I don't own any of the Tamora Pierce characters

Matthew held Ivy's hand and walked her to her room in silence. He didn't know what to say to her... he still wondered if he had done the right thing in letting her say goodbye to Gavin... what if she realized her feelings for him and put up an emotional barrier niether of them could let down? They were at Ivy's room, and Matthew dropped her hand, reaching out to stroke the hair from her face. "Night Ivy..." he kissed her softly on the lips, then pulled away and turned down the corridor.

He was halfway down the hall when Ivy called after him. "Matthew?"

Matthew turned. "What's wrong?" he asked, running a hand nervously through his hair.

"Aren't... aren't you coming in?"

Matthew hesitated, then shook his head. "You need to get some sleep... I'll come by in the morning, I promise." He turned to walk again.

"Matthew... please?" Ivy said quietly. "I... I don't want to be alone..."

Matthew stopped, then sighed. "Ok... I'll stay until you fall asleep..." He walked back to her and took her hand briefly, brushing his lips against it. "Come on then..."

---

Ivy led him in and sat on her bed. Her things were packed in boxes around the room. Someone had moved them from her Squires chamber. Matthew avoided meeting Ivy's eyes and walked over to the desk, picking up a thick wad of parchment, bound together by string.

"What are these...?" he asked, wanting to break the horrible silence.

"Letters..." Ivy said quietly.

Matthew nodded slowly. "Who from..?"

Ivy sighed. "Look at the writing.." she said, then lay on her side facing away from Matthew. He lazily untied the string and took the first letter off the pile. He only had to look at the writing of Dear Ivy, to know that these were all letters he himself had sent.

"I'm surprised you haven't burnt them." he said blandly.

"Why would I burn them?" Ivy asked, her tears close to falling down her face.

"I... I don't know... maybe when you found out I was dead... when you started seeing Garrick..."

Ivy turned to look at him. "Haven't you got the ones I sent you?"

Matthew shook his head. "I would have, if I'd gone back to the camp... but... I didn't."

Ivy looked at him, then sighed. "What's wrong?"

Matthew turned. "Nothing... nothings wrong..."

"Then why didn't you want to stay with me..?" Ivy whispered.

"I did... I just... Ivy... I'm just... I don't know what's happening with us anymore..." He walked over and knelt next to the bed taking her hands in his. "When you kissed Gavin... all I could think was that you loved him..."

Ivy looked at him with hurt showing in her eyes. "You said I could say goodbye..."

Matthew nodded. "I didn't know you'd start making out with him though..." Matthew gripped her hand gently. "Ivy... you know anything you say or do won't stop me loving you... I just want to know what you said to him... what he said to you..."

Ivy looked at him for several seconds. "You mean you don't trust me?" she whispered.

Matthew shook his head. "You know that isn't true... I just want to know what you felt for him... it's..." he looked at her then sighed. "It's not important." he said quietly. "Forget I said anything." He got to his feet then fell onto the bed with a sigh. "Get some sleep Ivy..." he whispered.

Ivy lay herself carefully next to him, resting her head on his chest and letting his arm go around her waist. She closed her eyes and breathed him in, trying to understand what he was feeling. After a while, she felt him stirring beside her. "Where are you going?" Ivy asked quietly.

"I..." Matthew looked at her then shrugged. "I need some fresh air... I'll be back in a bit..." He turned and walked to the door. When his hand was on the handle, Ivy spoke up.

"Matthew... he said he loved me..."

Matthew turned and looked at her. "What... what did you say?"

"I called him a bastard."

Matthew stepped back. He'd got worked up about that? He shook his head and walked back over to Ivy's bed, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her to sit on him as he knelt down. Gently, he nuzzled at her nose with his. "I love you..." he murmured, entwining her fingers with his.

"I know..." Ivy whispered, kissing the corner of his lips gently. "I love you.."

Matthew stopped when he felt cold metal on his finger. He pulled away and looked at Ivy's hand. Matthew's ring glinted on her finger, as bright as it had been two years ago. He smiled. "You still wear this?" he asked quietly.

