Maerad smiled at her three friends, after Hem had finally released her from the iron grip of his arms. She still sat on the ground, weak from having her powers ripped away from her, like an unthreaded blanket. Cadvan seemed relieved, thankful, worried, all at the same time. He had thought that his student, and his greatest friend, was dead after all, having seen her brother Hem sobbing over his sister's motionless body.
Out of his excitement for seeing Maerad alive, and hopefully, well, Cadvan ran from where he stood and collapsed to his knees besides her. He gathered her tightly in his arms and kissed her face all over. He was so thankful. Thankful for peace again, but also thankful he could see Maerad alive. Her teacher had truly thought that this would be the end of everyone, or just the end of Maerad. When the girl was about to play the tree song, Cadvan felt so much regret for never telling her how much he loved her. What if we died?, he thought, I would have never saw her brilliant smile again, nor would I ever get to hold her fragile body in my arms when she needed comfort…He pushed these thoughts away, just grateful to have her in his arms.
Maerad, just thankful she could see Cadvan in a peace filled world, kissed him back, pressing her lips passionately against his. She no longer felt the shyness she had always felt around him. No longer would Maerad fear falling in love. She new she had always loved him, even when they had argued. She knew he would never treat her as the men in Gilman's Cot had, and that Cadvan would only show love towards her.
Maerad slid her arms around his neck, completely forgetting that Saliman, Hekibel, and Hem were standing near by. Saliman was embracing Hem, glad his pupil had survived, and to busy hugging and praising him to notice Maerad and Cadvan's moment. Hem hugged him back and tried not to be nosy by looking at his sister and her teacher.
After a few more moments, Cadvan finally pulled away, smiling gently and looking right into Maerad's eyes.
She
stares right back into his eyes and whispers, "I'm sorry
Cadvan…"
Cadvan blinks a few times, slightly puzzled, "Why
on Earth would you be sorry? You just saved the world from the
Nameless One and-"
"No Cadvan. I mean I'm sorry for everything!" she says, looking away feeling ashamed. "I'm sorry for being too blind to notice how I felt, how you felt! I'm sorry for what happened back at the pass. I'm sorry for all the stupid things I have said to you. I'm sorry for", she stops abruptly when Cadvan turns her head back to him, and silences her with a gentle kiss. If not for him, Maerad would have kept rambling on until her breath was lost, and he knew that.
"You have no need to feel sorry," he says after he pulls his lips away from hers, "I am as much at fault as any one. The only reason I have never said anything is because I did not want you to fear me."
Maerad frowns, feeling guilty because she would have felt fear from him if he had said anything; it would have reminded her of when Ardina told her how painful love was. "Now this is no time for sad faces, Maerad," he says, resting a rough hand gently on her cheek, "This is a time for celebration, because thanks to you and Hem, the world is how it should be." Cadvan gives Maerad one of his brightest smiles just before he stands up.
She watches his movements as he
heaves himself up off the ground and holds his hand out for
hers.
"Cadvan…" she says quietly and looks up at him
seriously.
"Yes?"
Maerad's seriousness vanishes. She
smiles brightly up at him and grabs his hand, "I love you."
