For the first time since the summit at Loc Muinne nearly nine months ago, Siore's mind was silent while she slept. It was such a strange feeling to her, to wake peacefully. The glow and heat of a fire flickered before her as consciousness arrived slowly, and her eyes fluttered open. Glancing about, she noted they were in a hollowed out shelter of rock, the fire near the opening, The heat from it warmed her face and shoulders directly, the rest of her tucked underneath a few wool blankets. She peaked beneath them to find clean dressing and wraps on her wounds, and realized the dull pain was gone. Her sickened state seemed to have passed as well. She breathed a sigh of relief, finally able to rest in peace. Beyond the fire, the light from its flames danced across Iorveth's broad frame, his back to her as he stood outside of the cave. Dark hair, tossed by the wind, reached just past the high collar of his leather jerkin. His long undershirt sleeves were rolled at the elbows. The ends of his longbow could be seen on either side of him from behind, as he rested it in a relaxed position across his legs.
The sight of him standing there sent chills through Sio's chest, shocks of disbelief and joy from the foggy memory of his arrival causing her to hide the eruptive smile in embarrassment among her blankets. She never imagined her feelings for the commander would be reciprocated. She never thought she'd even see him again, whether she'd ever find out if he was alive and well, or otherwise. Those were her worst fears, fears she had tried to run away from. Had to escape from. At least, until they stopped causing her Sight to spiral into something close to insanity.
But that was over, now. As sure as Iorveth was standing guard a few paces away, her mind was quiet, at ease, and her heart fluttered to heights unknown.
Past the broad-shouldered elf, the sky was murky and gray, with only enough light coming from it to suggest it was either a few hours before dawn, or a few hours after dusk Sio had no idea which. Occasionally, a stray frigid breeze slipped inside their shelter, whipping the fire's flames about, and smelling of rain. The telling scent proved true after a few minutes, the sound of rain against rock first coming at a gentle patter before gradually turning into a torrent. Iorveth turned to head in, setting his bow down beside the fire before feeding it a few thick branches to bolster its heat. His eye found Sio's as he approached her, and sat next to her. She gave him a smile from where she lay among her blankets, looking up at him.
"You're awake," he murmured, shifting to lean back on an elbow, close to Sio. "How do you feel?"
"Incredible. I actually thought I might die in that shack. What did you do?" She asked, peering down under the blankets to get another look at the wraps.
"A simple poultice with the proper herbs. Hopefully, those lacerations will be closed up by now." Sio placed a hand on his upper arm, suddenly hoping that her memory of him coming to her rescue, and the way he did it, wasn't part of a fever dream.
"I can't thank you enough for helping me... For even seeking me out," she said. Her heart warmed as he leaned over her to place a kiss on her temple.
"I couldn't help it. I couldn't let you go without telling you how I felt." His gentle tone, his lips brushing against her skin, filled Sio with bliss. He moved away from her to sit upright and reach for a sack that laid beside her. "Your wrap probably needs fresh herbs. May I?"
"Of course," Sio breathed, and struggled to sit up on top of her folded legs. She was surprisingly weak, still. Iorveth moved directly in front of her, hands brushing her hip to undo the bandage that wound around her midsection. Sio grasped his shoulders to maintain balance and steady herself as Iorveth's arms encircled her a few times, unraveling the wrap. It revealed three jagged marks across her stomach and reaching to her side, indeed closed by that point, and smeared with a poultice of healing herbs. With the old bandages, Iorveth smoothed away the lather gently, while Sio bit her lip. Producing a fresh mixture of mashed herbs and petals, he spread them over each claw mark with care, glancing up at Sio once he was done.
"I'm curious what gave you these," he voiced softly, beginning to place and wrap a new bandage around her waist.
"It may... or may not have been a cockatrice fledgling."
Iorveth scoffed.
"You're no witcher, Siore." His tone carried a hint of jest as he tucked the end of the bandage strip into place. She tilted her head down to her lap sheepishly.
