They made their way back through the trees and to the cabin Keith's hands holding Lance's leading him through the trees. Lance was walking slow taking in the sights not having seen much as he was being kidnapped the first time.

"It's so much prettier then I imagined." He loving the way the leaves moved in the breeze, he loved the birds most. He was envious of their songs.

"I'll take you out, we can explore this place. Let's get you home first, I want to make sure you're rested and okay first." Keith had no idea how we was going to introduce Lance to the real world, he had to make sure Lance knew his way around so no one would ask questions. He was worried for his safety being so vulnerable. He just wanted to hide him away and keep him safe but knew Lance had hopes to see the world. Man this was going to be tough.

Once they arrived at the cabin Keith opened the door letting Lance in before walking inside and locking the door.

"If someone knocks, don't answer it. I have a key so I can get in. I don't trust anyone." Keith said and Lance nodded understanding now. Keith crouched down in front of Lance looking him over. Other then being soaking wet and shivering he seemed okay for the most part.

"I'll be right back, I'll get you some dry clothes" Keith got up to leave into the bedroom. He came back with some jeans and a t-shirt. Lance looked smaller but with a belt the jeans would stay up. Keith helped Lance into his clothes before starting to towel dry the dripping hair. Lance couldn't stop laughing at the feeling but let Keith continued warmth slowly coming back to him. Once his hair was mostly dry Keith tossed the towel into the basket of dirty clothes. He stopped hearing the faintest tinkle of a bell.

"Lance! I want you to meet someone!" Keith took Lance's hand and lead him outside and smiled seeing the same elderly women waddling down the road, her flower cart jingling. She waved seeing him and made her way over.

"Oh you have a guest!" She said before stopping staring at Lance her eyes wide. "No.. what did you do to him?!" Keith was shocked at her sudden aggression.

"W-what?" he stammered as the old lady came aroud the cart towards them.

"How is he here? Why is he here?" She asked pointing to Lance. Lance looked confused and looked at Keith.

"I don't know what you're talking about" Keith started but her face held such a sadness it made him stop. She knew about Lance the whole time.

"You knew? About him? And you played it off like he was some fairy tale."

"I lied to protect him. Did a lot of good didn't it?"

"It wasn't Keith's fault" Lance said standing in front of him. Keith felt his heart swell in pride at Lance's defense.

"No one knew until he came along, and now you're.. you're.. well. Not you!"

"It hasn't been all that bad" He muttered but was swiftly pulled into a hug from the older lady.

"I'm so sorry this happened to you" Lance recognized her smell and stepped back quickly.

"Wait.. you're the one who always visited me" He said remembering her now.

"You know her?" Keith asked. The old lady smiled sadly at him but nodded.

"She brought fish into the water for me. She's the only reason I didn't starve to death." Keith couldn't believe the turn of events.

"Please, come inside. I have a lot of questions" Keith invited her in and she gladly came inside.

"Would you like some tea or something?" Keith asked heading into the kitchen putting a kettle on to boil.

"Tea sounds fantastic my dear" She said patting Lance's knee reassuringly.

"So, what happened?" She asked not understanding how he could have changed.

"These men had been following me when I visited him. They found out he existed then tried to capture him for their zoo or somersetting. " Keith said bitterly at the thought of that night.

"I thought Lance was dying as I tried to get him to the lake in time, but instead of dying outside of water they turn human. Now he's here."

"That sounds awful" She sighed. "After the others left I felt responsible for keeping him safe." Keith looked up quickly hearing her refer to the others.

"You knew the others?" She just shook her head slightly.

"I knew of them, I could hear them, so many of them, no one went near the lake because several people had drown there, I always knew it was them. They were ruthless heartless creatures. No offense" She added realizing one was sitting next to her. "Except Lance, he was the only one who showed interest in acting civil. He was banished after making contact with me and they left him to die. So I took it upon myself to make sure he was okay since it was my fault he was put in that situation."

"Why didn't you come back? I was so lonely" Lance said wishing he had known she had come so frequently.

"I was scared to be honest, I knew your kind to be vicious well fed. I was afraid I'd look quite tasty to a half staved one" Lance didn't blame her.

"I wouldn't have hurt you." He said never having even tasted human flesh, the thought grossed him out,. He admired humans too much.

"He never seemed violent towards me either." Keith added, "He definitely liked messing around with me though" He said looking sideways at Lance who just smiled bashfully.

"Sorry! There isn't much to do all by yourself and you seemed so easy to mess with." Keith brought in three steaming mugs of tea and laid them out. Each took their own and Lance looked at it skeptically before sipping it. He smiled enjoying it tremendously.

"What's your plan?" The woman asked referring to Lance. Keith sat back with a sigh unsure of it himself.

"I have been teaching him everything I can. I planned on taking him with me when I left." The woman nodded watching the boy play with the tea bag in his cup with a raised eyebrow.

"Good luck with that Hun" Keith snorted softly but couldn't hide the affection on his face for the boy.

"I'm glad you listened. He found a good one" Keith smiled at that.

They talked for a few hours before she had to continue on her way to town. Her and Lance hugged one last time as she was leaving.

"I'll visit again soon!" She was off pulling her jingly cart with her. Keith and Lance stayed up talking through the night Keith wanting to know everything about him.