Post by lytasilverstar on Aug 25, 2010 23:19:43 GMT -5
Krystal was standing in the middle of the clearing, several guards at her sides. Her hands bound behind her back, so tight her wrists were bruising.
Damn it, She thought, my wrist already hurts!
It was obvious she had been in a fight; blood had dried on her lip from when one had hit her earlier. She had a black eye, which she was sure was swollen. There was a small cut by her eye that hurt, and as far as she could tell, was still bleeding. And she had several bruises all over.
Hurry Up Ivan…Come and get me already!
Something in the brush caught her eye. She thought she saw the moon glinting off something metal in the underbrush.
She was pushed forward, causing her to stumble and nearly fall, interrupting her thought process, and causing the glimmer she thought she saw fade.
"Krystal Rose, You have been charged with perjury and failure to conform with our peoples laws. Have you anything to say?"
"First off, my name isn't Krystal Rose anymore. Second, I'm not entirely held to your laws. If you will recall you are the ones who sent me to my mother for many years. And Third…well…I haven't been here, how can I conform or commit Perjury?"
"You have a point, Krystal. But I am curious, what is your new last name?" the elf in front of her asked.
"That is none of your business." She replied that earned a hard hit to the stomach, causing her to fall to her knees.
"What is your Last name?" the elf said again
Gasping for breath Krystal said nothing.
She was dragged to her feet by two guards, another walking forward and punched her across the face, another cut opening on her cheek.
"What is your name?" The elf demanded.
"I'll never tell you…" she managed with some difficulty.
Krystal, have you gone mad?! Ivan wondered, watching as his wife was beaten till she couldn't stand on her own.
"TELL US!" the elf yelled
Krystal started to laugh, the sound strangely airy angering the other elf.
"Don't you get it?" She asked, "You've lost."
"What?"
"My comrades will come looking for me, they will overwhelm you…You'll all be massacred."
Fear ran like wild fire through the area, elves looking around at each other, wondering if they were being watched at that very moment.
"Will your husband come looking?"
"Of course he will."
"He'll find you dead then…" The elf said drawing a dagger.
"What?"
"You heard what I said." The elf said walking towards her, grabbing a fistful of her tunic dragging her to her feet.
Krystal's eyes widened when she saw the dagger. The Memories of her fathers' death flooding her mind, bringing images to her she had long fought to forget.
"Yes, you've felt this dagger before…here I think!" the elf said slashing open her tunic cutting over the scar that Ivan had seen only once, ripping open her flesh that had healed, causing her crimson blood to shine in the light of the full moon.
Krystal cried out, both in pain, and in frustration at being unable to defend herself.
"What's wrong Krystal? Bring back memories?" The elf asked mockingly as he again slashed at her, the dagger cutting open her arm, causing another cut that would surely leave a new scar.
"DAMN YOU!" Krystal yelled as she kicked at the elf's knee, forcing him to stumble and fall.
The elf fell, the dagger digging into his own side, a stunned look in his clear blue eyes.
Horrified Krystal watched as the elf died slowly, his blood seeping into the ground.
After some time the other elves left, leaving Krystals few belongings they had taken. Her strength spent, Krystal fell to her knees, staring at the dead elf before her.
Slowly Ivan crept from the brush, the moon light glinting off his ring, the others following him watching all sides.
"You OK?" he asked coming up to her
Krystal just nodded.
"Lets get you back to camp." Ivan said as he cut the ropes holding her wrists.
Krystal just let her hands fall to her sides, staring at the lifeless being before her.
"Let it Go Krystal…he was going to kill you if you didn't retaliate." Ivan said as he picked her up one hand at her back the other beneath her knees.
"Get her belongings; I'll take her back to camp. Come to her tent." Ivan said when Krystal said nothing, turning he left the clearing leaving the others to do as he said.
"I….Ivan…" Krystal whispered, when they were almost to the encampment, her voice barely audible.
"I'm here, Krys." He replied as he kept walking.
"I…Knew you'd come…"
Ivan smiled faintly, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead.
"I love you too much to let them keep you for too long."
"THEY'VE RETURNED!!" the alarm went up as Ivan and Krystal entered the torch lit forests, "COMMANDER IVAN AND COMMANDER KRYSTAL HAVE RETURNED!!"
The encampment came alive, archers and soldiers alike coming to see that Krystal and Ivan were alright.
"Commander! You're alright!" a soldier called
"Get the medic." Ivan replied walking into Krystal's tent laying her on her cot, causing her to whimper slightly.
"I'm sorry Krys. Here are your rings back." Ivan said as he slipped her rings back on her.
Soon the medic arrived, and after a heated argument, ushered Ivan out of Krystals tent.
It seemed like hours to Ivan as he paced back and forth, treading the same path, worrying over his wife.
Finally the medic stepped out of Krystal's tent, walking to Ivan who sat near by, refusing to let any other soldier take his place.
Noticing the medic walking to him Ivan faced the Medic.
They spoke quickly, in low tones. Not allowing any other soldier to hear.
"She lost the little one growing in her."
"What?" Ivan asked going pale.
"She lost the child." The medic repeated
"I…"Ivan started looking away from the medic, "I…didn't know…"
"That she was with child?"
Ivan could do nothing but nod.
"Well…seeing as you're her husband, you are more than welcome to go see her…."
Eagerly ivan went to Krystals tent and stepped in. she looked so weak laying on her cot, under the deerskin blanket, bandages wrapping her body, bruises marring that perfect skin.
"Why didn't you tell me Krys?"
"About?"
"The baby!" Ivan whispered, "I would have come to your defense, instead of letting you fight."
