Alex with the next chapter. Wow! Chapter 2 was really long!!! Really, really long!!! Didn't expect that to happen. Chappie no. 3 is shorter though. I hope you enjoy, but first thank yous!!

Lady Prongs of Rohan: Smarty pants!! I was going to do that. In chapter 5 to be exact!!!! Hmmm… mind reader? Yes?

Jennyvre Moss: I was proud of the bar scene. Not sure about the rest of the chapter though.

Heather-marie: Alas! Happy ending for them? Probably not, but you neva know. This chapter is a whole lot sadder for Delvin. You find out the reason for his suffering.

Equestrian-babe101: Thank you, thank you very much! Muchos Gracias!

Fantasizing –Fluff: I loved designing the ring. It was fun. Don't know about Delvin though…

Goddess of the Moon: Your praise had me bouncing off the walls (at least, more than usual! Lol!) thanx a bunch!

Cora Indigo: Your review really made my day!! I was actually happy during 1st period!

Insomniac-Reader: Yeah, hehe, sorta lost control. Just went on and on and on and on and on… well you get the picture.

Roherwen: Numy's head is a fun place. Sometimes it can be hard to get into though. I neva thought of it as the "secret diary' thing. I like that. Btw u were my 1st reviewer for this chapter! That means that this chapter is dedicated to you!!!

Thank you to everyone who reviewed one and all! And now-

Numair: uh Alex?

Me; yes?

Numair: Do I get my voice back in this chapter? I really hate pantomiming things.

Me: Well… I wasn't planning on it but you could try to convince me…

Numair (Grins evily): That could be arranged. (Numair snogs me senseless)

Me: (giggles uncontrollably.) consider the spell lifted sometime in this chapter!

I groaned softly. Every part of me ached. Everything. I think this was one of his favorite parts of torturing me. That even when he left I was left with reminders. Like a brand in my very brain, telling me that I no longer belong to my self and my life is nothing but a play thing. I'm a…possession, a…toy, a…pet.

I lifted a hand and fingered my nose. It had been broken earlier today. I had already reset it. My fingers traced a cut underneath my right eye and my fat lip. I winced. I never worried about it getting infected. I was always healed before it got to that point. I can't die on him after all. If I did then he wouldn't have anything to play with.

My mind wandered once more…

We left the inn early in the morning. I had spent a night filled with troubled dreams. Tossing and turning and waking every so often only to find Delvin laying in the dark on the bed, hands clasped behind his head, staring blankly at the ceiling. Every time I woke he was always there in the same position. I don't think he slept at all Eventually he gave a deep, melancholy sigh and got out of bed. He beckoned to me as he walked out the door. I followed. The three others stumbled groggily after us. I think we were all exhausted but Delvin and I were the inside tired if that makes sense.

After setting the affairs of paying and buying a horse for me we were off. Oh boy, fun. Horse back riding. As if I didn't have enough to worry about. My pitiful mount attempts received snickers form everyone but Delvin. He wasn't paying attention. Staring off into space. Gailon rode up to him and waved a hand in front of his face,

"Hello!" Delvin shook his head,

"Wha? Oh, let's go," he nudged his horse into a walk. Everyone followed. Everyone but me that is. I started off in a trot in the other direction. He he, fools…

Ziln quick caught up with me and gave me a shove. I wasn't very steady on my mount and the push was a little hard . I tumbled from the saddle and fell to a heap on the ground. Ow! Did I break something? No.

As the others rode to me I got to my feet and pulled Ziln to the ground. I was tired of his beatings. I had bruises all over from him. He landed in the dirt with a thud and a grunt. The others were almost to us now and I broke out into a run towards my horse. I wish it was Spots. Spots was a smart horse, always knew when I needed something. This may have been Daine's doing though. I was almost there when a large object plowed into me. It was Ziln. I don't know what would have happened next but it would have been bad.

Ziln was pulled off me and I was helped to my feet by the inn keeper. Yes! I'm going to escape! I stopped struggling but Ziln continued. What a hot head. I would love to beat him up. The others shifted uncomfortably at the innkeeper's inquisitive looks. Get out of this one!

