So I've been super busy this last month, lots of stuff going on which is why it took forever to get this written. Also I'm not so happy with this chapter so that also is why it took forever to write because I kept trying to revise. Still not happy with how it turned out, but I can't think of anything to fix it so…sorry if there isn't much flow or if things move real fast, or things just don't make sense.

Melysande: Won't quite find out who's behind the kidnapping this chapter. But perhaps there is a confession from Fergus this chapter…

mariarosa: Yeah, no breaks for Dianna. I'm so mean.

dahellraider: I'm glad you've enjoyed my Where I Belong series! :)

Pollyanna24: Thanks, glad to hear you enjoyed the chapter. Like I said, this one I'm not so happy with. Guess I'll just have to see what everyone else thinks about it. And Fergus just might put a guard on her all the time when they get back to Highever.

csorciere: Wow! Long review! I take you enjoyed the chapter. :) And since you enjoy the parts with Zev, you may like this chapter (or at least some of it).

Kiki-Leeky's: I am continuing the story, it's just taking me a long time. Glad you're enjoying the story!

CHAPTER ELEVEN

It had been hours before the cart finally came to a stop, and Dianna hoped that was it for the traveling because they were most definitely not in Highever, and that would make it much more difficult for her and Maggie to be found. Listening carefully, Dianna tried to discern just what was going on around them, but nothing quite clicked together in her head. All she knew was they were outside, from the chill and the crickets, and that she was freezing. As she was sitting there, the bag around her head was loosened and ripped off. Dianna shook her hair out of her face before giving her surroundings a quick glance, showing her she was inside a covered wagon, and then looking around again, looked straight up at one of her captors. He had a menacing look about him, causing more shivers to shoot down her spine. Just what did these people want?

"Now if you're a good girl, we'll keep the sack off," the man said.

Dianna turned her head away, snubbing the man. Like she'd actually listen to these people. However, she didn't want them to follow through with their threat to her earlier, about potentially breaking bones or cutting something off.

The man then walked back to the bulk of the group, having said all he was going to say. Dianna then looked around her to see just where they were. They were out in the middle of nowhere, that was all she was able to determine, and that it was dusk already. Her kidnappers were setting up camp, and Dianna got the feeling they wouldn't be staying there long, and would end up getting even further from Highever.

"Mmmf mhm mmmmmm!"

Dianna turned her head around to see Maggie scooting back over to her. Dianna just gave her a look saying, "You really think we can hold a conversation?"

Sitting down next to her, Maggie glared at the kidnappers and growled, which Dianna nodded in agreement to. She was very angry with them as well. She wished they didn't have the gags on, because then Dianna could apologize for dragging Maggie into this mess, since the kidnappers had made it obvious she was the target. Plus, she wished she could devise an escape plan with Maggie.

Another member of the group was sent over not much longer later to babysit them, while the rest finished setting up camp. A quick supper was handed around the group, and purposefully missed the two girls, before they had retired for the evening, their babysitter still keeping a sharp eye on them from the front seat of the wagon. Dianna knew very well there wouldn't be any getting away tonight, so she and Maggie laid down to get some rest, huddling close together to keep each other warm during the cold night. However long they would have to endure this, it was going to be hell, and drag out to feel like an eternity.


It wasn't until the wee hours of the morning that Fergus heard any news on Dianna's whereabouts. A guard found a homeless fellow during his search, who said while he had been scrounging for some food for lunch, saw a group of shady characters grab two girls, one of which who matched the description the guard gave of Dianna. When he heard the news, Fergus went to speak to the man himself, and investigate the location where they were said to have been taken.

"It looks like a wagon or cart was here, my Lord," the head guard said, pointing to the ruts in the dirt.

"Then they were transported elsewhere," Fergus said, "Are we able to follow the tracks?"

"Only until the nearest cobblestone roadway," the guard replied quietly.

Fergus kicked a nearby crate, sending it flying into the wall where it shattered. At every turn there seemed to be something else that came up that took even more time to deal with.

"I shall go speak with the guards at the city gates," Fergus asked, "See if they left the city. I want you all to keep questioning the citizens, see if you can find anything else."

The guards scurried back to resume their duty while Fergus made his way to the front gates. The guards were extremely helpful, remembering a large group leaving with a covered wagon the previous afternoon. So he knew they had left, but then that left hundreds of possibilities of where they had gone, and they had hours between them, and the time gap would only increase with his men searching for signs of where they might have gone. Fergus was very tempted to go himself, but he couldn't exactly leave Highever with no one to take over his duties.

