Istara stirred in the morning and as soon as she woke up she could feel something was wrong with Roland. She looked up and could tell he hadn't gotten any sleep. She raised herself up on one arm and kissed him on the cheek, then laid back down against him. "Roland, what is wrong?" she asked softly.

Roland open his eyes slowly and looked over at her. He had not slept, but his eyes had been half closed so that the light would not disturb him. "Hmm?" he asked and then ran a hand through his hair. "Oh, nothing, beloved," he whispered softly and took in a deep breath, "How was your sleep?"

"Good, since you were here. But Roland, don't lie to me. Something is bothering you, please tell me what it is?" She nuzzled him. "I can tell something is bothering you." She sat up and looked him in the eyes. "Roland," she said, her low tone carrying a hint of warning.

Touching the side of her cheek he forced his dazzling smile back onto his features. "Istara," he whispered softly, "if something was the matter - which there isn't - I would tell you." Kissing her collar bone he smiled, "You do not have to worry about this, my love, because it does not hurt either of us. Really, I am just thinking about what my council members were talking about at the meeting last night." He kissed her neck. "Think nothing of it." He was merely trying to distract her, and hopefully, it would work.

Istara frowned. She pushed him away. "Roland, don't try to pull that on me. Please tell me what they said at that meeting. I want to know, no matter what it is." She kept her hand out to keep him at arm's length. "Roland, please."

He sighed, "Nothing. They were just saying how we have to do some adjustments is all." He said, "Really, Istara, it is nothing for you to worry about." Roland smiled, "Come here, I promise, nothing will harm you and nothing will happen." That is...before I go to war.

Istara shook her head, she could tell he wasn't telling the truth but she sighed and decided to give up. She crawled up to snuggle with him again. "Fine Roland, but you'll have to tell me eventually you know." She yawned and curled against him. Her bruises felt better today. "So why didn't you sleep?" she asked suddenly.

He shrugged. "I just...liked watching you sleep was all. The moonlight hitting your skin, the way your curly hair fell into your face, making you look like such a child in my arms." He whispered softly, and hoped that his romantic words were enough to phase her.

She sighed and smiled and snuggled up closer to him. "Oh Roland, that's beautiful. But try and remember you need sleep. After all, you will have all nights to come to watch me sleep. But your duties will not permit you to stay awake every night watching me."

Wrapping his arms around her he smiled but then, that smile slowly altered. All nights? He thought not. In a mere week or so he would be leaving. Leaving the kingdom. Leaving his beloved. He cleared his throat, stroking her arm. "I know, I know." He said softly, then slowly sat up. "I must go," he said softly. "I...well...I have another meeting to go to and this one must not wait another moment longer." He threw his feet onto the other side of the bed and then stood, running a hand through his hair, his back-muscles flexing with each movement.

She sighed softly, her keen gaze watching his back muscles ripple gently. "I understand Roland, such is the life of a prince and therefore the life of one in love with a prince." She smiled, still laying bare in bed, the sheet slipping off her as he stood. Most of her bruises were beginning to fade, though some were still visible.

He smiled slightly and kissed her bruises softly, "Haha, yes, you must deal with them so that you can cope with the ways of your beloved prince." He teased and then kissed her soft lips. "I will be back soon." He promised then, slowly stood and changed and walked out of the room, blowing her a kiss and a wink. Then, slowly, he walked down the hall and towards the Great Hall.

"Your highness," the great priests said as they bowed low to him.

Roland bowed also and smiled slightly. "Hello, my good friends," he said as he went to the first chair. "Sit, sit."

Slowly, he sat as the others did, and the priests smiled, "We have much to discuss."

Roland nodded.

The priests smiled, "Are you going then, your highness?"

Taking in a deep breath Roland nodded, "I am going." He promised.

The priests smiled, "Good. Good. Then, it is off to war..."

Istara got up and got changed, then sat playing with Star and Shadow in her room. She mused to herself. She knew Roland was worried about something, she could sense it in the energy coming off of his body. And she had a feeling she wouldn't like it. She remembered his promise to stay with her and thought she had sensed something then. She sighed. She would have to be prepared.