Ziln made a rude gesture in my direction. Oh that's it. A good excuse to hurt him. I broke fee from the innkeeper. He wasn't really hanging on to me it was more of support. I dove for Ziln driving him to the ground but then the mages were on me, pulling me up. Gailon's hand was a vice on my arm. He was grabbing at a large bruise inflicted on me by Ziln. Ah shit! That hurts! Mithros, Mynoss and Shakith! Let go! I clenched my teeth and shut my eyes tight and struggled hard. Gailon thought I was trying to escape and tightened his grip. Stop it you idiot! Let go!

I ripped my other arm out of Malon's hands and hit his brother , forcing him to open his hand.

"What the?' he began as he reached for me again. I knocked his hand a way and pulled up my sleeve revealing a nasty looking bruise. Everyone stopped and looked at me.

'Ouch," yeah thanks for noticing.

"May I ask what's going on?" asked the innkeeper testily. Everyone was quiet.

"They've never liked each other," supplied Delvin sheepishly as Ziln and I looked daggers at each other.

"Be that as it may, ye have no business brawling on my property."

"We're terribly sorry, sir. We were just leaving," then he elbowed Ziln in the side.

"Uh, sorry," he muttered rubbing his arm.

"As am I," The innkeeper stared at me oddly.

"I'm sorry," I repeated pronouncing each syllable clearly.

'Oh, you're the mute," oh shut up. Enough with the mute! Haven't you ever seen a black robed mage that's been kidnapped and had a spell placed on him to keep him from talking? Well look carefully. It may be a once in a life time opportunity.

A thought struck me. What if some of the mutes I've seen were really being abducted too? Ha! That's sort of funny is a twisted sort of way (a/n: Well, I thought it was funny,) A grin plastered on my face and I chuckled.

"Are ye all right?' asked the innkeeper. As well as to be expected thank you. And you? Oh, you think I'm mad. You're not the first. Delvin slung an arm around my shoulder.

'Don't worry about him. He's got a great mind but he's a little crazy," Awww! You said I had a great—What do you mean crazy?! Well there goes another chance to escape. I need some fun, let's play along. Crazy am I? Shouldn't be too hard. Not that I've had practice or anything.

Now I slung my arm around Delvin's shoulder and ruffled his hair all the while grinning stupidly.

"Ah! What are you doing?!" Everyone roared with laughter except the innkeeper who looked bewildered.

"We'll just leave now," said Malon depositing a gold coin in the innkeeper's pudgy hand.

"Uh, safe traveling,"

"Thank you,"

I pushed Delvin away from me and he stumbled. Then I turned and gave a large, exaggerated salute with a flourish (this seemed to annoy Delvin) then swaggered off to my mount, tripping Ziln on the way.

The innkeeper scurried off. I think he was glad to leave. Once he was out of sight Delvin rounded o me,

'What the hell were you doing?' I pulled the paper and pen that I had swiped from the desk that morning out of my pocket,

"I'm just trying to make it fun," I wrote. He growled as the mages laughed. Ziln was still trying to get dirt out of is eyes. Delvin grabbed my means of communication and turned. I saw that his back pocket contained more paper and a pen. I bet it was so we could communicate on the rest of our trip. It was the work of a moment to lift it from the pocket and put it in my own. No one saw. He was almost to his horse when he reached for the pocket. He felt around for a moment then turned, eyes blazing. Oh, this is classic.

'Give it back," what ever do you mean? I bit back a grin but it came anyways. He repeated himself Fine. I began to give it back when Malon asked,

'How did you do that?" I wrote down, "Ah, but that would be telling," That always bugs people. I know it bugs me. Of course a lot of things bug me.

Not being with Daine

Not having my mouth on Daine

Not touching Daine in anyway

Perin looking at Daine

Perin being in the same room as Daine

Perin breathing the same air as Daine

Perin actually being alive

Perin in any way, shape, or form touching Daine especially if it involves lips.

The list went on and on. Once I got on the subject of hating Perin it was hard to get off. It was how I spent the first hour of the ride. I was surrounded by my four captors while we were n the city. Once we had left, however, by hands were tied to the saddle horn.

