Chapter 4 – Awakening

The stone was cold and hard beneath her as Sophie stirred from forced slumber. From what little she could see, her tiny cell was not alone. The dungeon held eight cages, each containing nothing but a small window and chamber pot.

Sophie slowly tried to stagger to her feet. She hurt all over. Her muscles screamed in protest at the slightest movement. But she had to get up. She had to get out of here.

Suddenly, pain stabbed her in the stomach and she doubled over crying out in protest. No the BABY! If anything happened…Oh no!

Sophie collapsed back onto the cold floor as another wave of pain took her. Tears flowed as she thought of how useless she had become. She couldn't do anything. She couldn't do anything to help her unborn child or herself. She was useless and that terrified her.

Sophie reached for her locket that now laid on the ground beside her. Fumbling with the broken chain, Sophie desperately tried to open it but it wouldn't budge. The lock had some how melted together. No she thought, she had to see them; needed to see them. But it was no use.

Howl, Markl. Her heart ached for them. To hold them in her arms and to never let go.

The grave danger of never seeing them again tormented her mind. That she would never know, never see how great a father Howl would be. Or Markl, never knowing he had a little brother or sister. She would never she them, together as a family again.

But why, who would do this? Why take her? She was nothing. She had no special value or power. Why? There had to be a reason. If not her then…

"Sophie!"

She glanced up and looked into the most beautiful face she had ever seen.

"Howl!"

Howl stood on the other side of the bars. Relief washed over him. She was here, she was alive and he had found her; His love.

Sophie jumped up, wincing at the protest of her stomach. But at this point in time she couldn't feel anything but joy. Tears of happiness flowed as she ran into his awaiting arms that had found there way through the bars. They clung to one-another as though had been apart for year's not mere hours. Nothing else existed in the world but for them.

Holding her head in his hands, Howls mouth sought out hers in desperation. He had to feel her, to taste her again and again.

Sophie met his onslaught of kisses with her own desperate need to calm her heart, mind and soul.

Breaking off, Howl rushed his hands over the rest her then back up to her head. Half trying to see is she was hurt and the other reassuring him that this wasn't a dream. This was real and that she was here, in his arms again. And he would never let go.

"Sophie. Oh Sophie, love. Are you all right?"

She watched as those sparkling blue eyes cried for her, over her safety. And she couldn't help but laugh a little and grin.

She reached up to wipe away those tears for her.

"Yes. Yes I'm alright now that you're here".

His eyes softened and her favourite smile spread to his lips and he lowered his forehead to hers.

"Always." He whispered and kissed her softly in reassurance.

"But Howl how did you find me so fast? Markl is he ok? Did he make it back safely? He…"

"Shssss." Howl crooned to calm her and placed a finger over her lips.

"Markl's fine. He did exactly what you said and came straight home. Calcifer is with him now."

"But how did you find me so fast. It was only a few hours ago right. How did you know where to look?"

Howl pulled back to looked into her eyes and cringed slightly. He knew she wasn't going to like this.

"I put a locating spell of our wedding rings".

"And you didn't tell me!" Outraged, Sophie swatted him.

Laughing, Howl weakly defended himself. "You're angry at a time like this?"

"Of course! You should of…arh!" Sophie double over again as the stabbing pain in her stomach returned.

Howl shot as far forward as he could through the bars. "Sophie, love, Are you alright?"

Panting heavily, Sophie smiled weakly at her husband, still clutching her stomach. "Yes, I've just strained something".

She could not tell him at a time like this. He would freak out and worry over nothing. No, she would wait.

Worried, Howl frowned. He had to get her out of here he through. He had to make her safe.

"Sophie, stand back".

Sophie moved to the back of the cell as Howl began to run his hands over the cage door, muttering softly.

A moment later the cage door clicked unlocked and swung open with a loud creak.

Overjoyed, Sophie ran into Howls awaiting arms and held on for dear life.

"Oh Sophie" Howl murmured as he buried his head in the crook of her neck. She's alright he reassured himself as he held on tight not wanting to ever let go again. But this was not the place or the time. He needed to get Sophie out of here and fast. He had to get her safe.

"Well isn't this a pretty picture".

Howl jerked out of Sophie's embrace and pushed her behind him as he stared at the figure descending down the dungeon stairs. Howl could barley make him out. His cape was long and black, billowing out and around. Something gleamed in what little light was streaming through the small windows.

