It seems the Magus has not slept since we awoke from long-, well, long sleep.
The message from a priest of Northshire Abbey agitated Lothar's mind whole day. He couldn't concentrated on anything. He had to change his shirt twice because he spilt his drink on it. He kicked his horse too hard and that made him almost fall off at it's highest speed. Every word literally went in one ear and out the other. His mind and soul was far far away so Llane had to kick him out of a council. Lothar secretly thanked to his king, headed toward to the Abbey right away.
It was mid night when Lothar finally arrived. Full moon was hanging in the sky, Lothat could find way to the room without lamplight. He opened the door without knocking and saw Medivh's soft silhouette on the bed in the middle of the room.
His face was curtained with raven hair, but Lothar assured himself that his old friend is not dozing or sleeping in sitting position. Betraying every concern disturbed Lothar all day, he was pleased to see Medivh's sitting on the bed, not laying down unconscious for the first time in last decade.
"Hey, Med. You're not sleeping."
"It's just..."
Medivh's raven hair danced as he shook his head.
"I don't want to sleep."
His voice slightly cracked.
Lothar walked across the room toward the bed, realizing that he was captivated by Medivh's bare foot but not why. Maybe it was the moonlight, Lothar thought absently.
"But you have to. Brothers of Light told me that you haven't slept for days. You have to rest well to recover strength and..."
Lothar's voice trailed off as he tried to find out what he think he saw on his friend's eyes, something gleaming. Lothar's heart leapt in pain when he realized it was swelling tear in Medivh's eyes. Lothar hurried sat down by edge of the bed, gripped Medivh's shoulder. But like a frightened cat, Medivh escaped his grab.
"What's wrong? What happened? Are you ill?"
"No. no."
"Then what is it?"
"None of your concern."
Medivh said bluntly, though his voice has somewhat plaintive taint. He felt strange being inside him. He knew that. He knew there's nothing he can do about it, but tons of things he will do with it. Never before he felt so powerful and helpless at the same time.
"Everything about you is my concern. Tell me."
How can I tell you about this, me? Madivh thought. What do I supposed to do if you find out what kind of being am I now? What power do you have to stop me if it is my decision to kill you? You know nothing about magic. You... True. Anduin Lothar, you know nothing about magic. You can not feel this ill power inside me. Ironically, Lothar's irrelevance of magic eased his tension somehow.
"Med. It's me. You can tell me anything."
As if the word was a sign, tears started stream down Medivh's pale face, Lothar raised a hand, cupped his friend's chin and lifted gently as if his handling fragile glass. This time, Medivh's face easily tugged toward to Lothar's, but Lothar failed to meet Medivh's eyes.
Not like the eyes just kept pouring out tears, his mouth let nothing out. He's in agony no doubt. It seems at least not out of anything physical. Little relieved, but that didn't make Lothar's heart stop aching.
Lothar slowly armed around Medivh, carefully dragged him into broad chest. Hugging Medivh, he gasped without sound in surprise. Medivh's shirts was all soaked with sweat, his body was boiling with fever but shivering like he's cold.
"It's okay... It's okay... Shhhh, it's okay..."
Lothar whispered and patted Medivh's hair and back as gently as he could, like he would do so for a weeping child or a scared horse more likely.
"I'm here, Med, for you. I'm here."
Lothar couldn't sure if Medivh heard anything he said, but he felt Medivh's hands clutching his back tight, so tight Lothar even felt Medivh's fingernails digged into his flesh.
"By the Light, just tell me what hurts you like this. I'll do anything for you, and you know that."
"Save me..."
A weak voice escaped Medivh's lip. Too weak may it was, but struck Lothar hard like thunder. Save him? From what? What kind of being would tried hurt him? Who would dare?
Lothar pushed Medivh a little, hold his face and make him face Lothar's.
"Med, look at me. Med. What did you mean? What..."
Words died in Lothar's mouth when he finally met Medivh's eyes. Brilliant emerald orbs look into his eyes directly. Lothar has seen them countlessly before, but never they whirled with such terror, pain, and sorrow. Lothar's hearts sank.
"Save me, Anduin..."
Medivh's whisper turned painful cry. The words pierced Lothar.
"I will. I promise. Just... just don't cry. That make my heart ache."
Lothar pledged and plead. Not knowing what Medivh meant exactly, he swear he would do anything to save Medivh, to stop Medivh shedding tears. But the pledge didn't bring Medivh peace at once. Tears sill streaming down, body trembling faintly.
As a warrior whose life mostly was dedicated to rough battles with tough companions, Lothar knew not very many ways to calm someone down. Llane would and could say something nice to soothe the frail, but the best thing Lothar could think out was comforting Medivh's mind through comforting his body. He'd never thought he would do this to his dearest old friend, though he vaguely knew that he wants to do so.
Lothar's lips lightly touched Medivh's. Again, and again. Medivh startled a bit but did not refuse the kiss. Lothar was surprised that the mage's lip was softer than he expected, and much sweeter than he ever imagined or ever tasted.
Kiss on Medivh's lips was gentle but lasted little longer each time. It was all Lothar's will that strained himself not to jump on the mage. He fought hard against his raw lust dragged from nowhere toward his old friend.
All of sudden, Medivh responded, eagerly kissed him back. It was even desperate movement, like someone lost in the sea clinging to the only floating debris, like Lothar was the only hope. When Lothar tasted Medivh's tongue, when Lothar felt it as a juicy and sweet fruit, he had to admit the last will that harnessed his lust just evaporated.
"Light, forgive me."
Muttering, Lothar threw Medivh onto the bed.