To see a Darkened Sun
chapter 10
For the first time in recent memory, Arias slept soundly. No strange abyss, no fire he was forced towards and away from. Just a peaceful, warm, sleep. It was refreshing and somehow felt as if it were the first real rest he'd had in years, even though he frequently rested by the bonfires he found this was different.
The warmth was gentle, soothing, comforting and peaceful. Like a blanket of sunlight over his body, gently warming him all over, but not too hot, just enough so that he was comfortable. He felt as if he never wanted to wake up again.
But inevitably, his heavy eyes opened, and the world was revealed to his mind once more. There was a faint golden glow tinting a familiar room once again, a figure leant over him, brilliant white and robes with lines of fabulous gold, and a calming golden crown stared down at him.
The warmth from his sleep remained, but that was no longer his focus, instead, all of his attention was drawn to that crown. It's magnificent gold outlines of the sun gleamed gently from the muted sunlight.
"Ah, thou'rt awake!" Gwyndolin chirped, sounding unusually cheery. He was sitting by his side on a wooden chair, pulled away from the table. Arias tried to sit up but as soon as he did the calming warmth all over his body was replaced with a shocking pain that stunned him.
"Oh careful! Thine injuries have not yet fully healed!" Gwyndolin almost yelled, his voice full of worry. He rushed to his side and gently eased Arias back down into a lying position, his touch was soft and he could feel the same subtle warmth irradiating from him that was covering his body.
Gwyndolin sighed and sat back down in his chair.
"Thou'st served well, and thine rest is well earned, so do not take it lightly." He cautioned, slowly trailing a gentle gloved hand across his battered arm. Arias' right wrist was covered in bandages, however it still felt as if it might fall off at any moment.
'A few sips of estus could fix this all much quicker' Arias thought to himself, though it was obvious Gwyndolin didn't know what estus was, and he couldn't go and get some himself in the state he was in. And Gwyndolin certainly didn't seem like he was going to let him wander the halls anytime soon.
So there they remained for quite some time. Arias basked in the gentle warmth as Gwyndolin carefully maintained his healing spell. Until Arias finally broke the silence.
"So... What happened, to that knight?" He asked, his voice coarse and rough. Gwyndolin froze up for a moment before responding to him.
"I... hast sent him to time long after our own. Far enough so that he will not be an issue during our remaining lives." Gwyndolin said, his voice quiet, most of his tone showed indifference to the subject but there was a hint of worry. Arias hummed in response, not being able to nod that was the best he could do. There was a moment of silence before Gwyndolin spoke up again.
"I understand it was was difficult for thee. To fight against one thou might've known at one point..." He trailed off, a frown now adorning his face.
"It wasn't" Arias stated plainly.
"You were the one there for me when I needed you most, I have already devoted my life to you. It didn't matter what he said I would not have turned on you, my lord." Arias, despite his incapacitated position, spoke almost sternly, as if the idea itself was opposing the core of who he was.
Gwyndolin was shocked to say the least. He'd never met a mortal so devoted, indeed he was like no other undead in the whole of lordran.
"O-Oh! I see." Gwyndolin finally spoke, his voice somewhat shaky. His crown luckily hiding most of the bright red now covering his cheeks.
"Well... thou art truly the only one..." Gwyndolin thought out loud, without realizing. Arias raised a questioning eyebrow when he did not continue. Finally noticing what he'd said, he rushed to 'clarify what he meant'.
"A-Ah! Yes, t-thou art truly the only one- undead- I hast ever met with such l-loyalty!" He stammered through almost every word, clearly betraying his image of certainty, Arias didn't question it though.
They sat there for a while, silent. Gwyndolin occasionally ran his hand up down Arias' chest to renew his healing spell. There was an air of unease, again, only to Gwyndolin really. He was worried he might seem suspicious to Arias and he might get the wrong idea, as if he were not grateful or something else horrible.
"...I'm sorry." Arias muttered suddenly, shame clouding his voice as he spoke.
"Whatever for?" Gwyndolin asked, immediately putting aside his anxious thoughts and focusing on him. There was a long pause before Arias responded.
"I was unable to halt a single intruder alone. I fear your confidence in me may be misplaced..." He trailed off, looking away from the god in shame.
"Arias..." A slight frown returned to Gwyndolin's face as he brought his hand to Arias' cheek.
"Mine trust in thee was not misplaced I can assure thee. That knight was a darkwraith, the sworn enemies of me and mine blades of the darkmoon. They were trained in the art of lifesteal and pose one of the largest threats to our fair kingdom. Truth be told I am impressed thou were able to defeat such a foe so many times over. The ordeal is over now and mine kingdom remains safe thanks to thee, do not forget that my knight." Gwyndolin consoled him, stroking his cheek gently.
"...Thank you my lord..." Arias said, a small, grateful smile spreading across his lips.
"Thou may call me by mine name, Gwyndolin. It would be rather exhausting to keep to formalities the entire time I am to care for thee" Gwyndolin giggled slightly, lifting a hand to cover his mouth as he did so.
"Very well, Gwyndolin" Arias chuckled with him. It felt strange saying his name out loud, he hadn't ever done so in recent memory, as if it was a word that only existed in his mind. But now it seemed he was free to say it anytime he pleased.
Once again they fell silent and time moved by them as if they were watching through a window. However, neither of them felt anxious this time, they were just happy to be in each other's company.
Soon Arias fell back to sleep, once again he slept soundly, the warmth around him keeping him calm and seemingly warding away bad dreams. Gwyndolin watched him as he slept, he couldn't help but feel a little strange, watching a man sleep in his room, but he got used to it eventually.
His mind was still concentrated on Arias and he got the feeling it would be, no matter what he did at this point, so he stopped fighting it. He wished he could tell him about his feelings, but it would mostly likely be that Arias did not feel the same about him and never will. Him talking to him about it would be nothing but trouble, after all that's what he always was to others he cared for. Nothing but trouble...
Gwyndolin sighed and brought his hand back to Arias' face, stroking his cheek gently as he slept, looking at him longingly. It was ironic really, that the last god was so easily brought to tears by a single human.
A/N Just barely managed to get this chapter out in time for Valentine's day... well Valentine's evening. I've got a lot of stuff on my platter recently so progress will be slow but I'll continue to write more chapters with my spare time for the foreseeable future.