Chapter XX
Sammy's fever had broken during the siege. Melisende had not allowed him to go outdoors for fear he would be hit by an arrow or shrapnel. Now that the siege was over, he was itching to go out and followed Melisende into the village where she checked on the damage and was helping to rebuild.
They had not spoken of what had happened to his mother. Melisende figured that he would speak of it when he desired to and she didn't pester him about how he was feeling. She knew that when she had lost her family, that was the last thing she had wanted. Sammy did ask about Nathaniel. Melisende had a hard time concealing her worry from Sammy, but if he noticed anything, he did not mention it. Instead, he threw all his energy into helping clear out rubble at the outer gates, following Melisende's lead.
"Take it easy Sammy," she warned, "you've only just recovered. Put your cloak back on, it's cold."
Sammy rolled his eyes, but did as she bid, putting his cloak back on.
Maker, I sound like my mother. Nagging and fussing over the boy every minute, she thought. A smile crept onto her face.
An older woman carrying a basket full of bread hobbled towards the group clearing the rubble. "Time for a break," she chided. The smell of freshly baked bread wafted towards the hardworking group, causing stomachs to grumble with hunger. Melisende nodded and then motioned for everyone to break. Anders joined them then, looking a little hung over.
"Still hung over, Anders?" Melisende teased.
"Ah, the soldiers would not let me bow out of the drinking contest. I lost well before it was done," he replied, full of mirth.
"You deserved to be celebrated. Your magic kept everyone well rested." Melisende said, taking a bite of bread.
Before Anders could reply, Sammy shouted from atop the crumbling outer gate.
"Sammy, get down from there!" Melisende nagged, fearing a tumble.
"But look!" he replied, pointing in the distance excitedly. Annoyed, she climbed up to see what he was pointing at. Not too far down the road were four figures walking slowly towards the Keep. Her skin tingled in excitement and her heart leapt in disbelief.
"Anders," she said, motioning for him to come and see as well. Anders and everyone else around climbed onto the rubble to look.
"It is them. They have returned." Anders confirmed excitedly. Some of the villagers began to wave excitedly at the four figures.
"The Commander is alive!" one of them cried out.
"Is it really them?" Sammy whispered. The lead figure waved back and as they neared the Keep, the sun gleamed off of his golden-flamed hair. Melisende smiled.
"Yes," she whispered back to Sammy.
"Open the gates!" she yelled excitedly at the guards. An excited commotion broke out among the villagers as the figures came clearly into view –Tristan, Justice, Velanna… and Nathaniel. Melisende stood poised on the rubble, her heart beating tremendously. The gates creaked open and the four lost Wardens entered. The villagers crowded around them. Sammy ran to Nathaniel. Melisende could not move.
They looked tired, but relieved to be back. They were in good health.
"What of Amaranthine!" a villager anxiously demanded of Tristan.
"It is saved," he replied. A grin spread across his face. "And it looks as though the Keep is still standing. We had thought it lost."
"We thought you all lost." Anders said, greeting the other Wardens.
Melisende's gaze met Nathaniel's. He walked over to her, still standing atop the rubble.
This must be a dream, she thought.
Nathaniel stood below her, looking up. "Has the lovely Melisende been turned to stone?" he enquired, holding out his hand to her. She regarded it for a second, took it, and then was pulled into Nathaniel's arms.
"You are alive," she whispered into his ear.
"And so are you."
She hugged him fiercely, afraid to let go. The feel of him, indeed alive and well, undid her. She cried in joy, and then planted a deep, passionate kiss on his lips. The small crowd around them cheered. When the kiss ended, she found Nathaniel positively beaming at her. She laughed.
"It seems we have an audience," he remarked.
"I don't care," she replied. Tristan came around to them, smiling. He didn't look in the least surprised at Melisende's reunion with Nathaniel.
"Let us go to the Keep. There is much to discuss," he said.
Melisende did not take her gaze from Nathaniel's and she did not break from his embrace.
"Yes, in a moment. You go on ahead, my friend. Right now I cannot bear to break from this spot, for the man that I love is holding me dearly."
Tristan laughed, and then gathered the crowd around them to follow him to the Keep.
"Do you mean it?" Nathaniel asked once they were alone.
"Call me crazy, but, yes, I love you."
"I would not call you crazy, but would return the sentiment…" he replied, then kissed her. They broke free, but arms linked, followed the others to Vigil's Keep.