When I woke Nuada was still with me. He sat by my side and looked very tired. I tried to say something but nothing would come out, so I reached for Nuada's hand. His eyes we alive and vivid as he gripped my hand,

"Arainia."

"Nuada." My voice was groggy but he cut me off anyway. His emotion pored into this kiss. A tear slid down my face and he whipped it away,

"I'm so glad you are back." I smiled at him. Just as I was about to say something King Balor came running in,

"Nuada!" He gripped his boy's arms, "I heard you were here with the healers. Are you alright? Are you hurt?" He looked at Nuada's left arm and gasped, "What happened?!" He had a gash in his arm from when I pushed him out of the way,

"It's just a scratch."

"Just a scratch!" His eyes narrowed at me, "You. Aren't you supposed to be protecting him? While you lie there my son stands here bleeding!"

"FATHER-"

"Let me handle this Nuada. Well, do your job. Get up." Slowly I tried, but I wasn't fast enough, "I said 'Get up!'" He yanked me to my feet and I stumbled to the floor. Pain engulfed me. My head began to spin and I couldn't stand. Nuada gripped my arms and held me tight against him.

"FATHER, how can you ridicule the woman who saved my life?! She bleeds because of me. She almost died because of me!"

"It is her job to do so-"

"How can you just stand there and say such things?" I could feel King Balor's gaze on me, and it was not one of thanks or happiness but one of malice and anger.

"Please, my son, do not throw away our heart on someone as low as this."

"Again you try to tell me who I am and am not aloud to love. In your eyes she may be just a bodyguard or a soldier, but to me she is lovelier than any noblewoman or princess I have met," I looked into Nuada's eyes to se if this was just a way to rebel against his father, but I found a genuine love in them. "She is far nobler than any woman or man I have ever met." King Balor let out a sigh,

"Is this your decision?! A Blackwood warrior of common birth?" Nuada smiled at me,

"It is." The king gave me one last glance before storming off.

"You did not have to do that."

"But I did. He would have persisted." He helped me back into bed and kissed my head. "Now please, rest."

"Only if you stay with me." He smiled and lay down beside me. His arm around my shoulder and my head on his chest. Our breathing became in sync as I traced patterns on his chest. He kissed the top of my head and held me tight.