Disclaimer: I don't own any of this so don't sue me…

A/N: Hey everyone, so sorry about this taking so much longer than promised…I know its been hard to cope without the next chapter up but I must tell you that there is another to come straight after (YAY!). But anyway, will thank you all next chapter, only because I have to get offline!


CHAPTER 10: MYSTERIES

The figure was dressed in dark clothes of black breeches. Black long sleeved shirt, which were meant to be for long distance travel, and dark leather riding gloves. His feet were also covered in black socks, as his boots were in hand so as to not make sound while he moved about the antechamber of the eastern wing of the guest's quarters.

Even though there was an invisibility spell on him, he took no chances and crept alongside the shadowed walls .The down side of the spell was that as he passed by a window, the reflection in it of the dawn sun was caught up on attractive features of blonde hair and hazel eyes. The swish of a plait was also reflected.

With the flick of his wrist, the figure withdrew a wax-sealed envelope from his sleeve. He looked at the parchment for a moment, hoping that the recipient would understand his motives. The moment's hesitation was over and he dropped the letter onto the cloth runner of the banquet table, right next to the silver candlestick holders. An air of finality still hung about as the figure snuck out the door at the other end of the antechamber.

With boots now on his feet, he strode over to where he left his saddlebags and pack, picking them up and then carefully securing them to the saddle. He mounted up upon the beige gelding and pushed it into a canter to the palace wall. It was here that was the tricky part – the guards. Everything had to be with the timing of the change over of the night watch to those who were on their dawn watch.

It seemed the gods were on his side tonight for the maneuver worked and the dark figure rode out of the palace towards the lower city and the Royal Forrest beyond, where he would wait for her to come to him.

It was just after dawn and Numair walked at an even pace to the quarters of his beloved. He stopped in front of the wooden door and gave it three quick raps with his knuckles. As he waited for Daine to open he couldn't help but notice that his heart beat had started to quicken with the thought that he would see her beautiful face. He furrowed his brow pondering why it was taking her so long to answer. Lifting his hand, Numair was about to knock again when Daine swung open the door to find him standing there.

"Numair! What are you doing here? I thought you weren't coming until later?" Daine exclaimed. She clutched her hand underneath her chin to her nightgown. She reached out. "Quick, inside before anyone sees you." Her hand grabbed the front of his white shirt and pulled him inside and then she poked her head out the door to see if anyone was about. When she turned around the sight of the tall man standing before her with a frown upon his face and his arms crossed over his chest greeted her.

"Daine, what are you doing? Why aren't you dressed? I've come to-" But he didn't get the chance to finish.

"Hey! That's no way to treat the woman you love. I would have at least thought that I'd get a 'hello love, how did you sleep' but no… Horse Lords help me!" She pushed the door closed with a motion of her hand and tried to walk past him but he grabbed her arm.

"Magelet…" He stopped her and pulled her into his grasp, her back against his chest. Placing his arms around her waist hugging her tightly, she turned her head and he took the opportunity to kiss her neck. He whispered, "Morning love, did you sleep well?"

She smiled and let out a small giggle. How can I stay mad at him when he does something like this? "I slept well thank you. I didn't even notice that you had left." She turned to face him and pouted without knowing. "I missed you." She was taken by surprise when Numair brushed his lips suddenly on hers. She kissed him back lovingly.

"Well, I think that was better than the 'hello love, how did you sleep'." She grinned up at him. She felt warm from within when he wrapped his arms around her for another hug. He chuckled into her ear, as their hug was held for longer than intended.

"Maybe you should get dressed so that we can go and have some breakfast, Sweetling."

"I was in the middle of doing that when you were banging on my door, see." She indicated to her bed were there was a set of clothes laid out. Navy blue breaches, blue shirt and all of her undergarments.

"Oh, sorry. I'll wait for you outside." He released her and turned to walk to the door.

"No, don't be silly." Daine blushed a multitude of shades of red, but continued nonetheless. "It's ok, stay here and I'll go into the next room. It'll only take a minute, I don't take as long as you," she added quickly before she scurried into the next room with her clothes.

Numair picked up one of her pillows and aimed it at her but wasn't quick enough, it hit the door as Daine closed it behind her. "I'll get you later for that, Magelet!" he laughed, retrieving the pillow and crashing down on her bed.

It was in the line to be served when Daine was tapped on the shoulder. She stopped talking with Numair to turn around to see who it was, but nobody was there. Numair shrugged in puzzlement and she continued speak. When the tap came again Daine swung around to glare at the person. But again, no one was there.

"Numair, is that you who is doing this?" she said, looking ready to kill.

"Magelet, I promise you, it's not me." He held up his hands in defense. They were empty except for the plate he was holding in his left hand. Daine narrowed her eyes in disbelief and he protested for the second time. "I promise, Daine, I didn't tap you on the shoulder, I've been standing next to you all this time. I promise, I swear by Mithros, Minos and Shakith."

"Oh alright… but then who was it?"

"Who was what?" George asked as he stood an arms length away from Numair. Daine noticed that he was looking somewhat guilty about something.

"George! Was that you?" Daine accused.

"Me? Nah, not me, never me…"

"George Cooper! What have you gotten yourself into now?" Alanna strode over to the trio and shook her finger at her husband. The fiery red head was one not to be crossed so early in the morning. George knew better than most.

"Alanna love, why would you suspect me for?"

"Because you George Cooper, are still a player at heart, have a giant smirk on your face and I think I would know my own husband better that you yourself would." And with that she tweaked his nose before telling Numair that the line had moved on and he had better move because her stomach was growling. Everyone chuckled thinking to him or herself that nothing was worse than a Lioness who was hungry.

After breakfast Numair and Daine had agreed that they would leave for Dunlath. Numair went to talk with Jonathon while Daine went to make sure that the hostlers had prepared their horses. On her way down to the stables she mentally told her palace friends that she would be gone for a little while and that they had to stay out of trouble, as she wouldn't be around to help and heal them. When she entered the stables all of the palace mounts came to the front of their stalls. Daine walked out to where Cloud and Spots, Numair's sturdy mount, was and thanked Stefan for his work in readying them. She looked over the ponies' head and saw that a group of people was gathering by the gate.

She strolled over towards them. When she climbed over the fence she wasn't surprised that large hands aided her descent. Dark eyes met hers and Daine saw a fiery passion inside of them.

"Eh-hem," King Jonathon cleared his throat, as Thayet elbowed him in the stomach and Alanna gently hit him in the back of the head. "What was that for?" he looked at both women as Numair turned a bright red colour. Daine watched in confusion.

"Jon, have you ever heard of the word tact?"

"Yes Lioness, I have but what has that got to do with-"

"Hush," Thayet glared at her husband while Alanna was the one to cover his mouth before he said something more.

"Did I walk into a conversation I shouldn't have or did I just miss something rather important?" Daine asked.

"Nope, not at all. Jon was being, um, well he was just being himself."

"Ey, ave fum refpect for your fing, wady Alanna," Jon attempted to say, whose mouth was still covered by Alanna's hand. Everyone laughed and Alanna dropped her hand.

"I said, 'Hey, have some respect for your king, Lady Alanna'."

"Alright, you two, enough squabbling. I'm sure we are just prolonging the inevitable by not saying our farewells to Numair and Daine," Thayet said. She had always been the sensible one.


A/N: Thanks for reading, I hope you enjoyed it, please review!