So right.

Restarted by popular demand.

I like to think I'm a better writer now. But that wasn't why I quit this story for a while.

But thanks to all the people who kept telling me to continue it. You all finally got through. Congrats.

Haha. On with the story.

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Devina stood in front of Jemmie, a slow blush spreading across her cheek as she said, "Jemmie, I know that I haven't been able to spend much time with you, but I just want you to know that I-"

:Chosen:

:Hmm: he murmured, slipping abruptly out of his daydream. He stared down at his assignments, thinking fiercely about past trade agreements between Karse and Valdemar, and not his best friend whom he couldn't stop thinking about. He should have said something after the Herald's midwinter festival, when he'd let his drink get the better of him, and he'd kissed her. But she hadn't said anything about it, though she blushed when she saw him again. Jemmie couldn't help but think that maybe it had just been a mistake to her too.

:You know, you could talk to her.: said Eris. :I'm sure that would clear up the whole thing.:

:When: said Jemmie dourly. :If she's not in a meeting, then she's in training, or meeting with officials, or a million other official duties. And besides: he continued:what would we talk about:

:Well for starters, you could talk about those daydreams you've been having: said Eris. :You can try to deny it all you like, but your daydreams don't lie.:

:They're just… thoughts.: said Jemmie. :They don't …necessarily…mean anything…:

:Right: said Eris, though her tone said she didn't believe him. Jemmie sighed heavily. :Fine: said Eris. :But you would have more time if you could get in touch with your Fetching.:

:I know: said Jemmie. :It's just-: he sighed. Since his parent's death, Jemmie had lost focus with his gift. He couldn't concentrate on what he was trying to fetch, and he didn't know why. Because it wasn't a volatile gift, it wasn't imperative for him to be in control of it; but he felt useless, being unable to help, and unable to move on in his training.

:Devina could help you: said Eris.

:I know: Jemmie sighed. It was true. He could go to Devina, and ask her to help him find what blocked him from his gift. But he would not. Jemmie wanted this block gone, but he couldn't let Devina in, and see all his emotions and frailties laid bare. She could help him, but she would bring him to his knees.

:So melodramatic: Eris observed.

Jemmie sighed. :I know. I just – let me deal with this my own way, all right:

:Fine: Eris said, though it was obvious that she would much rather not leave him to his own devices. Companion or not, she could be insufferable sometimes.

:I heard that: she said indignantly.

:I know: said Jemmie cheerfully, immersing himself in his work once again.

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As the council ended for the day, Devina found herself smiling. It had gone well, better than it ever had before. It was true that several of the councilors were not particularly receptive to her opinions, but at least they listened. Patching things up with Griffon last week seemed to have helped her on the council. And while she couldn't know whether he had said anything to them or not, she doubted that the councilors would change their minds without some…encouragement.

But even so, she thought dourly, it is still hard to be the Queen's Own effectively when the Queen is thirty years my senior. The councilors did listen to her opinion, and she might be able to weigh their true feelings, but she couldn't do much more than that. The same problems that had come up with Talia as Queen's Own were being brought up again, only much quieter. What if Devina was swaying the council?

And it was hard for her to say if she was or she wasn't. How could she tell what influence was her natural charisma, and what was her Gift expressing itself. The Queen assured them that she had been taught by Talia, so there should be no problems at all, but the suspicion persisted. After all, Devina wasn't Talia. How could they know Devina's motives?

:But I'm a Herald: Devina cried abruptly, reaching out for her Companion. :And I owe the Collegium my life, for taking me in and protecting me when the Guard could have easily had me hanged.:

:They forget, Chosen: said Taliesin. :All they see is a youngling with abilities they don't understand, raised to a seat of great power. It's hard for them not to be wary of that.:

:I know, I know: Devina sighed. Sometimes Taliesin was a bit too much like the voice of reason in her head. But he was right, and besides, being indignant and sad about it would never help her.

"Devina?"

