"Did you taste that stuff?" Kay asked Leila. Leila shrugged. "Well, I am going to fix it." Kay hurried back out the door with her bowl of spices.

"I'm not really into the whole cooking thing," Leila explained to Nalick. "So this is the half-way point between my home and Cath. We will spend the night here to lose any stray trackers. If anything should happen tonight, that door there leads back to the inn," Leila pointed at a table.

"That table is a door?" Nalick asked.

"Behind the table," Leila replied.

Nalick moved closer to try to test his luck. Leila had not shied away from him since the first day they met. Leila stood still as Nalick slowly put his hands around her waist. She was so tiny yet so powerful in everything she did. Nalick wished to be able to hold onto her forever. Leila kept her breathing steady as her heart raced. Just being near him alone was enough to make her heart race, but his hands resting on her hips holding her close to him was pushing her heart into irregular flutters. Leila closed her eyes, leaning forward and rested her forehead on his chest. His heart was beating just as fast as her was. It had been so long since Leila had felt her heart beat so fast soley due to someone's touch.

The clanking above the doorway quickly reminded Leila of reality. Sighing, she stepped back and led Nalick out of the room to join everyone around the fire. Kay was busy fixing the food, and Macarius and Theo were huddled near the fire.

"Did Roger say anything to you?" Kay asked.

"No," Leila replied. Kay stopped stirring and looked up at Leila with a worried expression on her face.

"Is he mad at you? Does he know you are going to stay in Lexia?" Kay started with more questions not giving Leila time to respond. Leila was always Roger's favorite courier. Kay could not believe he would not come and greet her.

"I doubt he is mad. More than likely he is too ashamed to come and talk to me in person since he made a deal with Nalick and now I know. Either way, tomorrow morning I will need to stop by and get the herbs from him," Leila shrugged.

"A deal?" Kay asked. Leila shrugged. Leila still didn't know how she felt about Roger's actions. He had always protected her over the years. Roger was like a second father to her.

"Would you like me to go and get bowls?" Leila asked Kay trying to change the subject.

"I'll help you," Kay replied, handing the spoon to Theo. "Keep stirring it."

After they were alone, Kay stopped Leila. "Nalick gave me this," Kay said, opening her hand to reveal the ring to Leila. "I guess he had it all along."

Leila chuckled. She had been so unaware of the situation that she didn't even know where the ring was the whole time they were running their assignment. I should have known, she thought. "I'm not surprised," Leila replied, handing Kay five bowls.

"Nalick loves you," Kay said to her friend. Leila stopped reaching for the spoons. Shivers tingled at her back even though she was not cold. It was strange to hear the words said aloud.

"I know," Leila did not turn around to respond to her friend. "I can see it in his face." Leila felt a mix of emotions for Nalick.

Kay patted Leila shoulder as she reached for the spoons. "You know it is acceptable for you to fall in love again; it has been two years already."

Leila nodded without turning around. "I'll be up in a minute," Leila told Kay, who left her alone. Leila wiped the tears that were forming in her eyes. It had been two years since Roger's oldest son Erich died. The loss had been devastating. Erich was not just Leila's partner; he was her future husband.

Leila walked over to the table in the dimly lit room and sat down upon it. She rested against the shelves and looked at the opening in the ceiling across the room above the stairs. Leila could hear the voices of her friends outside laughing. Can I really fall in love again? There was no one else in the world that was as perfect for her as Erich was. He understood her and her need to run free. He never tried to stop her and instead just followed and helped her accomplish anything she tried. He had been her support over the years and had never wavered. Leila admired every quality of his and could never imagine a world without him. When Erich died, Leila's world had been shattered. She could never depend on another person, and she would eventually grow strong enough to support herself.

"Are you going to join us any time soon?" Kay asked down the opening.

Leila quietly stood and walked back to the staircase. She looked around the room. Nothing had changed over the years.

Can I really change? she asked herself.

Leila took the bowl and sat near the men outside around the fire. Nalick nodded his head to her while questioning with his eyes.

"Can it get any colder?" Theo asked while grabbing his jacket and putting it on.

"You sleep outside in this weather?" Macarius asked Leila. She laughed nodding.

"Well, don't get use to this," Leila watched as they both looked relieved. "It is even colder where I am taking you tomorrow." Both men were disappointed. Everyone moved to go to bed, but Leila did not join them. "I am going to make a check of the area, just to be safe," she said. Kay understood. Though she was in the company of three men that would lay down their lives to protect her, Leila still did not feel safe enough to truly rest.

