Disclaimers: Shingeki no Kyojin is the property of Hajime Isayama. This is a fan based fiction.

SPOILER WARNINGS: This story is based on the MANGA and all current chapters. If you've only seen the anime or find yourself still asking questions like: "Who are the Collosal and Armored Titans?" "Who is Freida Reiss?" "Who is Kenny Ackerman?" "What the hell is in Eren's basement?!" this fic will be HEAVY with spoilers. My apologies, and proceed with caution.

Author notes: Now that all that is aside, yay! Very happy to be kicking off this SNK fic finally. It's been in the works for quite some time. I am doing my best to stay absolutely faithful to the timeline, contents and characters.

Shamefully, this will be a LevixOC romance. No offense to the fandom! My otaku fangirlness loves some ErenxLevi/ErwinxLevi, but I just couldn't find an OC+Heichou fic that tickled me just right. So naturally, I had to make it exist. There will also be fun, drama, and of course, bad ass titan slaying all mixed in for your reading pleasure.
Anyway! Please enjoy! SUBSCRIBE! REVIEW!

Chapter One:

Year- 842

Linnea Shah woke with a start when their carriage hit a bump in the gravel road, causing her head to slide from it's resting place on the window frame and smack right into the glass of the window itself. "Ow..." she mumbled groggily, subsequently rubbing her forehead.

Her father chuckled from his seat across from her. "That was magnificent to behold."

Linnea smiled at her own expense, hoping the minor collision wouldn't leave a mark. It was quite a big day after all. Even for a noble born girl such as herself, it wasn't common to receive a royal invitation to the King's Estate. She pulled back the window curtain, squinting as the outside world's light seeped inside. They'd rode all through the night she assumed, and must be making their final approach soon. "How long was I asleep?" She asked.

"A few hours. Not sure how you managed it, like that. Looked quite uncomfortable. I haven't had a wink for myself." Her father replied.

The long journey to the Capital Mitras from their mountain home in the Saipali Ridge had been unforgiving. The mountain pass they called home lie to the far Northeast of Wall Rose. The initial travel was cold and uncomfortable. Once through the mountain passes, it gave way to rolling hills. Linnea had an affection for the countryside, admiring the rolling landscape for a good leg of their trip, but they soon became monotonous and even nauseating. An endless sea of green that seemed so vast and beautiful at first was now only a reminder of the time ahead and slow gate they'd maintained for days.

"You were mumbling in your sleep again." Her father's words pulled her from her thoughts. "What were you dreaming about?"

She let the curtain slip out of her fingers, allowing them to obscure the light again. "One of the stories I read in my studies..." She started, his expression changing as soon as she began to speak. "The one about the man who went away to war, and endured many trials to get home again."

Her father's face shifted behind his beard, bearing a disapproving tone. "Careful with that. Not here."

Linnea rolled her eyes, knowing beforehand he'd not approve of talks of their 'sacred duties' this far from their home. She held the thought quite sarcastically.

"It's just you and I, father." She reminded him, sinking back into her seat to get comfortable for the remainder of the trip.

He couldn't hold the displeased look for as long as he wanted. Instead, he smiled softly, despite himself. "You're too wise for such a young girl. I'd stop acting beyond my years while I could if I were you."

"I'm nearly eighteen, father." She corrected him, letting her eyelids flutter shut again. Nothing to do otherwise.

He chuckled. "So you are."

The horses indigenous to their mountain home caused quite the commotion through the streets of the Capital as they made their final approach to the Royal Estate. Their over sized hooves thundered through the streets like no one there had ever heard. Linnea noted the faces of the citizens. Some were perplexed, but most at the very least looked quite disconcerted. They'd never seen such beasts. Women drew back bonnets and men removed their hats for a better look. At least twice as large as the domesticated military steads they'd come to know in their streets. Linnea imagined in this mecca of trade, they should welcome such a large animal. In her estate, even the largest of loads could be towed through the unforgiving terrain by their faithful companions. When snows fell deep and roads froze over the food supplies always found their way through the paths from her isolated lands. But her father had warned these people were 'quite disturbed by change.' Such wariness had, in fact, shaped the nature of her life and the duties in it. Considering all that, she gave the strange people the benefit of the doubt and concluded her gentle companions must have looked quite intimidating to someone who'd never seen one.

"Have you ever seen such creatures?"

"Monstrous! Could those really be horses?!" The citizens of the capital clamored, cupping their hands to their faces, to whisper to one another.

"Who's in there?"

"A royal entourage! One of the nobles visiting the King!"

