Unattainable

Through out the night she awoke. Laying there in this mans arms, her husbands. She did not dare move those times fearing she would wake him. She did not want to deal with him just yet. Unable to sleep now she carefully pulled free from his hold. Dressing herself quietly Nadya snuck from the tent.

"Where are you going?" Nadya jumped in shock and turned to see an older man with graying brown hair.

"I... " She paused a moment and ran a hand through her hair. "I could not sleep so I wanted to go for a walk...."

"Does Clopin know you have left?" He asked.

I did not want to wake him nor did I see a need to tell him I was going for a walk. " She snapped.

The man laughed. "Calm yourself. I am not your enemy."

She sighed then looked to the tent. "How can I stay here married to a man I hate..." She said mostly to herself then looked to the man before turning away.

He put his hand on her shoulder. "Walk with me. I, like you, am restless and need someone to talk to." He said.

She looked to the hand he placed upon her shoulder and then looked to him nodding she walked with him as he had asked.

"So... how are you liking your time in the court so far?" He asked.

Raising a brow she looked to him. "I think you can guess..."

"Ah..." He said smiling slightly his hands behind his back as he walked. "And what do you think of your husband?" He asked. "Or is that an answer I should know as well?" He laughed.

"I believe both answers are the same ......" Nadya sighed looking over to him then around the court. "What do those other women see in him? The title? We are gypsies His title means nothing."

The man laughed again. "It isn't his title his after. It's his charm and his wit. His intelligence. And many other things..." He laughed. "And he's great with kids. Loves them in fact."

"What wit? What charm?" She laughed then shook her head. "He's as intelligent as a horses rear end."

The man laughed. "You just met him dear. Get to know him. You may find you do like him." He said. "Oh..." He said suddenly as if embarrassed. "Forgive my rudeness. My name is Methalius Ackart." He said bowing to her.

She smirked and tilted her head to the side. Well at least she found someone she could talk to here. "Nadya.. Well you know my last name now..."

"Nadya Trouillefou." He said as if testing the water. "Oui there is a fine ring to that."

"If you say so..." she muttered then looked to her tent thenstopped. "Methalius...... He... He said that he would marry me only because he didn't want to dishonor his father again..... What happened?"

"Have you seen Paris yet?" He asked her clearly avoiding the question.

Eying him she took not of his avoidance of the question but shook her head. "No, He said he was going to show me around in the morning..." Nadya shook her head as that sounded less then appealing to her.

Methalius laughed. "No he won't." He said. "He'll show you around the court at most... but as for Paris." He said. "Not until he trusts you."

"Well he has another thing coming because I'm NOT going to be cooped up in his smelly underground kingdom!" She growled at his answer.

"Give him time Nadya. Give yourself both some time." He said. "He is a very, very good man."

"Yes such a good man would always find company in whores..." She looked to him and then to the tunnel. Pausing a moment she looked back to him. "Can you take me out of here?"

"I'm afraid not." He said. "As for the whore comment. He's a very faithful person. He has ever cheated on anyone before." He said. "And he won't cheat on you."

"We'll see..." She looked to the tunnel. "Please I need to get out of here and get some fresh air.. I feel like hell being trapped in here... Please... Just for a bit..."

"The guards will stop us..." He said. "Course then again..." He smirked. "When has this ever stopped me before?" He moved towards the tunnels. "No funny business though." He said to her.

Smiling she could have hugged him. "Thank you! You have my word...." Nadya moved quickly behind him staying close so no one would ask questions.

Methalius could see the guards watching him as he passed. It wasn't long before they where stopped.

"Where do you think you're going?" He asked.

"I think I have right to leave the court as I wish." Methalius said.

"You do..." The guard said. "But she does not. We have direct orders from Clopin to not allow her to leave."

"She is with me. Think you she'd escape me?" He asked. "If you have quaral with it go tell your king on me." The guard looked to the other wondering who they feared more, Methalius or Clopin. They looked back to Methalius before both guards took off in the direction of Clopin's tent.

Nadya looked a little disapointed then looked to him. "Loyal bastards... I don't want you getting in trouble with that fool of a husband... " She looked back to the guards.

"He won't get mad at me." He said. "I'll take the blame for it, you won't get in trouble either."

"What makes you so sure?" Nadya asked.

Methalius laughed. "What would he do? Throw me out of the court?" He asked.

She looked confused and tilted her head to the side. "Maybe... Why wouldn't he?"

"I told you he was a nice man." Methalius said. "He would never throw out a family member."

"Fa--.....Family? You're part of his family?" Her brow twitched slightly. "Lets go before he wakes... "

"I'm his mother's brother. Or in short, his uncle." He laughed. "It'll be fine I promise. We won't go anywhere, we can just go out to get some air."

Nadya followed after him quickly. Part of her not only wanted fresh air but she also wanted to see just where she would live from now.

"Well well well.... what have we here?" Methalius turned around and saw Clopin with his arms crossed.

She turned as well and her heart sank. She was so close to just getting out.

"We where just going out for some air." Methalius said. Clopin looked to Nadya.