The ride was uncomfortable to say the least. How is it someone as graceful and dignified as myself be so clumsy and…undignified on a horse? Whoa, vocabulary failed me for a second. I could picture the horse laughing or groaning, or complaining or whatever it is that horses do when they have an atrocious rider. Calling me storkman or whatever it is. Storkman! Can you believer it? Comparing me to a stork. At the very least you could say something like dashingly handsome storkman, anything! I mean, really! Do I look like sticks with wings to you? Don't answer that please.

I wasn't going to.

Who came up with that in the first place? I bet it was Daine. Or maybe Cloud? No, it was Daine, influenced by Cloud. Cloud is a bad influence on that girl. Like…Like the time…Like the time when she died talking to dolphins or the time in Dunlath when she blew up Tristan's workroom breaking the spell or the time she destroyed Carthak or…

That was all your influence.

I fail to see how I influenced her to kill herself.

He he he.

What's so funny?

Oh, just thinking about Daine in Carthak.

He he, yeah. That was great. Stupid Kaddar.

I thought that was to get back at Ozorne.

Why not kill two birds with one stone?

Good point. I was unaware of how much we dislike Kaddar.

Don't get me started.

You're not going to make another list again re you?

No, anything for Perin is applicable for Kaddar.

You hate him that much?

No, just anything that involves Daine with him is applicable.

That's the whole list.

Oh shut up.

We traveled quickly. Grassy plains and trees whizzed pat as we thundered along. My brain is rattling around in my skull. Killing brain cells I bet. Just think how smart I'd be if I never had to ride a horse! I'd rule the world!

At around midday Delvin called a stop for lunch. We all got off our horses. At least one of us was grateful.

"Well, Master Salmalin, if your mage skills are as good as your equestrian then I'm surprised you haven't gotten your self blown up yet," Malon told me. On the contrary, I have come close numerous times. But let's not go there.

On his way past, Delvin bumped into my arm. My hand grabbed his shoulder and squeezed hard.

"What?" I lifted up my sleeve once more.

"Oh. Hey Malon, can you get rid of that?" Malon rolled his eyes as if to say, "If I couldn't then I've got problems," he healed it with a brush of his fingertips. As he turned to go I held out a hand to stop him.

"What?" in answer I pulled off my shirt, (a/n; sigh A shirt less Numair. I can't stop drooling.)

'What happened to you/" what happened to me? Ziln is what happened to me. I jerked my thumb over in his direction. Delvin's eyes narrowed and he strode off to the unsuspecting Ziln. He slammed him up against a tree.

"Ziln, why'd you do that?" he asked, inclining his head in my direction. Ziln didn't meet his gaze.

"Did you think I wouldn't find out?" Silence was his answer.

"You are a coward to beat up someone who can't fight back. I would bet you all I have that if we were to stand back and give our friend a fair chance you would probably be dead." Ziln's eyes flashed angrily.

"If it was up to me, you wouldn't be here," I didn't know whether he meant Ziln would be dead or he would just be elsewhere. Neither did Ziln.

The rest of the day was uneventful. As was the day after and the day after that. I lost track of all of them but finally we reached a dock with a waiting ship. What is going on? Where are they taking me? We're going out of this continent now? An ugly suspicion was beginning to gnaw at my insides. Things were becoming clear. Then it hit me. The thing I couldn't remember. I the thing that knew was important to remember. All of my kidnappers were Carthaki. Oh damn. Oh Gods damn. Oh Gods damn. Damn, damn, damn, damn, damn! Deep down I had known all along that this was true. That it was him. I had buried that notion deep inside me hoping to forget. And now it resurfaced to rip me apart. I'm not going to. I had stopped walking. The others turned, noting the pure horror on my face. Gailon tugged on my arm. I didn't move. I couldn't move. A man from on board he vessel was leaning on the rail. He gave a wave.

"About time you got here Sergeant." My head whipped around to stare at Delvin. Sergeant? Oh no! I turned and ran. Delvin, Sergeant Delvin dove and brought me to the ground. I fought tooth and nail, giving Delvin a black eye and bloody nose. Once more I was on my feet but so was Delvin. He gave a swift punch to my stomach and I doubled over silently gasping. It was then that Malon tackled me. Delvin was staggering slightly now. I had hit him pretty hard. I tried to push Malon off of me. He wouldn't budge.