Linnea peeked out the window when the innermost gate of the capital began to rumble open. Mitras, home of His Majesty himself. She could feel the vibrations through the floor of the carriage into the soles of her feet. The horses drawn to their carriage nickered and bucked, restless from the commotion. Their driver did his best to hold them steady. She stared up at the impressive wall fortifying His Majesties estate with a sort of wonder. She recalled her private studies and what she had read about other giant man made structures, but the walls vast architect was unlike anything she'd read about. She found it, like she found most things, quite fascinating. Her father often encouraged her inquisitive nature, but as he looked on his daughter's face now he knew in his heart, at least in this instance, it was a bit misplaced.

When the carriage finally came to a halt, her father stood, adjusting his glasses and rebuttoning his jacket. Linnea followed his example, standing and straightening her dress. She fussed with her hair momentarily, but came to realize there wasn't much help for it after the days they'd spent on the road, save a bath maybe. The carriage door opened and her father exited, greeting the Military Police officers that waited outside expectantly. Linnea followed, squinting when she stepped out into the light. She lifted a hand to act as a visor for her eyes and noticed a hand extended in front of her to receive her. "Welcome to the capital, my Lady." The officer welcomed her.

She smiled warmly in return, taking his hand to assist her down the stairs. "Thank you, sir."

"The pleasure is mine. I am Nile Dok, Commander in the Military Police and I'll be overseeing the security of all the visiting nobles. My men are here to escort you to your affairs, Lord Shah." Nile gestured to the men behind him. "And for you my Lady, I'd like to offer a personal escort to you chambers. You must be tired from you journey."

Linnea looked to her father for approval, who nodded in return, beginning to follow the soldiers that led him. "Get some rest." He encouraged. "Straight to politics for me, I'm afraid."

Linnea smiled, kindly taking the arm of the Commander that had offered assistance. As a young noble Lady, she was commonly escorted in such a way back home. Commander Nile, however, was taken aback by the sudden touch and closeness. The girl, just smiled, as she awaited his lead. He reminded himself a girl born of such nobility and wealth likely knew nothing of the disciplines or lines of military conduct. This type of contact must be typical in the region she called home. The different regions within the walls often practiced different customs of respect. He had heard at least once before in his life that the mountain folk could be quite 'affectionate.' Despite this, he found his eyes lingering and his body caught awkwardly off guard. She was quite striking, even by the capitals standard of beauty. Her hair was long and light ash, tied out of her face in a braided crown. The rest billowed over her shoulders in waves, unkept from the journey. She appeared almost sun kissed, light freckles under her eyes and spreading across the bridge of her nose. Her deep green eyes were wide and even seemed to smile too. It was as if she gave off an aura of warmth. Nile used his free hand to cough into, clearing his throat. He reminded himself of his wife at home raising their child and immediately attention and a sense of duty returned. "Well then," He began. "Right this way to the guest chambers."

Their walk was a quiet one, only the clapping of Nile's boots breaking the silence. Linnea tried to occupy herself on the long walk, noting the architects and art of the King's grand estate. Her mind had always been like a sponge, soaking in the world around her and trying to process it. You could even call it a 'family curse.'

Her home in the mountains was well regarded. Her father and mother were the Lord and Lady of the most wealthy estate in the region. They controlled the trade of goods and livestock for most of the region and even beyond in the delicate system that balanced life within the walls. Though deep in the mountains, valley's in the passes were abundantly fertile and domesticated animals thrived. They were well loved by the surrounding villages and the Saipali people as a whole, sometimes even credited with the region's great success and happiness.

But, as with most isolated and mysterious places, a folklore loomed through the years. One that some of the nobles had perpetuated. That there was something the Shah's kept hidden deep in those mountains. That their lavish estate and good nature hid an agenda or treasure they kept to themselves. The Shah's did little to entertain or debunk the rumors. Rumors were rumors after all, and giving them breath gave them life. What they knew to be true, however, was what they knew…

As heiress of the Saipali Ridge, Linnea was destined for politics. That's why she had jumped at the chance to join her father on this trip. She was excited to establish her place among the people here. She'd been brought up knowing she'd have a big role to play. Eventually, her father might even find a man suitable to be her husband amongst the nobles that they'd share the King's company with.

Her studies through the years had taught her proper etiquette and how to hold a conversation, but she was finding it hard to implement the lessons now. She began to think the quiet awkward. People where she was from were a bit different. Always hospitable and talkative. She imagined these soldiers probably weren't trained in the art of small talk and favored comfort of duty, but she found her voice piercing the silence anyway. "How do you like the Capital, Commander Nile?" She asked.

"It suites me fine, my Lady." He replied simply.

She realized a dialogue might be somewhat of a feet. Still she pressed. "Are there many other nobles here?" She asked.

