<span style="font-style: italic">(Again, I am soooooo sorry for not replying sooner! Seems like I'm the only one breaking my rule &gt;&gt;; . . .)</span><br/><br/>Jeb became rigid and Meryl squeaked in fear. "Soldiers?" she rasped, turning to see. However, Jeb caught sight of the band of men before she did and hauled her into the bushes where Dumas disappeared. Jeb was furious inside, still berating himself for not walking away - and taking Meryl with him - when Dumas first approached them. While he beat himself over his lack of restraint when it came to her (something he wasn't even aware that he lacked in the first place), Meryl concentrated on calming her breathing. This was too much for her in the span of twenty minutes; she was not used to all this action, whirling, stomach-flipping, hole-jumping, and, now, red-uniformed soldiers stomping only feet away from her as they passed by. She shuddered when she heard them chortle loudly. It wasn't that she had any problem with military men in general: it was only her veteran father she had prejudices against. Naturally, anything relating to the military that she came across in the past few years made her cringe.<br/><br/>Jeb and Meryl weren't sitting too far within the bushes so they could feel the heat from the torches as the soldiers passed. But as the last man passed, a couple of embers sparked off his stick - and landed on the bush. Jeb's eyes widened as the leaves lit on fire.<br/><br/>---<br/><br/>The Hatter chuckled affectionately as he hugged Eleanor. He forgot he was out in the open for a second or two while holding her; her physical presence sometimes did that to him. But he became concerned when she pulled away and he could see her tortured expression; worse, he could feel it. He experienced her grief and deep hurt as she felt it right then. Eleanor said, “I’m sorry dear, for making you leave the mansion. But I couldn’t anymore. I can’t stay away, and now I’m afraid I have spoiled my chance. Jacy was just here.”<br/><br/>Hatter stiffened and frowned down at her. Ace was here while Eleanor was? So dangerously close? Hatter knew of the betrayal the woman in his arms went through due to the Red Queen's best knight. He knew that Ace was supposed to be Eleanor's faithful knight, to serve her and only her, and to protect Eleanor's title as Queen Elena. But Ace was a coward and fell too easily under the Queen's rule. The Hatter stepped back, placing firm hands on Eleanor's shoulder, and gazed down at her.<br/><br/>"Elena . . ." he sighed. "You need to be more careful; she could have killed you and not thought twice about it." He paused. "You are strong, but I can't help wondering about you." Hatter's face became kinder and more welcoming. "How are you, Eleanor?"