Wow! I thought for sure I would have got a flame by now! Flame Rising doesn't count, as it was too funny. hahahahahah! I'll try to update regularly, but I can't promise anything!
Chapter Three: Sweet Sacrifice
Arya woke the next day, about noon, still chained to the wall. Her right arm was twisted behind her back, touching her shoulder bone, and her legs were blue from being sat on all night. By the dim light cast from the candles, she could see the outline of Durza, hunched in a corner shaking. She never knew she had feelings of sympathy for this Shade, but there they were. "Wh-what is wrong?" He stood up quickly and growled. "Mind your tongue, elf!" she blinked back tears. Why did she think that would work? "Sorry, just trying to be of some help." He sighed and sat down again, with his back to her. Silence. She re-arranged herself again, trying to get comfortable, but it was impossible. She stood and jumped on the spot, trying to get her blood flowing again, but was very limited by the short chain. As she settled back down again, Durza spoke. "Be thankful. Much worse could have become of you if it were not for me." Arya shot a quizzical look at him. "Why would you do something for me?" He strode over to where she sat, hunched in a ball, and unchained her arms, only the chains on her legs between her and freedom now. Sitting down next to her, he replied sadly. "Just because I am working for the King, it doesn't mean I am incapable of niceties." She raised one eyebrow. It wasn't like him to insult the King...
"You have no idea...how hard it is to keep this up. There's a...wall or something, holding me back from doing something I might regret. But it's so fragile, I don't know how long it will last..." Arya struggled to understand what he might be talking about, but couldn't find it. He turned and faced her, hands on her shoulders. "Arya. I am...regretting all that has happened to you, and all that will. I just hope you can forgive a fool for his mistakes."
"Durza, I...I don't understand. What are you saying?" He folded his arms and his head dropped onto one shoulder. "No, I won't tell you. At least, not for a time. It would only complicate matters. But I just want you to understand that, I wish for none of this..." She looked into his eyes, and the strange emotion danced across hers again. "I do." And he realised what it was. Her fear of loving him.
Okay, you probably DID see that one coming, since this IS an AryaxDurza story... but you didn't know WHEN! Please review! I'm happy with the reviews I've got so far, but I want more! I'm also looking for a few suggestions on how to stretch it out a bit more, so it will be longer.