"You have enough to worry about." Krystal said softly
"Oh, Krys…" Ivan whispered sitting at her side, worry glowing in his ocean colored eyes, "I Wish you would have told me." Stroking his hand over her hair and down her cheek.
"Why? So I could have lost you to that maniac?!"
"Was he the one who killed your father?"
"…Yes…." She replied after a short silence
"When the war is over we'll live a happy, peaceful life, Ok?"
Krystal nodded, and then she looked towards the entrance.
Ivan, noting her action, rose to his feet his hand moving towards his sword.
"I came to see if our Commander was doing well." King Vanyard's rich voice came as he walked into the tent.
"She is doing well Milord." Ivan replied, lowering his hand.
"Good, I also thought you should know a few things. One, I know your married." The king said causing Ivan to go rigid, "Hold, Second, I support your union. And third, you've caused a temporary peace, Dear woman. You killed the one elf who wanted to attack us."
Krystal looked away, her eyes clouding over.
"What is it, Krystal?" Vanyard asked
"She hadn't meant to kill him. She was defending herself." Ivan said sitting beside Krystal
"None the less you are both heroes."
"At the cost of loosing something…" Krystal mumbled
"Milord, One question," Ivan said as he looked sadly at Krystal, "Do you think the troops would support this union?"
"Of course, why would they not?"
"Because…Well…Many think we'd be too worried about each other to properly battle."
"Nonsense!" Vanyard exclaimed, "You both are two of the best warriors in this military, Granted you will worry about one another, but you also will worry about your troops." Vanyard replied, "If there is anything I can do for you, either of you, please, inform me I'll see that it is taken care of."
"Yes, Your Majesty, thank you." Ivan said as Vanyard turned to leave.
"Die! You shall not live to see her marriage or her death!"
"Daddy!!" Krystal yelled running towards the clearing where she knew her father was being kept, "Daddy!! I'm coming!!"
"Krys!! Go back!!" Her father yelled
"Ah, So she's important to you?!" a tall elf asked, his clear green eyes sparking in the moon light. "Bring her to me!!" he bellowed, an elf seeming to materialize next to her.
Soon she was restrained, and she quickly began to struggle.
"Be still!" A powerful voice whispered in her ears the elves clear blue eyes glinting as his dagger tore at her skin.
"DADDY!!!!" She screeched as she was dragged to the clearing to be restrained as the elf that had nearly slit her throat murder her father. No, it wasn't her father….he wasn't that tall….Was he?
She ran forward to the form that was barely gasping for breath.
"Krys…" Ivan's familiar voice rasped into her ears.
"Ivan!" She cried sitting up, a fine, cold sweat covering her body.
"Krys, Are you alright?" Ivan asked, looking towards her, his hand moving over hers.
"Ivan, your alright!" she said fear shrouding her eyes
"Yes I'm fine, what about you? Are you alright?" Ivan asked rising from his seat and sitting on the bed next to her
"I'm fine….It was just a nightmare…" she replied slowly laying back down
"Do you want to talk about it?" Ivan asked, lifting one of her elegant hands with his and kissing the back of it. Her hand was cold, and clammy. Very different the warm smoothness her hands usually were.
"No…There is nothing I want to say about it…" she replied
He had seen her do this before, something had bothered her about her dream, she just wouldn't talk about it, not now at least.
"Just know I'm here to talk to Krys. I don't want you facing things alone."
"Promise me something, Ivan."
"Anything."
"Don't leave me…alone like my father did…ever."
"Krys, I promise you, I'll do everything I can to keep from leaving you like your father." So her dream had to do with something about her father, maybe she saw it again. Maybe seeing the elf that murdered her father stirred up old memories, and she relived the event.
"You promise me?"
"I swear to you Krys, I'll do everything I can…"
"I don't ever want to loose you like I did my father." Tears welled up in her eyes as she spoke, remembering her dream.
"Krys, What is it? What's bothering you? What happened in your dream?"
"I—I saw…it again…" her tears began rolling down her cheeks
"It?"
"M-my fathers' death again…" The tears began to slide quicker down her cheeks
"Oh, I'm sorry…" So she DID see her fathers' death again…
"But that's not all…"
"What?"
"Y-you were there too…"
"Mm-hmm"
"Well…Not really there but you were there…in his place…In my fathers place…Dieing…" the tears rolled fast and hot down her face, and just talking about it made her start to sob
"Krys…" Ivan said softly, cradling her in his arms.
"I…I saw him….I saw him stab my father…saw him stab you…You were dieing…" She sobbed.
"Krys….Its ok, it was only a dream; I won't let anyone separate us…" Ivan whispered, stroking his fingers through her hair, enjoying the softness.
"Ivan…You were dieing! He stabbed you in the heart, you struggled to stay alive, you could barely say my name!"
"Krys, it was a dream, nothing more. Nothing will happen to me, I won't let it. Not now that I have your trust and so much more."
"You have had my trust for several years now…You know that."
"I know but we have had much more recently. You had a life inside of you Krys…A life that we made together. You were going to have—"
"I was going to have a Child I am aware…" she replied icily
"Why are you upset about that? I thought you would be pleased that you were going to have a little one. You always told me that you wanted a child."
"I do want a child Ivan; I just don't want one during a time of war. I want our child to grow up with both of us there. Not just you…Or just me, but both of us. Together."
"Krystal. I would never leave you alone to raise our child. I could not let you do that on your own. I would rather have missed you all together than let you raise our children alone."
"You mean to tell me that you won't willingly leave me in our home all alone to raise our children while you go off to your possible death?"
