In those four days, Gendry had cursed himself for being impertinent. She had tested him in some way and he had failed miserably. What a fool he was. A prisoner? Sending a letter? He couldn't have been more stupid.

And in these nights when all he could do was shiver and try to sleep, the only company he had was the bitter curses he mumbled to himself. And then there was the gruel. Oh how he missed the meals Alayne brought him.

He was half asleep when he was awakened. At first he feared it was Mord to come mock him. But when he stood to look through the bars, he was astonished to see who it was.

"M'lady?" He questioned more than her simple presence, but whether he might be imagining it at all. Hadn't he dreamed this very thing the night before?