Before you start sending me hate messages about not updating in over a year, let me just say that I am truly, absolutely sorry. The aforementioned year was a bad one. I got one of the worse cases of writer's block yet, but only on this story. So I worked on other stories trying to get though it and failed. Plus there was a ton of other stuff happening, including several family members in the hospital and school. But no more excuses. On with the story!

Brian angrily jabbed her needle through the fabric. She had been working on the same pillowcase for three days now and had made little progress. Ruth was constantly making her stop and take out all the bad stitches, which meant that she had embroidered everything at least three times so far.

"My lady will ruin the fabric by jabbing it that way."

Brian gave her a swift glare. "And why can't I just pass off some of yours as my own?"

"Think of it as a souvenir." Ruth replied calmly.

"I'm not sure I want a souvenir of this little escapade." Brian muttered.

Ruth smiled but did not reply. With a sigh Brian continued embroidering a simple flower, trying to mimic Ruth's tiny, precise stitches. She knew how to sew, but making sure a shirt would hold together and making something look pretty were two entirely separate things. After half an hour of doing, undoing, and redoing stitches she held it out for Ruth's approval.

"You're getting better." Ruth said approvingly.

"I might even get this done sometime in the next couple of years." Brian muttered as she stood and stretched.

"Would my lady like to go on a walk?"

"Yes, I would." As they put the embroidery away Brian said, "I haven't seen Lord Creepypants in a day or two."

"It's best to space out encounters for the first little while."

"And before you know it I'll be seeing him several times a day and beating him off with a stick."

They went outside. The sound of swords clashing drew Brian towards the practice yard. Among the soldiers practicing was Felix, sparring with a young, inexperienced-looking soldier. After a minute he glanced over and saw them watching. He flashed a smile and went back to the fight, making a visible effort to pull off fancier moves.

"He seems to be trying to impress you." Ruth whispered in Brian's ear.

"He isn't doing a very good job." Brian whispered back, "His form is too loose. See how he paused right there? Anyone with any experience would have gotten an easy hit. His balance is off. One strong hit would knock him right off his feet. And what kind of move was that? Sloppy, sloppy, sloppy."

Ruth couldn't help but giggle, and Brian couldn't help but join her. Felix, however, seemed to think they were admiring him. After a few more minutes the spar ended and he came over, wiping his forehead with his sleeve.

"Good morning, ladies." he said politely as he bowed.

"Good morning, my lord." Brian and Ruth said at the same time, curtsying.

"What brings you out to such a rough place?"

"I was getting better acquainted with the castle grounds and saw you practicing." Brian answered. Ruth's foot nudged hers, and Brian got the hint. "I've never seen anyone wield a sword like you do." she added, managing to keep a grin off her face.

"Oh yes." Felix said in a dismissive voice, "The poor boy was dreadfully inexperienced, so I felt the need to go easy on him."

"That was very kind of you." A tiny smile managed to make it's way onto Brian's face in spite of herself.

"I am glad you think so. If you'll excuse me, I must make myself more presentable." A wry grin spread across his face. "I am sure training yard is not the best perfume to wear around ladies."

"Of course not." Brian curtsied again, and Felix left.

"He seems to think you charming." Ruth said as they walked away from the practice yard.

"Funny, since I was trying not to burst out laughing."

"That smile was very effective."

"That was me trying not to grin and failing."

"Whatever it was, it was very well placed. I believe he will try to pursue you without any further attempts to attract him."

"That's what I'm afraid of." Brian muttered under her breath.

They continued walking, winding up in the garden. As they strolled between sculpted shrubs Brian quietly sighed. By the time this fiasco was over she would be so out of practice with her longbow Will was going to make her practice for days on end. Speaking of Will, how was he doing? Was he worried sick yet? Or was he relieved to have his grumpy apprentice out of the house so he and Alyss could have some alone time?

Footsteps sounded behind them. Brian turned to see Felix jogging towards them. He came to a stop a little ways away and bowed.

"I saw you a little ways ahead of me, so I thought perhaps I could enjoy your company a little more."

Brian dearly wanted to tell him to buzz off, but instead said, "Of course. I would be delighted."

Felix came up beside her. As they started walking Ruth dropped back. At least she was there to keep Brian from sticking her foot in her mouth.

"I seem to see you outside most of the time." Felix said.

"I enjoy being outside." Brian managed a small smile. "Perhaps it's from being stuck inside too many musty castles in Celtica because of rain."

Felix laughed, and Brian once again wondered why he had such a nice laugh. Weren't bad guys supposed to have an evil laugh, or at least a creepy one?

"Did you ever see anything exciting while in Celtica?" he asked.

"Well, I once saw a duel, but it had rained recently so it ended up as a mud wrestling contest."

Felix chuckled before becoming quiet for a moment. "I was in a duel once." he finally said.

With what? Sticks? "Really?" Brian tried to sound interested.

"Oh yes." Felix started telling about the duel he had supposedly been in, while Brian tried to sound like she was both interested and impressed. There was one thing she had to give him: Felix was a gifted storyteller. He probably should have been a bard rather than a noble.

"That must have been amazing to watch." she said once he was finished.

He looked thoughtful, as if he had never thought of that. "Yes, it did sound like it would have been, didn't it?"

"It was very well told."

"You flatter me." He made an over-extravagant bow before straightening and grinning. Brian couldn't help but chuckle a little.

"You have a beautiful laugh." Felix said, his grin widening, "I should like to hear it more."

Brian blushed slightly and looked down. No one had ever said her laugh was nice before. Of course, hardly anyone had heard it, but still...

"Lord Randall!"

A messenger came running up. He whispered in Felix's ear. Felix nodded, then turned to Brian and bowed.

"I apologize, but I am afraid I must take my leave now. I pray we will meet again soon."

"As do I." Brian curtsied.

After Felix had left Brian and Ruth returned to their suite. Brian sighed as she sat down.

"Great, I think he's stalking me now."

"That may not be a bad thing." Ruth said as she picked up her sewing, "The more he's around you, the more likely he is to let something slip."

Brian sighed again as she picked up her embroidery. Hopefully he'd let something slip soon. She didn't know how much more court life she could take.

Oh, before I forget, Happy New Year's Eve, or New Year's. or whenever you're reading this. Possible New Year's resolution: work on this story a whole bunch more. Cheers!