Fight? or Flee?

[Melantha]

OCC:Lol reposted it here because this is where i origionaly intended this thread to go



OCC: After wedding Crashers(which was never finished)

The night was silent apart from the steady beat of Andromeda’s wings, the sounds of the battle, the gloating and cheering of the enemy faded in the distance.

Dubhan held onto his grandmother and sobbed into her shoulder overwhelmed by the things he had been witness to and tired as it was well past his bedtime.

Neona hummed a soft melody as she held her grandson who sat on her lap; she held him tightly with one arm and used the other to hold onto Melantha’s waist as they flew over the ever-changing landscape on dragon back.
She brushed Duban’s hair back, off his forehead.
“shhh…. sleep your safe now.” She said trying to calm Dubhan down the sudden attack had left the boy shaken. Neona was concerned for her Grandson; to have been exposed to violence, bloodshed and all effects of war was not healthy for a child at such a young age.

Melantha leaned forward in the front of the saddle her body shaking as the adrenalin from the battle faded from her veins. She sat silently in defeat feeling mentally and physically exhausted from the fighting a lost battle. She hadn’t conversed with Andromeda since they departed from Surda and the ruined wedding where they had briefly discussed their new destination New Doru Arabea . The choice was an easily made. It was the safest place, guarded by riders including Eragon himself and so far untouched by the Shade Riders army.
She was sick of feeling guilty every time she had to try to balance being a mother and being a rider. While it wasn’t a solution it was at least a means of gaining peace of mind that Dubhan would be safe when she had to leave him to fight.

Andromeda couldn’t handle the silence between her riders mind and her own any longer so she chose to end it. ‘Mel I know what your thinking and your wrong, you did everything you could and there was nothing more we could have done. No one was prepared for that attack, no one even saw it coming. I share your frustrations but we’ve done the right thing by fleeing.’

‘But we left all those people behind, they are going to be captured and killed or worse turned into to shades and forced to serve the enemy. We should have stayed to….’ She couldn’t think of a single thing to end her sentence with and she started to begin to be persuaded by Andromeda’s point of view.

‘He that fights and runs away, may turn and fight another day; but he that is in battle slain, will never rise to fight again remember?’

Melantha smiled speechless it was the very same thing her father had said to her before leaving her parents behind in the Empire to join the Varden 17 years ago.

‘Most of the innocents fled before the battle reached the hall, You, your mother, the elves and the remaining castle guards held them off long enough to allow all the party guests to get away. As far as I’m concerned you fulfilled your duty as a rider during that fight win or lose. If any one sees it differently… well I just wont allow it. Black smoke shot out of her nostrils as she was starting to get worked up at the thought of some ones saying bad things about her rider.

Melantha paused for a long moment ‘I know, and you are right, but I still wish we could have some how stayed and done more.’ Melantha said feeling herself go around in circles.

‘And risk being captured, I doubt Nasuada would take lightly to the news of another one of her riders being captured and turned against her. We have done the right thing.’ Andromeda said reassuringly

‘Forget all that has happened, what has been done can not be undone right now your duty is to your son, He need you now more than ever after all that has happened.’ Andromeda urged

‘I know, I fear for him, and I fear for Seth and Abbadon….’ Melantha sighed ‘How did you become so wise?’

Andromeda let out a puff of smoke sensing her rider’s quick change of topic. ‘From you I suppose, I just pay more attention to the smaller details.’

*****Approximately 2 hours later*****

Neona forced herself to stay awake if she wasn’t holding on to Dubhan she would give in to the drowsy felling. Every time she felt herself nodding off she would bite down on her lip to wake herself up. As time past it became harder and harder to stop herself from sleeping.

Melantha surveyed the darkness for any signed of being followed she was tired but she knew she had to stay alert
‘mum? Is everything okay back there?’ she said touching on her mothers mind hoping a conversation would keep her awake

‘everything is fine Dubhan is fast asleep, how much longer my arms are feeling a bit numb.’ Neona replied glad to converse with her daughter

‘Not long now, the air current is on our side we should be passing over the Edda River soon.’ Andromeda chimed.