With the new information, Fergus headed to the Hamilton household with a heavy heart, knowing the news would do little to lift their spirits, knowing it would be even more difficult to find their daughter. When he reached the house, he just stood there for a few moments before mustering the strength to knock on their door. It seemed to open in an instant, Allen standing there, with his wife and other daughter right behind him.

"Have you found her?" he asked.

Fergus's face grew even more sullen, "We've only discovered she's been taken out of the city. I am on my way to call my men back and ready them to look for her, but…we have no idea where she may be out there."

Allen's face fell, and Rosemary burst into tears, clinging onto her mom for comfort.

"I'm sorry I was not able to bring you better news," Fergus replied.

"Just…find her," Allen said.

"I will do my best," Fergus replied, wishing he could just say he would, but the chances of finding her now…were slim to none. It would take a miracle to find her.

With the task finished, Fergus found a nearby guard to inform the others to return for the castle before heading up there himself. He was exhausted, but it wasn't time for him to rest, not like he would be able to anyway if he tried. He did have a bite to eat however, finishing as the last of the guard arrived. He waited for them to have some food themselves before addressing them again.

"We now know Dianna and her friend have been taken from the city," Fergus told his men, "I want a team of men to go out and try to track them down. Saddle up the horses and take them. The kidnappers are traveling by wagon so they won't be traveling as fast as you can on horseback, hopefully you'll be able to catch up."

"But…where exactly do we need to go?" a guard asked.

"That I do not know, which is why you'll have to track them, to the best of your abilities," Fergus replied.

That definitely didn't boost the men's spirits, but now that they had been given orders, the head guard chose a handful of men to take, and they made their way to the stables to get the horses. Fergus trudged back to his study, pacing back and forth, thinking of what he could do. There was nothing he could do from here, and he so desperately wanted to find Dianna himself, to make sure she was alright. And there was so much he wanted to say to her, that he hadn't had the chance to say before, and if something terrible happened to her…he'd never be able to, and would hate himself for a long time for it. Looking out one of the study windows that faced toward the stables, Fergus watched as the guard hurried about, readying the horses.

"Aahh, screw it!" Fergus exclaimed, striding out the study door and making his way to the stables. Upon arriving, he announced to the head guard, "I am going."

"But my Lord, who will watch over the city?" the head guard asked.

"You will stay here, handle whatever situations that you can. As for paperwork, just have it sent to my desk," Fergus instructed.

"Are you sure my Lord? That could pile up quickly as you well know."

"I am going, and that's final," Fergus said.

The head guard nodded, and bowed reverently to him, "As you say, my Lord."

Going into the stables, Fergus quickly saddled up his horse alongside the guard. Two extra horses were saddled up for Dianna and Maggie, if they ever found them, and were to be in the back while the guards were busy tracking. Fergus mounted his horse and paced his horse back and forth while he waited for the guards to finish and group themselves together. Since it was chaos in and around the stables, it took quite a few minutes for them to get organized, but when they did they were ready to get moving. Fergus said a few words of advice and encouragement to his men before leading them out the gates and to the city's exit. By now the kidnappers had nearly an entire day lead on them, and Fergus could see finding Dianna getting further and further from his grasp. He could hardly concentrate he was so worried.

As they were about to leave the city, Fergus was halted abruptly by an elfin man dropping down in front of him from the wall. Fergus was about to reprimand the elf when he spoke.

"Forgive me your Lordship, but I had overheard you were attempting to track someone outside the city. I believe I could be of assistance to help you seek out Lady Dianna and her friend," the elf said with a strong Antivan accent.

Fergus looked the man over before replying, "And just how could you aid us?"

"Well…I've been trained to…find people, we can leave it at that," the elf replied, "You could say it's my specialty."

Fergus wasn't sure whether to trust the elf, he seemed awfully shady. And he was wasting his time.

"I apologize, but I do not have the time to hire a suspicious character as yourself which may cause me even more precious time," Fergus said, nudging his horse in the sides to go around the elf.

"Should I have introduced myself?" the elf asked in a jesting manner.

"I do not have the time for this," Fergus said sternly.

"Then I shall be quick. I am Zevran Arainai, Zev to my friends," the elf introduced, "And if it makes any difference, I am friends with Olyvia, Dianna's sister."

Now that made Fergus pause, "Does that mean Dianna knows of you then?"

"That I'm not entirely sure about, but helping you find Dianna is the least I can do for my friend. Besides, I'm sure she'd kill me herself, or at least try, for not taking the opportunity to help find her sister."

Fergus thought on it for a few moments, but there was still something bothering him, "And just how did you learn your tracking skills."

