Firelight casts shadows off of Jed's face as he watches me, sparks dancing through his eyes. We have moved back towards the hearth of the fire, pushing the chairs away so that we can all sit together on the floor.

"I want in on this." He says, casting a glance at Sam, who is sitting next to Lance across from us. We had just explained to him who Sam really is and why he is here, and Jed is taking this all surprisingly well.

I touch his hand and shake my head. "But what if Kaladin doesn't agree, what if he wants nothing to do with this?"

"He may not even be on our side." Sam says, voice quiet. He raises his head to hold Jed's gaze with a challenge. "I will not take that chance. If your leader choses to come after her-"

"He would never do that." Jed says through gritted teeth. His fingers find mine as he continues to speak. "I wouldn't let him harm her, even if that did happen."

Who am I that this boy would go against his own family to protect me? I don't deserve any of this from him. I've given him nothing, when Kaladin has given him everything. I can't possibly let him do this.

"Jed," I say, calling his attention to me. I slip my hand away from his and into my lap. "I can't allow you to be a part of this, it's too dangerous. Kaladin has given you everything, and I've given you nothing but trouble."

He holds my gaze with a fierce desire in his eyes, that causes me to feel a bit uncomfortable. "I am not asking for your permission, Lyra. I am going to do this."

"You should really listen to the lady, boy." Lance says, speaking up for the first time since we've started this conversation.

Jed stares he and Sam down. "Listen. All of you, stop trying to push me away from this. I've got my own reasons as to why I want to protect Lyra, just as you do." He looks pointedly at Sam. "Though some of them I don't quite understand."

Sam snorts and looks away. "You know nothing."

"Don't I? " Jed starts, challenge in his voice. "I know that the both of you have done nothing but lie to her since you've gotten to her. I haven't been anything but honest with Lyra: I've never lied to her. I protected her secret when it could have gotten her killed, but I withheld that information from the man who saved my life. Tell me, who should she really trust more?"

Lance hangs his head, knowing that Jed's words hold much meaning. Why should I trust Lance, especially? He's done nothing else but lie to me. But he's also cared for me. Yes, he led Sam to where I was, but he waited until I was healed enough before pouncing. He could have taken me to Sam right then in that village, hands behind my back, but he didn't. Instead he let me spend time with him before I could be angry with him. He knows that I missed him so much, and he didn't want me thinking he'd betrayed me right away. He knew how much that would hurt, and that I'd run as fast as I could in the opposite direction. That would have led to him having to take me back to Nordic by force, and he didn't want to cause me any harm.

I'll admit he has lied to me, but he's also never stopped being my brother. He taught me how to do nearly everything, and he is even responsible for giving me Lasreal. If it weren't for him, I would most definitely not be a Rider as my father would not have given me one. Instead of riding a random Vann Hest that I don't know and cannot bond with, Lance took me to find my destined beast. Not everyone has a soul connection with a certain Vann Hest, but Lance seemed to know that I would. If not for Lance, I would be off and married to a man who wishes me dead. I would have put up with everything that I don't tolerate, and would be always in the court with ladies flocking around me and a figurative stick up my backside. I would be virtually useless and an udder nightmare.

Sam stands up with a sigh, running his fingers through his hair. "I'll take my leave."

I nearly miss this, as I am nodding off unintentionally. "What, why?" I ask, speech impaired by exhaustion.

Sam looks back at me and smiles slightly, just a small gesture. "I still have a prisoner to interrogate. I didn't get to start recreation time, as I was interrupted." I note that he is careful with avoiding what interrupted him, and I am too tired to bother asking.

I nod sleepily. "Thank you."

Jed holds Sam's gaze with a steady authority, and the Prince regards him with a half hearted glare. Both Sam and Lance are tired as well, but I doubt either will sleep tonight.

Sam looks passed him to me, and another almost smile replaces the uncertainty in his expression. "I should be heading out tomorrow. I will bring your men back to you."

Thinking about Hana makes me want to cry again. I haven't forgotten about him for a second, and I am touched that I am not the only one thinking of his agony. "Thank you, Sam, " I say again quietly. "I don't know how to repay you. "

He turns to leave. "You could start to think better of me, as a start. Goodnight, princess. You know where to find me if you need anything. Lance will stay with you tonight." He casts an entrusting look to Lance, and a particular leer at Jed. He still doesn't trust him.

"Where are your men?" Jed asks as Sam leaves, shutting the door softly.

Exhausted, I feel my chin wobble feebly, and I don't have the care to stop the fresh wave of grief. "My Captain has been taken prisoner. He was sent out to hunt down a man at the ball a few nights ago, and he never returned. The man who," I pause, looking away as a tear spills over my cheek and lick my lips before continuing. "Who uh- who killed my Guardsmen." I wipe my face in frustration. "He told me his people have my Captain and two others of my Guard."

Jed's eyes turn soft as he pulls me over in an embrace, wrapping his arms around me securely. "Lyra, I am so sorry, I had no idea."

I don't sob or sputter for breath, but tears flow over freely as I let him comfort me. "I've missed you." I whisper, and I feel him nod against the top of my head, holding me tighter.

"I've missed you too," He gently pulls me away. "I almost forgot, I brought you something."

