The sun shone bright from the east while Hudson walked up the road toward the drive of Yearling Brook. Spring had the grass growing and tinted everything new, but his black eyes were quick to pick out the scars on the ground and the repaired stones and mortar of the walls. Once a flash of light in the trees caught his eye, and he looked over his shoulder at the object until it was out of view without ever quite being able to identify it.

As he approached the open gate, he could see the guard there giving him a skeptical look. It was a young man Hudson didn?t recognize, and obviously the state was mutual. He had worn his plaid today over a clean white linen shirt, and the silver stag?s-head brooch was pinned and gleaming on his shoulder. The guard obviously had reservations about the style of clothing, and from that Hudson guessed he was both new, and from Yransea. He nodded to the young man politely. ?Good morning tae ye. My name be Hudson Fraiser, and I be in Captain Caisson?s employ and a friend o? th? Baroness, come tae pay my respects tae Her Excellency.?

Sylvia had taken the children out to stroll in that space of memories between orchard and forest. Budding leaves and hints of the coming season sprinkled the bows bobbing and weaving in the breeze. Llew had set the boys upon a racing game that brought peals of laughter out of all three children since Beata attempted to keep up. Cian had returned just that morning from his solo journey to Yransea, and it was obvious Aidan and he felt the brief separation even more keenly than before. It was good to see them at play.

The guard at the gate nodded to his companion to stay where he was. "If you will follow me." His skepticism not diminished much by the naming of the Baroness and Master Caisson. Still, when others who had been longer upon the land of Yearling Brook spotted Hudson and gave cheerful hails full of surprise and sincere welcome, the guard stopped relaxed. He came to a halt just at the corner of the main manor house. "Her Excellency is walking the orchard." He failed to mention her company out of complete lack of experience and nothing more. Turning on heel, he went back to his post and his waiting comrade there.

?Tapadh leat ? thank ye.? Hudson called it after the back of the guard, and then continued on in the direction of the orchard. The hails were returned with good nature, by name for the most part when he had known it. As he drew nearer the rows of trees, he could hear the ring of children?s laughter, and his smile deepened. It wasn?t with forethought that he came through the shadow of the trees, but rather the most direct line. His walk was as silent as ever, especially over the soft grass.

He caught sight of Cian and Aidan laughing and running first, with Beata trailing afterward, and paused in the shadows to watch them. That pause was just as well; when he lifted his gaze to find Sylvia, there was a well-dressed man walking beside her, obviously accompanying her rather than a guard. Shadows hid the tight pain that crossed his face until he could master his expression. This had to be the man that Gaerwyn had mentioned, the northern noble.

Hudson stood motionless there beneath the trees, watching them and the children; doubt churned. He had held to a dream, a wish, a hope through storm and distant shores. Was it all gone so easily? What right had he to intrude? Sunlight brought out bright glints from raven-wing hair ? he had to look away, back at the children, to recover any trace of a smile.

Formality for formality ? the creases at the corners of his eyes tightened, his lips thinned a moment with pain and regret for beginning in such a manner. Just a flicker before he smoothed his expression again, to give a bow of his head in return to Lord Taransson. ?Lord Taransson, ?tis a pleasure tae meet ye, and I?ll thank ye for th? welcome.? His attention shifted back to Sylvia once the children headed for the house.

?Aye, Sianna be verra well, though still much upset ? she has th? babes though, and it seems tae gi?e her sommat tae focus on.? His mouth turned back up to a smile at the thought of Ian and Meggie. ?And twa at once seems tae be more than twice th? handful, but they be fine bairns. Ha?e ye been tae see them, lea- Baroness?? In the relaxation of his thoughts, the beginnings of the endearment had slipped out, and his smile dropped away when he made the swift correction.

Formal mask back in place, black eyes flicked to Lord Taransson, to judge if the slip had been noticed or would be remarked upon, before he looked back to meet Sylvia?s violet gaze. Her spine was so straight, and he hadn?t missed how her hand had fallen away from the amulet earlier. It was a struggle to keep mouthing pleasantries.

Llew had indeed noticed the change. He had not gained the power he had in his grasp from missing such nuances or verbal hesitations. He maintained a smile, but lifted a hand to set it to Sylvia's arm. "Might I suggest we continue the conversation in more comfortable surroundings? The guest house parlor?"

At the touch to her arm, Sylvia turned just slightly. There was a delicate game of balance now forming. If she refused him, she gave too much away. She longed to reach out to Hudson, take his net scarred hands in hers, but she nodded to Llew. "Yes, Llew, a good idea." She accepted his arm in escort from the orchard and towards the back door of the guest house that would lead them down the long door lined corridor to the front and the parlor seating.

"I did have a chance to meet the newest members of your family, Hudson." She allowed herself the use of his given name. The balance maintained as was the gentle smile. "They are quite the treasures. I have no doubt they will be well loved and cared for."

A slow breath drawn in and released, she felt the ache grow as the moments unable to speak freely piled up like a great weight of stones. "Have you found much else changed in your absence?" It had been a daring, tempting, and no little taunting question. The pressure from Llew's hand indicated he was aware of how close to the line of the game they were playing, this unnatural stricture upon their speech, that question had come.

Hudson fell in just behind Sylvia and Llew as they walked back to the guest house. Llew opened the door for Sylvia, held it until Hudson could take the edge with a nod of thanks. The familiar touch of Llew?s hand to Sylvia?s arm ached at the back of Hudson?s throat; it took an indrawn and released breath before he could answer. ?Nae, no? much changed at all.? He let the statement hang there for a breath before he continued.

