Faren held his head in his hands. How could everything have gone so wrong so fast?<br/>He barely looked up in time to see how Reina was treating her... no, their daughter. And it filled him with rage. The paladin had seen some of the marks on the little girl's cheeks as she approached Samantha, and he nearly burst out right then and there. Now though, he could not hold it in any longer.<br/><br/>Before he could stand though, he felt a hand firmly hold him in his seat. Looking over his shoulder, he saw that it was Maric holding him back, his eyes telling him to calm down, or he would put him on his ass. So, reluctantly, Faren stayed in his place.<br/><br/>------------------<br/><br/>"Come on Samantha, we'll wait outside for Layla." Maric said to the young woman.<br/><br/>He walked to the door, ignoring Reigna despite the fact that he wanted to toss her outside. Opening it so that Samantha could walk through, he looked back at Nimue. His eyes met hers, and his look asked for her to stay with the others. He needed to speak to Samantha.<br/><br/><br/>"Samantha, you have every right to be angry with Faren." Maric said calmly as the two of them stood a ways from the house. "Hell, I'm pissed off at the boy myself. I'm probably going to knock him on his ass later on for it too. Just don't hate him. He may have made a very big mistake, but he is still the same man you fell in love with. And I know that he loves you more than the world. To be honest, I've never known that someone could love another as much as he does.<br/>"So go and have some rest. Relax and calm down a bit. But please, come back tomorrow. Right now, Faren needs you more than ever."<br/><br/>---------------------------<br/><br/>Faren could not stay calm. Samantha probably hated him right now, Maric was obviously disappointed, and he was stuck with who was probably his least favorite person in the world. He needed to get out. However, he was not going to leave Maisie alone with that vile woman.<br/><br/>"Fine, I'll get your bags!" He said as he got up from his chair. "I'm bringing Maisie with me though."<br/><br/>Reigna didn't even get a chance to say no, because as soon as he got up, he slapped her hand away from the little girl's and gently led her outside. He felt bad leaving Nimue on her own with that woman, but he knew she could handle herself.<br/><br/>However, he did not move to pick up the luggage. That was a lie he made to excuse himself so he could actually meet his daughter.<br/>It was dark out though, and the little girl seemed uneasy because of it as she clung to his arm.<br/><br/>"You don't like the dark?" Faren asked kindly as he stooped low to look into the little girl's eyes.<br/><br/>Maisie shook her head, confirming his suspicion. Faren himself hated the dark when he was younger, so he understood her fear very well. The paladin reached to the ground and picked up a nearby stone that was round and smooth. Holding it in front of his daughter, he murmured a few words and the stone began to glow, casting a gentle light on their surroundings. Instantly, Maisie's eyes went wide as saucers as she stared at the enchanted object.<br/><br/>"Here, hold out your hands." Faren instructed, his voice as caring as could be.<br/><br/>The little girl did as she was told. That was when Faren placed the small rock into her hands.<br/><br/>"This is yours now." He said. "If you ever need a light, hold this stone out and wish for it, and the rock will glow."<br/><br/>It wasn't a very good gift, Faren thought, but it would have to do. However, Maisie seemed very happy with it.<br/><br/>"Maisie, does your mommy hurt you ever?" Faren finally asked sadly.<br/><br/>At the question, his daughter looked away, hesitant to answer.<br/><br/>"It's okay Maisie, you can tell me whatever you want. You don't have to be scared around me."<br/><br/>After a bit of coaxing, Faren finally got an answer. It was just a small nod, but it was all he needed to confirm his suspicion. He could almost feel his heart break. For how long had he been missing from this girl's life, while she was at the mercy of Reigna?<br/><br/>"Don't worry Maisie, everything is going to be alright." Faren whispered, pulling her close in a tender embrace, tears in his eyes. "I'll take care of you."