The Half Elf and The Prince.

Chapter Eight

Aeryn walked to his table eyes scanning the crowd, his was looking for Leigh. She had avoided him since he kissed her the night before. He crossed a line, he told himself he never would.

Aeryn was about to reach for a the chair when he was shoved and nearly knocked over.

"Wha.." escaped Aeryn lips as he turned around and saw the glint of Leigh's blades.

Before Aeryn could react Randir and several of the Mayor's gaurds had him and the elven women circled. The guard back towards Aeryn and the women readied to protect them. Aeryn could only watch as Leigh kicked off her shoes and step towards a waiter armed with a dagger.

Leigh danced her actions gracefully and perfectly performed. She circled Aeryn could see the smile on her face. She had never been good with magic, she was almost clumsy, but with her blades she was an artist. Aeryn beamed on the inside as he watched almost proud.

Leigh parried and dodged never letting her assailant land a blow. She danced around as her blades tasted blood. In a flash it was over Leigh standing over the waiter now on his knees.

Leigh turned around and looked to Aeryn. The color draining from her face. Aeryn knew somthing was wrong before he spotted the dagger planed in Leigh torso. His eyes widened as she noticed her wound.

Aeryn rushed barely catching Leigh as she took a step and fell. He held her in his arms watch her life drain.

"Oh Dana's sake, follow me and lets get her a healer" The Mayor's said with a apologetic look on his face.

Aeryn followed, Randir and Malenetha on his heels. The Mayor lead him to a palor with a couch where he placed her. Malenetha stepped up and quicky examined Leigh wounds. She started to chant moving her hands as they shimmered. She removed the daggers placed her hands on the wound through her head back and chanted louder.

Randir pick up the dagger examining it, as he looked over he sniffed the blade.

"Prince Aeryn, she had been poisoned with black moondust flower." Randir said hold out the blade.

"YOU HAVE TO BE WRONG" Aeryn screamed

"She not healing" Malenetha cried tears streaming down her face as she chanted to her god Pannellis with all her might.

"Your highness,I have a powerful healer he is here" The Mayor's said pointing to an old man in red robes.

Aeryn showed the old man the dagger as the taked about possibly cures. The old man gave Aeryn grim news. He could not cure her, there was not cure for the poison used on Leigh. He could only slow the poison and heal the wound.

Aeryn had him heal her he couldn't face losing he need to find a way to cure her. Leigh didn't regain consciousness after she was healed. The old man told Aeryn that she needed rest, and consciousness would come and go.

"Prince Aeryn we need to take back to the mansion" Randir told Aeryn putting his on his shoulder.

"No, I am going to take her Halme's temple." Aeryn answered picking up Leigh.

"Take them woman back and meet me later at the temple." Aeryn ordered

"No, my Prince." Randir replied and continued "You were nearly assassinated, I will go with you."

"Prince Aeryn, I will see them back personally." The Mayor promised

Aeryn carried Leigh to the carriage and Randir followed. Randir told the driver to take them to the temple and to hurry. Aeryn looked down at the now frail woman in his arms. She was wild and full of fire, that is what drew Aeryn to her. He could stand to see her this way.

"We are here" Randir said opening the carriage door.

They exited the carriage and entered the temple, greeted by a priest of Halme. The preist look at Leigh and led the to room with a bed. Aeryn laid Leigh down and turned to the priest.

"She was poisoned by black moon flower" Aeryn explained

"She is a follower of Helme." He continued to explain

"I thought that" the words catching in his throat as tears came to his eyes.

The priest put his hand on Aeryn and nodded. He left the room leaving Aeryn and Randir alone before returning with four more priests. They gathered around Leigh's bed and started to pray.

"Prince Aeryn, we need to figure out who tried to assassinate you" Randir told Aeryn.

"They are probably going to try again" he added

"I am sure they will." Aeryn replied.

"I would advise to go back to the mansion,but I know you aren't going to listen" Randir said with a sympathetic look.

Aeryn and Randir watched the preist pray around Leigh. They didn't talk for a while just watched untill the priest were done.

"Will you stay with her?" a priest asked Aeryn and Randir

"Yes" Aeryn replied.

"I need to send a message, if you can manage" Randir asked.

"we can" the priest answered and than walked away.

After a few minutes three nuns walked and gave Leigh a sponge bath and changed her in to fresh robes. Aeryn and Randir waited outside at the insistence of the nuns. Aeryn found it difficult to be away from Leigh's side.

He was afraid, she was dying and he could do nothing. Aeryn felt nothing, he felt nothing every emotion an empty shell. He tried to wrap his brain around what took place, it hardly registered that the blade was meant to him.

"Stay here, I am going to the chapel." Aeryn ordered Randir.

Randir noded as Aeryn walked out of Leigh room. He found his way to chapel and sat on a pew near the front. Aeryn looked at his hand, tears in his eyes.

"Halme, I don't follow you." Aeryn began

"The person I care about the most does" he continued. "She is dying. "

"I would do anything to save her" He bargained as tears rolled down his face.

Aeryn sat in the pew making the plea to his own god as he weeped. He waited on the pew sitting alone in the silent hoping the gods would intervene and save the woman he loved.