The cell was damp and dark, causing Lynn to feel more depressed then she already was. Shackles were placed around her wrists and ankles, preventing her from moving from the two feet radius she was bound too. She had been stuck in the cell for three days now. The guards would shove platters of food and tankards of water too her and she had to try her best to eat with her hands bound. She only got one meal a day, so she savored it, making sure she didn't spill a single bit.

On the third day, she was staring at her wrists that stung from the chains when the gate to her cell opened suddenly and two dark figures stepped it. She had yet to make out their faces in the dim lighting.

"You made a mistake, joining the rangers, mo ghrá." He said. Lynn flinched at the Celtica endearment that Jackson spoke. He knelt down next to her and rested his hand on her cheek. She flinched and pulled away, though her bonds constricted her. Jackson let out a chuckle.

"I do not regret it, Jackson. My mentor has been very good to me, and has taught me much in the short time I have spent with him." She said. Jackson glared at her. She was finally able to see him now that he was so close to her.

"Him? Your mentor is a man?" He asked bitterly. She smirked.

"Hardly. A man of barely nineteen." She said. She noticed how Jackson clenched his teeth together and his whole body tense up.

"Your mentor is a boy? Does he even understand the corps himself?" He asked. She scoffed.

"Of coarse. He was taught by none other then Will Treaty himself." She said. Jackson stood and let out a deep breath.

"What is the name of your mentor? " She noted how he had jealousy in his voice. She grinned.

"Why would I betray my master?" She said. She willed herself not to flinch as he rose his hand to smack her. But the blow never came. She glanced up, seeing the confusion written on his face. He was battling with himself, wrestling between the Jackson he was now, and the Jackson Lynn knew and loved. Old Jackson seemed to win as he dropped his hand and growled as he swiftly left the cell. Lynn let out a sigh of relief, but then she noticed the dark figure still in the corner. He stepped into what little light was acctually in the cell, and crouched down so his face was level with hers. That's when she noticed he was one of the Genovesans that had brought her to this horrid place.

"Somethings off about you. Lord Jackson never asks that we spare a ranger. What makes you so special? Why is he so interested in you?" He asked. He was talking more to himself, but Lynn bit her lip.

"Jackson and I grew up and served together. We were best friends." She said. The Genovesan gave her an evil grin.

"No, love. That's not it. He is in love with you. I typically don't care about the Lords love life, but if he chooses to take on a ranger as his bride, I will get involved. I will not be below a ranger brat." He spat in her face. She held his gaze, startled by his words, but refusing to show her emotions.

"That's where you're wrong. Jackson does not love me, not like that. And I would rather die, then marry the likes of him." She said calmly. The Genovesan grinned.

"There's a good lass. You may be useful after all." He said. She went to ask him what he meant, but he stood and dashed out of the cell, leaving her to ponder his words. Useful for what?

***

Five days after leaving the coast of Araluen. Willy was exhausted and so was the rest of the crew. A minor storm had kept them busy for two days, two days without sleep. Quint and Willy were the only ones that new how to man the tillar, so they traded off every four hours. Willy was currently standing at the tillar while Quint slept. Willy was falling asleep himself, trying to stay awake ht thinking about how Lynn needed them. His eyes were slowly drooping close when a voice startled him awake.

"Willy, you're exhausted." Emmy said approaching him. He glared at her.

"You think I don't know that?" He snapped. She rolled her eyes.

"I honestly don't understand what I did to deserve such kindness." She said sarcastically. He glared at her.

"What do you want?" He said dully. She scoffed.

"I was going to suggest handing the tillar off to me, but I don't think the halfblood would want to hand his precious ship off to a girl." She said bitterly. She went to return to her place at the bow when Willy stopped her.

"You know helmsmanship?" He asked, completely ignoring the offensive term she had called him. She spun around to face him.

"Do you ever pay attention? I told you the day we met my uncle taught me everything there is to know about ships and manning them." She said. He bit his lip, trying to recall the conversation they had the day they met.

"I'm sorry, Emmy, for everything. I know I haven't been the best of company. I hope we can start over." He said. She let out a small sigh and stepped up next to him.

"We'll see. You must earn my forgiveness. But for now, go lay down. I will see that we stay on coarse." She said taking the tillar from his hands. He looked doubtful so she rolled her eyes.

"Go!" She chuckled. He nodded once and backed off, leaving her to man the steering oar as he laid down in his damp bed roll next to Quint, who was snoring slightly.

***

Willy woke suddenly to darkness surrounding him. He bolted up and glanced over to the steering oar, where the beautiful blond girl was still standing, seeming to not be affected by the long hours of standing in the same spot. Willy stood with a grunt and made his way over to Emmy, who had yet to notice his presence. He placed his hand over hers, startling her out of a day dream. She glanced down at their hands, then back up to him.

"Thank you. Go sleep now, you should have woken me sooner." He said.

"You have had less sleep then I. I can continue, if you want to sleep a little more." She said. He shook his head.

"I couldn't ask that of you. I have taken you for granted to much as it is." He said. She stepped back and allowed him to take the tillar from her, but she did not leave. She sat down on the edge of the ships keel and glanced up at him.

"What was she like?" She asked suddenly. He rose an eyebrow.

"Lynn?" He asked. She shook her head.

"The day we had that fight over Tristan you told me earlier you had just gotten out of a relationship. What was she like?" She asked. Willy's eyes suddenly turned dark.

"Amazing. She was my everything." He said quietly.

"What was her name?" Emmy asked.

"Bente." Emmy noted the saddness in his voice.

"What happened between you two? If you don't mind me asking." She said. He swallowed hard.

"We had been dating for about a year, when a man and his son arrived and announced that the son was Bente's betrothed. She had no idea. Her aunt had arranged it after Bente's mother died when she was nine years old. So I ended things between us. What gets me most, was how she didn't seem as effected by it as I was." He said. There was a far away look in his eyes. She stood and placed a hand on his. He looked into her eyes and she held his gaze.

"I'm sorry, Willy." She said. He smiled a bit.

"Don't be, please. Everyone knew it wouldn't work anyway. Her aunt was a nasty one." He said. Emmy let out a small giggle. She let out a yawn, trying to hide it, but failing to do so. Willy smiled. "Go to sleep, Em." He said. She nodded, not refusing anymore. She went to leave him.

"Goodnight, Willy." she said. He smiled again, and she noted he had slight dimples in his cheeks.

"Night, Em."

***

I know it's been a little bit, still trying to get over a block. Please comment and vote! Love you all!

~Avis