In their chambers........

[Dream Loxley]

*She was working upon the quilt for Halethala.... her eyes were tired but still she plied the needle back and forth to strengthen the stitches. Ellissia had taken to making her own garments....parading about their chambers wrapped in a beautiful length of silk. Both Loxley ladies at rest and blissfully unaware of the turmoil that was about to errupt.

The door opened abruptly.....he was within their rooms before she even had the time to register his presence. Ellissia had gasped and shrieked with joy only to stop suddenly as she looked upon the man...in one swift movement she was beside her Mother...the silk slipping away from her form as silently as the peace and quiet left the sanctuary of their rooms. Dream started to move....then placed the quilt to one side of the large sofa...her arms protectively wrapping around their Daughter. She knew of course no harm was to befall them...instead...she simply looked upon him... her face one huge question as her eyes searched his.

He breathed heavily.....his face was slightly flushed fromthe anger that grew within him....what had transpired, she could only guess at....mayhaps it was those arrogant foreigners. She stroked Ellissia then...and smiled to the man who stood before them both....her smile genuine....her heart melting to see him again.....they waited....hoping against hope to see the grin he always wore and not this awful frown.*

"M'love........something vexes ye"

[Robin of Loxley]

*He had burst into the room ....like a summer storm ....with no warning and with a demeanor akin to lightening..............Slamming the heavy door shut...He shook with anger..........His eyes flew to the East wall of the room........and he strode with purposeful steps towards His personal armoury..........

He shed His light patrol leathers , tossing them aside, and proceeded to don His heavy battle leathers.....The dull ..........yet thick and protective leather... fitting comfortably as always..............a calmness came over Him suddenly as he strapped on the bracer to His left arm.......

It was only then that he realised that there were others within the room..................turning slowly....He saw His beloved and His daughter clinging to each other.......staring at Him.

His eyes softened .........a half smile crossed his face and He approached them and He adressed His child first............

"My Princess...........Ye take care now and look after yer mother aye ??.......Ye can do that can ye nae ??...........and iffn ye leave this room ye make sure that ya ask for Gerben , Lan or mayhaps even Cook or tha postmaster to accompany ye or mayhaps a guard or two..........Do ye promise daddy such ??......

Getting an ethusiastic nod in reply...........He reaches out and draws her to him.....then letting her go......He places His hand to His heart.....then places the same hand to hers......."Daddy will always be here my Princesss"


He turned to His beloved............"Dream".........He didn't truly know what to say............

"Stay away from the Franks........there will be trouble soon enough and now the King has alerted them to the fact that tha Rangers exist...........we may have lost any element of suprise..........I have nae heard from Dorian......so iffn ye see him let him know that One would like to speak to him........and the same ....iffn ye see Lord Lucien "..........*smiling softly*..........taking her hand within His............

Then suddenly.............the coldness within His eyes came back.............He rose and finished strapping on the leather pouches that would house the sheath"s of arrows......two over the back......and one on either side of the belt that held His sword .....

Be well and Safe M'Love........ahh shall see ye shortly

[Dream Loxley]

*She watched...she could do no more....Ellissia was holding her tightly, and yet her grip softened as she too watched him. His demeanor...his body language....all were cold..focussed and indeed full of anger and determination. Her lips parted as if to speak but her throat constricted ...the ache that arrives always when her eyes mist over. She battled her emotions....showing him only devotion and courage.

His words spoken then....Ellissia nodding as she listened....her little face almost bursting with pride. The love showing from his dark eyes, only added to the tears that began to fill her own. Now, as always he had a duty to his home and family, he would leave again...and they both knew not when they would see him.

She found herself nodding as he spoke to them both...she smiled...it was difficult not to smile in his presence, even though her heart was aching for him...her soul reaching out to his....wishing him safe and well.

As he finished dressing...the pouches strapped securely...his body now covered in heavier leather....the coldness returned. It was then that she finally swallowed and found the words that were caught within her throat.*

"Aye....we will.....and nae fret...fer we shall be fine.....just stay safe my Robin......keep us near to ye."