*****1 hour and a half later*****

Andromeda spotted it first; Eragon’s hall New Doru Arabea, it was an amazing site. She flew up and over the mountains and then proceeded to descend down behind the castles walls.

Melantha looked up relived that they had finally reached their destination. The castle was welcome change of scenery. She felt Andromeda descended to land on the mountaintop she wondered who would be there to meet them in their unscheduled arrival.

Dubhan slept until they landed, the jolt that came with landing startled and woke him. “Mommy!” he called out still half asleep.

Melantha climbed down from the saddle and reached up to Duban lifting him off her mother taking his weight with one arm under his bottom and the other around his back. “I’ve got you, go back to sleep “ She whispered kissing his forehead.

Neona had never visited New Doru Arabea and she was awestruck by the sight of the building in the dawn light. After passing Duban down to Melantha she climbed down off Andromeda’s back. Her legs felt stiff and ached so she went slowly. Neona lent against Andromeda and thanked her for offering her head as a support.

Melantha carried Dubhan over to the huge double doors he was heavy but she didn’t mind, her thoughts were more focused on getting him to a safe, warm and comfortable place to sleep.
“Hello?” She called out hoping some one had noticed their arrival and sensed their presence. "Hello?" She called a little louder. She turned to her mother "Shouldn't be long... i hope."

[zandalor]

'Always remember cycle and balance. Stay true to the path and ways of the magicians of the old world. Never meddle in mortal affairs' The fading memory of his former elven masters words rang hollow now as Zandalor sat up in his cot and rubbed the sleep from his eyes.

He still could not believe one so old and wise that remembered the coming of the first humans could be tempted by seductive promises of the shade army. Promises of the new world they would create where his kind would rule over lesser men as gods. He had seem the three eyed dragon in his dreams and it showed him what kind of world this dark army intended to create. He wanted nothing to do with it. Zandalor both broke and stayed true to his masters teachings all at once. To preserve the balance of this world. He had to meddle in mortal affairs.

Standing up to put on his brown robe his thoughts drifted to when he first came here. Of how worried he was for nothing. The riders did not turn his help away. But they were cautious of him. Zandalor could not blame them. So many of his fellow spell weavers fought for the enemy. Many of the riders had lost friends and loved ones to them. And it shamed him.

Zandalor had no interest in direct battle. Instead he turned to weaving magical enchantments for the riders weapons and armors. To the healing of the injured that returned from battle. He liked to think that he saved many lives in doing so. And did his part to aid them. Still he felt it was not enough for them and always feared when they would demand his power in battle. He did not question 'if' but rather 'when'. And of all the things he feared in this world. It was himself. For he knew well enough from his former master. Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely.

Now ready for the day he opened up the blinds to his assigned quarters and squinted his eyes as the light came in. Taking his wooden staff in hand with the dragon head with three eyes Zandalor opened the door to the circular stairwell leading down below. Sighing he could not help but curse the one that gave him room in a tower. 'True we love towers as dragons love caves.....' he thought. 'But seriously, all these stairs.'

With all the elder riders gone on some mission Zandalor had found himself promoted in a sense. He had been entrusted to watch over those in training and still to young for war. If danger came. He would be there only defense. Zandalor was till not quite sure if he should be honored with such trust. Or terrified. Still he kept to his duty's. Though brief they were suppose to be with the elder riders returning some time today.

Making his way through the corridors with the gentle tap of his staff as a walking stick the magician waved a hand to open a door with his magic using only thought. A art he was still practicing. But hardly mastered. It was still a dangerous thing to do should his thoughts stray.

"Up" He said gently amidst the snoring and breathing of those sleeping in the dark. "I said up" He repeated in a louder voice and tapped the bottom of his staff on the stone floor for knocking noise. "Go away old man" A sleepy voice said. Zandalor found it funny those not much younger then him called him that. He figured it was suppose to be an insult since he was mature for his age.

