2 The Spell
Character: Lyra
Summary: Lyra and Will one of my favourite OTP couples. I wanted to do a drabble based on this scene from Malice episode 6 of His Dark Materials, a exploration of Lyra's head in this worrying moment.
Lyra stepped back and took a sharp intake of breath. As Seraphina pushed Will's head down onto the ground, she listened rooted to the spot as their whispers floated on the air around them. She had always wanted to see the witch's in action, but never had she been so conflicted as she watched. For as their cries appeared to become ever more intense, so her worries for her friend increased. As she stood transfixed, it was all she could do to stop herself from running away.
Ever since they had escaped from Cittagazze, Will's hand had become ever more inflamed. It was hard enough for her seeing him struggle on like this. But she was also aware of his unease he possessed as they travelled with the witch's. He had never come across people like this before. No matter how hard she tried to reassure him, his lack of trust was apparent.
In the end, the endless pain from his arm, had forced him to accept the inevitable. But not before a brief argument where he had uncharacteristically, accused her of using him as an excuse to stop their journey. The accusation had stung her, but once he apologised, she realised it was the pain talking rather than Will.
As she stood and waited for the spell to end, she wondered if she would forever be a burden for her friends? First Roger, now Will. It appeared whoever she befriended in the end something happened to them. Once again, she could pinpoint the mistake to venture into Will's Oxford on her own. Hadn't Pan warned her she was taking a risk, but once again she had done it anyway. If she hadn't, would Will be in this desperate situation now? She wondered if her desperation to find the answers, had once again blinded her to common sense. Her imperative nature at times felt like a curse.
As the witch's cries came to a crescendo and the world around seemed to be at peace, she knew all she could do now was hope. She would have given anything in this moment for Will to be cured of his pain.
She walked up to Serafina, who wore a marked expression on her face.
"Please, tell me, will he be alright?" Lyra begged, willing to hold onto any little piece of hope.
"We've done all we can here," Serafina assured her, "Stay close to him, it'll be cold tonight, we'll continue tomorrow."
Lyra made her way over to a now sleeping Will, pausing for a second to watch over him. She picked a spot right next to him, staying close and was joined by Pan.
"We feel safe here, don't we?" Pan asked, curling by Will's shoulder.
Lyra couldn't speak, somehow, she would have to hope that her friend was better in the morning. As she closed her eyes, her fears evaporated and sleep engulfed her into a world of silence.