Just so you know guys I dont own any of TP's Characters, they are all her creation. I just weav them into stories that I somehow manage to come up with. lol

-Daine-

Daine and Numair walked slowly to the rooms that they had been assigned. They would have been put into the barracks or a tent if it wasn't for the king's request that they have proper sleeping arrangements. The king had also requested them for a private meeting in a small study. Alanna and George had been there, Alanna leaning against her husband's chest next to the fire. Jon was seated behind a dark wooden desk, rubbing his eyes and looking the oldest Daine had ever seen him. Thayet was still out in the field, finishing some things and packing up for the trip to Legann for the next day. Buri was seated on the floor, leaning up against the far wall. Onua was seated in the corner, Tahoi by her side. Numair sat on the edge of Daine's armchair, trying quiet hard to stay awake, he looked worse then he had when she found him. Daine sat quietly next to him, eyes blurry and tired and Raoul sat quietly near Onua. People came in and out during the meeting, bringing in more information and details of the damage done.

Alanna started the meeting.

"Jon, can this get a move on please? I want to go to bed." Jon sighed and rubbed his eyes harder while George tightened his hold on his fiery lass.

"Ok, well I want to congratulate you all on your fine work and endurance during this war." Jon stood.

"When all is cleaned up there will be a celebration in the city to formally thank you all for how much you have done for Tortall, especially our black-robed mage and our wild mage, you are now sixteen Daine and we will formally introduce you as Tortall's Wildmage." Daine nodded sleepily and yawned.

"Im almost seventeen Jon." He looked at her.

"Never the less you will be formally introduced, though most already know you. And both you and Numair will be thanked for saving Tortall from the Skinners and for the deaths of Inar Hadensra, the former Emperor Ozorne and the Goddess of Chaos Uusoae." Daine shivered in remembrance and she rubbed her wrists were there were still faint red marks from where Uusoae had gripped her.

"She has been imprisoned now in a cage of dead matter and starfire, and will stay imprisoned until the next star is born. She will remain in her realm. So it was said in the Divine Realms by Mithros himself so mote it be." Daine finished talking and looked around the room of her tired friends. Onua smiled at her and Jon cleared his throat.

"Daine and Numair if you don't mind, we would all like to hear what happened after your trip to exterminate the Skinners." So together they told their friends of their trip to the Divine Realms. Both letting each other tell bits and then adding more. When she told the group about her father Numair placed his hand over hers, giving her his support. When they came to meeting the Queen, Jon asked Numair about his battle with the Scanran mage. While Numair told his part Diane placed her elbow on his leg and then leaned her head on her hand. Much to her shame she started to fall asleep and was awoken rapidly when her head slipped and she hit Numair. Only he seemed to notice, which she was extremely grateful for and he smiled down to her. Finally Jon turned to Daine and asked for her experience against Ozorne and Uusoae. Daine told them about her battle against Ozorne, and then how Uusoae had appeared and then her second trip to the Divine Realms.

"I had to choose." She said quietly near the end.

"But I know I chose the right way to go because this is where my family is." Jon and George smiled at her; she knew they were glad she had chosen to come home. Numair was oddly quiet, making her slightly worried; he hadn't spoken throughout her whole story. Onua hugged her tightly and Raoul patted her on the head. Finally Jon dismissed them to sleep after the long day. Numair had remained silent the whole way back to their chambers, which were yet again beside one another. They reached Diane's door first when she finally asked.

"Numair what's wrong? You haven't spoken since the meeting." Daine was surprised to see, even in the dark, there were tears in his eyes. This scared Daine more than ever.

"Numair?" she placed a hand on his shoulder. The mage shook his head and shaking away all emotion he smiled weakly. His eyes were cold, empty of the feelings he had almost let loose.

"Nothing's wrong Magelet. Im just glad you came back." He cupped her cheek tenderly, and she closed her eyes and sighed. Daine turned her face into his palm grateful for his strength. A sob caught in her throat and Numair watched her face crumple. He cupped both cheeks and pulled her towards him, holding her against his chest while she cried herself out. Gods his feelings for her roared under his skin, but she couldn't know the way he longed for her, it could ruin their friendship and more.

"Shh Magelet. Shh." He crooned softly into her ear.

"Its ok now, it's all over. No more war." Daine nodded against his chest and turned her face up towards him.

"I know, I'm sorry." Numair cut her words short. He wiped her tears away with his thumb.

"No Daine, don't be sorry. We have endured so much these last months its ok to cry." He kissed her forehead and pulled her into another embrace. Gods his heart was beating fast. She pulled away at last, wishing she didn't have to but did any way. Numair wiped a last tear from her face before whispering quietly.

"I'm glad you came back Daine." He smiled at her through the darkness before walking to his own doorway.

"G'night Magelet."

"G'night Numair."

-A few days later-

Daine woke, finally feeling awake and refreshed. She stretched under the covers and smiled in the morning light. Her wits still weren't around her well because she almost died when Alanna stood up from the corner of her room.

"Oh good, she is alive." Daine threw the pillow at the knight and almost keeled over twice more as Buri and Onua started talking too.

"Horse lords you all have it in for me." she smiled up to the women she had come to know and love and got shining smiles in return. Alanna sat next to her on the bed and checked her eyes.

