For the next three days, Blödhthringa rested. On the night of the third night, she was sitting up, enjoying her solemn silence, when the large doors opened. Nilfiem came through with a servant pushing a cart behind him. She stopped the cart at the foot of the dais and bowed to them and left. Nilfiem handed her a cup from the cart, Blödhthringa sniffed it before taking a sip; it was a very well blended coffee, light and creamy, she quite liked the taste. "Thank you." She said and he nodded, take a sip of his own tea, sitting on the edge of the bed. "How're you feeling?" He asked. Blödhthringa smiled, "a lot better," she opened and closed her free hand. "I never used that much magic that fast before, a feat that I don't plan to repeat, but I will be fine. Bleithr feeds me a steady stream of energy and with me in your care, I am sure I will make a full recovery." Nilfiem hesitated, then nodded to that. "That is good, I'd like to, now that we are alone, to personally thank you for saving me. A slice of steak was between my teeth when your spell stopped me from biting down on it."
Blödhthringa nodded. "I am happy, then, I focused most of my attention on you and my father, I had to focus twice as hard to stop you two with your wards. I had to grasp you and your wards, which drained my magic a lot faster than I had anticipated. But, if it served it's purpose, I am; happy." Nilfiem seemed at a loss for words. "You are different, you know that?" Blödhthringa rose an eyebrow, "Why do you say that?" He looked away, "Well, ever since you went to train in the forest of the elves, you... Seem a lot less human, more elf. You aren't the young lady I knew." Blödhthringa was hurt. "The circumstances may have changed, our destiny's may lie apart, but I am still the very same girl you knew and love, Nilfiem. I will admit I am more defined, but I am not different, nor am I the same." A soft laugh escaped him, "You speak clearly and like a wise sage, that's what I mean. You are a lot wiser and knowledgeable now. Do not mistake my tone; It's a good thing. I like that I've known you before and after, I say. But, yes, you are no longer the same woman under the same circumstances, but you are still Blödhthringa." Blödhthringa didn't know how to respond, simply nodded, "thank you." He shrugged. "Do you really have to go to Eragon?" He asked. Blödhthringa looked down at her coffee, in her vision it seemed to lose it's warmth, replaced by a icy chill, "It is my duty as a Rider. I cannot deny my service, nor can Bleithr ignore her own race. Nor will I settle for being apart from Bleithr for more than a day at the extreme maximum. I... I have to. Even if I, myself, do not want to, my fate lies there, I do not believe I will be gone forever, for I have forever to wait, but..." She paused and looked up at him, pausing long enough for him to realize she wanted him to look at her; she continued after his eyes made contact with hers; she said her piece so low, almost as a whisper, as if she were afraid of the words as she said them.
"You do not."
A simple quick phrase that summed up the spectrum of her feelings. If only he had been born elf, or if she had been born human, or if a dragon were to hatch for him; she'd might be willing to work things out with him. She allowed herself to hold his gaze for a few more breaths, then dropped it back to her cup. "You on the other hand, have not changed. You are as cunning and level headed as I've known you to be. I advise you to stay that way, but that would selfish, wouldn't it?" She said. Blödhthringa felt Bleithr's mind reach out to Nilfiem, who seemed surprised, it was the first time Bleithr had deigned to speak to him directly, Do not worry so much. She said to them both, You who walk on two-legs complicate things more for their own good; but for reasonable and unreasonable reasons. You care for each other, that much is true- Bleithr! Blödhthringa interrupted, She does? Asked Nilfiem, Bleithr continued, Blödhthringa there is no use denying it. If he hasn't the obvious, then he is more blind that I thought he was. There is a chill in the air, I can't explain it, but I have a feeling dark times are returning to this land, one that me and Blödhthringa will be at the forefront. Nilfiem stirred, I thought the Black Age was over? Bleithr continued, That is so, but dragons have gut feelings that are unusually wrong. I fear, this dark time, will prevent us from aiding my race with Eragon. Even if this proves to nothing but a feeling, which I hope it does, enjoy each other. Arya and Eragon were going separate ways and they stayed with each other as long as they could, remember the scrolls, Blödhthringa? And you, Bleithr turned her attention to Nilfiem, Quit being a worry wort. The future is still unknown, do not let the demons of the mind control your thoughts. With that, she withdrew from Nilfiem's mind and didn't speak to Blödhthringa any further. "I guess nothing escapes a dragon, huh?" Said Nilfiem and Blödhthringa smiled at that. "She surprised even me with her wisdom, Firnen taught her well." Nilfiem was the first to breech the subject. "What do you think, then? Do you want to.. indulge in each other until... that day? If it ever comes?" Blödhthringa's cheeks and the tips of her ears began to burn, she knew what he was asking, she didn't know, her better judgement told her no, but her heart told her yes. Her heart was winning.
"Maybe not so swiftly, but... I do not see the harm in filling the void of the heart." A broad smile appeared on Nilfiem's face, "Next time I see Bleithr, I'll have the biggest and juiciest buck in my entire kingdom prepared for her." Blödhthringa laughed lightly at his enthusiasm. "You would go to such lengths to thank Bleithr for her words?" Nilfiem nodded. "As I said, she made me the happiest man alive by aiding in my pursuit. I still harbor the flame of hope, I will not, cannot, let it go. You are worth the struggle." Blödhthringa was surprised at his openness and his words, but they comforted her in ways she did not know had troubled her. A fog in her mind that she had not realized was there, lifted. Before she could control her emotions, she let a little bit slip; "You are as kind as your words, my Nilfiem." Her eyes widened as she said that, she wanted to say 'my king' but her heart wanted to say 'Nilfiem' so in her rush, they combined. His eyes also widened, but seeing on her face that she hadn't planned to let that slip, he let it go. They talked for a few minutes longer, before he bode her farewell.
She laid down in the bed, and to Bleithr, she said; Next time, tell me before you do something like that, but... I'm glad you did.