"Krystal, I would never leave you willingly. I love you too much."
"I love you too Ivan."
"Sire, May I have a word with you?" Ivan asked after he rose from bowing before King Vanyard.
"Certainly, my loyal knight, what seems to be the matter?"
"Its about Krystal Milord…"
"Ah, how does the lady Clow fair? Well I do hope."
Ivan flinched knowing if Krystal found out he was talking to Vanyard about this she would be angry.
"She is recovering. But there is something more….Personal….I must speak with you about." He replied glancing at the guards posted inside of Vanyard's tent.
"Mmm…Very well." Vanyard said waiving the guard out, "What concerns you this much to where you will not allow my guard to remain?"
"As I have said, Sire. It involves Krystal. Without informing me she came to this battle even after conceiving a child, and I was informed after the Medic had seen to her that she had lost the little one. And now I see it effecting her, she doesn't sleep as well, she hardly eats. She's always sad. Sire, I know this is out of my place but I request that she is relieved of her post until she is recovered again."
"Mmm…That is troublesome… Very well then," Vanyard announced after a moment of silence, "You and Commander Krystal are relieved of your posts until she had recovered."
"What?! Sire, I requested that she be relieved not both of us!"
"You are relieved as well to insure that her health does not deteriorate during the time that we are gone. If you are needed we will send someone to inform you."
"Sire! You will be loosing two of your commanders; these battalions can't fight without capable leaders!!"
"That is why I'm putting your second in commands in charge." Vanyard said.
"But Sire--!!"
"You are dismissed."
"Yes, Sire." Ivan said as he bowed.
Raising up to his full height he turned and left Vanyard's' tent, the guard assigned to him watching him go past.
"If a word of what you just heard gets out, you will be the one to pay." Ivan said as he passed the guard, headed back to Krystals tent.
"Krys, you need to wake up, you need to get ready." Ivan said softly as he gently shook Krystals shoulder.
"What for?"
"The trip home." He replied after a long pause
"What?!" she exclaimed rolling over
"You are going home, King Vanyard's orders." Ivan replied
"You went and spoke with him after I fell asleep again, didn't you?!"
"Krys, sweetie, loosing the child is affecting your health. Yes, I went to talk to him. But only because I was worried about you."
"I'm Fine." Krystal replied looking away from him.
"Krys, you don't eat. You don't sleep much. You are sad all the time. Krys, you need to recover from this, and not here, But at home…With me there with you." He said quietly as he sat down next to her.
"You mean, you're coming with me?" she replied
He simply nodded
"But what about the battalions?"
"Our second in commands are going to cover for us."
"What if they need us?"
"They will send word."
"You and King Vanyard came up with everything, didn't you?"
"I came up with you going home, the rest was him."
"Mm-Hmm…I see…"
The sun was just reaching it highest point when they neared the outskirts of their acres of land
"I need a rest…" She whispered
"Alright, Lets take a rest then." Ivan said stopping his horse.
She had been sat in front of him, his arms around her, insuring that her weakness would not affect her to the point of fainting and falling off the horse.
"Mmm…I…Hurt…" She moaned
"Where?" he asked alerted, remembering the medic had told him that she may go through phases of excruciating pain in her abdomen.
"Here." She said putting her hand over her womb.
Quickly he dismounted and lifted her off the horse carrying her into the shade of a near by willow. Laying her on the soft, cool grass he knelt next to her.
"Do you need anything?"
She just shook her head no.
"Do you want anything?"
She nodded
"What? What do you want?"
"For the pain to go away." She whimpered
"I know sweetie, I know. But is there anything else?"
She shook her head no again.
"She may suffer pain along the journey, just get her any thing she may need or want and then let her sleep. But only for a short amount of time. She could fall unconscious if she were let to sleep to long"
"Sleep for awhile, I'll wake you up later and we'll continue on our way home." He whispered as he laid next to her on his side and began running his fingers through her hair.
She fell asleep quickly, although she was still in immense pain. He could tell she was still in pain spme time later
"Krys, Sweetie, Its time you woke up." He said softly as he shook her gently
He shook her a little rougher when she didn't respond, "Krys? You need to wake up now. Krys!"
Slowly her eyes opened, they were greyer than before and they were unfocused.
Ivan let out a sigh of relief.
"We need to continue on our way. We'll be home soon. And then I'll let you sleep more." After I get a doctor to look you over to make sure your alright.
"Mmm…Why can't I sleep now?" She mumbled
Because I'm afraid you'll never wake up "Because its getting late and it'll be getting cold out soon."
"Mmm-Kay" She simply replied
He lifted her up and put her on the horse.
"Hold on to the reins while I Get up alright?"
She nodded and did as he had told her, but her grip was loose, and weak, and he could see it.
I hope we get home soon…The sooner a doctor looks at her the better.
"She is suffering from severe bruising of the womb. That is what is causing her so much pain. She is suffering some serious head trauma caused by a blow to the back of the head. But she is recovering well, just let her rest but keep an eye on her." The doctor said looking at Ivan, "Use landinum, it will ease her pain and help her sleep. And keep some Lavender in the room, it will help her relax. Your wife will recover fully, Lord Clow; you took good care of her."
"Thank heavens." Ivan said quietly, "I don't know what I would do if I lost her."
"Go on home now, she is safe."
"I don't know how to thank you." Ivan said
"Just take good care of her, that's all I ask…" the doctor said.
"I will Thank you again."
The doctor smiled, showing Ivan to Krystal, who was sitting in the front room, her head drooped, her eyes closed.
