A/N: Important: You will need to reread chapter 8. There has been significant reworking.
Disclaimer: I still don't own Neverwinter Nights or Valen, despite my many threatening/desperate letters.
Recommended Listening: Alone with the Sea by Hurt
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Valen could dimly see a pinpoint of light further into the caves. Barely daring to hope that it was an exit, he lifted Eleniel up cautiously so that his armor would not hurt her. Her eyes were dull and her breath ragged, but he suspected that would pass, in time. It wasn't easy returning to life. His first concern was leaving the ruins, then he could take a better look at her. He made his way up the path, mindful of any rocks that might trip him up. After what seemed like ages, he reached the end and they stumbled out into the daylight. The place was vastly different from the entrance of the ruins.
A lush meadow stretched ahead of him, a single creek flowing through it. Flowers were in bloom, their many different colors a stark contrast to the green of the long grass. Valen glanced back at where the ruins, narrowing his eyes. The exit had vanished, leaving only a large boulder. He moved forward into the grass and away from the ruins, gently setting Eleniel on the ground. She gazed up, looking past him into the sky. Valen knelt beside her, carefully checking her body for broken bones or any other wounds. She reacted little to his touch, merely flicking her eyes in his direction. As he took his hands away, Eleniel slowly crawled onto her knees. A sudden coughing fit wracked her body, and Valen steadied her as she shook. A small breath escaped her lips and she fell forward into his arms, unconscious.
Valen lifted her up, tenderly brushing a stray strand of hair from her forehead. Looking to the sun, he began to long trek back to Neverwinter.
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Valen held Eleniel's hand, trying to bring some warmth to the cold flesh. She was sleeping quietly on the inn bed, huddled into a tight ball. She woke at his touch, her hollow eyes opening wide. Moonlight streamed into the room as she stirred, illuminating her pale, gaunt form. Eleniel's gaze turned from Valen to the window, and she wearily pulled herself up from the bed. Valen frowned, watching her sway unsteadily as she tried to walk to the window. She placed a hand on the sill, resting her weight upon it as she raised a hand to the glass.
"Are you alright?"
Eleniel tilted her head slightly, before nodding. She turned back to the window, then hesitatingly shook her head. "N-no. I'm not."
Valen stood, walking over to her. She glanced up at him, her face tear-stained. He frowned, unsettled at seeing Eleniel's normally unshakable facade fall apart. Her voice pained, she continued, "I haven't been alright for some time now...when...when I left you, it was devastating. But even that agony is nothing to what I am going through now. No matter how I try, I can't seem to shake this-this fog!"
She turned to him, her face flushed. Valen encircled his arms around her, soothing her. "Listen. We've fought against the whole of the Underdark, we've been through the Hells, and destroyed Mephistopheles. Whatever is happening to you, my love, we will get through it together, I swear."
Valen held her as she slipped back into a quiet slumber, only following her into sleep when the sun rose.
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Well, that's it. To tell the truth, I'm less than happy with the story, but I just wanted to finish it up. Another story has been begging for my attention for awhile now, but I wasn't able to start it until I finished this one. The next time I do a Neverwinter Nights story, I will make sure that I know what I'm doing.
Thanks to all who read this story, and cookies for all my reviewers. Not to mention, an extra-special thank you to anesor, for all of her? help with the story.
Now, maybe I can go start that other story. :)
