Elleree took a swift breath as a flash of anxiety coursed through her but she forced herself to be as calm as he seemed to be. This was his fault, his doing. She felt like he was testing her and she wished she could be mad at him, but she also knew he probably had everything to do with her more than fair sentence. What more there could be, though, she had no idea...

Elmont took a breath as she watched him, looking up to the castle for a moment and then back to her. "I spoke to Princess Isabelle about the boy as well."

"The boy?" Elleree squinted at him. "Charlie?"

"Yes." Elmont braced his hands on his hips, looking down at her, his face serious. "I saw him last night..." he trailed off.

Elleree blinked, not sure she actually expected Elmont to tell Annie she would not be home. "How was he?"

"The same, I expect, as the last you saw him. Not well."

Elleree nodded, looking down to her hands and fighting her emotions. She was...angry, angry at Elmont for tossing her in the dungeon all night. Yes. Angry. She hardened her expression before she looked up at him again.

"As I said, I spoke to the princess about him. In addition - if you agree to continue to do your best to help with this project, whole-heartedly, and in repayment for your dedication should you show it, she would like to help the boy."

Elleree took a sharp breath. Did he mean...

"The princess would like to take him in for a few days where he can stay under constant watch of the royal doctor and healers. They can figure out a plan of treatment for him while he rests in all the comfort we can provide. After that, the healers can visit him at his home each day and ensure he receives the best care."

"Elmont..." Elleree breathed. The corner of his mouth lifted in a smile. "I mean, Captain. That's very generous. I - I don't know what..."

"It was Princess Isabelle's idea. And quite a good one, I think."

"And Annie?" Elleree couldn't bear to tear Annie away from her baby, even if it was only for a few days.

"She is, of course, welcome to visit, or stay with her son whenever she wishes. I have no desire to separate a mother from her child."

Elleree smiled despite herself, she couldn't help it. This man...

"That's very kind. I - I hope it...works."

Elmont gave her a soft smile. "I hope it's enough."

Awkward silence filled the space between them. Elleree took a step back as she noticed people were glancing at them inquisitively. "Am I free to go?"

Elmont nodded after a moment. "You are to be here at dawn tomorrow. One of my guards will meet you, and take you to the royal groundskeeper. The princess might be there as well at some point."

"Will I see you?" She asked, and then wished she hadn't.

"No. I have other duties to attend to."

"Just as well." She looked down, acting as though she was fascinated by her fingernails, at least far more than she was fascinated by him. "I'd rather not see you anyway, I'm not very happy with you at the moment."

Elmont chuckled and the sound startled her. She glanced up at him sharply.

"After all I've done?" he teased. "Would you rather spend your month in the dungeon?"

Elleree shrugged, biting back her own smile. "If it means I don't have to see you for a month... It wouldn't be all bad."

The captain laughed out loud at that and she couldn't keep her lips from quirking. No, no she didn't want to spend anymore time in there at all. The next time he caught her she would be much better prepared with an argument in her favor.

The thought of the cold night spent in the dungeon reminded her that she was still wearing his cloak. She slipped it off her shoulders and lifted it toward him before she could consider keeping it for herself.

No words left her lips but he smiled warmly as he took it back anyway. "You're welcome," he said teasingly.

Elleree glanced heavenward. And then she smiled back.

The market was busy, so instead of returning to Annie's home Elleree found work with a merchant, moving crates of produce for him and arranging the food on display to be sold. When she was done, he gave her a couple coppers and some leftover vegetables. She made haste for Annie's home.

Annie was preparing supper when Elleree came in, and she lifted her brow at her in silent question as Elleree closed the door behind her. She looked concerned, but dying of curiosity as well, and Elleree shook her head quickly, silently promising to tell her all about it once the children were asleep, later.

Charlie ate well that evening, better than usual and fell asleep quickly.

Much later that night, they took a blanket out to settle in the grass under the tree in the yard, each with a small cup of wine as the children slept in the house.

"How was your day?" Annie asked cautiously.

"I worked in the market, made a little money... I know that's not what you want to know about though."

A slow smile lit her friend's face. "Please tell me," Annie started, a teasing glint in her warm brown eyes, "that you spent the night wrapped up in the arms of that captain Elmont, and his talk about you being in trouble was all an elaborate cover for your torrid love affair."

"Annie!" Elleree tried to look offended but she couldn't help but laugh. Annie giggled as she took a sip of wine and Elleree shook her head. "Your husband's been gone too long."

"Well, I certainly won't argue with that," Annie sighed. "So how much trouble are you in?"

Elleree took a breath. "I think the captain got me out of most of it."

"He seems like a sweet boy," Annie smiled knowingly.

"Boy?" Elleree scoffed. "Sweet? Irritating...insufferable man. That's what he is."

Annie clicked her tongue. "Sounds like someone's smitten," she said.

Elleree narrowed her eyes at her.

"Come now," Annie continued. "You can't deny how handsome he is."

A long sigh escaped her lips as Elleree pictured him in her mind, she couldn't help herself. "I suppose," she finally admitted.

Annie laughed and gave her a look, one that told her she knew exactly what she was thinking and Elleree sighed again, but her lips quirked and she turned away, sipping her wine.

He was handsome, just about everything about him appealed to her, but more than that...his smile, and good lord, his eyes...

"And that black leather armor," Annie spoke again, eyeing Elleree with a grin. "Did you notice the way he looks in that armor? I bet he's very strong, and he's so serious...what would it take to really shake him up -"

"Annie!" Elleree interrupted her, but when Annie made a face at her the two fell into a fit of giggles.

When they recovered, Elleree deftly turned the conversation to Annie's sewing, and the children, and she managed to avoid the subject of Elmont and how he might look both in and out of his armor.

They didn't talk about it...but that didn't mean Elleree stopped thinking about it.

AN: Thank you so much to everyone that's still reading and especially everyone that's taken the time to leave comments. I really appreciate it. Summers are busy for me but I'm still writing! More to come :)

Please let me know what you think :)