"A few others arrived today. You'll meet most of them at the King's dinner tomorrow night." He let her know.

"Will you be there?"

"Yes, but not as a guest, I'm afraid."

"Did you see anyone my age?" She asked, hopefully.

Finally a soft chuckle came from him. "I'm afraid not. Mostly old men." He caught himself. "Meaning no offense to you father." He regretted speaking at that moment.

But the girl laughed. "If you're saying I'm stuck with only old men the next few days, I hope for my sake you learn how to have a proper conversation Commander Nile. I could use the company." She teased him. He felt relieved, and even amused, a small smile sneaking on his face as he kept his eyes forward. She was, surprisingly, a very nice girl. Unlike most stuck up nobles he'd met. She didn't seem to look down upon anyone or condescend. Just talked, like anyone would to anyone else.

The dinner was the reason they'd traveled so far from home. For whatever reason they'd received the royal invitation about a month ago. 'A grand gathering of most well regarded nobles.' That's what the royal message had said anyway. Linnea's father had his hand in most of the region's trading affairs, so there was no shortage of work he could do in the capital. But this was Linnea's first time any place beside a mountain. She couldn't help her excitement. The start of her life as someone admired and respected and she hoped to make a good reputation for herself.

Nile opened the door to her quarters. "If you need anything, you only need to ask. Your family's help will be arriving shortly I'm told."

Linnea finally unhooked her arm from his and curtsied politely. "Thank you, Commander Nile."

Nile found himself blushing again despite himself. "You're very welcome. Enjoy your stay, Miss Shah." With that, he excused himself.

Linnea shut the door behind him, checking out her room. Large, with all the essentials. Water for washing. A vanity. Large windows. She was more than happy to toss herself carelessly onto the over sized bed, relishing the feeling of actual pillows. It was all welcomed after her long trip. She breathed a deep sigh, her face buried in the pillow. She stayed like that a while, but concluded she'd spent enough time sleeping and lazing in the carriage. Her body craved movement; circulation. She sat up and swung her legs over the side of the bed where they came to kick. She'd already contemplated how she'd spend her days while visiting the capital. She stood from the bed and made her way to the windows. It was only midday, and there was a whole world out there she'd spent her whole life reading about.

Now that the Shah family had been greeted and shown there way around, Nile found a lull in duties, and decided to seize the opportunity. He headed back to the royal military personnel quarters. Just as he grasped the doorknob to his room a voice called to him.

"Nile," The young Scout greeted.

He recognized his former classmate, but couldn't imagine why a Scout squad leader would be given quarter here. Especially during such a busy time. "Erwin Smith." He acknowledged his old friend.

"You seem to have you hands full today." The scout observed.

"A few of the nobility are visiting his Majesty." Nile explained "What brings you this far inside the walls?"

"Presenting a scouting and recon plan for all future expeditions to the Premiere himself." Erwin gestured the rolled up document he held.

Nile just nodded, remembering Erwin's incessant calculating ways. He couldn't fathom why the powers that be were suddenly conducting so many affairs at once. It put a greater workload on him and his underlings than he had become used to. "I'll see him this afternoon. Then I'll head to Shinganshina District tomorrow." Erwin went on. A friendly tension held between the two, even after so many years. Erwin spared Nile the formalities, keeping things brief. "I have a few more notes to draw up. Perhaps I'll see you again before I leave." Erwin opened a door just down the hall.

Nile assumed it was his quarters and just nodded again. "Yes I'm pretty busy myself." He said. With that Erwin nodded and retreated into his quarters. Mildly relieved the exchange had ended Nile wondered what was so off about himself, that every contact he'd had today had him so strange and off balance. 'Over worked', he concluded to himself, retiring into his chambers.

The guard at the entrance to the underground bowels of the capital looked amused. "I'm not quite sure I understand." He looked upon the girl and her companion. "You're paying me so you can go down there?" He asked.

"No." Linnea answered, shifting the weight of the basket she carried on her hip. "I'm paying you when we -come back- from down there. And to alert the proper authorities if we don't return. Now, if you don't mind these are quite heavy." She said, hoping he'd move this process along a bit faster.

"We shouldn't be doing this." The young maiden urged her mistress, holding a basket herself.

"It'll be fine, Mai." Linnea assured her friend before giving the guard one more insistent look.

He shrugged. "It's your funeral." And with that, he stepped aside, allowing them passage.

