A/N: Thanks to all my wonderful reviewers, and here's Chapter 8! This chapter is somewhat fluffy, but it also has some plot twists. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I own none of this.
Everything She Ever Wanted: Chapter 8
Nara, if you don't marry that thief Shadow, I will come back from the Black God's realm and I will drag you down there with me.
Nara smiled to herself. It was just like Galen to joke at a time like this, when they were locked in battle. She was floating in a black space, and Galen's voice echoed all around her, completely serious. A white light grew, and Nara floated towards it, wondering what she would find.
Alex and Aidan stood there within the mist, Alex cradling his son. Aidan was sitting up, his round face completely serious, and that same solemnity was mirrored in Alex's.
"Nara, you've moved on, haven't you?" The question was soft, not accusing, just a statement of fact.
"No!" Nara denied, reaching for them. They floated just out of reach, a part of the mist themselves. Tears streamed down her cheeks. "I've never forgotten you!"
Alex's smile was gentle, and his blue eyes were understanding. "You've never forgotten us," he acknowledged, "but you have moved on. You love someone else now, Nara."
"No!" Nara cried again, reaching out to hold them. She touched them, but they were transparent. "I could never love someone else!"
"Even if that person loves you?" Alex's question stopped her in her tracks, and she turned to look at him. He was smiling lovingly at her, his eyes shining.
Nara stared at him, disbelieving. Her mind wandered back to the heated argument she had had with Shadow the day before, and she blushed.
"Alex…" She murmured, tasting her own tears as they refused to be checked.
"I love you, Nara." He said calmly, "but there is someone that loves you more."
"Alex!" Nara sobbed. "It would be dishonoring you if I loved someone else."
"Never, dear one." Alex murmured, brushing her cheek. She leaned into the touch, looking up at him with a tear-streaked face. "You honor my memory by giving your love to someone else. Love is an endless thing," he murmured, smiling, "and you can always love another."
Nara nodded, trusting him. Her eyes were filled with tears, but they sharpened as Alex held something up. He held her wedding ring, the one he had given her two years ago on their wedding day.
"Alex?" Nara asked wonderingly, but his smile was all the answer he gave her. Suddenly, Galen appeared at his side, grinning.
"Galen?" Nara asked. "What are you doing here?"
"You're needed elsewhere, Nara," was all the answer she got. He smiled sadly. "We'll miss you." Aidan reached out to her, and Nara held him close for what she knew would be the last time.
Alex kissed her softly, and Galen hugged her tightly. "Goodbye, Nara." They seemed to whisper as another white light grew and Nara opened her eyes.
Nara blinked, and found herself looking at the familiar furniture of her room above the Dove. A face loomed over hers: Althea Brandon, looking frazzled, smiled as their gazes met.
"Goddess child, you gave us quite a scare." Nara just blinked up at her friend, confused. Why wasn't she at the battle? She tried to move and winced. Her head pounded, and her throat felt like it was on fire.
Althea gave her a cup of water and supported her as the girl tried to sit up. The water was laced with mint, and it soothed her throat.
"What's going on?" She croaked, and grimaced. Her throat reacted to that simple sentence, and the pain was almost unbearable. She felt at her neck, wondering what was causing the pain. Her hand connected with smooth skin that felt tender and new. She looked at Althea, wondering what was going on.
"You have a scar on your neck where that kudarung bit you," the healer explained, pouring her more mint water. Nara nodded, waiting for her throat to cool before she could talk.
Looking around the room, she spotted Shadow sprawled out in a very uncomfortable chair, asleep. Althea caught her looking and murmured, "He hasn't left your side once since he brought you in here unconscious two days ago."
Althea gave Nara a knowing smile and slipped out of the room. Nara sighed, resting on her pillows. The baby kicked out insistently, and Nara grimaced, twisting her wedding ring back and forth. But wait… Her fingers connected with just skin, not smooth metal. Looking down, Nara found that her gold wedding ring was gone, and with a jolt she remembered her dream.
She knew that she hadn't lost it. Alex had taken and freed her. The tears came again, hot and salty, and she knew it was the last time she would cry over him. Kele, sitting next to her, nickered comfortingly, looking confused.
