Elara followed the Earl to the knights quarters.
He ordered the men to line up and had her point out the two that aided Weston.
Though she knew she had no choice, standing in front of her old comrades like this filled her with shame.
"Him and him."
Her delicate finger pointed to two newer knights standing on the end.
Immediately the two knights were dragged by several guards to the castle dungeon.
The Earl then escorted her back to the castle entrance.
"Now that this has been dealt with, I hope you keep to your word, and leave the World Tower out of this."
Elara nodded her head, "You will not be hearing from me again. You have my word."
"Then I bid you a goodnight and farewell."
"Farewell my Lord."
Slowly she started to make her way down the long hall back towards the council room.
When she reached the end she spotted Gabel anxiously pacing back and forth with Cassian in his arms.
"There you are! I was getting so worried I was about to come look for you."
Walking right up to her, he leaned down and planted a kiss on her forehead.
"Are you alright?"
Elara reached up and touched her son in Gabel's arms.
"I am."
His gaze lingered, seeming to to look for truthfulness.
"Come let us retire to our room, you need rest."
He propped sleeping Cassian up higher by his shoulder, holding him tightly with one arm.
His then reached out his other arm.
"Now let me hold your hand."
Elara placed her hand in his and followed his lead towards the guest wing of the castle.
Upon entering a room he released her and carried Cassian over to the bed.
Elara's eyes widened.
For an just being an Earls castle, the room seemed to too lavish. She gazed over the luxurious furniture set about.
"Come here."
Gabel motioned with his hand then leaned over to kiss Cassian's head.
Once she was standing beside him, he knelt down and started unlacing her shoes.
"That is not necessary... I can do it myself."
"Yes I know, just let me please."
He pulled off each of her shoes then set them nicely together on the floor.
Elara glanced over her shoulder towards her son.
His tiny chest rose and fell with each of his sweat breaths. Every night for the last month she would lie awake and watch him sleep.
"Get some sleep now. Tomorrow's travel will be rough and you need rest...."
He spoke out while hovering over her.
"I just want to watch him sleep for a little awhile, please."
His large hand reached up and caressed her face.
"I will be up watching over both of you, so please...take this time to rest."
Reluctantly she nodded then began to undress.
Gabel stepped away, leaving her to go tend the the fire.
Elara pulled the strings loose to her bodice and watched as he stoked the flames.
Her heart couldn't believe that he was really here. Not only that, but she found it hard to grasp that a new life awaited her.
