Unknown L (Book 1)

~~~ The Keeper ~~~

Bryce smiled and nodded, "It does and I shouldn't doubt you, I know you better than that."

L nodded, "Yes you do so don't do it again. I'm not the best at feelings and mushy stuff but my recent brush with death has made me less cautious. We like each other and we should explore where that might lead, no debate or worrying."

Bryce stared at her for a moment, he seemed to be in awe of her. "Agreed, we do have a great many things to put in order first though."

L knew what he was talking about and she was glad they were on the same page.

"So when I have to go off into the world, are you going to stay behind and wait for me or are you coming with me?"

Bryce smirked then, "You think I'm going to stay behind while there are adventures to be had?"

They both shook their heads at the same time and shared a laugh, it was the lightest, happiest conversation either of them had had since that day in the watchtower. They grew silent after that, however, the walk was taking its toll on L. She managed to keep going though, following the Ogre brothers down the main route of the base.

It seemed to be sectioned like streets of a town and stretched on for quite a distance. It was definitely the biggest base of the three she'd been to. There was lots of open space, even between the houses, each of which had a front and back garden of its own. L was just thinking about the families that could settle down here when they stopped.

L looked up at the house and she immediately knew it was hers; it looked identical, if a little bigger, to the Worcester's old house, right down to the low roof that had a wall leading up to it. The wall wound around the garden and was only interrupted by the gate they now stood in front of.

There were lights on inside but it was a huge house for just one person and she wondered about the living arrangements when someone opened the front door. Mrs Worcester came running out to greet them, she already had an apron on and flour coated her hands.

"We've been here less than an hour and you're already cooking?" L asked with a smile.

Bryce opened the gate and they walked into the garden.

Mrs Worcester wiped her hands and pulled L into a hug, "Yes, I wanted to have some cookies ready for when you arrived. Peter has gone to help with the other injured but he'll be back soon."

"So, I get to live with you all again?" L asked.

She wasn't really sure why that wasn't a given and Mrs Worcester looked surprised when she pulled back from the hug.

"Of course, dear, where did you think you would be living?"

"Alone?" L didn't even question that thought at first and Bryce and Mrs Worcester exchanged glances.

"I told you, you'll never be alone again, not ever," Bryce spoke insistently as though he was trying to get it through to her.

"We wouldn't want to live anywhere else... unless you'd like to live alone, dear?"

L shook her head furiously, "Not at all, but I thought you'd want to go home now that it's safe for you."

Mrs Worcester smiled softly at L, "Home is where your family are, and we are all together now."

"What about the cows and your lives, and the farm?" L asked abruptly before the tears could brim over.

Mrs Worcester and Bryce burst out laughing, though not unkindly.

"I think that's long gone now, besides... from what I hear, we have some new possibilities to mull over." L's brow furrowed and Mrs Worcester continued with a quizzical expression. "Rumour has it, there's the chance that Peter and I could be Dragons, just like Robbie?"