"I think not" He retorted. "My hosts entrusted me to make sure you did not break from routine. Lethargy has led many to a bitter end"

"So have many a magician" Zandalor could not help but flinch at the words. But he did not give up. "I said up!" Speaking the words of power the blinds flew up and the beds all turned to the sides dumping many a young rider in training to the cold ground.

"Eat and get ready for the days training in the grounds. I was told you all knew what your suppose to do. I will be by later to make sure"

Not even staying to listen to the complaints Zandalor left. He had fulfilled the duties expected of him. He was now left to do as he pleased. Unfortunately for him it would not be so. He sensed something.

"Already?" he thought. Moving in a fast walk to the giant fortified doors he stopped dead to think before acting. It did not take long. An enemy did not wait for doors to be opened. They just smashed them in. Or so he came to understand about the enemy his rider hosts faught.

Waving his hand with whispered words the door groaned and creaked as it gave way to Zandalors will. Somehow he had a bad feeling about this. "Bless my beard!" He exclaimed at the sight of the rider with a child cradled in her arms. "Come! Come!' He said with a concerned voice and waving hand.

He was not even sure if anything was even wrong with the child. But this woman carried the tired lines on her face he had seen often in those he had healed. This rider had seen horrors only war could produce. What questions he had could wait. For now he would lead her to a spare room in a nearby wing.

[Melantha]

Neona let out a sigh of relief when she saw that the door was opening. She moved forward slowly to stand next to her daughter and placed a hand on her shoulder.

Melantha kissed Dubhan’s forehead as she waited. She looked up when she heard a long squeaky creak of the door as it opened revealing a bearded man dressed in a brown robe.
Melantha opened her mouth to speak but before she could make a sound the man was ushering them inside.

‘Mel I’m going to go find some where to take a nap, call me if you need anything.’ Andromeda nodded at the man in thanks then flew off over the castle until she found a grassy field under the hot morning sun. Andromeda pawed at the ground in a circle much like a cat would before spreading out her whole body.

Melantha gave Andromeda a mental nod as she followed the bearded man though the castle. Her body moved automatically her mind exhausted.

Eventually they all reached a small room, Melantha looked around confused but her concern for her surroundings and how she got there was diminished once she noticed a bed in the room. She promptly placed Dubhan in it reliving her sore tired arms of his weight.

Neona followed close behind her daughter until they reached the room where she sat herself down on a chair next to the desk feeling her legs about to buckle. She turned to the man who at a closer look was much younger than he seemed “Thank you my dear, we’ve had a rough night, as you can clearly see” Neona whispered wearily referring to their ragged clothes which were once beautiful gowns.

Melantha removed Dubhan’s shoes from his feet and then tucked him into the covers finishing with gentle kiss on his cheek “I love you.” she told him whispering softly into his ear like she did every bed time, this being no exception.

Too tired to reciprocate Dubhan fell into a deep sleep. Far to worn-out for even his fears or worries to keep him awake.

Melantha stood up strait and turned to leave the room. She walked forward almost into the man having almost forgotten he was in the room “Ie, I, must inf-form the elders.” She said slightly slurring her words. She hoped the man would lead her to them. “Aberon was attacked.” She whispered suddenly feeling faint.

[zandalor]

Zandalor was hunched forward leaning on his staff for support against his shoulder. He was content to just watch the events unfolding before him. When Neona spoke to him Zandalor gave the slightest of nods and said lowly in thought. "I understand".

Looking down at the ground now he finally looked back up at Neona. He was about to speak now having thought of what to say when he found himself almost bumped into. As much as he preferred to always think before acting. The events left him no such luxury. Letting his staff fall from his fingers it hit the ground with a clatter. Taking the woman under her arm for support he was surprised to feel just how heavy she was. "Aberon?" The bearded man said, the surprise clear on his voice.

Sighing and leading the women to a chair opposite her mother he could remain quiet no longer. "Some things magic cannot heal. Your spirits are weary from your trials. And only time and rest can mend that
Snapping his fingers the staff flew up on its own accord and went to the magicians open hand with a fleshy smack at the impact.