"I know... I just wanted to help the village. I thought my Sight was telling me I'd be successful."
A sudden change in the wind brought a gust of cold into the shelter, causing Sio to shiver suddenly. She tugged at the blankets, covering her bare shoulders and goose-bumped arms. Iorveth stood only to move around her bed, between her and the wall they were close to. He reached to yank off his muddy boots, then removed quiver and belt straps to pull his tough jerkin over his head. Sio's cheeks colored when he settled in behind her under the blankets, drawing himself against her gently.
"The rain should keep our pursuers away until you're well enough to move."
"Don't get too close," she chuckled, looking back and up at him from where she sat, "I am terribly dirty." With that, Iorveth encircled an arm across her front, grasping a shoulder in his hand and holding her against him.
"Don't be ridiculous," his voice murmured close to her ear, as he leaned his head down over her left shoulder that he held. "You should be kept warm." Their noses practically touched as they looked at one another, Sio smiling before leaning her head back into his neck and carefully giving him her weight.
"Fine," she sighed, before the happiness bubbling inside her manifested into a giggle she was too slow to stifle. Iorveth guided them both down into the bedding gently, taking care to arrange and situate Sio. He tucked the blankets about her, minding her middle, before lying down behind her. His chest was incredibly warm against her back, the heat seemingly making its way to her cheeks. She curled into a little ball, knees tucked towards her chest, Iorveth's warmth and love surrounding her.
They lay in silence for a few moments, Sio watching the rain drum against the rock outside. Iorveth's arm was draped gently across her, fingers curled at her chest, where she places periodic kisses on his knuckles.
"What time of day is it, now?" She asked. Propped on an elbow behind her, Iorveth's voice sounded just by her ear.
"Dawn. You were unconscious through the night." Shifting, Sio looked up at him.
"You kept watch all night?" He nodded. "Traveled all day prior?" Another nod. A sad smile tugged at her lips as she pulled her arm out of the blankets to cup his cheek lightly. He brought his lips down to her forehead.
"I couldn't sleep much before I found you. Nothing I'm not used to." Her fingers lightly skimmed his jawline, then trailed gently along the jagged scar near his mouth.
"Rest, now. I'll wake you if need be, when need be." With both hands, she moved to relieve him of his eye patch, setting it down before returning to run her hands through his hair. He sighed deeply, sinking down to lay his head beside her, eyes closing, relaxed.
"Alright," he mumbled, Sio lay with him as the rain beat in a constant downpour, and she hoped Iorveth was right about it keeping their pursuers at bay.
Hours passed, but the weather did not. Indeed, it seemingly proved too strong for the mountain men of Ravens Pass village to be out in, and at least enough so to keep them from the mountainside cave. Wide awake from a full night of rest, more than she'd gotten since she left Vergen, Sio lay with Iorveth as he slept. After a time, as the weather outside the cavern let up in force, she tested her strength of standing. She was wobbly at first, muscles still feeling weakened. She felt far better than the day before, at least, and only needed to build her strength back up.
With Iorveth's bow retrieved and placed close beside him where he slept, Sio knelt down to drag his quiver quietly alongside it. She regarded the sleeping elf for a beat, watching his chest rise and fall slowly. She didn't have the heart to wake him; this rest was much needed. After struggling with the decision, she decided against it, not planning on being gone long before returning to watch. Gently, she leaned over him, heart fluttering at the sight of him relaxed and slumbering. Smoothing his hair away from his brow, she bent to touch her lips lightly to his cheek, on top of his scar.
After searching about the bags beside the smoldering fire, she produced a set of sturdy clothing. They were an awkward fit, but would do until she could recover her armor and patch it up. Once dressed properly, Sio crouched to stoke the coals, adding a few of the remaining branches from their measly pile. She had also found a hunting knife among the bags, and with it fastened to her belt, set off to test her strength and hopefully nab a rabbit in its burrow.
