This chapter was written by kiaga. Doesn't it rock? I love it :)

Cadvan found himself pacing about the garden long after dark. The previous day had been eventful, to say the least, but he was no step closer to revealing his feelings to Maerad than he had been beforehand. His pride wouldn't admit it, but secretly it hurt. Erin would pay attention to him, and not Maerad. He hadn't even really known Erin that long, and yet he'd been traveling with Maerad for what seemed like eternity, and she felt nothing. "Nothing," his mind repeated.

Kicking the dirt, he quickly found a stone to sit on. "I cannot go on like this. I have to tell her. Perhaps tomorrow, when she is alone…" his thoughts trailed off. He reached up and covered his face with his hands; he didn't want anyone to see the silent tears that were falling down his face.

The next day came fast, and although Cadvan had spent much of the night planning out how he would tell her, he realized that he didn't know what Maerad would be doing. Cursing his lack of forethought, he searched about until he found her, once again in the market. Smiling, he followed behind her. He often lost track of where she went, because of the large amount of people strolling between them. Once again, he found himself trying to remain calm so no one would think him odd. He panicked once, not finding Maerad for sometime, until she reappeared out front of him a few minutes later.

They continued this process for some time until Maerad ducked into a shop. "Go talk to her!" his mind screamed. Hurrying towards the shop, he opened the door.

"Just lovely," his mind joked sarcastically. It was a lingerie shop. Embarrassed, he slammed the door quickly before anyone noticed he had entered. Taking a deep breath, he walked on.

He found a post to lean against, while he waited for Maerad to come back outside. Impatient, he crossed his arms. Maerad still didn't come out. "What is she doing?!"

Just as the thought occurred to him, the door to the shop opened, and Maerad appeared with a bag in her hand. He eyed it, wondering what….rather why she had bought something in that shop. Unable to solve the mystery without asking, he shook the thought off. He was standing to the right of the shop, watching her as she looked in the bag and smiled, before turning in his direction. "By the light!"

If he didn't move, she would run straight into him. Looking around he realized the street was far to crowded for him to escape through it. He remembered the post he was leaning against and the shop it belonged to. Thankful, he disappeared through the door. Turning, he realized he had entered a jewelry shop. "Welcome sir! Can I help you find something?"

"I…uh…" Cadvan stuttered.

As he spoke, the door opened and Maerad stepped inside. "Cadvan? What are you doing here?" she asked, a smile forming on her face.

Cadvan's heart was beating so fast he thought it would jump out of his chest. His hands had begun shaking slightly but he hid them. "Well, I was just shopping, and…decided…to come in here," he answered, gesturing around him.

"In a jewelry shop?" Maerad folded her arms, an eyebrow raised.

"Yes. In fact, I was just talking to this man about a particular piece I thought a woman I knew would love," he said, turning to the jeweler, giving him a look telling him to go along with it.

The jeweler just smiled. "It's a lovely piece, no doubt," he told them both.

Maerad looked quizzically between the two men. Something wasn't quite right. "Really? Mind if I see?"

Cadvan smiled, and walked over to the display case, followed closely by Maerad. "Which one? Quick, pick one!"

He looked around; there were so many things, all beautiful in their own right. "Well?" he heard Maerad ask.

"Guess," he found himself answer automatically.

Maerad turned her attention to the layout of rings in front of her. "Why would Cadvan be looking at rings?" She found her attention caught by one in particular; a silver band with small inlaid diamonds. It was simple, yet beautiful. "I don't know…that one?" she said pointing.

"It worked!" his mind yelled triumphantly. "By the light Maerad! Out of all these rings, how did you know that was the one I picked?"

Maerad shrugged. "Luck I guess."

He smiled, and asked the jeweler to take it from the case. "I have a feeling she'll like it," he smiled, gazing at Maerad.

Maerad attempted a smile, but couldn't find the will. "I have to go, Cadvan. I'll see you later!" she said, running from the shop. Confused, he saw the jeweler hold out his hand. Realizing he would have to buy the ring regardless, Cadvan gave the jeweler a look before handing over the remaining money in his pocket.

He left the shop, and decided to just return to his room so he wouldn't get into more problems. He would be safe there, and wouldn't have to deal with anyone; he could actually think about a course of action to take there.

Almost reaching the bardhouse, he heard someone call out from behind him. Turning, he found that it was Erin. "Cadvan!" she said, running over and giving him a hug. "Thank you for the rabbit. He's beautiful!" she exclaimed, nearly squeezing all the air out of Cadvan's lungs.

He smiled as politely as possible, and tried to loosen himself from her grip. "You're more than welcome," he answered, feeling like a complete fake.

As he escaped from her hug, the small velvet box containing the ring fell from his hand onto the ground. Seeing it fall, he quickly snatched it up, but not before Erin saw it. Her face instantly lit up. "What is that for?" she asked, her eyes wide.

As he brushed the dirt and grass off the box, he looked up at her. "For the woman I love," he began. "I just don't know how to tell her it's for her..."

Erin cut him off. "Cadvan! For the woman you love…I…I don't know what to say!"

He smiled uneasily at her. "Do you think she'll like it?" he asked uncertainly, revealing the ring inside. "I want her to marry me," he added. "I'm going to tell her tomorrow..." he added almost to himself.

Erin's face was dripping with joy, as she reached out and took the ring. "Yes. It's a beautiful ring. And I'm sure you have no reason to fear her answer when you ask," she said, slipping the ring onto her finger.

Cadvan smiled. "Thank you, Erin. Could I have the ring back now, please?"

"Of course," Erin replied, her eyes shining. "It will be so special tomorrow."