Thank you Shadow, . .oO, and Agent Sam for your reviews and thanks for your patience.

000

Jayne-

I waited on the cold ground in the cave behind the waterfall. I could feel the moss creep through my skirts, leaving wet marks, but I didn't my mind barely registered it. We had an announcement earlier this evening at the grand supper. The king would not go to this battle; Lance was to lead this one on his own.

When I heard the announcement I rushed out of the quarters. No one would notice, there were many nobles there and not a single one cared who served them. The other slaves would do well enough; one missing would not cause great distress. I leaned my head back against the wall of the cave, watching the waterfall pour down in front of me, mimicking my tears.

I tried to sniffle them back and brush away the wetness off my face when I heard footsteps close to the entrance, but it was no use. I looked up at Lance's figure, aware of fresh tears brimming in my eyes caused by the sight of him. He knelt down beside me and laid against the cave wall, sighing heavily.

"I wanted to come find you sooner, Jayne" I nodded my head; I knew he could not just leave a party. His absence, unlike mine, would be noted. I looked over towards him and he brushed his hand across my cheek. He looked tired, more tired than I had ever seen him. "It'll be fine, don't look so worried, you'll see. I've done this before and I've come back safely."

I shook my head, "No, you'll be the leader and the main target. It's different and it's terrifying." I wrapped my arms around Lance's neck and pressed my head to his, "I do not want to lose you." I had to choke back a sob. I was close enough to Lance to hear him gulp back any tears he may have had. He was a strong man; he would not find himself in such a weak position as crying. So instead he kissed me gently on the lips.

"All will be well Jayne. This I swear to you." he smiled slightly, "when I come back I shall be named King and then you shall be my wife." I kissed him again this time more passionate. He laid me back against the ground and we didn't speak another word.

000

Lance-

I awoke the next morning in my chambers, and as always reached around a bit in my bed before realizing Jayne was not with me. Each morning I was filled with disappointment at that revelation and I could not wait until I would get back home, become king, and make her my beautiful wife. I wanted to cherish her and spoil her forever. Never would her hands see slave work again. She would be given ever benefit she was stripped of at birth.

I closed my eyes and fell back against the bed, rubbing my hands across my head feeling a splitting headache come on. In less than two weeks I would be going off to Geleva to fight in the war. A part of me wondered if I was ready for something this big. I have fought in many battles, I have seen bloodshed, been wounded, and killed men. But never have I been in control of the battle. That was always my father. Yes I was taught how to, but campaigning is a lot different than the actual battle.

I heard a knock on the door followed shortly by my mother walking through the door, with a large smile on her face. "Why are you still in bed, my son?"

I groaned and sat up, "I'm finding it hard to wake up early these days."

She raised her eyebrows, "I could take a guess why."

"Must you be so noisy mother?"

She smiled, "Yes." I threw my legs out of the bed and stretched. She turned serious in an instant, "You know, Lance, that you risk her being with child."

I just looked up at her and smiled, "Maybe I want her to be with child."

She shook her head and sat down next to me; "If she gets pregnant before you two are married your father will send her away. He will not accept his personal slaves to bear bastards."

"But if she is pregnant, then no one would have to know until we are married, then our child will be born into a marriage."

She brushed her hand against my cheek. "Why do you expect this battle be over so shortly? It will most likely last up to a year…"

I stood up, "I'll make sure it ends quickly." I said with determination, "Then I can become king, and marry Jayne. If she does become with child, no one will know until after our vows are made." I didn't know whom I was trying to convince, my mother or myself. All I know is neither of us bought it.

I met up with Jayne later in the garden. She was pulling up weeds around the vines of roses. The hedges were high, much taller than even me, no one could see us behind the maze that we call a garden. I bent down and kissed her lightly on the lips. She smiled up at me and my breath stopped at the sight. By God she was beautiful.

"Need some help, dear heart?" she just smiled and shook her head in response. I grabbed a spare pair of gloves by the shears and started pulling out weeds anyways, "Jayne?" she looked up at me with a slightly worried look on her face. She knew from the sound of my voice this was not to be happy conversation. "You haven't been feeling…odd…have you?"

She gave me a quizzical look, with a slight smirk on her face, "What on earth are you talking about?"

I looked down on the ground, "I have not been careful with you when you and I have lain together." She gave me a worried look but I knew I needed to continue, "There are ways to prevent a child being conceived, but I did not do any of those things."

She was silent for a moment looked down at the stone pathway. "You are worried that I maybe with child?"

"Yes," I said regretfully, "I am".

She looked back up at me with tears in her eyes, "So am I." She took a deep breath composed herself, "But it is too soon to know for sure." She looked back at me, "What would happen if I was?"

I brushed my hand across her cheek, pushing her hair behind her shoulder. "We keep it hidden until I return. Then we will get married and we'll announce it to the kingdom." I kissed her gently on the cheek.

"So you do not wish me to get rid of it?" she asked with a hint of shock.

"Of course not!" I pulled her close to me so she was leaning back into me, "I would never ask you to do such a thing." I kissed the side of her head near the temple, "All will be well. I promise, dear heart. I will be home soon after leaving; you won't even know I was gone." I pulled her head up so our lips met, "Then we will be married." She nodded her head, but I'm not sure if she believed me or not.

A/N-My fiancé is coming up soon on a vacation, because he is in the army we rarely get to see each other and this might be the last time I see him before he gets deployed. So I most likely will not update until he has left. I don't want to waste a single moment with him. I'm sorry everyone. I'll try to get one up as soon as he leaves. Also all ideas are welcome. If you would like to see something happen please tell me, I just may put it in.