Chapter 20 ~ Awakening

Arthas sighed wearily as he laid his mage back down for what felt like the millionth time after her latest feeding. Weeks she has laid there limp and almost lifeless. He had hoped she would have woken long ago, until the fever set in. still, he hoped he could bring her back to the waking world once the shivering stopped. So he never left her side, used his frost powers to keep her cool as her temperature spiked and she sweat out more than he's ever seen a person do. He made sure to bathe and clean her often, and over time she started to look like herself again. She still had a ways to go, but she had come far. But she still had yet to wake. Sadrienia had examined her and told him she was healthy enough to wake up any minute now… she said that a week ago. The rest of the citadel assumed he was pouting after his defeat at Light's hope, and he was happy to let them think that. In truth what hurt him most was her torture, and his own accident was swept off to the side and almost forgotten. The men that harmed her are still hanging in their own chains, and by his order are not allowed to die again until she wakes… but he still was not satisfied. Not until he looked into those gloriously beautiful blue orbs again.

He slowly rose with another sigh and changed is attire for bed. He missed her voice more than he can stand. He gently sat on his side of the bed and pet her, reminiscing on how it would always gently wake her in the mornings. But not now. Suddenly a thought filled his mind. The fates must be punishing him for turning from the Light. Perhaps if he pleaded they might spare her… before he knew it his head was bent and his eyes closed.

"I know I deserve to suffer for turning my back on you. I have done much against your will, and I know I will face much more punishment… but she has done nothing against you. She is innocent and has suffered more than enough already. Please. Spare her and turn your might against me instead…"

He waited for a while before looking back at his mage again. Nothing. I should have figured. He very gingerly lay his head across her breast and listened to her heart beat, intending to remove it after a while to rest it on his pillow. Then he became aware of the dreamscape beginning to overcome him as her rhythmic heart lulled him to sleep.

~o0o~

Evirah first became aware of a heaviness in her chest that only made her slightly uncomfortable. Then she realized the searing pain that limited her breathing was gone, as was the constant ache of hunger in her belly. Her hands were heavy but by her side, and instead of hanging cold and exposed she lay wrapped in a warm cocoon. With effort she opened her eyes and blinked away the blurriness until an ivory mane drew her gaze down. She smiled weakly as she recognized Arthas' silken hair covering much of his peacefully resting face. With great effort she lifted her hand and gently swept it away and smiled at the sight. His eyelids twitched lightly at the touch before a hand lazily reached up and held hers. His eyes slowly opened and focused on her smiling face before widening entirely.

"Evirah!" He called as he sat up and kissed her eagerly. Her lips responded weakly, but they still responded, and that was all that mattered.

"Arthas… I… I had prayed you would come back." She breathed as tears welled in her eyes.

"I did. Please forgive me for taking so long." He said as his own eyes began to water. He kissed her again before turning and shouting to the guards outside his door to rouse Gelith and bring him here, knowing Sadrienia would follow. "How do you feel?"

"Different… I don't know… numb I guess." She answered, but in truth she felt… dirty. She felt unclean and disgusting.

"Evirah!" Sadrienia called as she ran into the room and abruptly embraced the flustered mage, "You've finally awoken!"

"She lives!" Gelith happily and sarcastically added, smiling broadly and somewhat uncharacteristically. Evirah just responded with a weak smile and averted her eyes from her friends. Sadrienia quickly examined the mage as Arthas watched attentively, noting how his mage moved the minimal amount necessary.

"You are still weak, but you are otherwise fine." The elf announced as she placed a hand on her friend's cheek, earning a yawn from the woman.

"You're yawning? You've been asleep for over a month woman, how much rest do you need?!" Gelith somewhat jested. Arthas glared at him as Evirah's eyes widened.

"A month?"

"Yes my dear…"

"How… How long were you… how long did they…" she stammered.

"Also about a month…"

"… It felt like longer." She whispered as her eyes got distant before she blinked and looked at Arthas, "I'm tired…"

"It's ok. What you need now is rest anyways." Sadrienia told the mage in response to Arthas' questioning look. She then looked him reassuringly in the eye, "She will wake in the morning."

"I bid you a good night resilient lady." Gelith said with a kiss to the mage's small hand, "I won't be able to see you in the morning due to a raid on an early morning caravan, but I shall return tomorrow to hopefully see you on your feet."

Once they left Arthas quickly lay next to her and hummed in contentment as she finally curled into him once more. Oh how he missed it. His body felt alight with tingly joy, but he didn't dare move and disturb her.

Evirah pushed out her unease and embraced the numbness of slumber as she nuzzled into him. The last thing she heard before completely sinking into the darkness was her Ivory haired knight saying a distant "Thank you." To whom he spoke she didn't have the will to speculate until perhaps in the morning.

A/N: I know this chapter was kinda short but it had much info. Again I apologize for the late posts and know I will try to keep these events to a minimum. Again feel free to leave me plenty of reviews and comments. Feel free to hold the flames. Unfortunately not much longer before we reach the story's conclusion, but we still have a ways before the sweet sorrow.