Spirits of the Earth

Nadya was a vision of grace and beauty, adorned in a finely woven wool dress of a beautiful violet shade to match her eyes, the bodice was laced and slashes of light, creamy lavender were on the skirts, which were split for ease of riding. Golden embroidery of roses and thorny vines lined the hems of her skirts and sleeves and encompassed the bodice, which was high enough to be modest, but not by much. Matching slippers, mittens, and cloak lined with silver fox completed the ensemble, with little golden bells attached to her hood jingling lightly as she moved.

Her hair was pulled up into a loose, curly bun and a gold-thread net with tiny, sparkling amethysts set at the joints kept the hair tamed and in place. As was the style, her earrings were gold and dangling with more amethysts and about her delicate throat was a gold and amethyst choker-style necklace. Nadya's maid had helped her apply make-up, not a gaudy amount, like the jewels her grandmother insisted she wear, but a touch of eye shadow to really emphasize her large violet eyes, a breath of blush upon her pale cheeks, and a soft kiss of pink lipstick.

She felt like a living doll, there to be dressed up and paraded around for her grandmother's amusement, but lacking any other value. Day after day it was the same - up well before sunrise, scrubbed and polished and powdered until she was "good enough" to be seen by others, then left in solitude and nearly forgotten. Her grandmother hated her, she knew that, but even though the woman wanted nothing to do with her, would be rid of her if she could, she simply wouldn't forget Nadya altogether and leave her be – though she wished the old woman would.

All the people she had wanted to stay with her had left her and the one that she wished would just go away had her in a merciless and inescapable hold. That alone was enough to keep her mood subdued, but that morning at breakfast her grandmother had been particularly harsh with her morning inspection of her granddaughter, and Nadya was left with an empty stomach and eyes full of tears at the malicious insults. All she had ever wanted was to be loved by her own family, but with her parents and Noah gone, that was just too much to ask.

Despite her soft slippers, the young woman made a lot of noise as she ran into the stable, the bells on her hood jingling. She didn't see anyone around, so Nadya threw herself on a pile of fresh hay and simply began to sob, letting the hurt pour out, unable to contain it anymore.

Keegan had been working quietly up in the loft of the barn, shoveling hay down to the floor below to make new bedding for the horse stalls after he mucked them out again. He had been further back in the loft and out of sight when the first sounds of tinkling bells and pounding footsteps had echoed through the relatively empty barn but had shuffled forward to listen further. When the sounds of crying reached his ears though, he concernedly crouched down to try and hear who the upset individual was.

Inadvertently he kicked some hay down to land on the woman below him. One hand gripped his pitchfork while the other rested on the ground. His head cocked to one side to better listen. If he knew that it was Nadya below he would have thrown himself against the loft floor and laid there praying she did not notice him. Unfortunately his blindness worked against him, preventing from fleeing from the woman who had long ago ensnared his gentle heart.

Nadya had just wanted to get away. She hadn't consciously chosen the stables to release her grief, her feet had just led her here and it had seemed to be abandoned at the time. Being seen like this would be mortifying. As a lady of Lancaster she was supposed to always maintain her composure in the presence of others. Tears were for the weak. At least that's what her grandmother said. Trying to be perfect all the time was exhausting, and fruitless, no matter what she did, it was never good enough.

That's why when some hay drifted down to land on her she made a choked gasp, immediately trying to regain control over her emotions, though not doing a terribly good job of it. Her cheeks were pink, and not from the artificial blush. Raising her eyes upwards to see where the hay had come from, she made a soft sound of surprise. It was that blind stable boy. He always seemed a quiet, sweet soul.

It felt awful, but she could take advantage of the fact that the poor boy was blind and slip out and hopefully no one would ever be the wiser to the fact that she'd been in the stables - in the hay - crying. Her grandmother would be so mad if she found out. Even as she thought it she knew that she couldn't possibly be deceitful like that. Not even to a simple blind serving boy.

"I'm sorry. I didn't realize anyone was in here." She stood up, trying to keep her voice casual, but it wavered a bit. "I should go, I wouldn't want to be in the way of your work."

"No, no, no," he pleaded profusely. "Please don't leave. Just one moment. You're not bothering me," he called down nervously, realizing who was down below. Placing the pitchfork down and taking a few steps back for a running start, Keegan threw himself off the loft, blindly grabbing a rope two feet away from it and using it to slide down to the ground level.

It was a jump he had made a thousand times and so he did not think twice of how anyone else might perceive it. "Are you alright Miss Nadya? Are you hurt? I can get you some bandages or something if you need it. You don't need to be worried about anyone finding out if you don't want them to. Honest it won't be a problem," he said reaching in her general direction for her, his hand facing palm up towards her.

Nadya blinked at his response. She hadn't expected him to agree that she was in the way, but she certainly didn't expect him to ask her to stay. Oh but he had heard her crying like that and was probably just wanted to make sure she was okay, that seemed like a reasonable thing. Besides, she did want to ask him not to say anything about this and talking up at him was awkward.

She'd expected that he would carefully climb down a ladder, though with his being blind she thought it was a bit irresponsible for him to be up there in the first place. Why did the others let him work in here all by himself? Those thoughts were swept away in a tide of horror as he jumped from the loft and slid down a rope. Was he crazy?! Nadya couldn't even breath until he was safely on the ground.

"Am I alright? By the gods, are you alright? What on earth were you thinking? You could have broken your leg, or worse, your neck!"

Keegan shrugged his shoulders and shook his head, blowing her question off. He adjusted his position as he heard her speak so that he faced her properly. "It's not that far of a jump or a fall for that matter. Nothing to worry about ma'am. Now back to the matter at hand. Are you hurt? Or has some cruel devil spoken poorly of you?"

Nadya scowled softly, picking hay from her dress and hair, realizing she must look a mess. Her make-up had probably run too from her silly crying. At least the young man wasn't able to see how bad she really did look. At least she wasn't crying anymore, indeed, all her tears had dried up and even her voice was steadier now. "I'm fine, really. There's only one cruel devil in this house and I should have learned by now not to be silly and childish enough to cry over what she says."

For a moment the stableboy's lips pursed together in sadness and displeasure. However, it was quickly erased as an easy-going smile took his place. "Well if such is the truth then I think you would not be missed a few moments longer. Is there something I can get you? A proper seat perhaps? I'm afraid the only food I have to offer are apples and sugar cubes, not exactly fit for a fine lady such as yourself's diet." He smiled warmly, blinking lazily with his unseeing eyes.

"I'm afraid that I could drop off the face of this earth and not be missed at all." Nadya sighed softly. That would probably actually make her grandmother happy, in a way. After so many years she should just be used to it by now, it was frustrating how much the old woman could still cut her with words. Some days she wished that she would just float away, vanish, or simply stop existing. At least then her heart wouldn't ache all the time.

"You would be missed," Keegan replied automatically, a trace of sorrow touching his words before he could realize he had spoken them aloud. Trying to save himself from admitting how long he had crushed on the little lady of the house, he shook his head, sending bits of hay falling in all directions.

"There is still a man on this earth who searches for your love Nadya. Don't deny him his chance at love by simply letting others erase your existence. Surely you haven't given up on the idea of true love at such a young age? Why right now I'm sure he dreams of dancing with you between the stars and around the moon. So deep is his love that it is like the ocean of which I have never seen. Cry what tears you need and let your heart weep for your current situation but don't forget to turn your face towards the sun soon after. Let that warmth fill you and dry your tears. A new day begins!"

Nadya almost smiled - almost - as she watched bits of hay flying from the young man's blonde hair. It was a sweet thing for him to say. He was probably right, there were surely some people that would miss her if she should be gone. Not that she could name anyone specifically. The lonely young lady of Lancaster had no friends, only people that were connected in one way or another to her house. What he said next though, left her absolutely speechless.

As a shut-in with no friends, nowhere to go, and nothing else to do, she loved to read. Nadya had read books about love, adventure, laughter, and tragedy. She'd read novels and poetry and intellectual works, but that was probably one of the most beautiful things she had ever heard. Suddenly she found herself peering at this young stable boy far more closely than before.

"I...I think you're in the wrong line of work." She murmured, a touch of awe in her voice. "You should be a poet. Or perhaps a philosopher."

Keegan chuckled and shook his head. "Heavens no! I'm not much one for all the politics and thinking stuff. I much prefer my daydreaming while I work Miss. I fear if I went off in other pursuits they'd drag me down. Here at least I have my peace and my pasture, all I could ever ask for."

Behind him a disgruntled feline yowl sounded moments before a tabby cat made her appearance. "And if it ain't His Nibs!" the stableboy cried out happily, reaching down to pet the cat currently twining between his legs. "I don't think he'd forgive me either if I left. Always begging for scraps he is," Keegan told her fondly. The cat mewled again, this time extricating herself from him and sauntering over to sniff at the noblewoman.

Nadya peered at Keegan curiously, he was an unusual young man, wasn't he? He was blind and yet he seemed so...normal. Actually, that wasn't quite right. The boy was extraordinary, if that beautiful little speech of his was any indication of what was really inside his heart and head. Still, he seemed so happy for someone with such a grievous handicap.

