Thane did not seem to know how to take this interaction.  Ellion's words were earnest, that much was clear, so he simply offered a nod in response.  He likely looked caught off guard by the sudden, frank way the conversation had turned.  He covered so much of the world in a thick layer of sarcasm that it was hard when the safety of that humor was stripped away.  He looked at Lana, but she did not meet his gaze.  He saw a sadness in her eyes as Ellion remarked about what had happened to them.  He knew the story, but he had chalked the whole thing up to young love, just a crush.  The sorrow in Lana's eyes told him there was so much more to it than that.<br/><br/>As Ellion turned over, Lana stood up and walked away from the fire.   Thane was quick to follow her, suddenly worried over what had just happened.<br/><br/>"I think I understand now, why you went back..."  Thane said, trying to break the frigid ice that seemed to form between them.  Lana had stepped into a small clearing near their camp and the moon bathed her in its soft light.<br/><br/>"You can't act like there is something between you and me, Thane."  She said softly, folding her arms and hugging herself for comfort.  "He's lost and all I want is for him to realize the truth again."  Lana had hoped that maybe they had made some progress back in Redcliffe, but she felt like whatever vibe Thane had given off, intentional or otherwise, might have caused them to backslide.  Thane had not been quiet in his feelings for her, and he seemed aware that her heart was not truly available.  It wasn't until now she truly knew why.  Some part of her had held on to this dream of the world changing her finding Ellion again.<br/><br/>"Maybe you should go ahead of us, for a few days.  We'll need lodging and some supplies in the Free Marches and if something happens, you can use the locket to find me."  She suggested.<br/><br/>Thane opened his mouth to protest but then thought better of it.  He nodded, solemnly.  "I'll be gone before you wake....And Lana..."  She turned to face him as he continued. "If the truth never returns to him, you always have a place with me."<br/><br/>It was a kind offer, one she quietly acknowledged, before letting him go to find his own bedroll near the fire.<br/><br/><hr class="bbc-hr"/><br/>As he had promised, Thane was gone in the morning.  There was a small note where he had slept that informed them he felt his best contribution to the team would be to travel on ahead and make sure they had what they needed in the Free Marches.  Lana had let Ellion discover it first, but once it was found.<br/><br/>She began to pack up her things, knowing they couldn't tarry long at their camp, but she paused in the middle of it.<br/><br/>"You need to know something.  I know Thane laid it on very thick, but I don't feel the same way he feels about me.  And I know you still can't trust me, but you need to know that.  I want you to know that.  My heart still belongs to the man in the tower, even if he doesn't exist anymore..."  It felt like an odd confession, but one she needed to share.  The man she had once knew could very well be gone forever.