Author's note: This is a shorter chapter then I was hoping to post, but oh well. I do think this is one of my weaker chapters.

Anyways, besides Melody, I don't own any of these characters.

When Melody stopped crying and composed herself, she figured it wouldn't be of any use to try to talk to the villagers. They seemed to be keeping to themselves. So she left and followed the roads to the next village, hoping she wouldn't have the same result as she did at Honeyside.

A couple long hours later, she stumbled upon another village. This time, Melody put her hood up over her head to conceal her face. "It looks suspicious, but better than people knowing I'm from the Grimleal. This time, hopefully I can explain before everyone runs away if they do find out."

When Melody reached the marketplace in the middle of the village, she traded most of her gold for food and other essentials. She was happy to see one of the Secret Sellers was carrying an Arcthunder tome on sale. Melody bought it without thinking twice. "Must be my lucky day." She thought looking at all the supplies stowed neatly in her bag.

She decided not to press her luck and continue traveling instead of spending a night at the inn. "Maybe I should head to Ylisse. It will be dangerous, but if I can make it, the chances of Luke being found are pretty slim." With her goal in mind, Melody started heading the general direction of Ylisse.

Eventually, Melody had to rest. She concealed herself in a thicket of bushes with Luke, and tried to fall asleep. She eventually sank into a fitful sleep. Then Melody started dreaming.

Melody was running with Luke clutched tightly in her arms, she was panting real hard as she was doing so. She turned around to see what was behind her, and quickened her pace. She kept running until she ran into someone.

"V-Validar!" she cried as she shielded Luke away from his father.

Validar laughed. "So you thought you could just run away? You should have learned by now, no one can escape me!" he then slowly walked up to Melody, who was frozen in fear. "Grima will return!" he said happily.

"NO!" Melody screamed as she jolted up with a start. She looked around and saw that no one was around. Melody looked at Luke who was sleeping peacefully. She finally calmed down a bit. When she tried to stand, she gasped and fell over.

"My head!" she thought panicked. "It hurts!" She looked through her pouch for medicine, but nothing seemed like it would help her. Melody tried to stand, but she felt really dizzy. "I have to find a cleric or something...or else I'm done for..."

With that, she pulled herself up and dragged herself to look around for a village. After a bit, Melody started to get scared. "Urk! I can't think straight anymore!" she set Luke down to give her arms a rest. "I'm lost! I can't..." then all Melody saw was black.

"Mother! Someone has passed out here!" a girl cried. The child's mother walked up to where Melody was. She knelt in front of Melody and put her cool hands on Melody's burning forehead.

"She's running a very high fever. She might not make it." The mother said to her daughter. "And also, she is part of the Grimleal. Who knows what she might do to us after she recovers?"

The girl looked upset. "We can't just leave her here! Look at her, she's a mother! She was probably running away from them, to keep her baby safe."

The mother nodded in understanding. "That may be the case. Very well. We will help them. Now go fetch your father. I don't think I can carry her." With the help of her husband, the girl and the women carried Melody and Luke to their home.

Melody woke up to a little girl peering over her. When she saw that Melody was awake, she smiled. "Hey! How do you feel?"

Melody groaned. "What happened? Luke..."

The girl pointed behind them. "If you're referring to the baby over there, he's fine."

Melody sighed in relief hearing those words. "So what happened to me? I feel awful right."

"You have a really high fever. You have worked yourself too hard! You need rest, and you will stay here until you do!"

Melody smiled. "Is that an order?"

"Yes!" the girl said.

"So what is your name?" Melody asked intently.

The girl gave a little bow. "You may call me Aversa!

Author's note: Okay, time skipping will happen NEXT chapter. Anyways, reviews are appreciated! Total Nerd Girl out!