"Stop struggling." No I won't. Get off of me.

'I mean it. I could kill you." My eyes told him to do it. I dared him. If I was going to Ozorne then what did I have left to live for?

You have Daine.

Do I?

…………

The mage then bound my hands and dragged me up. After a few unsteady steps I broke out into another run, but Malon was faster. He hit me in the stomach and once more I fell to the ground. I couldn't breath. I struggled to do so. The dirt beneath me was wet and smelled of blood. My blood. I just wanted to cry. To scream, to moan. To...anything. But I couldn't.

"I don't want to hurt you," Malon continued gently but firmly, as if I was some frightened wild animal.

"I don't want to hurt you,' he repeated. Really? You sure fooled me. It's a little late for that anyways.

'I'm sorry," are you really? "But it's not as if we can let you go. You know how he gets." I gave a broken nod. He was right. Ozorne was hard to refuse. I could see myself in his place. I really could. Malon helped me to my feet and led me back to the others. My mind screamed at me to run again but I couldn't. I stumbled but Delvin was there and he caught me.

As I gazed through blackened eyes at the sergeant he grimaced through the blood. We both spat blood at the same time and gave a little smile. But my heart wasn't in it and neither was his.

On board the ship I was locked in a cabin. I sank down on a bed and put my head in my bound hands. Blood still flowed steadily own my face. My shirt was covered with it. My face was an ugly mess. Both eyes were blackened and the left one hand swelled shut. My lip was split and every thing felt swollen. I gingerly mopped my face with my sleeve. This only smeared blood around even further and added to the current sticky mess on my shirt. I was filthy too. Dirt stuck to the blood. I lay down on the bed not caring whether I dirtied the blanket or not.

Perhaps an hour later, the door unlocked and Malon entered. My eyes warily followed him as he made his way to the bed. What do you want now? Come to beat me up some more? I thought back to a few weeks ago with the whole "You just have to be bigger that me," thing. He's strong too. Strong, smart, and powerful. That's a formidable combination. Only few possess it. Me being one of them of course. He untied my hands then reached for my face I stiffened momentarily when he placed one hand on my neck and the other on my mouth. He muttered a word in Old Thak. I didn't feel any different but I knew he had given my voice back. Without thinking I opened my mouth and croaked the first word that popped into my head.

"Daine," my voice was cracked and rusty from the lack of use.

"What?" asked Malon.

"Nothing," I whispered. Then he left. I sat up and pulled my shirt off, then flung it to the floor. I lay back on the bed. Soon my eye lids drooped and I fell asleep.

I awoke hours later to the rocking of the boat and the sound of the door opening. Delvin entered. His face had been cleaned up and he wore fresh clothes.

"Hello Sergeant," I spat my voice a mere whisper.

"Hey," we stood there a moment in silence.

"I forgot why I came in here," he told me.

"That's your problem then," silence again.

"What's that?' Delvin asked curiously.

"What's what?"

"That," he brushed my locket with his fingers. I moved my arm away.

"If you don't know a locket when you see one then I don't know how you got this far in life,"

"I know what a locket is," he replied. He was getting annoyed now.

'Then why'd you ask?"

"You, I," he sighed, "Can I see it? I pretended to contemplate for a moment.

'Well, I suppose you can but the question is, will I show it to you," Delvin glared.

'I liked you better when you couldn't talk," Oh, so he actually likes me? Am I ever so honored. Let me just fawn over you for the rest of my days.

"yeah? Well I liked you better before you kidnapped me. Of course, that was before I knew you." I retorted icily. The sergeant looked hurt.

'Are you always like this or did I just catch you at a good time?" At the moment this is a good time.

"Oh, please excuse me, Sir. My most humble and sincere apologies. I was unaware that I was suppose to be polite and friendly to the people who have kidnapped me and have just inflected pain upon my being," He didn't answer. He merely stalked out of the cabin, slamming the door behind him. I didn't hear it lock though. I lay there for a few more minutes, scrutinizing the ceiling.

Suddenly I had jumped off the bed and bolted out the door of the cabin. I pushed past Gailon and Ziln and rushed toward the railing of the ship.