"Dreams are nice. It's all some people have." Realizing what she'd just said her face turned red and she put a hand up to cover her mouth as she gazed at him with wide eyes. "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean...I mean...You must think I'm so silly. Here I am a lady and I'm tittering on about dreams as if I know anything."

She glanced down at the cat as it approached her, it was pretty, had she seen it before? Possibly, it probably lived in the stables, though she realized shamefully that she wasn't familiar with things inside her own house.

"Why wouldn't you know anything though," he questioned back. "Does not everyone dream? Do we not all see something better or more fantastic than what we live no matter how perfect our lives may be? But Miss Nadya I do find you silly for dreaming anymore than I find myself so."

Smiling and rubbing his hands together, Keegan shifted his stance nervously. "Now then I do believe I promised you a chair, if you'd still like it. I would hate to keep you standing or even sitting on a rather uncomfortable bale of itchy hay. I swear that stuff gets everywhere!"

With quick feet he shuffled around, narrowly dodging support columns and machinery lying about as he searched for a cleared chair, rattling on about things not really being up to standard in the barn. As he did though the cat commandingly butting her head against the lady's legs, desiring the attention the feline felt she deserved.

"It's just that, well...I'm a lady. I've actually been laughed at before for dreaming of something, anything, else." Nadya watched him as he shuffled around trying to find her a seat, then looked down to the cat that was rubbing against her legs.

"I don't need a seat, I'll just sit on the floor." Adjusting her skirts a little, she knelt down gracefully, settling on her knees without a care for the straw or worried about dirt. As she began rubbing the cat softly behind the ears she started speaking again. "Do you think that dreams ever actually come true?"

Keegan scoffed. "Those that laugh are fools themselves for they have forsaken their own dreams and are left to leave empty lives. If you were to take my advice," he proclaimed dragging a chair over to put in front of where he thought she stood, "and I'm not saying that of a lone stableboy is really all that great to be taking, but if you were, I would say to ignore them. Dream as big and bright as you can and damn the rest!"

His blind eyes widened as he remembered whom he was talking too and a dusting of rose brushed his cheeks. "My apologies I forgot I was in the company of a lady. But, but, but, what's this sitting on the floor! You would break this poor boy's heart after all the work he went through and rather crawl around on the floor that," Keegan trailed off and winced. The rest of his sentence came out in a low, defeated mumble, "that he has yet to clean."

Giving up he slumped into the chair, choosing to straddle it backwards and lean his chest against the intended backrest. "Of course dreams come true. That's what happiness is, a dream that became reality. We'll reach it someday if we keep trying. The rough spots in life are just us getting ready for something truly magnificent. The more pain, the more beautiful a dream we shall live in the end. It's so we can really appreciate things I think. Or at least that's what I would like to think. Don't have to take my word on it," he laughed.

"Yep, you sound like a poet, not a stable boy." Nadya felt something as he blushed, this stirring of amusement as he apologized to her. Was he apologizing for the curse or for his offer of advice? She wasn't sure, but he was so animated, so earnest. It was nice to see someone so full of life. Her own life was dull and listless, and that made her feel ungrateful. As a lady she had so many privileges that others lacked, and she knew there were those with less wealth and power that envied her. She wondered if she were to change places with them, if they would really enjoy it as much as they thought.

At least he didn't insist on making her take the chair. She kept stroking the cat along her spine, enjoying the feel of her soft fur against her fingers. "That sounds like a beautiful thing to believe in. I wish some of my dreams would come true, but they never do. I can remember the last time I was happy, forever ago. Noah and I were playing in the gardens, he picked a bunch of flowers and put them in my braid. Said I was a flower princess. He died that afternoon. I think that's when I stopped believing in dreams."

 A look of sadness came across Keegan's face as he listened to Nadya talk of lost dreams and happiness. He remembered well the day he had heard of her severe injury and the death of the little master. It was that day he cursed his own blindness, wishing there was a way he could have seen and in his child's mind therefore saved her. It had never occurred to him that he could have suffered the same or worse fate.

He wished he could make her smile, make her see that things could be better. Keegan did not wish to scare her though. For the first time in a lifetime he was actually having a conversation with the woman he had always adored and the last thing he needed was to ensure it was their last.

Softly, as if afraid to send her flying, he asked her if she could dream now what it would be of.

Nadya had only just gotten herself composed from before and again she felt tears rolling softly down her cheeks. That day had been the most awful, nightmarish day of her existence. At least she couldn't remember her parents very well, they had died when she was still so young. Noah, however, had been everything to her. Without her twin she felt like half a person, they had shared every pain, every smile, every part of their lives was spent with their other half. Her heart had shattered that day, and every day since she'd felt alone and empty.

"I used to dream of my parents, that they had never died, and if they had never died then Noah would still be here. That's impossible, of course. I can't change the past, I can't bring them back. Noah used to dream about being a knight. He wanted to have these great adventures. I just wanted to see him happy." Her voice was soft and dripping with sadness, she couldn't have hidden the tears from her words if she had wanted to.

He heard it, the tears in her voice, the way her breath hitched on the verge of sobbing. In an instant he was on his feet, the chair screeching in protest as it was pushed out of his way. Keegan was not thinking as he moved. His only thought was to bring her comfort in some form or another.

Intent on embracing her, he did not consider where he had placed the chair and therefore with the first step he took he managed to trip over a crate and land face-first in Nadya's lap with a great thud. His cheeks flamed with shame as he hurried to right himself even as his hands kept sliding out from under him against the ever-shifting hay.

Nadya looked up bleary-eyed as she heard the chair scraping harshly against the floor, and was just in time to see him trip over a crate in his hurry. A moment later he'd fallen hard - into her lap. Her very first reaction was to blush furiously, considering his face had landed right in her lap. Rather than worry about how awkward and improper the situation was, it was something else entirely that her mind was focused on.

Giving a soft squeak of surprise, without thinking, she grabbed Keegan by the shoulders and tried to help him, since he seemed to be having trouble regaining his balance and composure after his fall. She could see him blushing, it would be hard to miss, and knew that he was as embarrassed by the slip up as she was. "Oh my goodness, are you okay? Here, grab onto me, you're not getting anywhere with the floor."

"I think death is better than getting off the floor right now," he mumbled into her skirts as he allowed to assist him. It was his curse that she could see his blush and yet he could see to hide it himself.

Keegan apologized profusely, moving to sit beside her and bury his head in his hands. "It was never my attention to attack you so my lady. I only sought to comfort you, not maul you." He groaned to himself upon realizing he was quite unlikely to see, or rather hear, Nadya Lancaster in the stables again after this unfortunate incident.

"Oh don't be so dramatic." she chastised softly as she helped him sit up. Watching him move beside her and put his face in his hands, she really wasn't sure quite why he was this badly flustered. Really, it was a very embarrassing, sure, but there had been no real harm done. Nadya felt bad for him, in a way.

Tentatively she reached over to pat his arm lightly, in a somewhat awkward attempt to be of some comfort to him. "It's okay. Really. You didn't attack me, you just tripped. I'm not mad or hurt."

He startled as she touched his arm, not realizing that she had been making a move to do so. Yet, he raised his head and smiled weakly nonetheless at her attempt at comfort. "I pray you are not crying either my lady, for this whole debacle of disaster that ended with a wayward stable boy in your lap began with his desire to put an end to those tears. Is there perhaps one thing that has worked in his favor?"

Shyly he looked over her, his cheek resting on his folded arms. If he imagined hard enough he could see in his mind what she looked like now. He had aged her gracefully and gently in his dreams. Right now he "saw" lavender eyes set in a pale face somewhat glassy with past tears but even with red-rimmed eyes she was an angel. Keegan smiled, his angel indeed.

Nadya blushed and flinched slightly as her touch seemed to startle him. She hadn't meant to do that. Then again, she hadn't really thought about what she was doing or she wouldn't have done it. Being blind had to be awful. You were in the dark forever, never seeing what was all around you. Still he lifted his head and smiled at her, and the young lady found herself taken with that little smile.

"No more tears right now, I promise. You're so sweet to care about some silly girl like me crying." Realizing that her hand was still resting gently on his arm, she blushed and snatched it back, not wanting to be rude by invading his personal space.

"I see no silly girls here," he replied cheekily, giving Nadya a wink. "Now if we can refrain from more not-silliness perhaps we might uh...well hm...you know I didn't actually think this through and I have no idea what to suggest." Keegan laughed and blushed some more.

The cat purred and brushed between them both, feeling much safer now that the two humans had stopped flailing about. Persistently he pushed his furry head under Nadya's arm and placed his front paws on her leg.

Meanwhile, the stable boy reached over to pet the cat, scratching at the creature's back. "If you think you're silly you must think me the perfect role of fool, leaping from lofts, tripping over crates, fumbling for words. Is there any way we can start over? Rewind and pretend none of this happened?"

