"Keep moving. We need to be far away from them when they find out we're gone."  MJ told Lydia, who had stopped to fix Evangeline's dress, force of habit. She picked her daughter up and held her close so that they could go faster. MJ could hear shouting behind them and he drew his bow, just to be careful. He had Lydia go in front of him so he could keep her in sight at all time. The shouting was getting closer, so he had them pick up the speed once again.

"There they are!" MJ heard a man shout. He felt an arrow whizz by his head so he selected an arrow from his quiver and notched it into his bow, drawing and firing at the archer who was struggling to reload the heavy bolt. The arrow hit him dead in the chest, but MJ continued to run. More archers joined the chase, trying to shoot down MJ as he ran. Lydia didn't even look back, she just clutched tightly to Evangeline and ran. All she could think about was getting her daughter back to the safety of the hunting cabin.

   MJ felt a sharp pain go up his calf and he let out a shout cry of pain as he fell to the ground. Will had always told him that the calf was a painful wound, but he never experienced it for himself. Lydia stopped and began to head back to him but he stopped her.

"Get Evangeline back. Go on, I'll be fine." He said, struggling to keep on a happy face for his aunt.

"We're not leaving you MJ."She said.

"Then you'll be killed too, which is two deaths I could have prevented. Now go on. Tell the others that there is an Arridan army and that we aren't safe. Convince the Oberjarl to leave Skandia for a month or two with the people. It's the only way. Don't you dare stay and fight." He said. She nodded and then turned and ran, leaving MJ behind while he slowly pulled out the arrow that impaled his leg. He suddenly was surrounded by twenty archers and the captain of the party approached him, taking his bow away from him and tying up his hands.

"Come, Ranger. Wakir Jackson wants to see you."

***

"Something just moved." Tristan said drawing his sword. Willy slowly drew his as well and they watched the dark forest for more signs of movement. The figure was small, and blond, which wasn't an Arridan trait.

"Wait, Alina?" Willy called. The small figure ran to him and hugged him tightly.

"We found the camp!" She said smiling. Willy sheathed his sword and looked back to find four other Skandians he didn't know.

"Come on. The Oberjarl will want to see you." Willy said. He made sure Tristan would be fine alone and took the new comers into the hunting cabin, where Erak, Will, and Halt were disscussing the Arridan issue.

"Oberjarl, We found these five approaching the camp." Willy said as he entered the cabin.

"Where did you come from?" The Oberjarl said, suddenly interested.

"The Arridan camp. We were captured when they first attacked Hallasholm." The boy answered.

"How did you escape?" Willy asked.

"MJ and Aunt Lydia were captured too. MJ had a knife in his boot and freed us." Alina said.

"Where are they now?" Will asked the small girl.

"They stayed behind to get Evangeline. There were two cages the prisoners were in, and it was possible Evangeline was in the second." A Skandian woman answered.

"Willy, go wake your parents and your uncle and tell them." Halt said. Willy nodded and ran back out side, returning a moment later with a worried Abby, and Hal and Jesper, who just wanted to go back to bed. They explained the situation to them and Abby seemed to get even more worried.

   Footsteps could be heard behind them and Quint came into the cabin, followed by Lydia, who was carrying Evangeline.

"Thank the gods you're alright." Hal said with a sigh of relief as he kissed his wife and daughter on the cheeks. Lydia still looked distraught and tears fell down her cheeks.

"It's MJ." She sobbed quietly. The whole room seemed to freeze. Everyone waited for her to explain. "He was shot. He told me to get back to camp. Said it's be better for only him to die then both of us." She buried her face in Hal's shoulder and sobbed quietly while the rest of the people tried to comprehend. Abby said nothing, and sat down on the edge of Lynn's bed and cried into her hands.

***

  Hot blood dripped down his leg as he tried to put pressure on it. Everyone through out the Arridan camp was awake now since it was dawn, and they watched as MJ was escorted through the camp to the command tent. Two guards were helping to support him so he wouldn't fall. The command tent was a large tent that was held up by wood stakes so even a very tall man could stand without hitting his head on the rough canvas. Inside, a brown haired man sat with his back facing the entrence. Once the tent flap hid the inside from view, only then did Jackson turn around.

"Now, last time I saw you, you were dressed in a purple cloak, and traded me the Oberjarls niece for my love. This time, you just happen to let out all of my prisoners. Oh, Mikkel Jr. you are in trouble." Jackson laughed, standing and circleing where MJ stood with his leg limp so he didn't put any pressure on it.

"Lynn doesn't belong in Arrida." MJ spat.

"Nor does she belong in Skandia. She belongs in Celtica, as a worthless slave!" Jackson hissed.

"She is a ranger. And a good one." MJ retorted. Jackson rolled his eyes.

"Well, she's not the reason I'm angry with you. Emilia Starfollower, is the reason I'm angry at you. Mikkel, let me teach you something about trading. You give up a possesion of yours in exchange for a possession of mine. I gave you Lynn, you gave me Emilia. But where you fell short is, you kidnapped her back!" Jackson yelled.

"You think I would really give you the Oberjarls niece?" MJ laughed. Jackson slapped him across the face, and MJ could feel blood trickle from his lip that had been cut.

"Now the trade will be simple. I give the Skandians you, in exchange for both Emilia, and Lynnette." He smirked.

"Not going to happen. You'll have to kill me." MJ said.

"You're really going to risk your life when it could be saved?" He asked. MJ's start bore into him, as if his eyes were willing him to die.

"There's the thing, Jackson. I don't barter with women." Jackson clentched his teeth in fury and drew his sword. He was ready to kill MJ, when he thought that he could still be useful, and hit him over the temple with the hilt of his sword. MJ's eyes rolled back in his head and he fell over unconscious.

"Lock him up." Jackson told a guard, and the guard dragged MJ out of the command tent.

***

Evangeline is back! But, MJ...Yeah, well....
Anyway! Hope you liked it! Please comment and vote and feel free to PM me if you have questions or suggestions. If you have questions then I know that I haven't been doing my job as an author correctly. :( Love you all!

~Avis