Leila did not object as Nalick followed her to the entrance of the camp. He carefully stepped behind her in her exact steps. Every now and then, Leila would stop and check traps that were set. After she seemed satisfied, instead of turning and going into the camp she continued to walk. Nalick trailed in silence. He was surprised as he followed her to a lake. Near the edge was not sand as most shores are, but large boulders. Evergreen trees surrounded the lake and across the way in the distance, were the mountains that Leila called home. In the moonlight Nalick could see that the tips of the mountains were covered with snow. Leila carefully climbed from one rock to the next until she stopped and sat down. Nalick joined her. Together they sat ten feet from the shoreline surrounded by the water as the wind gently blew against the rocks. From their seats they could see the mountains and the stars that lined the sky. Leila lay down and looked up into the sky.

"You know even though it is warmer in Lexia, the stars still look the same," she said to him. Nalick shivered at the coolness of the rock beneath him. His life had been very busy, and he could not remember the last time he just sat and just looked at the sky.

"I told Kay that if you want to stay here you can," Nalick said, but Leila did not respond. "I really do mean it. I know you made a deal with me, but if you are happier to stay here, then I would be willing to break the deal." Leila still didn't respond.

"If I asked you do you miss your home when you are far away, how would you reply?" she asked him.

Nalick thought for a moment. "Do I miss the people that live where I call home, or the place itself?" He asked for clarification.

Leila laughed quietly. So he did understand the question, she thought. Exactly how I would reply. Leila thought for a moment before sitting up and taking his hand into her own.

"I will be returning to Lexia with you. See, I will always miss the people at home like my mother and father, but not so much the place. It stopped being home when I started my runs as a courier. I discovered the world. In fact this is more like home to me, outside in the fresh air where you can feel the breeze in your face," Nalick was relieved. In his heart he didn't really want to let her go. Suddenly Leila stopped talking and looked around the lake. Startled, Nalick tried to look around the lake in the dim light. Leila sighed. "Wait here, I will be right back."

Carefully, Leila climbed back between the rocks until she was on the land around the lake. Not wanting to leave Nalick's view she waited for the approaching man to come to her. Nalick watched intently as Leila waited. Slowly the man approached and stopped within feet of Leila.

"It's good to see you are okay," Roger said to Leila, unsure if she was mad at him or not.

Leila walked over and gave him a hug. "Did you have any doubts? I have been in far worse situations before. Look," she said spinning in a circle, "no cuts for you to fix up." The older man chuckled and hugged the much younger girl again.

"So that's him?" Roger asked nodding his head towards Nalick.

"Yes," Leila replied.

"And you will be staying in Lexia for the time being?" Roger asked "Yes," she responded again. Roger probably knew of her agreement with Nalick only moments after she said yes.

"He has told you about the deal," Roger guessed. Leila nodded her head.

Leila walked over to the nearest boulder and leaned against it. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"First, I was afraid you would not come back if you felt I had betrayed Erich, and then after you started to take all the hard missions, I felt if I told you, you would go do something stupid," Roger shook his head. "I should have told you, but I just didn't know how. All I wanted to do was protect you." Leila nodded. "I brought you supplies," Roger said, handing Leila a bag. "Everything should be in there that you will need for now. I have runners near or in Lexia weekly, so if you need anything else, just contact one of them."

Leila took the bag. "How long have you known he was looking for me?" she asked him.

Roger smiled. Leila was the best courier he had ever trained, and he had known from the day he met her that she was not meant to stay in the North Country. As they stood in the darkness, the moonlight on her face showed Roger she still had the same all-knowing eyes as the first time they met, wise beyond her years. She was smart and resourceful. Often times, her stubbornness and quick tongue got her into trouble, but her dedication to excel at everything made her worth the extra effort that was needed to keep an eye on her. It was hard for Roger to look at the woman before him and not think of her as the young girl she once was.

Roger sat beside Leila, "I got a report after your last trip from Dria that he had changed his mind on the deal we had. After you got hurt the last time, I was actually relieved that I could take you off assignments all together and then would not have to explain to you why you couldn't go to Lior. But, as always, I couldn't keep you from doing what you wanted to do."

