When the food arrived Roland knew that it would go untouched, at least for the moment. He kept her in his arms until the sun went down. He knew that it was at least eight o'clock. Shaking her arm, he kissed her temple. "Istara," Roland whispered. "Wake. You must eat something."

Istara shifted and then blinked her eyes slowly opened. Softly she groaned as she felt how sore she was. "Oh, I thought it was all bad dream." She leaned her head back against Roland. "I'm hungry," she observed quietly, looking at how dark it is. "Thank you for staying with me."

He chuckled. "Hey, I wouldn't just leave you, now, would I?" he teased softly as he looked out the window and saw smoke in the distance. He sighed then got up slowly and opened the lids to all the plates and brought one of them over to them to eat in the bed. "Here, eat love. I am sure you are still tired, so you will sleep while I tend to some...business." he said, choosing his words slowly.

Istara looked up from where she was eating. "Business? What kind of business?" she asked to distract herself from the fact that she was going to be alone. Maybe there was some way to lock her door, then she would feel safe. Meanwhile, Star climbed up to her begging for some food and she gave her a bit of the meat.

He shook his head and waved his hand in a few lazy circles, a gesture that meant that it wasn’t really that important. "Oh, nothing really. Just some, you know, princely things that I must attend to." He chuckled as if it was no big deal then leaned over and kissed her lips. "I will be back soon, I promise." He then touched her lip with his thumb. "Will you miss me?"

She smiled and kissed his thumb before leaning over to kiss him. "Of course," she whispered softly against his lips before moving to curl up under the blanket again, yawning. She was still really tired out from her earlier experiences. "When you come back in we can move to your bed," she said.

He chuckled. "Now I’m not sure if I can wait to return," he teased and then kissed her lips again. "Hmm. I shall return soon," he whispered softly and smiled, before getting on his robe and walking out. He locked the door behind him and putting his most trusted guard to the door, for her own safety. He had to go to the grand hall to discuss some matters with the other council; things that he did not wish to discuss.

Istara sighed happily and snuggled up under the blankets. They would have to keep her warm enough until the return of her prince. She wondered what would drag him away from her at such a late hour, but before she could think further on that, she had drifted off to sleep yet again, a sleep made a little less peaceful by the absence of her prince.

"There is much to discuss." One of the council members said as Roland sat down at the head to the table. 

"You all realize by that in our northern side there is a war. We all knew that this would happen. So now we have to send reinforcements," Roland said, but his thoughts were on Istara.

"Well, your highness, we all know that the troops are tired and that they are afraid without their king so…" The council members looked at each other. "We will have to send you, Milord."

Roland said nothing for a few moments. "But...I am needed here,” he said softly. 

"Your land needs you. Your people need you, highness."

Roland took in a deep breath. "I will...consider it. I must have time to think it over."

They nodded, then continued on to other business. Once all the discussions were over Roland returned to his chambers, entering quietly, hoping not to wake Istara.

Istara stirred, whimpering in her sleep. She was trapped in a dream, reliving the experience with the guard. Finally she sat bolt upright and cried out Roland's name, looking around in a panic. She needed him and she needed him NOW.

He had been in the process of taking off his cloak when she had screamed his name. "Shh, shh love, I am here," he whispered then strode to her side, cradling her in his arms, not wanting to let her go. Could he really leave her? Go off to the war? He did not think so. But...his kingdom needed him, did it not?

She wrapped her arms around him and held tight, burying her head in his shoulder. She slowly calmed down, but didn't loosen up her grip on him. "Roland, don't leave me. If you go somewhere, take me with you. I want to always be by your side." She nuzzled him again. "Can we go sleep in your bed now?"

Could she have driven a stake through his heart? He knew, way down, they he could not leave her. He wouldn't leave her. But…his kingdom, it's people, what of them? "Shh, shh," he whispered as he rocked her, then picked her up and carried her gently into his room, pushing the door closed behind them to keep Star and Shadow enclosed in her room. He gently laid her down on his bed and lay beside her, cradling her. "Yes. Of course, I’ll never leave you." his voice held regret and he kissed her, just wanting all the pain to vanish.

Istara draped herself around him and nuzzled into his shoulder. "I love you Roland." She didn't catch the regret in his voice as she fell asleep against him. With him around, everything was better. He made her happy and made everything else disappear.

Roland didn't get any sleep that night. He knew, oh, he knew that in a few mere weeks he would be leaving: leaving his home, leaving the palace, and leaving Istara. When the morning rays touched his skin he was still wide-awake. He could not get any sleep, knowing that if he did he might not want to get back up.