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AN: Hope you like this. I think it's picking up a little bit as time goes on. I love writing and I enjoy reading reviews. Preferably from singed in users so feel free to sign in and review if you want to comment on this chapter or any other part of the series.

Ella paused in her work as she heard soft footsteps approaching. She'd paid enough attention to know that Nuada's footsteps were slightly heavier. These indicated a lighter more delicate figure. It had to be Nuala. She continued scrubbing the floor when she heard the footsteps stop and her clothes rustle as she knelt beside the petit sorceress.

"You were very brave last night. How do you know you can trust my brother," she asked.

"If everything in those stories is true then I have nothing to fear from being his ally. To become his enemy would be unwise," Ella answered.

"Allies usually have a common goal," the princess pointed out.

"For the past year all I could remember was a few human songs but I had no recollection of when or where I learned them. When Master Nuada is around however, it feels like there's something there that wasn't before. I don't know what but it's better than nothing. More than once last night I got dejavu while interacting with him," she explained.

"Give me your hand," Nuala demanded gently and Ella set down the brush to obey, "I see but your sense of dejavu came after you had already bowed to him."

The girl shrugged and went back to her task, "It seemed like a good idea at the time."

"And now," Nuala inquired curiously.

"I haven't come to regret it yet. Still feels like a good idea," she finally finished the lower level of the throne room.

She heard Nuada's footsteps coming up the stairs, "Ah, sister, I was wondering where you went. It's time for lunch girls."

Nuala stood and left to go eat as Ella picked up the bucket and brush and put them on the platform. Sometime during the day she had summoned some solid stone to fill in the holes left where Goblin had removed the golden army gears. Just as she was climbing up to clean the platform Nuada's hands grabbed her waist and pulled her down.

"You can't work on an empty stomach. You'll have plenty of time to finish up after lunch," He picked her up and began carrying her.

"Yes my Lord," she settled down and relaxed in his arms.

She concentrated on his scent now. He was close enough for his scent to fill her nose without him realizing what she was doing. As she felt him take the first step down the stairs her body tensed as she was hit with another solid memory.

She felt a light breeze on her face. She was outside. The man from her first memory handed her a small leaf and told her to smell it. She did so and smiled. She liked it.

"That my dear it a jasmine leaf. When used by a sorceral being it can me used for a different purpose for each creature that exists in the Underground. You might find the smell is enticing. On a sorceral being it's effects are often useful in a love potion. In fact whenever a sorceral is prophesized to fall in love the other partner is likely to have the scent of jasmine on them," he told her.

She snapped out of the memory and relaxed again. The scent of Nuada was an uncanny imitation of the jasmine leaf. Was he part of a prophecy destined for a sorceress? Her head settled on his shoulder as she fought a tear. Was it her? She didn't even know who she was and she only felt more lost with each memory. At least she was getting closer to knowing who the man she remembered was. He must have been a teacher to her. That was a part of it.

"Still nervous on the stairs," he asked setting her down.

She shook her head, "I gained another past memory my Lord."

"That's nice," he took her hand and began leading her.

"My Lord," she paused and waited for him to show interest in her question.

"Yes Ella, is there something you wish to say," he kept walking.

"What if I don't like what my memories tell me about myself," she lost the fight with the tear.

He stopped and turned to her. He'd never comforted someone who was crying but he knew what he wanted someone to do for him when Wink died. Hoping for the best he pulled her into a hug and let her cry on his shoulder.

"That's the beauty of amnesia. If you remember something you don't like you have a chance to change yourself to be better," he told her.

"What if it's something I can't change," she asked.

"Then it's nothing to be ashamed of. Don't worry about it," he assured her.

"I didn't say I was ashamed. I just said I don't like it," she pointed out.

"Alright, in order to help you I need you to tell me what this memory is. Clearly it's bothering you and I don't know what to say," he st down pulling her with him.

She was silent for a moment then said, "I'm hungry."

He stood and continued walking with her. She didn't really want to tell him about the memory but she realized it was probably rude to swear loyalty to him, express feelings of difficulty over something, and then refuse to answer when he asks for details.

"I remember my teacher explaining some qualities of the jasmine leaf. How it's used on sorceral beings in love potions. That when a sorceral is prophesized to fall in love with a certain person that person is most likely to smell like jasmine," she explained.

"Why does that bother you," he asked.

"Because you smell exactly like the leaf in my memory," she replied.

He let that sink in for a second, "I'm going to pretend that didn't offend me."

"Why would you be offended," she inquired.

"Well I know I'm not exactly prince charming but still," he retorted.

That was not at all what she was thinking, "What? No, my Lord, that's not why I'm upset. It's nothing personal against you. I promise."

"Well what is it then," he demanded making her jump at his angry tone.

"It's just that now is not the best time for me to be falling in love…with anyone my Lord. I don't know who I am or where I came from. For all we know I could be married with children. I'm sorry if that upsets you my Lord but I just want to regain my memories before making any big life altering decisions," she explained hurriedly.

He waited for his anger to settle, "Ella, we don't know for sure there is a prophecy about us and there's no sense worrying about it because if there is we can't stop it from coming true on it's own. Let's just agree to be friends and if we fall in love we'll cross that bridge when we get there.

She stepped back from him nervously, "My Lord, I don't know about this. I'm content with being your servant."

He wanted to reach for her but didn't want to scare her, "I'm not saying you have to stop serving me if you don't want to. I'll be the master you seem to feel you need and you can be the friend I feel I need."

She thought about that for a moment, "Wink was your subordinate and your friend," she stated more to herself than to him.

He nodded, "Yes, and I understand why you're reluctant to stand where he stood. It's my fault he's dead."

She didn't like the sadness in his voice, "The goal he died to help you reach has been achieved. What is left to cause the anger in your heart that got your friend killed?"

He sighed, "Nothing I guess but I'm still going to have to get used to it."

She nodded in understanding and reached her hand out, "You help me heal my mind and I'll help you heal your heart."

He took hold of her and pulled her gently to his side, "So are we friends?"

She nodded, "Yes, my Lord. We're friends and we're going to help each other."

He squeezed her hand, "Thank you."

She smiled and threw her body against his in a hug before he could stop her, "Thank you too my Lord."

He half smiled and returned the hug. The amount of physical contact was something he would have to get used to but she was making an effort to trust him so he owed her some effort of his own and he intended to be a better friend to her than he had been to Mr. Wink.

TBC…

AN: Hope you liked this chapter. Feel free to let me know what you think.