Zevran sighed, "Alright, since you asked. I was previously a Crow, now before you start drawing your weapons and try to kill me, note how I say previously. I've used my acquired talents for the better good."

Well at least he was being up front and honest about it, so Fergus made his decision. The elf would come with them and help them track down the kidnappers. He offered Zevran a horse, but he declined saying he worked better on foot. He did walk at the side of Fergus's horse for a short while to be given all the details they knew of the kidnapping, what they left in and when before moving ahead to do his thing. Within a minute Zevran picked up the trail and led them to the west once they hit the fork in the road. Having found a trail so quickly, Fergus was starting to feel a little more optimistic about finding Dianna.


It was early in the morning that the kidnappers pulled up camp and set off again, and from where Dianna saw the sky coming up determined they were traveling southwest. Southwest where though? Just how far were they going to take them? She wasn't to be killed so they had to be taking her somewhere, but for what purpose? Who'd want her alive? As she was mulling this over, things starting clicking together in her head as a possible explanation. Was Eamon behind this so he could torture her for information about Alistair without Fergus's knowledge? He lived in Redcliffe, and she knew it was southwest of Highever. No…it couldn't be that because he knew Fergus would believe her if she said Eamon had tortured her. Eamon could still be behind the kidnapping of course, but that would of course have to be proven.

Scooting to the front of the wagon, Dianna peered out and scanned over the group. The one who appeared to be the leader was walking ahead of everyone else, and Dianna couldn't get a good look at him through the wagon driver's fat rear end, combined with her poor eyesight. She was really missing her modern day glasses. She was hoping to spot a piece of parchment on the leader because they were hired to kidnap her, hirelings in these times typically had a written contract signed by the one who did the hiring. If she, or anyone else, could find that contract, the scumbag who was behind all of this would be found out. And then taken thoroughly taken care of by Fergus himself, Dianna was certain. She could just imagine right now the state he was in. She knew he cared, so he'd be worried of course, putting himself in a state of panic most likely. At the thought of Fergus, Dianna sighed and turned back around, sitting down and leaning against the wagon sidewall. She really missed him right now. And if things did end up turning south and she never got to see him again, she was going to regret not telling him how she truly felt about him.


After another few days of travel, the kidnappers literally did turn south for travel which only made Dianna even more suspicious of Eamon. Of course she couldn't think of any good reason for him to kidnap her. Yes, she knew he wanted to talk to her when he was in Highever last, but would he really go through such extreme lengths to talk to her? To a woman he thought far lower than himself? Didn't seem likely so Dianna was attempting to form other explanations, but nothing came to mind.

There were also few opportunities for escape, the kidnappers knowing how to do their job a little too well. Someone was always nearby, babysitting, watching them; it made having to do their private business all the more awkward. At least they had the girl in the group to do that, it wasn't as mortifying. As for food and water, they were given little of it, but at least they were fed even if it was by hand. However, after a week of traveling late into the night and waking early, it was starting to affect the kidnappers so it took a little more for them to remain vigilant.

As they were traveling down the road Dianna glanced out the back of the wagon, at the one man keeping watch back there. And a poor job of watch he was doing. His head was nodding slowly back and forth, his eyelids drooping down low from how tired he was. With her feet bound, she knew she couldn't go anywhere so they first had to be freed. So reaching down to the rope, she began tugging at it, slowly working it down her feet. Maggie noticed what she was doing and gave her a confused look to which Dianna motioned with her head out the back. Seeing what Dianna saw, Maggie too began to slowly work on removing the rope around her feet. It was a slow process, since the rope was wrapped around snugly, but once they got one loop over their heels, it was much easier.

Now sitting at the back of the wagon without the binds on their feet, Dianna watched the guy in the back out the corner of her eye to see when his eyes were mostly closed so that they could make their move. After a few minutes, he slowly blinked, and Dianna nodded at Maggie. Together they stood and leapt out the back, landing on the man. When he opened his mouth to shout out, Dianna knocked his head back, knocking him out. With him out of the way, they scrambled to their feet and ran off the road and into the woods so they couldn't be seen as they made their escape. For the first few minutes, it sounded like they had made a clean escape, but then they began to hear the angry shouts from behind, and growing closer. Someone must have glanced behind and either noticed them gone, or their other comrade missing. Even though she was already running as fast as she could, hearing the others behind her, Dianna tried to push herself even harder, faster, in order to outrun them. Her endurance was the problem however, becoming weary minutes later. Maggie was starting to lag behind, becoming tired as well, and Dianna wasn't about to leave her behind to save her own hide.

