Chapter Two

It had been weeks since Jon had spoken to Daine, and she had resumed her daily life, putting the conversation from her mind. But today she was troubled.

Jon had sent her word that the Gallan king would allow no negotiation on her return. However, the Gallan king would see her return as a sign of a peace treaty and continued friendship in joint warfare against Scanra. The king had also included, in a sign of good will, a place at court upon her arrival in a month's time. Daine should have felt good about the prospect of helping Tortall gain a strong war ally such as Galla, but instead she felt like a pawn in the Gallan chest game.

Worry etched her face as she returned to her rooms to seek out Numair. She needed to talk to him, and it was breaking her heart.

She walked back from the stables through the palace gardens. Even with winter approaching the gardens still held onto their beauty, composed in the chill. She remembered many hours walking around these gardens with Numair, discussing the difference plants, their history and origins. She had always been impressed by his immense knowledge, an amazement which had only grown with time; even when on occasion his experiments had made them late to meetings and such.

Finally she read their rooms; the plaque on the door entitled both their names. She walked in quietly, as to not disturb his delicate workings, only to find him waiting for her, a loving smile on his lips.

He quickly strode across the room to meet Daine's loving lips with a kiss

'How I missed you today, magelet' he whispered into her ear as she held him close.

His scent wafted from his body, filling Daine with a sense of home. She realised, that home had come to mean, being with Numair and she started to cry at the thought of losing that feeling.

'Daine… Daine… what ever is the matter? Love, why do you cry?' Numair said, drawing back from their embrace so he could see her beautiful face.

She stared back up at him, tears still dripping down her face.

'Come, lets sit down, I need to tell you something' she said wiping her eyes, attempting to pull herself together and be strong.

They moved to the love seat under the window in the far corner of their room.

'Jon got a letter from the Gallan Court, detailing a threat that unless I returned to Galla they would declare war on Tortall.' She explained

He looked at her blinking, 'But you can't go. This is your home' he replied stupidly.

'Don't you see? I have to…' her voice broke, she paused and swallowed, 'I cant sacrifice other people's lives for mine, and that's what will happen if we go to war' , she looked down at her hands

Numair reached down to lift her head. He searched her eyes, looking for something, as if her eyes were pools into her soul.

'Do you not love me? Because that's what it sounds like. Would you give me up without a fight, a challenge? Has this all been an illusion?' he questions her.

Daine moved her head from his grip, suddenly angry that he could doubt her so much

'How could you question my love? My love for you has nothing and everything to do with my decision. Don't you see, we are losing the war with Scanra before it has even started! How long do you think it will take before one of our friends or even you are killed in battle? How long do you think the Tortall, which you hold so dear, will last under the pressure of two wars? I love Tortall and I love you and I'd rather break my heart and return to Galla then let you face an impossible war. With Galla as allies, we stand a chance. And I stand a chance of not losing you. I will not waste the little amount of time we have, challenging something which we have no chance of winning. Jon and I have looked for a loop hole, and there isn't any. Do you understand?'

Rare tears leaked from his eyes as he pulled her close to kiss her. The kiss was filled with passion but more of sadness entwined with both of their tears.

For hours, Daine and Numair held each other close, as if brute strength could stop time from slipping away from them.

Slowly, Numair untangled himself from Daine and moved to kneel before her.

'I've asked you before, and I vowed I'd keep asking, never to let you slip away. Will you marry me?' He asked.

Daine was silent. The marriage question had hung in the air for years between the two. She had turned him down, on many occasions, mostly because she was scared. She didn't really know what she was scared of, whether it was commitment, their love, or that he could break her heart. This time she knew why she was turning him down.

'I love you more then anything. And I am more your's, then any marriage ceremony could ever make me. But, this changes everything, my return to Galla. Marriage won't make me a citizen of Tortall and free me from Galla's grasp. What's more, it will trap you.' She said. Numair attempted to answer, but she hushed him, putting her fingers to his lips

'Don't speak. Our marriage will trap you. I don't know when or if I will return from Galla. And I don't want to think of you here, alone. I would want you to move on. Hush, please listen' She paused, thinking. 'I will not trap you in any legal bond when we may never see each other again. If I could wish for you anything, it will be that you will find love in my absence'

With those closing words, it suddenly dawned on them both, that this was the beginning of the end. Daine could no more stay in Tortall then Numair could move to Galla. He owed the crown everything, without Tortall he would probably have starved to death as a lonely juggler. He couldn't abandon his country in their time of need, just as much as Daine couldn't place Tortall in peril.

That night, they held each other close, memorising every expression, touch, and word, fearing the day, in a month's time when they would no longer be in each others arms.

***

Authors Note:

If you have a moment, Please review as it gives me guidance on the story line. Also, please review if there is any grammatical or spelling mistake (although all attempts have been made to thoroughly check the document). Oh, and thank you for reading! Hope you enjoyed it!

Thank you to the kind people who reviewed to say that I had spelt Tortall wrong. Quite correct, I had added it to Microsoft word dictionary incorrectly. Thanks