No one really talked to Nadya like this. Like she was just a normal person. They ignored her, or walked on eggshells about her, or seemed to think that she was something more - or less - than she really was. Non-nobles seemed to think that she would look down on them, and other nobles seemed to look down on her. She supposed she couldn't blame anyone for looking down on her.

The cat had come between them, seeking more attention. She liked His Nibs, and she liked the boy too. He was sweet, and a little silly. There was an odd sensation in her face, and at first Nadya didn't realize that she was smiling at him. It was a small, shy smile, but a smile nonetheless.

"I don't think you're silly at all. I think you're very sweet, and kind, and compassionate, and maybe just a little reckless. When you jumped off that loft I think my heart lept into my throat. I'm glad you weren't hurt."

Keegan tried to shrug it off, making a face that said it really was not as big of a deal as she was saying. "Honest it was nothing. I do that several times a day. After the first hundred falls it doesn't hurt so much," he deadpanned moments before giving her another wink to show he was pulling her leg.

"You are however too kind to say such things of me, especially after such a short meeting. A woman that can do that though and sit on the floor with a stable boy, I don't think is really one who will never dream again. Your character suggests a strong woman and therefore one that will be happy again."

He held out his hand to her, palm up. "That'll be two suns for the fortune-teller's words. Come back in a year if you're feeling charitable after your good luck. If things don't go your way then I'm sorry but I'll be out of business with no sender address." He was joking of course but he hoped she knew that too. Maybe Keegan was not as funny as he thought though

"What if the rope broke or was moved? How would you even know before it was too late?" Nadya really was concerned by his jumping for ropes to slide down from the loft. It was dangerous. Maybe she didn't really know him, and someone might wonder why she even cared, but she did. Just because she didn't know him was no reason not to care if he got hurt. He was still a person.

"Two suns? I do believe that is an outrageous price, good Sir. Besides, I don't have any coins on me. I'm afraid that you've been robbed of your time." She knew he was joking, and she was joking too. That strange feeling was in her face again, and she lifted her hands up to touch her cheeks curiously. Feeling rather dumb she realized that the strange sensation was the muscles used to smile, which had been seriously neglected for a long time.

Feeling rather foolish she laughed hesitantly. "Oh my, I haven't smiled in so long I forgot what it felt like!"

"Robbed!" he gasped, placing a hand upon his chest. "Ye gods! Well then I must now demand a kiss as payment for my services. Pay up," he said, leaning close and tapping a forefinger against his proffered cheek.

He too was smiling and his eyes seemed to twinkle with his mirth. "Surely you would not deny a good entertainer his dues when he has made you laugh and smile so brilliantly?" It delighted Keegan to know he had made her happy even for a second. It was all he ever wanted to give her.

Violet eyes widened, growing large as saucers. Nadya had joked about robbing him of his time, but she hadn't expected him to come back with such an absurd thing! It was hardly proper for her, a lady, to be kissing a simple stable boy. She blushed deeply, ashamed of her own thought. Why was it so absurd? The idea that someone was unworthy of another by merit of simple blood was offensive.

"Thank you, for making me smile,I haven't smiled or laughed in so long, I think you did earn your reward." Taking a deep breath Nadya leaned forward, closing the rest of the distance between them. It was a shy, tiny little peck on the cheek, but it left her blushing furiously as she leaned back again. She had never kissed anyone before. Never would she have imagined she would give her first kiss to a boy in the stables that she barely even knew. Even if it was just a peck on the cheek.

Keegan wished he could slow time down to savor this moment forever. It happened so quickly he was not even sure it had happened. One minute he was joking that she owed him a kiss and the next he was receiving one.

Slack-jawed, he blinked repeatedly as his face, neck, and ears burned crimson. When he was at last able to slam it shut with a click, he licked his lips nervously and tried to thank her. His voice momentarily cracked like in his adolescent years, causing him to blush a deeper shade of red before he was able to clear his throat and start again.

"Thank you Miss Nadya. I think I owe you an extra fortune-reading given the quality of that kiss. Don't forget to make good on it," he quietly jested, his teasing toned down several notches from earlier given his concern of pushing things too far. Keegan simply could not believe that he had received his first kiss, even on the cheek, from the only person he had ever dreamed of kissing.

'I only hope that I can make some of your dreams come true Flower Princess as you have just given me one of mine.'

Nadya wished that she could just disappear in that moment. Keegan seemed to be even redder than her! Why had she done something so silly? He had just been joking about the kiss, she knew, but she hadn't thought there was any actual harm in giving his cheek a tiny kiss.

When his voice cracked as he attempted to speak she tittered softly, feeling nervous and breathless. Was he going to be angry that she had done that? In her young life, she didn't think that she had ever been more embarrassed. What a foolish girl she really was.

Then he spoke again and she let out the breath that she had been holding. Nadya found herself giving another shy smile. "I don't know about another fortune-reading, but maybe you could offer me something else instead? Like...a friend." She flushed and stammered out quickly, "I mean, I understand if you don't want to. It's just...well you're so nice, and it gets so lonely in this huge house. I just thought maybe it would be okay if I came to the stables sometimes just to have someone to talk to."

He found it endearing how she rambled nervously. 'That makes two dreams, Nadya. Are you planning to fulfill them all at once? Take care you don't burst my heart with joy!' Keegan mentally chuckled. He was in heaven sitting here beside her. It was all he could not to leap up and crow from the stable roof his joy at being able to do so.

"A friend you shall have," he replied, wishing to put an end to her nervousness. "You are always welcome here Miss Nadya. I would never send you away. You'll just have to forgive me when I have a bit of work to do but I am always here to talk or listen." The stable boy shrugged his shoulders before adding, "or sing and dance. Apparently I'm quite the entertainer these days. His Nibs comes regularly for the Clean Up Slide and the Mid-morning Shuffle, says they're great acts if you're into that kind of stuff."

She had no idea that she was fulfilling any dreams. The lady would have been completely stunned to know about Keegan's feelings towards her. After all, they didn't really know each other. If he had known her, then surely he would not have felt that way. She was quite unworthy of such adoration. Her grandmother reminded her daily that she wasn't good enough, wasn't pretty enough, wasn't going to be able to find a good husband to run the estate for her.

Thankfully, though, he agreed to having her come to the stables to see him. It would be nice to have a friend, one that made her smile and feel almost normal. "Oh I promise not to get in the way, and I look forward to seeing and hearing your performances. If His Nibs and the horses enjoy the show, then I'm sure I will too."

"Well," Keegan began, "I wouldn't really judge my performances based on what the horse's like. They're a rowdy and fickle bunch who are far more interested in the sweets they get out of it than the actual art."

The stable boy shrugged and shook his head in a manner as if to suggest that there was nothing to be done about it. He rubbed his hands on his legs, wondering what to say. When he could come up with nothing though, he decided to defer to Nadya for direction.

"As your newly appointed friend is there something I can get you?"

Nadya felt like her heart might explode in her chest, or her cheeks would go numb with all the little moments of delight that forced her to smile. She couldn't help herself. The way he spoke about the horses just made her day.

Maybe the lady didn't know the stable boy very well, and maybe others would have frowned at the way the spoke and sat together, but she didn't care. There was something special about him, and that made her want to get to know him. Someone who could smile and laugh so easily in the face of blindness, who could see so much beauty in life without seeing at all - that made him extraordinary in her soft violet eyes.

"Oh, you don't have to get anything for me. Actually, I should probably go. Grandmother is going to start wondering where I've gone off to, and I've probably put you behind on your chores. I'm sorry about that!" Standing suddenly, she realized that she had probably spent too much time in the stables already. Her grandmother would be furious if she knew what she was doing. "I promise to come back to visit you soon."

Even though he couldn't see it, she gave him a little curtsy before quickly leaving before someone saw her goofing around in such an odd place.

He smiled and listened as she moved. Nadya was a ball of energy just waiting to burst forth and bloom. Keegan just hoped he could be there to bask in her light when it happened. She really was such a sweet soul, even if she did not recognize it about herself.

Standing slowly, and brushing the straw from his pants, the stable boy offered her a warm smile and a bow of his own. "Until we meet again fair friend. I look forward to our next encounter!" No sooner were the words out of his mouth then she was on her way. It was lucky then that she did not hear him add, "and every one after until there is no tomorrow."

Keegan hummed and sighed, a broad smile splitting his face in two as he went about his duties. There was an extra bounce to his step as he day-dreamed about the girl he loved and the things they could talk about in the future.

It was four, seemingly endless days before Nadya was able to confidently sneak away and back down to the stables. Ever since she had left Keegan there after their brief, but deep, conversation, she had found herself longing to return to the smells of fresh hay and the soft voice of the very sweet - and cute - stable boy. She hadn't really thought about it the first time she'd spoken to him, but he was quite handsome.

After making sure that no one else was around, she slipped into the stables as quietly and subtly as possible. It wouldn't due to have her grandmother knowing what she was up to. The snooty old woman would have disapproved and never allowed it. So it would just have to be her little secret. Of course, that would only work if her new friend was as discreet as she was.

Sneaking in felt wrong, but she was kind of curious to see what he would be up to when not knowing she was there.

