A/N:
Well. I have to say once again this fic got pushed to the side. However, I'm finishing it this weekend. So there will be an epilogue up soon to round it up. Apologies go for the wait, and thanks go for the reviews.
I don't have much to say... but enjoy!
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Chapter 14
'Hang on Deedlit, I have it. I have it and we're on our way.'
-
"She's lost consciousness again hasn't she?" A worried red headed woman asked the stoic looking elderly Elven woman. The queen of the elves sat silently stroking her daughter's long silken hair on the bed sheet. Sitting down on the bed opposite from Deedlit's mother, Sheris took Deed's hand in her own.
"You probably don't want to hear this right now, especially from a human and all... but Deed's been through worse." Sighing, Sheris remembered so many incidents where Deed came face to face with trouble. However there was always something behind the strength of the she elf- if she ever got in over her head, which didn't happen that often because the elf could prove mightier and smarter than any mortal woman Sheris had known, there was a force that would never fail her.
"Parn won't fail her. He loves her too much to fail her now. You know, they really are perfect for each other..." Turning from looking down at Deedlit's peaceful slumbering face, Sheris made eye contact with the elder elf. "I know the history between our races have not been on the best of terms, but you have to believe in the power of the human heart. Deedlit does."
"I've realized her love of that human for some time now. I always feared that she would go off into the human world and bring home some ruffian..." The queen forced a smile while tears trickled down her face. Sheris was stuck by the pure emotion she felt swarming in the room. She had only seen Deedlit tear up occasionally, however for such an elf to express such an open emotion.
Moving her free hand to reach out and comfort the distraught woman, Sheris realized how very much alike the two races were. A mother was still a mother no matter if human or elf. Squeezing the elven woman's hand, Sheris debated on what next to say. Yet, she didn't get a chance to speak, because the other woman continued.
"I know you must think I hate you all for being humans, but the truth was I knew she was too stubborn to settle for the life here. It's just hard for a mother to let go to a child she's raised. It seems only yesterday she was my little baby running through the forests and scaring the clerics in the library. And now... now she's..."
"If it means anything to you, lots of human mothers go through that also. It just shows you that there are so many similarities between our races. And if it makes you feel any better, you haven't lost Deedlit. You've, well you've gained a larger family with Parn and the twins... You'll see. Everything will be fine."
Knowing how hard it must have been for the proud woman to say that, Sheris could only smile. Squeezing the queen's hand once more before getting up, Sheris left the mother and daughter alone.
-
The dragon's wings cut through the air smoothly as it pushed itself to the limit. Knowing that its mistress was in pain and awaiting their return, he worked his hardest to get her partners back as soon as he could.
"Boy, you're going too fast." Parn shouted as loudly as he could. For the past hour, the dragon had been pushing hard, a little too hard. The two men tightly held on to the ropes attached to the speeding dragon. "I know you're worried. I am too, but we're going to fall off if you keep up this speed."
The dragon listened and quickly diminished speed, so that his passengers would not fall. Looking back every so often, the large creature double-checked to make sure both his riders were still accounted for.
"She'll be fine, don't worry." Parn said giving the dragon a reassuring pat. Turning his head a bit, Parn looked to see if Orson was all right. The silent man behind him seemed especially troubled after the day's events. The new feelings Orson was experiencing were amazing. The control of the spirits of rage seemed to have been loosening ever since they had fallen into the underground cavern.
"I know, Deed's a fighter. How are you holding up?"
"I... I feel so strange." Orson admitted. Ever since the fall, the visions I fought with inside seem to have allowed a break in the berserker control." Orson continued. He didn't understand why, or how- may be it was just coming into contact with the root they had sought- or it could have just been a weak point for the spirits within the darkness of the cave. Either way, he was allowed this time of emotional freedom.
As he clutched the roped that tied them to the large flying lizard, he thought to himself, 'I have to get back before this wears off... I have so much to tell Sheris...'
When the dragon landed outside the forest, a band of Elves was waiting their return. Motioning the two humans to enter, they quickly mounted horses and galloped through the woods to the palace.
"How is Deedlit? Are the babies aright as well?" Parn called out to one of the riders.
"We know not, the King sent us out here before any more news could be given to us." The lead Elf said as Parn pushed his horse to full speed and set the pace for the others.
Jumping off the horse before it even had a chance to slow down, Parn ran up the steps with root in hand. Passing the many clerics and healers gathered in the palace, Parn went straight for their room. That's were he had left his family in the care of the Elven healers.
"I brought the root, how is she? Will this work? What do we have to do? Can I see her? Is she any better?" Parn bombarded Deed's father with questions once they met outside her door. Parn couldn't hold back his anxiety anymore. His composure was about to break if this didn't work.
"Calm yourself young one." The King said taking the offered root from Parn's shaking hands. Passing it off to the healers, the King took Parn's large and rough hands into his own slender toned ones. "I had faith in you my son. Humans do have much to tech us, not many of us would be brave enough to explore the darkened lands of that place... it seems that we Elves still have much to learn from the human heart... now go to her... your family is waiting young one."
Parn was glad to see the two women sitting at Deedlit's side as he entered the room. The room had felt like a living tomb before, when she was laid there alone. The paleness of her skin only fed the image of her lying on her deathbed.
Instead, she only looked asleep with her mother holding her hand. Sheris sat next to the Queen of the Elves, and that's what surprised him. The elderly Elf that had been so standoffish against the humans, Parn in particular was now taking support from none other than something she despised.
Not really wanting to break the moment, Parn tried to quietly make his way to the bedside. Sheris was the first to notice him draw nearer. Shedding his armor quickly, Parn moved closer to the bed. His simple tunic underneath his armor was soiled still with the sands that he and Orson had survived.
