I'd just like to mention, that in the last chapter, it is not the Dragon that speaks to Tony about Pepper, but the Serpent.
The Dragon's words are in italics
The Serpent's words are in italics and are underlined
I can't really differentiate much between the voices textually because they are both snake-like beasts. Sorry for the confusion.
When mistrust comes in, love goes out - Irish Saying.
Pepper gently eased Aurora into a trot as she surreptitiously followed Balthazar and his rider. It was early morning and they were riding away from the Keep, towards the north east.
Today at daybreak, she was awoken by a strange moaning coming from Tony's room, followed by him swearing violently. As she had heard him dress, she had realized Tony was leaving on his mysterious activity, which meant he would disappear the whole day.
So she was determined to follow him and see where he was going. She had quietly dressed and waited for Tony to step out. The minute she had observed him leading out Balthazar from her window, Pepper had sneaked down the stairs and waited for Tony to exit the Keep.
Now she had managed to find his trail because he wasn't riding very fast. But I need to be careful... I don't want to spook him... I just want to see what he is doing...
She followed Tony at a safe distance. Finally as she hid behind a clump of trees, he dismounted in a fallow field, leaving Balthazar to graze freely.
He is wearing his chest plate... and he's got his curved sword.
She watched Tony perform sword drills and exercises with his sword, moving about the field nimbly.
I know he hasn't been sleeping... so where is he getting his energy from?
As she watched Tony train some more, practicing cleaves and thrusts with his sword, Pepper felt sadness grow in her heart.
He is training but why didn't he tell me...
She stepped out from behind the trees, determined to confront him but backed up quickly as she saw him whistle for Balthazar.
Is he leaving? No, he is... he is taking out something from the saddle... a tiny box...
Tony held the box far away from himself and walked to the middle of the field, slowly, almost painfully. He placed the box on the ground and pulled off his helmet. Then he bent and she watched wide-eyed as he opened the box. He covered his eyes with his hand and picked something up from it, holding it far away from himself.
What is that in his hand... it is shining in the sunlight... is it a brooch? And why is he moving so slowly?
Then Tony straightened himself and she saw him bring the object closer to his body.
Good lord, his entire body is shaking! Why!? What is that in his hands?!
Then Tony fell to his knees painfully, slowly moving his clenched hand back towards himself. His face was scrunched up tightly in pain and his mouth was open in a silent scream.
Pepper couldn't control herself anymore. She ran towards him, determined to stop him from whatever he was doing. He saw her and dropped the object he was clutching.
"Tony! What are you doing?!"
She helped him stand up but he backed away from her weakly.
"Pepper, what are you doing here?" He said.
She could see the Arc blinking faintly in his chest. Then he repeated his question harshly.
"Did you hear me? I asked what are you doing here?"
"Tony, I..."
"Did you follow me? Did you?"
He seemed to be angry and she answered firmly, "Tony, you have been acting strange. I wanted to see..."
She took a step back as Tony advanced on her in a rage, eyes flashing at her. "You wanted to see what I was doing? Because you were so curious, right? As usual! You have to know everything I am doing!"
She was angry now herself and stood her ground. "I am concerned about you! You don't sleep, you hardly eat! Ever since the day when the Black Knight came ..."
The mention of that name brought an immediate change in his attitude. She saw him withdraw into himself. His eyes turned cold and hard. She reached out to take his hand but he stepped away from her and turned his back to her.
Then he said coldly and quietly, "Virginia, please do not interfere in my business. I do have my own life. We do not need to do everything together."
She swallowed hard, his words piercing her like knives. "Tony, I was just trying to..."
He turned then and she was saddened by the remoteness in his eyes and his rigid demeanor. "I need time on my own, to do things I have to do... I hope you can understand that."
He called me Virginia... I haven't heard him call me that in so long... has he tired of my company? Of me? I do tag after him a lot... the irony is, I told him I want to be independent. I want to have my own business. And here I am interfering in his.
She lowered her head and said softy, "I didn't mean to spy on you, Tony, I just... we always train together, so I was curious why..."
He just gave her a stony look, so Pepper said quietly, "I am sorry... I will not interfere anymore, in what is clearly your business."
She turned and walked back to the thicket of trees where Aurora was grazing. Pepper mounted her horse, trying to swallow the hard lump in her throat.
Why do I feel like crying? He has asked me to mind my own business. That's all... He doesn't need me nagging over him... he wants to be independent.
Tony was still in the field, bending over and feeling the grass with his hands. He picked something up, something she couldn't see. Part of her was curious and wanted to know what it was, what he was doing with it. Then she remembered the coldness of his eyes and turned Aurora back towards the Keep, feeling a strange numbness in her chest.
It was a rainy night and Pepper was sitting in front of the fireplace, a large book on her lap. Three days had passed since Tony had caught her following him to the field. She was respecting his wishes and giving him the space he requested.
This meant she and him were hardly talking. He would leave in the morning and come late at night, eating dinner on his own. Then he would go to his room and lock his door. She heard him do this every night. And she could do nothing about it and was very frustrated about her helplessness.
How do I confront him? What do I confront him about? He's asking for some time to himself, what's wrong with that?
She shut the book and began to pace in front of the fireplace. Tigliath was slumbering behind her chair. The house was quiet because Jarvis and Magdalene were asleep.
Only I am awake because... because I can't sleep... and why can't I sleep?
Then she looked at the main door of the Keep.
I can't sleep because I am waiting for the master of the house to return.
She heard a dark rumble outside as the rain began to pour down even heavier.
Where has he gone on a night like this? Where could he be? And when will he be back?
Pepper looked at the fireplace and sighed sadly to herself. All I can do is sit here and wait for him. Wait for Lord Stark to return.
She sat back down, raised her knees up on chair and rested her chin on them. Staring into the fireplace, she thought, Tony, where are you? Please... please come back...
She woke up drowsily, feeling herself being moved gently. Pepper shook her head, trying to clear it of sleep. She was being carried up somewhere slowly, cradled against a warm, slightly moist chest.
A strong pair of arms held her firmly against said chest, one underneath her knees, one around her back. She was too sleepy to open her eyes completely but she sighed deeply, recognizing the familiar musky male scent that was uniquely Tony's.
She looped her hands around his neck and snuggled deeper against him, feeling very warm and comforted. He rubbed his chin against her forehead, his prickly beard tickling her.
"Tony..." she said sleepily.
"Ssshhh, it is okay Pepper... sleep. It is very late."
She wanted to say more but was too tired. He took her into her room and laid her down on the bed.
Pepper felt her blanket being drawn over her.
Then Tony bent and kissed her forehead. "Sleep tight, my lady and a thousand times good night..."
She reached up blindly and cupped his cheek. "Tony, I love you."
He whispered back, "I love you too Pepper... I honestly do."
Then he left her and she felt somewhat at peace, knowing she still had his love.