Leila patted Roger on the shoulder. Roger had always cared for her like a daughter. When she was hurt, he always was there to fix her up. When she wanted to learn a new technique, he would spend hours watching over her until she got it correct. When his oldest son asked her to marry him, Roger was just as happy as Erich that she said yes.

"But I thought my stubbornness is my best trait," Leila joked.

Roger laughed. "I don't know about the best, but strongest trait I would agree."

"Would you like to meet him?" she asked nodding her head towards Nalick who was sitting patiently.

"Not tonight. I just wanted to stop by and drop off your pack so that you could check it over before you left in the morning, in case I forgot anything." Roger stood and hugged her again. "You will make a great queen," he said as he slowly made his way back into the woods.

Leila climbed back onto the rocks that Nalick was sitting on. She was relieved that Roger was not mad at her for her decision to stay in Lexia. Nalick stood as she neared him. As Leila was about to climb up on the boulder Nalick was standing on, he easily picked her up and moved her onto the same boulder as him. Again her heart raced at his touch, and she tried to keep her tone casual.

"Just Roger," Leila said, sitting back down on the edge of the rock. Her feet dangled several feet above the water. "He wanted to drop off my pack," she patted the bag hanging from her shoulder. Nalick looked worried. "It is full of medicines and herbs," she explained. "I kind of got myself in a little trouble the last assignment."

"What kind of trouble?" Nalick wondered.

"The kind you don't exactly heal overnight from." Leila shook her head, "it was a stupid mistake. Actually just a little miscalculation. I am sure Roger will want to check it over before I leave tomorrow to make sure everything is healing correctly."

Leila shivered. It was a cool night, and she could see her breath as she blew out. Nalick sat down next to her and pulled his arm out of the right side of his coat. Gently he draped his coat so that it covered both himself and Leila. He strategically placed his arm around her to share his warmth. She smiled at him as a thank you. "So, have you been to the mountains before?" she asked.

"I still don't understand how you could miss this cold weather." Leila grinned. He wrapped his arm that was under his jacket around her waist to pull her closer.

"I think the cold breeze is just what you need to remind you that you are still alive. Besides, it is not just the cold I like, but what you will see tomorrow." Leila explained.

Nalick raised his eyes brows in questioning, "Snow?" he guessed.

"Have you ever seen snow before?" she asked.

"Well, if I squint a bit, I would guess over on that mountain top is snow - so I that would be a yes," Nalick replied while Leila shook her head no and friendly patted his stomach. "Oh, you mean up close. No, I have not. I grew up in Lexia and only traveled a little over the years."

Nalick and Leila sat in silence. Leila's hand rested on Nalick's leg as she huddled close to him to keep warm. In the cool North Country air, it seemed they both found something they didn't want to move away from.

Chapter 11.

As Leila had predicted, it was not yet light out, and Kay was already making breakfast in hopes to wake everyone up. Kay checked again in her pocket. Inside was the ring Nalick had given her the day before. Kay was very excited to give it to Roger. She held it close to her face and moved it around.

Silently, Leila joined Kay by the fire. How such a little thing could cause so many problems? Leila thought. Sitting down Kay mouthed the words *we are going home' and then grinned ear to ear. Kay continued to make breakfast as Leila opened the bag Roger had given her the previous night. Inside the bag were several smaller pouches. Each had a different herb or medicine inside. Roger had given her double the supply of everything.

What does he think is going to happen to me? she wondered.

The men woke to find it was just as cold outside as it had been the night before.

"You know, I don't think you should be outside if you can see your breath when you breathe," Theo commented. Macarius nodded his head in agreement.

"How long before it is done?" Leila asked Kay.

"Fifteen minutes or so," Kay replied, adding more spices.

"Then, I will be back then." Leila stood and turned to Nalick. "Would you like to finally meet Roger?" Leila asked him.

A short trip through the woods led them back to the inn. Leila proceeded to the stables attached to the main house. Instead of going in the front door on the main level, Leila climbed the stairs that were between the stables and the house. Without knocking, she let herself in the home. Nalick followed and was surprised to find the room they entered was not a normal room but seemed to be more of a medical room. In the center of the room were two long tables with clean white sheets on them. Along the inside wall of the room was a changing screen and two chairs. A number of various plants blocked the south wall window. As they crossed the room, Nalick could see that the drawer of one of the tables was partially opened. Slightly he could see a glint from metal tools inside the drawer.

