I took a too long break from this adventure. My apologies and if you are still reading, thank you :P
One more chapter tomorrow.
The snow fell heavily over the green forest floor, covering everything in a smooth and deep blanket of whiteness. The hail had finally stopped but a cruel howling wind still blew, shrieking as it moved between the thick foliage.
Tony watched the snowfall quietly from his spot near the entrance of the cave.
So this is what Pepper's cousin-in-law, the King, meant when he said a foul coldness had settled in the area. I must admit, it is alarming if you think about it. In the morning, it was cool but sunny and bright. Then it started raining and now there is a blizzard! Ludicrous!
The Dragon stirred and whispered drowsily, There is magic in the air, Anthony. I feel this master of Stane's... it needs the cold to live easily. Something to keep in mind.
He nodded and smiled to himself. Dragon, why do you sound so sleepy?
Because, Anthony, I am tired from your morning escapades with that eyeful monster.
But Dragon, you weren't fighting it! How can you be tired?
Worrying about you and Virginia, is a tiring task on its own. Now excuse me... while I... The Dragon drifted off the sleep, with a loud snort-snore.
The wind whistled loudly and Balthazar came towards him, nudging him gently with his large head. Tony patted his horse, murmuring, "There, there now, it is just the wind. Nothing to be scared about."
He turned around and led Balthazar, deeper into the cave, straight towards the bright orange light coming from its center. It was a small, cozy den, with a firm rock bottom and a smooth low roof, high enough for the horses to stand upright easily.
The cave was just large enough for him and Pepper to settle in the center with a fire, while the horses roamed around behind them, preferring the deeper end of the cave, where the sound of the howling wind could not be heard.
Pepper came into his view, sitting before the fire, bundled up in her coat and rubbing her hands together. He walked towards her, saying, "Pep, are you still feeling cold?"
She looked up at him, smiling tremulously. "I am, Tony, I do not why I feel chilled to my bones, as if I will never feel warm again."
He knelt by her side and took her hands in his, shocked at how cold they were. Tony began to rub them with his own, trying to get them warm.
"The storm will let up, Pepper. I am sure of it. Do not worry. How about something to eat?"
She nodded and they stood up together, moving towards their bags.
After searching his bags, Tony said, "Okay, I have some apples, some cheese and... a full bottle of cider!" He exclaimed with glee, "How is that possible?! I thought we drank it all!"
"We drank the bottle Maggie gave us, Tony," said Pepper dryly, "this bottle came from Farmer Wilhelm and his wife." She took it from him quickly. "And we are saving it for later."
She pulled out some bread and salted meat. "This is what we have and it will do for now."
He grumbled, "Salted meat... bleukkk!" But kept quiet at Pepper's stern look.
Pepper turned back to the fireplace and using her knife, started to cut skewers of wood from a large log, to use for holding the food over the fire.
Tony muttered to himself until she giggled and said, "We can catch fresh game tomorrow, you little child. For today, this will do."
He remembered the cider and said hopefully, "Can we at least have some cider? To liven up this dull meal?"
Pepper smiled at him. "Sure, Tony but..." she said firmly as he reached towards the bottle, "only after dinner. We must drink it on a full stomach lest we get tipsy."
Tony smirked at her. "And some of us get more tipsy than others, so we wouldn't want that to happen now, would we?"
He waggled his eyebrows at her and Pepper flushed, shooing him away.
Tony made a face and decided to see to the horses. He picked up the four apples and cut them neatly. Then he whistled for Balthazar and Aurora to come closer and fed them the pieces.
"That's all for you two, I am afraid. Tomorrow, we are going to have to clear some grass for them, Pep."
"We will, now sit down and let's eat. The bread is done, the meat is nearly warm."
He sat down beside her and began to dig into the toasted bread and cheese. Pepper ate as well and from time to time, they turned the meat grilling on the fire.
She said worriedly, "Tony, I am afraid we will need more firewood for the night. Especially since it is so cold and we will need the fire as we sleep."
Tony looked around him. "There's nothing in here that we can use? Instead of going outside?"
Pepper looked around as well but the cave was empty of any material that could be burnt.
He nodded, saying, "It is alright, I shall get some after we finish eating."
She said smugly, "We shall get some. I am not letting you go out there alone."
