A/N: Well, I've had this one on my computer for a while, I just never got around to posting it. Thanks for the reviews:) Any suggestions for the next one:D

I'm planning that mother/son fic between Barda and Min... hopefully that'll be up soon. :D

Disclaimer: It clearly doesn't belong to me. If it did, the characters would all be messed up... :P

Of Word Games and Escapes

"Father, really, how are word games going to help me in everyday life?" Lief complained as he sat at the kitchen table, studying. His father was sitting nearby in a more comfortable chair, his injured leg out in front of him.

"How many times have we had this argument, Lief? If you want to make anything of your life, you need to be educated," Endon, known more commonly as Jarred, sighed.

"I can be a blacksmith like you! I do not need this to work with metal! Anyway, none of my friends have to study!" Lief retorted angrily.

"It does not matter to me what your friends do or do not do, Lief. I know it is not fun, but you will look back on this and be glad in future years," Endon said. He heard Lief grumble something and go back to his work, though he was obviously unhappy about it.

Endon found himself wondering if he had been much like Lief in his young years, but decided not. Lief was small for his age of fourteen years, with wavy black hair and large eyes. His temperament was very different to Sharn's or Endon's as well. Lief was hot-tempered, reckless and daring, with a sense of curiosity that often got him into trouble. The amount of times Lief had gotten home after the Shadow Lord's curfew was increasing, and it was getting more and more frightening for Endon and Sharn. Every time he was late, they waited up, desperately hoping that their little boy was safe. Not daring to think of what would happen if he were caught. On those nights, it felt as though time itself had stopped as they prayed that Lief would get home.

Endon and Sharn, known as Jarred and Anna to the rest of the world, were ever thankful of Barda. The man's training as a palace guard had not gone to waste, and he was very skilled in the art of rescuing the mischievous teen from any real harm. Grey Guards paid him no heed. After all, what would they want with a dim-witted beggar? He was of no consequence, or so they had been lead to believe, just as fools had fallen for Sharn's tricks, thinking her nothing more than a painted doll.

Endon sighed wistfully as his thoughts turned to his wife. He was so lucky to have her. She was a beautiful, intelligent woman, and a good wife and mother. She took care of Lief, and, though he was not too open about it, she also took care of her husband. It was her that coaxed him to get to bed early when he was tired, and let him take breaks when he needed it, always with a kind smile on her face. He really, truly loved her.

"Father, you are doing it again."

Endon started at the loud voice that interrupted his musings.

"Doing what again?" Endon asked, perplexed at his son's sudden outburst.

"Staring at nothing with a sappy smile on your face," Lief stated.

"I never! When have I ever done that?" Endon said, now utterly confused. What in Adin's name was the boy babbling about now?

"I heard some of the girls in the market talking about love, and they said that when people are in love, they get these 'adoring smiles' on their faces. And you keep doing that sappy smile," Lief said, giving his father a strange look.

"Perhaps I do. But I do love your mother very much…" Endon trailed off, another smile crossing his face.

"I am sitting right here, you know," his son muttered.

"Yes, what about that?" Endon asked. He would never understand what went on in the head of his teenage son. Nothing that was supposed to be going on in there, he was certain of that. The boy was nearly always plotting some way of getting out of doing his chores.

"Father, there are some things you do not talk about in front of your children. And you being in love with mother is one of them," Lief said slowly, a grin forming on his lips.

"One day, you will find a beautiful woman, my son. When that happens, you will understand," the man said, smiling at Lief.

"If I ever decide to get married, I will definitely not marry for looks. Personality is more important. And even if I do fall in love, what makes you think I would sit there with a silly smile on my face?" Lief questioned. Endon noticed a slight glint in his son's eyes as he spoke. Lief was plotting something.

"But of course, Lief," Endon replied. He looked out the window and continued, "There are many virtues to look for when marrying; kindness, intelligence and so on. But it is important that you marry someone you love. No matter how clever or beautiful a lady is, constant arguments are never fun. So choose wisely, Lief. Let your heart rule your head, and always do what you feel is right."

Turning back to the table, Endon's mouth dropped open slightly, then he began to laugh. While he was making his speech, Lief had slipped out of the room, no doubt to go and wreak havoc with his friends. Endon smiled fondly, though he decided that Lief would be getting a very firm talking to when he deemed his parents worthy of his company again.