Ivy nodded. "Why wouldn't I?" she replied, stroking his hair.

Matthew shook his head. "I don't know..." he lifted the black curtain of hair that fell on the front of her shirt and undid the top two buttons to reveal her necklace. He smiled and kissed her gently on the neck. "And this..." he murmured. "You still wear this too..." he let one hand slip through her hair and massage her head, whilst his lips continued to move over her neck and collarbone.

"Matthew..." she murmured. "Stop..."

Matthew pulled away reluctantly. "What's wrong?" he asked.

"Nothing..." Ivy said quietly. "I just..." she undid the buttons of his shirt, looking at his chest. "Where's your medallion?" she asked gently.

Matthew smiled. "Right where it has been since I got it..."

"No... it's not..."

Matthew nodded. "It is..."

Ivy frowned. "Where?"

Matthew grinned and closed his eyes. Suddenly, the medallion Ivy had given him appeared on his chest. Ivy smiled, and kissed his chest gently. Matthew smiled, letting her run her tongue over his skin for several seconds, then gently pulling her head away.

"So..." he said quietly.

"So what?" Ivy murmured, trying to move closer to him.

"You still want to get married?" he asked quietly, stroking her cheek gently.

Ivy smiled, hiding the true feeling of joy that errupted in her chest. "I think I could..." she murmured.

"You could what..?" Matthew grinned.

"Get married to you..." she smiled, then added more seriously, "with my fathers blessing of course!"

Matthew nodded and put on a serious air. "Of course. We cannot be going against your fathers wishes. He may wish to wed you to some rich old man who drinks brandy all day and will shower you with money and riches..."

Ivy giggled and kissed his nose.

Matthew smiled. "Now about your dress..."

"I'm wearing white!" Ivy said simply.

Matthew frowned. "But surely it will just get dirty when I rip it off and throw it on the floor...?"

"And why would you want to do that?" Ivy asked innocently.

Matthew raised an eyebrow. "Surely you haven't forgotten?"

Ivy smiled. "Maybe I have..." she nuzzled his nose. "Why don't you remind me?"

Matthew faked hesitation. "I wouldn't want your father to find me in bed with his virgin daughter..." he winked at her, then kissed her ear. "Then again..." he murmured. "I don't think I'll be able to wait until our wedding night..."

---

Ivy rested her head on Matthews bare chest, tracing the gash identical to hers with her fingers. Matthew looked down at her rebelliously messy hair and smiled. "Your hair needs brushing." he said, catching her hand and bringing it to his mouth, taking two of her fingers into his mouth and running his tongue over them. "Mmmm... oo 'aste 'ice." Ivy frowned.

"What?" she asked, pulling her hand away gently.

"You taste nice..." Matthew said. "I'm going to eat you up!"

Ivy giggled. "No. I don't think so."

"But I do..." Matthew murmured. "I really, really do." He wrapped his arms around her, then lay her on her back, lying on top of her. "And..." he said quietly. "Now you can't move..." he grinned wickedly. "And I'm going to eat you..."

Ivy laughed, then froze as Matthews hand moved to under her arms. "No... don't even think about it... no!" she squealed as Matthew tickled her viciously. "Stop!" She squeaked. "Matthew! Please stop!" she squirmed underneath him. Matthew paused.

"Why would I want to do that?" He asked quietly.

"Because..." Ivy started. "Because... because otherwise I won't marry you..."

Matthew smiled. "Yes you will..." he grinned and kissed her nose. "I love you," he said quietly.

"I love you too..."

Matthew looked at her for several seconds, then kissed her, rolling over and pulling her on top of him. One hand slid around her waist, while the other pressed her head lightly against his. He ran his tongue lightly over her lips, feeling them open slowly to allow him in. He gently eased his tongue into her mouth, finding her tongue and running lightly over its surface. He pulled away by an inch. "This is nice..." he murmured.

Ivy nodded. "Yes..."

