Eleshna held her head in her hands for a moment then looked over at Jaden. She sighed and shook her head.

"This freedom deal was more painful than I thought it would be.... All would have been better off if Veron had remained where he was and I with him. No one else would be brought to trouble..." she dropped her forehead to her knees again.

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I am a pro-cycling fan! Congrats to the Young rider of the Tour de France!
~Cyclist in Training~

Jaden searched his heart and soul for something to say in respons, but darkness was his only image.

After a brief moment of silence he said, "No one has ever been as kind to me as you have. You should go. I will lead the beast into the wilderness. If there is one last thing I can do with my life I want to say I died helping a friend." Jaden didn't alter his gaze, a blank stair covered his face.

His eyes looked pale, his face distant. A slow stream of tears began running down his cheek.

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Eleshna brought her gaze to watch him for a moment then she stood and walked over to him.

"No, mellon nin, I will not leave you, I would not leave you if my life depended on it... I bear this burden as much as you do," she spoke in almost a whisper as she crouched beside him.

She took the edge of her sleeve and dried his tears, working up a slight smile. "Together we'll find strength to fight this, and together we'll make it through.... "

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I am a pro-cycling fan! Congrats to the Young rider of the Tour de France!
~Cyclist in Training~

"I don't want to make you suffer anymore. I should have never allowed you to come in the first place." Jaden sounded angry at himself.

Azher walked over to where the two were, looking on with sympathising eyes... Offering to take Eleshna to safety if that is what was to be done.

"Everyone!" Jaden said harshly, then calming himself he began softly. "Everyone I grow close to gets hurt because of it."

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Eleshna dropped her gaze slightly, "I know how you feel... but you are the only friend and companion in my life now, and if I leave, I shall forever regret leaving you behind..."

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I am a pro-cycling fan! Congrats to the Young rider of the Tour de France!
~Cyclist in Training~

Jaden reached his hand over to Eleshna's shoulder. "I'm blessed to have you with me." he said softly.

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Eleshna smiled slightly and likewise put her hand on his shoulder, tears threatening to come to her eyes. "It is I who am blessed, Jaden, for you came and freed me, and healed me, at the risk to your own life..."

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I am a pro-cycling fan! Congrats to the Young rider of the Tour de France!
~Cyclist in Training~

"Whatever happens don't go up against it allone. I'm not going to let anything happen to you." Jaden told her.

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Eleshna smiled, the tears finally making it past her defences. No one had ever shown this much care for her, and it seemed almost overwhelming.

"We'll do it together.... " she smiled again "You are a truer friend than anyone could ask for, Jaden..."

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I am a pro-cycling fan! Congrats to the Young rider of the Tour de France!
~Cyclist in Training~

"I only wish I could have avoiding causing you all this pain. I know it's selfish of me but I'm almost glad this has ll heppened. If it hadn't I never would have known you. But it seems I can never do things right." Jaden said blankly.

A slight smile curved up one side of his lips as he spoke again.

"We never did get around to that celibration we were going to have once you were freed..." Jaden paused. "I couldn't ask for a better friend."

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Eleshna shook her head slightly, "never say you can never do things right... you've done many things right, and you've thought more of others than yourself many times, and that is a right choice everytime..."

She let out a slight chuckle, "we can always celibrate later, I'm in no hurry... there shall be plenty of time once we get through this" she added softly.

Eleshna looked at him for a moment, smiling at his last words, and embraced him gently.

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I am a pro-cycling fan! Congrats to the Young rider of the Tour de France!
~Cyclist in Training~

Jaden put his arms around her and held tight for a moment... his mind racing back to his parents, all whom he once held o dear.

He hadn't huged anyone since then... for literaly thousands of years.

Letting go he looked up at her. "We should probably get some rest soon."

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Eleshna closed her eyes and smiled, her own memories, though vague, drifting off for a moment to her village so long ago...

She nodded. "Though I do not think rest will come so easily at such a time...." She stood and bent down, kissing his forehead in the manner she remembered those so long ago had done as greetings and farewells, though such a faint memory.

Eleshna returned to wall and sat against it her head bent down and her eyes closed. She drew her knees up and wrapped her arms around her legs as she let out a weary sigh, though half in relief as she smiled softly to herself.

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I am a pro-cycling fan! Congrats to the Young rider of the Tour de France!
~Cyclist in Training~

Jaden knew that they could sleep safely that night, there was no wa for the creature to get in.

But still Eleshna was right, rest would not come so easily.

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Eleshna shifted and eventually came to rest, curled on her side, though deep and relaxed sleep still refused to come to her.

She turned to her other side fitfully and finally settled down, facing the wall.

Eleshna stared at the wall the rest of the night, her hand on her sword, unsheathed and beside her as usual.

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I am a pro-cycling fan! Congrats to the Young rider of the Tour de France!
~Cyclist in Training~

That night Jaden slept relatively well. However he could quess with some certainty that Eleshna had not got such a good sleep as he did. He turning did not go unoticed by him.

The next morning he woke to see her still laying there. Not sure if she was asleep or not he decided not to wake her. he began reading through the books to see if there were any more information that would be pertinent to there task ahead of them.

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