Linnea arched a brow at her companion and they both began their descent, one more reluctantly than the other. The steps seemed to go on and on, disappearing into darkness. The smell was the first thing Linnea noticed. Not a rancid odor, but it was certainly dank and stale. She imagined she'd get used to it soon enough. People did live down here, or so she had read. Her eyes finally began analyzing the shapes and figures in the limited light. When they finally came to the bottom of the stairs they followed the tunnel towards a faint light which eventually let out into a huge catacomb of a city. A bustling community, mirroring the one above, though heads hung lower. Her vision adjusted further, faces becoming easier to read. Unlike the hard, judgmental gazes she had received on the surface, here she received few looks at all. Most eyes were glued to the crude pavement, shuffling along. The eyes they had attracted though, she probably wished they hadn't. She had brought enough money to bribe anyone who might try and bother them worst case scenario. At least, that's what she kept telling herself. But she wouldn't tell her weary friend know any of that.

"We shouldn't be down here." Mai told her mistress again softly.

Linnea sucked in a breath and composed herself for her friends sake. "It's fine, no one has even noticed us." She assured and pressed on, Mai following closely behind.

But they had been noticed. By a few people. But particularly, a young man who had a reputation around here. As he began tailing them, he couldn't fathom no one else would take the opportunity. That's how he justified taking it for himself. They were too nicely dressed; too clean to be from this place. He could even smell their fragrance from the short distance he kept behind them, blending into the scenes and small crowds of the underground market.

'These stupid girls' he thought to himself. He'd seen them the moment they'd entered the underground, carelessly and obviously carrying goods. Alone. Unprotected. He wasn't so proud that the thought of robbing them hadn't crossed his mind, but their nerve to travel this far had at least made him curious, so Levi simply followed. He kept his distance, but managed to get within earshot without detection.

"Where exactly are we going?" Mai asked her mistress, becoming increasingly agitated,

"A doctor or a hospital." Linnea said simply, squinting to scan the crowd.

"Yes, but where?" Mai asked, her voice becoming more frustrated.

Linnea had omitted to tell her friend that she didn't actually know where such a place was. If she had let this little detail slip, all hope of getting her already timid chamber maiden down here would have been lost. It had already taken many, many favors to get the poor girl this far. So, she dodged the question all together, simply pressing on again. She scanned the people passing and trading in the market, until she finally found what she'd been looking for.

She smiled when she noticed a few children all squatting down in a circle playing some sort of game on the ground. She'd put on a brave face for her friend, but this little escapade was testing her courage more than she had anticipated. Even so, she was never afraid to talk to children. In fact, this was a skill she quite excelled at. "Hello there!" She greeted them warmly. The group of three looked up from their game. The pieces resembled stained glass with little animals carefully painted on them. The children stared at the stranger shyly. "Those a very beautiful." She added. "Did you make them?"

They still didn't answer. Just stared back at the girl that had interrupted their playtime. Mai felt more than uncomfortable, watching her mistress engage with the kids. She briefly contemplated everything in her life that had lead to this point. Deep in the bowels of the world, talking to children that played in the dirt. But Linnea knew better. With younger brothers herself and a tightly knit community at home, she knew the value of a child's favor. She came to crouch next to the children. "I'm looking for something. Could you help me?" She asked.

They looked to one another, then back to her. The girl spoke first. "What are you looking for?"

"A place where sick people go. Do you know a place like that?" Linnea smiled when all three children nodded in unison.

"Do you.." One began nervously. "Have something we can have in that?" He asked, pointing at the basket Linnea carried.

Her smile broadened. "In fact, I do!" Their faces all lit up, but then she added. "As soon as you take me to that place." The children eagerly nodded and collected their things to show the stranger the way. Linnea looked back at her companion with a rather smug look. Mai didn't share in her mistress's amusement in herself, begrudgingly readjusting the weight of her load and following after again.

"This is it?" Linnea asked the kids, quite unsure as she looked on what seemed to be a rather tiny home, not a hospital. It wasn't at all what she imagined.

"This is where a lot of the sick people go" One of the children insisted.

Linnea hoped she hadn't bragged too soon. She had, after all, blindly trusted children. But then she noticed a man leaving the tiny house, struggling to limp on one leg and support the rest of his weight with a crutch. Another man came out to help as they left. It looked exactly like an illness Linnea had read about in her studies leading up to her visit to the Capital. She gave a nod. "I see."

Ultimately, her father knew his daughters thirsty mind would suck in every bit of knowledge in writing available about the place they planned to visit. He'd always said she had a gift for learning, even by their family's standards. She'd read about the geography, and proper etiquette with royalty, but he knew she'd eventually stumble upon the existence of a huge underground city in one of her books. So the first time she'd inquired about the place and he saw that familiar curious nature in her eyes, he knew there was no sense fighting it. 'Curious minds were wandering minds and wandering souls', his late wife had always said. He always admired his daughter as such. Instead of arguing, or entertaining the idea, he had simply told her to 'use her head.' In her humble mind, she wasn't necessary disobeying him. Though he might beg to differ.

