I sat next to him on the small cot, quietly staring at him as I patiently waited for an answer. I twined my small hand through into his huge calloused one to distract myself. He sighed tremendously, closing his eyes and running his other hand through his hair.
"I don't know, Soren," he sighed. "This will be a tough battle." I looked into his eyes; he was putting on his battle face, a steely light shining in his blue eyes. "...but if it's a fight they want, then it's a damn close fight they'll get." I smiled at him, now so intensely devoted to his father's legacy.
"You'll do fine, Ike," I whispered, wrapping my arms around him and burying my face in his chest once more before battle to steady myself. His huge arms came around me and he exhaled a warm, shuddering breath into my hair. I could feel him shaking ever so slightly as he unconsciously tugged at my hair, comforting himself. Finally, he drew away and looked into my eyes, a faint smile on his face.
"Soren... could you... could you help me get ready?" he said unsteadily. I gave him a small smile and sprang out of his lap. As he squeezed his eyes shut and thought, or prayed, or whatever it was he did before battle, I puttered around our tent. With much difficulty, I brought him the Ragnell, once again wondering how he lifted it. I gently strapped his shoulder armor on, then found a suitable scrap of cloth lying around. Gently I eased his face from his hands and tied the scrap around his head, stealing a kiss on the back of his neck as I did so.
"Thank you, love," he whispered, strapping on his sword as I clambered off the cot and grabbed a few tomes. He had a hand on the tent flap, and he bent down and kissed me quickly.
"For luck. Whatever happens on the battlefield today, Soren, I love you, now and forever."
"And I you," I said, blushing slightly. He took my hand and we strode into the sunlight, waiting to face our destiny.