She looked up at the sound of her name, and smiled at Griffon. He stood awkwardly, holding an unwieldy pile of papers in his hands. "Yes?"

"I just wanted to let you know that you handled yourself well today," he said. "And this week as well."

"Well," said Devina. "It helps when there isn't a solid wall of dislike emanating from one person." She immediately regretted her words, and began to stumble over an apology, but Griffon shook his head.

"No, you have a right to feel in some way wronged. I did you a disservice, disliking you as I did. And I forgot that you are not so solid an empath yet as Talia was. I let my emotions spill over, without even thinking whether or not it would impair your ability to read the council."

"Ah, but in that lies the problem I now face," said Devina. "Convincing the council that while I may not be as wise as lady Talia was, I am still as loyal to the crown as she was."

"They'll understand in time," said Griffon. "Just be patient."

"Aye, aye," muttered Devina. "You sound just like Taliesin."

Griffon laughed. "Well perhaps Taliesin and I are in agreement then. We both want you to be happy." Griffon met her eyes then, and there was an unexpected intensity to his gaze, and a touch of an emotion that made her flush.

"Griffon, I-" she paused, unable to find any words. "Thank you."

"No need for thanks, Queen's Own," he said with a smile. That touch of affection beyond mere friendship was as gone as suddenly as she had felt it. Devina was hardly sure she had sensed it at all. "Have a good evening."

Devina didn't move as she watched him leave the room, closing the door behind him and leaving her alone in the council room. She sat down in her chair heavily, her mind a jumble of confusion.

:Well that was unexpected: said Taliesin.

:So that wasn't just my imagination: said Devina.

:Definitely not: said Taliesin. :There's definitely some attraction there.:

:I'd never thought of him that way before: she said. And she hadn't, because besides the fact that he had seemed to blatantly hate her until recently, he was also many years her senior. But as she thought of it now, she found herself intrigued by the idea. After all, she'd never really had a romantic relationship with anyone; at least, not one that wasn't on a purely physical basis. :And yet…:

Taliesin understood her unformed thought. :I suggest you leave it alone for now, Chosen: he said. :If he does have intentions toward you, it is likely he hasn't realized it yet. Give him time to decide for himself…and give yourself time as well.:

:That sounds wise: said Devina.

:Also, you should talk to Jemmie: said Taliesin.

:What does he have to do with any of this: Devina asked.

:Oh, I didn't mean that way: said Taliesin, :though there is the question of that relationship as well… but I more meant in regards to his fetching gift.:

:We've talked about this before. He won't let me.:

:He won't ask you to. But maybe if you offer it to him, he'll be more open to it: he suggested.

:I don't know: said Devina. She was sure that Jemmie wouldn't take her help. And she wasn't sure that she'd be willing to give it. After all, she was trained, but still clumsy. And she knew that there might be thoughts he wouldn't want her to see, feelings he'd want to hide. She was worried she might learn too much of his secret self. No, Jemmie wasn't about to let her in just yet. She sent all of these thoughts to Taliesin, and she felt him nod in agreement.

:You are wiser than your years: Taliesin said sagely.

:Oh hush: Devina teased. :You're just flattering me so I'll come down to the stables and brush you.:

:Just because that's my reason doesn't mean what I said wasn't true.: He said indignantly. Devina laughed as she made her way down the hall to her room to drop off her papers before she went out for a brief stolen moment of freedom with Taliesin. Later she would realize the wisdom of stealing away those little moments, when she had no time at all to spare.

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Well I hope that was all right for you all.

I won't review response, except for the few people who asked questions, but thanks to

PrettyKittyOreo, faeborn2930, Fireblade K'Chona, Zila Kaelar, Queen's Own, Dramaswimer, Melisande Mab, Kathleen McCrory, levele, RainbowAlchemist, and SwiftShadow for encouraging me to continue.

And special thanks to zafaran, for writing such a thoughtful review that reminded me what I was trying to do writing this story.

And Paige….I'm thinking not. I haven't really decided ;; lol

Thanks guys!

--ER