Author note: my best wishes for a Merry Christmas to you all, my dearest readers! ^-^

oxoxoxoxoxo

The Temple in the Umar Hills was still the same as last time they had been there: the golden statue of Amaunator shone in the morning sunlight and the inscription on its base, made by Mazzy to remember her fallen companions, glittered with drew. While her companions put their packs down and prepared to make camp, Meg tightened her hold on Anomen's limp body, which she'd been carrying during the whole journey despite Minsc's repeated offers to carry the knight himself and Jaheira's insistence that it was too heavy for her.

She still had the Slayer's strength to sustain her, so the weight was not a problem, thought she'd wisely put the Girdle of Hill Giant Strength on before leaving Athkatla, in order to avoid having to explain the deal with her Taint to the others: she knew they would not approve of it, even if that was the only reason she'd been able to fight Bodhi and live to tell the tale, "I'm going downstairs".

The druidess glared at her, "No, child, you need to rest". "I will rest when I have Anomen by my side again", the Painbearer stated, "Immy, give me the heart". Imoen looked from Jaheira to her half-sister, uncertain, then nodded and took the withered black mass out of her pack, "Here you go, sis". "Thanks. You stay here and rest, I can do this on my own". "Forget it!", the Half-Elf snapped, standing up, "If you're going down there, we're coming too: who knows what kind of creatures have claimed this place as their home since we killed the Shade Lord".

Margaret Dawn bit her lower lip, a flash of annoyance passing in her eyes, then shrugged, "Suit yourself, but I will go into the altar chamber alone and that is not up for discussion", she said, turning on her heels and walking down the narrow staircase leading into the old Temple. "Remember, young lady: you must place both the victim's body and the Vampire's heart on the altar for the ritual to work", sir Killian reminded her, "I will be right outside the chamber, should you need my assistance". "Thank you, sir Killian. I'll see you all later, if everything goes well".

When she was in front of the altar, she gently placed her beloved knight's corpse on it, then she put Bodhi's heart on his chest and knelt, her hands joined and her head bowed, "Amaunator, God of the Sun, I call you. My family and I helped your loyal followers in the forgotten temple under Athkatla, restoring the broken rod and giving them peace at last.

If the help we've given them means anything to you, I beg you, save my beloved Anomen from undeath. I will pay every price you ask, if you grant me this one boon. I will give up what little time I have left, offer myself as a blood sacrifice on your altar if that is what you want, but please, please save him", her voice cracked and bitter tears flowed on her cheeks, "Please...". Suddenly, the statue's eyes flared with a blinding light, illuminating the chamber like twin Suns and its mouth seemed to twist into a smile: Amaunator had heard her prayer.

oxoxoxoxoxo

Cold, freezing cold. Why was it so cold?

Anomen sighed and wrapped his woollen cloak more tightly around himself, his grey-blue eyes scanning the barren wasteland stretching in every direction for something, anything that could show him the way to the exit, to the path leading back to his beloved and to his friends.

He remembered being teleported into Bodhi's crypt, the Vampiress taunting him with her lies, telling him that Meg would forsake him, now that he wasn't useful to her anymore. Then there was the bite, the shock of searing pain in his neck as the foul beast sank her fangs deep into his flesh, like a stream of corrosive acid dripping on the soft tissue, causing him to lose consciousness and finally, he woke up only to find himself in this place, alone, unarmed and unarmored.

"Helm, if I have ever done something good during my years of service to You, please, show me the way", he prayed, but no answer came and for the first time since awakening in this strange place, he was really scared, "I...Have You abandoned me, then? Am I not worthy of Your blessing anymore?", his heart sank: if even his God had turned His back on him, then Meg must have abandoned him too..."No!", he vehemently shook his head, a sudden burst of anger and shame flaring in his chest, "I must not doubt her and I must not doubt my God either! They would never forsake me, not them. There must be another reason why I can't feel His blessing".

"Indeed there is, young follower of Helm", a kind voice said as a translucent figure appeared in front of him, revealing itself to be Amaunator's avatar, "You are suspended between life and death and your patron can't reach you in this place". "I know you", the young man frowned and his eyes widened as he recognized the avatar, "Amaunator?".

"It is I, yes. Your betrothed has brought you to my temple and begged me to heal you from your curse, something that I am more than happy to do", the Sun God smiled and placed a hand on Anomen's chest and a soft pink and orange light enveloped both of them for a long moment, "You are free to go back to the world of the living now, Anomen Delryn. Thank you again for the kindness you've shown to my followers in your city and for cleansing my temple from the evil of the Shade Lord. My blessing is upon you and your friends".

The Helmite was enveloped in a whirlwind of light so bright that he was forced to close his eyes and when he opened them again, he found himself looking at a stone ceiling. Sensation came back slowly to him and he realized he was lying on a flat stone, one he recognized as the altar in the Umar Hills temple, "What...?". "An...Anomen", Meg breathed and he turned towards her, meeting her red-rimmed eyes.

"Meg!", he quickly slipped down from the altar and knelt in front of her, taking her in his arms as a wave of happiness and relief washed over him, "My love, I am so glad to see you again!". She hugged him back, shaking with sobs, "Anomen...Are you...Are you alive?". "I am, beloved: Amaunator lifted the curse and now I am fully alive once more", the young man cupped her face in his hands, feeling the wetness of the tears she had shed on his palms, "Don't cry, Meg, it's all right now, I am here".

