A/N: There is no excuse for not updating this sooner. I will say though that I am so embarrassed after looking back at the previous chapters. There are so many typos; it makes me laugh every time I read it. So, if you see any in this chapter, please leave it in a review so I can go back and change it. I'm going to try to fix up the other chapters in my spare time. Thank you to those who review the last chapter and to those that read it. Hope this makes up for the long wait.

The sun was directly overhead now and shining brightly through the tops of the trees. Even though the rain had stopped, the mud was a still slippery and a horror to walk in. Marra's boots felt as heavy as stones as she trudged along in front of Kael. She'd kept silent since they left Alner's hut. She was still fairly angry about his way of keeping their real reason for traveling together a secret. It wasn't like he hadn't attempted to talk to her. He had. Many times. But she just ignored him.

Marra glanced over her shoulder. Kael was looking at the map that Alner had given them a few hours earlier. Marra watched as Kael's dark curls hung in his eyes as he scanned the piece of parchment. Then he looked up from over the map. Their eyes met and Marra cursed under her breath for getting caught staring. Now she'd have to say something.

"I-is…I'm thirsty. Is a stream anywhere near here?" She blurted awkwardly and looked away into the woods ahead so she wouldn't have to meet his eyes.

Kael folded the map and shoved into his pack. "Glad to see you're talking to me again. I was getting worried." A roguish grin spread across his face, "Is your water skin empty already?"

"Yes, and it has been for some time now," snapped Marra folding her arms across her chest for effect.

Kael continued, "Well unfortunately we won't be passing any streams before we reach the tavern. But if you're really thirsty, you are welcome to have some of mine." Kael patted his pack.

Marra thanked him for the offer and fell into step beside him. The ground seemed to grow muddier by the minute as she tried to keep up with Kael's long strides. She could feel the ground sinking beneath the weight of her boots and suddenly she slipped. Just before she went face first into the mud, Kael caught her shoulders and pulled back to her feet.

"Are you alright?" He said looking down into her eyes. She could see a hint of laughter there and it irritated her greatly.

"I'm alright. I'm just clumsy in all this." Marra said giving the mud an angry kick.

"It'll dry out soon." Kael stopped, "There it is." He was pointing just ahead of them.

Marra looked to where his finger was pointing until she saw a small building coming closer into view. Sir Belron's tavern. It was about time. Marra forgot how heavy her feet felt and sprinted to the door. Kael wasn't far behind her.

Once at the door, the inn didn't look quite so small to Marra anymore. In fact, it was quite large. She guessed it must have been an inn for more affluent customers. She peered inside a nearby window to see a lively bunch of people eating and drinking. The smell of freshly baked bread was intoxicating as it floated through the open window and reached her nose.

"Something smells good." Kael said as he held the door open for her.

"Well it's certainly not you." Marra retorted as she sashayed past him.

Kael tried his best not to laugh at Marra remark. He took a good look around the inn. Sir Belron seemed to be doing pretty well for himself. The sounds and smells of socialization and delicious looking food seemed like heaven to him after so many days of walking in the woods. Not that Marra was bad company. He looked over at Marra who was lusting after the warm glistening bread sitting on a table near them. Her expression was almost comical. He hurried to find a serving girl before she snitched at the other guests' food.

"Hello there. Can I get you something?" Asked a friendly fair-headed girl who looked to be about seventeen balancing a tray in one hand and holding a pitcher of ale in the other.

"Looks like you're hands are full at the moment. Do you need some help?" He grinned at the girl.

A light shade of red flooded her cheeks, "You're very kind but I do this all the time. Do you need a room? Ale?"

Kael nodded, "I need two rooms actually. And see that girl over there," He pointed to Marra, "She'll need something to eat."

The girl nodded and was about to take action when Kael spoke again.

"See what you can do about a hot bath for her as well. I'm willing to pay for whatever she needs." Kael's eyes went back to Marra who was now watching him with a discerning eye. She was probably worried he would tell the serving girl he was engaged to her like he did at Alner's hut. He laughed every time he pictured that look of horror on her face.