Touching his free hand to his forehead, chest, and extending it out to the side with a slight bow he added. "I am Zandalor the brown. Steward of New Doru Arabea. At least until the true masters of the keep return" He paused to let that information sink in. "Yes, I am afraid it is true. My hosts all departed last night with great hurry to attend to a matter that desired there immediate attention. I cannot say what. For that information was not entrusted to me. But do not despair my Lady's. They shall return today.

"For now put out all earthly worries. Rest and recover. What information you have for the elder riders can be told to them when they return." Turning to leave to the doors entrance he stopped and turned around. "I will go draw some water and prepare your baths. As the steward of this keep I will tend to all your needs. But I am afraid it is not without condition"

Pausing to look at the reactions. Zandalor finished. "I beg you please keep this information of the attack to yourselves and the elders only. The young riders here feel the fire in there blood. There to eager to prove themselves. And if they here of danger. I fear they may go looking for it before there ready." It was a reasonable enough request and only made sense.

But aside from the condition he asked. They had much to look forward to. Rest, hot food, and peace of mind as they were safe in these walls. Better yet the baths. As they would discover. Zandalor spared no expense when it came to his baths. Mineral salts, scented oils, flower petals. His supplies would be the poorer for it. But after hearing what these Lady's and the young child went through. They needed it far more then him.

"I will send for someone to escort you when the baths are ready." With that he closed the door slowly.

[Melantha]

Neona was about to elaborate and introduce her self but her daughter’s actions distracted her thoughts.

The noise from Zandalor’s staff woke Dubhan. The clatter startled him as it reminded him of the battle and all the fighting. “Mummy!” he called out in distress.

Melantha felt the stranger take her arm, fatigued by the nights events she let him guide her to a near by chair without protest but she barely sat down when she heard her son stir. Her head turned straight away at the sound of Dubhan’s voice and she hurried to his side leaving the chair. “It’s all alright honey, there is nothing to fear.” She whispered lovingly as she hugged him to reassure him that everything was safe and sound.

Heart racing Dubhan felt his mother embrace him and it made him feel almost instantly better. He wrapped his arms around her in return and sat on her lap.

She could feel him shivering she hugged him tighter, worrying that he had been witness to too much violence and it was beginning to effect him, as much as she tried to avoid it. Once Melantha had calmed Dubhan down she turned and focused her attention on Zandalor. She was finding that as her energy diminished so did her ability to concentrate.

The news that the elders had gone was disheartening, it meant that the shade army was a major threat, so much so that Elders themselves had to step in and take charge. The thought made her feel guilty, guilty because as a rider she had not done more.

Andromeda rested her body but sleep didn’t come to her with ease especially when her mind was busy with thought and reflection. ‘Is everything okay?’ Sensing a peek in her riders worries.

Melantha felt Andromeda’s mind reach out to her ‘The elders aren’t here, they are suppose to return latter to day but by then it might be too late.’

‘It’s going to be okay, for all we know they could be attending to the Attack on Aberon at this very moment.’ Andromeda replied

‘I hope so’ Melantha added

Neona nodded concerned as to what the elders were attending to having no doubt in her mind that it was to do with the war. She remembered many of the elders in the last war did not intervene until there was dire need to. Had things become bad, Most of the shades were new and not use to their bodies, which made them slightly easier to kill than the more experienced and mature shades.

Melantha looked from her mother to Zandalor with the sudden realisation that they had failed to introduce themselves. “Thank you Zandalor, I am Melantha rider of Andromeda, this is my mother Neona ”

“Pleased to meet you Zandalor. ” Neona responded with a nod

Melantha continued “And this here is my son Duban” she said looking down at Duban who lay against her chest.

Dubhan smiled shyly and briefly his body demanding him to sleep to replenish his energy. Once he closed his eyes again it didn’t take much else to fall into a deep slumber.