Before he got a chance to say anything, the elderly Elf woman stood and walked over to him. The whirl of fabric was almost like a blur in his eyes as she embraced him tightly.
"I'm so glad you returned. In addition, I'm sorry... it was wrong of me to doubt your love for my daughter. Humans are much stronger than we in many ways, I can't thank you enough my son."
Parn was taken back by the sudden acceptance from his strongest critic in the Elven community. He didn't know what to say to the unexpected acceptance, and welcome from Deedlit's mother. Allowing her to embrace him, Parn thanked her in a hushed voice. It meant a great deal for him to finally gain her approval to his relationship with Deed.
"I know now, that I was letting my prejudices towards your kind cloud my vision. You truly are wonderful creatures; you let your heart guide you, while we lock them behind walls and barriers. She saw that in you from the start, and you did not disappoint her."
"I will never fail her ever again; I made that promise to her long ago. I love your daughter, and I thank the goddesses everyday I am able to share my life with her and our sons." Parn told the woman as she let go of him.
"The healers will be in soon, take care of her. I know now that you can. And she'll be happier than she ever could have been here."
"Thank you. You don't know what this means to me... to us." Parn said as he watched the two women leave the room. Taking a deep breath, Parn continued to the bed next to his wife.
"Deedlit." He called to her as he sat at her side. Affectionately stroking her cheek, Parn wished she would open her eyes to him. The movement on her chest beneath the silken sheets assured him she was still with him. Over on the other side of the bed, his two children slept peacefully.
The silence was broken with the soft whimpers of Ghim, now walking up and need attention. Parn moved swiftly to the baby's bed, and carefully picked him up.
Slowly rocking the tiny bundle in his arms,
He was so engrossed in rocking his son that he didn't notice the movement from the doorway until the elf was standing at his side.
"You seem to fit the role of father quite well." The old elf's voice spoke quietly looking at the two. The complete opposites of the physical traits made the King smile.
Parn looked up from the baby in his arms. "I still can't believe they are mine. That we could have created such beauty from our love."
"The little one will be fine. Our healers have made an herbal supplement for him. Other than that he is just following the Elven body type." The king produced a bottle full of a clear liquid. "So few of us are born, often times the babies are just too weak to survive. It's about time we get a little strength into our bloodlines. I remember when Deedlit was born. She had us worried."
Parn took the bottle and nursed the baby while he listened to the king's story.
"And she hasn't changed a bit. Still the lively child I raised with my own hands. I'm sure your parents felt the same way. And now young one, it will be the both of yours task to raise these two."
"I think we're up to the challenge." Parn smiled. "We've fought dragons, and wizards, children shouldn't be a problem."
"You say that now..." The King said with a slight chuckle. If he didn't know any better being around these humans did make it easier to express emotions Elves usually kept within themselves.
The knock at the door and the entrance of three robed Elves interrupted the conversation. The came up to their leader and produced a pouch.
"We followed the old text, all you need to do is give it to her. We've already brewed a batch of the herbs. Once she awakens she needs to drink a cup every hour for the next day or two."
"And this will make her all better? Just like that?"
"There is no other herbal remedy that can heal inside illness better than this root. We need to replenish her body with vital vitamins lost during childbirth..."
Parn nodded putting his trust in the Elven healers. Deedlit's father took the tea and pouch from the others and ushered them out of the room.
"I will leave my daughter in your care once again." He said setting the items on the table next to where Deedlit slept. "Do you need any help?" He asked before he left. Parn shook his head as he took the empty bottle from the baby in his arms.
Setting a now yawning Ghim next to his brother, Parn returned to his wife's side. Gently stroking her face, he called to her.
--
It felt as if she had been drifting for days within the constant dull throb of pain. She didn't want to be there. No, instead she would rather have been with her family. That thought brought warmth to her heart.
'I have my own family now... Parn and two sons... I can't be lying here like this... my body may be weak, but I know my spirit can take much more than this...' Calling on her inner strength, Deedlit commanded her body to wake. That was when she heard his voice.
"Deedlit..." His voice echoed in her mind. He was calling to her.
'Parn.' Her heart replied.
"Deedlit, I need you here with me love. You're going to be all right... please let me see your beautiful eyes..."
Slowly Deed pushed herself out of the drifting pain, and back to the world, she loved. The place where she could live happily with her family.
-
Parn placed a kiss to her lips, gently trying to coax her out of slumber. They had told him she lost consciousness some time ago. However, he was not going to give up. Deedlit would fight, and come back to him and their sons.
As if by magic, Parn felt her lips move against his deepening the kiss.
His eyes opened quickly and he pulled back a bit to see her eyes sparkling even through the pain.
"So it does work. I guess fairy tales aren't all false." Parn smiled with relief. His eyes were overjoyed to see her move, even the little bit she could.
"I'm glad you're back where you belong." Deedlit whispered up to her husband.
"Me too." He replied with another kiss. "Now, you have to drink this." He told her as he helped her to a sitting position. Slipping behind her, he rested her back against his shirt and helped her drink the hot tea.
"How many times do I have to drink this stuff?" Deedlit asked making a face after tasting the bitter flavor.
"One cup every hour. You need to replenish your body's minerals and things. Or that's what the healers said." He tried to explain.
"You're lucky you didn't have to go and get this thing." He continued as he set the empty cup down and told her of the trek.
"I knew you were calling. I gave all I had, Parn, don't ever do anything that stupid ever again!" She demanded thinking back to his near death experience with the sand pit.
"I thought you liked it when I did rash and stupid things." He replied only to get a light swat on the leg from his wife. "Your parents seem to have gotten use to me as well. I think they finally approve and accept us humans."
"That's good. I would have stayed with you either way." She sighed leaning closer up to him. "I think there's hope for humans and elves to live together. Each culture has so much to offer. And our family will only be one of many to unite them."