"You taste amazing..." he grinned. "I might eat you for breakfast if you're not careful."

Ivy grinned. "You don't taste too bad, but..." she slid down the bed, under the blankets. Matthew froze.

"What in the Black Gods Realm are you doing...?" he asked, then froze as her hand found him. He lifted the blankets and raised an eyebrow. "I dont think so missy." he said firmly. He took her hands and pulled her up the bed. "You're too young for that kind of behaviour!" He tapped her on the nose, then held her against him.

"I'm eighteen now, I'll have you know!" Ivy argued.

Matthew nodded. "I know... and you're too young."

Ivy sighed and fell silent, then smiled. "You didn't think I was too young when I was fifteen..."

Matthew froze, then tried to think of a comeback. "I was... much less mature when I was nineteen you know."

Ivy nodded. "Yes, I do know... but even so..." her hand reached under the blanket. Matthew flipped over and landed on her.

"Stop doing that!" he said firmly.

"Or what...?" Ivy whispered, running her hand over his chest.

"Or I'll have to make you pay for it..."

Ivy smiled. "I'm intrigued..." Ivy said quietly. "How about you show me what you mean..?"

----

"I think roses... red and white roses..." Ivy said, sitting herself on Matthews knee. They'd woken early and spent the last few hours talking absently about weddings.

Matthew said nothing, he merely smiled and kissed her shoulder.

"Well?" Ivy asked quietly.

"Well what?" he murmured.

"You haven't been listening have you?" Ivy said quietly.

"Of course I have..." Matthew said.

"So then, what do you think about red and white roses?"

Matthew smiled. "Whatever you want... I don't need anything except you there... we could get married in a haystack and I wouldn't care..."

Ivy sighed. "But that's not the point! You have to like it too!"

Matthew caught her hand and kissed it. "Do you like red and white roses?"

"Yes..." Ivy said slowly.

"Well then... I like red and white roses..." He kissed her cheek. "Come on, breakfast, then tomorrow you get properly knighted... fun fun fun!" he grinned and tickled her hips. She squirmed and jumped up.

"Don't do that again!" Ivy hissed.

"Yes, Mrs Tirragen."

Ivy raised an eyebrow. "I'm not 'Mrs Tirragen' yet." she said calmly.

"Indeed not, but I was just testing it out... familiarizing myself with the name..." he smiled and stood up, taking her hand. "But, if you'd rather be called Miss Goldenlake then fine..." he kissed her forehead then led her from the room. "You know I still have to ask your Dad's permission, right?"

Ivy shook her head. "No you don't."

Matthew nodded. "I do. I'm a traditionalist."

Ivy raised an eyebrow at him. "You are are you? In that case we can't get married anyway."

Matthew frowned. "Why not?"

Ivy looked at him then smiled. "I'm not a virgin bride, as you well know."

Matthew smiled, then leant down next to her ear. "Nobody else needs to know that though, do they?"

Ivy giggled. "Alright ask him. But even if he says no, I'm still going to marry you." she grinned at him. "You're not getting out of it that easy."

"I wouldn't try." Matthew smiled. "You should take the ring off though... I don't think he's noticed yet... I mean, I'm sure Buri told him we got engaged, it's just that..."

Ivy covered his mouth with her hand, then took it away to put the ring in his pocket. Matthew put his hand in then smiled "Come on then."

----

Breakfast felt odd for Ivy. She knew the rest of her family were keeping an eye on her, trying to see if she was really as alright as she made out to be. What they didn't realize was that being with Matthew the night before, and making love with him like they had, had made her realize that Gavin could never have come close to her when Matthew was around. His kiss might have been warm, and he might have loved her, but she could never feel the same way. Perhaps behind a masquerade of lies and magic she could have fallen for him, but not when she found out the truth. Her feelings towards him had changed so suddenly, that it could not by any means be mistaken for love. Lust, perhaps, but never love.

Matthew looked across the table at Ivy and smiled. "You alright?" he asked quietly.