There was no stopping her now. She hoped she wouldn't be too embarrassed as she marched right up to the little home and knocked confidently on the door. After a few seconds the door opened, an older woman on the other side. She seemed quite confused, not expecting visitors of their kind, so Linnea felt she should speak right away. "Good afternoon. I was looking for a place that treats the sick."

The woman nodded, recognizing the children that accompanied the strangers, who still eagerly awaited their reward. "I do what I can. Are you ill?" The woman asked.

"No, I'm not. Actually, I was hoping there was something I could do for you." The ashy haired girl said, gesturing the load she carried.

The woman, more confused than ever, opened the door to let the girls inside.

"Thank you." Linnea stepped inside. It wasn't what she expected at all. Inside she found more people than she would have believed could fit in a place like this, if she didn't see it herself. They rested where they could, on makeshift beds, cots or just the floor. Everyone's attention was on her at once, which was unnerving, but she just kept reminding herself to smile and try and look friendly. 'At the very least, don't look like a threat.' she reminded herself mentally. Mai on the other hand, struggled to hide her horror. This was not a hospital or doctor by any definition she honored. It looked more like a halfway house. Had she known her mistress's mischief would eventually lead her to a place like this, she never could have been bribed.

The woman led the girls to a somewhat 'private' sitting area and offered them seats at a modest table. Linnea took her seat, aware her presence was drawing a little too much attention. She was relieved almost immediately though with the humor she needed. She couldn't help laughing as the kids who still tagged along, bounced up and down next to the table expectantly. She finally reached into the basket and pulled a handful of small wrapped candies. The children, anxious and wide eyed, waited for her to place them on the table top. They stared in awe at the colorful wrappers. The youngest of them even drooled a little "The treasures promised." She barely finished and lifted her hand before they snatched the candies up, a chorus of 'thank you's' resounding as they ran off to devour them.

The woman whose home they visited explained her house served as a home for the ill or displaced. Mostly children or elderly, but an increasing number of young residents were falling ill. Linnea came to the point of her visit when the woman mentioned this. "Where I come from, sometimes the storm seasons are long, and there isn't much direct sunlight. The lack of sun can severely affect the body and bone growth." She reached into her basket and offered her host several tea bags. "Over the years we've found that certain tea's greatly improve these symptoms if drank twice a day." She kept offering the tea, but the woman sitting across from her did not take them. Linnea wondered briefly why she wouldn't want her offering. She tried to fill the awkward silence with conversation. "I wondered why you wouldn't have a lot of tea down here but then it occurred to me you probably..." She started to hesitate, realizing her words. "couldn't grow tea leaves...down here.." She cleared her throat, mentally scolding herself, hoping she didn't give offense. 'Smooth..' she thought to herself.

"I appreciate this young Lady, I don't want to offend you," The woman began. "But I can't take this. You see, this all looks incredibly expensive. I could never hope to pay-" she started to decline.

"Oh, I don't want any payment." Linnea assured her.

The woman, surprised, now stumbled over her words. "I'm really not in a position to be indebted-"

"I'm not asking for anything in return." Linnea cut her off again assuring. "We have an abundance of these above ground. I'm happy to extend my family's trade to everyone. You seem to have a greater need for them than the stuffy aristocrats. I'm not even sure it'll work in this scenario, but really, it's all for you."

The woman was at a loss for words. She had no clue what brought on this act of kindness from this strange lady from the world above but it seemed she had no choice but to accept her gift. "I'll try to bring down more." Linnea added, provoking another severely displeased look from her companion.

The woman's gaze shifted past Linnea's shoulder and she stifled a laugh. Linnea, in turn glanced over her own shoulder and met at least 5 new sets of eyes, peeking around the doorway, along with the children that had brought her here. Apparently word was spreading among them that there was a nice lady with sweets like they'd never had before. "I'm afraid you may have started something here." The woman said apologetically, smiling.

Linnea only laughed. "I have little brothers." She let her know "I'm never short on candy."

Levi waited all the while on the stoop across from the house the girls had disappeared into. He scanned up and down the street, waiting an hour at least. He contemplated leaving, growing quite bored. But he had developed a feeling of responsibility for the safety of these girls. If they'd come all the way here to visit a place like this, he'd concluded they couldn't be bad. Incredibly stupid, but not bad. When the girls reappeared from the house, it was with a flock of kids. The taller girl seemed indifferent toward them, wearing a tired expression, but her mistress was completely engaged. She smiled, took their hands, talked to them. She seemed to genuinely enjoy their company. She even crouched down to say her goodbyes, planting a kiss on top of a few heads. He couldn't hear what she was saying from here, but he could see she was laughing most of the time.

