Ashlee - Chapter 7

"Dad, have you seen Kaden?" I didn't want to interrupt him and Shaun but I really wanted a hot bath.

"Yeah he headed into the woods just a minute ago." He pointed past the stables and I started to head that way.

"Wait Roxy come here a minute, let me see your eyes." I had forgotten all about that, I guess I was going to have to check them out after my bath. That is if I ever find Kaden. My father did the same thing as Kaden had done, taking a hold of my chin and turning my head to see each eye. He let go and sat back.

"What do they look like? I haven't seen them yet." He thought about it for a second and then came to his conclusion.

"They aren't a bold orange like the ribbons you where but like Daisy's fur, and they look like cats eyes too."

"Where is Daisy anyway? I haven't seen her since this morning." At that moment she popped her head out from behind Shaun and gave a delighted meow.

Saying bye to my father and Shaun we headed in the direction father said Kaden had gone.  We had walked pretty far into the forest and I was about to go back but then I heard something in the bushes. I would have thought nothing of it but Daisy herd it too. I shouldn't have got scared, I was all alone and I didn't know how to defend myself yet.

"Kaden..?" If it was Kaden I had nothing to worry about, and if it wasn't Kaden, but something else, then what would I do?

"Roxy? Is that you?" I let out a breath I didn't even know I had been holding and watched as Kaden emerged out of the bushes with Lanten waddling right behind him.

"I have been looking all over for you two. I was wondering if you could hook me up with a hot bath again?" Suddenly I felt embarrassed looking all around for him just to ask for a hot bath. But he didn't seem to think of it that way he just gave me a handsome smile.

"Sure." He led the way, while Daisy and Lanten chased ahead of us. I was quite and starting to get uncomfortable, we hadn't said anything since we started walking.

"I had forgotten to say thank you for catching me earlier."

"Oh its no problem, if I didn't I'm sure someone else would have, I was just closer." I nodded and it got quiet again.

I'm starting to think I should really pay attention to where I'm walking. I was so worried about thinking of something to say I tripped over a fallen branch. And again Kaden caught me, he pulled me back up on my feet but didn't let go right away. Honestly, I didn't want him to let me go either. We stood facing each other, for a second I thought he was going to kiss me and I was half tempted to let him. But he didn't he let me go with a reluctant sigh and we kept walking.

"Thank you." I was looking at the ground this time making sure I didn't trip again, really I didn't want him to see me blushing but it helped me keep my balance all the same. He didn't say anything just kept walking but I could tell he was thinking. We finally reached the river and Lanten heated it up for me. Kaden turned to leave but then looked back at me a little unsure of him self.

"Do you like horses?" It sounded more like a plea than a question and I just nodded my head. "Would you like to go for a ride later to night, with me. I know you have to get up early tomorrow but I promise not to keep you up so late." He was babbling, trying to come up with something reasonable. I held up my hand and he shut up.

"I would love to go for a ride later." He smiled like a kid in a candy store and I saw him blush ever so slightly.

"I will come get you after dinner?"

"Okay." He went walking off then, with a spring in his step that wasn't there before. I got undressed and slipped into the water, I thought I was going to have the river all to myself again but then I saw Katara walking my way with her clothes and some rags. She hadn't seen me right away, but when she did she looked a little surprised.

"Oh I'm sorry, I can leave if you want to bath alone." She went to walk away but I stopped her and told her it was alright.

"I could use some company." She thanked me and got in the water. I understood why my brother liked her, or at least I was pretty sure he likes her. Her hair was long and looked like sand, golden and reflecting the sun and moonlight. Her eyes were a clear blue like the ocean and her skin was pale besides a golden hue and the light patter of freckles across her checks.

"So I know you and Mark decided to stay here yourselves, but do you like it here?" I barley knew her yet she was the first person to even ask how I was doing.

"Yeah its great here, I'm kinda sad I wasn't able to grow up here. Sure there are things I miss back where I use to live but this place feels more like home."

"Yeah I know what you mean, we are one big happy family here." It turns out Katara and I got along great, she was easy to talk to and outgoing. We talked about everything, how she knew my mother and how much we looked alike. She told me gossip about some of the villagers. We laughed and talked until the water turned cold then headed for the village for dinner.

She came and ate with me, Mark, my father, Mr.Lurence and Shaun. My father was glad to see that I had made a friend and so was Mark. They eyed each other when they thought no one was looking and laughed at each other jokes, it was kind of cute.

"So guess after dinner you'll be heading to bed seeing as you have to get up early tomorrow morning." I turned away from Katara and Mark to face my dad.

"Actually, Kaden and I were going to go for a ridding after dinner if that's okay with you?" I expected him to tell me no, I had to get up early and there was no reason for me going out so late with some guy.

"Sure just as long as you don't stay up to late you have to get up early."

"Yes witch means I have to get up early too, so I'm going to bed now. Roxanne, I will come get you in the morning. Good night." Shaun got up and left without another word and headed for bed. I thought it was just my imagination but he had been acting different lately, not that I knew him to well but it seemed like something was off about him.

"Dad can I have a word with you?" He nodded and we went for a walk, the two love puppies didn't even notice anything had happened.

"What is it Roxanne?" I knew it really wasn't my place to be asking but I knew my father wouldn't care.

