He frowned and then, raced off after her. "Istara!" he called and groaned when he got to her. He stood below the tree, staring up at her. "My love..." he said softly, his voice tinged with a little despair. His movements were slow, as if she was a deer, going to move at any moment. “Come down please at least?”

She looked down. God she hated it but she wanted to do whatever he asked, even when she was this upset. So it was that she found herself dropping out of the tree, landing with all her gypsy training showing in the soft, silent landing and the easy way she straightened.

Roland watched her for a moment. Then slowly he reached out and touched her shoulder. “I am sorry that I did not tell you," he whispered softly.

She looked up at him, tears glistening in her eyes but not spilling over. Her eyes were cold. "I asked you over and over again. And yet still you lied to me. Why could you not have told me? Then at least it would not have been two bad things at once? You promised you would not leave me, and that was a lie." Her voice was bitter.

"I didn't want to tell you because well...I did not want you to react like this!" he said and took in a deep breath and let it out slowly, not wanting to be the one to lose his temper. "I only wanted to protect you. I did not want this to happen. I did not want to allow you to find out."

“So you were just going to disappear on me, just leave one day without telling me ahead of time? Is that how you were going to protect me?”

"No, that was not it. That was not it at all. I wanted to do this so that you could be safe," he said, his eyes meaningful. "I would rather go off into the war to fight for your protection than stay here and not be able to." His eyes were darkening and he sighed softly, "I just want to protect you. I would not know what to know if I lost you."

Istara stood gently and wrapped her arms around him, pulling him close. "And what if I lose you?" she asked softly, her voice quavering with emotion.

"You can't," he said with a smile, "I am not that easy to get rid of." He kissed her then, long, and gently. "Please, do not be mad with me any longer. I was just doing it to protect you."

She shook and then buried her head in his shoulders. "Okay my love but please, I no longer feel a desire to ride, can we just...go back to our room?"

He nodded and smiled and they walked back to the rooms. Once there she brought the small cat and dog up onto the bed with them, where they snuggled around her and fell asleep.

She gently stroked the two tiny animals laying on either side of her who relied on her for their existence here. And a soft sigh escaped her lips as she wondered what would happen to them when she carried out her plan. She shook her head and smiled up at Roland. "So what do you wish to do now?" she asked softly.

He shrugged with a small smile. "We can do anything." He remained silent for a moment and he bit his bottom lip. "I...well...." he cleared his throat, fumbling slightly. "You still want to marry me...don't you?"

She sat up carefully so as not to disturb the two sleeping animals and smiled at him. Her smile seemed to light up the room it made her look so much happier. "Of course my prince, why would you think I wouldn't?"

He shrugged, "Well..." he was playing with his cloak as if he was a little boy again, and was getting in trouble for eating a cookie when he wasn't suppose to. "You were so cross with me I thought..."

She sighed and patted the bed beside her gently. "No no, my prince. I love you, I was just upset. Why would that change how much I love you?" She grinned suddenly. "Oh, did that slap surprise you? Please remember Gypsy women are raised to be strong-willed and independent."

He nodded then, slowly, walked over to her and sat next to her, looking at her with a small smile. "I love you to," he whispered softly and then, stroked the head of the small puppy and kitten next to her.

She leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. "I know. Please, Roland, I wish to be married before you leave. I know you don't want to but can you go see the council now? I'd come with you but I don't think that would help."

He nodded and then, stood. "I'll go now. I will convince them to allow us to wed." He kissed her lips and walked to the door. "I love you." With that, he left and walked down to the council member’s hall.