A bath sounded fantastic Neona thought knowing it would be difficult to sleep feeling filthy from the battle, she had no objection to it what so ever. “Thank you that would be wonderful.”

Melantha nodded in agreement and watched zandalor go. But just as she thought he was leaving she watched as he turned back one last time.

“Oh of course, they do not need to carry a further burden of ill news when their focus at this point should be their training, I will not disturb their training, perhaps Andromeda and I can be of some assistance once we have recovered.”
If she could help in some small way here it would be the least she could do to repay her hosts.

“Thank you again,” she said as she watched him go.

“Mel gets some rest, I got to have a bit of a snooze on the fly over, you did not.” Neona said once the door was shut.

With no objection Melantha lifted Dubhan shifting him onto one side of the bed making room to allow enough room to lie down on the other. Once she closed her stinging eyes it was only a matter of minutes before she drifted off to sleep.

[Crown]

OOC: Holy hell in a hand grenade! Well, my mayhem has finally subsided and my creative spark starting to light up again enough that I might as well jump in.

Seth had finally stopped most of the bleeding, but there would be no ridding himself of those scars. Three Shades, they sent three different Shades after him. Seth had wandered caverns under Galbatorix's ruined castle, raised his blade in hundreds of battles and run many a mission during the construction and formation of the new Rider's Academy. Seth wasn't sure if he was glad, or insulted that after all the enemy riders he had killed, all the nightmarish battles and the blood soaked fields that they had only sent 3 measly Shades to try and kill him. After Mel and he were separated at the village, and his son... Seth grunted in a mixture of anger, pain and exasperation, broken ribs caused his eyes to dim as the pain almost rendered him unconscious. Seth just had to get back to New Duro Arabea, and pray that his wife and son met him there. Abaddon's wings had minor tears and holes but Seth had spent as much energy as he dared, healing them to ensure their integrity. Finally, dripping blood over the main landing area, Seth struggled to unstrap himself from his saddle.

No words passed between him and Abaddon, only a caustic mixture of mind bending rage and gut ripping fear over that had been, was and might be. Night had long fallen and as Seth finally unlashed himself, a wave of nausea again cost him his consciousness as the world swam above his eyes. Three damn Shades, it was like they weren't even serious about killing him. Seth made it as far as the watch tower when the guardsmen grabbed him and three dragons helped assist Abaddon towards the healer's tents. Seth trued to walk under his own power, fighting and swinging until exhaustion and blood loss finally cost him the ability to do anything but let his eyes roll into the back of his head. The last thing he whispered, the only words he had let escape his lips since they fought and killed the three Shades at the edge of the Hadarak Desert were "My family..."

[Melantha]

occ: Welcome back. This thread is old but lets just pretend this is a few months in the future from my last post here. I am a bit rusty but here goes.


***Months after their arrival***

*knock knock knock* *knock knock knock*

Melantha's eyes snapped open to the sounds of some one knocking on the door. The slightest noises woke her these days, all the time she had spent out camping near the shade forces to gain information and all the times they had almost been caught had put her on edge.
"Garjzla" she whispered lighting the lantern beside her cot, She quickly threw on her robe and rushed to answer the door.

A disheveled young rider stood in front of her panting "Elda, a rider landed he is in urgent need of a healer!" she heard him say.

Melantha put her index finger to her lips as glanced over her shoulder at Dubhan’s sleeping form hoping he hadn’t woken as she took a second to process the information.
Knowing there would be no time to change out of her night gown and robe she quickly threw on her boots and snatched up her sheathed sword that lay proper up against the bed side table.
“Lead the way” She whispered in a hurried tone stepping out of her dorm and shutting the door quietly behind her knowing if he did wake her mother was only next door.

It took them no time at all to reach the grounds at their running pace; she had tried to question the rider if he knew what kind injuries the wounded rider had but all the young rider could recall was a lot of blood. Melantha spotted the shadowy shape of four dragons three of which where trying to aid the fourth. By the sound of what the young rider was saying the injured rider had far more severe injuries than the dragon so they veered of towards the tent set up for the riders who were taking turns on guard duty through the night.