"I love you. Oh, Gods, I love you", she smiled and kissed him deeply and he lost himself in the kiss, holding her more tightly and sighing into her mouth. "I love you too, Meg, my love, my life". "Don't leave me". "Never again, beloved. Never again", he promised, ardently locking his lips with hers, feeling her warm body pressed against his and breathing in her light scent of wild roses.

He wasn't cold anymore.

oxoxoxoxoxo

"There they are!", Imoen exclaimed joyfully as the couple exited the small chamber, "Anomen!", she rushed forward and threw her arms around the stunned knight's waist, nearly knocking him off his feet and eliciting a laugh from him. "Hello Imoen". "Gave us quite a scare there, mister", she said and then punched him in the arm lightly, "That'll teach you not to do it again! Meg's been a wreck for days, ya know". He looked stricken and turned towards the Ilmatari, "I...I am sorry, it was not my...". His betrothed silenced him with a kiss and smiled sweetly, "It's okay, love, it wasn't your fault. All that matters is that you're here with us now".

Minsc took him up in a bear hug, "We are happy to have you back, friend Anomen! Boo was starting to worry, but now he's happy again", he added, putting him down and showing him the hamster, "See how he twitches his nose?". The small rodent squeaked and then, to everyone's surprise, actually jumped from the Rashemi's hand to land in Anomen's palm, rubbing his small furry head affectionately against his curled fingers. The Helmite scratched Boo behind the ears with a chuckle, "Well, thank you, Boo, I am touched by your concern".

The big ranger beamed, "See? He missed you! But now come, Boo, our friend needs to rest", he told the hamster, gently taking him back and slipping him into his shirt pocket. Jaheira gave Anomen a pat on the shoulder, "Welcome back to the land of the living, my friend". Aerie stepped forward, "How are you? Do you need more healing?", she asked him. "No, thanks: Amaunator restored me completely. I am only a bit tired and hungry".

Edwin snorted, "About time you woke up, I'd say: we've had to carry your useless corpse around for half of Amn and our illustrious leader", he gestured towards Margaret Dawn, "Forced us to walk for hours and hours like a slavemaster! I'm actually surprised she didn't whip us to make us move faster!". The knight grinned, "I'm glad to see you as well, Edwin and thank you for your warm welcome".

"Your attempts at humor are pathetic, scale-plated simian", the Thayan replied, rolling his eyes, then his expression softened a little, "But I admit that it's...Good...To see you alive and well. And now, can we get out of this place? (The stench of mould is seeping into my robe, dammit)!". "Yes, I want to get out in the open too", the other man nodded and then blinked as he saw the last member of the group in the room, "Sir Killian?". The Doomguide smiled, "In flesh and bone, sir Anomen. I am pleased to see that my memories of the ritual were correct".

"I am indebted to you, then, sir", the younger man bowed his head, "You have my deepest gratitude for helping my beloved and my friends in restoring me". "No thanks are needed, lad", Killian's eyes hardened a bit, "Undeath is an unholy abomination and as a servant of my Lord Kelemvor, I am duty-bound to cleanse the world of it and to give freedom to those who are cursed with it. Besides", his lips curved in a small smile, "My old heart couldn't bear to see a lovely young lady in such despair".

Meg took one of the Doomguide's hands in hers, "Duty or not, I have no words to adequately express how grateful I am for your help, my lord: Anomen means more than my own life to me", she said solemnly, "If there is anything I can do to repay you...". "Be happy, young lady. That is all I ask", he replied, his eyes softening with fatherly tenderness, "And now, I suggest we get out of this place and enjoy some food and some rest, what say you?". "I say let's go!", she chuckled and led her party back in the clearing, where they finally set up their tents and Jaheira cooked a hearty boar stew, since Anomen needed to regain his strength.

During the meal, Meg could feel her guardian's eyes fixed on herself and knowing that there was no escaping it, she decided to make the first move, "What is it , Jae?". The Half-Elf hesitated, "Are you sure you want to discuss it now?". "You have something to ask, don't you? Now or later, it doesn't matter to me". "All right, then. You told Bodhi that Irenicus had written down a note for you... ".

"Oh, that", the younger woman shrugged, "I was lying. Well, kinda: he did write a note about my Mace, explaining how to enhance its power, but of course it was not addressed to me. He probably just meant to get a higher price on the market when he sold my weapon". "I see. And what about him wanting us to kill Bodhi for him?".

"Well, he hates her, that's for sure and he chose to give the Lanthorn to her, giving us an additional reason to go after her, while he could as well have hidden it somewhere safer. Jon is no fool, so I think he wanted to make sure we would take her down once and for all. Do you have any more questions?". The druidess shook her head, "No, I don't. Thank you for your honesty ". "You're welcome, Jae. And now, I think we'd better get some rest".

They all retired into their respective tents and as soon as they were alone, Meg lay down next to Anomen and wrapped her arms around him, hugging him close. "Are you okay, sweetie?", she whispered. "Now I am, beloved", the Helmite smiled and buried his face in her hair with a contented sigh, slowly drifting into a peaceful sleep.