"Well I have no wife either so I must stay here to ensure the line goes on." Stefan glanced at Bell a small smile on his face.

"You're a lucky man. Me? I hope to find a woman that will like me as much. "He said. "I just want a family. It won't make up for those that I lost, but...."he trailed off

"You could hang out with my sister." Stefan suggested "Once the princess from the other kingdom come's I will have no time for her anymore." he sighed a little.

"I'll admit, I have thought about it, but I don't want it to be forced. Plus, I doubt she likes me. "he said, getting up. He started wandering the castle, trying to kill time.

Andraus heard crying from one of the room. The sound lead him to Bell's room. She was in a corner with her knees pulled up to her face.

Andraus walked over, and put his hand on her shoulder. "Hey, what's wrong?"

Bell jumped then fell against him. "I was so scared." she blabbered.

Andraus held her, and rubbed her back. "Shh, It's okay, It's alright now..."he said.

Bell cried herself out when she finished she just stayed in his arms sniffling a little. "Sorry about your shirt." It was wet with her tears.

"Trust me, Lady Bell, I've had worse. "He said. He then gently kissed her head.

Bell blushed a little. ''I can imagine.'' she pushed back a stray piece of hair rubbing the tears from her face. ''thanks for staying with me.''

"It's no trouble. "he said. He then pulled out a silk cloth, and handed it to her. "Most valuable thing I own....belonged to my mother. "he said.

"you can have it back." Bell hurried to hand it back blinking at him.

Andraus took her hand, and closed it around it. He then kissed it. "please....I want you to have it." he said.

"If your sure." Bell blushed a little and smiled tucking it into her pocket offering her handkerchief in exchange.

"I'll keep it with me always. "he said, tucking it in his front pocket. He then kissed her hand, and stood up. "Best head off, least someone get the wrong idea..."he said.

"true." Bell stood "Do you want to go to the garden for a walk?" she asked with a smile tucking his handkerchief in her pocket.

"At your command, my lady. "He said, offering his hand.

Bell took his elbow instead and lead the way to the garden London followed them at a distance limping a little.

"Oi, London, come here a moment. "Andraus said, worried about his limping.

London walked over rubbing his side. "Yes?" He smiled. "It's just a cut stings like a bee though." He assured Bell who's face was clouded with worry.

"Yea, that's probably not a good sign. "he said, moving his side. "Damn...this is swollen to hell. Must've been a relatively weak poison, or a rusted blade. I'll have this cleaned up in a second. "he said, and looked at Bell. "Um, you might want to hold him down from jumping. This is gonna hurt like hell. "he said, pouring something onto a rag.

"I will not jump and I will certainly not have the princess hold me down." London snorted and lifted his shirt as Bell turned away.

"Okay then....bite onto this then. "he said, giving him a piece of wood. He then pressed the rag to his side.

(imagine putting your hand directly into a fire. Long and short of it)

London hissed and gripped the wood. "The heck is that?" He grimaced he had endured worse pain in battle.