In the days of Nadya's absence, Keegan went about his chores as he always did. But if paused at the sound of someone entering the stables or paused to look longingly towards the doors, none of the other workers ever commented. He was considered a strange one as it was with his unblinking gaze that always seemed to stare right through a person and see their very soul. No, no one said anything and so Keegan spent four days with only a misnamed tabby cat and a handful of horses as companions to converse with.

He was sweeping the floor between the stalls after having mucked them all when Nadya sneaked in, not that he noticed though. Keegan was busy arguing with one of the horses who was leaning its great head over its stall door towards him and snuffling at his pockets.

"No no no! No sweets for you! You've had enough already and you're going to get me in trouble you greedy cretin!" Despite his angry words, the stable boy was laughing and squirming about to try and escape the searching mouth that knew there was an apple hidden somewhere on his person.

Nadya quietly watched for a few moments as the boy and horse 'argued' over the treat. However she couldn't stay quiet for very long, because the spectacle made her giggle. That was so funny! She had never seen anyone argue with a horse before. Clamping her hand over her mouth to try to stifle the sound of her amusement, she knew that her cover was blown. At the very least, he would know that someone was there.

"Do you make a habit of doing great battle with the animals?" She asked teasingly, knowing that he would probably realize it was her now. "I'm sorry I wasn't able to visit sooner. I wanted to, but it isn't always possible to sneak away for some time to myself."

Distracted by the giggle, Keegan froze in place, allowing just enough time for the wayward horse to locate, steal, and retreat with his hidden apple. "Hey!" he cried, lounging too late to get it back, before turning to face Nadya with a smile. "Hey," came the second greeting far more warmly and softer now that he was sure there was no getting the apple back.

"To be honest, you can't even call it battle with this rogue fiend. Don't let him fool you know, he's a real devil, black to the core I tell you. Who would have thought that such a bad apple would be so hard-bent on getting a," Keegan chuckled, no longer able to keep his mock-tirade going, "well an apple actually. How are you friend?"

The horse had claimed his, or her, prize in the brief moment that her giggling had distracted her foe. That made her smile brightly. A hard-won treat, indeed. Although she probably shouldn't be enjoying the fact that her friend had just been beaten by a horse at a silly game of wills. It was still funny though!

She giggled at his fake tirade regarding the animal in question. "I'll have to keep that in mind, then. I'm very well, thank you. I hope you're having as pleasant a day as you seem to be! You look like you actually have fun." That last part sounded almost wistful.

What would it be like to just be a normal girl? To not have to worry about lessons or politics or pleasing her grandmother. To be able to talk to and be friends with whoever she wanted without worry of her tyrannical matriarch finding out. She supposed that she would never know, but maybe that was something she could daydream about!

"It is made only more so wonderful by the appearance of a good friend," came his happy reply as he put away his broom and walked up to her. "Come, come! Sit! Tell me about your day week Nadya. I'm eager to hear how you fair."

Keegan was indeed excited to know she had returned. He treated her like an old friend, falling easily into the roll as if they truly had been. It never occurred to him how odd his attitude might seem or even possibly off-putting to someone who did not know him as well as he knew her.

"Are you always so happy?" The question wasn't a barb or admonishment of any kind. Rather, it was almost filled with a sense of wonder. Nadya had been truly happy so seldom that she found it hard to believe just how upbeat Keegan always seemed to be. His enthusiasm was infectious, and she liked it.

With a smile she looked around and spotted a stool, then walked over an sat down primly. "I'm afraid I don't have a lot of interest to talk about. I spend most of my time in the library alone. Grandmother doesn't have time for me, she's usually entertaining someone or writing letters inviting people she thinks are important."

Keegan paused a millisecond to ponder her question, blindly staring up and to the left before smiling broadly. "Yep! It's easier I find to be happy than labor over the painful things. They just send you spiraling into all kinds of unfun feelings."

He nodded his head, listening to her as his smile slowly faded in disappointment. The stable boy was no lover of the way the matron of the house treated his friend. "Well tell me about the library then. Do you read in there? What kinds of books do you like?"

His answer sounded so simple, but Nadya couldn't really understand how one could simply be happy. It wasn't as easy as deciding you were going to feel happy, was it? For such a young woman, there had been a lot of dark, tragic things in her life. Was it possible to be happy again? After everything had happened, would it be a betrayal of her family to feel happy with them dead?

"The library is huge. There are more books than I think I could ever read in my life. Even if I did nothing but read and sleep! My favorites are stories...well..." She blushed, embarrassed by what she considered being silly. "...I like the adventures with the brave knights saving people." She didn't mention about the brave knights and princes saving the princesses. She was such a silly child to enjoy such nonsensical fairy tales.

He hummed in thought before giving Nadya a roguish wink. "No heroic stable boys in those books of yours? Surely there are some sweet, gentile country women in need of a boy with a pitchfork to rescue their distressed damsel selves."

His laughter was warm but not cruel. Keegan found nothing wrong with the type of literature she read. In fact, he thought it was good for, a way of dreaming that she did not realize and it made him happy to know she had such a simple pleasure.

"Are there other kinds of stories you like? I know when I was younger I always made my father tell me tales of dragons and wild adventures on the high seas. I never got over it, to be honest."

Nadya didn't think of her reading as a way to dream. That had never crossed her mind, but her fairy tales were truly her escape from the pain and misery that filled much of the rest of her life. Keegan's laughter made her blush more, but she didn't think he was being mean.

"I don't believe I've ever read one with a heroic stable boy coming to a fair maiden's rescue with only a pitchfork! Though that sounds like a marvelous story. Someone needs to write that if it hasn't already been written." There wasn't a hint of sarcasm or condescension in Nadya's voice. She really would enjoy such a tale.

"I do like those grand adventures with dragons and princesses and knights. Heroic deeds are quite fun. I think I have read a few books with pirates and buried treasure. I think there are sea monsters in some of them. Would you like me to bring one next time and read to you for a while?"

"Ah what a shame then." Keegan playfully shook his head, his hair dancing as it brushed his cheeks and hung in his eyes. "Perhaps you could be the one to write it then. I happen to be an excellent reference for all things stable boy-related," he informed her with a wink.

To be asked though if he wanted her to read to him completely blew him away though. For several moments he simply stared in her direction, mouth open in shock. With a loud click he snapped it shut again and tried to appear not as eager as he felt.

"Well if it's not too much trouble I would not be opposed," he began nonchalantly. "I would hate to see your precious books ruined by the dirty-nature of the stables though."

Nadya covered her mouth slightly as she giggled at Keegan. "I'll have to keep that in mind! Maybe I will write a book someday. Wouldn't that be a fun adventure all on its own? I don't think Grandmother would approve. She would probably say it was a waste of time." The only things that were not a waste of time for Nadya were entertaining guests and searching for a husband. Both activities were ones that she hated.

A bright smile lit up the young woman's entire face when he said he wouldn't be opposed to her reading to him. It was a shame that he couldn't read them himself, but that was no reason for him not to be able to enjoy books. She would love to read to him about all the things he was missing. Maybe in that small way she could fill his mind with dreams too.

"They won't get ruined. I'll be careful, and it isn't that dirty in here. Besides, a ruined book is nothing if it makes you smile like that. A small price to pay."

Keegan blushed and hung his head in embarrassment, shuffling about shyly where he stood. "I wouldn't say my smile is worth that much," he mumbled. "Books are something to be treated specially, with great respect and love. But, I guess if you take extra good care of them I would not be opposed to hearing a tale or two to help the work pass quicker."

Nadya found herself blushing so much around Keegan it was nice to turn him red this time. It was hard to try to decide whether or not to press the issue with him, and decided to at least say one more thing. "Books are never worth more than a person, but I'll be really careful, promise. I'll try to find a really good one with pirates and sea monsters and lots of adventure."

"Whatever floats your boat my dear," he laughed, picking up his broom again to resume his sweeping. His Nibs appeared from behind Nadya and quickly made herself at home on the lady's lap. The horses poked their noses out at Keegan as he passed by them.

"Is there anything you wanted to talk about friend? We have all the time in the world."

Nadya smiled as His Nibs jumped up in her lap, and she happily scratched the cat behind the ears, enjoying the animal's company. "Yes, there was something. Do you think someone's birth really makes them better than someone else? It has never made sense to me that just because my parents were noble that it made me better for some reason."

It was something she often found herself thinking about. What right did her grandmother have to act as if other people were scum or unclean simply because they were not born rich? It also wasn't fair that because of her both every aspect of her life was dictated by those around her expecting her to live up to such constricting societal norms.

Keegan shrugged. "I can't honestly say. I mean, I'll always be a stable boy mucking out stalls for a noblewoman. Does that she's better than me? Not really. Does that mean I'm better than her? I certainly hope not. I think what makes a person better for lack of a word would be what they do with their lives. I don't mean their occupation but how they live their lives. Does that make sense?"

"I guess so." Was the doubtful reply. Nadya sighed as she gently pet the cat snuggled in her lap. Being a noble was complicated, and she hated it. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad if she didn't have her grandmother to contend with all the time. Putting that out of her mind she grinned at Keegan and tried to tease him again. Teasing people wasn't something she had really had much practice with, but it seemed like fun.