At the sound of her sobs, Shadow started awake. "Lady Ice?" He asked, rushing to her side. She gave him a watery smile, and slowly her sobs subsided as Shadow sat on the edge of her bed, cradling her. Comforted by his familiar presence, she looked up at him.
"I'm sorry about your brother," Shadow murmured, his green eyes pained. He hated seeing her like this, and he hated it when she cried. It made him feel helpless, something he wasn't used to.
At his words, Nara looked at him sharply. "What do you mean?" She asked, worried. "What happened to Galen?" Shadow shifted uncomfortably, looking guilty.
"You don't know, do you?" He asked, and Nara shook her head, curious.
"Shadow, what is going on?" She asked, and Shadow pulled her closer.
"Your brother's gone." He told her, the thickness in his voice giving away what he meant. "You were injured in the battle," he said, nodding to her scar, "and he poured his life-force into you to save you."
"No," Nara whispered into his shoulder, horrified. She couldn't lose him, not when she had just found him again. "No, he can't be."
Shadow enclosed her in the circle of his arms, rocking her gently. "I'm so sorry, Nara." Nara's only response was to vent her pain, her tears staining his brown shirt darker. She cried for what seemed for hours, while Shadow could only comfort her, murmuring soft words to her and stroking her hair.
Slowly, her sobs subsided, and she winced as the baby kicked. "Lady Ice?" Shadow asked, looking at her in concern. She gave him a weak smile.
"It's fine, Shadow, just the baby kicking." The concern on his face reminded her of the fact that he had never felt the baby kick, and she took his hand, gently placing it on her stomach.
Shadow looked slightly apprehensive, but his eyes shone as the baby kicked directly into his hand. He grinned at Nara, and the joy and love shining in his eyes was the same she felt whenever the baby made its presence known. He kissed the top of her head, and she snuggled into his arms, feeling safe.
A month later, Nara was once again on her rounds as a barmaid, this time more wary. The last few times, she had not had pleasant experiences, and now, at five months pregnant, her belly was making it harder and harder to work. She still wore her mourning garb of black and gray, but her blue-black eyes shone with life.
She made her way around the tavern, greeting friends as she made her way to the next table. There was a single man sitting there, surveying the tavern with interest. He looked to be a few years older than her, and was wearing noble's clothing, suggesting he was a knight. He was tan, supporting the possibility that he had just come from a border patrol. He was well-built, tall, and had a kind face, framed by chestnut hair and warm hazel eyes.
"What can I get you?" Nara asked, eyeing the man cautiously. The man slowly turned to face her, and seemed to take him a minute to focus on her.
"I'll have an ale," he said, and then he seemed to really see her for the first time. Looking up into her face, he blurted, "It's you!"
Nara took a step back, wary, her hand straying towards her knife, and a few of her thief friends at the next table over looked up, bristling.
"What do you mean, sir?" Nara demanded, staring at him.
"Are you Lady Nara of Kudarung Falls?" The man asked excitedly.
"I was," Nara replied slowly, but suddenly, the man was on his feet.
Nara backed up another step, and the man said hurriedly, "I've been looking for you."
"Me, sir?" Nara asked, still wary.
The man nodded, smiling. "I've been away on a border patrol, otherwise I would have sought you out earlier." Nara was silent, and the man rushed on. "At court, I was informed of your banishment, and I came to find you."
Awe was shining in his eyes as he spoke. The tavern was silent; Nara could see most of them listening with interest—her Rogue friends had always wondered how she had arrived at the Dancing Dove.
"Who are you?" Nara asked, thoroughly confused.
The man blushed. "I'm sorry, milady, please forgive me for not introducing myself. My name is Sir Daniel of Falcon's Harbor, and I have come to find you."
Nara eyed him with interest as he continued.
"I know this must seem extremely forward of me, but I must ask." He looked Nara straight in the eye. "Lady Nara of Kudarung Falls, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"
A/N: Cliffy! So, what do you think she'll say? Yes, No? What will Shadow's reaction be to the question? What do you think will happen? Tell me by pushing that button down there and reviewing!