It's not a long chapter this week, but I just wanted to get it out there before everything started happening. Midterms are looming e'er near. Wish me luck!

EreshkigalGirl: Thank you very much.

Lollipop5: Poor Robbie. He's so downtrodden. (sigh) I guess I'll just have to find him the right woman. (rubs hands gleefully with artistic delight)

Mistyqueen: Yup. He's gonna have to fall in love if he's going to save Lia and the kingdom. I have a feeling that Lia's not going to make it easy for him though.

Black Sheep Alone: Hmm... Now that you say it, tow-headed does sound kind of little kiddish. Maybe, golden-lock'd? Straw-hair'd? :D Anyways, Tobin is around 25, Quincy about 22, Robbie is almost 20, and Derrik is 16.

Pabo: Thanks! Don't worry, I'm not going to stop this story until it's done like dinner.

Stubble96: I think it's called 'artistic liscense' but all's good! I hope you like the next chapter!

You guys make me feel all gooey inside.

Though that might be the Halloween candy. XD

Nope, it's you guys.

Good reading!

-Lulai

Chapter Five: Meetings

Robbie hitched his bag a little higher on his shoulder. When he had counted out money on the mantel that morning, the small purse had held such a little amount, that Robbie had brought some extra things. His own things, of course. Neither Tobin nor Quincy would give up what they considered theirs, even to buy back their brother. But Robbie felt the tiniest bit guilty, as he was the one who asked for the carrots that got Derrik caught.

In his bag were some of his own trinkets, little jewels and figurines that his father had brought him from various travels, and a few of his books. Those, and the clothes on his back, were all that he owned. He secretly hoped that the witch wouldn't take his books. They were his escape from reality.

He started down the dirt path that lead to the little cottage, but paused in surprise to look at the small herb garden behind a small wicker fence. It was obviously well taken care of.

Robbie took a deep breath, squared his shoulders, and lifted his fist to knock on the door.

Lia almost fell off her stool where she was hanging her herbs at a knock at the door. Grumbling to herself, she stepped slowly off the stool and hobbled over to the door. Pulling it wide, she had to stop and stare at the man standing in front of her.

Lia wasn't short, even as an old woman, but standing next to this man made her feel petite. He had to be at least six feet tall, if not taller, but wasn't at all beefy like the blacksmith or the farmhand that occasionally came to her for remedies. He was strong and lean with hair the colour of rich chocolate. His eyes were a vivid green, the colour reminding her of freshly unfurled oak leaves.

Lia suddenly realized that she was staring, and snapped, "Well, don't just stand there staring, noddycock. Come on it and tells me what ails you."

To her amazement, the young man flushed. "Actually," he said in a slightly embarrassed voice, "I've come to buy back my brother."

This man was related to the boy she had locked up in her spare room? She peered a little closer at him. Yes, she could see a little bit of a resemblance in the chin and jaw. He had a nice chin and jaw.

She shook her head to clear her thoughts. You're two weeks away from permanently being an old lady, she thought to herself, you can't be staring at handsome young men.

"He stole many of my vegetables," Lia said sternly, inviting him it. "But we may be able to come to some agreement."

The young man came in and politely sat in a chair that Lia indicated. Lia put a kettle on the fire for tea.

"First off," she said, "what are your names? Your brother won't tell me his."

"My name is Robbie," the young man replied, "and the brother that you caught is named Derrik. And you?"

"My name is Lia," she responded. "So, Robbie, as I stated earlier, your brother has been stealing my vegetables for some time now."

"I know. If I had known, I would have stopped him, but we don't speak much. We aren't known for our love of one and other," Robbie said. If Lia was thinking anything she didn't show it on her face.

Robbie cleared his throat. "I'm afraid I don't have very much money," he started, but Lia shook her head.

"I don't want any money," she stated. Robbie looked at her, surprised.

"What do you want then?" he asked.

"Well, Robbie," she mused, "as you see, I am quite an old woman now. I need help around here."

"You are turning my brother into a servant?" Robbie asked angrily.

"Of course not!" Lia retorted. "I am merely making him work off his debt. I have some chores that need doing that I am unable to do."

Robbie let out a little chortle. "Good luck with that, Ms. Lia. Getting Derek to work is like pulling teeth."

Lia glared at him. "Well, work he shall, or I shall send him to the proper authorities."

"You can't do that!" Robbie protested. "It would break my father's heart!"

"Well, I'm not going to let him go skipping merrily on his way after costing me some of my harvest, plus planting work," Lia retorted.

A half-formed plan began to formulate in Robbie's mind. "What if I work here instead?" he blurted out.

The old woman seemed taken aback by that. "You?" she asked. She thought about it for a few moments. "I don't see anything wrong with that, I guess."

"Then it's settled?" Robbie asked, standing.

"Just one more question," Lia asked, also rising. "Why are you doing this for a brother you don't really like?"

Robbie looked away for a second then turned back to her. "Because it was my fault he got caught. I asked for the carrots."

Lia raised an eyebrow, but said nothing. They stood there for a second, just looking at each other until they were interrupted by the shrill whistle of the kettle.

"Settled," she said, and stuck out her hand, which Robbie immediately grasped and shook. A small spark went through both of them at the contact.

"You get that off the fire and pour it into the pot while I go unlock your brother," she instructed to cover up her nervousness.

Robbie shrugged his bag off his shoulder into a corner and wrapped a small towel around his hand to pull the screaming kettle out of the fire. He poured the boiling water into a small ceramic tea pot sitting on the table.

"Beau!"

"Ack!" Robbie yelped in painful surprise as the boiling water splashed down the side of the tea pot and onto his hand. He set the pot down and stuck the burnt part of his hand in his mouth.

"Beau!" Derrik shouted again, being pushed none too gently towards the front door by Lia. "You must save me!"

"He already has, flickerwick!" Lia retorted with a shove that sent Derrik flying out the door. She slammed the door and spun back around to face Robbie.

"What have you done now?" she asked, hands on her hips. Mumbling to herself, she walked over to the counter where she pulled a sprig of Hatly down. She sprinkled it into a small bowl and added some water, mixing the concoction with her fingers.

"Here," she said shortly, motioning for him to hold out his hand. "This should stop most of the burning." Robbie obediently held out his hand and Lia slopped the paste on it. It immediately cooled his skin, and he brought his hand close to his face to smell the mixture on his burn. It felt like a cooling breeze all through his nostrils.

"It's strong," he said.

"Hatly is. I use it for burns, coughs, and plugged noses." As she talked, Lia began to bustle around the small cottage, cleaning the bowl in a bucket of water by a small sink and drying it on her apron. It gave him time to study her.

She was a sturdy old woman, looking about fifty, a little thin, especially compared to the women at the tavern. She was taller than most women, the top of her head almost coming to his nose. Her crinkly grey locks were held back by a blue bandana. But her most arresting feature was her huge grey eyes. Something about them was... different. He couldn't quite put his finger on it.

"Tea?" she asked, interrupting his thoughts.

"Thank you," he responded politely, sitting back down into the chair.

"Well," Lia said, blowing over her cup to cool off the steaming liquid inside, "we still have half a day left. I think I will start you chopping logs out back."

"Sounds good to me," replied Robbie softly.