The Druid woke from his slumber. Not slow, not peaceful...but painful. Taking a large gulp of air and jumping upright when the cold air filled his lungs. The ice all around him made the air painfully cold. Burning his lungs and if he could, Allanon would have screamed out. The terror of the first breath of ice cold air hit him like a brick.

It hurt...Like knives pinching holes in his chest and Allanon closes his eyes while his fingers claw at his ribcage because he needed to take another breath in. Bracing himself against the sharp pains that would hit him once more. One should think he'd be used to these pains by now but he wasn't. Every single time he woke up from the sleep of Druids, Allanon remembered the pure agony of being asleep for so long.

The torment of the first inhales of oxygen and filling his lungs after his slumber wasn't new to him. But never did the Druid sleep for so long as he did now. His memory wasn't sharp yet. When he tried to think the images of his last memories were faded. Like a far away painting. Un-sharp. Untouchable. At least for now.

He tried to gather his thoughts while taking short breaths, hoping the pain would soon be bearable enough to get up and find his armor and sword. Not only did the cold air hurt his lungs, it was starting to cause anguish on his whole body. The cold nipped at his fingertips, his hair and his legs. Making it hard to move but he tried nonetheless.

The last thing he remembered was laying himself down in the cave for the Sleep of Druids after the War of Races. The Sleep had called for him and Allanon, although he tried, couldn't ignore it. The face of Pyra suddenly haunting his memory. They way he had left, without saying goodbye. He had feelings for her although she was an Elf. And it was forbidden to have relationships between the Elvin and Humans.

Was it love? He didn't know. Allanon did care for the Elvin woman. But he always tried to keep his distance, knowing it was a taboo around the Elvin. She would have been an outcast if the King knew about them.

But was it love?

His mind dwelled on that question for some reason while he could picture her standing before him. The brown hair braided and carefully pinned up. Her fine, long and pointy ears decorated with the finest Elven jewelry. Yes, she was beautiful. Gorgeous even. Allanon always thought Pyra was pretty.

But love...?

He shook his head slowly, his muscles ached not he used them again. A numb pain travelled through his body and Allanon realizes he could breath without too much trouble. His eyes still closed, taking deeper breaths while he feels the pain ease away.

His mind taking him back before the Sleep of Druids.

If he went to sleep, it meant the world was safe.

But he'd woken up again...

How much time had passed? Two years? Five? And what was happening that he was awake again?

"Thirty," a voice came from the distance, echoing in the ice all around him. It made him open his eyes slowly. "You've been asleep for thirty years, Allanon."

He had to use all his strength to turn towards the voice but Allanon sees nothing but walls made of ice around him. Squinting his eyes, he's able to ball his hands into fists.

"Show yourself," his voice hoarse and dry.

Silence.

But he can sense someone. No, something. The hairs on his neck go up and his skin tingles with the presence of magic. It has been a long time since Allanon felt magic this strong. Old magic. From before the Ancient World. It's presence almost makes the air crisp with excitement and in one second, Alannon knew...whatever was here with him was so much stronger then he could ever be.

"Show yourself," he asks again, hos voice stronger now. Demanding.

"I think you prefer this ... body?" The voice echoed from next to him now. "A ... human form?"

It had turned into a female voice ; delicate and questioning.

Slowly, Allanon turned his head again. And he falls silent while looking at the figure emerging from the ice. He sees the ice deforming before him. Turning into water and slowly a female human appears. Stepping out of the ice and her crystal blue eyes find his brown ones.

"Who are you?"

His muscles were still sore but Allanon came of the stone bed he was lying on while his hand reached for his sword. The air burst with magic again and when he glanced around the cave, tiny embers filled the air making the ice melt all around him.

And for the first time since thirty years, Allanon felt warmth surrounding him. It wasn't too hot, it was like an embrace ; making his skin tingling and he could feel the pain in his body leave. But he had difficulties breathing instead, the magic causing him to gasp for air until he held his hand up.

"Stop," he said to the woman before him, although a woman wasn't the right word. No human was capable of possessing such power. Neither was a human or Elf.

With a flick of her hand, the female made the embers drop down and with a click of her tongue the small fires were put out and disappeared as if they were never there. The cold returning to the cave and Allanon manages to grab his long coat to drape over his shoulders.

"Who are you," he asked again.

The woman her features were cold, distant but she tilted her head a bit to the left while looking at him. As if she was curious about Allanon.

"I'm Erin," she replied, "I watched over you for the last twenty years."

Allanon was speechless about the bit of information the woman gave him. His hand holding on to his blade and he sees her eyes travel from his face to his hand. Her own hands coming to a rest before her, fingers together and her gaze catches his again.

"That weapon," she started, "won't help you."

"I know," Allanon stated. "What are you?"

It was the first time her featured changed and a small, half smile appeared around her lips. "You know what I am, Allanon," she said, taking a careful step closer to him. Raising her hands to show him she isn't armed with any weapon. Only her magic. "Who are the only ones capable of guarding Druids while they sleep?"

Allanon closed his eyes, trying to make his brain work. Recalling the lessons with his master from so long ago and suddenly his eyes snap open.

"Impossible," he said, leaning against his stony bed, "you all died over three hundred years ago. With the first War or Races."

Erin shook her head slowly.

"Most of us, yes," she said and there was a hint of sadness that crossed her face. "But not all. Like you, I'm the last."

Allanon couldn't do much more then stare at her before opening his mouth to speak again.

"I never thought to see one with my own eyes," he murmured, knowing the danger had passed so he turned around and started to put on his armor.

"I do have a name," she countered, "but yes, your master came to me. Asked to keep you safe."

"But I've woken up," Allanon glanced over his shoulder just to see her standing icy still at the same place she was minutes ago.

"Yes," was all she said and he arched a brow, making her mimic his facial expression.

"Do you know why?"

"Yes," Erin replied again and Allanon sighed out of frustration. Apparently she didn't have loads of social skills...

"Why, Erin?" He asked, voice impatient.

"The Elcryss," Erin replied, her eyes sad all of a sudden, "it's dying, Allanon. They need you."

Clasping his belt closed and making sure his sword is safely bound, he turned to her with a worried look in his eyes.

"Then I have to go," ready to walk outside the cave and greet the sunshine once more. Although Allanon wished it was under different circumstances.

"And I will join you," Erin said slowly making Allanon stop in his tracks and turn to her.

Erin looked at him, again, with no expression but she was already right behind him.

"Your master asked," she said, "You need me by your side."

"Why," Allanon spoke harshly, feeling betrayed by his master.

"Because I'm stronger then you," Erin stated.

"You're an Elemental you're stronger then anyone."

"True," walking out together into the sunlight and Erin watched how Allanon closed his eyes when he felt the Sun against his skin.

She herself stretched out her arms to feel the soft tingling from the Sun on her new skin, making her smile softly and Erin mimicked Allanon with closing her eyes. But after a few second she opened one again and looked at him, wondering why he did what he did.

But she didn't get the chance to ask because he suddenly started walking.

"If you want to join, you better be able to follow."

Erin nodded but Allanon couldn't see it because he was already a few steps in front of her.