Recast

Chapter 9

Sanya managed to not move anything during the rest of the meal, but Bernard knew it would be harder for her in a few hours. He could remember the havoc his powers had caused, and if hadn't had occurred in perhaps the most physically and mentally trying times in his life he would be inclined to consider the fact that it was actually slightly humorous at times, though completely irritating.

He heard a crash coming from the living room as he finished cleaning up the kitchen.

"I hate this!!" he heard Sanya yell as he entered the room. A flower vase lay on the floor in pieces.

"Calm down," Bernard said as he grabbed a dustpan and broom, "Extreme emotions will only make it worse."

"I don't think it can get much worse, if I so much as move my hands any more something goes flying." Sanya said stiffly sitting down, she may not have been moving around much, but Bernard could tell she was very angry.

"Just try to stay calm, a vase can be replaced." Bernard said.

"Yeah and what if I accidently do something to you, then what? I could like rip your head off by accident for all I know"

"Then we'll deal with it when it happens, though just in case you're forgiven before hand." Bernard said flashing her a smile he hadn't even known he had been holding back, as he idly rubbed his neck. He wasn't laughing at her, but he did find part of the whole thing quite entertaining.

"Oh wipe that smirk off your face, it ain't that funny."

"Of course not, I'll get you some hot chocolate." He said finishing up with the remnants of the vase, and dumping it into a trash can.

"Yeah how am I going to drink it I can't exactly use my hands."

"You'll figure it out." He said heading into the kitchen.

"Figure it out!? How do you suppose I do that?" Sanya said suppressing the urge to wave her hands around to prove her point.

"Guess you'll just have to try to control your power."

"Easier said than done." She mumbled under her breath.

Bernard put on the kettle of water and went back into the living room. He sat down in one of the separate chairs and watched as Sanya absently stared out of the window. It was snowing heavily, at least an inch every two hours. He loved when it snowed like that, large flakes lazily falling down to the ground, with out a single care in the world. He sighed as he rested his head back on the chair closing his eyes.

Sanya looked over at Bernard's resting form, she knew she wasn't making this easy for either of them, but she just didn't like the fact that he had lied to her and led her on the way he had. Though she had to give him credit, it was probably the only way to get her to come up here, and she shuddered at the thought of what would have happened if she had started to change in the normal world. She thanked him silently for everything he had done for her, even though she knew he didn't really want to, she thanked him anyway. Vowing to show him her gratitude when it was all said and done, even if that meant just giving him his space and not having anything to do with him.

The kettle went off in the kitchen and Bernard got up to go get it. With all her concentration Sanya followed him. He was startled to turn around and see her standing in the doorway.

"What are you doing up?" he asked.

"Just thought I'd come see if there is anything I can do to help."

"I think I can handle making hot chocolate, but thanks for the offer."

"Just thought I'd ask, not like I have anything else to do." Sanya said as she sat down at the small table tucked into the corner.

"It'll get better soon I promise," He said with a smile as he slid a mug full of steaming drink in front of her.

She smiled as she slowly grasped the mug and drank. "Mmmm that's so good." Sanya said closing her eyes, savoring the taste.

Bernard couldn't help but smile now, "Well I would hope so after a couple…well quite a few hundred years of experience."

Sanya almost spit out the drink in shock. "How old are you?"

Bernard laughed, one of the first genuine laughs he had in a while, "Oh after a while you stop counting but I would have to put it around…..lets say…..1250."

"You're like ancient."

"Actually I'm not considered that old compared to some things, but thanks you just ruined my last hold on youth."

Sanya started laughing, and soon they were both almost rolling on the floor. Next thing they knew the pot holders and towels were flying across the room, hitting some of the pots and pans. Luckily nothing broke, and it only caused them to laugh more, Sanya tried to get herself back in control.

"Ok ok, I think I'm going to try and get some rest. I don't think I can't take anymore laughing without splitting open my side." Sanya said rising.

Bernard nodded, he sighed at least he had gotten her mind off the problem at hand for the time being. And he picked up the towels and pot holders, not wanting to have to deal with the mess in the morning.

"Damn it!!" he heard yelled from the room as a loud crash reverberated through the entire apartment.

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah I'm fine!' she yelled back.

Bernard waited to hear if anything else went wrong but heard nothing. Well, he thought, this is starting to go a little bit better than I thought it would. He settled into the couch resting his head back on a pillow. Surprised to find himself thinking how he had actually enjoyed the last little bit, how beautiful her laugh sounded to his ears, like sleigh bells twinkling in the distance, and how her smile was like the soft glow of the stars light off of freshly fallen snow just after midnight.

His head shot up. This can't be happening, he thought to himself, there is no way I've become that attached to her, no I hate her, o dear fate I think I may like her.

He slumped forward placing his head in his hands. Sighing he tried to get some rest thanking the fates her transformation was actually going rather smoothly.

He closed his eyes and soon became oblivious to all that was around him, meanwhile Sanya struggled not to break anything as she got ready for bed, luckily most of what accidently got thrown across the room was unbreakable and didn't collide into anything that was, that said some of the pillows ended up in areas of the room they were never intended to be.

And thankfully she slept through what would have been the most difficult time. Her dreams were deep and full of snow and music drifting through the twilight air. The northern lights dancing overhead, her lying on her back amidst it all.

Bernard's dreams however remained troubled as they had been for at least the past millennium. He couldn't recall the last time he had a truly restful sleep. He dreamed of the jeers sent his way as a youngster, how he had been scorned, and how he still thought the other elves looked at him as inferior because of his human half. He thought there respectful distance they kept was because they didn't trust or like him, chalking it up to prejudice, that even after all he had done and sacrificed for them it would never be enough. It never crossed his mined that the distance was out of respect, that they thought he was just naturally distant, and wanted it that way. He never even imagined they could care about him as much as they really did. That deep down many off them wanted to be, aspired to be just like him.

A/N Sorry I haven't updated in a while, but here's a Christmas present to all of you. I promise I will finish it….eventually.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!