"Krys, you need to wake up, we're going home now." Ivan said softly, touching her shoulder
"Hmm?" She hummed as she slowly opened her eyes.
"Come on, were going home now."
"Can I go back to sleep when we get there?"
"Yes. Of course you can."
She smiled, as she slowly got to her feet.
"Thanks once again." Ivan said as he walked an exhausted Krystal outside.
"There, are you comfortable?" Ivan asked as he tucked Krystal into their bed.
"Mmm….I'm hot…" She moaned softly
"I know, sweetie. But you need to sleep."
"I'm too hot to sleep…."
"Here, take this," he said, pouring her a spoonful of laudanum, "It will help you sleep"
"What is it?" She asked drowsily
"Its medicine, the Doctor advised me to give this to you."
"I don't want to take it…" She said turning her head away.
"Krys….Please…..You'll get better this way."
"…..are you sure about this?" she asked turning her head back to him
"Yes, now be a good girl and take your medicine." He said gently holding the spoon of laudanum out to her
Hesitantly she took the medicine, grimacing at the taste.
"That's my girl." Ivan said leaning over her and pressing his lips to her forehead, "Now, you get some rest…."
"…Stay with me? Please?" she asked, the laudanum already taking effect on her body.
"Yes, I'll stay with you…" he said laying down next to her
Krystal rolled over, resting her head on his arm, cuddling close to him. Quickly falling asleep.
He pressed a soft kiss to her temple.
"Rest well, my sweet Krystal…" He whispered, watching her sleep, her long dark lashes, resting on her cheeks.
~*~*~*~
"Mmm….Ivan?" Krystal mumbled as she slowly woke up, pain making her flinch. "Ivan?" she reached out to her side, to see if Ivan was still next to her, she sat up quickly, causing her more pain.
"Krys, lay back down, your going to hurt yourself…." Ivan said as he walked back into the room, carrying a silver tray with a white porcelain cup with small roses and morning flowers painted on them a matching kettle, and a small crystal vase with a small bouquet of fresh picked lavender and a few small morning flowers.
"You made me some tea…and picked me a bouquet…how sweet of you…" Krystal said softly
"Well I thought you might like it…I know how you like lavender and Morning flowers" Ivan said as he walked over to the bed, setting the tea on the nightstand sitting next to her, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead.
"You sure are taking extra good care of me…"
"Why shouldn't I? I love you and I'm worried."
"Ivan…I'm sorry that I lost your child….I should have been more careful." She said resting her head on his shoulder.
"No….Your alright….We'll try again....later…." he said running his fingers through her hair.
"I should have resisted." She said tears welling in her eyes
"If you had you could have been killed."
"But you wanted the child…"
"Not at the cost of you! I love you Krys, and that will never change. Yes I want a child but I want you too. I want you there."
"Ivan, I lost you baby…your little one…." She said as she rested one of her hands against her lower stomach
"I'd rather loose a child than loose the only woman I love." Ivan replied pressing a kiss to her lips. "Now you drink some tea, and don't try to sit up or move to fast."
"Will you stay with me?"
"I'll be right here." Ivan said lying down on the bed next to her after he handed her a cup of the warm tea
He smiled as he watched her blow lightly on the hot tea to cool it before sipping it. Her dark lashes resting against her palled cheeks, her long fingers curled around the cup.
Gods, she beautiful…even when she's been hurt, she has so much grace… Ivan thought as he watched her finish the cup of tea. Sitting up he took the cup from her and set it on the bedside
"Mmm….Ivan…I feel….sleepy…." she mumbled
"I know my dear, the doctor told me to make sure you take laudanum and get some rest so you can heal up."
"I hate taking laudanum."
"I know, and he advised me to put some in your tea. Now lie back down and get some rest. I'll be next to you." He said as he dimmed the bedside lantern lying down next to her
"Mmm…" She mumbled as she cuddled close to him, quickly falling asleep.
She doesn't seem to be having too much trouble with taking laudanum…she's taking my lacing her tea with it fairly well…Ivan thought as he himself slowly drifted off to sleep.
Ivan sat on the porch swing on the porch of his manor, Krystal sat next to him, her long hair let down, so it flowed gently about her. Her head rested on his shoulder, her long dark lashes resting on her cheeks.
"Her pallor has improved, her health is doing much better, she is healing nicely." The doctor had said. "Just make sure that she gets enough rest. And don't let her get to active, she could hurt herself, her body is still healing." He had brought her a bouquet of lavender, lilies and Roses, a 'get-well-soon' gift. Ivan let the swing gently sway back and forth. Just content to spend some time with the woman he loved.
As the heat of the day increased, Ivan was glad that they stayed on the porch swing. He sipped a glass of water, while Krystal hummed quietly, sewing, for awhile, before she became exhausted then she lay her head back on Ivans shoulder to sleep again.
In the distance Ivan could see a cloud of dust rising.
Who could that be? The doctor had to go out of town to a patient that is too sick to travel, Krystals Mother left town a few days ago.
Ivan watched as the dust cloud got larger and larger. He could begin to see a horse, and a rider. As the rider got closer he could begin to see the crest on the horses' breastplate. The shape of a circle with a howling wolf molded out of steel and pale brass glimmered in the light of the sun. As the rider approached his manor Ivan moved pillowing Krystals head as he laid her down, her hair sweeping the porch floor gently, a soft smile touching her lips.
Ivan stepped to the edge of the porch, at the top of the steps. As the rider drew even closer he began to see even more detail about the rider, a tall young male, well built. He could see earthen colored hair that hung down to the middle of the young mans back in soft waves. Ivan felt his eyes narrow; the Younger male had a gentle look in his deep blue eyes. He had to admit, this man was handsome.