Nothing could have prepared her mentally for what she saw when she pushed back the tent flap. Her stomach almost came out of her mouth when she laid eyes on Seth’s bloodied body. “Seth!” she cried out as she moved to his side only to find him unconscious.

‘Abaddon are you alright, I’m here, Tell him to hang on!’ she said touching on the dragons mind.

The other riders had removed most of his amour to heal him and it seemed as if his skin had been knitted but she knew better. “One of you tend to the dragon, get them both water and then get more help! ” she ordered taking control of the situation.

Examining her husbands broken body she placed her two shaky hands over his slow heaving chest."Hang in there, my love" she whispered closeing her eyes. Melantha pushed her consciousness into his body feeling flesh, muscle, bone and everything in-between and what she found made her gasp in horror, He had broken ribs one which had perforated his right lung and another pushing on his spleen. and that was only what she had found on her first look. Afraid at what she would find next and realising she was way over her head she called out to her other heart bond and best friend she pushed out her mind for Andromeda "Help" was all she had to say.

Andromeda too was a light sleeper and woke instantly at the presents of her rider, shocked at the mental images and emotions her rider shared with her she launched herself out of her den giving a mental nod and flying at full speed to her riders location. As she neared the location of her rider the sent of Seth, Abadon and blood filled the air.

Biting back tears Melatha immediately returned her attention to seth and began to heal the source of his internal bleeding first, Pulling energy from her body she found it within herself to sing the ancient words that would heal Seths wounds.

[Crown]

Reality was nothing but a dim, hazy, half remembered dream while Seth swam in an endless abyss, horrifying vision swam in front of his eyes, tens of Thousands of bleeding, screaming dying men. Many Imperial Riders and their Dragons were slain, Seth screamed and died in thousands of different, horrible ways. Looking back he couldn't find any way he survived that mind shredding torture. Seth heard crying, his wife, his son, dimly they pressed against the storm that was his time as a prisoner of his own mind. Other voices sometimes drifted through the Gale force screams and torrential blood, but they were forgotten as if they were debris being swirled in a cyclone. Abaddon was a voice he did remember, not so much words as pain and anger and a soul shattering sorrow. Abaddon spent much less time healing, he snarled like a wild beast at anyone but Dubhan, but no one was allowed to visit him until Seth awoke. His Rider was physically healing well but the exhaustion of spending so much energy to get back home had him trapped in a coma, and Abaddon could feel every single drop of fear and pain and cold black hate coming from his life's bond. The great amethyst dragon was curled up and shivering like a wounded beast, refusing any food or comforts, sleeping on the hard stone floor until Seth awoke.

Almost two weeks passed before Seth woke. Just after nightfall Seth sat bolt upright and screamed in a caustic mixture of fear and rage. The healer in the room ran from the room like he had seen the ghost of Galbatorix himself. Seth looked around the room, after he realized he had woke up. For the next few minutes he whispered to himself over and over "No more dying, no more dying, no more dying..." Seth lay back down on the bed and took several deep breaths, drenched in cold sweat. Finally he closed his eyes, fearing the nightmares would return. Slowly his breathing became even and less labored and his heart rate returned to normal, just as three healers entered the room.

"Seth Elda, we are so happy you are awake." an older human female spoke, she slowly entered the doorway, like she was approaching a wild animal and feared being bitten. With how terrified the younger male healer still looked, Seth wasn't sure the fear was entirely unwarranted. Seth silently nodded to the eldest healer, his throat was sore, both from not being used and from the ragged screaming he had been doing. "Fetch Seth Elda some water, stop gaping like carp!" The old woman snapped, a the younger healers scurried away like terriers sent after rabbit. Seth slowly eased himself up on his elbow, gripping his sore side. "You broke two different rider's arms before you passed out. You have been more than a handful here."

