A/N: I'm writing Themes! Some will have to be held off until other characters are introduced (hint hint to the Scaniel ship), but I'll be putting them up as they're written.

Alex the Rogue: Indeed.

Aubrey Cortez: You're back! Yay! I missed your reviews! Thank you so much for such great compliments :) I've been spending my days off kind of going back and forth between fanfiction and original work and reading reviews like yours (particularly from Chapter 4) is such an encouragement for both :)

Saberin: I can't tell you when it ends because, you know...spoilers...in Word I have this formatted as double spaced, TNR 12 pt and we've got about 50 pages left of Lost, if that helps. I've been doubling up some of the chapters because...well, why not? But yeah, about 50 Word pages.

The Gold Patronus: More Duncan waiting for you in 100 Themes :) See response to Saberin about chapters...I kind of answered both of you without realizing it...that's what I get for reading reviews all at once before typing out responses...

Disclaimer: I'm not John Flanagan.

Halt had followed Will and saw what his young friend had seen. He approved of Sean's methods of protecting Lina and wanted to check in on his niece now that Finley was taken care of. He went back to her room and opened the door quietly. Halt stopped and stared at the scene.

Lina wasn't lying ready to attack an intruder. Her saxe knife hadn't even been retrieved from her bedside table. Instead, she slept with her hands tucked beneath her chin like a child. Liam lay on top of the blankets fully clothed. Even his boots were still on his feet. Still, he slept soundly with his arms around her. His head rested on top of hers. Their chests rose and fell in rhythm with each other. Halt backed out and closed the door as silently as he could.

He went back to his room and pulled off his boots. Will didn't need help keeping watch over Finley and Lina had Liam to care for her after the trying night. He was unneeded.

"Damn children. Why did they have to grow up so fast?" Halt muttered to himself. He put his cloak over a chair and slid into bed. "That's right. It is because you didn't want them until they were already almost grown."

Will dozed from his hiding spot throughout the night. Finley never tried anything. She just sat in the cell crying. He left bright and early the next morning and met Sean for breakfast.

"How was last night?" the Hibernian king asked.

"Boring," Will told him honestly. They were joined by Halt, Alyss, Liam, and Lina in no time.

"Horace is helping Evanlyn move back to their apartment now," Alyss announced. "They're going to eat in private so they can get the twins settled."

Sean put his fork down. "How are you feeling, Lina?"

"Better," she answered. Halt studied his niece. She looked better. He'd always thought a good night of undisturbed rest could work wonders. Well…mostly undisturbed rest.

"I've something to ask of you. If you aren't up to it that's fine."

"Name it."

"I need someone to show me where this Sunrise Warrior school is and help coordinate a plan for its occupants. It would be temporary but I think you were trusted enough to do the job."

"Everyone thinks I'm dead," Lina muttered.

"All the more reason for you to go."

Lina bit her lip.

"He has a point," Crowley said. They all stared at the Ranger commandant wondering how long he'd been there.

"Who better?" Halt pointed out.

"If I accept this then I have to make a position in the royal family clear," Lina said. "I don't want to do that."

"I thought you were turning it down?" Sean asked with a raised eyebrow.

"You can have it by all means, but…all my life I've whipped out the title when convenient. It's a convenience I'd like to hold onto a little longer."

"Lina you can avoid Dun Kilty altogether if you wish. I don't care about the formality of you abdicating your place on the throne. Moreover, I'd actually like to have you remain the crown princess regardless that you will in fact be living a life away from courts here in Araluen. It helps to have mysterious royal family members on hand in the shadows."

Lina looked to Liam. "We're supposed to be getting married," she said simply.

"I think this would be a worthy detour before we take that step," Liam told her gently. "But it is your choice."

"So much for being a leader," Lina muttered.

"Always let the woman make the decision. Smart man," Crowley laughed.

"Leader," Sean echoed. "That reminds me. Is there someone called Leader among the rebels?"

Liam and Lina glanced at each other. "There are rumors but nobody actually knows," Liam answered.

"I know," Lina sighed, "And yes, there is. I don't know his true name. Nobody ever says it. The only people who ever knew him to be real officially are Finley, Sardar, Ghazi, and Naomi. I know Ghazi and Naomi are dead now."

"How do you know?" Liam asked.

"I overheard them talking about him one night at my mother's apartment."

"Well we know where Finley is," Sean said as he leaned back, letting his mind form a plan. "What about this Sardar?"

"Sardar is…" Lina searched her mind. A conversation with Tao was on the edge of her memory. "Tao mentioned Sardar while Evanlyn and I were captives. Sardar…oh no..." Lina stood abruptly. "We have to leave now. We need to find Kineta and everyone who rebelled and get to Hibernia."

"Wait," Halt said calmly. "Just a moment ago you didn't want to go. What's going on?"

"Sardar went back to Hibernia to gather reinforcements and bring them here in a final attack."

"But that would mainly be children wouldn't it?" Sean asked. Lina nodded.

"Please. They're mostly children, you are right on that. True children…children that have never killed before…please we have to intercept and do something…right now they have a chance at being normal. Please, Sean, we have to leave now."

"I'd call this a threat to Araluen security," Halt said hopefully to Crowley. Crowley nodded.

"I'd say you're right."

"Should I go get Horace?" Will asked.

"No. Let him have some time with his new family. Alyss, I won't hold it against you if you opt out of this one."

"No," Alyss told him. "I want to see this through."

"Two weddings on hold then," Halt said. "Fair enough."

Inwardly, Halt beamed. Perhaps he could get in some more time with Will and Lina before they got married after all.

"What do you want me to do with Finley?" Crowley asked as they all stood.

"My guards can bring her to Hibernia once we're clear of the castle," Sean told him.

"You're coming?" Halt asked.

"Of course."

"What about Hibernian government?"

"I left a worthy steward. I was getting bored anyway."

"Come on!" Lina called from down the hall.

Within an hour they were heading for the shores.