Ivy nodded. "Perfect..." she whispered, and leant across the table to kiss him gently on the lips.

Matthew blinked. "Fair enough..." he murmured, then put his hand on her chin and pulled her towards him. Their lips met. Only when Matthew heard a slight cough from beside him did he pull away to look at Raoul, whos eyebrow was raised. "Sorry..." he muttered, letting go of Ivy.

Raoul sighed. "Was a time nobody would have let a man do that to his lady in public."

Matthew grinned. "What's the world coming to, hey?"

"Quite.." Raoul grinned, then got up. "I think I might go and find some juice..."

Matthew looked across at Ivy, then got up and ran to catch up with Raoul.

---

"Raoul..." Matthew said, catching up just before Raoul came to the kitchens. "I need to talk to you..."

Raoul nodded. "What about..?"

Matthew hesitated. "Ivy... I have to ask you something..."

Raoul looked at him. "What's wrong?"

Matthew shook his head. "Nothings wrong... I just... need to ask something..."

Raoul nodded slowly. "Go ahead, ask away..."

Matthew paused, then nodded. "Alright... you know I love Ivy, right?"

"I had an inkling..." Raoul said quietly, accepting the juice from a servant.

"Right... well... I wanted to know... I wanted to ask..."

"Get to the point Matthew." Raoul said, stifling a yawn.

Matthew sighed. "This is harder than you think..." he said, trying to think of what to say. "I love your daughter, alright... I can't live without her... I want to be able to show her that..." Matthew took a deep breath. "I want your permission to marry your daughter..."

Raoul choked on the juice he had been drinking, spraying it back into his glass. "I thought you were already engaged?"

Matthew ran a hand through his hair. "Erm... we are... I just... wanted your permission before we went public with it."

Raoul looked at Matthew carefully, his eyes showing nothing. After a while he spoke. "I ought to tear your head from your shoulders and yell at you for having the nerve to be such a cheeky gimp..."

Matthew gulped. "You should as in... you will... or, you should as in... you would but..."

Raoul sighed. "As far as I'm concerned, the two of you have been as good as married since you started... well.. you know...? If you want to have a wedding ceremony to make it official then..." he looked at Matthew. "You do realize any other man would slam you against the wall, right?"

Matthew nodded. "I think so..."

Raoul nodded. "Well... if you feel the need to make it official... go ahead..."

Matthew looked at him in shock. "You... You're serious?"

Raoul frowned. "Well, if you're serious, I'm serious."

Matthew stared. "That's... that's great..."

"Well don't jump for joy or anything!" Raoul said quietly.

Matthew laughed, then flipped backwards. "That's great... thank you..." he reached out a hand to shake Raouls, but Raoul shook his head.

"If you're going to join my family, you have to be prepared for the family traditions..."

Matthew hesitated. "What family traditions?" he said quietly.

Raoul grinned. "Man hugs, Tirragen. Good old man hugs!"

Matthew laughed. "Alright... I can live with that."

Raoul nodded. "Now here's the deal mister! You marry my daughter you have to treat her right! You have to give her whatever she wants and spoil her rotten! You have to be protective and loving! You have to honour her morals. You have to stop and tell her you love her at random intervals just so she feels loved and you have to..."

"Raoul!" Matthew said. "I know! I can't believe you think I wouldn't treat her like that... she's everything to me..."

Raoul sighed. "I know... I know only too well. I've known ever since I found out the two of you were... well..." he waved his hand airily.

Matthew nodded. "Thank you."

Raoul grinned. "Never got that man hug!" he said with a laugh. Matthew thought to say something, but was crushed as Raoul hugged him, slapping him on the back at the same time.

"Cheers for that Raoul..." Matthew said, rubbing his back. "Really needed it..."

----

"He said yes..." Matthew said, pulling Ivy into a corner.

Ivy stared. "Really?"

Matthew nodded. "Thats what I thought..." he kissed her forehead. Ivy looked at him for a second then jumped up and threw her arms around his neck.