Grabbing Maggie by the arm with both hands, Dianna pulled her deeper into the woods, hoping the more cover could hide them while they waited to catch their breath and the kidnappers to run past. Finding a large bush with thick foliage, Dianna first pushed Maggie in before jumping in herself. Dianna could hardly hear anything over the thundering of her heart, pounding loudly in her head. Hardly a minute later, they heard others run past, Dianna and Maggie freezing as they heard the footsteps. Even after they couldn't hear anyone, they refused to move. A few minutes more passed before Maggie nudged Dianna to get her attention, and gave her a thumbs up with a questioning look. Dianna shrugged in response, but motioned with her hands that they should wait longer. Not a minute later, however, they heard more people coming, and heard one stop short right outside the brush. Clinging to each other, Dianna and Maggie prayed that they would continue moving on and not find them.

Suddenly Maggie was being hoisted out from the brush, closely followed by Dianna herself and then unceremoniously tossed to the ground. Righting themselves, they found the band leader looking far more than pissed off.

"I gave you a warning, and you still tried escaping," he growled, "And now you will face the consequences."

The girl in the group that was there as well stepped forward and grabbed Maggie, placing a foot on her knee, then grabbed her by the ankle and yanked hard upwards, a sickening crack coming from Maggie's leg as she screamed in agony. Dianna's stomach heaved, the bile rising up in her throat as she tried her best not to throw up.

"Now you," the woman said with a smile as she stepped over Maggie to Dianna.

As she went to grab Dianna's leg, the leader spoke up, "Don't make a bad break, just enough to keep her lame so she can't run. As much as I don't like it, she has to stay mostly together. This way if she continues to misbehave, we can keep making small breaks until she learns her lesson."

"Yes sir," the woman replied, before grabbing Dianna's ankle and twisting it to the side until it too cracked as it broke.

Lights went off in Dianna's vision as the pain erupted in her foot, screaming from the intensity of it. That was the worse pain Dianna had ever felt. Tears began streaming down her face due to the pain, same as Maggie, and they were both hoisted up off the ground and carried back to the wagon, where they were again tossed inside.

Once the rest of the group returned, they set off again and Maggie and Dianna just curled themselves up into balls on the wagon floor, crying as the pain overwhelmed them. Dianna looked over at her friend through her teary eyes, guilt eating away at her stomach for getting her into this situation, and being the reason she was in so much pain now.

I am so sorry Maggie, Dianna thought as she squeezed her eyes shut, This is all my fault.


Zevran had been tracking the kidnappers for over a week, and according to the elf, they were starting to close in on them. The tracks started becoming fresher the last three days, and Zevran explained to Fergus that it seemed they had finally started resting a full night instead of the short stops they had been doing in order to gain distance from the city. Since Fergus and his guard were traveling at a faster pace, they didn't need to exhaust themselves by doing the same to catch up, though Fergus was tempted to, just so he could find Dianna sooner. Zevran assured him though, that it would be better for his men to be awake, alert, and at their best when it came time for an encounter, so they ought to continue at the pace they had been traveling.

Setting up camp once dusk fell, Zevran joined Fergus by the campfire after most of the men either retired for the evening, or set up watch. Fergus was wringing his hands together anxiously, staring into the fire.

"Your worry is unnecessary," Zevran said to the young Teyrn, "Since we haven't come across a corpse, Dianna must be wanted alive by someone. I doubt any hired hand would keep a person alive this long without reason. Or a contract, so somebody must be behind it."

"I haven't found her yet, my worry is completely necessary," Fergus replied quietly.

"But we will, because you have me."

"Your humility is awe-inspiring," Fergus said blandly.

"Do you have any inclination as to whom hired these men?" Zevran asked, ignoring the previous comment.

"Only one comes to mind," Fergus replied, "My brother."

"Aedan?" Zevran asked, surprising Fergus that he had called the King by his first name, "You truly think so? What would he want with Dianna? I know he hates Olyvia, and anyone who has relations with her, but what really would he want to keep Dianna alive for?"

"To tear me apart, that's why," Fergus said, "Not finding her while I look so desperately for her. And then if I do…that's when he'll make the final blow. Either one, or both of us would die. That's what he wants. To be rid of me, the thorn in his side."

Zevran sighed, "It seems everyone irritates Aedan enough for him to try to kill them."

Fergus looked at Zevran curiously, his face asking the question plain as day as to what he meant.

"Aedan has hired the crows to kill me too now," Zevran said, "It didn't take much deducing to figure that one out."

"Well, if Aedan wants to kill you, I could almost call you friend," Fergus said.

"Why your Lordship, I'm touched."

"I said almost," Fergus reiterated, "I still hardly know you."

"Well, it lasted for a few seconds," Zevran sighed.


