The faintest smile tugged at her lips for Leanja found victory in hearing the strength growing in his voice as he asserted he was healthy, ready to fight, and ready to serve. Perhaps he was still ensnared by the past but this was a precious first step out of the internal quagmire he had willingly submerged himself into. Tali was still pacing at a distance, keeping the princess in her line of vision, and was less convinced that stopping for the errant knight would have any victories. The handmaiden didn't lack compassion but she had a more healthy amount of caution about whom they consorted with and how leisurely. While the heir to the throne might be swelling in pride over her minute gain that did not mean this was worthy of their attention, safe, or not about to turn on its head and devolve rapidly.

"I don't proclaim to be a lady, but my mother is one, albeit certainly not your lady. She once told me we should never presume to know any lady's heart except our own should we happen to be one," she cautioned gently but sternly. It would have been comical if their only audience wasn't an increasingly worried servant of the royal lineage. The youth was so confident, so composed, and so casual she was almost chastising the brutish figure that had scared away so many other travelers on the road.

"Sir knight, no one but your lady can judge you for whatever you have done if what you say is true, but you should not let whatever sins you bear keep you from your duty. If you have marred her name and your own, what good will it do to sit here and possibly tarnish it more? If I had a knight I would want him to prove his diligence, his loyalty, his faith by trying to redeem himself. Only then would my heart rest easy," she stated resolutely. "If our soldiers their battle and then refused to fight again in the war many innocent lives would be lost."

After a moment's pause she reached forward and put her hand on the massive gauntlet. Out of the corner of his eye her eyes she could see Tali nearly have an aneurysm at the gesture. "There are many people who still need knights. If you are able I am certain your lady would want you to defend the weak. No leader of any country can be a force of good for everyone at all times. Until your lady releases you from your service, I truly believe you are [i]needed[/i]."