At that moment up the street, a merchant trade wagon loaded its cargo, the crates making a resounding clap through the catacombs as they were piled. Levi instinctively jolted toward the noise, his knife in hand as if it had been an extension of his arm all along. When he realized what had caused the piercing noise his tension faded. He scanned the area a moment more just to be sure there was no immediate threat. Once satisfied he let a breath of relief out and started to put his knife back. When he turned back toward the house he watched to find the girls, he was startled all over again, the grip on the hilt of his knife tight again by reflex.

The short girl he'd spent a good part of his day observing and following was now standing no more than two feet from him. She recoiled when he became reactive to her, immediately regretting her decision to approach, but she held her ground. "I'm sorry." She apologized and raised a hand. "I didn't mean to startle you." She said, nervous laughter in her voice. Levi wondered briefly how she'd noticed him. Additionally he wondered how she'd managed to cross the space in such a short time without his detection. Noticing her tension, he quickly put his knife away. More comfortable now, the girl went on. "I know you were following us. I thought you might be planning to rob us." She admitted.

"No. But someone might have." He let her know.

"Yes, I guess. Is that why you're here?" She asked. He didn't answer right away, so she moved on, trying to seize an opportunity. She reached out to hand him a bag with some of the tea she'd brought. "Well, since you were kind enough to -not- rob us, I thought I might convince you to take us back?"

Levi stared uncomfortably at her offering before reaching out to take it.

Their walk back was quiet. Linnea couldn't wrap her head around how comfortable these people were with extended silences. Mai had given up her objections for the day, falling in line behind her mistress, nerves shot. Linnea followed close behind Levi, silently noticing how most people gave way to him instinctively. She tried to engage in conversation. "Do you know someone who's sick?" She asked him. He glanced over his shoulder, unsure why she would think that. She sensed that, so she continued. "I just thought that might be why you were following us. For some tea."

He was a little bit impressed. When on her journey had she noticed him? And what gave her such nerve that she'd allowed him to follow. "You looked lost." He told her.

"I kind of was." She admitted. They fell silent again.

As they came to the tunnel entrance of the underground, the above words waning light was visible in tight bands. Mai, impatiently pushed passed her mistress, scurrying ahead. "I'm alive, I'm alive, I'm alive." She chanted to herself, as she sped toward the stairs. Linnea laughed to herself, knowing she'd put her friend through hell today. Mai rushed up the stairs they'd come from. Linnea chose to wait. "Thank you for helping." She expressed her gratitude to the young man.

"Will you come back here?" He asked.

"Well, I'm going to try. I could come back tomorrow if-." She started with a smile.

"Don't." His answer interrupted her.

"Why not?" She asked.

"Someone like you just shouldn't be down here. " He warned her.

"Someone like me?" She asked, arching a brow at him. What exactly did he mean by that?

He was about to say the obvious. High born. Wealthy. All the things that came to mind at first glance. Then he considered what he'd seen. In the short time he'd watched, she'd been trusting, compassionate, generous. Perhaps all those were the reasons he should say instead. "What if I did want to attack you? What if I was just waiting for an opportunity?" He asked her coldly. "Like now. While you're alone." The chamber maiden had ascended much of the stairs by now. She could hardly do anything if her mistress was suddenly grabbed now and dragged back into the depths.

Linnea's face remained unchanged though. She just stared back at Levi's cool expression. "Well?" She finally asked, calling his bluff. There was a long silence between them. Levi didn't know if he was irritated that she'd challenged him, or impressed. "What's your name?" She asked.

He paused, reluctant to answer but found no reason not to. "Levi."

"Well, Levi, my name is Linnea." She told him. "I won't be in the Capital long. But if I do come back down here I hope I get to enjoy your charms again." She teased as she started up the stairs. He caught sight of the coy smile she held when she did, and the smile broadened once her back was to him.

Levi sighed to himself, watching her head back to the world she came from. 'The nerve of her.' He couldn't help thinking to himself, suppressing an uncharacteristic smirk.

"-It's an entire city. The books didn't do it justice." Linnea bragged to her less than entertained father in his chambers late the first night of their extended stay. "It's like a system of catacombs supported by... shear rock! I don't know what! It's so hard to describe." She went on enthusiastically. "And there's a market. I can't even begin to imagine how their trade system works. I imagine everything is horribly inflated. And I found a doctor that-"

"I had hoped you wouldn't be taking risks like this the very moment you got yourself inside the city..." Her father half heartedly scolded her, reclined in a large rocker.

