Though many pressed, Xlelon would not tell them of what she dreamt. She would only say that it had been her version of an ordeal. After that, all of the knights stopped questioning it, they knew what it meant. Most others left her alone as well, knowing that if the knights did not ask her of it, then they most likely did not want to ask her. A day after she woke up, Jonathan pulled her aside.

"Xlelon. These acts have not been at random. I will understand if you wish to bow out of your mission."

Xlelon looked at him as if he were mad.

"Are you joking? I will not give up a hope for peace. My life is not the only one in danger, many others lie in the web."

Then she walked away, leaving Jonathan baffeled.

~^~
Imrah sighed in pity for his squire. Xlelon had been attacked again. There would be no holding him back this time. When Neal walked through the door, he immediately saw the worry on his knight master's face.

"What?"

Imrah sighed and handed him the letter. At least she was awake and fine, but Neal would go mad from not being able to help her. He rose and began to stoke the fire for the night. When he heard the folding of paper, he turned.

"You know of course that we cannot leave until morning."

Neal took a deep breath and nodded.

"Thank you sir."

Imrah smiled.

"It is fine. I know what it is like to nearly lose a friend."

As Neal walked out, Imrah heard him mutter, "She's more than a friend." And smiled.

~^~

Xlelon was in the stables again. At least, that's what a horse in the pasture told him. He frowned, twiddling with one of his daggers until the horse told him in no uncertain terms to get in there or she would bite him. Neal grumbled, but followed the order from the mare quite happily.

~^~

It was late evening, and everyone else was at dinner. This served her purpose quite well, since she was well on her way to a full nervous breakdown. Taking deep breaths of hay-scented air, she calmed her heart, pushing the image of burning buildings out of her mind. The horses, watching her, were quiet. Her breathing slowed, her mind slowly cleared, then clouded again. She was pushed out of meditation by screams. Laying back in her haybale, she shut her eyes tightly, then opened them again. Sitting up, she put her head in her hands, groaning at her annoyance. Footsteps made her look up quickly, she did *not* want to be with people at the moment. She was about to get up when whoever it was stepped in. The horses tossed their heads, calling hellos. Suddenly, she knew who it was.

"Neal?" She squeaked, "Oh gods you have no idea how glad I am to see you!"

Neal, for it was he, stopped dead, but was pricked into action the second she touched him. He yanked her into a hug. She squeaked, but did not pull away. It was the last straw for her. All of the pent up emotions that she had had for the last few days came rushing out and she began to cry, and then sob.

There were no words for ten minutes, save for the occasional murmur from Neal, who was not sure what he was comforting her for. Instead, he just did what she had done for him, less than a year ago. When she finally stopped, it was with the same abruptness that it had started. She looked up.

"Thanks. I needed that."

He kissed her on the forehead.

"We all do, sometimes."

He continued to hold her, curled up in his arms, sniffling against his shirt. Somehow, it just didn't seem like the time to ask her what had happened. Come to think of it, he decided, I don't think I will ask.

~^~

Stefan had just finished dinner, and was now coming down to the stables again. When he had reached the gate to the stables however, a horse called to him. It told him not to go in.

~ Why not? ~ He asked.

~ I can't tell you. But everyone is fine, just stay away for a little while longer. ~

The speaker was a red roan name Slicker. Stefan had no idea why that was her name, but it was. Quite put out over being told not to go into his own barn by one of his horses, he asked why again.

~ Because, please? ~

Stefan snorted, but did as she asked, and walked away.

~^~

^-^ ::Is quite happy:: I luv Neal. Just as much as you. (few though you are .)