To see a Darkened Sun

chapter 12

The next few days seemed to repeat like all the others. It was comforting, to wake up to the soft glow of the sun and delicate gold of Gwyndolin's crown. Arias certainly wouldn't mind if things stayed the way they were, but as the days passed quicker and quicker, it became more and more evident that as soon as he was able, he would have to leave and continue his journey.

He sighed as he thought of the inevitability of it all. Gwyndolin noticed this and gave him a questioning, slightly concerned look. The room was almost completely silent, so his sigh sounded much louder than it really was. He really didn't feel like talking at the moment, but Gwyndolin did seem genuinely worried for him.

It's strange, even though Gwyndolin was a god, even though he was a he, even though it was blasphemous to simply think about. Arias found himself falling for him. It was probably only because he was taking such care of him, he'd never had anyone care for him before so the simple notion was getting to his head. That was the logical conclusion he came up with anyway.

It was clear those thoughts would go nowhere, well nowhere good at least, but as he tried to rid his mind of them, their grip on him only grew stronger, causing him to act nervous in front of Gwyndolin. He worried the god would grow suspicious of him and somehow uncover his secret, then there'd probably be hell to pay. He'd already pushed his boundaries as it was, this would certainly be too far to be ignored and excused.

Well at least he wasn't thinking about how he'd have to leave soon.

"Arias!" Gwyndolin raised his voice, shocking the knight out of his thoughts.

"Arias, art thou well? Thou'st been silent for half an hour, I'm beginning to worry!" Gwyndolin delicately reached over and placed his hand on Arias' shoulder, caringly gazing into his eyes. These days spent with him were some of if not the most pleasant days of his life.

That and they were the only times he'd felt... Well he wasn't quite sure what he'd felt, it wasn't only love but, some strange deep warmth he could feel in his heart, a warmth that bestowed upon him clarity and tenderness. He'd never felt something like it before.

Was this what it was like to be close to another?

"I..." Arias tried to start but couldn't bring himself to continue. He'd didn't want to upset Gwyndolin with talk of the ever bleakening future ahead of them, but keeping his mouth shut wasn't helping either and he had couldn't talk about the other topic that was bothering him. His focus was once again pulled back to reality by a reassuring squeeze of his shoulder from Gwyndolin.

"...I just..." He sighed, making up his mind on what he'd say.

"...Honestly, I just dread leaving this room and continuing on my quest. T-These few days we've shared are not only the most at ease I've been, but this has been the longest I've gone without falling to my knees in agony as I die from just about anything one could die from. I-I don't want to go back to that... But I know that soon I must, a-and the thought haunts me..."

Like a waterfall, his worries came pouring out of him, though he was careful to avoid mentioning the feelings he'd developed, though this caused him to stutter in some sentences. Gwyndolin listened to him carefully, and his gave him another reassuring squeeze on the shoulder as he trailed off. After a short pause Gwyndolin spoke.

"I can understand thine worries Arias, for I too bear them. I too have greatly enjoyed our time together, it has been truly refreshing to share company with another for so long, especially with thee. I too dread the day of thine departure... But thou'rt correct, thine destiny is no light matter and must not be shirked. But please remember this, I am here to support thee whenever thou find thineself in need, thou need only ask, or summon mine spirit if in desperation. There will be a light at the end of this journey, a bright and soothing one, like sunlight. A reward, just for thee."

Gwyndolin smiled warmly and placed his free left hand on Arias' right, the healing warmth now running gently up his arm and numbing the remaining pain in his wrist. Arias simply couldn't respond, this figure before him that's looking more and more angelic by the second just told him to his face that he enjoyed his company and was dreading the day that he left, and that he'd support him with any difficulties he'd encounter at any time.

Arias could feel blood rushing to his cheeks and cursed his own mind for daring to interpret what Gwyndolin had said in a romantic way.

"T-Thank you..." Was all he could mutter, returning Gwyndolin's smile with his own, full of thankful happiness.

The room fell silent as they both continued to smile at each other, sharing a warm moment. Gwyndolin could tell there was something he was hiding from him, but he didn't want to push him. The last thing he wanted was for that smile on his face to fade, it was the brightest thing he'd seen before, and it was the first smile he'd even seen in over a century.

Soon everything went back to normal, with a book and a few light conversations. Gwyndolin chose a romance book this time. He suspected, no, he hoped that what Arias was hiding from him was just what he himself had been hiding from Arias... though he knew it was almost definitely nothing so foolish. Indeed Arias was no fool, he was a courageous knight who's devotion knew no bounds.

Gwyndolin was once again thankful to the crown covering his face for managing to hide his now scarlet red face. The days once again passed quickly, Arias hardly noticed when he fell asleep and woke up because whenever his eyes were open Gwyndolin was there with him, his graceful figure always bathed in golden rays.

Three more days passed, just as nice and serene as the previous nine. But when Arias awoke the next day, he felt no pain. Instead, he felt a mix of relief and dread upon his realization of this. He frowned and looked over to Gwyndolin, who gazed back at him with the same sorrowful look. Without words, they already knew that today he would have to leave.