"Alanna what's wrong, it's not like I have slept for a week and have only got up for necessities?" Alanna laughed.

"That's just it lass, you have been asleep for a week. I do not recommend any trips into other Realms for a while." Daine smiled and pushed her hair away from her face.

"Well if I have been asleep for a week I must smell pretty bad." Buri covered her nose.

"No need to tell me twice." She smiled; her eyes were sparkling with mischief.

"Well missy if I smell that bad I had better take a bath." She winked to Alanna.

"And I think I should make sure Raoul is busy before hand." She ducked the pillow that was thrown at her and laughed when it hit Alanna instead.

"That's my queue to go." Buri saluted Alanna and ran out the door. The Wildmage was doubled over on the bed with laughter.

"Oh I haven't laughed like that for months." Said the Wildmage, and stood up out of bed. She wobbled a bit but soon got her balance. She remembered Numair and turned to Onua.

"Is Numair up yet? Is he ok?" Onua shook his head.

"He is fine Daine but still sleeping it off." Daine nodded and looked around for her packs. Spotting them she groped in them for a clean pair of clothes and underclothes.

"I will call for a bath." Alanna left and only moments later, steaming hot jugs were brought in and emptied into a large tub.

"Well Daine I will see you down later on. You had better come to the stables and control that horse of yours."

Daine smiled.

"I will Onua." She stripped off her clothes and sank into the steaming tub.

"Oh Mithros, Mynoss and Shakith." Daine lay there, every now and then rubbing smelling oils into her skin. Much to her disgust, the water did eventually lose its heat and Daine knew she should get out. She dried herself off and dressed lightly, it was a warm day. She tucked in her faded blue shirt into the dark breeches and fastened her belt. When she was finally done, she tied her hair back loosely before stepping into the hallway. Warm air met her skin and she smiled, it was good to be up.

Very quietly, Daine opened Numair's door and snuck in. The wildmage could see his sleeping figure under a light sheet. She smiled when he stirred in his sleep, his dark locks falling over his eyes. She walked slowly over to the sleeping mage and brushed them away. She looked at his resting face, hoping that he was sleeping well.

The wildmage traced a finger down his cheek and along his strong jaw. There was more colour in his cheeks, and she was happy to see him looking healthy. A knot suddenly formed in her belly, and she noticed a low ache, not painful, but something else she couldn't name open in her chest. Daine became breathless when she noticed Numair's breath on her hand. She pulled back, moving to lean quietly against the wall, horrified by these sudden- sudden what? Daine fought for a word. Feelings? She rubbed her eyes and took deep breaths, but that wasn't enough.

"Air." She said quietly, walking back to the door.

"I need some fresh air." Daine shut the door quietly and ran to the closest exit. She felt enclosed, trapped, she needed to be outside. Daine was lucky she had gained some of her wits back, as she almost ran headlong into Buri.

The commander caught her and stopped her run.

"Daine, what is it? What's wrong?" Daine looked at the woman and tried to wriggle free.

"I just need some air." She looked passed Buri and could see the large open doors that led to a balcony. She didn't feel as if she were in her body, she felt as if she were in one of an animal that was being held captive.

"Daine, shh. It's ok, just take a deep breath." The wildmage shook her head.

"No. Trapped, just need some air." Daine finally wriggled free and kept running.

"Daine, wait." She didn't notice the woman's footsteps behind her. Daine reached the doors and burst out of the hall. Sunlight poured down onto her, the sky was a cloudless, blue mass going on forever. She sucked in air and closed her eyes. Her heart was still beating fast and her belly was still knotted tight. Obviously the freedom had not rid her of the feelings she had suddenly felt in Numair's room.

"Horse lords." She said and ran fingers through her know free flowing hair; the leather tie having been lost in her mad dash.

"What was that?" Daine was so occupied with her thoughts she didn't seem to notice Buri come up behind her, the woman's cheeks flushed.

"Daine are you ok? You scared me back there." Daine shook her head and turned to Buri.

"Im fine, I just needed some air." Buri looked doubtful.

"Im serious Buri, I have not been outside for days. I just felt a bit trapped." She wouldn't tell anyone on what she was feeling, not that she could anyway, Gods it was all so confusing.

"Daine." Buri was talking to her. Daine took a deep breath.

"Sorry Buri, I missed what you said." The commander frowned and placed a hand on Daine's forehead.

"Are you sure you're ok. You looked fine when I saw you this morning." Daine smiled weakly.

"Honestly Buri, I'm ok." Buri smiled back and wrapped her arms around her.

"Gods girl I have missed you." Daine laughed and hugged the older woman back just as hard.

"And I you commander, how was clean up? Many prisoners?" Buri smiled and linked arms with Daine.

"If you accompany me down to breakfast I will tell you all about it." Daine grinned at her.

"That I can do Buri." Together the two women walked down to the mess tent, where breakfast was being served, the only reminder of Daine's feelings was a small knot in her stomach every time she thought about or someone mentioned a certain Black-robed mage.

Well guys I hoped you all liked that chapter. I didnt think it was so crash hot but oh well. Please review guys, and tell others about my story, I have only had two reviews. How sad is that. Thankyou so much to NealsChick and shadowweaver1 for being the only two that have reviewed. Please review.

Thanks

Hidden Fairy xoxoxo