I had wanted to watch my home disappear from sight. Well, not really my home we had left from Tusaine. What did it matter though? It already had disappeared.

I couldn't believe it. My eyes swept the water. Squinting, searching the horizon for something I knew wasn't there anymore.

'It's gone," I whispered. The sea breeze played with my hair and raised goosebumps on my bare skin.

"It's gone!' I screamed. It came out like normal talking. I began to curse and yell, but not cry. I forbid my self to cry. I've been crying too much lately.

Delvin and Malon came and flanked me, both leaning against the railing.

"It's gone," I whispered once more. For a moment the tears nearly won, but I quickly conquered them. But not before one slid down my nose and fell into the endless sea. My tear joined the others. The ocean, after all was made when the Great Mother Goddess cried the tears of infinite power. She cried for happiness and anger and pain and love. Tears for when spring begins. Tears for the mother when she loses a child. Tears for when two people are joined by love, and now I added to the Infinite Tears. A single drop, telling a tale of someone dieing, someone leaving love and friendship to greet unknown misery and despair. That one salty tear is telling a tale of one mortal. And like that mortal, that solitary tear shall sink and be lost to the sands of time. Be forgotten. Drowning alone. Only few in that endless mass of water will know that tear just as few will know that mortal , one of many, and they too shall one by one fall down, down, down, forever and they too shall be forgotten.

I turned and sank to the deck of the ship. I drew my knees up to my chest and rested my arms on them

"It's all gone," Delvin and Malon sat down too. They each put a hand on my shoulder. We were quiet. Sailors bustled about. Every so often they would shoot a curious glance in our direction.

"No more reading in my tower," I began, "No more standing on the beach at Pirate's Swoop. No more walks through the woods. No more teaching the pages. No more arguing with Alanna.' I stopped a moment then continued. This time faster, "No more Alanna or George. No more Jon or Thayat or little Roald and Kalasin who I suppose aren't little anymore. No Thom or the twins. No more Raoul or Gary or Buri or Onua or Sarge. No more Kitten… No more Daine," I swallowed and looked first to Malon and then to Delvin. Both were silent and staring down at the wooden planks on the deck.

'No more Daine," my voice was once more a whisper,

"No more holding her hand or stroking her hair. No more seeing the look on her face when she learns something new or watching he shape shift. Never again will I hear that laugh or see her smile. I will never watch her sleep again, all innocent and perfect or watch her just move. I can never tell her how much I love her. No more hugs or kisses or proposing or hearing her say yes. Never will I walk down the aisle or give vows or have children by her side. We will never grow old together."

My fingers strayed to the clasp of the locket. Flicking it open easily as I had done countless times before. I found my eyes staring into hers. Daine. My companions leaned in closer to get a good view.

"That's that one-Oh gods- well, that explains some things." Said Malon. Mmm Hmm. I rested my head on my knees now. Malon lifted his hand and I heard a sound like the sloshing of water. My head raised an inch or two to see the mage with a cloth dripping with water in hand.

"Let me see your face," I sat up and turned to face him . Gently he touched the first cut with the cloth.

Upon contact I jerked away,

"What in Mithros's name is that?' Ow! That stings!

"Salt water,' Salt water?!

'It's one of the best disinfectants there are. We also have a lot of it." Yeah, yeah, yeah.

The mage continued his task until all the blood was gone and my cuts were cleaned. Then he healed me. Delvin handed me a cup of water which I drank gratefully.

Now I was beginning to get cold, I began to shiver.

"Here," said Malon holding out a shirt, "I had to alter it a bit but it should fit pretty well," I took the shirt and pulled it over my head. It was almost a perfect fit. But I'm not complaining.

"Thanks, both of you,' I said softly. They both answered with a shrug. Maybe I haven't lost friendship yet…

We had been on board for two days. In that time my voice had come all the way back and it was if I had never lost it. My fears were still there but had subsided some what.

I was lying on my bed when Delvin burst through the door. I glanced at him before returning to my book. How to Identify Different Sea Maladies. Not my first choice for what to read, but it was pretty much all there was.