"Go back to the tent." His tone clearly meaning he wanted no lip from her.

"No..." She said then got frusterated turning fully to him. "If you don't trust me with him then YOU take me out of here! I can't stay cooped up in here like an animal! I gave you what you wanted last night! ALL I ASK! Is to get out of here!" She snapped at him her fists clenched tightly.

"I told you I would take you out tomorrow now go back to the tent."

"May your death come soon! That way I can be freed of you!" She growled and stormed away from him.

Clopin watched her walk back into the court before he glared at Methalius.

"Who the hell do you think you are?"

"Methalius Ackart, You should know me by now nephew." He watched as Nadya walk away as well befor turning his attention to Clopin.

"She is my wife Methalius. Where do you come off telling her she doesn't have to listen to me?"

"I believe she never listened to you before her and I ever met..." He said with a knowing smile. "You have a lovely wife Clopin... Count your blessings. She only wanted to go outside for a moment... You know how restless you got when you were not allowed out."

"Yeah.... and look where it got me." Clopin said. "A little restraint I think would do her good."

"Or make her even more unhappy.... She lost her family and her freedom in one day.." he reminded him.

"Oui..." He said. "And so did I." He glared at his uncle. "Who was there to help me then?" He said angrily before turning to leave.

"So you make your wife suffer as you did..." He watched him walk away. "And here I told her you were a good man....."

Clopin paused. "I'm not making her suffer. This will be better for her in the long run. Just like it was for me."

"What she needs now is not this." He motioned a hand to the court. "But there is never any reasoning with you... The danger is there... You can not protect her from the world by keeping her down here.... She will only hate you more and more."

"You would protect a girl you've just met." He said. "But not your own nephew? Where where you when..." Clopin paused not even able to talk about it.

"We both made mistakes. I learned from mine.... And she is not just some girl... She is family now..... If she wants out Clopin she will get out... I just pray that When she does she knows what to expect in Paris... How cruel the people here can be...." He paused then looked directly at Clopin. "If something were to happen to her... You would have only yourself to blame again....."

Clopin glared at him for many moments. "Mind your own business old man. How I treat my wife is no concern of yours." He said before walking away.

Nadyafound herself once more not listening to her husband. She wandered through one of the many tunnels. Knowing well enough that there was a Guard in there somewhere she didn't bother venturing fartherher hand ran over the many skulls that lined the edges of the tunnel. Pulling one from the pile she looked it over before seating herself amoung them. "One of the lucky ones...." She muttered to herself and tossed the skull aside.

She sat there for a long while before Clopin finally found her. "I thought I told you to go back to the tent."

"I thought You would have figured out by now that I don't care what you tell me.... " She said in a dry tone then looked to him. "I'm restless I can't sleep I just want to get out of this place for a bit.... Why are you forcing me to stay down here!?"

Clopin pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration. "Nadya... It's late. I'm tired. I haven't eaten supper yet I'm starving... all I really want to do is sleep." He said. "I told you I'd take you out tomorrow."

"Then go back to the tent! I can't leave you made sure of that!" She pushed off the pile of bones and moved past him. "I do not have to lay with you when you sleep."

"No.. you don't." He said. "But I wish you would."

Turning to him Nadya stared at him saying nothing.

Clopin sighed. "If I take you out for a bit will you come to bed?"

She watched him almost untrusting. Dropping her arms to her side she sighed as well. "Yes..."

Clopin sighed. "Fine... come with me." He said turning towards one of the other exits.

Blinking she followed after him quickly. To avoid loosing him in the darkness she reached out taking hold of his arm.

Clopin paused a moment feeling her touch his arm but continued on his way. The reached the exit.

"I must tell you though. Once you leave here you will know where the court is. You can not tell anyone who does not reside outside the court. Even if you think them your friend." He looked at her not angrily but with a look that told her just how grave the information could be in the wrong hands.

Nadya merely nodded she had heard stories of how Gypsies were treated in Paris. "I understand...."

Clopin looked her straight in the eye. "You understand..." He said. "If you tell anyone you would be putting every gypsy in the court in danger."

"YES! I understand!" she reapeated growing slightly annoyed that he had to ask her again.

"Don't snap at me. You think it's easy protecting this place? It's not." He said moving to the exit. He pushed it open a crack and peeked out. Seeing no one he opened it further and squeezed through the small crack.

She sighed rolling her eyes and just kept her mouth shut this time. She did not want to do or say anything that would make him change his mind she could feel the cooler air already and as he pushed aside the opening to the tunnel she seemed to start to relax. She pulled herself out of the tunnel after him greatful to be out of her confinement.

"Come..." Clopin said. "I have something to show you." He said holding out his hand to her.

She looked to his hand. Taking it in her own she allowed him to lead her to whatever it was the he wanted to show her.

They walked for nearly an hour before they came to his destination.

A walk like that was enough to wear anyone out. She on the other hand enjoyed it. She entertained his small talk, not saying anything rude or mean. once he finally stopped Nadya looked around the open field and then looked to Him. "This is what you wanted to show me?"

