"Good morning!" Maerad called cheerfully across the dusty arena.

Indik continued sharpening his blade against the whetstone. "What brings you here at this hour, young mage?" he asked curiously.

Maerad didn't wish to comment. Truth be known, she wanted a moment before her next lesson to spend with Cadvan. "I couldn't sleep." A simple response but one that satisfied his interest. Watching as he slid the palm-sized stone down the sword's edge in one quick movement, she waited until he finally stood up and held the blade firmly in his hand. "That sharpened well," he exclaimed, examining his handiwork. "…Will kill a good many foe now."

Maerad smiled lightly. "I think mine is fine enough for practice, but perhaps before Cadvan and I leave, you could hone mine?

"Yes, yes," he replied quickly. "It would better suit you if it were charmed, but I haven't the time," he mumbled shaking his head in frustration. Maerad noted the grimace span across his face. Indik's personality was of an impervious nature and she could never understand what he was thinking, what move he might make next. She enjoyed the suspense of his company. "Enough of this idle chit-chat," he interrupted her reflection and handed her a wooden pole. "We won't be needing swords today. I want to teach you a new skill."

Taking the long weapon into her hand, she wondered how anyone could fight with such an obvious disadvantage. "How would this kill a hull?" she pondered, glancing at Indik for a response; he simply rolled his eyes. "Has Cadvan not taught you a thing?" he frowned, repositioning her hands farther apart.

"Well," she began, "yes, he has," she refuted. Her cheeks turned crimson as his gaze penetrated her skin. "But I don't think using a staff was greatest importance on his list."

"Well, it should be. A staff can do many things; you can fight two enemies at once, parry an attack, knock a soldier off his mount, and best of all," he showed her motions in the air, "..if you lose your sword, you can use almost anything that is of required length as a staff," he ended.

"Yes, I suppose your right," she smirked, observing as he battled an imaginary enemy. Indik loved his craft and enjoyed teaching others combat skills. She hoped one day she would find her own fulfillment in something. Or someone.

"Good. Now that you got the independence out of your head, we can begin," he said harshly before revealing a small grin. He knew her well enough to be suspicious of her early arrival but said nothing of it to her as they began training.

She walked into the heart of Innail where people buzzed to and fro in the midday sun. She worked her way past the blockades of fruits and assorted products in their respectful stands, heading back to the main bard house. She was relieved when she entered its cool interior, the shadows painting dark caverns across the room as her eyes adjusted to the sudden variation. "Cadvan?" She glanced around the empty hall.

"You're late," she heard him whisper, hugging her from behind. "What took you so long?" he inquired, leaning over her shoulder and resting his head against hers.

"I'm quite early." She shrugged him off and playfully found a window seat that overlooked a meadow garden. "What have you been doing?" she tried to make conversation; she still wasn't quite comfortable with displaying her affections.

"I had to speak with Malgorn about a few things, mainly concerning our journey. It seems that many still frown upon your decision of making me your sole tutor," he grumbled, grabbing after a piece of fruit on the table. "But I have made provision nevertheless; we have enough supplies to hold us over for a fortnight."

"Will we be gone that long?" she wondered aloud, still gazing at the beautiful roses that clung to the window frame.

"Yes, I'm afraid so. But perhaps its not as terrible as you assume, Maerad. We get to travel again," he explained softly. His low voice caused the hair on her neck to stand on end. She enjoyed being in the wilderness with Cadvan; it was dangerous and lovely all at once, a complexity she desired to return to. But even as she thought it, she wasn't completely used to being open with Cadvan; there was still something she wasn't sure of.

"Cadvan," she started, looking at him as he ate his vegetarian feast. "I'm glad to call you my friend."

He kissed the crown of her head as he leaned over her. "What are you doing?" she laughed, ducking so that his torso wouldn't crush her.

Snatching a rose blossom off the nearest branch, he came back inside the room and sat next to her. "This rose is beautiful," he eyed it. "But hidden within its beauty is a danger; one that you can't see until its too late," he added, pulling back the delicate petals to reveal a small bumble bee. It flew out at him, hitting his face before finding its way to the open window. "Such is it with love," he smirked, handing her the flower.

"What does the bee represent?" she asked confused.

"The Luin cannot abandon the flower- they are interconnected and thrive off one another; there are times when need drives it to act in desperate measures."

"Desperate measures?" she repeated his words.

"For example, giving its life to defend its prize," he told her, taking her free hand.

"You are a beautiful poet, Cadvan of Lirigon. However, your analogies are as riddles," she chuckled, wafting the heavenly aroma that hung in the in air.

"I'll have you know it's a perfect analogy," he said somewhat defensively. "The two are separate identities, but they need each other to survive. Without the other, the one is useless. That is how I see us."

Maerad blushed and looked away. "I am simply saying that without you, I would be lost. I would have no purpose," he supplemented his previous thought.

Maerad nodded. "But with love comes its dangers," she refuted, replicating Cadvan's observation of the center of the rose.

"Aye, but is life not full of precarious situations?" He touched her face with delicate hands and she trembled slightly under his touch. He knew the fears that crept into her mind, the wanting and longing that had begun to override the horrible experiences of her past. But he couldn't understand why she feared him. Shifting uneasily, he caught her hand. "I must bid you farewell; I have an appointment I must attend. But I will leave you with this, my love- not all is darkened by night."

He kissed her gently before he left and Maerad winced for lack of reaction; Cadvan didn't comprehend why she couldn't show love. He exited the room slowly, taking a moment by the door to look into her eyes before duties swept him away. Maerad unfolded the crumpled the piece of paper he had jammed into her hand slowly. She had trouble reading the words but eventually she understood Cadvan's riddles- he truly loved her. Without fear of reaction and without reserve. And he would do anything to protect her.

Love me without fear
Trust me without questioning
Need me without demanding
Want me without restrictions
Accept me without change
Desire me without inhibitions
For a love so free….
Will never fly away.

-Cadvan

AW! Does that not tie in to the whole Flower/bee and love/ analogy? ^_^ * I love the fact I was able to use this in a different way. The new ending worked out so perfectly! ^_^ Please review and let me know my time was worth while! So yeah , I'm sure it has some mistakes and it might flow smooth in some spots, but i'll fix it. I'm just wicked tired and have shopping to do. LOL so just let me know! Thanks!

-Kiaga