Delvin locked the door behind him. Something must be up. As he began to pace I asked him,

'You alright?" he stopped and turned to face me and told me the last thing I ever expected to hear from him,

"I'm scared," whoa, back up there.

"What?'

"I'm scared," Mithros! We didn't hit an iceberg did we?

"Of what?' I want to be enlightened.

"Of- of- of everything, of life, of…love…" now I closed my book and sat up. I could sense a soul pouring session coming on. I didn't even check to see what page I was on.

'Could you get a little more detailed please?' I asked because quite frankly, I wasn't exactly understanding what he was saying. The Sergeant sat down on the floor resting his back up against the bed.

"I don't know, Salmalin-"

"Numair,'

'What?'

'Numair. I have basically poured out my soul to you and if my assumption is correct then you're about to do the same thing. We should probably go by first names now," I didn't change my name to Numair to have people neglect to use it.

You also changed your name to Salmalin. It's better than Draper, is it not?

Yes it is.

'Numair, I am a coward," yes and I'm a black robed mage. Oh God's! Messed that one up.

Yes you did.

I didn't mean that though! I meant something like King of Whatever.

Just shut up and listen to the man.

"You, Sergeant Delvin, a coward? I think not," I said in disbelief. Delvin gave a sad smile.

'The military is easy. I am afraid of everything else. Not death but life. You don't' know what's going to happen or where everything is going to lead to. You make decisions and choices so that your life will go in the desired direction but one little thing can flip it all upside down," Wow. He's really thought about this. I couldn't think of anything to say. He gave another wry smile,

"I have fallen in love. Alicia hit me fast and hard. I kept falling and falling deeper. I didn't think I would ever stop. Then I hit the ground…with a thud." ………

'I was so happy. It was like you and Daine. I was blinded by love and happiness. She was the one I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. I proposed and …she said...no." This had torn him up inside.

'How do you know someone is right?" Well…

"You just know,"

"No you don't!' he yelled. "How can you be so sure? I felt that it was right and it wasn't, not for her anyways. Have there ever been other women that you thought were right?' I thought back. I had thought Varice was right, but it wasn't. Then there was Daine and she had been so much more "right" and she is. What if she isn't though? What if she didn't return my feelings? Where would I be? How is it possible that in all the people in the world that someone could find true love in the same place that they are? What if across the world there is another Daine? How do people ever get married once more after their spouse has died?

"There is always someone better than you out there," he continued, "I lost Alicia to someone better. And what if you're the best? What then? Because then if you lose, it's now such a big deal and you become worse than everyone. Ridiculed because you're the one who ultimately failed. Now you've just lost everything." We were both silent for a moment before Delvin began again, voice barely more than a whisper,

"If you lived without them before and was happy, why can't you now that they're gone?" And he looked at me and I saw that he was crying. He wiped his face but the tears kept coming.

'Damn tears,' he said attempting a laugh, "Would you believe me if I told you this was the first time I ever cried?" Holy Mithros!

"Not when my parents died, not when my sister was…raped and murdered, not when Alicia left, never." I patted his shoulder.

"I've never told anyone." This man has suffered. At last I found my voice,

"Delvin, tears aren't a sign of weakness. Everyone needs to cry. I've done it. It's not…healthy to keep everything bottled up inside. Just let the tears come okay?" and they did come. After years of dry eyes they came. I patted his shoulder one last time and stood up to go. He needed to be alone.

"I reached the door when Delvin whispered, "Numair? Please don't tell any one,'

"Of course not," Then I close the door behind me, leaving the sergeant, my kidnapper, my friend, alone to cry the tears that had waited so long to flow.

So sad!!!!! Poor Delvin!!!! Who was the evil person who put him through all of this? Uh… Don't answer that.

I wasn't going to Lol!!!!

Question. It's important. When you've taken dreamrose is it possible that your dreams have taken place in the past? Could you tell me in your review? It's important for the writing of chapter 5. Oh and I already have chap 4 written so it's up to the numba of reviews I get on whether or not it gets posted. (This means review)

And for those of you waiting for something more happy, I am working on a one shot that is a different way on how Daine and Numair confessed their love for each other. I like it so far, but that's just me.

READ AND REVIEW!!!!!

Alex.