Zevran was moving quickly in front of the guard, following the trail no one else could see. He seemed excited almost, in his demeanor and the way he walked, as if he was getting close to his prey and preparing to pounce when he needed. After another day, they had woken early, before the sun and pulled down camp to continue on their way, and now the sky was beginning to lighten as the sun came closer to making its appearance. Zevran was able to find the trail again in the dark, and now they seemed to be making good progress, according to his actions.

Zevran suddenly stopped, holding up his hand to signal the others to do the same, which they did. He cocked his head to the side, listening, before turning and heading off the road. He was gone for a few moments before he returned.

"Looks like we've found the camp," Zevran said, "They've only just woken up and are starting to break down camp."

"And Dianna?" Fergus asked, and then added, "And Maggie?"

"They're sitting out in the open waiting to be loaded into the wagon I presume," Zevran replied, "So your men best be careful not to trample them."

Fergus was just itching to run his horse forward and break into the camp to rescue Dianna. They had finally found her! She was so close, yet so far away because he couldn't just go barging in there yet, no matter how badly he wanted to. Zevran quickly drew out on the ground how everything was set up, and where it would be best to charge in for their assault.

Zevran whipped out his blades, a mischievous grin on his face, "Let's surprise them, shall we?"


Ever since their escape attempt, Dianna and Maggie were kept out of the wagon overnight, usually tied to a post they hammered into the ground, and a watch of three constantly on them. So they spent their nights, out on the cold hard ground with nothing to protect them from the biting chill, their legs swollen and throbbing in pain. They had hardly gotten any sleep since that happened, the pain keeping them awake. Both were feeling very weak from the further neglect, having no food or water for days, and could only get around by the wagon, or someone carrying them.

As the others pulled up their camp, Dianna and Maggie just watched from the post they were tied to up until someone came over and pried it out, leaving the watch on them to make sure they didn't try sneaking off. Not like they would try, now that they couldn't move without tremendous amounts of pain, and Dianna wasn't going to give them more reason to hurt Maggie again. Their abductors were almost finished loading their items into the wagon when suddenly men on horseback came bursting through the trees, the glint of silver flashing through the air as they swung their swords at the men. The kidnappers scrambled for their weapons, and Dianna and Maggie just huddled closer together, looking around them in confusion and terror, wondering what was going on and whether they would just be counted as bandits or noticed as victims. Hearing gasping, gurgling breaths behind them, followed by dull thumps, Dianna and Maggie turned their heads to find their babysitters were dead, felled by one elf. Dianna could only stare in disbelief. It was Zevran. She knew him…sort of. She also knew he most likely didn't know her, at least not personally. They had never met.

"Ladies," Zevran said with a small bow and a flourish of his hand before darting off elsewhere to deal with someone else.

Turning her head around to look at what was going on, Dianna's heart leapt as she recognized Fergus atop Brogan as he cut his way through the men. After felling an enemy, he cast his eyes about and they landed on Dianna. With a kick to his horse, they leapt forward, pushing their way through a few of the thugs, and ran towards her. Raising her hands up, she caught hold of Fergus's hand as he bent down low, and with a mighty tug, pulled her up and swung her behind him on the horse. With her hands still being tied, she wasn't able to wrap her arms around him to hold on, so she settled with clinging onto one of his shoulders as he rode away from the campsite. They probably rode for quite a few minutes, hearing no din of battle and being well away from the camp, before Fergus pulled Brogan to a stop. Dismounting, he pulled Dianna off and set her down under a nearby tree. Dianna cringed as her feet hit, and slid down to where she was sitting and her right leg was out from under her. More tears sprung to her eyes seeing Fergus in tears as he knelt down in front of her. She was so happy to see him, but seeing him crying made her want to cry even more.

"Thank the Maker," Fergus said as he cradled Dianna's face in his hands, "You're alive."

Barely alive, she felt like her consciousness was hardly there. Not wasting any more time, Fergus cut the rope around her wrists, then reached around and untied the gag, tossing it aside before he buried his hands into her hair and pulled her in for a kiss. Her lips were cracked and rough against his, but Fergus didn't care, as long as they kissed him back, which they did.

"Oh Dianna, I was worried I'd never see you again," Fergus said once he broke away.

"I thought I'd never see you again either," Dianna sobbed, "I'm so happy you found us."

Fergus rested his forehead against hers, his fingers caressing her face as more tears of joy fell from his eyes, "And I am relieved, and overwhelmed with joy that I found you. For a while I thought for sure I had lost you forever."

"I'm still here," Dianna said, "Barely, but still here."