"My Wife would agree that I am definitely a handful." Seth's voice was a raspy croak. The younger male rushed in with a water skin which Seth took and slowly started to drink from. Just as the first mouthful of water was down his throat Abaddon's mind was almost an explosion between his ears, fear and joy and relief nearly set the rider into a panic attack before the onslaught relented enough that Seth's consciousness could reacclimate enough to reply in a flood of relief of his own, slowly their bond was restored to equilibrium. Seth felt Abaddon surge out from the Rider's quarters and straight for his building. "Melantha and Andromeda are coming." Abaddon's voice was less of an explosion and easier to meld with.

[Melantha]

OCC: Edited... again.
OCC: the end of this was so bad *face palm* sort of fixed until next time I decide it's terrible.

With the combined energy, magic and expertise of all the healers she was able to stop the internal bleeding, stabilise Seth's vitals as well as reconstruct, reposition and set back into place Seth's broken ribs.
With each task she felt the physical drain of magic take its toll on her body as she she literally put every ounce of energy she had into him. Once the healers learnt of her relation to seth the head healer an older woman persisted that she step away as she was too emotionally attached. Melantha ignored the request each time knowing very well that she was capable of completing the task at hand and If anything it was her emotions that drove her to do everything in her power to save him.

Through a messenger Melantha got word to her mother of the nights events so that she could check in on Dubhan and be there when he woke. Melantha decided against waking up Dubhan to see his father. She couldn't bare to see Dubhan upset and she knew Seth wouldn't want his son to see him in such a critical state.

Everything seemed like it took forever with each victory feeling short lived by another complication arising. It took the team of healers well into the early hours of the morning to declare Seth 'out of the woods' yet that didn't seem to ease her worry. Three of the five healers retired to rest at which point Melantha began to dig into the energy stored in the auxiliary gems on her sword determined to continue healing and feeding him energy for as long as it took to get Seth well again.
Andromeda spent most of the night trying to calm Abaddon so that the healers could get close enough to examine and heal his wounds. She wanted to tell him everything was going to be alright and let him know of every update on Seth's condition that Melantha shared with her though their mental conection but it was if the great purple dragon was completely disconnected from his suroundings.

By the midday the healing had finished and Melantha watched anxiously as two Riders an Elf and a Urgal carried Seth out on a streatcher intending move him from the tent in the grounds to a much more comfortable bed in the infirmary. Melantha moved intent on follow the riders only to find her legs moving slower than the rest of her body. Unable to right herself Melantha tripped over her own feet and continued to tumble out of the tent landing flat on her back. Melantha lay there in shock. looking down at herself she noticed her hands , robe and night gown all covered in blood stains.
By nature Andromeda was the quickest to act moving to her riders side "Mel are you okay?"
Melantha began to cry her whole body shivering, She hadn't allowed herself to cry all night and so now as the exhausted set in like some one had opened the flood gates for her emotions.
Andromeda bent her neck to be level with her rider "Mel answer me?"