The serving girl blew the hair from her eyes, "I'll get right to it."

Kael thanked her, then went in search of Sir Belron. He could feel his insides doing somersaults. Whatever Sir Belron decided would determine his next plan of action. And the fact that it was all up to him to convince the man was a frightening thing.

Marra sat at a table drumming her fingers. When was Kael coming back? The smell of the food was beginning to make her sick with hunger.

"Hello Miss, Your friend over there asked me to get you some food," said a girl carrying a tray of food, "I'm Nadyleen but you're welcome to call me Nadi. Everyone else around here does." The girl sat a bowl of soup and a loaf of bread on the table before taking a seat across the table.

"Thank you, but I didn't order anything." Marra said fighting the urge to take a sip of aromatic soup.

The girl's blue eyes sparkled kindly, "You're friend over there asked me to fetch you something. Your friend also asked me to see that you had a bath whenever you want it."

Marra dropped the spoon she'd just picked up back into the bowl, "Oh he did, did he? That was very…thoughtful of him." She said forcing an appreciative smile.

Nadyleen laughed, "He meant it as a gesture of kindness. I assure you. I can go get it ready whenever you want it."

Marra swallowed a chunk of bread. Gesture of kindness her foot. But she really wanted to wash the many layers of mud from her skin and feel clean again. And that eventually won over her wounded pride.

"A bath would be lovely." Marra thanked the girl. Nadi must have mistaken her agreement to take the bath to mean she wanted it right then.

Nadi took her arm before she could protest, "I'll show you your room right away."

Marra took another sip of soup, "But what about the rest of the food?"

Nadi shook her head and continued to lead her away, "Don't worry about it. I'll have one of the other girls bring it to your room later."

It sounded fine to Marra so she followed Nadi away from the dining hall.

Sir Belron's inn looked so bright and big to Marra. It looked nothing like Nella's inn. The walls had beautiful and colorful tapestries hanging on them, each depicting a different a part of the kingdom. The floor was stone instead of the earthen ones she'd grown accustom to walking on. She could hear the tapping of their footstep echoing off the stones and bouncing off the walls making the hallway seem grandiose if she closed her eyes and just listened.

"Here we are." Nadi chirped opening a large wooden door.

Marra stepped inside and Nadi closed the door behind them.

"Oh," Marra breathed.

She was speechless. This room was like nothing she'd ever stayed in before. It had a fireplace and a table with chairs. A large four-post bed sat against the adjacent wall. A Harglennian rug covered most of the floor. She'd only seen one before but now she knew rumors were true. The Harglennians did make the most beautiful rugs in the kingdom.

Nadi opened the curtains causing a flood of light to enter the room, "It's one of our larger rooms. I'm afraid our others are filled." she walked to another side of the room, "Here's the tub. You can get changed and I'll go get the water all heated up for you. How does that sound?" Nadi pointed to the long tub already partially filled with water.

Marra saw the water and knelt down beside the tub. She cupped her hands around the cold clear water and threw it onto her face washing away some of the dirt and filth. The water felt so good and cool upon her skin. She began pulling off her boots before Nadi got an answer.

"Sounds wonderful." She sighed and started to unlace her bodice.

Kael had since been asking everyone for Sir Belron.

"He's away on business I'm afraid and won't be back until tomorrow," said an older woman who worked in the kitchen handing him dinner.

Kael put his hands through his hair in frustration, "When he arrives, tell him an old friend wishes to speak with him. It's very important I talk with him as soon as possible."

"Of course sir," Assured the old woman before taking her leave, "I'll tell him the minute he arrives."

What was he to do now! He was already pressured for time. He looked down at his plate of food. He'd just have to sit and wait.

Ribbons of steam curled in the air as Marra submerged herself into her bath. It had been so long since she'd had a hot bath. This one felt wonderful and it smelt soothingly of lavender oil. She allowed herself to close her eyes and soaked for a while until all the dirt was gone from her body.

Nadi came in and washed her hair with some sort of liquid soap. Marra smiled to herself. If only Nella could see her now. Nadi laid a towel on the side of the tub.