"And don't say that you'll always be a stable boy. Maybe you'll save a princess from a dragon with your mighty pitchfork and become her handsome prince." The thought made her giggle slightly, but hey, if they were going to talk about dreaming, you might as well dream big.

"Well even if I was a prince I'd still muck out my own horse's stall. No point in making someone else do it when I already know how," he cheekily replied. "Although to be honest, not really sure how a blind fellow such as myself would manage to do much monster-slaying. Can't exactly see where the pointy end of the sword is supposed to go."

He continued sweeping the floors, laughing to himself at the idea. "Now you," Keegan continued, "you I could see being swept away on some fanciful adventure. You'd make the perfect heroine in the end, no doubt about it."

"Well just because you're blind doesn't mean you can't do it. You keep the stables even though you're blind. Some people would probably say you couldn't or shouldn't be doing that." Yeah, Nadya knew that it had to be difficult having Keegan's handicap, but he didn't seem to let it stop him or hold him back from what he did now.

"I could never have an adventure. Grandmother wouldn't allow it, and I'm no heroine at all. I'm a coward, I can't even stand up to my own grandmother." Nadya knew that the greatest adventure she could look forward to was getting married to some man her grandmother picked for her and bearing children for him, like a proper noble young woman. It wasn't what she wanted, to marry a man she didn't love because he had money or power that her grandmother wanted.

Keegan smiled sadly and shook his head. "You're not a coward. It's easy to face a beast but hard to stand up to those who share blood or bond with you. I could never do what you do and survive under her rule. I'd break, and yet you don't. You have great courage Nadya. You display it every day you live and breathe.

"Don't be so quick to write yourself off, friend. You battle more demons than I do and still you stand strong in the face of them. The only risks I face here are those posed by a bruised shin. Not very hero-worthy, if you ask me."

"Stand up to...?" Nadya was genuinely confused by that statement. Well, actually most of what he just said confused her. Battle demons? "I don't stand up to her. Simply surviving - living and breathing - is not brave. I'm not sure what I do could even really be considering living as much as just existing."

She didn't think he was really being fair to himself either. You didn't have to fight monsters to be brave, after all. "I think waking up to face each day with only darkness in your sight is very brave and heroic. And you even do it smiling! I don't think I could do that."

"Bah!" Keegan scoffed, shaking his head. "There is nothing to be brave about when you cannot literally face what you fear. I do not see so I do not fear. But you, you live, you survive. I cannot say I know all that goes on in your home, but I know that things are not as perhaps they should be," he told her, trying to choose his words carefully, for fear of offending her.

"If I lived your life, I would have rolled over and died a long time ago. That is why you are brave. You continue when others would not and that is brave, whether you see it or not. I see you as brave."

The stable boy laughed then and slapped his forehead with his hand. "Well see as well as I can with these blind eyes at least. Do forgive me on that, a lot of jokes at my expense are likely to happen with my current condition. I hope that doesn't bother you, my friend."

"Not as they should be..." Those words were mumbled softly. Should her grandmother love her? She honestly didn't know anymore. Maybe there was no such thing as love in a noble household, there certainly didn't seem to be in a noble marriage. Still, she knew for a fact that Noah had loved her. She was pretty sure her parents had too, though she couldn't even recall their faces to memory.

Thoughts of Noah were enough to dampen whatever joy she might have felt in Keegan's company. If her brother were still alive he would have protected her from their grandmother. The old hag wouldn't have dared treat her so unkindly if Noah were there. He'd have been so handsome, he could have had any girl he wanted in all of Serendipity, she was sure of that.

Sighing softly she looked at the stable boy, watching him pensively. He was trying so hard to make her feel better, she knew that. Everyone must have known how miserable she was. How sweet that of all the servants, he was the only one to ever try to actually be a friend.

"Your jokes don't bother me. It's probably a good thing that you can laugh at yourself. Sometimes laughter is the only way to fend off tears..." Not a lesson she had really taken to heart over the years. Never laughter, far too often tears filled her life.

He shifted about awkwardly in the silence that followed, worrying that he had gone too far and said the wrong thing. "I found that tears are just as healing as laughter," Keegan tried quietly. "You know though," he continued louder, hoping to lighten their mood. "If you start reading to me, I'll have nothing to give to you in return. I can't exactly read back to you because well you see, to be honest I have this confession I must make now before our friendship continues."

Keegan stopped what he was doing and stood up straight like a boy about to admit his guilt to his schoolmaster. "I cannot read. There, I've said it and now you know." He let out a big sigh while a playful smile danced at the corner of his mouth.

Nadya listened in silence as he spoke. She knew that he wished to cheer her, but it was hard to feel cheerful just then. Still, she did smile for him, even if he couldn't see it. The young lady wished that he could see her smile, it was something she did just for him - her only friend. "There is nothing wrong with you not being able to read."

Standing she walked over to where he was, not trying to be quiet or sneak up on him. Nadya remembered the first time she'd touched him, when he had jumped at the contact. She wondered if he'd do that again. Reaching out a delicate hand she gently took his in hers and squeezed it softly. "You've already given me all I could ever ask for. All I want in return is your friendship, that's more than enough."

Keegan did not startle quite as he had before when she touched him this time. However, his heart was beating a mile a minute. 'She's touching me! Voluntarily touching me! Dear Kia don't let this be a dream!'

When at last he could speak, his voice came out soft and filled with emotion. "You have it my lady. You have my friendship for as long as you desire and beyond that." He gave her hand a squeeze, his eyes blinking rapidly as they batted away tears.

Nadya was a bit surprised by just how emotional Keegan's response was. She hadn't expected to bring tears to his eyes. The lady had known that he was a sweet young man, but he was apparently quite sensitive too. She squeezed his hand just a little tighter and smiled.

"Don't go crying on me now, weren't you just trying to keep me from crying? And please, stop calling me lady. Just call me Nadya." How long had she been there? Did her grandmother realize she wasn't in the library yet? How she hated having to worry about being found out.

"Don't know what you're talking about," he said looking off to the side innocently before adding her name hesitantly to the statement. He said "Nadya," in an almost reverent tone, as if afraid that saying it would cause her to disappear like a mythical fairy from a tale of old.

Desipte his words though, his eyes were still glassy and full of emotion. Though he did not know it, Keegan was an open book waiting to be read. His face was incredibly expressive as he was one to wear his heart on his sleeve for all the world to see.

"Now that," he began again, clearing his throat, "what were we talking about?"

Nadya couldn't help but roll her eyes slightly as he said he didn't know what she was talking about. Silly boys and their perpetual need to be manly and tough. Though when he said her name the smile that lit up her face was larger than any since she'd met him.

"Unfortunately I was about to bring up the fact that I should go before grandmother finds out I'm not where she thinks I am." The young woman sighed unhappily. She'd spend all day in the stables with Keegan, just talking or reading to him, if only she could.

Her arms wrapped around him for a moment in a quick hug. "I promise I'll be back, hopefully sooner than before. I will make sure to find a really good story to read to you."

For a fleeting moment Keegan stood in shock as warm arms encircled him in a gentle embrace. He was nearly too slow to place a hand on Nadya's upper back to return the hug before she was dancing back away from him again. His mind was racing a mile a minute in his shook as he stood there dumbly.

'She hugged me! Kia, Nadya hugged me! Great Goddess I look like an idiot! What do I do? What do I do?! Okay, okay, be calm. It's all good. It's fine. We're good. Just a causal hug between friends. Nevermind the fact I've loved her since we were children buuuuuut it's fine, it's fine. All good. No worries. OH MY GODDESS SHE HUGGED MEEEEEEEEE!'

"Well um," the stable boy cleared his throat and smile. "I look forward to your return whenever that may be. Have a good day Nadya! It was a delight to have you around my friend."

'I love you. Be safe. Don't let her get you down,' his traitorous mind added.

Nadya smiled and waved, even though he couldn't see the gestures. "Take care, Keegan. I'll see you again soon, I promise!"

It took two days for Nadya to sneak away again. Her grandmother had a lord to entertain, so she wouldn't be missed. The young noblewoman had taken great time and care in selecting a book to take with her to see Keegan. From the moment she'd left him about all she could think about was seeing him again and what book to share with him first.

The young woman entered the stables with a huge grin on her face, and she was humming a pleasant little tune. She hadn't been this happy since Noah had died. "Keegan, I'm back! I found the perfect book to read to you!"

"Did you?" he asked enthusiastically from behind her. Keegan was busy polishing a saddle on his lap by the door but placed it on the floor to stand and great her. "And how are you today Nadya? Have you had any adventures on your own without me to share?"

His own smile was bright and innocent as he held his arms out in greeting to her. The stable boy was quickly finding that his world revolved around the noblewoman and her visits as each time she entered his domain, it was like being able to see again. She brought so much life with her when she came and he was desperate to bask in it.

