25. Draknir

The morning after our tearful reconciliation, Draknir urgently sends for a renowned healer. The elderly elf arrives in a flurry of vibrant robes and sparkling silver jewelry, his face lined with wisdom and concern. With quick, precise movements, he brings out his bag of tools and kneels beside Grandma"s bed. His fingers move with practiced grace as he checks her pulse, listens intently to her breath, and runs gentle hands over her forehead and temples. Every movement is deliberate and purposeful, his focus solely on the woman lying before him.

"Sudden shifts in personality may indicate damage to the brain," he explains solemnly. "She will require round-the-clock care and medicine to manage the symptoms."

The words hit me like a physical force, threatening to knock me off my feet. My legs tremble and threaten to give out, but thankfully Draknir"s strong arm wraps around me, providing a sense of stability and support.

"Is there any chance she could make a full recovery?" I manage faintly.

The healer"s gaze is filled with both sympathy and sternness, his eyes conveying a sense of urgency. "With diligent treatment, we may see some improvement. But at her age, complete restoration is unlikely."

As he turns to leave, a wave of despair washes over me and I dissolve into tears once again. My worst fears have come to fruition - the grandmother I knew and loved may be forever lost to me.

Draknir simply holds me close, letting me cry myself out. When it passes, he takes my hands firmly in his. "We will get through this," he vows. My anchor in the storm...

My heart splinters knowing there is no cure for Grandma"s altered mind. The potion healed her body, but cannot mend whatever damage lies within.

"There must be something you can do..." I plead.

"No cost is too great, I will compensate you for all of your time."

"I admit my knowledge of the intricacies of the human brain is limited. Elven medicine concentrates on physical ailments rather than mental. But his jaw sets determinedly. "I will scour every medical tome until I understand this affliction fully. There may be an elven treatment or herb that can help restore balance to her mind."

A tiny spark of hope flickers faintly through the overwhelming grief that consumes me. In the midst of darkness, Draknir"s tireless dedication gives me strength to carry on.

He also happens to have found us the best healer in all the land.

As we turn to leave, Grandma"s face contorts into a storm of anger at the sight of me with Draknir. Her eyes blaze with fury and her mouth spews out harsh names and curses before we hastily make our escape.

"Perhaps it"s best to give her some time alone," Draknir says soothingly as we retreat from the venomous words. "The healer will be back shortly with potential treatments."

The atmosphere is heavy with tension, thick and suffocating. My heart beats wildly in my chest as we hastily escape from the chaotic scene behind us. Despite the barrage of cruel words she hurls at him, he remains stoic and silent, refusing to retaliate or even utter a single unkind word towards her.

I can feel the tears pricking at the corners of my eyes as I remember my sweet grandmother, her once vibrant spirit now twisted and broken. The sight feels like a knife to my heart each time. But I hold onto the slim chance that medicine may restore some of who she once was.

Despite the overwhelming anguish and sorrow, the knowledge that I do not bear this burden alone brings a small sense of relief.

After the distressing visit, Draknir takes my hand and leads me out to the gardens behind the estate, his eyes full of concern. As we step through the threshold, a wave of color and scent envelops us in a warm embrace.

In every direction, the air is alive with movement as vibrant flowers sway gracefully in the gentle breeze. Each petal seems to carry its own unique color, blending seamlessly together to create a mesmerizing display.

A riot of vibrant colors burst from every corner, with flowers of all shapes and sizes blooming in perfect harmony. I can"t help but kneel down to inhale their sweet perfume, feeling like I"ve stepped into a fairytale.

"When did you do all this?" I ask in wonder, kneeling to inhale their sweet perfume.

"I had the gardeners transplant them recently, so you could have somewhere peaceful to retreat to," Draknir explains, looking pleased by my reaction.

I throw my arms around him, overwhelmed with joy. Only weeks ago, this very ground had been stained with blood during the fateful duel. But now, thanks to Draknir"s thoughtfulness, life and beauty bloomed here. The vibrant colors of wildflowers and lush grasses painted the landscape, filling it with renewed hope and vitality.

His voice is hesitant, his sharp features softened by a look of uncertainty. "Humans enjoy flowers, do they not?" he asks, glancing at me with curiosity. His maid Eliza must have told him about our fascination with these delicate plants.

I can"t help but laugh, my eyes brimming with happy tears. "Yes," I reply, nodding fervently. "They bring joy, I love them. I always dreamed of having a beautiful garden to visit when things became too difficult… and now…" The swell of tears stop the words in my mouth.

A sense of tension releases as Draknir"s touch lingers gently on my cheek. His warm palm caresses my skin, bringing a small smile to my lips. "I wished to bring some light back to your eyes, my love," he says softly.

I turn to embrace him tightly, feeling his strong arms wrap around me in a comforting embrace. "And you have. Thank you, my dearest," I whisper.

Draknir holds me close, basking us both in the warm rays of the sun. The gentle breeze rustles through the flowers surrounding us, creating a serene atmosphere. "I love you, Kathleen," he murmurs into my hair.

"And I love you, Draknir."

I give in to his embrace, melting into his strong arms. The weight of the world lifts off my shoulders as I am no longer alone in this battle. In this moment, it is just the two of us, hand in hand exploring this garden right out of the fairy tails of my youth.

It"s hard to believe this is my life now.

As we roam, my eyes are drawn to a curved stone bench nestled under the graceful willow tree. The branches gently sway in the breeze, casting an ever-changing pattern of light and shadow on the ground. I eagerly sit on the cool, smooth surface and Draknir joins me, his shoulder serving as my comfortable pillow.

We sit in comfortable quietude, the sweet melodies of birds trilling around us. The warm rays of the sun envelop us, casting away any trace of tension or worry on the soft breeze. My mind is at ease as fingers run idly through my long hair.

I close my eyes, features smoothed into an expression of utter peace.

I"ve never felt so safe and content as I do in this moment, nestled in his lap. The closeness of his body radiates through me, melting away any worries or fears that lingered before.

An impulsive gesture from him surprises me as he bends down to press a soft, tender kiss to my forehead. My eyes flutter open, meeting his gaze filled with such overwhelming love that it steals my breath and leaves me speechless. No further words are needed between us as we simply bask in the warmth.

"How did you know I needed this?" I ask, feeling tears prick at the corners of my eyes once again.

Draknir brushes them away with his thumb before responding, "Because it"s my job to know you better than yourself, my mate." His words send a surge of warmth through me. I can"t resist leaning in for another kiss.

Our lips meet sweetly, each movement filled with love and adoration. The soft press of his mouth against mine sets off fireworks in my chest. I feel myself melting into the kiss, letting go of any worries or doubts and just basking in the moment with him. As we break apart, his eyes meet mine and

As we break apart, we are both smiling widely.

The troubles lurking beyond will keep. But right now, we have found a small slice of heaven together.

The first respite I've had in days.

The soft fabric of his shirt, the warmth of his skin against mine, the tender way his fingers trace shapes on my back - every touch is like a soothing balm on my stressed body.

The warm sun sinks into the horizon as we lose ourselves in each other"s embrace, time slipping away unnoticed. Only the growling of our stomachs breaks the spell, and Draknir rises from the bench with a fluid grace, beckoning for me to join him.

With our fingers intertwined, we make our way back to the castle, the soft crunch of gravel under our feet accompanying our leisurely pace.