?Sianna kept th? payments for my house and th? docking fees for th? Mothan. She be bonny as ever, and nae much th? worse for th? wintering. I?ll see tae maintenance and take her out soon. I?ve still tae see Rhys though, saen he had left th? warehouse before we docked ? how does he?? Concern for the older man laced through the question. If he kept the conversation to others, to work, maybe it would be a distraction from the seat Llew had taken next to Sylvia. From the way he wanted to be in that place, with his hand on her arm instead of this northern noble?s.

At the mention of his fishing ship, to hear him speak part of its name, her smile brightened a bit more. She did not fight it. He was still the same man. The same that sought the water even after what he had gone through. "Rhys is well, though I understand from Ewan, he fears the strain has wearied the man further. Ewan has of late taken to assisting with some of the growing demands as the season changes. I doubt you will have to fear his taking over the position, though. He is not a man to sit behind a desk." A trio of notes in merry laughter floated from her lips. Even Llew's proximity was beginning to diminish in its threatening state as their talk twisted and turn about others.

Llew, however, was not going to allow himself to be dispensed with so easily. "Yes, I suspect the Master of Arms a much more active man. Will he be accompanying us when we return to Yransea, Sylvia?"

The question jolted her away from the warm feeling that had started to grow as the conversation had eased. "I do doubt it, Llew. He has family and duties to see to here. Are you anticipating his need in Yransea?"

It was as if she had thrown down a gauntlet, and Llew was not afraid to pick it up even in the presence of the man who sat across from them. "Only his reason and natural ability to see the whole picture of things." He turned smile tinged with smug assumption of knowledge. "Much has changed in Yransea and Palendies while you were away. Sylvia's kind consideration of your own family keeps her from admitting the hardships her?s has had to suffer of late, but I can see you are a close friend of the family, and I would not do the injustice of keeping it from you."

"Llew," Sylvia warned softly. He did not stop.

"Seansloe was attacked, directed by unconscionable men from my own region. Fortunately, King Maelgwn had made a bargain with me to aid Yransea in the safeguarding of their family as well as his own."

"Made?" The past tense drew Sylvia's suspicion and one black brow arched delicately, but with a glance to Hudson, she redirected the conversation. "We will speak of this later." Turning a smile to Hudson, she tried to alleviate questions Llew's words might have raised in the newly returned man. "Yes, it is true we have had losses, and things have changed, and could possibly change more in the coming weeks, but I, as you see," with a bit of wickedness to her smile, "have not changed."

Llew took the lead in the answer of the question. "In a week's time Sylvia has promised to answer to whether she will join with me as part of the alliance between my lands and Yransea." It was matter of fact as much as any detail of a negotiation. "Aidan would be my heir until another of my line was born, which would keep the ties strong and aid our kingdom in finding a peaceful resolution to the differences."

Sylvia nodded slowly. She could not have stated it more succinctly or clearly herself. Having Hudson's hand back in her own battled with the barren truth of what giving him up would mean to Palendies and to her children. She closed her eyes a moment and when she reopened them, she hoped that her hurt was not revealed in them. She had gained him to lose him, but even so, she still would hope that it was only friendship that had remained over time, and that she was not to hurt him as well. "There is no deer to slay," she whispered within a sad smile.

"Deer to slay?" Llew looked from Sylvia to Hudson and back again. The game was done now. "I know there is something more between you. Too many nights, Sylvia, did I see you looking out at the waters, holding to that amulet. I may be an old bachelor, but I know the looks that can be shared by those close at heart." He stood, his own battling done, and his forthright, true nature resolved upon his demeanor. "I do not envy the heavy decision you must make, Sylvia. You know my position on the matter, and I think it best now, to take my leave before regrets and lost chances turn against my offer." He bowed to Hudson with stiffness not brought on by age, dared to touch Sylvia's cheek, and walked from the building. He needed his own thoughts about him for a time.

Sylvia was tossed upon a swirling sea, let out a long breath and looked up to the ceiling as if guidance might come from there. No words and no guidance came, and she sat back in silence.

The details of the proposed alliance hit Hudson like a punch in the stomach, and harder when Llew revealed that Sylvia had not yet given her decision. When she whispered with that sad smile his hand lifted to touch the stag?s-head brooch at his shoulder, and fell away when Llew stood, and spoke so bluntly. Tension snapping and swirling buffeted him; he barely gathered himself to stand and return Llew?s short bow. When he sat again, it was slowly.

With Llew?s restraining presence gone, Hudson let fall the mask of formality. There was profound turmoil naked in his expression and eyes. Still, the man?s description of what she had done in his absence relieved on fraction of worry. ?Ye watched for me on th? waves. I looked tae th? skies at sunset for ye, leannan, wi? a prayer tae come home tae ye. Now I?m come and tae late, it seems. ?Tis a strong bargain in th? offer, and from what I ken o? Palendies, a stronger alliance tae be made?

He frowned, deeply, and looked down at his hands, flexing his right wrist. Eventually he looked back up. ?Nae deer tae slay nor aught tae offer tae compete wi? safety for yer family and yer land. He seems a guid man, tae ? and he cares for ye.? That had been shown in the gentle touch on her cheek and the stiffness of Llew?s departure. Hudson looked back down at his hands, at a loss for further words.

She did not know what she had wanted to him to say. The words had only served to reaffirm her own torn and twisted thinking, thoughts flying one after another like hawks diving down after their prey. Her fingers touched the amulet at her neck. "Mo trillsean," her voice barely could carry the words, "would it be enough to be friends? Is that road we once walked so far behind us now? What would you have me do?"