"You can dry off with this and I'll go see if I can find you a dry gown. I'm sure I have one in your size around here," she said giving Marra a friendly smile. "I'd hate for you to put back on your dirty one."

Marra wiped her face with the towel, "Thank you but I really couldn't..."

Nadi held up her hand, "Don't say a word. I'm doing this as a friend."

Marra's lips curled up into a smile. She hadn't had anyone call her a friend in a long time. The word felt good to her ears after so long.

After Nadi left, Marra hurried and dried off. She wrapped the towel around her and took a seat on the bed. She felt like she was in a dream. This room must have been saved for only very special guests judging by the size and the luxuriousness of it. Marra looked over at the door just as Nadi came back in carrying a bundle of green fabric.

"Here we are. I knew I had one. And this green one will go nicely with your eyes." Nadi laid the dress out beside Marra for inspection.

"It's beautiful!" Marra exclaimed running her fingers over the embroidery along one of the sleeves.

"Well don't just stand there! Put it on!" Nadi laughed turning Marra around and handing her the dress.

Marra quickly slipped it one. The soft fabric felt wonderful as it slid over her skin. It was far different from the rough textures she was used to from her other dresses.

"I can't believe it," giggled Nadi, "It fits you like it was made for you! Take a look!" Nadi pointed to the mirror standing in the corner.

"I'll leave you to yourself now. I bumped into your friend on my way here. He said for you to meet him in the dining hall when you're all dressed." Nadi said turning to go.

Marra stopped Nadi before she left, "Thank you…for everything,"

Nadi smiled, "You're welcome."

Kael paced back and forth. What was keeping her? He'd sent for her at least an hour ago.

"Kael?" called a soft voice from the doorway.

Kael stopped his pacing and stared in shock at the figure before him. Where had she found that dress? Had her hair always shone with a reddish glow when light touched it? He shook his head to clear his thoughts.

"What took you so long?" He barked out.

The sides of Marra's lips straightened to a fine line, "You wanted me to bathe. So I did. And I took as much time as I wanted doing it." There was a little more than a hint of irritation in her voice.

"I…"

Marra cut him off.

"I walked through an out pour of rain and trudged through an endless sea of mud, not to mention being accompanied by you! I was almost robbed by some strange man that you end up knowing from childhood! So sorry I didn't look to your standards when we walked in here or caused you any embarrassment. And I don't know if you've seen yourself yet but you could use a bath as well, your highness." Marra hissed back. At least she'd made sure to say the last part in a whisper.

Kael's mouth dropped open. No one had ever spoken to him like that. He thought that asking to prepare a bath for her was a kind gesture. He had no idea she'd take it like this.

"Now what was it you wanted to talk to me about?" Marra asked her green eyes still bright from her last remark. She pulled her hair over her shoulder and stroked it idly.

Kael let out a sigh of relief. A new subject. He quickly relayed to her what the cook had told him Sir Belron and that he planned to stay put until Sir Belron returned.

Marra nodded. She hoped they wouldn't have to stay long. Not that she would mind it. Her room was like a palace compared to what she was used to.

"Is that all?" Marra asked raising her eyebrows in question.

"Yes," Kael said flatly, "I'll see you at dinner."

Marra stood to go, "Alright, Nadi will be waiting for me anyway."

"Nadi?" asked Kael confused.

"She's the serving girl who showed me my room. She's going to show me the library. "

Kael nodded. The blonde girl. Suddenly a thought occurred to him. What if Nadi asked why they were traveling together?

"Marra, wait!" he called just as Marra was about to leave. "If the serving girl asks how you know me, tell her I'm your brother."

Marra laughed, "Gladly. That's a lot better than being your fiancée again."

Kael held his chest in mock pain, "You hurt me, Lemarra."

Marra rolled her eyes and sauntered away, "My deepest apologies, brother." She called over her shoulder.

He looked at his reflection in his cup up ale. He licked his finger and tried to rub some of the dirt off his nose. Marra was right. He could use a bath.

A/N: There. Personally, I think this chapter's kinda jumpy. What did you guys think?