Melantha felt some grip her around the waist and pull her up to her feet, she was so tired that she didn't have the energy to resist. "hush my dear everything is going to be just fine, you did extreamly well tonight your husband is going to be right as rain in no time you just wait." she herd a woman say, turning Melantha recognised her as one of the healers. "I'm fine I'm just really tired" she told Andromeda.
"let me escort you to the infirmary so you can be with your husband, Ill find you a change of clothes when we get there ." she heard the healer say. Melantha nodded "yes, Thank you that would be nice." she replied in a daze liking the sound of a change of clothes.

~~~~~~

As the days passed by Melantha’s worry for her husband grew. Sleep deprived she remained by Seth’s bedside monitoring him and tending to him. She cleaning his skin with a damp cloth and dressing him in fresh clothes every morning to keep him clean in hope that he would wake up that day very day feeling refreshed.
She kept him hydrated by squeezing small droplets of water into his mouth with a clean cloth . As the days went on Seths condition seemed to improve yet Melantha had fears of leaving his side afraid he would leave her again so much so that she was prepared to stay with him 24hours a day. but after the first two nights the head of the healing department wouldn't allow her to stay past midnight and that was pushing the curfew for the infirmaries visiting hours.

Andromeda tried to comfort Abaddon day after day only to be growled at and pushed away each time. She knew that he was suffering a great deal of pain from his injuries as well as the pain from being mentally separated from his rider. She had felt what he was going through before but she and wished to help in any way possible. Andromeda persisted bringing him a prize of her hunt as an offering hoping that the amethyst dragon wouldn't snarl but finally eat something yet each and every attempt was shot down.

Melantha lay in her own bed pleading for sleep to take her but anxious thoughts of the unknown future running through her head kept her on edge and awake. Both Melantha And Andromeda had tried to work out what had happened to Seth and Abaddon but without any information form Abaddon they were only speculations and the exact cause of Seths injuries remained unknown.
In all the years spent living with the hulk sized dragon Melantha had never seen Abaddon act so aggressively towards Andromeda or herself for that matter. He was in pain that was clear but his but she couldn't understand why he rejected their company, why he wanted to suffer alone when he didn't have to.

In mid thought Melantha jumped out of bed startled at the touch of a familiar mind. She recognised it immediately as the Head healer whom she had told to contact her if there were any developments with Seth’s condition. Quickly she opened her mind to the healer her heart beating out of her chest in anticipation for the news to come.


‘Your husband is awake, I will bend my rule on visiting hours this once so you can come down to see him.’


‘Thank you’ she replied in anxiously but also some what relieved. Without a thought about putting on shoes or a dressing gown she rushed out of the room as quickly and as quietly as she could. Melantha ran through the castles moonlit halls barefoot and dressed only in a cotton nightgown. ‘Seth is awake’. she Exclaimed to Andromeda only to turn the corner to see the unmistakable shadowy form of Andromeda gliding past the castle windows on her way to see Abaddon.

Andromeda left her bed and headed strait to the infamy as she flew she caught sight of Abaddon and made her way over to him. Tired of being ignored she stood tall in front of him extending her neck upwards and expanding her wings outward in attempt to assert her dominance, this time she wasn’t going to back down until he let her into his mind no matter how much he snarled.

Melantha slowed her pace knowing that running was against the rules in the infirmary and she wished to stay on the healers good side. Melantha reached Seth’s room and slowly pulled back the curtains to see Seth awake and sitting up in bed. “Hey sleepy head.” she said restraining herself from throwing her arms around him. Instead she smiled softly. The Head healer nodded to her and left the room with the younger riders. "Thank you" she replied happy for the privacy.

“How are you feeling?” she asked knowing full well of all the injuries that he had suffered. Concern flooded her face as she noticed at the beads of sweat that had formed across Seth's forehead, drenching his hair, he's been having nightmares she thought to herself. She took the small face towel hanging next to the wash bowl and soaked the cool water through the towel before wringing it out just enough so it didn't drip everywhere.

"Dubhan is going to be very happy to see you awake, He has been reading to you every night before bed time just like you read to him before bed time." Melantha recounted with a smile as she rememberd a time of peace and fewer worries. Melantha took the damp towel in one hand while cradling his cheek in the other and wiped Seth's face gently cleaning the sweat from his forehead.

"Abaddon hasn't let anyone near him to since you lost consciousness, not even Andromeda." she let out a sigh before continuing "Hopefully that will change now that you are awake."

She cleaned and rinsed out the washcloth before drying his face and hair line with it. "better?." She asked as she tossed the wash cloth aiming for the bed side table only to watch it drop to the floor.

She turned back to seth wondering if he had noticed her mistake when everything finally sunk in and the daze that she had been in for the last two weeks washed away 'he's actually back this isn't a dream' Without a second thought a new wave of feeling rushed through her system causing her heart to race and flutter simultaneously.

Finally giving in to desire Melantha slowly leaned in as she Gently traced her finger tips up from the bottom of his neck upwards. Finally she rested the palms of her hands upon his cheeks as she quietly planted her lips onto Seth's, kissing him affectionately.