Chapter Ten
1049 Words
Prince Aeryn looked at Leigh laying in her bed, she had yet to regain consciousness. He refused to leave he had to be there if she did. He had to tell her he loved her. He needed to to hear at least once.
He took Leigh hand is in and recalling the day she entered his life. She was a child, she was orphaned after her both her parents were killed in attack on the village they lived. Aeryn's mother brought Leigh to live in palace when she was twelve. Their mothers we close friend even after Leigh's married a human man.
Aeryn admired her sprite, he watched her struggle to adapt to her new life. She was complete garbage at magic, but she excelled at physical endeavors. She was fast and graceful, all elf.
Aeryn took upon herself to make sure she was taught by the best weapon masters. He had her taught to be effective with several different weapons. She had always favored the daggers.
When Leigh turned eighteen Aeryn allowed her to join his personal guard. He made her share a room or tent with him, he want to protect her virtue.
Aeryn watched her in her, he was proud of the she had grown in. He had fallen in love with her. Aeryn couldn't recall when it happened, he knew he couldn't denie it any longer, not that he had really been trying.
Randir returned offering Aeryn the food and drink that Malenetha had sent. Aeryn refused and sent it to his guardsmen.
"You should take a break" Randir offered.
"I can't" Aeryn refused, he would not leave her.
"I will be here, I send for you if anything happens." Randir tried to reason
"I am going to the temple to offer my prayers." Prince Aeryn reluctantly agreed.
He lend down kissing Leigh's forehead and told he loved her before left for the temple. He should have told her before, so we would tell her now.
Aeryn made his way to the temple. He took a seat in the back. Aeryn silently prayer and made bargains. He could feel the desperation take him over. He would gladly trade his life for hers. He had no life with out her.
"I will not be requiring your life" a middle aged man dressed in exquisite grey robes chimmed in as he sat down beside Aeryn.
"Pardon me, what did you just say?" Aeryn asked surprised.
"Your life, I do not need." The man coolly replied.
Aeryn studied the man for a moment. He was exquisitely dressed, even for the most wealthy individuals. He was a very tall muscular bear of a man. His long red hair was pulled into a braid. His face kind and all know with a large red beard beginning to grey. Aeryn felt calm in his present despite all the emotions that boiled in him only seconds ago.
"Helme!" exploded from Aeryn lips as he realized the presents beside him far from a man.
"Your only a little slower than you look" Helme chuckled slapping Aeryn on the back.
"What else do you offer" Helme asked Aeryn studing his face.
"Stop toying with the boy." An Elven woman scolding Helme.
She was also middle aged. Her long gold hair cascading down her back. Kindness danced in her silver eyes, her aura similar to Helme's.
"Parnella" Aeryn gasped.
"You prayed to me in Helme's temple." Parnella lifted her eye brow.
"I am sorry, I didnt want.." Aeryn began to explain himself.
"Stop, my dear Prince." Parnella told him.
"We have come to help you." She went on.
"We need something from you and Leigh in return." Helme said.
"I will give anything" Aeryn replied
"Good, We need you to marry Leigh." Parnella said.
"I would with out a second thought, but she never let me turn my back on my kingdom." Aeryn answered
"Why would you turn your back on your kingdom?" Helme questioned.
"She isn't an elf, my people will never accept her as their queen." Aeryn answered
"She is an Elf, she just happens to also be human." Parnella replied.
"You must have a wife, no one said she had to be an elf or a queen" Parnella added dryly.
"If you don't marry her, why would we save her." Helme quipped
"She will still leave you" he continued glaring at Aeryn adding "She was planning to leave when you returned to Moondale."
Aeryn was shocked and in a small way to learn she was planning leave. He never thought she would, but he had never considered that his marriage would hurt her.
"I will marry her, please just help her." Aeryn said.
Aeryn escorted Parnella and Helme to Leigh's room. They walked over to Leigh bed one on each side of her. Parnella leaned over placing her hands Leigh's temples. Helme placed his hands on Leigh's wound and closed his eyes.
Aeryn and Randir watched the pair of gods as they work. They could feel the raw magic in the air as the color returned to Leigh face. Her breathing steady as death's grip release her.
Helme and Parnella finished and turn to Aeryn.
"She will sleep through the night, and wake in the morning" Parnella said
"We used powerful raw magic to heal her, it has made her weak, she will need to recover, she will need to rest." Parnella order.
"Thank you" Aeryn bowing down both gods before him.
"We will see tomorrow afternoon Prince Aeryn, you still have a bargain to uphold." Helme called as the pair disappeared out the door.
Aeryn and Randir stood in awe and relief for a while before either one spoke.
"What was your bargain?" Randir asked A concerned with Aeryn answer.
"I am going to take Leigh as my wife." Aeryn answered a smile spreading across his face.
"Your Father isn't" Randir started
"Isn't what" Aeryn asked
"I will deal with my father, when the time comes."Aeryn said firmly.
"Aeryn you have my support but this is going to upset alot of people."Randir stated putting is hand on Aeryn's shoulder.
"What can I do to help." Randir offered
They talked about several thing that needed Randir attention in Aeryn absence. Aeryn sent Randir to the mansion, while he sat by Leigh's bedside.
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