Nadya spun around with a soft squeak when she heard someone behind her. It was just Keegan, of course, and she grinned at him as he stood up to greet her. Maybe he wasn't a knight in shining armor or some prince charming, he might as well have been.

"I did! It has pirates fighting a trading company, a kraken, buried treasure, and even a little bit of romantic drama. That last one might be more for me than you, but still, I think you're going to love it." Her words were an excited rush as Nadya moved into his out held arms, giving him a friendly embrace of greeting.

He smiled and patted her back before stepping back and giving her space again. "Hey now," he cried out, mock-offended, "just because I'm a lad and not a lass doesn't mean this stable boy does not enjoy a good tale of true love!

"Now sit, sit, sit," Keegan ushered, taking her by the hand and pulling her excitedly towards his vacated seat. He was giddy with euphoria and could not wait for her to begin reading. He had not been sure that she truly was going to bring him a book, but the fact that she had made good on her promise only endeared her more to him.

"I don't know if it is true love or not, but when we've both heard the whole story, we can figure that one out together." Nadya laughed as she was hurried over to a seat. It was nice to see him so excited about being read to, and made her all the more certain that she was doing the right thing by coming down here. Maybe that first, when she'd come to cry, had been a twist of fate to make sure she really met Keegan, rather than just in the passing of fetching her horse.

For the next hour, the lady of Lancaster sat in the stable and read the first few chapters of a magnificent story about grand adventure on the high seas. They met Aldara, the daughter of famous pirate, Captain One-eyed Robert, and fledgling pirate captain Carlos "Cannon" Decker, who wanted to use Aldara to find the legendary treasure trove of her father, that supposedly could only be found by people who already knew where to look.

Unfortunately Nadya had to mark their place in the story and close the book. She wished she could read to him all day, but there just wasn't time. Her grandmother would get suspicious of what she was doing all the time. "What do you think so far? Did I do good?"

Keegan had listened with rapt attention. If he had moved a bit slower in his work in order to listen longer, he did not let on. He knew he could make up for it later. Just the chance to listen to Nadya's voice for what felt like hours was the greatest gift she ever could have given him.

He sighed regrettably to hear that she had to go so soon. He would have liked to hear how Aldara would take Carlos' advances once she realized the intentions behind them. "It's a perfect choice, my friend. Although I admit I wish you could stay but a chapter longer," the stable boy laughed. "The more I hear of your voice, the more I want to listen."

Keegan blushed once he realized what he said and stuttered to correct it. "That is to say I wish to hear more of the book. It's definitely a really enthralling story that hooks you in and keeps you there once you start. I don't know how I'm going to handle the waiting until you can come again. Do you think you can come tomorrow?"

Nadya positively beamed when he expressed that he wished she could stay for just another chapter. She did that all the time when she found a good book. The young lady would convince herself that she would read just one more chapter before bed, and before she knew it, she had been awake half the night simply devouring the book until it was finished.

Keegan wasn't the only one blushing at his words, Nadya's cheeks heated quite readily, but she was still smiling, though perhaps a bit more sheepishly than before. Siren blood ran through the Lancaster family, this was no secret. The idea that he liked her voice still made her blush. He was quick to cover himself with words, but his blush told a different story than his lips.

"I will definitely try to come tomorrow. I do wish I could stay and read to you all day." And she really meant it. Nadya found his company so comforting, even if she was only reading aloud to him while he was working.

"I look forward to our next meeting then. I shall not keep you from your own duties, my friend. I know you can be quite busy and am honored that you choose to spend part of your days with a lowly servant such as me. And don't tell me we are friends for I know it well."

Keegan placed a hand over his heart, a whimsical expression crossing his features. "I cherish the knowledge well and hold it close to heart. Now go my friend," he said, playfully shooing her away. "I have chores to complete and your beauty blinds me!"

Nadya made a bit of a face when Keegan said he was honored she would choose to spend time with a 'lowly servant'. She wanted to tell him that he was far from lowly, but he kept talking and had her rolling her eyes a bit as he shooed her away with his dramatics, but his last words made her blush.

"I think I've changed my mind again. You aren't a poet, you're an actor. Until tomorrow, sweet Keegan." She teased as she glided out the door, not giving him time to come up with a silly response.


The next afternoon she managed to slip away, back down to the stables, book in hand. She was excited to read more of the story, both for Keegan and for herself. Bouncing cheerfully into the stables she called softly to her friend. "Keeeeeeeeeegan. I was able to get away for a while. Are you ready to hear more about Aldara and Carlos?"

Keegan poked his head out from up in the loft, letting his upper torso hang over the edge as he waved in her direction. "Be right there! Go ahead and get settled, I have some things up here to finish up. You didn't go and read without me though did you Nadya? It is an awfully good story you know," he teased, body disappearing once more from view.

Nadya smiled up at Keegan as he poked his head down from the loft and waved at her. Walking over to a bench she settled down primly, smoothing her skirts before opening the book in her lap. "I would never read ahead of you, it's mean for you to even suggest it." She was smiling though, leafing through the pages to the chapter they were on. "And don't jump!"

"Aww you ruin all the fun!" Keegan shuffled around in the loft for a bit before sitting down on the edge and swinging his legs. "I don't suppose rolling down is acceptable for you either now is it?" He smiled cheekily. "Mind pointing me in the right direction of the ladder? Actually don't point, it won't do me much good!"

Nadya laughed softly when he said she ruined all the fun. "Not true! I brought the book, remember?" Though she stuck her tongue out at him when he mentioned rolling down. He wanted to give her a heart attack, she was pretty sure of it! Getting up she walked around to the ladder. "Over here, Keegan. Be careful you don't fall. I can't promise I'll be able to read to you if you fall and break your leg and get stuck in bed all day for weeks."

He scooted on his rear over to her voice, grabbing the ladder and moving to stand on it properly. Then after making sure he was secure, he placed his hands on either side of ladder and moved his feet so that he slid down to the bottom quick and easy.

"Never said anything about sliding," he told her, sticking out his tongue in turn. "And that's just downright mean Nadya. If you got sick or hurt I would be there everyday for you. You really wouldn't do the same for me?"

Nadya made a soft, strangle sound as Keegan slid down the ladder, giving him a glare that he couldn't see. Honestly, he was going to hurt himself, and then she would feel bad. Of course then he stuck his tongue out at her and she laughed. How childish! Then again, she'd done just the same thing not two minutes before.

"You sound as if you think my grandmother would allow you anywhere near my sickbed. Though if I was sick I would love it if you could, it would be good to have a friendly face around. Sometimes I feel like the only time I see anyone that is actually glad to see me is when I come here to see you." She sighed and went to sit back down, cracking open the book again.

"What she doesn't know won't hurt her. I can be quite the sneaky sneak when I want to be," he told her, nodding his head confidently as he tripped over a bucket causing it to bang about loudly. "I didn't want to be right then though," he quickly added.

Keegan moved to let one of the horses out of its stall so that he could brush it down while he listened. "You know you're always welcome here Nadya. I would be more than happy to have you here more often if you wanted," he told her sincerely.

Nadya couldn't stop herself from giggling as the stable boy tripped noisily over a bucket right after claiming to be sneaky. Her grin was huge as she replied. "Of course you didn't. Though I don't think it would matter how sneaky you were, a stable boy showing up at my sickbed would get her attention somehow."

He had no idea how much she would love to spend all her waking hours just lurking about the stables to watch him work or read to him. It wasn't lonely when she was with him. She'd been alone for long enough. "I come when I can get away, I'd gladly come more. Maybe I'll try harder."

With that she began reading, beginning the next chapter of their adventure. Carlos was able to trick Aldara into joining up with him, and over the next few chapters they managed to survive a vicious storm that drove them far off course and end up on a tropic island with the ship needing repaired before they could continue.

Keegan settled and smiled at her fondly. "Just take care you don't get yourself in trouble. I would not doubt a punishment would entail even more time apart than now. We wouldn't want that," he murmured, settling down to listen to her read while he worked.

As she told the story his unseeing eyes would dance about as he imagined the scenes within his mind. He could see the stormy seas as fiery as Aldara's eyes as Carlos put her in her place time after time. She certainly was a stubborn one, but the romantic in him had no doubt the two would end up in each other's arms by the tale's end.

Nadya couldn't imagine how bad a punishment for getting caught might be, but he was right, they would be kept apart if her grandmother found out about these visits. Her grandmother wouldn't approve of her mingling with 'the help' or 'commoners'. That thought annoyed the young woman to no end. Keegan wasn't lesser than her just because he was a stable boy. She kept her thoughts to herself.

After a few chapters she stopped and marked their place with a sigh as the book closed. It was a good story. You could tell that Aldara and Carlos were battling attraction to one another, but their strong wills and personalities were making them clash rather than come together. The young noblewoman found herself eager to find out how they would bridge the gap between their differences - and similarities!

"What wonderful chapters we had today. I can't wait to see what the next few will reveal." Nadya smiled, almost wistfully. "I wonder what it would be like to go on a real adventure, rather than just read about them. Wouldn't that be so much fun?"

She sighed softly. "But things like that don't happen to real people."