Damn it, She thought, my wrist already hurts!
It was obvious she had been in a fight; blood had dried on her lip from when one had hit her earlier. She had a black eye, which she was sure was swollen. There was a small cut by her eye that hurt, and as far as she could tell, was still bleeding. And she had several bruises all over.
Hurry Up Ivan…Come and get me already!
Something in the brush caught her eye. She thought she saw the moon glinting off something metal in the underbrush.
She was pushed forward, causing her to stumble and nearly fall, interrupting her thought process, and causing the glimmer she thought she saw fade.
"Krystal Rose, You have been charged with perjury and failure to conform with our peoples laws. Have you anything to say?"
"First off, my name isn't Krystal Rose anymore. Second, I'm not entirely held to your laws. If you will recall you are the ones who sent me to my mother for many years. And Third…well…I haven't been here, how can I conform or commit Perjury?"
"You have a point, Krystal. But I am curious, what is your new last name?" the elf in front of her asked.
"That is none of your business." She replied that earned a hard hit to the stomach, causing her to fall to her knees.
"What is your Last name?" the elf said again
Gasping for breath Krystal said nothing.
She was dragged to her feet by two guards, another walking forward and punched her across the face, another cut opening on her cheek.
"What is your name?" The elf demanded.
"I'll never tell you…" she managed with some difficulty.
Krystal, have you gone mad?! Ivan wondered, watching as his wife was beaten till she couldn't stand on her own.
"TELL US!" the elf yelled
Krystal started to laugh, the sound strangely airy angering the other elf.
"Don't you get it?" She asked, "You've lost."
"What?"
"My comrades will come looking for me, they will overwhelm you…You'll all be massacred."
Fear ran like wild fire through the area, elves looking around at each other, wondering if they were being watched at that very moment.
"Will your husband come looking?"
"Of course he will."
"He'll find you dead then…" The elf said drawing a dagger.
"What?"
"You heard what I said." The elf said walking towards her, grabbing a fistful of her tunic dragging her to her feet.
Krystal's eyes widened when she saw the dagger. The Memories of her fathers' death flooding her mind, bringing images to her she had long fought to forget.
"Yes, you've felt this dagger before…here I think!" the elf said slashing open her tunic cutting over the scar that Ivan had seen only once, ripping open her flesh that had healed, causing her crimson blood to shine in the light of the full moon.
Krystal cried out, both in pain, and in frustration at being unable to defend herself.
"What's wrong Krystal? Bring back memories?" The elf asked mockingly as he again slashed at her, the dagger cutting open her arm, causing another cut that would surely leave a new scar.
"DAMN YOU!" Krystal yelled as she kicked at the elf's knee, forcing him to stumble and fall.
The elf fell, the dagger digging into his own side, a stunned look in his clear blue eyes.
Horrified Krystal watched as the elf died slowly, his blood seeping into the ground.
After some time the other elves left, leaving Krystals few belongings they had taken. Her strength spent, Krystal fell to her knees, staring at the dead elf before her.
Slowly Ivan crept from the brush, the moon light glinting off his ring, the others following him watching all sides.
"You OK?" he asked coming up to her
Krystal just nodded.
"Lets get you back to camp." Ivan said as he cut the ropes holding her wrists.
Krystal just let her hands fall to her sides, staring at the lifeless being before her.
"Let it Go Krystal…he was going to kill you if you didn't retaliate." Ivan said as he picked her up one hand at her back the other beneath her knees.
"Get her belongings; I'll take her back to camp. Come to her tent." Ivan said when Krystal said nothing, turning he left the clearing leaving the others to do as he said.
"I….Ivan…" Krystal whispered, when they were almost to the encampment, her voice barely audible.
"I'm here, Krys." He replied as he kept walking.
"I…Knew you'd come…"
Ivan smiled faintly, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead.
"I love you too much to let them keep you for too long."
"THEY'VE RETURNED!!" the alarm went up as Ivan and Krystal entered the torch lit forests, "COMMANDER IVAN AND COMMANDER KRYSTAL HAVE RETURNED!!"
The encampment came alive, archers and soldiers alike coming to see that Krystal and Ivan were alright.
"Commander! You're alright!" a soldier called
"Get the medic." Ivan replied walking into Krystal's tent laying her on her cot, causing her to whimper slightly.
"I'm sorry Krys. Here are your rings back." Ivan said as he slipped her rings back on her.
Soon the medic arrived, and after a heated argument, ushered Ivan out of Krystals tent.
It seemed like hours to Ivan as he paced back and forth, treading the same path, worrying over his wife.
Finally the medic stepped out of Krystal's tent, walking to Ivan who sat near by, refusing to let any other soldier take his place.
Noticing the medic walking to him Ivan faced the Medic.
They spoke quickly, in low tones. Not allowing any other soldier to hear.
"She lost the little one growing in her."
"What?" Ivan asked going pale.
"She lost the child." The medic repeated
"I…"Ivan started looking away from the medic, "I…didn't know…"
"That she was with child?"
Ivan could do nothing but nod.
"Well…seeing as you're her husband, you are more than welcome to go see her…."
Eagerly ivan went to Krystals tent and stepped in. she looked so weak laying on her cot, under the deerskin blanket, bandages wrapping her body, bruises marring that perfect skin.
"Why didn't you tell me Krys?"
"About?"
"The baby!" Ivan whispered, "I would have come to your defense, instead of letting you fight."
