Avar glanced anxiously at the doctor. "Well? Will she be alright?"
The doctor nodded. "She'll be fine. She just needs a little rest, is all."
An expression of relief crossed Avar's face. "Good. Now you may go."
The doctor nodded again and left the room.
Avar turned back to Aithene, who lay on her bed, in her chambers in Castle Adrall. Slowly, almost tenderly, he brushed her hair back from her face. Leaning over, he pressed a light kiss to her forehead, then started to leave.
Aithene's hand came up and caught his wrist as he turned. Barely conscious, she murmured, "No, stay."
An enormous smile crossed Avar's face, and he sat back down, pressing another kiss to her forehead. His arm slid back so that his hand rested within Aithene's, and he brought his other hand up to rest on her silky hair. As he touched her head, Aithene smiled in her sleep, and she gripped Avar's hand tighter.
Avar stayed, his hand clasped in her small one, until dawn came and he was called down to council about the war.
The next morning Aithene awoke to find Celeste standing over her.
"Oh, Queen Aithene," Celeste cried joyfully. "I'm so glad you're alright! You had us all worried sick! Especially King Avar."
Aithene blinked. "Avar was worried about me?"
Celeste nodded. "Yes, your Highness. He sat by your bed all night, holding your hand, until Baron Hawkor called him away to council."
Aithene blinked again, bewildered. "He stayed all night?"
"Yes, my Queen. At your request."
"I asked him to?" Aithene shook her head in confusion. "Are you sure?"
"Yes, Queen Aithene. Perfectly sure. I was there."
"Oh. Well, thank you for telling me, Celeste. Now please leave me-I should like to rest."
Celeste nodded, and she left the room. Aithene feel back against her pillows and was soon fast asleep once more.
When Aithene awoke next, it was darker out. She blinked, trying to clear her head, and sat up.
"Where am I?" she wondered. She looked around to find that she was in her own room at
Castle Adrall. She smiled slightly, glad to be home.
Home?
Yes, this was her home now, and she loved it as well as she loved Castle Darra.
"Aithene?"
Avar's voice at the door startled her, and she looked up.
"I don't believe you've ever called me by my first name before," she said, smiling at him.
She was smiling at him! Avar smiled back. "I do apologize, Aithene. However, I do not believe you have yet called me by mine."
"I also apologize, King Avar," Aithene said.
He shook his head. "Now, now, that was not my name."
Quietly this time she said, "Avar."
He smiled at her. Had she never noticed how kind his smile was before? "That's better. Now-how are you feeling? Are you comfortable? Did you sleep well?"
Aithene nodded. "Yes, my Lord, I am quite comfortable."
"Good."
Biting her lip, she continued. "I hear from Celeste that you sat by me all last night."
"At your request, my Queen," he said.
"Yes, I was told. Well-" she paused, then continued on. "Thank you."
He inclined his head respectfully. "You're welcome, my Queen. Do you require that same service again tonight?"
Aithene looked away, unsure of what to say. Finally she looked back up at him."No-I think that tonight you may share my bed with me."
Avar's face lit up with happiness, and he shut the door, crossing to her bed in a few swift steps. Climbing in beside her he wrapped his arms around her and whispered her name into her ear. "Aithene, Aithene, Aithene…"