"Of course they do!" Keegan interjected vehemently. "All stories have a bit of truth to them. Fiction is always based off some fact. I'm sure one day you'll have your own grand adventure and you'll come back to tell me all about it. Just remember to stay away from pesky pirates," he added with a wink. "I would hate to hear one tried to throw you overboard!"

Nadya rolled her eyes. She knew he was trying to make her feel better, but honestly she wasn't sure she was cut out for grand adventures anyway. Standing up she walked over to him and gently took his hand with a smile. "I won't come back to tell you about it, Keegan, because I won't go unless you go with me. Friends have to stick together, right? It wouldn't be an adventure without you."

Keegan smiled back as he gave her hand a gentle squeeze. "It would be quite the adventure if I came along, of that I'm sure. We'd probably have nine or ten mishaps before we even make it out the door," he barked with laughter. "Yet, while you are correct, friends do stick together, I believe there are still some adventures I cannot follow you on. Those you may have to just do without me. I'll be here all the same though, never you fear." He lifted her hand and softly kissed the back of it while for the briefest moments feeling regret over his lack of sight. How he would love to go on every adventure with her.

"You're too hard on yourself, and I already said if you couldn't go, I wouldn't. We'll just have to stick to adventures we can both enjoy." Nadya seemed determined on this point, her soft violet eyes were rather transfixed on their gently clasped hands. Holding hands with Keegan made her blush to begin with, but his little kiss to her hand had turned her a deeper shade of red and she was a little glad he couldn't see how flushed her pale skin had become.

"Oh now my sweet Nadya don't be like that! You must have an adventure or two without me. I do so enjoy your storytelling after all. Besides we can't have you becoming the ghoulish old spinster your grandmother has become. You need to live! And," he sighed wistfully, "for now my duty is here." Keegan smiled as he stared off distantly with his sightless eyes, lost in a world of dreams and half-remembered memories.

"I'll never be like my grandmother." Nadya declared meekly. The very thought drained the color from her face. She didn't ever want to become like that hateful, bitter woman! "Besides, I won't be a spinster. Grandmother will make sure to marry me off to someone that she thinks will revitalize our dying house. Not that it matters now. There aren't any boys left to carry the Lancaster name."

Noah had been the future of the Lancasters, but with his death the house died with him. The proud holdings of the Lancasters would fall to whichever family claimed Nadya through a marriage. She knew there had been multiple inquiries. It was only a matter of time until the old woman thrust a suitor at her.

With a sad smile she wondered what her future husband would think of her silly fantasies about going on an adventure, and with a stable boy, no less!

"That's the spirit," he cheered, pumping his fist happily. "Sing it loud and proud Nadya! We'll make an adventurer out of you yet, mark my words! And you can always refuse her you know with the whole marriage thing. And if not then," Keegan paused to lean in closer, cupping a hand to his mouth to whisper.

"Maybe that's when your adventure starts. Chapter one, escape the wedding!"

Violet eyes widened as Keegan tried to tell her that she could refuse marrying her grandmother's choice. Nadya shook her head, even though he couldn't see the action. She could never defy her grandmother like that. The old woman would find some way to punish her for disobedience. Then again, the Lady Lancaster seemed to take joy in finding ways to make her granddaughter miserable as it was.

"Escape the wedding? Oh I don't know, Keegan...I don't think I would make it very far, and trying to run away from it would probably just make things bad for me later." She wrung her hands together nervously. The idea of getting away, of being free and not having to marry someone she didn't know was a tempting one, but she knew from experience that trying to change things was rarely beneficial to her in the long run.

Keegan sighed as he awkwardly placed a hand on her shoulder. "Nadya my friend we have quite a bit of work to do with you yet it seems. Oh ye of little faith we'll make an adventurer out of you yet. A little work, a little cajoling, a little shove and you'll be free, I'm sure of it!"

Nadya smiled weakly, not at all convinced, but she wasn't going to keep arguing with Keegan over the matter. It was a silly thing to argue about anyway. "If you really think so, Keegan. Maybe you're right. I hope you're right."

She wished she could stay in the stables all day with Keegan. He was much more pleasant company than she could look forward to once she left this little sanctuary she'd discovered. Smiling sheepishly she put her arms around him in a gentle hug. "Thank you, Keegan, for being my friend. I should go now, but I'll be back tomorrow to read to you some more. I promise."

"Of course I'm right! I'm the grand adventurer just waiting for the next one to come along." His voice cracked as she hugged him though and Keegan was forced to close his eyes to savor the sweet and quickly-over moment. How he wanted to hug her fiercely to himself and never let go. Alas it was not meant to be and she would never understand. She was the lady of the house to be and he was just a blind stable-boy hanging on her every word like a love-sick puppy.

With a gentle push and a bright smile he urged her onward. "Run along now, the sooner you leave the sooner you can return. I'll still be here when you get back. No chance of that ever changing I can assure you. Until next time Nadya!"

"Good day Keegan." Nadya said with a soft laugh as he shooed her out with a light push. It was amazing the transformation that was coming over a young woman who had so short a time ago never smiled or laughed or seemed to hold any joy at all. Indeed, the young woman was practically glowing with life that had before seemed non-existent.

The next day came and went without Nadya showing up as promised, and the day after saw a notable absence of the girl as well. Five days passed before a very subdued young woman shuffled into the stables with the book tucked under her arm.

"Keegan?" Her voice called softly, knowing that her friend would certainly be there, but she hoped he wasn't too upset with her for taking so long. "I'm so sorry. I broke my promise. I said I'd come the next day, but I just couldn't get away - I tried."

There was a lot of emotion in her subdued voice, resignation and sorrow being most prominent.

Keegan's head shot up at the sound of his sweet angel's voice and he was soon, putting up his shovel to hurry his way over to her. At first he was confused by her apology but he was soon shaking his head and looking at her quizzically. "What do you mean the next day, Nadya? It's still nighttime for me!" he joked, his smile giving him away.

His joke probably did not have the intended effect. Instead of inspiring a smile, Keegan would find himself suddenly set upon. Nadya couldn't help herself as she threw her arms around him and bit back a soft cry. Despite her upset, the young woman felt a certain relief to be there in the stables, which had become her only truly happy refuge in this house. Even more comforting was being near Keegan, her only friend.

"I hate her. I hate her!" She wailed softly against his shoulder, where she had buried her pale face. He smelled of horses and hay, but to her it was the most comforting scent she could think of.

The stable-hand sobered quickly, allowing himself to be clung to like a lifeline in a storm even as he warmly encircled her in his embrace. He did not even pause to consider whether he should or should not be holding her as he was, he simply did and rubbed her back soothingly as he listened to her.

"Now, now what's this? I must be dreaming if heaven is casting angels into my arms," Keegan murmured softly as he held her close and rocked Nadya gently.

Nadya couldn't remember the last time someone had hugged her, held her, or comforted her. The young woman buried her face against the warm chest, clinging to Keegan and only crying harder at his words. It felt so nice to have his hand rubbing her back and his arms cradling and rocking her.

Not that any of this was proper in the slightest, but at the moment she hardly cared!

For a few minutes Nadya couldn't speak, but as her sobs quieted, leaving only fat tears to run down her cheeks and stain Keegan's shirt, she finally managed to give a soft apology on trembling lips.

As the heart-wrenching cries of the woman he loved slowed, Keegan found himself hurrying to silence her apologies as well. "Hush, there's no reason to apologize. Just breathe milady. It'll be alright," he continued in the same soft tones. For several moments he fought with himself over whether or not he should be even more improper or before finally recognizing such thoughts were silly given they were already embracing. The damage of them being seen was enough as it was. Nothing more could truly harm their reputation as he was an otherwise honorable man.

Keegan nevertheless murmured his forgiveness before scooping her up into his arms, one supporting her back while the other supported her knees as he carried her blindly and slowly to a secluded area of the barn. Careful with his movements and praying he did not hurt her further than she already seemed to be as he maneuvered his away without the guidance of his hands to see for him, he eventually made it to his private room in the barn and sat down with her in his arms upon his bed where he could continue to hold and rock her soothingly.

Nadya could almost begin sobbing anew at the sweet, comforting words her sweet, sweet stable boy offered. Her own family could cause her such pain, and yet this poor, blind servant was willing to offer solace to some spoiled noble brat that hardly knew her place. She was awful to even ask comfort of him, though her plea was with actions rather than words as she clung all the tighter to him.

A soft gasp of surprise was given when Keegan lifted her from the ground. His willingness to hold her in his arms had been unexpected, but to be carried so delicately totally took the young woman aback. Rather than protest that he was blind, that he shouldn't carry her so, that this was all wrong, Nadya found herself nuzzling her face against his chest, feeling warm and protected and cared for as he brought her into his little room and set them upon his bed.

She was a little surprised to find she didn't feel very awkward at all sitting upon his lap, there in his room, on his bed. The situation was wildly inappropriate for so very many reasons but Nadya cared about none of those reasons.

"Thank you." Came the sniffling whisper.