"You have enough to worry about." Krystal said softly
"Oh, Krys…" Ivan whispered sitting at her side, worry glowing in his ocean colored eyes, "I Wish you would have told me." Stroking his hand over her hair and down her cheek.
"Why? So I could have lost you to that maniac?!"
"Was he the one who killed your father?"
"…Yes…." She replied after a short silence
"When the war is over we'll live a happy, peaceful life, Ok?"
Krystal nodded, and then she looked towards the entrance.
Ivan, noting her action, rose to his feet his hand moving towards his sword.
"I came to see if our Commander was doing well." King Vanyard's rich voice came as he walked into the tent.
"She is doing well Milord." Ivan replied, lowering his hand.
"Good, I also thought you should know a few things. One, I know your married." The king said causing Ivan to go rigid, "Hold, Second, I support your union. And third, you've caused a temporary peace, Dear woman. You killed the one elf who wanted to attack us."
Krystal looked away, her eyes clouding over.
"What is it, Krystal?" Vanyard asked
"She hadn't meant to kill him. She was defending herself." Ivan said sitting beside Krystal
"None the less you are both heroes."
"At the cost of loosing something…" Krystal mumbled
"Milord, One question," Ivan said as he looked sadly at Krystal, "Do you think the troops would support this union?"
"Of course, why would they not?"
"Because…Well…Many think we'd be too worried about each other to properly battle."
"Nonsense!" Vanyard exclaimed, "You both are two of the best warriors in this military, Granted you will worry about one another, but you also will worry about your troops." Vanyard replied, "If there is anything I can do for you, either of you, please, inform me I'll see that it is taken care of."
"Yes, Your Majesty, thank you." Ivan said as Vanyard turned to leave.
"Die! You shall not live to see her marriage or her death!"
"Daddy!!" Krystal yelled running towards the clearing where she knew her father was being kept, "Daddy!! I'm coming!!"
"Krys!! Go back!!" Her father yelled
"Ah, So she's important to you?!" a tall elf asked, his clear green eyes sparking in the moon light. "Bring her to me!!" he bellowed, an elf seeming to materialize next to her.
Soon she was restrained, and she quickly began to struggle.
"Be still!" A powerful voice whispered in her ears the elves clear blue eyes glinting as his dagger tore at her skin.
"DADDY!!!!" She screeched as she was dragged to the clearing to be restrained as the elf that had nearly slit her throat murder her father. No, it wasn't her father….he wasn't that tall….Was he?
She ran forward to the form that was barely gasping for breath.
"Krys…" Ivan's familiar voice rasped into her ears.
"Ivan!" She cried sitting up, a fine, cold sweat covering her body.
"Krys, Are you alright?" Ivan asked, looking towards her, his hand moving over hers.
"Ivan, your alright!" she said fear shrouding her eyes
"Yes I'm fine, what about you? Are you alright?" Ivan asked rising from his seat and sitting on the bed next to her
"I'm fine….It was just a nightmare…" she replied slowly laying back down
"Do you want to talk about it?" Ivan asked, lifting one of her elegant hands with his and kissing the back of it. Her hand was cold, and clammy. Very different the warm smoothness her hands usually were.
"No…There is nothing I want to say about it…" she replied
He had seen her do this before, something had bothered her about her dream, she just wouldn't talk about it, not now at least.
"Just know I'm here to talk to Krys. I don't want you facing things alone."
"Promise me something, Ivan."
"Anything."
"Don't leave me…alone like my father did…ever."
"Krys, I promise you, I'll do everything I can to keep from leaving you like your father." So her dream had to do with something about her father, maybe she saw it again. Maybe seeing the elf that murdered her father stirred up old memories, and she relived the event.
"You promise me?"
"I swear to you Krys, I'll do everything I can…"
"I don't ever want to loose you like I did my father." Tears welled up in her eyes as she spoke, remembering her dream.
"Krys, What is it? What's bothering you? What happened in your dream?"
"I—I saw…it again…" her tears began rolling down her cheeks
"It?"
"M-my fathers' death again…" The tears began to slide quicker down her cheeks
"Oh, I'm sorry…" So she DID see her fathers' death again…
"But that's not all…"
"What?"
"Y-you were there too…"
"Mm-hmm"
"Well…Not really there but you were there…in his place…In my fathers place…Dieing…" the tears rolled fast and hot down her face, and just talking about it made her start to sob
"Krys…" Ivan said softly, cradling her in his arms.
"I…I saw him….I saw him stab my father…saw him stab you…You were dieing…" She sobbed.
"Krys….Its ok, it was only a dream; I won't let anyone separate us…" Ivan whispered, stroking his fingers through her hair, enjoying the softness.
"Ivan…You were dieing! He stabbed you in the heart, you struggled to stay alive, you could barely say my name!"
"Krys, it was a dream, nothing more. Nothing will happen to me, I won't let it. Not now that I have your trust and so much more."
"You have had my trust for several years now…You know that."
"I know but we have had much more recently. You had a life inside of you Krys…A life that we made together. You were going to have—"
"I was going to have a Child I am aware…" she replied icily
"Why are you upset about that? I thought you would be pleased that you were going to have a little one. You always told me that you wanted a child."
"I do want a child Ivan; I just don't want one during a time of war. I want our child to grow up with both of us there. Not just you…Or just me, but both of us. Together."
"Krystal. I would never leave you alone to raise our child. I could not let you do that on your own. I would rather have missed you all together than let you raise our children alone."
"You mean to tell me that you won't willingly leave me in our home all alone to raise our children while you go off to your possible death?"
"Krystal, I would never leave you willingly. I love you too much."
"I love you too Ivan."