Leila continued through the room and into the next room. It was a kitchen of sorts. The cupboards were not stocked with food but rather with herbs and plants. Leila continued to the next door, which led to another staircase. Quickly, she bounced up the stairs two at a time. Nearing the top step, Leila slowed down. Gently she tapped on the door twice.

"It's open," a muffled voiced yelled from inside.

Leila opened the door and walked into the greenhouse. Nalick had not noticed that on the top of the main house of the inn was a large greenhouse. The greenhouse was in the ideal location. At the top of the third floor it allowed the best access to the sunlight in the forest. Several tables were lined up in rows and various plants were on each table. The warm humid air of the greenhouse was a stark contrast to the cool breeze outside. Leila quickly removed her coat and hung it on the railing of the staircase. Nalick did the same. Leila then walked through the rows stopping every now and then to check a plant.

"Your pulegium regium doesn't look as good as normal," Leila commented, "and your elderberry doesn't look like it will flower on time this year yet again."

Roger appeared from beneath one of the tables.

"Right as always. What am I to do without you around to point out the plants that aren't doing as well as the others? She never compliments me on the plants that are doing well," Roger said to Nalick. "Roger," he said, introducing himself before wiping his hands on his apron and extending his hand to shake Nalick's.

"Now that you have met, back to business," Leila said interrupting the two men. "Kay is making breakfast, and you know how she is about food. So, we only have ten more minutes before we must be back."

Roger shook his head as he removed the apron around his waist. Roger led the way as he talked to Leila. "Which route are you planning to take home?" he asked as they went down the stairs.

"I would prefer the upper trail," Leila responded following Roger through the kitchen into the first room. "But you know that Kay will want to take the evergreen trail."

"Yes, but I got word that it snowed just a few days ago. You could get blocked up on the evergreen trail if too much has fallen. I agree with the upper trail." Roger began washing his hands. Leila removed her sweater and sat down on one of the tables in the room. Nalick stood in the doorway and watched.

"What about the valley trail?" Roger asked putting on his glasses. "It should get you home at least a bit quicker than the upper trail."

"The upper trail would get me home the fastest, but by bringing Kay, it will go pretty slow. I'll try to suggest the valley trail." Leila replied as Roger handed her a pillow. Leila laid face down on the table and Roger lifted the back of her shirt.

"How's your hand?" he asked.

"Still feels fine. The strength is completely back," Leila replied as Roger adjusted the light above Leila.

"The upper portion here looks like it is completely healed, but it looked fine before you left. No sign of infection," Roger commented. Roger's fingers traced the trail across her back that had been slashed open on her previous assignment before her trip to Lexia. Leila turned a little onto her right side as Roger continued to trace the line. Nalick watched as Roger carefully inspected the line across Leila's back.

"So did the stitches come out okay?" Roger asked as he neared the end of the line on her hip. Leila pushed the waistband of her pants down a little exposing the harsh red line that was the end of the cut. Nalick silently moved closer to see the end of the cut. The last three inches had taken longer to heal than the rest of it.

"The stitches? They came out fine. I took them out during our first night in Lexia," Leila replied. Roger stared at Leila over the rims of his glasses. Nalick was shocked.

"I told you to have Kay remove them," Roger scolded Leila.

"You know how she gets. Trust me, I did a much better job myself than she would have done," Leila complained. "But it looks fine, right?" she asked, with slight concern in her voice.

"Yes, it is fine. But if you would have stayed here like I asked you to, I could have removed the stitches and then there would have been no scaring. Now I am afraid you will have a slight scar here by your hip." Roger had tried in vain to keep Leila away from Lexia. Roger gently pulled her shirt back down and Leila sat up with her feet dangling over the side of the table.

"How has your strength been?" he asked.

Leila shrugged. "Normal." Roger put his hands on both her shoulders.

"Turn," he instructed. Leila turned her upper body to the left. "Now, the other way. You still seem a bit weak on that side, but it is much closer to normal now than it was before you left." Leila hopped off the table and grabbed her sweater. "And it hasn't affected your left leg?" he asked, and Leila shook her head no.

"We should start to make our way back," Leila said to Nalick.

Roger gently patted her head. "I don't need Kay mad at me." Leila smiled and hurried back into the other room to put her coat on. Nalick turned to leave but Roger quickly caught his arm.