"Who are you?" Howl yelled as the figure grew closer. He felt Sophie clutch at the back of his shirt.

"Come now Howl. And to think, we were once friends." As the last words escaped out of his lips, the figure moved into the light.

Howl froze. His eyes huge in disbelief as memories of his childhood ran through his head. That silver mark was imprinted in his brain forever.

"Zoren, Zoren is that you. What in …How did…I mean you fell."

Zoren's smile faded. "No thanks to you." he growled. "And it cost me this." Zoren removed the silver mask to reveal what was left of his face. Badly scarred, the right side of his face was grossest. His beautiful face was gone, gone! He would make Howl pay for what he did.

Howl shook his head furiously. "But why take Sophie; she has nothing to do with this."

Zoren's smile returned as he stop only meters away from Howl. "On the contrary, she has your heart. And that is a huge advantage in my part. After all, what better way to destroy the man who betrayed you then by using the one thing he loves the most".

Howl stiffened in response; his jaw set, his eyes glaring daggers. That man had used Sophie to get to him. He would damn well make sure Zoren didn't get away with it. Nobody hurt Sophie. Nobody!

"I applaud you for arriving so fast" Zoren continued, clapping his hands softly. "I didn't expect you so soon. Perhaps I missed something".

He watched the girl suddenly clutch her left hand to her chest. Her wedding ring gleamed in the light. "Yes I observably did. Well that won't happen again I assure you."

"Zoren!" Howl growled. "Damn you, Damn you!"

Howl charged Zoren. His arm shot forth, magic spewing and aimed at his deadly foe.

Zoren reacted instantly, his smile still etched on his face. His hand glowed as he redirected Howl's magic. The cell closet to the girl exploded with the impact.

Sophie screamed and drew her arms up to shield her eyes as shards from the cell flew at her. When nothing happened, Sophie slowly lowered her arms and stared at the glowing golden magic surrounding her. Howl she thought as her heart warmed. He'd protected her. The golden magic felt warm beneath her fingertips. It felt as though Howl was holding her close as his beautiful magic swirled around her.

Sophie's thoughts were suddenly interrupted as her eyes drew back to the battle raging before her.

Magic flew everywhere. Howl attacked, Zoren blocked. Zoren attacked, Howl blocked.

The ground rumbled beneath her. Walls were crumbling, the roof was collapsing. The place was falling apart.

"Howl" Sophie yelled and banged her fists on the magic wall to draw Howl's attention. But there was nothing. Howl didn't bare a glance in her direction, but continued his attacked on Zoren.

Howl couldn't hear her she thought. Somehow this magic was blocking all sound from within and not only that, there was no way out. She was trapped.

Sophie yelled again. Her arms now bashing on the magic before her. No, she thought. She had to get out. She had to help. Howl was in danger. He was so engrossed in the battle, he just couldn't see. If they didn't leave right away, this place would collapse and crush them both.

"Howl please!"

Tears ran down her face as she desperately tried to draw Howls attention. Her arms ached, her voice was raw. She couldn't give up, she had to do something. She had to help. She had to save her love.

Something snapped inside Sophie. Her body went ridged and her eyes glazed over as the enchanting lullaby that had haunted Sophie for so long escaped past her lips.

Howl charged Zoren again and again. He refused to give up, to make that man pay for harming his love. But Zoren matched him blow for blow. Not relinquishing an inch of ground

"This is disappointing Howl" Zoren sneered, as he deflected another attacked. "All these years have made you soft".

Don't count on it you murderous pig!" Howl outstretched his arm for another attack, when suddenly white light and wind burst from the far end of the dungeon.

Both wizards threw their arms up in front of their eyes and grabbed onto the closed object to keep themselves from being blown away.

No just light, Howl thought. Magic, powerful magic.

Howl was about to move into a defence stance at the sudden new comer, when realisation struck like a knife to the heart. That was where Sophie was.

"Sophie!" Howl screamed as he ran to his love. The white light and strong winds intensified as he drew near but he refused to let them deter him.

Howls heart clenched in fear as his eyes landed on the cause of the sudden outburst of light, wind and magic.

Sophie was like a statue. Her body was stiffed and ridged and her eyes were glazed over as if she was in a trance. He could hear the familiar lullaby past though her lips.

Desperate to make it stop Howl lunged for Sophie, held on for dear life and teleported them to the safest place he knew.

Updated finally! Please let me know what you think! I am really enjoying where this story is taking me . More will me uploaded soon :)