"I was worried you wouldn't be taken care of," Fergus said, "Just how bad is it?"

"I'm starving, dehydrated, tired and my ankle is broken," Dianna replied, motioning with a hand to her right ankle, "Our captors didn't like it when Maggie and I ran away."

Fergus's hand clenched into a fist, becoming angry with the kidnappers for the mistreatment, but at least they were being dealt with properly by his men. How he'd like to run through the one who caused Dianna the most pain, but they were all probably dead now, and he didn't want to leave Dianna's side ever again.

"I wish I could have stopped this before it went too far," Fergus said, his voice strained, "That I had prevented this pain you're in."

"You could give me some water, if you want to help," Dianna said, her voice cracking as if to emphasize even more how thirsty she was.

Fergus didn't skip a beat as he reached for his water skin and handed it over to her. Opening the top, Dianna nearly drank it dry before she lowered it from her lips and returned it to Fergus.

"Thank you," Dianna said breathlessly.

"You're welcome," Fergus said, "Is there anything else you need?"

"Just some rest for now, I doubt you brought Elliot with you."

"No…I didn't."

"Just…let me sit here then," Dianna said.

Fergus nodded, and sat back to give Dianna her space. As he sat there, watching her and seeing how ill she looked, he felt compelled to tell her what he had been trying to tell her for the past two months. He began arguing with himself in his head, like he usually did when that compulsion came upon him, telling himself now was not the time, she wouldn't respond how he wished she would. Shoving those thoughts aside, he made his decision. It was now or never. He had nearly lost her once, he wasn't going to risk losing her again before he could get these words out.

"Dianna…before we move on, there is something I have to get off my chest," Fergus began, continuing when Dianna's eyes locked with his, "These last five months…though they have been a bit of an emotional struggle for me, they really have been some of my best memories. Getting to know you has been one of the greatest blessings, and I am grateful to have you in my life."

Dianna sucked on her bottom lip, worried that a 'but' would be coming up real soon. And typically something that followed a 'but' was never good, especially following such sweet words.

"What I…what I'm trying to say," Fergus continued, "What I should have told you months ago is…I love you Dianna."

Dianna stared up at Fergus in shock, completely speechless, her heart filled with joy hearing those words from him that she didn't think she would. Licking her lips, and swallowing to wet her throat, she found her voice again to reply, "I love you too Fergus."

Fergus let out a short breath of disbelief before burying his hands into Dianna's hair once more and crushed her lips against his. He was beyond overjoyed hearing she returned his feelings. Dianna threw her arms around Fergus's neck as she kissed him back fervently. The happiness she felt from their reunion and hearing those three words greater than she ever imagined, and became lost in that wondrous feeling.

"Pardon for the interruption, but the captors have been properly disposed," an Antivan voice interrupted, snapping Fergus and Dianna out of their la-la land.

As Fergus stood to address Zevran, Dianna shrunk down as her face flushed red in embarrassment. It was rather awkward being caught in such a passionate moment.

"A-and my men?" Fergus stammered.

"A few may have fallen, these bandits weren't your typical untrained thugs, they have been trained," Zevran replied, "But still no match to your guard."

"And Maggie? Is she alright?" Dianna asked.

"As fine as one could be after receiving such neglect and with a broken leg," Zevran said, "She ought to be seen by a doctor or healer soon, as should you. You hardly look in any better shape."

Fergus nodded in agreement, "Then we should gather the men and be off. We're a few days ride from Rainesfere. I don't think Teagan would mind us dropping by unannounced, considering the circumstances."

Dianna could feel her face turning red all over again at the mention of Teagan. After she and Fergus just confessed their feelings to each other, they just had to throw Teagan into the mix again. She was still so confused as to how he felt toward her and that little flutter in her stomach at the mention of his name…what did that mean? Was it she had fallen for his so called charms? She couldn't have…could she? Not when she was in love with Fergus, right? With a groan, she dropped her head into her hands. She was only confusing herself even more.

Moments later, she found herself picked back up off the ground and hoisted up onto Brogan's saddle. Fergus sat behind her, so the two were rather snug atop the horses back, but at least this way Fergus didn't have to worry about Dianna falling off if her strength gave out.

"We will try to reach Rainsfere as soon as possible," Fergus assured her as they made their way back to his guard, "There someone will properly tend to you."

"I've lasted eleven days, what's a few more?" Dianna said, trying to be optimistic.

"I know how quickly a person's health can change in just a few hours," Fergus said, completely serious, "In your condition, I don't want to risk taking longer than I have to."

"Maggie should be seen to first," Dianna said, "She's been hurt far more than I."