"Mhmm." He nodded. "I come here to think. It's quite and generally no one bothers me here." He looked around the small landscape. There was a small pond and a large tree which any child would call the perfect climbing tree. "I thought you'd like it." He said looking up at the stars in the clear sky.

She turned her attention to Clopin then looked toward the sky. Her hand still holding his lightly. "Thank You... Clopin..." She uttered softly.

"You like it?" He asked.

"Yes..." Nadya nodded then pulled her hand from his as she walked forward. Pausing a moment she looked back to him and smirked. "Are you still tired Husband?"

"A little." He said. "But we can stay for a bit if you like."

"Hmm... You might have a hard time Catching me if you are tired..." She said and walked a bit farther.

"And where would you go?" He asked smiling at her though it wasn't mocking in the least.

"Oh... You know..." She twirled her finger in a circle. "Around...." She continued putting distance between them and smirked.

"If you're expecting me to chase after you you're sadly mistaken." He said walking slowly towards her.

"Then I guess you'll never catch me. She pushed off her right foot into a hard run.

"Hey!" He cried out before chasing off after her.

She laughed and pushed herself harder trying to keep a good distance between them.

Clopin watched her run around the tree and ran after her. He was slightly annoyed but at the same time found it rather amusing.

Though she was quite fast He was a bit faster. She slipped near the edge of the pond as it was a bit slick from the dew giving him a chance to close in on her.

Clopin ran up behind her and grabbed her around the waste causing her to loose her footing on the slick grass. She half spun as she fell and grabbed him around the neck pulling him down with her. They both laughed as they landed before Clopin realized that he was practically laying on top of her. He stopped laughing and stared down at her a moment before leaning forward and kissing her lightly.

His kiss caught her off guard. She tried to pull away from him at first but stopped herself and a little reluctantly returned his kiss.

He pulled away from her and watched her reaction. He stared into her eyes and ran the back of his fingers over her cheek.

She closed her eyes at his touch. "I feel much better since you brought me here" she spoke softly.

"Mmmm...." He nodded in agreement. "We're going to have to go back soon though. I do need sleep." He said. He paused and looked down when he heard his stomach growl.

She laughed softly patting his belly. "I will cook you something when we get back home... Lets go..."

"But I'm quite comfortable here." He said teasingly kissing her nose.

She smirked looking to the pond she slowly moved her eyes back to him. "How cold do you think that water is?"

"Pretty cold." He said. "Don't even think it." He stood up and held his hand out to help her up. "Come lets go home. I have to be up tomorrow morning or I'm not going to be making any money to put food on the table."

Nadya smirked and allowed him to help her up. She walked closer to him on their way back. Slowly things were changing between them.

It had taken another hour for them to reach the court though the return trip seemed to go much faster. There wern't many guards out tonight luckily for them so it wasn't too difficult getting back into the court.

Clopin yawned and stretched as he entered his tent and flopped back on the bed on his back not undressing yet as he still needed to eat.

Nadya went in search of something that she could throw together quickly that would make a filling meal for Clopin. It was a good half hour before she had the small meal finished. Throwing the tent flap open she started to speak. "It's ready Clopi--" He was asleep.

Setting down the bit of food she prepared for him Nadya knelt upon the makeshift bed and crawled to him. Placing a hand to his chest she shook him lightly. "Clopi-" She jumped in shock as Clopin jumped awake his dagger to her thoat. She froze staring at him not knowing how to react and watched as he blinked the blurryness from his eyes. He stared at her for a good minute, neither of them moving before Clopin pulled the dagger away.

"I'm sorry." He said. "I didn't know it was you."

"....." Nadya drew away from him saying nothing. She rubbed her neck as she turned away from him grabbing the food she moved next to him before she stood. She didn't know what to say, nor did she know how to react to that.

"Nadya..." He paused not knowing what to say. "I'd never hurt you." He said. "If you don't believe anything I say at least believe that. I've been through things in my life I'd rather not remember never mind mention and it's made me a little.... well...." He picked at the food in front of him not meeting her gaze.

She shook her head. "Don't... You need to eat... I'm fine...." She tried to hide the fear he stuck with her asshe seated herself next to him looking to the food and sighed. "That's the best I could do with what I could find... I'm sorry..."

"Don't appologize." He said. "It's better than what I usually eat." He ate his food quietly. "I really am sorry." He said.

"I said I'm fine..." She said a bit more firmly as she slowly seated herself next to him.

Clopin finished his food and moved the plate to the side.

Nadya moved closer to him and placed a hand to his chest pushing him back onto the bed. She curled against him her head resting on his chest. "Go back to sleep.... I'll be here when you wake..."

Clopin sat back up and removed his shoes and tunic but kept his hose on for her sake. He moved properly onto the bed and pulled her to him covering them both with the blanket.

As he finally laid down with her. Blanket now covering them It was not long before she fell asleep.

Clopin stayed awake a while longer holding her in his arms. He brushed her hair gently out of her face and laid a soft kiss to her lips. "I'm sorry." He whispered one last time before he slowly drifted off to sleep.