"I don't really know, is there something wrong with Shaun?" I guess he wasn't expecting that because he snapped his head my way in surprise, but then it was replaced with a smile and we kept walking.

"Well no, I don't think so. Its true he hasn't been much like himself lately but that is to be expected with the news of your mother."

"I guess, but none of the other villagers are acting different." I didn't say anything but I could see the wheels turning in his head. After a long moment he turned his head to me and gave me a look I recognized, it was always his way of asking if he could trust me not to tell anyone else. I nodded and he took a deep breath.

"I imagine the reason Shaun is taking your mothers death differently is because he was closer to your mother than anyone else was. Not to mention Shaun is the kind to keep to himself, I think I'm the only one who he actually talks to now that your mother is gone." We turned and headed away from the fire pit so none could hear our conversation and we sat down at the edge of the village.

"When Shaun was little I found him up in the mountains half dead and unconscious. I found him and brought him back to the village and your mother looked after him and nursed him back to health. He woke three days later and told her what had happened." I waited for him to continue trying not to burst into questions. I turned where I sat to get a better look at my father and looked up at Shaun's cabin as my father went on with his story.

"A man had come to the village he lived in and killed everyone, him and his parents were able to get out and take coverage in the mountains but they were found and killed, I can't imagine how Shaun had survived until I got there, but I soon found out he didn't give up so easily. He came to me the next day and asked to train him so he could protect himself, I said yes and he worked night and day, while your mother looked after him giving her love and support to make him feel welcome here. He grew older and fought along side me and your mother, like I said. he keeps to himself. He respects the women and honors the men but that is as far as it goes for them. He may be a good seventeen years younger than me but he is the man here I can trust with my life. Your mother was probably the only thing that kept him going through the years, I hope it wont affect him to badly." I looked at my father and felt bad, he looked pained my the thought of Shaun taking it so hard. They were good friends you could tell just by looking.

"Why did you put him in charge of me?" He had said before that he thought we would get along better but I didn't see how.

"Well, you are a fighter Roxy and I knew Shaun would respect that, and also Hunter thinks women should stay in the village and worry about the children and the wounded. He doesn't like he fact that so many women go out and fight with us in the war. Shaun will be by your side and fight along with you, where as Hunter will try to fight for you."

My father kissed me good night and went to bed, turning once to remind me not to stay out to late. I walked to the stables and found Kaden there getting horses ready for our ride. There were about fifty horses in the stables probably one for every person in the village and then some extras to do heavy pulling. Kaden looked over his shoulder when he heard me come in and offered me a smile and a rose. I took the rose and put it up to my nose taking a deep breath.

"Thank you."

"No problem" Those seemed to be the only words we were able to say to each other. He helped me mount my horse witch was a beautiful chestnut with hair that looked like chocolate.

"C'mon, I wont to shown you something." We headed out of the village and through the forest. I didn't have to worry about steering because my horse just followed his so I just sat back and watched. After about five minutes the forest broke off and we stood at the top of a cliff. I got off my horse and walked until I was a couple feet form the edge and Kaden joined in beside me. The site took my breath away, we over looked a valley covered in trees, rivers, waterfalls, mountains and cliffs. It was amazing!

"Look." Kaden pointed up towards the sky and I gasped again.

"A blue moon!" I wanted to jump up and down, I had never seen one before. It reflected off the waterfalls and river and made the valley look like it was shinning with a blue hue. I stood there and stared at the site speechless for what seemed like forever, eventually Kaden looked back at me and smile.

"You do like it, right?"

"Of course! Kaden, its beautiful." I was still looking at the valley and he was still looking at me, I didn't notice thought. I was listening hard I could have sworn I heard the waterfall in the distance. I still held the rose in my hand and looked down at it, I felt like an ugly duckling right then, surrounded by beauty that I could only wish to be. I could have sat there and looked at the moon for hours if I had the time, but I had to be getting back now.

"I guess I should be taking you back now, huh?" We both wanted to stay but I had to go back.

He helped me stand and we headed back to the village, I looked back on last time at the valley and then at the moon before it was gone. We got back to the village and Kaden walked me back to my room, and again I tripped over my own feet. He caught me like he did before but this time we stood closer, face to face. I could feel his breath against my cheek, and I thought he was going to kiss me once again. We stood there and he held me a little tighter as he leaned in a little closer, but then he pulled away a little and looked up from my lips to my eyes.

"Are you okay?"

"Yes, thank you." He was still looking at me and a big smile crept across his face.

"Why are we whispering?"

"I don't know." We burst into laughter and trying to keep quite since people were sleeping. We got up to my room and I put the rose with my other flowers and went back to the door to say good night.

"Thank you for tonight." Was all I could think to say and it was followed by the usual, 'No problem.' He stood their for another second before grabbing my hand and raising it to his mouth brushing a fiery kiss across my knuckles, he never took his eyes off mine and held me in a trance.

"Good night, Roxy." He left before I could say anything and I was left alone with the wind flowing through the trees.

"Good night." I whispered to no one and closed the door. Getting undressed and slipping into one of the nightgowns, which might I add are rather reveling but comfy, I went to bed and slipped into a deep sleep the moment I closed my eyes.