"You will both be tended to at the same time, I'm sure," Fergus said, "Teagan has enough helping hands to do so."

Well then Dianna could live with that. Once everyone was rounded up together, Maggie riding with one of the guardsmen, Zevran bade them farewell before disappearing. He told them he best get moving again, and that it was a pleasure working with his Lordship. Fergus of course gave him coin for his aide, not that Zevran would have left entirely without some sort of payment, he did after all offer his services as a hire. Once Zevran slipped away, Fergus turned his men west on a road that would lead them to Rainesfere. Shutting her eyes, Dianna leaned against Fergus and tried her best to just rest. She couldn't wait until she was no longer in so much pain that she could finally sleep soundly.


As Fergus estimated, it took two days to reach Rainesfere, and Dianna took a guess as to why the town got its name. It was raining, pouring really, the last leg of their journey and everyone was soaked to the bone by the time they reached the town at mid-afternoon. They were able to ride their horses up to the front gate of Teagan's manor where they were greeted by the Rainesfere guard. Servants were called to take the horses to the stables while one guard escorted the Teyrn and his men through the gates. Dianna was nearly passing out from exhaustion, but she was awake enough to take in her surroundings. Teagan's residence was a castle, but nowhere near the size of Fergus's. She assumed him being a Bann required a less grandiose residence.

As they approached the front doors, they swung open and Teagan himself came out.

"Fergus, what brings you so far south?" Teagan asked as he approached, then noticed Dianna in Fergus's arms, "What has happened?"

"I'll explain later, but would it be too much to ask for your hospitality?" Fergus asked, "Dianna and her friend Lady Margaret have sustained some injuries that must be seen to. And being out in this weather I fear they'll catch cold on top of that."

"Of course, come in," Teagan said, motioning them to follow him inside, "I'll take you to the infirmary. Your men are welcome to head to the dining hall and have themselves something to eat."

"Thank you Teagan," Fergus said, then relayed the message to his men. A nearby manservant took Maggie from a guard so he could join the others, and followed the Teyrn and Bann to the infirmary. On the way Fergus explained to Teagan the events that brought them there. Teagan was shocked to hear of their ordeal, and how they managed to pull through it in the condition they were in. They were considerably better off than he would have expected, that being dead, or quickly on the way to it.

"They are fortunate they are still alive," Teagan said to Fergus as they stood outside the infirmary after handing Dianna and Maggie to the healers inside.

"Dianna told me they had been told specifically to keep her alive," Fergus said, "For what reason though, I have no clue."

"Were you able to find any documentation for the kidnapping?" Teagan asked.

"None that my men were able to find," Fergus replied, "At least not yet. We took their supplies and packs, and have yet to go through them. It can wait a day though for my men to rest up."

"Which you should do as well, you look exhausted my friend."

"I'll go once I hear how Dianna is doing."

Teagan placed a hand on Teagan's shoulder, "It may take some time for that. Perhaps you should get yourself some food and then come back?"

Fergus was about to agree to that, since he was rather hungry, when he heard an agonizing scream from inside the infirmary. Unsure as to whether the scream belonged to Dianna or Maggie, Fergus ran back inside to see just what the hell the healers were doing. He found that it was Maggie who had screamed, and was now unconscious. Or was she dead? And Dianna was heaving the contents of her stomach into a bucket.

"What have you done?" Fergus asked.

"The break in her leg was starting to heal incorrectly, judging from the angle we found it in," the healer who was holding Maggie's broken leg replied, "We had to break it again in order to reset it properly. She's passed out from the pain."

"The same will have to be done to Lady Dianna's ankle," another healer added, "It may be painful, but it needs to be done. Let us do our job, your Lordship."

Hearing Dianna would have to go through the same process as Maggie, Fergus was more hesitant to leave. But he wasn't sure if he could stand staying and watching her go through it either, so he turned and left. He would take his time eating, then come back to see how Dianna was doing.


When Fergus returned to the infirmary nearly an hour later, he found Dianna comfortably asleep in one of the cots inside, having been changed out of her soaked and soiled dress into a nightgown, and her hair was halfway dry and pooling around her head. She looked considerably better than she had just over an hour ago when they arrived. Since she was asleep, he didn't want to disturb her so he just brought a stool over to her bedside and took a seat, gently taking hold of one of her hands.

"Sweet dreams, my love," Fergus whispered as he brought her hand up to his lips to grace it with a kiss.

He stayed there for quite a few hours, just sitting by Dianna's side, keeping her company when Teagan found him.

"I thought I'd find you here," Teagan said, coming to stand next to Fergus, "She's looking better already."

Fergus nodded in agreement, but said nothing, his eyes focused on Dianna's face.