"If you saw it you'd feel different. The kids were so happy. I don't think they'd ever had chocolate in their lives." She went on.

"Regrettable, for their parents." He pointed out.

Linnea noticed her fathers tone had changed since earlier. He seemed altogether different since she'd last seen him. He was distracted and somewhat distant. She'd been so enthused by the city it was only now she realized the work it must have been for her father. "Is everything okay, papa?" She asked, addressing him more affectionately.

Hasaan Shah looked to his daughter. He tried to wear a better expression. "To be honest, I'm not sure."

"Did something happen today?" She asked him.

He looked as if he were contemplating. "I'm... not sure."

Linnea rarely saw her father out of sorts and wondered if the trip and continued politics were affecting him further. "Is there something I can help you with?" She asked.

"Just..." He started, very distracted. "Don't forget your studies, Linnea." He told her, in a warning tone. "The Library. What the Shah's truly are."

She was concerned on a different level now. All his talks of caution before now seemed pointless. He'd even said word of their 'family's duties' were never to leave the mountain. Why was he speaking about it so freely now?

When he saw his daughter's concerned eyes he tried to reassure her. "I'm sorry, love. I didn't mean to frighten you. Just a precaution, like all the rest." He assured her, seeming more himself again. "I'll be fine for the dinner tomorrow. Don't worry. You should get some rest too."

She nodded, confused by the whole exchange. "You're sure everything is okay?" She pressed.

He held back a pained expression, but hugged her close before she could analyze it. "I love you very much." He told her, kissing the top of her head.

It wasn't strange for him to do or say so, but it still felt strange to her all the same. "I love you too. Please sleep well tonight. You pushed yourself too hard today" Linnea replied before dismissing herself to her chambers just down the hall.

It was late. Deep in the hour of the wolf. Linnea had tossed and turned in the unfamiliar place, but sleep still hadn't claimed her. Her mind just couldn't find rest. She thought about the man she'd met in the underground. He'd been so mysterious and quite handsome. His face was etched into her mind a bit too finely for a girl of her stature, she knew. But she felt no shame in the little crush she'd developed. What harm could it do? She smiled, head rolling on the pillow, breathing a sigh. No innocent thoughts could come this late at night, so she tried to mentally change the subject.

Instead her mind started to wonder about her father's words. He seemed so much different then he'd been when they'd arrived. At first Linnea thought he was just tired, but something just didn't seem right. Especially when he mentioned The Library.

'The Library.' The thought resounded in her head. The thing her family hid and protected from the world outside The Ridge. The thing she was truly meant to inherit. Restless now, Linnea sat up and leaned over the side of the bed. She slid her hand into the space between her mattress and the frame below it, and pulled out a leather bound journal she'd hidden there. She came to rest again among the downy blankets, opening the book and beginning to peel it's pages back one by one.

The contraptions she'd sketched hardly did the real thing justice she was sure. In her most private of studies, she'd read about crafts with massive wings that could speed across the sky, sometimes even carrying passengers. Her finger unconsciously traced over the lines, following the length of the sketched wing, measurements and math sloppily noted in the margins. She scanned her notes and drawings, page by page. She'd read the texts obsessively and tried to draw the marvels from memory, as her family would never approve of knowledge like this leaving the mountain passes. She couldn't help herself though. She just couldn't fathom something so magnificent could exist, and she was captivated.

She jumped when there was a knock on her door. She quickly shoved the journal under her pillow to hide it before analyzing the situation further. Through the window she could see it was nowhere near dawn. Not an appropriate time for visitors of any sort. She stared, the shadow of the two feet of whoever stood on the other side cast under the door. She felt nervous, like a child in the dark, but she mustered her courage and called. "Yes?" There was silence. She clearly saw the shadow under the door shift a bit, causing her hair to stand on end. Someone was definitely there. Just standing. Just waiting. She took another deep breathe, her inner monologue coaxing her to be brave. Who could it even be? She swung her legs over the corner of the bed and let her feet touch the cold floor. "Hello?" She called again, slowly standing.

Another uncomfortable silence, but a voice finally came. A girl's voice. "May I come in?"

Linnea contemplated. It wasn't a voice she recognized. "Who are you?" she asked, starting to pad softly toward the door.

The girl on the other side took her time answering again, leading Linnea to believe she might be toying with her. But an did answer come. "My name is Freida." Linnea didn't know of anyone by that name. "May I come in?" The voice asked again.

"I don't know you. Are you a noble?" Linnea asked. She was startled when the locked doorknob jiggled forcefully.

The silence became loud again, reverberating through the large room. "Yes. I want to talk to you." The voice said, more softly.