"Sire, May I have a word with you?" Ivan asked after he rose from bowing before King Vanyard.
"Certainly, my loyal knight, what seems to be the matter?"
"Its about Krystal Milord…"
"Ah, how does the lady Clow fair? Well I do hope."
Ivan flinched knowing if Krystal found out he was talking to Vanyard about this she would be angry.
"She is recovering. But there is something more….Personal….I must speak with you about." He replied glancing at the guards posted inside of Vanyard's tent.
"Mmm…Very well." Vanyard said waiving the guard out, "What concerns you this much to where you will not allow my guard to remain?"
"As I have said, Sire. It involves Krystal. Without informing me she came to this battle even after conceiving a child, and I was informed after the Medic had seen to her that she had lost the little one. And now I see it effecting her, she doesn't sleep as well, she hardly eats. She's always sad. Sire, I know this is out of my place but I request that she is relieved of her post until she is recovered again."
"Mmm…That is troublesome… Very well then," Vanyard announced after a moment of silence, "You and Commander Krystal are relieved of your posts until she had recovered."
"What?! Sire, I requested that she be relieved not both of us!"
"You are relieved as well to insure that her health does not deteriorate during the time that we are gone. If you are needed we will send someone to inform you."
"Sire! You will be loosing two of your commanders; these battalions can't fight without capable leaders!!"
"That is why I'm putting your second in commands in charge." Vanyard said.
"But Sire--!!"
"You are dismissed."
"Yes, Sire." Ivan said as he bowed.
Raising up to his full height he turned and left Vanyard's' tent, the guard assigned to him watching him go past.
"If a word of what you just heard gets out, you will be the one to pay." Ivan said as he passed the guard, headed back to Krystals tent.
"Krys, you need to wake up, you need to get ready." Ivan said softly as he gently shook Krystals shoulder.
"What for?"
"The trip home." He replied after a long pause
"What?!" she exclaimed rolling over
"You are going home, King Vanyard's orders." Ivan replied
"You went and spoke with him after I fell asleep again, didn't you?!"
"Krys, sweetie, loosing the child is affecting your health. Yes, I went to talk to him. But only because I was worried about you."
"I'm Fine." Krystal replied looking away from him.
"Krys, you don't eat. You don't sleep much. You are sad all the time. Krys, you need to recover from this, and not here, But at home…With me there with you." He said quietly as he sat down next to her.
"You mean, you're coming with me?" she replied
He simply nodded
"But what about the battalions?"
"Our second in commands are going to cover for us."
"What if they need us?"
"They will send word."
"You and King Vanyard came up with everything, didn't you?"
"I came up with you going home, the rest was him."
"Mm-Hmm…I see…"
The sun was just reaching it highest point when they neared the outskirts of their acres of land
"I need a rest…" She whispered
"Alright, Lets take a rest then." Ivan said stopping his horse.
She had been sat in front of him, his arms around her, insuring that her weakness would not affect her to the point of fainting and falling off the horse.
"Mmm…I…Hurt…" She moaned
"Where?" he asked alerted, remembering the medic had told him that she may go through phases of excruciating pain in her abdomen.
"Here." She said putting her hand over her womb.
Quickly he dismounted and lifted her off the horse carrying her into the shade of a near by willow. Laying her on the soft, cool grass he knelt next to her.
"Do you need anything?"
She just shook her head no.
"Do you want anything?"
She nodded
"What? What do you want?"
"For the pain to go away." She whimpered
"I know sweetie, I know. But is there anything else?"
She shook her head no again.
"She may suffer pain along the journey, just get her any thing she may need or want and then let her sleep. But only for a short amount of time. She could fall unconscious if she were let to sleep to long"
"Sleep for awhile, I'll wake you up later and we'll continue on our way home." He whispered as he laid next to her on his side and began running his fingers through her hair.
She fell asleep quickly, although she was still in immense pain. He could tell she was still in pain spme time later
"Krys, Sweetie, Its time you woke up." He said softly as he shook her gently
He shook her a little rougher when she didn't respond, "Krys? You need to wake up now. Krys!"
Slowly her eyes opened, they were greyer than before and they were unfocused.
Ivan let out a sigh of relief.
"We need to continue on our way. We'll be home soon. And then I'll let you sleep more." After I get a doctor to look you over to make sure your alright.
"Mmm…Why can't I sleep now?" She mumbled
Because I'm afraid you'll never wake up "Because its getting late and it'll be getting cold out soon."
"Mmm-Kay" She simply replied
He lifted her up and put her on the horse.
"Hold on to the reins while I Get up alright?"
She nodded and did as he had told her, but her grip was loose, and weak, and he could see it.
I hope we get home soon…The sooner a doctor looks at her the better.
"She is suffering from severe bruising of the womb. That is what is causing her so much pain. She is suffering some serious head trauma caused by a blow to the back of the head. But she is recovering well, just let her rest but keep an eye on her." The doctor said looking at Ivan, "Use landinum, it will ease her pain and help her sleep. And keep some Lavender in the room, it will help her relax. Your wife will recover fully, Lord Clow; you took good care of her."
"Thank heavens." Ivan said quietly, "I don't know what I would do if I lost her."
"Go on home now, she is safe."
"I don't know how to thank you." Ivan said
"Just take good care of her, that's all I ask…" the doctor said.
"I will Thank you again."
The doctor smiled, showing Ivan to Krystal, who was sitting in the front room, her head drooped, her eyes closed.
"Krys, you need to wake up, we're going home now." Ivan said softly, touching her shoulder
"Hmm?" She hummed as she slowly opened her eyes.
