Lela-of-Bast: I got carried away with Numair in that scene but I thoroughly enjoyed myself doing it!

Dolphindreamer: Hopefully it will be good!

Narm's Kenya 66: I thought you'd like me hurting Numair.

Daine's Daughter: Thank you. More fluff to follow.

AFan: Thank you.

Numair's Lover: Thanks

goldeneyedwildmage: that will remain a mystery for awhile longer

Sonnet Lacewing: I was worried with this about going ooc. I want to develop their characters, as ultimately, they won't be the same people in Lady Knight that they were in RotG, and their growth would be affected by their relationship. Thinking about it, Numair probably wouldn't have done that in front of his king, but my brain has it that he sees Jon as his friend rather than king most of the time. I also went on one when I wrote this, so wasn't really thinking!

A/N: Add choice of disclaimer here. Not. Mine. T.P's.

Chapter 4 – Thayet's Charms

Daine was woken early by the sound of a knock on her door. She opened her eyes, rather disgruntled at being interrupted from quite a nice dream about dolphins and Numair. Pulling herself out of bed, she traipsed over to the door and opened it, seeing the tall mage who had been the focus of her dreams stood there in breeches and a shirt that he obviously just thrown on.

"What time is it?" she demanded, still smiling at the sight of him.

"Early," he whispered, and bent down to kiss her. "Can I come in?"

She opened the door wide and let him enter. "This is very early for you!" she said in a low voice, not wanting to disturb anyone in the packed castle.

Numair sat on her bed. "I woke up because my jaw was aching badly."

"And you wanted some sympathy?" She put her hands on her hips in mock aggression.

"I wanted to see you. I'm sorry for waking you, I wouldn't normally, you know that," he apologised.

"Why did you want to see me?" she sassed. He kissed her, ignoring the pain that shot from his lip. He had woken up with the desperate urge just to hold her and be with her and had acted on impulse. He wasn't quite sure if he had done the right thing. Daine slipped back into bed, pulling the covers up around her.

"Do you want me to go?" he asked, smiling at her actions.

"No. Why don't you get in here and try to go back to sleep?" She moved over, making room for him. He debated for a moment, wondering if it was the right thing to do.

"Five minutes, Numair. Your conscience can live with that," she pleaded. He got in the bed, pulling her over to him. He realised that the pain from his jaw and lip would act as a cold shower on his libido as she curled up to him, her legs twisting round his. She fell asleep quickly, obviously still recovering from the exertions of the past few months. He held her, taking in the scent of her hair and skin, feeling the softness of her skin under his hand. He found the pain numbing as his body adjusted its levels of endorphins and fell back into a deep slumber.

Thayet had woken early that morning. Without waking her husband, who she knew had been awake until the small hours of the morning dealing with the problems in the cells along with Lord Imrah, she slipped out of bed and quietly dressed. Having confirmed with Marielle, Imrah's wife, the previous night, she had decided to attempt to put on a feast for those present as a way of celebrating the end of the war and remembering those who had given their lives to the cause. She began preparations by going into the kitchens to see what resources were available, she knew that the maladies had cause much damage and had no wish to waste food needlessly. Figuring that they could quite easily manage a kind of feast and be able to send food to the big infirmaries in the town she moved on to check if it would be possible to have music played. Looking at various lists kept in Marielle's office she realised that that wouldn't be a problem either. The next issue would be dresses. To her knowledge, nether Onua or Daine for a start had had any need to bring eveningwear that would be suitable, and neither had she for that matter. Still, she imagined that it could be resolved. There would be girls in the town that could sew and would be happy to do the job if they were paid enough. Armed with her tape measure she headed towards Daine's room, thinking that the Wildmage would be up and ready by now.

She tapped softly on the door. No one responded. Very gently she tried the door, if Daine were asleep then she would simply come back later. It was unlocked. She pushed it open, hoping not to wake her and just leave her a note, asking her to come to her rooms later.

Thayet's jaw hit the floor and bounced. She caught sight of the fact that both were wearing shirts so she knew it was probably quite innocent, but even so.