Tony argued, "Pepper, you are already freezing as it is! Why do you want to step out in this blizzard? Stay here where it is safe and warm."
She repeated firmly, "I am not letting you leave this cave alone, Tony. It is not safe. We will go out there together." He was going to argue some more, when she gave him a pleading look and caught his hand. "Please Tony, I do not want you to be alone out there."
He sensed she was scared and nodded. "Alright, Pepper," he said, ruffling her hair. "Let's eat and leave."
They finished eating the meat. He put his thick jacket as Pepper cleared the food away. She was already wearing a coat but he wanted her to have more protection from the cold, so he handed her a thick shirt of his to wear underneath her coat, but over her shirt.
As Pepper changed, Tony consoled Balthazar who was complaining loudly as the horse sensed they were leaving.
"We are just getting firewood and coming straight back." He cooed as he stroked his horse's velvety soft nose. "I do not want to go out there any more than you do, my friend but we need fire. Calm down now. It is alright."
His horse snorted and nuzzled him hard. Tony sighed and petted him some more.
"Balthazar really... why can't you be like Aurora? Look how calm she is."
He heard a loud muffled giggle and turned to see Pepper covering her mouth with her hand, her blue eyes full of mirth.
"He's just like his master, a worrywart..." she said teasingly.
Tony narrowed his eyes at her. "I agree, my lady, half the grey hairs on my head are thanks to you."
"The ones on my head, also owe their creation, to you, my lord." She said softly, "And I would have it no other way."
He smiled at her and picked up his dagger and the small axe. Then they both moved towards the entrance of the cave.
Tony was relieved to see that the snow had stopped falling but the wind had picked up in strength, blowing harshly, rattling the trees as it moved through them.
He felt Pepper shiver as she stood beside him and he whispered, "Pep, you do not need to come with m-"
She cut him off with a quick hard kiss. He felt her smile as she murmured against his lips, "Why do I fear the night, when I have the Iron Knight of Cumbria besides me?"
He whispered back, "My love, let's hurry back, so we can spend the night in each other's arms."
Pepper took his hand and together they walked out of the cave. The Moon was high in the sky, bathing the area in bright light, so they could easily see the path before them.
The endless white carpet of snow on the ground, was thick and soft. They had to lift their legs high to walk through it. Even though the snowfall had stopped, it was bone-chilling cold and Pepper held on tightly to his hand, using him for balance.
They had walked some distance away from the cave. The wind had died down, so they could hear nothing but the eerie silence of the forest in the night.
Tony raised his lantern and looked around in annoyance.
"Consarn it! The trees here, are too big! It would take a lot of time to cut them down!"
"What if we climb one and just cut off its branches?" Pepper suggested.
He shook his head. "Too dangerous, Pep."
She pointed at the left. "Let us try over there, Tony, we didn't arrive at the cave through that way."
They walked to a little shaded area, where indeed there were a number of shorter trees, just as tall as him and Pepper. Tony handed Pepper his dagger and said, "I will cut down the trees, you shuck off the branches and gather them together."
She nodded and he quickly began to chop at the nearest tree, with the axe. He cut it down swiftly in four key strokes and Pepper pulled it towards her and began to cut off the leafy branches, using the dagger.
Tony had an idea. "Hey Pep. Hold up. Let me do this."
She moved away and he placed his foot on the middle of the tree's trunk and quickly chopped the trunk in half.
"Makes it easier to carry later." He said.
Pepper resumed chopping off the branches and Tony asked, "Should I chop down one more tree?"
"Yes please, Tony. We could be snowed in tomorrow as well."
He looked around, searching for a mature tree that was short enough to chop. The wind had started again, a horrible shrill whistle moving between the trees.
It picked up in intensity and he looked up to see the trees were shaking with the force of the gale.
"Pepper!" Tony called out in warning. "We better hurry up! The wind's back!"
The wind had grown into a shrieking gale and Tony quickly chopped down the other tree as well. He split it in half and picked up the two halves.
"Pepper! Let's go back!" he yelled at her, trying to be heard over the howling wind, "We can shuck off the branches inside!"
She nodded and picked up her two halves. Holding the lantern between his teeth, Tony began to lead them back to the cave.
The wind was whipping the snow on the trees into a frenzy, so the cold air mixed with snow, was right in their faces as they moved towards the cave, holding the wood.
