Authors note: Yes it's been a long LONG time since I've written anything. Let's just say it's been a long year and a half of pregnancy, deployment, marriage, moving, and babies. I could go into it all but really it would probably bore you. Just know I am back and ready to continue this story along with my others. I'm also probably going to rewrite many of my stories. I won't be changing the plot line but I will try to make the writing itself a lot more enjoyable to read. Well that's all for now. I hope you enjoy this chapter.

000

Jayne-

It was going to happen at some point or another and it finally did. I was ordered to meet the king and queen in the royal throne room. The slave that brought me the message gave a reassuring smile to me that didn't quite make it up all the way. We both knew that you were not asked to meet with the king and queen for a thank you. You were asked when punishment was due.

I tried to uncover all my strength as I closed my eyes and took in a deep breath. I walked slowly down the hallways towards the room. I felt like I was walking through limbo, everything seemed dead and silent. If there were people around me I did not notice. In my mind I was alone.

I took another deep breath and opened the door of the throne room and walked in. Queen Bethany gave me a faint smile that resembled the one the slave with the message to meet her, gave me. The king's face was hard as a rock and his scowl, that was a permanent part of his features, seemed to be even deeper in this moment.

"I assume you know why you are here, Jayne?" He asked me saying my name in a disgusted voice. I nodded my head in response. I knew exactly why I was here. "And I assume you know the rules I have laid out about these matters." Again I nodded, speaking was too hard. "If you wish to plead your case do so now." He ordered.

I knew there was no point in pleading my case. Doing so would simply be for his amusement. Even if the accusations against myself weren't true he would still punish me. He just enjoying showing off his power and I didn't feel like giving him the satisfaction. "No, Your Majesty, I do not wish to plead my case. I am guilty."

I noticed the Queen Bethany's face turn the other when she heard this. She obviously did not want to go through this ordeal; it was too much for her. This made me feel even guiltier. I had never wanted to hurt her. I never wanted to hurt anyone. But I had by being selfish.

"Then there is nothing else to do but banish you, slave. You and your bastard child are no longer allowed on these lands."

I broke down then and cried and Bethany seemed to forget for a moment her husband was there and rushed down to hug me. She rubbed my back and told me it would be alright over and over again. Then turned to her husband, "We cannot kick this poor girl onto the streets." I could not see her expression because I still had my head down, but by the tone of her voice it was not a pleasant one.

"And why is that, wife?" He used the exact same tone for the word wife as he did Jayne. I wondered how she could be with a man that could actually speak to her like he speaks to a slave.

"You know very well why, Cole. I gave you that answer last night."

He laughed at this, "So a slave woman claims that our son got her with child and we must believe it?" He shook his head mocking Bethany, "Lance would never bed a woman and risk her becoming with child. He is smarter than that and he knows the ways around it."

Her temper was growing I could tell. I think she knew this was a losing battle but her pride refused to allow her to quit, "All men lose intelligence when they fall in love and our son has fallen hard for this woman. Even a blind man could see it."

I wondered if that was true. Was our relationship never as secret as we thought? I looked back up at the King who seemed as if he was holding back every urge to break something. I was thankful he was trying, because I knew who would be the first to feel his fist in this room. "My son is not the father of this child and that is the end of it. I will never say it again. My punishment for this slave woman is the same." He turned to me and I forced to meet his eyes, "Pack up your things. I'll send for guards to escort you to the outskirts of our lands. It'll be a long ride."

Right after saying this he stormed past us forcing us both to move. I wondered how he could be angry when he won. I was going and there was no one to protect me from that. He'd have everything he wants for his son. He'd become king, married to a noblewoman, and she'd give him a son to rule the kingdom. The thought nearly killed me, and I start crying hard right then. Bethany grabbed onto me and sat me down on the steps leading up to the thrones as I cried harder. How could I never see him again? He was like air to me.

"Shhh. It'll be okay. I will help you." She brushed my hair back and pulled out a handkerchief for me to use. I tried to calm myself down a bit so I could hear her words. It was doing no one any good having me cry like a young child. "I already have someone meeting you at the end of our lands to take care of you."