We knew they had begun a relationship, she thought to herself, still taking in the sight. But I hadn't really realised it. It was just a statement, now its real, and somehow it changes things. She's not a girl anymore. She looked at the young woman, her head tucked under Numair's chin, an arm over his shoulder touching his neck; his right arm pulling her towards him. Thayet felt a warm glow inside her as she thought of the new journey they were under taking. Softly, she closed the door, careful not to disturb them. She would now need to see Daine about something other than a dress to wear, so she required finding a healer, preferably one with the reputation for being discreet.

Daine left Numair to sleep in her bed, quietly getting dressed and heading down to the hall for breakfast. She needed to head out with Cloud today and check on the wildlife in the area. There seemed to have been fewer casualties that she had thought, which was good news. Strolling down into the breakfast hall she passed Thayet in one of the long, stony walled corridors. Thayet stopped abruptly. "Daine!" She called, "Can you come up to my room after you've eaten, I need to see you."

"Certainly," Daine replied, wondering what was going on.

Daine pondered what Thayet wanted her for while she ate her breakfast hurriedly. She imagined that Thayet would be holding some sort of feast to celebrate the end of the war before she and Jon moved back up to Corus, which Daine thought would be relatively soon after the recovery programme got into its stride. She found her way up to the rooms Thayet was using, feeling momentarily homesick for Corus and the palace that she knew so well. The fief at Port Legann was very different to there. Although Lord Imrah and Marielle were both, in Daine's opinion, extremely nice people, she found that now the war had finished she longed to get back to the place she called home and the people who were there.

She knocked tentatively on Thayet's door, feeling slightly shy. Thayet's voice instructed her to come in. Daine found only the elder women there, a needle in her mouth as sheunravelled some cotton. She took the needle and stuck it into a pincushion. Daine had the feeling that later on that day she would be feeling the same as that pincushion.

"We're going to have a feast tomorrow night. Well, by feast, it will be more of an official meal as food is not plentiful and we don't want to waste precious resources. None of us have suitable things to wear, so I've got some girls from the village to sew up some simple dresses, so I need to take your measurements," Thayet smiled at Daine, wondering how she was going to bring up the other reason she had needed the girl here. Daine allowed Thayet to measure her up, as she had done a few times before. Thayet's hobby had become dressmaking, and she had proved to have quite a flair for it, having made several dresses already when the time allowed her. She had also once made Jonathan a pair of breeches, which he had proceeded to get stuck in, so she had stuck to dressmaking after that.

"How are things with you and Numair?" Thayet asked through her teeth as she held a pencil in her mouth.

"It's only been a few days. I think once we get back to Corus we'll really start to see how it makes things different," Daine's face beamed as she spoke of her love.

Thayet considered for a moment. Did she simply bring the subject up or wait for Daine to mention it? "Daine, this is something I want you to be able to talk to me about, you know, you and Numair. It's sometimes confusing when you haven't had a relationship before and you do need to talk about it. I know that you and Numair have always been close, but now things will change between you," she looked up at the girl to gage her reaction. Daine smiled sweetly down at her, seemingly enjoying Thayet's discomfort.

"Look, Daine. I know that your mother was a midwife and you don't need me to give you a lesson on how it all fits together, but do you need a pregnancy charm?" Thayet spat it out.

Daine laughed and sat down on the floor as Thayet folded up the tape measure. "I suppose I will do," she said half-shyly, nodding slightly.

"I have one here for you. I think we should have had this chat a while ago. You are sixteen and many girls have been married for two years at sixteen already. Numair will probably have grand notions that you will take things slowly and he may even want you to marry beforehand; but passion doesn't always listen to grand notions and things will probably move far more quickly than both of you imagine," Thayet sat next to the girl. She has no motherly feelings in the respect that Daine seemed too grown up to be her daughter, but she had become close to her in the three or so years that Daine had spent in Corus, she was almost like a little sister in some ways, having similar characteristics and views to Thayet herself.

"Thank you," Daine smiled. "I would have thought of getting one soon, I suppose, but you've saved me the embarrassment of having to go and ask for one."

"Is this the real thing for you with Numair?" Thayet asked.

Daine nodded. "I think so. But I don't want to be married or have children for a while yet. I think we need to get used to each other all over again. We know so much about each other, but now it's all new again."

"Like a barrier has been opened between you?" Thayet prompted.

Daine laughed at the cross-reference. "It is, really." She took the pregnancy charm that Thayet handed to her.

