For my darling readers who have stayed loyal, despite the downtime.

Like clockwork, Merle Browne entered the Hearty Hart a few minutes after his watch ended. This time, though, he was accompanied by two older Guards, his training pair. Eleni had to laugh when she saw his partners, she now understood how he was such a sweet talker when it came to women; his partners were both female.

Chara Reid was a tough old lady, on duty longer than Eleni had been alive. That was all the information she offered about her age, and to the whole dinner conversation, but Eleni could tell that she was a good woman. Merle's second partner, Liv Fell, was much more lively. Merle's other partner was a tough gal too. She had already given eight years of service to the Lord Provost and planned to give the rest of her life to the job.

These were independent women who didn't care much for keeping households or men. Neither would make much of Merle's constant flirting either. To them it was almost like a very young boy was getting ahead of himself. His poor attempts at getting Liv's attention made the whole table laugh.

"I'd like to see Myles do any better," he grumbled, leaning back into his chair and nursing his drink.

"Keep me out of this," Eleni said, calling over Irina for a second pint of twilsey.

"I've been told that I'm very popular with all the mots Corus has to offer." Merle insisted. His pride as a man was at stake, and the poor idiot had had one too many drinks to know to back down.

"And who told you that whelp?" It was the first time that Chara had said a whole sentence.

"Irina told me tha-" He was interrupted by a bout of laughter from his eldest partner. "What? What's so funny?"

"Don't tell me you're fallen for that little doxie," was the barely contained response.

"Why not?"

Eleni couldn't believe Merle's insistence on the matter. A prostitute would say anything to a man, even a prostitute as somewhat honest as Irina. Before she could tell her new friend to quit while he was behind, the doxie in question arrived at their table.

"Another drink for the young master," she said while setting down a cup in front of Eleni. As she practically slinked her way over to Merle, Eleni had to choke down the giggles that threatened to break free of her lips. "And you know where to find me after your meal, darling," she purred into his ear. After a not so small peck on the lips, she went back to work.

"See?" Merle said, smugger than a fox in a hen house. "She's crazy about me."

Chara guffawed uncontrollably. Somehow, in between the fit of laughter, she managed to choke out a few words. "Irina is crazy about you, whelp, no question about it. But you might be a little crazy too." Liv handed Chara a drink to calm down. "I have to let you in on a little secret, though it's not mine to tell." She winked at Liv.

"Now, Chara," she warned. "It's not your place."

"It is my place if it means this little whelp will be bouncing around staring after that doxie," she quickly retorted. "Listen to me good, boy, and listen well. That sweet girl has had that same face since the day she arrived in Corus. Her face hasn't aged a day."

Chara laughed all over again at Merle's expression. His face had slacken and his mouth was hanging open. Eleni couldn't help but to chuckle along with the table, it was a bit of information that Irina would never have volunteered. Who would have told Eleni that the doxie was older than she looked?

"What do you mean?" Merle was blabbering incoherently, trying to make sense of the revelation. "Of course she's aged. She blossomed into a beautiful flower," he said, looking for his lady love. His eyes got misty when he spotted her across the floor. He really was making a fool of himself, and Eleni meant to enjoy every second of the spectacle. The moment of elation lasted until Chara rapped him hard on the head. "What was that for?"

"For ignoring your elders," she easily said. "And for eying one of your elders as if she was a lass your age. I told you that one hasn't aged a day since the moment I met her, and I wasn't lying." She took a long sip of her ale, smacking her lips to drag out the moment of suspense. "Way I heard it told, our girl was a pretty powerful hedgewitch up in the north. And she didn't like looking at her reflection and seeing her age. No telling how old she really is," she gave a wolfish smile to her Trainee Guard. "But I'm sure she loves you, regardless of age."

The evening ended in laughter, all of it at Merle's expense. At sixteen years of age, the would be lover had been dealt a heavy blow. Eleni didn't know what was aching worse, his pride or his heart. She reckoned that his pride would need a very long time to mend.

On her last day living in the city Eleni was resting on her bed, tired after hours of exploring the city. She called it exploring, but it had really been helping Irina and James do some shopping for the week's cooking.

It had been fun, being an errand boy for them. The life of the common people, of those outside of the palace, was immensely different from the life of the nobility. Nobody stared at Eleni like she was supposed to do something legendary. To the people around her, she was little more than a red-haired boy that was helping Irina carry groceries.

Eleni could hardly wait to taste the dessert Irina had promised to make with the raspberries they had bought at the market. In the two months Eleni had live at the Hearty Hart, she had learned to crave Irina's desserts.

