Full Summary:

He was supposed to be her Guardian; he promised to protect her forever. But what happens when they are pulled apart? Do his feelings run deeper than he will admit? And who will protect her now? The timing is all wrong for them: she may be in greater danger than ever before, and he is helpless to save her.

Bound by a solemn oath he had no choice but to make, he can only watch as his loyalties are torn apart between a girl who meant everything to him for seventeen years and a group who are the last standing fighters for peace. He knows his past. His future is clouded. Will he make the right decision, not only for himself, but for the kingdom?

a/n (posted 2005):

forget everything anyone told you about this fic, & ignore the review replies. seriously. they'll burn your eyes. reading this makes me sentimental & rueful & embarrassed all at once. if you feel compelled to read this story, go ahead. just don't expect much, & try not to flame? i know it sucks, cringe. (if you really want to flame it, though, flame away :P)

but give the sequel a chance whether you can bear the writing here or not - i can't, though some days i find some fondness for it - because it does, thankfully, get better. erm, eventually. -headwall-

-k8