"Numair should have a way to attach it to the badger claw, then when you shape-shift it won't get lost. You should tell him you have it, although I imagine he will be a little flummoxed at first," Thayet found herself grinning at the image. "In fact, Daine, I think you should describe his reaction to me afterwards."

Daine smiled back. "He's fair funny sometimes. Last night he said we shouldn't share a bed because he'd feel tempted, then he woke me up at some unearthly hour this morning wanting to see me."

"Have you talked about sleeping together yet?" Thayet asked.

Daine shook her head. "We will do, I know we should. I heard enough of ma's advice to other women. Thank you for getting me the charm, Thayet."

"You're welcome. I need you to come back here later so I can fit the dress properly," Thayet requested, thinking that this had been good practise for a conversation she would be having with Kalasin at some point soon.

Daine left, deciding to leave Numair to his sleep and to get Cloud and ride out around the local area to check on the wildlife. She appreciated what Thayet had done, and it gave her something to think about as she tacked up her mount.

How's the storkman? Daine heard Cloud voice.

He's fine, Daine responded. Probably still asleep.

Are you going to have foals then? Cloud asked. Daine swore that the horse was laughing.

Not for a long time yet. I'm not much past a foal myself, she responded; glad that no one else could hear this particular conversation.

I like the storkman. He'll be a good mate for you, Cloud gave her approval.

Good, I'm glad you like him because he's going to be around for a long time, Daine warned. Did you know who my da was? She asked the mare.

We had an idea, but I never knew for sure. It's the hunt god, Weiryn. That would explain why you're not bad with a bow and arrow. Cloud said, rather tartly as Daine mounted her.

Why did you never tell me what you thought? Daine asked.

Because some things you need to learn at the right time, I thought you would have learnt that by now. Maybe you have less sense than I've credited you with! The girl and horse began to gallop off into the fields.

Numair woke up to find himself alone in Daine's bed. He inhaled deeply, the scent of her still lingering in the room and then yelped out loud as he knocked his swollen lip. He imagined that she had gone to check on the wildlife around the area and wouldn't be back until later. He needed to go and see Jon about what else could be done with the prisoners of war. He imagined that Ecatzin Amaro would not be the only onebeing controlled by a mage or trying to hide any signs of the gift. For all they knew, the mage controlling Ecatzin could be in the cells along side him, although Numair would have hoped that Harailt would have identified him by now.

He went back to his own room to dress and wash before leaving to go and seek the healer to have his jaw and lip checked, and hopefully be given something to help the throbbing pain that had overtaken his face. On the way back from the infirmary she saw a familiar face and figure striding towards him and heard a whistle that he would have recognised anywhere.

"George!" he called, the movement of speech causing him to wince slightly at the pain.

"Numair!" George called back, greeting him with a slap on the back. "Nice busted lip you've given yourself there. I heard all about that from Jon."

Numair nodded, frowning. "I take it you're hear to help with the prisoners?"

"I think you and I will be joining forces. Jon's keen on the idea that someone or some people are deliberately trying to cause an uprising that will help to weaken the country and I'm inclined to agree. There's bound to be a few indignant people who thoroughly believe than we should be brought under the control of Carthak, as are morals and culture is far too liberal. Some are still in uproar at having a lady knight, let alone that she's the King's Champion," George said.

"How is Alanna?" Numair asked.

"Still in the north, finishing off any Scanrans who have the stupidity to try anything else. She'll be back at the palace in a week or so. The kiddies and I will join her there and hopefully have something that resembles a break. How's Daine?" A mischievous light glimmered in George's eye.

"She's very well," Numair replied, trying to keep his face expressionless.

"You finally got round to telling each other how you felt then?" George smiled.

"Eventually," Numair smiled at the memory.

"An' you've asked her to marry you?"

"I did. She said 'maybe some day'," Numair hadn't confided in this to anyone else.

George laughed at the younger man. "It wasn't a no, then. You've no need to rush. She'll say yes when she's ready," George paused. "I need to go and see a healer. I've felt a bit achy in my bones and I'd like to get it sorted before it gets worse. How about I meet you in Jon's office in ten minutes or so and we look at the list of prisoners. I've I funny feeling that some of the names will be familiar."

"That's fine. I'll see you there," Numair replied, continuing towards the kitchens where he hoped to find something soft to eat.

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