Thank you to everyone who has reviewed. I read and appreciate each and every one. ^_^ I hope to send individual replies when RL allows.

Worthy

"You aren't worthless," Haden said, startling Jennsen.

She was watching the sunset from the window of their bedchamber after an entire day spent going over and over her plans to recruit volunteers for the Mord'Sith. Cara had been impressed. Her eldest brother had looked at Jennsen with new eyes, and reclined his head respectfully. Richard had seemed upset, but Jennsen had left before he could talk to her.

She didn't answer Haden, looking down to twist her new advisor's ring around her finger. It was perhaps a little too large to be considered feminine, gold and stamped with the crest of D'Hara.

Haden's footsteps were quick and her arms strong as she wrapped them around her little Lady Rahl, resting her chin on top of Jennsen's head.

Jennsen held up her hand, looking at the ring in the dying light of the sun. "It looks silly on my hand, doesn't it?"

"No," was all Haden said, gently turning Jennsen in her arms so she could bend to kiss her.

Jennsen returned the kiss, but her melancholy was plain.

"You are the first woman to sit on the council of D'Hara in many years," Haden reminded her Sparrow, removing one glove to thread her fingers into Jennsen's hair.

Jennsen sighed, leaning into the touch. In the light of the sunset Haden's golden brown skin appeared bronzed, the sun's rays casting red highlights on her deep black hair. "You're beautiful," Jennsen said, sliding her hands up Haden's leather armor to embrace her, placing her cheek against Haden's chest, just over her heart. She closed her eyes to listen to it beat.

"We cannot all be warriors," Haden said after a long quiet moment, with her uncanny knack for knowing what Jennsen was thinking. "I cannot sew, nor cook, nor heal."

Without opening her eyes, Jennsen answered, "Sewing and cooking did me no good when I was taken by the Brotherhood of the Gods."

"They are gone now. They will not hurt you again."

Jennsen thought she should have been afraid of the rage in Haden's voice, but the only feeling it brought her was comfort.

-l-

Adam found his beautiful Ivy in the market, selling flowers. It was nearing dark, and he hoped that she would allow him to escort her home, or perhaps to an eating house. He had his dagger from the Eagle Feather Armory, and would soon join the Dragon Corps. He could protect her.

Ivy smiled at Adam, and he could see himself reflected in her chocolate brown eyes. "Why don't we take a walk in the meadow beyond the city gates?" she suggested. "I want to show you something."

Adam found himself nodding, thinking that he was lucky and she was beautiful and things were progressing faster than he could have hoped. He offered Ivy his arm as he had seen the nobles do with their ladies, and spoke to Ivy of things he had overheard in the stables, hoping to impress her with his knowledge of the kingdom.

She smiled and laughed as they made their way through the city gates, Ivy charming the guards into opening them again, though they had already been closed for the night. "I want you to meet a dear friend of mine," Ivy whispered once the grass grew tall and swayed around their feet. "If you are worthy, perhaps he will be your friend too."

There was a sudden thundering of hooves, and Adam's jaw dropped.

"Tell him what you have told me," Ivy placed a reassuring hand on Adam's shoulder, her face stretched in a vacant smile.