I'm humbled to have so many readers so far. I thank all of you for reading, and hope that you will thoroughly enjoy this story.

I know this chapter is short, but I got to a certain spot and it was just the best place to end. The next chapter will be longer I promise

Chapter Two: A Day's Wait

Mara woke the next morning, her head lying on the man's chest, the cold wash rag in her hand. She must have fallen asleep without even knowing it. Feeling silly and embarrassed, she looked around, hoping the children weren't up yet, but the sun was only just barely beginning to make its way into the windows. Picking herself off the floor, she stood, stretching her aching muscles. She went to the fire, adding more wood so she could build the heat up again in the cottage.

The man had not stirred once in the night that she could tell, his face still pale, his body lifeless. Checking on the children in their room, she then walked quietly to her own, washed and changed clothes. Brushing out her dark hair, she pulled it back again out of her face, tying it with a length of ribbon. Returning to the kitchen, she quickly made up some more of the poultice she had placed on the man's chest. Going back to where he lay, she uncovered his chest, removing the muslin and taking a look at the wounds.

The poisoned lines were still prominent, but the swollen redness around the puncture marks had gone down. Wiping the wounds clean again, she administered more of the poultice and laid the fresh muslin on the wounds, again placing the wool blankets on him to keep him warm. Looking at his face, she could have sworn that there was just a bit more color in his cheeks.

The children woke, and the day went about in its usual way. Meris yelled at Terin for bothering her dolls, Terin yelled at Meris for being in his way, and Mara tried her hardest to settle the disputes fairly. The house was cleaned, the eggs collected, and a large rabbit was even caught in one of the traps Terin had set up in the nearby woods. He brought it back in triumph, promising to prepare it for dinner which then led to tears from Meris who wanted to keep it as a pet instead. Needless to say, the family soon had another new addition and Terin reluctantly went back out to reset his trap.

Throughout the morning, Mara would check on the man in the kitchen, but there had been no change. In the afternoon, with new pet in hand, Meris was on duty, sitting next to him, feeding her rabbit bits of lettuce and carrots. Every now and then she would come out the back door where Mara was working in the garden and let her know at the top of her lungs that he was still sleeping.

Thanking her with a smile, Mara shook her head as she turned back to the basket of vegetables she had gathered.

"Mother!" Terin called, running out of the woods. "Garen is coming," he said with a frown, stopping in front of her.

Sighing, Mara stood. Of all days, he would have to show up now. It was most inconvenient, but there was nothing to be done for it. She would simply have to see what he wanted and send him on his way

Wiping the dirt from her hands on her apron, she took it off and handed it to her son. "Under no circumstances are we to let him know what we have inside." She gave the boy a knowing glance. "I'm leaving it up to you to keep your sister inside. That way, she won't accidentally say anything." Terin nodded with understanding.

Mara moved around to the front of the house and soon saw the huge brown horse come into view. The animal was the largest in the valley and the crankiest as well. Garen often bragged that he had picked the animal out because of its mean temperament, and that he had beat any kindness out of it.

The rider on top of the animal was not much better. Tall and unforgiving, with jet black hair, wearing leather of the same color, he rode up to the small farm with more arrogance than she had seen on some of the best warriors in the land. Gathering up her courage, she waited for him to dismount.

"Mara," he said in greeting, tying the cantankerous horse's reigns to one of the fence posts. "I was in the area and wanted to check on you. There have been hundreds of troops and men moving through the area of late and I was concerned." He flashed a wicked grin, thinking himself more handsome than he was.

Smiling gently, Mara looked up at him, trying to be kind, but not grateful. "We have been quite content, Garen. I thank you for thinking of us."

Garen stepped forward, invading Mara's space and forcing her back a step. "I'm always thinking about you, you know that," he answered too intimately for her liking. Reaching out, he touched a dark wave of hair that had fallen out of the ribbon and over her shoulder.

Mara grimaced, but tried to hide it with a shy smile and a step backwards, putting a little more space between them. "I'm flattered, really I am, but…the children and I can manage quite well."

"You can manage well for now," he added, puffing up his chest and looking at her as if she were an imbecile. "What would you have done if orcs had come through, or worse, the moving troops had taken a liking to your farm, or yourself? Who would have protected you then? Not your son, surely. He would make an attempt, but would die in the process."

He was trying to frighten her. Mara knew because she had frightened herself with the same thoughts on an almost nightly basis. If she were truly honest with herself, she and her children were far too vulnerable by themselves here. If anyone had a mind to, they could easily overpower her and the children and take whatever they wanted. Garen knew this, and that frightened her more than anything.

"Where are the children?" he asked, a curious glint in his dark eyes. "Normally they are running around creating a raucous, but I don't hear a sound today."

"Sick," Mara said quickly. "Meris has taken a fever and is in bed. Terin was not feeling well either, so they are resting."

Nodding, Garen took another too-close step towards her, his hand reaching out and caressing her arm. "I could take care of you," he said, his voice deep and husky. "There would be nothing you would want for." Leaning forward, he let his lips brush against her cheek, lingering there longer than necessary. "I would treat you like a queen," he whispered, sending frightening chills down her spine.

Without so much as a farewell, he walked back to his horse, mounted it and left, leaving Mara standing alone. She could feel her insides shaking both with anger and fear. Who did he think he was? How dare he? She was not some full-busted wench for him to have his way with and try to charm with his empty words and frightening threats. At least they were just empty words for now. She only feared that someday they would become more than that.

As she was standing there, watching the retreating shadow of Garen and his horse, Meris came rushing out of the house.

"Mama! Mama!" she shouted. "The man! He squeezed my hand!"