Trying Times

Chapter 6

By: Carina

A/N: You all thought I'd given up! But I haven't! Sorry it's taken so long for this to get out. I also apologize for the rustiness of the chapter but it'll take me a couple chapters to get the momentum built up again. Thanks for your patience.

A/N: Alright guys sorry! I've replaced this chapter because I didn't realize I'd spelled Mindelan wrong. I'm so sorry about the mistake because I know it annoys the HELL out of me when people misspell characters names. I'll try to review as soon as possible but as I said I'm trying to get back into the grove of the story so it's a bit awkward at the moment. So without further ado…the story!

Kel's legs began to give out on her again. She tried to form a coherent sentence but her chapped lips only emitted a groan before her vision started to grow dark.

She willed herself not to pass out but her body just wasn't listening.

"Oh no you don't, Mindelan," she heard a voice outside of her say just as she felt a strong arm wrap around her waist.

"Come on, tough it out! You're not weak!" the voice spoke with a bit of anger or perhaps worry.

Suddenly her eyes which had fallen closed fluttered open at the brisk stinging sensations on her cheeks. It took her a moment but she finally focused on Joren's ice blue eyes.

"Much better," he told her with a smirk, a shock of blonde hair fell into his eyes.

A blush began to color her cheeks as she started to feel embarrassed about the situation she was in.

You're weak!

You've failed!

Just quit!

Every taunt she'd ever heard began to attack her self esteem.

"Thanks," she muttered, "I'll go-" but even as she tried to regain her balance and take a step away her legs crumpled again.

"Stop it, Mindelan. You're weak. C'mon. Let's go," Joren told her blatantly as he pulled her arm around his shoulder holding on to her wrist with one hand.

Kel started to protest as he began to help her walk but her step faltered and she almost took them both down.

"Easy does it, Mindelan," Joren told her as he practically dragged her out into the corridor.

"I feel like a drunk," Keladry mumbled, too tired to censor her thoughts from coming out her mouth.

Had she the energy she would have been startled at the rumbling laugh that came out of the stony blonde beside her.

"It seems you're not quite the boring clod I thought you were," he began as they half stumbled half walked down a spiral set of stairs, "Though all this grandeur is a bit much to make you pass as a normal human being."

Kel just grunted. She was blank. All her energy was finally expended. She didn't even have the ability to berate herself for her current state.

She must have blanked out for a moment because the next thing she knew she was being deposited in a sturdy chair with arms. Grateful, she sagged against the back of the seat exhausted mentally, physically, and emotionally.

"Wait here," came the command followed by the sound of a door shutting.

As if I could move, she thought wryly.

Again some time passed in which she fell into a light doze.

She opened her eyes when she felt herself being gently shaken awake.

"Eat," again a cold command.

Slowly she shifted into a better sitting position and focused on the space in front of her. She watched as Joren slid into the seat across from her, across a small table that separated them, across the small table that was piled with a variety of foods.

"Start with the soup first," he told her as he himself plucked a grape from the bunch in a fruit bowl, "And go slow. You don't want to throw it up," he finished, popping the grape into his mouth and chewing it.

Kel stared blankly at all the cutlery and various food items laid out on the table, unable to find words to voice her thoughts, not that she had a coherent one at the moment.

When she made no movement towards her soup bowl Joren paused in his own meal and cocked an eyebrow at her, "Well?"

She glanced at him and slowly slid the bowl towards herself and then even slower took the spoon and led some beef broth to her mouth.

Flavor exploded in her mouth. Her body welcomed the nourishment as the warm liquid flowed over her tongue and down her throat, warming her insides and jump starting her brain, revitalizing her cells.

After a few moments of spooning liquid into her mouth she was startled to find that her soup bowl was almost empty.

As her body began to replenish her energy she felt her embarrassment rising again. With her cheeks coloring Kel brought her hazel gaze up to meet that of the ice blue one across the way.

"Well," Kel stated, a hesitant smile playing upon her lips, "I don't think it's poisoned."

He smirked and he made a sound that was suspiciously like a laugh.

"Eat some more, Mindelan."

As Keladry ate her body started to wake up only to realize that it was very tired.

When she had eaten her fill but continued to pick at the food placed before her Joren broke the silence once again.

"Time for sleep, Mindelan."

Kel nodded wearily and forced herself to a standing position then headed for the door.

"Don't bother. You'll sleep here tonight."

She whirled around to face him, almost losing her balance. Her gaze darted around the room, falling upon the typical squire rooms, and most importantly the bed tucked in the corner.

"We're in your quarters," she told him with suspicion lacing her statement.

She was rewarded with an eye roll right before he stalked over to her and grabbed her wrist, dragging her towards his bed.

"As much as I love to hear your statements of the obvious," he shoved her onto the bed,

"I have things I need to do," he told her as he yanked off her boots.

"So go to sleep and don't question me," he finished.

Just as she was about to protest he tossed an extra blanket on her. As she fought her way out of the blanket she heard him extinguish most of the lanterns and then calmly walk out of his room, locking the door behind him.

Stop fighting, her body told her. And for once Keladry took it's advice.

She wrapped the blanket around herself and before her head even hit the pillow she was out like the lights Joren had extinguished.