Jayne-

I closed my eyes and turned my face way at a rapid speed, as water splashed at me again. Then looked back down at Lily, and giggled, as I held her sitting in the shallow parts of the river.

"I think you have a mermaid on your hands, Jayne." Drake called, from his own swimming spot, further into the river, in nothing but his breeches; showing off a broad chest, that lacked just a few of Lance's muscles. For this reason I had been purposely avoiding looking at him since he stripped his shirt and dove in, but at this I looked up and answered him with a smile.

"You know, all your splashing is scaring away my fish." My father said to Drake, as he placed down his pole.

Drake just laughed in response, "Would you like me to start scaring them towards you then? I can try to round them up like a herding dog."

"You sure look like one." Helen yelled out to him, in a teasing manner, earning her his tongue sticking out.

I laughed at their antics, looking around at all of them (Drake, my father, Mary, and Helen). They had a nice family here, a close family; a family that they have tried to include me in, but I still felt removed from. I enjoyed their company, but I felt like a guest, looking in on their love.

I kissed the top of Lily's head, trying hard not to contemplate it too much on such a nice day. But I had so little control of my thoughts as of late, that it was pointless. When I was with Lance or Queen Bethany, I had always felt a sense of right, a sense of home and the precious moments I was able to spend in Lance's arms, I knew exactly where I was meant to be. I never had felt like a stranger in my own life, in my own body.

It had been three moons since that day at that chapel. My daughter was in her ninth moon now, and each day grew stronger and larger. I should be letting go by now and moving on with my life. I could find Lily a father, I thought; find her a man who would not reject her, so I'd never have to tell her that her father abandoned us.

I looked up at Drake still swimming in the water. I knew by now he'd be willing to take that opening. I was not the most experienced with men, having only been with Lance, but Drake made his feelings for me as clear as drinking water, even though he had never voiced them. So I could make that decision to move on, I could marry Drake, give Lily a father and siblings. But as logical as the thought was, it made my stomach drop, as if a pile of stones sat inside. Clearly going down that road wouldn't be healthy.

Lance-

How much can one person prattle on about? I was walking around the gardens with Lady Elyse, another forced excursion with the lady that my father set up. It was clear what he was doing, as it was clear that each moon that went by of me ignoring all attempts at matching makes, grated on my father's nerves and he would soon lose his new found "supportive father" act.

"Lady Elyse…" I interrupted her mid-sentence on some gossip about the Lady of Rinnd's newest affair, as if I care, "I'm afraid I must cut this outing short. I have an appointment in an hour and must ready for it."

I saw her face deflate for a minute, but it didn't last long as she plastered a seductive smile on her face, that did nothing for me, "I understand, Lance." She had decided last moon that she was on personal enough levels with me to toss out my title. Where she got this idea, I hadn't the faintest idea, but I didn't care enough to argue. I didn't care about anything concerning her, "I suppose I'll just have to miss you until dinner then."

I nodded distractedly, then turned around and briskly walked off, cursing under my breath.

I walked through the hallway by the court room, where more prattling was going on. I planned on walking past the open door and ignoring all the gossip, but then something stopped me.

"Oh I can't wait for the wedding. I just hope he proposes soon. It'll be such a grand opportunity to meet some new men."

"I agree and won't Lady Elyse make such a beautiful queen? She is so fashionable."

An exasperated sigh, "Yes it will be lovely. I just wish the prince would hurry up. We all know it's coming, why draw it out?"

Voices falling to a loud whisper, "Well…you know since he came home he's practically become celibate. Some say he had a mistress before he left, who broke his heart. But you didn't hear it from me." was quickly added on.

Gasps all around, "Do you think the Prince could have really fallen in love? He's never been a romantic man."

"Who knows, but whoever she was, she must be gone now. That would explain his brooding around the castle."

"In that case he should marry Lady Elyse all the quicker, let go of any idle fantasies running in his head. Oh what a beautiful King and Queen they'll make."

"Yes, it will be a great day when he finally proposes. The party will be fabulous!"

I rolled my eyes and continued to pass, suppressing the urge to bang my head against the stone wall of the hallway. Yes, please…let me marry Lady Elyse so you can have a party.

I knew of the rumors circling of Lady Elyse's and I's upcoming engagement. I also knew these rumors circulated because my father had made it clear to all that this was what he wanted to happen, and what (in his mind) would happen, because he was King.

But I was not giving up on Jayne. I had yet to hear any news of Jayne's whereabouts and grew restless, thinking perhaps I should go after her myself. But I had talked to enough people about Harold Bonnfed and had more than enough faith in his abilities. If only he'd hurry up.

Besides, I already decided even if Jayne didn't want me, I wouldn't pick another wife. If that would happen I would end up spending the rest of my days wishing the woman I was with was Jayne. That kind of life would lead to misery not only for myself, but for this nameless, potential wife. So if Jayne didn't want me, that was that. My sister was bound to marry someday, and I'd name one of her son's my heir. There was no need for me to marry and produce.

I just hoped Jayne did still want me…

Jayne-

It wasn't but a week after my revelation that I would never be able to move on at the river, when I heard it. I held Lily on my hip in the market, a basket under my other arm. Rita, Katherine's daughter, was talking to Delaney, a farmer's wife who sold vegetables at the market almost every day.

"It just must be so exciting to go to a celebration like that." Rita sighed in envy, "Even if I went to our capital city, it's not like Highland's royals know how to throw a party. Such a boring royal family we have."

Delaney through her head back laughing, "Well at least they don't have slaves and are fair rulers. But yes, I agree. It would be marvelous to see the Benbourgh wedding."

My heart stopped and it felt as if someone hit me in the stomach, "What are you two talking about?" I asked after a minute, my voice steady, steadier than I had ever heard it before.

Rita turned to me smiling, "Oh Jayne, I didn't see you there." She answered, "We're talking about the Benbourgh Prince's wedding."

"He's getting married?" voice still steady, heart still stopped.

"Yes." She answered again, still smiling, "You seem shocked, dear. Did you know anything of him while you lived there? Was he a cad or something?" she asked, practically giggling.

I shook my head quickly, "No. No, I don't think so. I'm sure his wife will be very happy with him."

I made my excuses about chores at home and dashed off to home. Once I got to the cottage though, I found I didn't want to go in and answer the questions that would no doubt follow when Helen and Mary saw my face. So I placed down my basket, found a corner of the low fence farthest away from the house, held Lily close to my chest, and cried into her shoulder.

I don't know how long I sat there before I heard footsteps approaching. I looked up to see Drake. He bent down and sat next to me, grabbing one of Lily's hands. She had grown bored of my crying and began to wiggle out of my grasp. I loathed to let her go, but did anyway and she began to explore around us.

Drake and I sat silently for a while before he spoke, "I guess you heard the rumors, huh?"

I couldn't find my voice so I just nodded.

"He's a fool you know. I don't care who she is, he's a fool for not picking you." I scoffed at that. I had been a slave, he couldn't have done much worse than that. Lance must have realized that. "I mean it, Jayne. You are a wonderful woman and he had all your loyalty and love. Not only that but you bore his child, a more precious baby I have never met. He's not just a fool, but an idiot and he doesn't deserve you."

I looked at him then and smiled, "Thank you, Drake."

He grabbed me then, pulling me close in a hard hug, kissing the top of my head, "We'll stay out here as long as you need to pull yourself together. Then we'll go inside and be happy. We'll forget all about the fool who abandoned you. Does that sound like a plan?"

I nodded into his chest, but I knew it would never happen.

A/N: Don't give up folks! I see a reunion in the nearish future. Though will it be a happy one? Remember to review!