Tony could see the cave in the distance and looked back. Pepper was some distance behind him as she was struggling to carry the two heavy logs of wood.
"Pepper! Let me put mine in the cave and I will come back to help you!"
Then he heard the wind howl and a loud crack. They both looked up to see a thick branch laden with snow, fall from a tall tree near Pepper. He watched in horror as both branch and snow fell heavily on her.
He didn't think, he tossed his logs away and ran back towards her. She was on the ground, covered by the thick snow, he could only see her legs moving.
"Pepper! Pepper, are you alright?" Tony reached her and began to push the heavy snow away, trying to free her.
She was moving her hands about, doing the same and he quickly caught her hands and pulled her to her feet. Pepper stood up sputtering.
Her face was red from the cold and snow covered her hair and body. He held her head, checking for a cut or bump, trying to make out if the branch had hit her.
She stammered out, "Da... Da...Dam...n it! I... I... feel so cold! The snow! Snow... is all over me! Oh it is so cold!"
He held her hands and was alarmed because they were stone cold and stiff.
"You need to get out of here! Come on! Leave the logs!"
Tony pulled her along with him rapidly and they both ran towards the cave. He stopped mid-way to pick up one of his logs as it started to snow. Finally they reached the cave and ran inside.
Tony tossed the logs down and moved towards Pepper. She was breathing in short gasps and hugging herself tightly. He was frightened because he did not know what to do.
"Pepper! Did the branch hit you? Are you alright? What should I do?"
"Start... start the fire..." she said, her teeth chattering. "I am... too cold... need heat..."
He did as she said and began to cut off the branches from one log. Pepper was walking up and down slowly on the spot, rubbing her hands.
Tony chopped the large log into halves quickly and began to start the fire. He was alarmed by Pepper's slow movements and short tight breathing but focused on getting the wood to burn.
As the fire began to grow in strength, he stood up and took her hands, rubbing them with his. She was still cold, her face stiff and pale and her eyes wide and blue on his.
"Tony... Tony... help me take my clothes off... too stiff..." she whispered slowly.
He gently undid her coat, swearing under his breath as snow began to fall from it. Then he took off her two shirts, trying to be gentle because her limbs were very stiff and tight. Her clothes were wet and filled with snow.
Pepper stood there, shivering in her binding and her trousers, her arms wrapped around herself tightly. She moved one trembling hand towards her belt and he realized what she was trying to do.
"Pepper, let me!" Tony said firmly, undoing her belt and pulling her trousers and braies down. He knelt and lifted her feet to take them out of the pants.
She was visibly shuddering, her entire frame shaking, so he bundled her into a blanket and made her sit before the fire.
Pepper raised her hands before the crackling fire and took a deep breath. Tony sat down beside her and touched her forehead. She was still cold to his touch.
"Tony..." she said slowly, "Tony... don't worry. It takes time for the body to restore its temperature. I am fine."
"Did the branch hit you?"
"No... thank god, it didn't..."
He moved his hand inside her blanket and touched her stomach, swearing at the coldness of her skin.
Pepper said with a small smile, "Language, Stark."
But he paid her no attention and moved his hands upwards to her bound chest, feeling the cloth.
"Damn it Pepper! The material is soaked! We need to get this off!"
He pushed off the blanket and turned Pepper towards him. She sat before him silently as he used his dagger to make a tiny slit in the cloth and tear it off from her.
"You could have unraveled it, Tony..." she whispered softly.
"No time for that, you need to get warm, Pepper!" He said as he once again covered her with the blanket, wrapping it tightly around her. Tony picked up his blanket and began to rub her legs and feet, trying to get rid of the stiffness in her limbs.
"Can you use your fire power to warm yourself up?"
"No, Tony, I am too cold... too cold to do that..."
He looked into her soft blue eyes as he moved his hands over her limbs and asked tensely, "Pepper, what else can I do? Tell me, please!"
She shook her head gently, closing her eyes. "Nothing else, Tony... it is alright... don't worry..."
Pepper gently cupped his cheek with her hand and he shivered at the chilly touch of her skin.
She whispered, "Sorry... I didn't realize..." and was going to move her hand away, when he caught it and kissed her palm hard.
For a minute they sat there quietly, Tony rubbing her legs as Pepper's breathing calmed down. He was feeling thirsty and looked around for his water flask.
