"Do you miss the Ranger?"

"Why should I miss him?" he replies, eyebrow raised in question.

She looks up at him, then says, "for lack of solitude and independence?"

He frowns, unsure as to her purpose, yet willing to play her game for a while.

"No, I do not miss the loneliness, nor cold nights spent in pelting rain," he answers, drawing her close. Her intentions dawning on him, he smiles, "not even with today's council meeting in mind."

She turns to him and smiles at his boyish grin that, for a heartbeat, outshines the silver streaks in his hair.