I lean back as he takes the bow from the floor next to him, pulling it into his lap. I hadn't noticed before, but near the light of the fire I recognize the weapon instantly. It's the one that I kept when I stayed with the mercenaries.

"How- where did you find it? " I stutter, tears drying in my surprise. "I left that behind at one of our camps on our way here." I didn't think that my father would take kindly to his daughter carrying a bow and arrows around, but I was not willing to leave myself defenseless, so I kept my sword.

He runs a hand over the smooth wood. "I saw it at a deserted camp when we were following you."

"You followed me?"

Jed nods, smiling a bit. "It was Kaladin's idea. He wanted to make sure no one would follow you to try and harm you... and he didn't trust Sam. I still don't. "

"I know you don't, but I'm starting to. He is trying to save me, after all... that, and he's promised me more than he should feel the need to."

Jed clenches his jaw. "I still don't have to like him."

"I know, I don't expect you too."

"Good." As he passes the bow to me, I see the leather strap on his wrist and stop his hand, holding it up. I realize that it is the one that I kept in my hair when I was with them. I lost it sometime on the way here- I was too distracted being angry at Lance to notice I lost it, and decided I didn't really need it anymore anyways.

I run a finger over the bit of leather, and Jed looks away in embarrassment. "Kaladin found it in the mud."

"You kept it?" I ask, a small smile playing my mouth. "I think it's sweet."

He looks to me, a half smile tugging at his lips.

"You should rest. Its late," Lance butts in, clearing his throat.

I look between the two men, and nod in agreement. I'm certain I look horrible, with smudged makeup and my hair all disheveled.

Jed pulls me into him, and lets me rest my head on his shoulder. "You can stay here if you'd like." He says, more hopeful than anything else, I think.

The floor will be uncomfortable, but if Jed is here I can't imagine sleeping anywhere else. I nod tiredly, and breath in deep gulps of him. I missed the way he smells: dirty and like horses and campfire smoke. He smells like the woods and everything in it, and I find it comforting.

Before I know it, I am lulled to sleep with the feel of him, listening to him whisper incoherent things in my ear.

Jed's POV

Lyra falls asleep with her head on my shoulder, and I shift so my arm is around her, propping her up so she doesn't fall in her exhaustion.

Lance, I believe, looks at me from where he sits in front of the fire with a certain look of protectiveness.

"You love her." He states plainly. "She doesn't know your feeling for her- she's always been a bit daft that way. She can't tell that all of her men love her in a certain way." His eyes drift to her, resting fastly on my shoulder. "Take great care with her, boy. She means so much to so many people... and she can spook away as easily as a filly if you aren't careful. She is stronger than any man I've met in my time, but she is still a child. She knows nothing of love, and I presume you don't either. Take care with her heart if you choose to take that road- for if you break it, there will be a mob waiting to break you." His tone is quiet, but as hard as stone as he stares at me, eyes glinting with promise.

I look fondly down at Lyra, her face gentle in her sleep. "I've never cared like this for someone before... I think a part of me has loved her since I was a boy. I used to live here, you know. I'd watch her ride her beast every morning- she would ride him passed my home most days, and I would watch from the field. I didn't feel complete when I didn't get to see her for one day, and it tore me when I couldn't see her any more."

Lance shifts his position and listens intently. "Why did you leave, then?"

I look away, feeling her breathe beneath my hand. "I tried to return, but Kaladin found me in the woods. I was running from my father, hardly realizing that I had gone so far. He took me in, but I tried to return home... my father beat me all of the time- he was a drunk and blamed our poor crops and bad fortune on me. I'm certain he's dead by now." I look back to him with a steely look. "I wanted to return for her. She didn't even know I existed, but she was what kept my life worth living. Just that brief minute that I would see her...Its a funny thing."

Lance glances away, nodding once as if understanding all of the things I didn't say. "So that is your reason. The reason you would do anything to protect her, even when you don't fully know what your protecting her against. You're a brave boy. Stupid, but brave."

I don't answer, just look down at Lyra again. I breathe in the smell of her hair, and brush my lips against the crown of her head, closing my eyes. I didn't realize just how much I would really do for her until this moment. "What do I have to do to be a part of this? I want to do anything I can to protect her."

Lance looks at me seriously. "It isn't an easy thing to lie to the man who gave you everything. Would you really do that all for her? You must be certain, you can't change your mind later."

I keep my gaze on the girl beside me, until I feel the certainty settle in my stomach. I would do anything for her, no question about it.

I nod. "Yes. "

Lance almost smile I think, but I cannot be sure. "Go with Sam tomorrow, then. Even if she doesn't want you to, even if your leader forbids it. If you really love her, help bring back what she lost."

I think that must have been the best, yet the most undeniably stupid and reckless advice that I've ever taken.

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A/N

I love you guys and I feel sooo unworthy for all these reads! Y'all are even shipping my characters and making head cannons for them, and I don't even fully know what a head cannon is but I'm so happy this story seems good enough to you guys to fan girl over... word's cannot express my happiness, so please except this strange noise *EESKAKAKAKAAAA* in an exchange for my gratuities. I really do appreciate all of you. Thank you so sososososososoooo much.

Lots and lots of love,

-A.