Keegan continued to hold her close, refusing to let go even if she wanted him to. His heart was torn to shreds at the sound of her sobs, making him all that more protective of her. One hand continued rubbing soothingly at her back while the other chastely rested about her waist. Without thinking he placed a soft kiss to the top of her head while hugging her closer. "No need to thank me milady. I just wish the best for you."

There was absolutely no desire to leave his arms. The only movements that Nadya made were to bring herself more snugly against him. All she could think about was how nice his arms felt around her, how warm it was being pressed against his chest.

A fierce blush overcame her cheeks as she felt his lips lightly kiss her head, and her heart beat ferociously against her breast.

"Keegan?" The young woman whispered softly against the fabric of his shirt. "Please don't call me that. Not you..."

"It's what you are though," Keegan murmured against her soft hair. "My beautiful, sweet, funny, intelligent, courageous lady. So wonderful and perfect in every way. How could I call you anything else when you are the dazzlingly brilliant ray of sunshine in my life? You are my lady and I can't bear to hear otherwise."

"I'm far from perfect, Keegan." He said such wonderful things about her. Nadya knew that they weren't true, but it was still nice to hear it. The young lady shifted in his lap slightly, arms moving to wrap around him more securely as she lightly laid her head on his shoulder, face pressed softly against his neck. "And I like it when you use my name."

Keegan tried not to stiffen as she adjusted herself while praying she could not feel the way his heart clamored against his rib-cage seeking freedom from his chest. He wondered to himself how it was someone so sweet and small could make him feel so helpless in the face of her tears and unworthy in the circle of her arms.

"As you wish Nadya, but you are unkind to yourself. You are absolutely perfect in my eyes and no one, not even you, can convince me otherwise. You shouldn't tell yourself such hurtful lies either because one day you'll start believing in them and break my heart."

"You say such strange, beautiful, terrible things." How could she possibly break his heart? Nadya was nothing, meant nothing. To anyone. She knew what it was to have one's heart broken. Hers had been shattered repeatedly all her life. First losing her parents, and the last of it had been crushed at the loss of Noah. Her grandmother had always seemed determined to ensure that there was as little joy as possible in her life. She would never understand why the woman hated her so much.

No matter her own misery, it was wrong for her to seek comfort like this, especially from him. Keegan was such a sweet, gentle boy. He didn't deserve having to put up with her nonsense. So desperate for a friend, for someone, anyone, to care that she'd been disrupting his work and his life.

"I'm sorry, I make a mess of everything." No matter the thoughts running through her mind about how much Keegan must actually hate her, thinking her a spoiled, stupid girl, Nadya clung to him anyway. Even if he only said such sweet things to her out of some sense of obligation to pander to the whims of noblewoman, she still wanted to hear them, still wanted to feel his comforting embrace as he held her there in the relative privacy of his room.

He held his silence, refusing to comment. Now was not the time to bare his soul to her when she was already low and insecure. She did not need more worries on her mind. Instead he rubbed her back and held her close until she spoke again. "You have nothing to apologize for," Keegan assured her. "You're not a mess. Bad days don't make bad people. Tomorrow will be a better day I'm sure. You're too special and beautiful inside and out to let anyone or anything get in the way of your happiness. Never forget that!"

Special? Beautiful?

Nadya didn't feel like she was either of those things. Especially as she sat there in his lap, his arms around her as he attempted to soothe and comfort someone that deserved neither. Why was he so sweet to her? She had done nothing to earn such kindness from anyone.

Deserving or not, she wanted to soak it up and never leave her current position. Did she have to go back into her unforgiving world? If she couldn't remember happiness how was she to keep anyone from getting in the way of it? Her voice was so soft and weary. "I wish that I wasn't who I was. I lie awake some nights trying to imagine what it would have been like to be born someone else and somewhere far away from here. With parents that don't die and leave me to suffer that wretched old woman. Have you ever wished you could be someone else?"

Keegan inhaled and held his breath tightly before finally letting it in a heavy sigh while his head nestled in beside her own."Once," he breathed against her ear, "but not since." The stablehand swallowed thickly but was determined to continue despite how remembering pained him. "I wasn't always blind. I don't know if you knew that, but I lost my sight when I was young. Was workin' with a horse I was too young to be handling and who was too skittish to be rushed and he let me know. Kicked in t'e 'ead and next thing I know I wake up with a splintin' 'eadache and everything else seems fine."

He sighed again, fighting back the choking feeling of tears before he was able to continue again. "Took couple weeks, then I wished I was someone else. The moment was brief but I remember wakin' up and seein' not'in' but shadows. I wished..." a whistling breath was pulled through his teeth as he recalled wishing so desperately to be able to see Nadya's face one last time for even then he knew he was in love with her. "I wished to see an angel's face one last time." Keegan laughed and shook his head. "You know what the last thing I ever saw clearly was? A horse's hindquarters and ain't nobody wants to see that," he told her teasingly while rubbing her back more.

"We can't change the bodies we were born into or the accidents that changed them. But we can choose how we see ourselves regardless of how others see us or treat us. To the world I'll always just be an orphaned blind boy who works in the stables. That's not who I am though. I'm Keegan Phillips, a living, breathing man eager to live his life to the fullest and damn anyone who doubts me." Giving her an added squeeze he whispered more softly, "damn anyone who would dare doubt you."

Nadya listened silently, practically holding her breath as if afraid simply breathing too loudly might disturb and interrupt his story. Just hearing it made her heart ache for him. How could she be so weak when he was so strong? Here Keegan was, blinded as a child, poor as anything, and he was probably the most cheerful, optimistic person she had ever met.

And he was so kind to her. What angel could he possibly want to see when he was the angel?

"I'm so sorry, Keegan. You didn't deserve to go blind. Especially not like that." Nadya had thought she'd heard about a stable boy being injured when she was still quite young. It had never occurred to her that it was him. That alone made her even more ashamed. How could she call him her friend when she could have forgotten such a thing so easily? "You could never be just an orphaned blind boy to me, not after you have been so kind to me, especially since I don't deserve it."

She looked up at him sadly, knowing that he couldn't see her face or the regret in her lavender eyes. Nadya reached up a hand to lightly touch his cheek. "You're my first friend in this awful place since Noah left me here alone. I wish I could properly express how grateful I am for that."

"Bah! No more talk of deserving and not deserving. I won't 'ear none of it now I won't! No one deserves what 'appens to thems. But it's about what theys do with what life's given 'em. Like making that one special friend," he said more quietly, holding her close in his arms, before placing a kiss on the top of her head. "I'm a simple man, Nadya. Even if you all the fancy words you knew to express yourself I wouldn't understands. I know how much you care and how grateful you are because we are friends. It is something that does not need to be said. You are very...dear to me, Nadya. Never forget that, sweet angel. Never forget."

Nadya blushed and squirmed softly in his arms as he kissed the top of her head. Truly, she was alone with him in his room, settled into his lap - it was so very inappropriate, but she couldn't bring herself to feel guilty for being there. Being with Keegan, feeling his arms wrapped around her, it felt warm and safe. Things she had not felt much of in her life since Noah's passing.

"You are dear to me too, Keegan. I have had precious few reasons to smile, but just thinking of my visits with you brings a bright happiness to my days." It was true.

He flushed at her admission but did his best not to let her his embarrassment show on his face. Keegan was sure she did not mean it in the same manner that he did. But he would accept whatever love and affection she was willing to send his way. "I am glad then that I have been able to give you some of those reasons as you have been the reason behind many of my own smiles. One can't but help smile when you're near. You bring so much joy with you wherever you go," he said softly while snuggling her close. Keegan knew he should let go of her and let her leave but he could not bring himself to do so. She felt heavenly in his arms, so warm and protected. He wished he could do it for the rest of his days and even beyond that. It was a pity that he was a blind stableboy and she a beautiful noblewoman. He would have loved to woo her off her feet and marry her proper as she should be. It was a shame that life had dealt him such poor cards. Perhaps he would have better luck in his next lifetime.

The poor young noblewoman thought her cheeks might have become permanently stained pink by this point. Nadya was not sure she would ever be able to stop blushing. He said such kind things about her, none of which she felt deserving to receive. Who, aside from this sweet boy that lived in the stable, found joy from her existence? Certainly not her grandmother.

Her soft violet eyes closed and she laid her head against his chest, just allowing herself to bask in his comforting presence. "I never want to leave here."

One of the hands embracing her moved up to cradle her head close to him. The pair sat in comfortable silence as he rested his chin atop her head and breathed in her scent. She always brought with her the faint scent of clean soap and flowers wherever she went that lingered long after she was gone. If he was to let go of her after this then he wanted to commit everything to memory. The touch of her skin, the heat of her warmth, the scent of her hair, all of this and more he would have to cling to in the neverending dark when she was long gone in another's arms. The memory of this moment would have to be enough to sustain his soul which craved so ardently for hers.

Perhaps it was greed then that compelled him to hold her just a bit tighter against him. Or maybe it was just the selfless desire to comfort her. Truthfully, it was likely both though. "Stay as long as you need," he whispered his voice thick with emotion. "I'm not going anywhere."