Hey guys! Thanks to everyone who's given me some feedback on this. I really appreciate all the kind words that have been sent my way. I know I've said this a few times already but these are supposed to be really short, as there really isn't meant to be much more. In fact, these are like tiny additions to what we already have, so they're basically just fillers. Well, in my mind anyway.

Hope you guys like it.

"I am not saying to become his best friend. I am simply suggesting that we-"

"That we what?"

She paused, thinking her words over carefully. "I do not know," she admitted after a moment. "Perhaps just give him a second chance?"

"A second chance?" he snorted. "Luxa, he does not respect you. How dare he speak to you as if you were a…a…a lowborn!"

"He is only unused to our customs, Henry. It is not his fault."

"You know what is his fault? The battle at the beach. Any one of us could have died. Even you."

Luxa looked away from him, staring out the window to the sleeping city below. The soft warm glow from the torches that lit the streets held no joy for her, however. Not like they usually did. Not when she was under the cold, criticizing eye of her cousin.

"He is scared," she tried again. "Lost in a strange land far from home. And you said it yourself. He fought, Henry. Threw the torch in that gnawer's face and-"

"A strike of luck," he spat. "Not valor." Henry paced around for a few seconds before turning towards her again and narrowing his eyes in a hard stare. "Why are you defending him, anyway?"

She blushed slightly. "I am not! I only-"

"Forget it," he sighed in frustration, waving his hand roughly in an effort to cut her off. "We will go on this stupid quest like Vikus wants, simply to stop his constant preaching. And when it is over, the Overlander will go home and things can go back to how they were."

"But the warrior is mentioned in more than one prophe-"

"He is NOT the warrior!" Henry shouted, scaring Luxa into cowering away from him. Calming himself, he took a deep breath and ran a hand through his hair. "He is just a lost little boy," he whispered.

Luxa avoided his gaze. When she thought of something else, something from before, she turned to face him.

"Where were you?"

Henry looked at her in confusion. "What?"

"Earlier today. Ares could not find you, and we-"

"Do not change the subject, Luxa," he said quickly.

Luxa got quiet again after that, sad that she had disappointed him. He very rarely got this upset. With her anyways, and it was entirely her fault. How dare she put an Overlander over her cousin? That was just evil.

"I will not become friends with this…Overlander," Henry said finally. "Or even talk to him much. I am only going because I have to. But it is pointless." He gave another hard stare, one she couldn't ignore this time. "Yes?"

He saw her shoulders slump a bit, and her gaze dropped to the floor. "Yes," she whispered.

"You are with me always? No matter what?"

She looked up at him, giving him a curious look. "Why would you ask that?"

"Not sure," he shrugged, looking away. "It seems you are making quite outrageous priorities when it comes to people."

"No!" Luxa said quickly, reaching out and placing a small hand on his forearm. "I am not prioritizing. You know I am with you always, Henry."

"Mean you the words you speak?" he pressed.

She nodded and offered him a smile. "Of course."

He mirrored her smile, unable to keep it from his face.

Oh Luxa.

Young, innocent Luxa.

She might have hardened when their parents died, but she would never be strong enough to lead the kingdom. Not ever. It was something he hadn't realized before, but now that he knew the truth, it was his obligation to do something about it.

Her father wasn't strong enough. That's why he was dead. Sadly, even Henry's own father, the king's younger brother, was not strong enough, and had therefore lost his light as well. Sadly, Henry's older sister was weak and could not rule if Luxa was taken out of the picture for one reason or another.

That only left him.

He had learned from what others had done, and he would make sure not to make the same mistakes. Not him. He would rule with an iron fist and make sure the alliances they had would ensure their survival. He'd take control, form a treaty with the gnawers, and then replace Gorger with a gnawer he trusted. Maybe one he could influence and possibly even control. But not before the rat got rid of everyone for him, like Vikus and Solovet.

Luxa would stay with him. She might not fully understand why he needed to be the one to rule, but she would. Eventually. He'd convince her to let him take the throne and everyone would be a lot safer. He'd thought in the beginning that she might oppose, but why would she? Didn't she trust him? Didn't she want to be safe? Besides, the confirmation she had just given him was more than enough to convince him.

She was with him. She was on his side.

That was good.

Her life depended on it, after all.

There's only one more chapter to this, and then we're done! Again, thanks so much for reading, and please feel free to leave me a review. "Till the next one!