Linnea took in a long breath, unsure what gave her the nerve or strength to slowly unlock the door and allow it to slowly open. She sheepishly peeked out at the girl on the other side.

She couldn't say what happened after that. It was shortly after that moment that everything started to become unclear. Like everything that she'd woven together in her life so far chose this very moment to begin unraveling itself.

The next morning, Military Police activity ran rampant through the capital. Rumors had already begun to spill into the bustling city outside. The death of a noble was quite a serious affair. A suicide, everyone was assured. The unfortunate nobleman had leaped from his window during the night allegedly.

Nile Dok stared at the foreign noble girl's face as he sat across from her at a table in his private quarters. They didn't want to make things harder, so this is where he'd opted to bring her. She wasn't the same as she had been the day before. Face lit up with conversation and curiosity then, now it was dull and drained. It had been so all morning. She had less color now too, face still stained with tears. Nile anxiously scanned through the crude first draft of a report that had been hastily drawn up of the incident. He looked from the documents back to the girl. "Miss Linnea, can you tell me what happened last night now?"

Linnea seemed to stare into space. "Can I see my father now?" She asked in a weak voice.

Nile's face fell once again. It was really sad to see the young bright girl he'd met just yesterday like this. He sighed heavily and prepared to break the news to her, for the third time this morning. "Linnea I'm very sorry but your father is..." He searched for a delicate way to put the news, yet again. "not with us anymore.." He explained solemnly. She didn't seem to respond at all, just stared back at him as if he weren't finished speaking. Like he hadn't even made a point yet. It was eerie to him, the changes she'd gone through the last few hours alone. He pressed on. "You were in his room last night when we found you. You don't remember?" He asked. Again she was silent.

The first time this morning she'd woke in a daze and he'd told her all of this, she immediately became hysterical beyond control. She screamed, similar to the way she had when they first discovered her last night, tears streaming down her face. He held her and consoled her with some help from a female officer. When it finally seemed to absorb and she calmed, she was pressed for more information, but it was as if she hadn't heard the news to begin with. She just asked to see her father. The whole situation had to be explained to her again. The disturbed female officer had gone to retrieve a doctor under Commander Nile's instruction. The girl was certainly in need of assistance with coping. Nile kept her company throughout. He truly felt for the girl. He'd been summoned from his bed late in the night to tend to the gruesome matter and still hadn't turned in for himself, though another officer could certainly take the duty of keeping vigil over this girl.

The Shah girl still wasn't answering. Nile wanted to help but with the performance she put on last night and clear illness today, she wasn't making much of a case for herself. "Miss Linnea," Nile prompted her. "You were yelling last night." He pressed further into the matter than he had in his two previous attempts, hoping to provoke some answers. "You said some disturbing things, do you remember any of that?" He asked. The report he held documented the dialogue. She'd been crazed after finding her father, but screamed nonsense. She said things like 'I want the Queen.' 'The King is false.' 'The King should die.' The last of the statements causing the most concern. The circumstances of her father's death were already strange. Now some feared for their King's safety.

Linnea looked down into her palms and noticed their shake. Her eyes felt swollen and heavy, but she didn't recall doing any crying. It just seemed like she'd woken from a long dream. One she couldn't quite remember. "Was there a girl in my room last night?" Linnea asked Nile suddenly.

Nile stared back at her, baffled. The first time she had been able to speak clearly, and this is what she asked. "No, there wasn't." He assured her. His usual patrols and watches through the night hadn't reported anything out of the ordinary. Linnea thought on that a long time, as if something escaped her. Nile tried to remain on task. "We're talking about your father. You were in his room last night when we found he'd-"

"She told me she was the Queen." She told him.

Nile just stared, completely perplexed. He sighed heavily, setting the papers down on the table and rubbing his tired eyes. There was something clearly very wrong with this girl now. He knew tragedy could have a devastating affect on people, but the way this girl was acting was unlike anything he'd ever seen. He couldn't think of what to say next, so he looked down at the report and read through the scribbled notes again, looking for something he'd missed. Unsure of how to continue before a doctor arrived to examine the girl he decided to conclude his attempts. "When a doctor comes maybe you'll start to feel better." He told her.

He was startled by her once again when he noticed her eyes begin to well up, as they had before. The tears cleared the threshold of her lids and poured ceaselessly down her cheeks, though her face didn't seemed pained of strained. In fact, her face had hardly changed at all. As if the tears just flowed on their own. "Commander Nile?" She started.

"Yes?" He asked quickly, hoping for some sort of break through.

There was a silence again. Then she spoke. "Can...Can I see my father?"

Author notes: Yup, that's where we'll end it for now. Don't worry! Answers are coming!

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