I looked up at her, "Who?" I had no family or friends. Especially no one outside of Benbourgh. Who would meet me out there? Why?

She brushed my hair back, "I cannot say right now, not here. Just know someone will be there and they will support you and your child." She walked over to a stand with a pitcher of water and glasses and poured some water in one and handed it to me, "You have to stay calm. The stress is not good for your child. And I don't want my grandchild to be distressed." She smiled at that and I tried to return it.

"Now, you told me once you would wait forever for Lance, is that true?"

I nodded, "Of course."

She smiled, "Good. Then listen to my plan. In one year to the day you will meet Lance at the church in the town you will be living in." I tried to interrupt her to ask what church she meant, but she broke me off, "You'll see. The little village I am sending you to only has one church. There will be no other option. Meet him at noon. He will be there, because I will tell him where you are and he'll come for you, and your child."

"But what if the war lasts longer?" I asked with fear in my voice.

"Then I will send a messenger in his place. But rest to sure you will hear something that day. You will not be left banished for long."

I was amazed by how she thought this through completely. There was no flaw in her plan. She really cared about my child and I. I stood up from the step and hugged her. She hugged back harder not seeming to want to let go and I thought for a moment that this was what a mother would do if she found out she would not see her child for a long time.

I pulled back and looked her in the eyes, she had tears, "Thank you, truly."

000

Lance-

I smelled of death and blood but I didn't care as I helped Zeke carry another young soldier into the tent we attempted to save the wounded. I dragged the boy over to a cot and placed him on it as I called over one of the many men of medicine. I stepped away as he inspected the boy. I looked around to see men screaming in pain and more coming in. Dead bodies were being stacked outside of the flap of the tent until we found time to bury them. This was hell.

I asked the man if he needed anything else from me and he shook his head. So I grabbed Zeke's arm and pulled him out to my tent where my two generals were.

"Give me some good news." I yelled as I threw off my armor and grabbed some water, drinking it down in one gulp.

"Actually, Your Highness, they're bound to surrender soon. Their men are dying four to our one. They won't last long."

I sighed, "It better not, or else I'll be taking my men back home to come up with a better plan. We've already taken too many husbands and sons from our country." After saying this I stormed out just to have Zeke follow me.

"Tell me what on earth has gotten into you," He was practically running to keep up with my long, furious strides and finally he grabbed my arm to pull me back to face him, "I've never seen you so emotional over a battle."

"I'm just sick of seeing my countrymen dead on the field." I responded annoyed, "Is that wrong?"

"No," He answered. I could tell he was trying to find the right words to say, "But you've always seen those deaths as deaths for your country. You realized these men would die for their king and their home and your life made sense. It seems like you have lost your way."

I shook my head at this, "Maybe I'm starting to realize my people should not have to sacrifice for their country. They're country should sacrifice for them."

Zeke sighed, "That may sound ideal, but the country is only land made up of people. These men are Benbourgh and that's why they are defending it on the field. They are protecting themselves and their families."

I let out a long breath that I felt like I was holding in for centuries, "You're right. But it doesn't make it any easier."

Zeke crossed his arms over his chest, "Are you sure there is no woman back home who brought out this annoying sensitive side in you?"

"Of course not." I said as I turned to walk away.

"Not even Jayne?" I heard him say to my back. I stopped for a moment and turned back to him.

"What did you say?"

He walked up to me and I looked around to make sure no one was around to listen. If we were going to have this conversation I had to make sure no one heard.

"I've seen the way you look at her Lance. It's obvious you're in love with her." His voice lowered. He as well realized how this was information that could not get out, "Now all I want to know is if you intend on acting on these feelings?" I raked my hands through my hair and couldn't help but smirk at the good memories. "I'll take that as a yes."

I nodded still smiling, "When I am made king I'll make her my wife. Nothing will ever stand between us again."

First Zeke's expression was full of worry. Then it switched to a smile, "Then I wish the best of luck to you and her. I better be your best man."

I smiled and gave him a huge hug something I hadn't done since we were kids. "Who else would I pick?"