Then Tony had an epiphany.
"Pepper! That's it! You need to drink the cider!"
He stood up quickly and she looked at him, confused. "Why..."
"Because! Alcohol warms up the blood! How could I forget this!"
Tony searched her bag for the bottle of cider and found it. He poured some out into a small cup and held it over the fire with a branch.
"Let me just warm it up a bit."
"It could work..." he heard her whisper to herself.
Then Tony handed the cup to her.
"Be careful, the cup is hot. Now drink, Pepper!"
She took a small sip and then another and then drank the whole cup in one go.
Tony smiled with happiness as Pepper's face filled with redness. She exclaimed, "My, that's warm! Oooh, I can feel it all the way to my toes!"
He poured out some more into the cup and she drank deep once again. Then Pepper burped loudly and he laughed loudly.
"Tony..." she said, now bright red with embarrassment.
He sat down beside her, pouring a little more for her. She shook her head and said, "That's enough for me, don't you want some?"
He raised the cup to his lips and took a long hard swig, the spicy tart apple taste warming his blood.
Tony wiped his lips and asked, "Do you want some more?"
"No, thank you, my lord, I have had enough." Pepper said primly and he was glad to see some color had returned to her face and she was not shivering anymore.
He stood up and moved towards the other log. Tony use the small axe to clear off the branches from the log.
Then he quickly chopped it into smaller halves. As he looked at the log, he grimaced.
We only have enough firewood for half the night... I will have to manage... I do not want Pepper to worry.
"What's the matter, Tony?" Pepper asked.
"Nothing, sweeting, bending too much, it is nothing."
"I am sorry, I let go of the other two pieces." she said quietly.
Tony turned towards her and said softly, "Pepper, it wasn't your fault. A giant pile of snow fell on you! Your health is worth more than pieces of wood... now would you like something to eat?" She answered him with a wide yawn.
"That's it, Pepper Potts... to bed with you!"
"What... Tony... it is so early! It is just the cider, come on, I am not sleepy at all!"
But Pepper yawned again, this time closing her eyes with the strength of the yawn.
He found the thick rug that they used for sleeping and unrolled it beside the fire, close to Pepper.
"Come on, sweeting, time to sleep..." he said, urging her to move onto the rug. She did so, without protest and then lay down.
Tony rolled up one of his dry shirts and placed it under her head as a pillow. Then he covered her with both blankets.
Pepper said sleepily, "Tony... I do not need both... what will you use to keep warm?"
He stroked her hair and said, "I will sleep in my clothes, my lady. I need you to stay warm."
She blinked at him sleepily and he bent and kissed her forehead. "Go to sleep, Pepper."
"What are you going to do, Tony?"
He straightened and looked at the discarded branches of the chopped logs.
"Well, I am going to try and feed those to the horses. Should be safe. They weren't oak or chestnut trees, so..." he trailed off because Pepper had fallen asleep.
Tony moved away from her and then gathered up the branches as quietly as possible. He moved towards the horses at the back of the cave and lay the branches down.
Balthazar nickered at him softly and Aurora came over to eat. He patted her soft head, sighing quietly to himself.
I do hope Pepper is alright...
She will be, Anthony, said the Dragon sleepily, but you can help her by joining her.
Tony was confused now. What do you mean?
Do you recall, when you went to destroy the main camp of slavers to the north of the Keep? And you returned half-frozen?
"And I woke up next to Pepper..." he whispered. "She was hugging me to her, warming me up with her body...That's it!"
Yes, Anthony... the Dragon hissed softly as Tony began to pull off his coat. You can keep Virginia warm with your own body heat as well.
He stripped down to his braies and then shifted the wood on the fire, so that he could add the new log. Then he lay down behind Pepper and lifted the blankets.
He snuggled up against her and pulled the blankets over them both. Tony hugged Pepper gently to him.
He shivered slightly as he was away from the fire and the blankets didn't cover him completely, so his back was more or less exposed to the cold air. But Pepper's temperature felt normal to his touch and that pleased him.
So Tony mentally steeled himself, determined to bear the cold at his back. He burrowed his face in Pepper's fragrant mass of soft hair. He closed his eyes, smiling at he heard her murmur his name in her sleep.
"It is alright, my love," he whispered very quietly, "I will keep you warm."
And he fell into a deep sleep.