"You should really get some rest Fergus," Teagan said, "Otherwise you'll end up in here for exhaustion."

"I don't want to leave her," Fergus said, "I'm…almost scared to. I know little could happen to her here, but still…I don't want to let her out of my sight so soon after I got her back."

Teagan was silent for a few moments before quietly saying, "You really care for her, don't you?"

"More so than I thought I could care for another woman," Fergus replied, "After Orianna, I didn't think I could love again, but…that was a different love. This…this feels entirely different. I don't know how to explain it…it just does."

Another few moments of silence passed between the two before Fergus felt a hand on his shoulder, "I'll leave you then. If you change your mind about getting some rest in a proper bed, someone can direct you a room."

"Thank you Teagan," Fergus said, "I will see you later."

Teagan left, leaving Fergus alone in the infirmary once more. Being completely exhausted from the long trip, and refusing to leave Dianna's side, Fergus laid his head down on the cot next to Dianna's and closed his eyes. It may not have been the most comfortable position, but there wasn't any other place he'd rather be.


As Dianna started coming to, the dull throbbing pain in her ankle was at the forefront of her mind. At least it wasn't overwhelming anymore, she had actually managed to fall asleep. Now she was curious to see just how long she had been sleeping. Blinking open her eyes, she was greeted by the sight of Fergus's face next to hers. She smiled, and chuckled a little seeing his hair all mussed up and in disarray. He looked so cute like that. Reaching over with her left hand, she ran her fingers through his hair in an attempt to brush it down. Doing so roused Fergus from his sleep, blearily blinking his eyes and he lifted his head up.

"Morning sleepy head," Dianna smiled.

"Good afternoon is more like it," Fergus said, glancing over to a window, "I can't believe I fell asleep again. Ugh, now I really have a crick in my neck."

"Sorry," Dianna apologized even though she knew it wasn't her fault.

"It was worth it," Fergus said, leaning back down to give Dianna a kiss.

Dianna sighed in content as she smiled up at Fergus. Despite the pain, she was feeling pretty good. She had Fergus with her, nothing could be better.

"So what's the plan?" Dianna asked, "When are we heading home?"

"When you get better," Fergus replied, "Teagan told me this morning a message has been sent to your parents and Maggie's informing them you've both been found and are recovering. If you want to go back to Highever sooner, we can go to Redcliffe and then take a boat to the Circle of Magi so a mage can heal your broken ankle. It'd still be sore for a while, but at least you wouldn't be stuck in a bed resting for weeks."

Dianna wrinkled her nose in distaste at the mention of Redcliffe, "But Eamon is in Redcliffe."

"And he'd be respectful I'm sure, probably show some concern considering the circumstances."

"I doubt it, it'd probably just give him an idea on how to get my sister and Alistair."

Fergus sighed, "You're just determined to see the bad in him, aren't you?"

"He hasn't really shown me much good."

"Well, perhaps that can change," Fergus said, "So would you rather lie in a bed here for weeks, or get home within two?"

Dianna pursed her lips, because the answer was easy, she just didn't like the circumstances, "I'd rather be home in two."

"Then we'll head to Redcliffe in a few more days, after you've gotten plenty of rest," Fergus said, placing a kiss on her forehead, "Sound good?"

Dianna nodded. Even after sleeping all through the morning to the afternoon she was still feeling tired, she could use a few more days of rest before she was feeling up to traveling again.

Nearly an hour later, Maggie woke up as well. She was of course still in pain, but with the aid of some herbal potions, it was diminished greatly so she was feeling considerably better from the previous day. Being told the plan, she was in agreement with it, also wanting to return as soon as possible, despite knowing how over the top her mother would be with greetings seeing her again. It was as Dianna and Maggie were joking about just what sort of hysterics her mother would go into as one of the Highever guard came running into the room.

"My Lord, the men had been searching through the bandits' belongings when we found this," the guard said, holding a piece of parchment out to him, "You may want to take a look at it."

Fergus's brow furrowed in confusion as he took the parchment, and unfolded it to read what was on it. Dianna watched as his countenance changed from confusion, to disbelief, to rage.

"What is it Fergus?" Dianna asked.

"I can't believe this!" Fergus roared as he stood abruptly, toppling the stool over, "Can I trust no one?"

Dropping the paper, Fergus stormed out from the room, slamming the door shut. Dianna reached down and picked up the paper and looked at it to see what the fuss was about. Seeing what he saw, Dianna's eyes grew wide in shock.

"No way," she muttered.

Throwing off her covers, she hobbled after Fergus to make sure he didn't do anything too stupid.