The man had quit following them and walked back to the inn.

Callie swallowed, trembling. How had he found her? And why was Thoril's arm around her? It was strange, waiting in the dark, not daring to breathe.

Thoril withdrew his arm, it flew to the hilt of his sword. "What was that about?" he asked, as he leaned against the wall of the cave.

_________________

"Eodain. My former betrothed." she took a step away from him, unsure of his reaction.

"Former?" He asked, tilting his head. His hand moved from his sword. He folded his arms across his chest, one leg hitched up on the cave wall.

_________________

"He decided to spar with me one night when he was angry. Only he made sure I had no weapon." she took more steps back, hearing the tone of his voice. She soon found herself against the opposite wall. She was glad for the darkness so he could not see her. It was pitch black.

Thoril sighed heavily. "I am sorry..." His hand reached to rub his neck awkwardly. "My trust in you should not have wavered. Truely, I am sorry..." He peered through the darkness at her. "How long ago...?" He asked quietly.

_________________

"A while." she moved further back into the cave, away from his eyes. She bore the scars on her arms that she always kept covered by long sleeves.

"Perhaps if we sit here for a while...he will think you have moved on to another town." Thoril sat down, his back leaning against the wall. He listened to her stepping back from him. "I am sorry..." he said again.

_________________

She sat down, her back against the cave wall. She knew she was all the way in. "It's not your fault, don't be sorry. I just don't know how he found me." her small voice echoed in the cave.

"Our past always finds us." He shrugged his shoulders. "At one point or another we have to face it." He looked to her. "Do not fear him. Men like him are cowards. They do not deserve to walk under the sun nor moon, if you ask me." He spat angrily.

_________________

She nodded, falling silent "I did not tell you because I didn't expect there to be a need to. Forgive me."

"No." He said. "You were right not to say anything. I am a stranger that you only met yesterday. I have no right, nor have I ever had any right to know anything of your life. It is a smart thing not to give anything away all at once."

_________________

"Ok." she shivered suddenly, aware of the cold air. "I hope he leaves."

Thoril groaned. He had left his good jacket in the training grounds. He looked to Callie, biting his lip. He took of his shirt and passed it to her. "Put this on." He said gently as he peered out of the cave.

_________________

"I can't take your shirt!" she got up and went over to him, handing it back, her cheeks blushing at the sight of him shirtless. She stood close to him slightly, feeling the warmth coming off him. "This'll work, I mean, unless you are uncomfortable."

Thoril shook his head. "Take it and sit beside me. I will try to keep you warm. We shouldn't have to wait much longer. He seems like an impatient man to me." His eyes darted from side to side as he peered out of the cave.

_________________