"I heard your friend is awake." Tristan said joining Willy and Emmy as they watched the fire burn. Emmy glanced up in surprise and looked inbetween the two boys.

"Yeah. She's alright. Although she's upset about MJ." Willy said. Tristan sat down next to him and looked over at Emmy.

"I don't think we've officially met. I'm Tristan." He said holding out his hand. Emmy shook it.

"Emmy." She said giving him a slightly confused smile. "Sorry, but I thought you two hated each others guts." Willy gave her a smile.

"Wow, Em, way to assume things." He said folding his arms. She glared at him, but notcied Tristan making the same face.

"We made up last night. Possibly from us both being bored stiff and being stuck together for four hours." Tristan explained.

"Alright then." She said. Suddenly the Oberjarl approached them, grabbing Emmy's arm and pulling her away from the boys.

"What is it uncle?" She asked. Her uncle had a look of panick to him.

"I just recieved a messenger pigeon from your mother. She wants to come here to fetch you. She says if you stay here any longer, you'll loose your manners." He whispered.

"First off, my manners were lost a long time ago," she scoffed. "Second, you didn't tell her that Hallasholm is sorta under siege?!?" She hissed.

"I didn't want her to worry! Especially with you being unconscious for several days and now you're dating the one boy in Skandia she's most likely not to approve of." He said. She glared at him and folded her arms.

"What's wrong with Willy?" She snapped. Erak flinched at the tone of her voice.

"Nothing, now we have to figure something out and fast. Your mother will be in a matter of hours." He said.

"Um...I guess I can hide?" She suggested. Erak shook his head.

"No. She must see you. She's going to have a fit over Hallasholms state. And you can't tell Jespers son about this." He said.

"Why can't Willy know?" She asked, once again getting defensive.

"It's for the best, Em." He said. "Now go tell him that you're coming with me to meet a supplier on the road. Quickly now." He said. Emmy rolled her eyes.

"You are Oberjarl, you know. Can't you just order my mother to leave?" She asked. Erak's eyes widened.

"My niece is a women who doesn't take no for an answer. This will be hard, Em." He said. She let out a groan and ran back to Willy, who was in deep conversation with Tristan. She hugged him from behind and kissed him on his cheek.

"I'll be back. Uncle is taking me to meet a new supplier on the road." She said. He turned around to face her.

"Do you want us to come?" He asked referring to himself and Tristan.

"No. Don't worry about it. I'll only be a couple of hours." She said.

"Alright. I'll see you later then. Be careful." He said. She nodded and kissed his briefly on the lips before running back to her uncle.

"That had to be the most disgusting thing I've ever witnessed." Erak muttered. She glared at him and elbowed him in the ribs.

"He's my boyfriend! I can kiss him if I'd like." She said. Erak rolled his eyes and led her back down the mountain.

***

MJ stared at the bandages on his leg mostly that day, watching as through the hours, blotches of blood could be seen through the stained white bandages. He was incredibly bored, and wish he could have someone to talk too. He had seen Aarah passing by every hour or so, carrying laundry or pots for cooking. Obviously the men of the camp treated her like she had more duties then simply the apothecary. They worked her like a mule, and it angered MJ. His grandmother was a slave, but the grandfather he never met freed her and married her. If only Jackson was that kind, but MJ knew he never would.

It was three hours after noon, and he drifted off to sleep for an hour or two. He had lost quite a bit of blood, so he was exhausted because of it. Aarah had slipped him a medicine to try to help him with the blood loss, even though she wasn't suppose to help him past bandaging and washing up some blood. It helped a little, but all he really need was rest. Something that was hard to achive while tied to a stake. His hands and torso were completely numb from being tied up all day.

Jackson came stumbling into view, obviously drunk. He had bags under his eyes and was pale. His eyes were bloodshot as well. When Aarah saw him, she rushed to his side.

"My Lord, are you alright?" She asked. He shoved her so she fell to the ground and kept walking.

"You know, Jackson, where I come from, we treat our women with respect." MJ sneered. Jackson was almost to his tent when he heard MJ's comment. At the statement, he spun around on his heels to face MJ. He pointed an accusing finger at him and leaned down to where MJ could smell the alcohol on his breath.

"This is your fault, Ranger!" He spat. MJ rose an eyebrow.

"Oh do please enlighten me." MJ said. Jackson didn't want to deal with him anymore, so he balled up his fists and punch his prisoner. Unfortunately for MJ, He was wearing a ring, which cut him under his eye.

"You took Lynn from me!" Jackson yelled. MJ held down a laugh, trying not to provoke the one who could have him ordered to be killed at any second.

"Yes, I did. And even though taking her cause a war between our two countries, I still would do it over again, and I will never let you near her as long as I live." MJ said calmly.

"You don't understand! I love her!" Jackson said. MJ let out a deep sigh.

"You have a strange definition of love. Love isn't seducing your servants into your bed, or kidnapping your childhood best friend that you haven't seen in eight years." MJ said raising his voice. Jackson pulled back his fist to strike him again, but a voice called out.

"Please don't!" Aarah pleaded with her master. She ran up to him and dropped down onto her knees. "Leave him alone." She said.

"How dare you speak to me like that you wretched girl!" he said striking her across her cheek. Jackson turned back to one or his guards. "Fetch the whip. The ranger here needs to be taught a lesson." Jackson said glaring at MJ. Aarah let out a small whimper and anyone near them could see the bruise forming on her cheek. "I'll deal with you later." Jackson said lifting her off her knees and shoving her in his tent.

***

Okay, lots going on in this chapter. I've got a ton of ideas today, so I keep writing. :) I think it's all a bit more dramatic on MJ's side of the story, and More of just waiting for Willy's side, so anyway! Comment and vote!

~Avis