"We're getting married!" she said happily, kissing his cheek. "We're getting married we're..." she stopped, seeing a young page with brown hair walking by. "Matthew... Liam... he knew..." she let go of Matthew and slid back to the floor.

"Knew what?" Matthew asked, confused, but looking round to wave to Liam. Liam's face lit up at seeing Matthew, and he ran forwards to hug him. Matthew was shocked but hugged the young boy back. "Liam... you alright?"

Liam looked at Ivy, then nodded at Matthew. "Where's the other man? The one you were with before? The blacksmith...?"

"He's... dead..." Ivy said quietly. "Did you... did you know he wasn't who he was pretending to be?"

Liam nodded slowly.

Ivy frowned. "But... how?"

Liam hesitated, then pulled out the flute like instrument he had been holding when he had seen Ivy and Garrick - no, Gavin -, in the stables. "It shows illusion charms."

"Why... why didn't you tell me?" Ivy asked.

Liam shrugged. "I didn't think you'd believe me when I told you you were courting the General of the army... ex-general." he added, looking at Matthew.

"So... what... how... where'd you get it?"

Liam looked at her, then at Matthew. "My Dad... my Dad told Matthew to give it to me..." Looking at Matthew, Liam smiled. "I'm glad you're back, I didn't like Gavin much."

Matthew smiled. "It's good to be back."

---Ivy knelt in front of Jonathan, the chainmail shirt her parents had given her glistening in the candlelight. Matthew could do nothing but stare with pride as Jonathan touched his sword first to one shoulder and then to the other. She'd done it... she'd become a knight... as she stood up, Matthew was the first to start the applause, joined closely by Raoul, Buri, and Ivy's family. Matthew tried not to grin at the obviously proud smile that played on Jonathans lips as he helped Ivy to her feet. Matthew stood up and ran to meet Ivy lifting her up and spinning her round, much to the amusement and astonishment of the other spectators.

"I'm so proud of you..." he said, then kissed her fiercely.

Ivy smiled at him and kissed his lips softly. "I'm a bit proud of you to be honest..."

Matthew frowned. "Why?"

Ivy giggled. "Not in public its rude... but..." she stood on tiptoe to whisper in her ear. "I think I want you..."

Matthew gulped. "Right... well... we'll have to put an end to that as soon as possible then, won't we?"

Ivy nodded. "Indeed we will..."

"But..." Matthew said quietly. "I've been thinking, and maybe we shouldn't... well... you know... again until we're married...?" He shrugged, "just a suggestion."

Ivy smiled. "I'd like to see you control yourself for that long."

"I'm sure I could, you're the one going crazy with want though... it would be you who couldn't."

"Excuse me, but we'd rather not be hearing this conversation!" Raoul said, raising an eyebrow at Matthew.

Ivy blushed whilst Matthew said nothing.

"Get over here and give your Dad a hug!" Raoul said, grinning at Ivy. Ivy smiled and hugged him fiercely. "My little girl the Lady Knight... third in the realm." he smiled with pride and kissed Ivy's hair. "I'm proud of you."

Ivy smiled. "Thank you."

More hugs followed. Matthew watched as Ivy was congratulated by each individual member of her family. He wondered for a while whether the army were missing them at war, but soon forgot that thought as Ivy pressed her lips to his.

"Right!" Raoul said. "I've taken it on myself to organize a party, so off we go to the throne room!"

Ivy looked at Matthew and took his hand. "Come on."

---

They were dancing in the middle of the room. It was getting late. Several of Ivy's family were heading towards the drunken mark, including Numair, who was once again babbling his famous drunken speeches.

"When are we going to tell them all?" Ivy asked quietly.

"What? That we're getting married?" He looked around the room. "Not right now... there too drunk to remember it in the morning... and besides... I just want to dance with you."

---

Err... ok... well we're heading towards the end now... I think I'm going to have about two more chapters and then VOILA that will be the end... I'll ask you all now if you think there should be a sequel so that i can think of a decent ending to lead onto one

Mage of the Heart