He smiled at her, showing his teeth in a handsome grin. "It's not weird, I've been wondering that myself." he said. Truth be told, it had been confusing him quite a bit. He knew the Fade had been looking for him from what the townsfolk and Bran had claimed, and it had completely caught him by surprise. "Why they're after me...I really don't know. I wish I did." he admitted. "I'm sure it was easy to find me once they reached the Two Rivers. Just ask for someone with red eyes." 

Maybe that was it, though he didn't know why that was special other than just being peculiar. He had always had a knack for being lucky. Maybe life was finally turning his luck around to bite him in the rump hard? Then again that seemed bloody unfair with his family and Mave involved. Speaking of which, he needed to speak to her on something. He took a deep breath and sat up straight, legs crossed and facing her. 

"Mave I..."  

He cleared his throat. He didn't know how to say it, even if they already both likely knew it. "I um, I...I fancy you." he said, his face burning like a torch. He was certain she felt similarly toward him. He tried to get the kiss out of his head. "But I don't know you. Not much, at least." he continued, and despite his bashfulness, he squared his shoulders and made himself move forward in his thoughts. 

"I need you to tell me why an Aes Sedai was going through the Two Rivers." he told her, eyes locking with hers. "If we're going to be traveling together, you need to tell me who you are and why I found you in the woods. If you can't do that then...no matter how much I like being around you, I won't be able to go with you. We're companions, or we're not." 

There was something compelling about his declaration. Not compulsion, or anything to do with the One Power. She could choose to do or say as she pleased, as always. But there was a weight to it, as if the wheel waxed and flexed its woven destiny. 
[@Penny]