. It doesn't really seem to me that you were putting any true effort into concealing yourself. This cannot be much of a shock. Though why they are so interested...may be another story." She continued observing Riven, her blades moving curiously in strange harmony about her. Riven's face twisted slightly as if she was in pain, and she breathed a heavy sigh before replying "I apologise for my...careless stupidity. I never meant to..." Her fist clenched, and unclenched on the tabletop. The muscles in her jaw worked as a waiter arrived with their food and took leave quickly. "They will not get involved with your people; if I have to spill their blood over it I will. And...what I came for, I will retrieve it and leave you in peace as quickly as I can. I'm...sorry." Their eyes meet again; cool green and burning amber. They stare for an uncomfortable amount of time before Irelia breaks it, and nods firmly, yet almost shyly.

The meal is spent in heavy silence, and so is the remainder of the night.

Upon awakening, the Noxian noticed the lack of Irelia and any of her personal items in the shared room. Her bed was cleanly made. Seated on her messy bed squinting in confusion; Riven gave herself several moments of silence before abruptly gathering her meager belongings and walking swiftly down the stairwell sleepily, but with trained coordination. She burst somewhat carelessly through the front door, rubbing sleep from an eye and halted.

Irelia was seated, eyes shut on a lush patch of grass shaded by a small tree. Her expression was practically the epitome of Ionian serenity as she sat, deep in meditation. The peaceful world surrounding them seemed to flow with her, and her with it.

Riven had to admire such strong will and presence of mind after the unexpected event that left much to question the previous night, but couldn't help the childish sort of confusion that welled up simultaneously. The her who still retained her military, Noxian upbringing. 'What the fuck.'

Ears perking up at the sound of a quiet, muffled giggle, the white-haired Noxian snapped back to the present. The Will of the Blades had a delicate-looking hand covering her mouth.

"Are you laughing at me?" The Noxian asked, confusion and amusement leaking through her stoic expression. After a moment, Irelia answered, smiling, "You would have as well, had you seen your face just now." Freezing a moment and then scratching the outside of her arm, Riven opened her mouth to reply, but gave up and shut it again in embarrassment. Irelia chuckled lightly once more and stood gracefully. "We have quite a way to go yet. A light breakfast would be ideal; then meet me out here with your mount and we will continue."

Meditation. Riven thought to herself, perhaps it would do some good to give it a try.

Not much was spoken of during the second part of their journey. Both mulled over the appearance of Talon, and his strange behaviour. Noxus obviously wanted them to know they were aware of what was happening, but why care so much? Talon, Katarina and Casseopeia were champions of the League, with business more important to attend to than keeping their eyes on the Exile, surely. How much did they know of Riven's intent and purpose coming back to this place? Who else in their ranks knew? There was nothing to go on except an appearance and a vague gesture. For a Noxian champion of such rank and connection to touch foot on Ionian soil...to be there so soon; it was beyond suspicious. It stuck with them both.

Irelia let out a sigh and smiled as the Placidium came into view. They slowed.

"We'll stay in the city a night. I have some quick tasks to accomplish there, so we might as well. Have you been here before?" Riven shook her head, eyes gleaming with half-hidden interest, "I had never gotten that far. It...looks quite the sight." Irelia nodded, hiding a smile full of pride for her homeland. "It is."