A/N: Sorry for the short absence. Packing has officially begun and time is not on my side.

Saberin: Hehe...but first have to stir things up a little more :P

Disclaimer: I'm not John Flanagan. And still not Australian.

Scout stood with her arm looped through Daniel's throughout William and Anamaria's wedding ceremony. Her father had left the day before but her mother and little sister stayed behind. She doubted her mother would travel again before her horse was returned to her anyway.

Even though they were now safe new problems surfaced. Hibernia spent several extra weeks without its leadership. Iberion was left vulnerable to hostile neighbors. The one that demanded Scout's attention, however, was the growing conflict between Daniel and Warden. They'd been less than friendly towards each other ever since leaving Nihon-Ja and she felt caught in the middle. Both were dear friends she didn't want to lose. So far their quiet tension didn't cause too much disruption but it was only a matter of time. Luckily Warden, as a palace guard, was confined to Hibernia and Daniel, a Ranger, would be confined to Araluen. The next morning she, Sean, and Warden would travel back to Hibernia and she could stop worrying over what went on when those two weren't properly supervised.

For the wedding she'd done a fair job keeping her affection for each of them quiet. She turned to William and Ace when she needed to practice her waltz instead of Warden and avoided sitting next to Daniel when their families came together for meals. Rosalina and Carissa must have caught wind of the flirtations because they whispered any time Scout went near either suitor. It made her feel uncomfortable. With all of Anamaria's family gone there had been a scramble for escorts. Ace stood with Gabby, Daniel with Scout, and a friend William knew from his days at battleschool with Rosalina.

They all smiled as the vows were made. Scout never noticed just how beautiful Anamaria was. Her dark brown eyes never left William throughout the entire ceremony. When they finally kissed everyone gasped. Scout felt herself blush and was thankful all eyes were on the bride and groom. She stood with her arm looped through Daniel's but Warden was nearby standing guard. The moment they moved to the reception hall she hurried away from both the Ranger she grew up with and the guard she'd become fast friends with. She went to Gabby, who now stood with one hand on Pauline's arm and her cane in the other.

"Hi Grandmother," Scout said quickly.

"You know you have to dance with Daniel soon…right, Scout?" Pauline asked. "Speaking of which, Gabby we need to find Ace…"

"I know where he is," Scout lied. She took Gabby's hand and tugged her away. Gabby quickly let go and traced Scout's arm up to her elbow and gripped it. Suddenly Scout remembered it was better to let Gabby hold her upper arm than to drag her around by the hand. "Sorry."

"What's going on?" Gabby whispered as Scout rushed away from Pauline. "You sounded like you were having a panic attack."

Scout took a deep breath. "I have to dance with Daniel."

"Um…right…"

"I've practiced with Warden."

"Who is Warden?"

"My guard."

Gabby nodded. "Alright…I don't understand what's wrong."

Scout fidgeted with her necklaces. "Promise you won't tell anyone?"

"Not a word."

She took another deep breath. "I think I may like Daniel as more than a childhood friend."

"He's a bit old for you but why is this a problem?"

"I think I may like Warden as more than my guard too."

"Oh…that is a problem."

"I can't dance with Daniel, Gabby. I'll mess up and make a fool of myself I'm so nervous."

Gabby nodded. "Well if I hear you slip I'll fall on my face. Sound good?"

"Gabby…" Scout pleaded. "Come on, you always know what to do."

Gabby thought for a few moments. "Where are Ace and Daniel?"

"Standing with William and Anamaria. Probably waiting for us."

"Good. Take me over to them and once we're there let me do the talking."

Scout didn't know what was about to happen but did as told. Gabby's ideas rarely fell flat. "There are the girls," Anamaria said cheerfully. "We're about to dance, soon as Rosalina returns from her hair being fixed."

"About that," Gabby cut in. "I really don't think I can dance with Ace. I just can't match his stride without stepping on something I shouldn't."

"Hey!" Ace protested. Gabby faked embarrassment.

"Oh…I'm sorry Ace I didn't know you were there, but surely you've noticed we aren't a good match."

Scout felt terrible when Anamaria frowned, however she felt relieve when the look on Daniel's face told her he bought Gabby's lie.

"Well…if my brother sits out people will talk and we've given them enough to talk about already…" William said slowly. He was obviously searching for a solution. Gabby dug her fingers into Scout's arm. She had to bite her tongue to keep from yelping but knew a cue when she was given one.

"I can dance with Ace," she volunteered. She looked to Daniel. "Sorry, but really a prince can't sit out of his own brother's wedding dance."

"I was really hoping for both Ace and Daniel…I mean Daniel is almost like William's brother too, right?" Anamaria pouted. Scout realized the Iberion…now Araluen princess really didn't want to lose a couple. The song selected was perfect for four couples to spin around to. Scout realized how annoyed she'd be if at her wedding her friends made her change plans drastically at the last moment. She looked to the last couple, Rosalina and the promising knight hopeful. There was no breaking up that particular pair.

"I think I could dance with Daniel," Gabby offered. Of course. Her sharp ears never missed a thing.

"You could?" Daniel asked warily.

"You're a Ranger. You'd lead me more easily."

"He would?" Ace asked with obvious hurt in his voice. Scout fought the urge to roll her eyes. Men and their pride.

"Besides, if a Ranger and I mess up it won't be so much a big deal. Can we try real quick?" Gabby went on. Daniel shrugged. With a glance to Scout, which she ignored, he took Gabby's hand and waist. He had to hold her closer than most partners so she could find the steps but all in all they were adequate.

"Is it better for you?" Anamaria asked.

"Much. You don't mind do you?" Gabby asked.

"No. Thank you for being here…all of you."

Gabby caught Scout and pulled her close once everyone went to take their places. "You understand you're dancing with one of the princes now?" she whispered softly. "You can't mess up."

Scout gulped.