Arias sat up and placed his feet on the floor for the first time in days, his legs felt strange, as if they were both heavier and lighter than before. He was hesitant to look back at Gwyndolin, he didn't want to see that frown again.

"Well... I'll fetch thine equipment before thee leaves." Gwyndolin said awkwardly, getting up and leaving the room. Arias sighed and looked down at the floor. Yellow patterns on the purple carpet, the backdrop of the last few days. It truly was a very comfortable room, he wouldn't mind living here for the rest of, well, forever.

Of course the best part of the room wasn't the carpet or the books or anything like that. The best part was it's inhabitant, Gwyndolin, it was he who he wanted to stay with more than anything. And he'd just left the room to grab his weapons and armor so he could leave. How dreadfully ironic.

Gwyndolin knew he could've just teleported Arias' equipment into the room, he know that would've been easier for him, but he simply couldn't bear to look into Arias' sorrowful eyes anymore. He wanted to tell him that he could stay, that another could light the flame, but that would be a lie, and it would result in the collapse on everything he'd been working towards.

Why must fate be this way? Was a question they both asked themselves multiple times in this moment.

Gwyndolin picked up his armor and weapons, not without great difficulty however. How could he wear something this heavy at all times? How did he wield that gigantic sword like it was nothing more than paper? And how on earth did he hide that greatbow away so efficiently!?

He fumbled back towards his room, his snakes struggling to slither along while half of them where busy dragging the greatbow and it's quiver along. He squeezed through the door and almost managed to put them all down when a snake fumbled, causing him to trip on the greatbow. He let out a quick yelp before getting caught by Arias, the armor falling to the ground.

It felt as though time was still for but a moment. It was almost laughable that he'd found himself in a scenario much like one he'd dreamed up a few days ago, only to tell himself it would never happen. Yet here he was, in Arias' arms, sure the circumstances weren't exactly ideal, but then again they never are. And then he was forced out of his mind when he realized that Arias had already brought him upright and now things were getting awkward.

"Uh... W- I-I art very thankful... A-Arias." He stumbled to regain his posture, though for once he wasn't quite able to hit the mark.

"You're very welcome... You didn't cut yourself on my sword did you?" Arias gave him an honest, but slightly worried smile. Gwyndolin felt fragile in his arms, as if the slightest movement would break him, instinctively Arias held him a little closer as if to protect him. Now he could feel Gwyndolin's heart beat, it was beating quickly, similar to his. Making him feel as if he shared how he felt, and washing away his worries for a brief moment.

"Ah- I-I don't believe I have..." Gwyndolin had to force himself to stop staring into Arias' eyes so he could check if he was bleeding anywhere. He only now realized that he was still holding onto Arias' greatsword, his arms folded around it as if in a hug. He now noticed some blood pouring down onto one of his snakes. He quickly passed the greatsword to Arias and lifted his skirt up so he could see where the blood was coming from.

He sighed in relief when he saw that it was just a small cut on his knee.

"Ah, seems there was no need for worry! 'twas nothing but a small scratch." Gwyndolin commented, reaching down and resting his palm upon the wound. Lifting his hand away, all that remained was a small red mark. Gwyndolin let go of his dress and looked up to see Arias nervously looking away.

"Hehe, Thee can stop looking away now. I've finished closing the wound." Gwyndolin giggled girlishly, lifting a hand to his mouth as he did so.

"Ah, right." Arias nervously turned his gaze back to Gwyndolin. The two awkwardly stared at each other for a few eternity lasting moments. They both had something they wanted desperately to say, a buildup of emotions that desired to burst out like an overflowing dam. But of course, due to circumstance, not a word could be said. Leading the overwhelming emotions to become paralyzing.

"...Well. I should get ready." Arias finally broke out of the trance and kneeled down to pick up his armor pieces.

"Oh yes of course... I shall wait here, to see thou off when thee leaves." Gwyndolin nodded nervously and slithered over to the door, waiting patiently beside it.

Arias donned his armor, strapped on his throwing knives, holstered his sheath, fastened his greatarrow quiver to his belt and stored his greatbow god knows where. Picking up his greatsword and giving it a light swing he finally noticed that his shield was gone.

"Hey... You wouldn't happen to know where my shield is would you?" He turned and asked Gwyndolin.

"The shield? Does thee not remember? Thou shattered it when the darkwraith picked it up... After thee shattered it's previous shield." Gwyndolin told him, sounding somewhat surprised.

"Huh... Now that I think about it... I don't remember much of that fight. I completely lost myself in the violence..." He trailed off, lifting his sword up and looking at it closely, the nicks and dried blood filling his field of view.

"Well, looks you found me. Thank you for that." He finished, giving his greatsword one more light swing before sheathing it.

"It was not a problem! Anything for mine valiant knight!" Gwyndolin chirped, his face beaming. Arias smiled back at him, focusing on the glow of his beautiful smile.

"Well I should get going now. No point in tarrying any longer." Arias waved to Gwyndolin who bid him a somber farewell as he walked out the door.

A/N

We're finally getting to the romance part of the romance fanfic! Only three months in!