"Come on, were going home now."
"Can I go back to sleep when we get there?"
"Yes. Of course you can."
She smiled, as she slowly got to her feet.
"Thanks once again." Ivan said as he walked an exhausted Krystal outside.
"There, are you comfortable?" Ivan asked as he tucked Krystal into their bed.
"Mmm….I'm hot…" She moaned softly
"I know, sweetie. But you need to sleep."
"I'm too hot to sleep…."
"Here, take this," he said, pouring her a spoonful of laudanum, "It will help you sleep"
"What is it?" She asked drowsily
"Its medicine, the Doctor advised me to give this to you."
"I don't want to take it…" She said turning her head away.
"Krys….Please…..You'll get better this way."
"…..are you sure about this?" she asked turning her head back to him
"Yes, now be a good girl and take your medicine." He said gently holding the spoon of laudanum out to her
Hesitantly she took the medicine, grimacing at the taste.
"That's my girl." Ivan said leaning over her and pressing his lips to her forehead, "Now, you get some rest…."
"…Stay with me? Please?" she asked, the laudanum already taking effect on her body.
"Yes, I'll stay with you…" he said laying down next to her
Krystal rolled over, resting her head on his arm, cuddling close to him. Quickly falling asleep.
He pressed a soft kiss to her temple.
"Rest well, my sweet Krystal…" He whispered, watching her sleep, her long dark lashes, resting on her cheeks.
~*~*~*~
"Mmm….Ivan?" Krystal mumbled as she slowly woke up, pain making her flinch. "Ivan?" she reached out to her side, to see if Ivan was still next to her, she sat up quickly, causing her more pain.
"Krys, lay back down, your going to hurt yourself…." Ivan said as he walked back into the room, carrying a silver tray with a white porcelain cup with small roses and morning flowers painted on them a matching kettle, and a small crystal vase with a small bouquet of fresh picked lavender and a few small morning flowers.
"You made me some tea…and picked me a bouquet…how sweet of you…" Krystal said softly
"Well I thought you might like it…I know how you like lavender and Morning flowers" Ivan said as he walked over to the bed, setting the tea on the nightstand sitting next to her, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead.
"You sure are taking extra good care of me…"
"Why shouldn't I? I love you and I'm worried."
"Ivan…I'm sorry that I lost your child….I should have been more careful." She said resting her head on his shoulder.
"No….Your alright….We'll try again....later…." he said running his fingers through her hair.
"I should have resisted." She said tears welling in her eyes
"If you had you could have been killed."
"But you wanted the child…"
"Not at the cost of you! I love you Krys, and that will never change. Yes I want a child but I want you too. I want you there."
"Ivan, I lost you baby…your little one…." She said as she rested one of her hands against her lower stomach
"I'd rather loose a child than loose the only woman I love." Ivan replied pressing a kiss to her lips. "Now you drink some tea, and don't try to sit up or move to fast."
"Will you stay with me?"
"I'll be right here." Ivan said lying down on the bed next to her after he handed her a cup of the warm tea
He smiled as he watched her blow lightly on the hot tea to cool it before sipping it. Her dark lashes resting against her palled cheeks, her long fingers curled around the cup.
Gods, she beautiful…even when she's been hurt, she has so much grace… Ivan thought as he watched her finish the cup of tea. Sitting up he took the cup from her and set it on the bedside
"Mmm….Ivan…I feel….sleepy…." she mumbled
"I know my dear, the doctor told me to make sure you take laudanum and get some rest so you can heal up."
"I hate taking laudanum."
"I know, and he advised me to put some in your tea. Now lie back down and get some rest. I'll be next to you." He said as he dimmed the bedside lantern lying down next to her
"Mmm…" She mumbled as she cuddled close to him, quickly falling asleep.
She doesn't seem to be having too much trouble with taking laudanum…she's taking my lacing her tea with it fairly well…Ivan thought as he himself slowly drifted off to sleep.
Ivan sat on the porch swing on the porch of his manor, Krystal sat next to him, her long hair let down, so it flowed gently about her. Her head rested on his shoulder, her long dark lashes resting on her cheeks.
"Her pallor has improved, her health is doing much better, she is healing nicely." The doctor had said. "Just make sure that she gets enough rest. And don't let her get to active, she could hurt herself, her body is still healing." He had brought her a bouquet of lavender, lilies and Roses, a 'get-well-soon' gift. Ivan let the swing gently sway back and forth. Just content to spend some time with the woman he loved.
As the heat of the day increased, Ivan was glad that they stayed on the porch swing. He sipped a glass of water, while Krystal hummed quietly, sewing, for awhile, before she became exhausted then she lay her head back on Ivans shoulder to sleep again.
In the distance Ivan could see a cloud of dust rising.
Who could that be? The doctor had to go out of town to a patient that is too sick to travel, Krystals Mother left town a few days ago.
Ivan watched as the dust cloud got larger and larger. He could begin to see a horse, and a rider. As the rider got closer he could begin to see the crest on the horses' breastplate. The shape of a circle with a howling wolf molded out of steel and pale brass glimmered in the light of the sun. As the rider approached his manor Ivan moved pillowing Krystals head as he laid her down, her hair sweeping the porch floor gently, a soft smile touching her lips.
Ivan stepped to the edge of the porch, at the top of the steps. As the rider drew even closer he began to see even more detail about the rider, a tall young male, well built. He could see earthen colored hair that hung down to the middle of the young mans back in soft waves. Ivan felt his eyes narrow; the Younger male had a gentle look in his deep blue eyes. He had to admit, this man was handsome.