Dinner that night was spectacular, and she would have sworn that it was only that great because it was her last night staying at the Hearty Hart. Eleni enjoyed it to the fullest, though. Merle had joined her for dinner, along with two other Trainee Guards, Janis Joiner and Greta Adler. They were a lively bunch, the kind of people she had expected to befriend Merle.

The room was full that night and the patrons received a special treat, Avery performed for the diners. Her voice was magnificent, glorious and beautiful all at once. After a few songs, Avery curtsied to the applause and wolf-whistles, blushing from all the praise. For a moment, Eleni was slightly jealous of the woman's vocal talent, then brushed it off. Avery had sung as a farewell present. There was no need to tinge the gift with envy.

Dessert was a wonderfully delicious as Eleni had anticipated, and after wishing her friends good night, she went up to her room. Positively exhausted, Eleni tossed off her tunic and kicked off her boots. Without bothering to change into her night clothes, Eleni fell backwards onto her bed. She was just about to fall asleep that way when her door burst open.

Eyes flying open, she had almost expected the shriek that came from whoever had opened her door. The only thing Eleni managed to see was a shock blonde hair, but it was enough; Irina had seen her. Jumping from her bed, Eleni bolted to the door and slammed it closed, bracing it with her small body. She closed her eyes and willed the moment away, that Irina had not seen her for what she really was, that it was all a horrible dream.

But someone was already forcing open her door.

Still keeping her eyes tightly shut, Eleni felt warm hands on her face. She recoiled away from Avery, knowing her by just a touch, and sank down to the wooden floors. Avery just closed the door and sat down next to Eleni.

It didn't take long for Eleni to start crying. Avery hugged her close and made shushing noises, but otherwise let her cry. When Eleni was spent and could only sniffle, Avery brushed back Eleni's bangs and got up. Coming back with Eleni's tunic in hand, she knelt before the distraught girl.

"I should have known George sent you to us for a reason," she whispered. "Told me to keep an eye on you and to make sure that Irina didn't try anything. That should have raised flags." Avery's delicate white hand reached up to her hair and pulled. The raven black hair was a wig. Below it was short blonde hair, scarcely darker than Irina's. "See? Your grandfather knew exactly what he was doing when he sent you here," she explained. "Both of us are trying to pass for what we're not."

Eleni wiped away stray tears with the back of her hand, all the while contemplating the woman before you. She shrugged on the wrinkled tunic, before speaking. "So, you're really a blonde. That's not as bad as parading around as a boy. Lying about you hair is not the same as lying about your gender," she grumbled.

Avery just laughed. She kept laughing until small tears leaked out of her eyes. Letting out a long breath, she fell down on the floor, leaning back on her hands. "You still don't get it? Let me ask you a question, then. What did you see tonight when I sang?"

Not knowing where the situation was heading, but knowing that it couldn't possibly get any worse, Eleni gave an honest answer. "A very beautiful woman singing."

"Lass, you just don't pick up on details," she sighed. "Even when I parade them in front of your nose." Avery took her hands and firmly held Eleni's face. "I'm not a woman. I'm actually a man." Avery pulled back his hands, just sat there, watching Eleni for a reaction. "Now do we get it?"

"Huh?"

Eleni was still reeling from it all. She'd been exposed, and instead of berating her, Avery had exposed herself, or rather himself. Nothing made sense anymore.

"You're not a woman," she said slowly, trying to work out the facts for herself. Avery shook his head. "And you're not angry at me for lying?"

"Nope," he popped the the p in the word. "That would make me a hypocrite, wouldn't it?" He saw that Eleni wouldn't quite look him in the eye. "Hey," he said. "Don't worry about it. I'm not angry, and Irina will be fine. A little miffed that she can't have a new toy, but she'll get over it." He got up and dusted off his hands on his dress. Offering a hand, he asked, "Why don't you get ready for bed? You have a big day tomorrow."

As Eleni laid awake that night, she thought about how important the people in her life had become. Earlier, the thought of losing the friendship of the tenants of the Hearty Hart had nearly shattered her. It just proved how much she had come to value these people. Eleni had been blessed with kind and understanding friends.

Maybe her other friends would be as understanding.

Exposed! Le gasp. I hope you guys enjoyed your Merle time, and the bits about Avery and Irina. Next chappie we'll be back to the palace and our dearly beloved pages. BTW, this chapter made me realize what a baby Eleni can be.

A/N: I set up a little poll on my profile. Please, please vote on it, it'll be important later.