A/N: As usual, I would recommend putting the video on loop.



Her hands reached out to try and find the warmth that was once near her. When they found no such greeting, (f/n)'s (e/c) eyes opened up steadily. Panic arose, however, upon noticing that Tarhuinn wasn't on the bed at all. Sitting up straight, she looked around in fright. Had returning to the pixies and rejoining her husband all been a dream? She almost expected to see Will walking into the bedroom.



Looking over her clothes, she found herself in her shirt and pants. Her cloak was still on as well and same with her boots. Both Tarhuinn's and her packs were on the ground. So, yesterday couldn't have been a mere dream. That's when she saw the tipped over bucket. Worry slammed into her before she flung herself off the bed and towards the opened cabin door.



Staring outside, she placed her right hand over her heart in relief. Tarhuinn was out by the lake. He was sitting on the rocks that she had been fishing on the other day. His feet and legs were dipped in the water, but his gaze soon met hers.



Closing the cabin door behind her, she made her way over to him. "What happened?" she asked as she reached him and took a seat next to him. "Did you knock the bucket over in your sleep?"



"Yes, I barely made it out here in time."



"Why didn't you wake me up?! I could've helped you!" she exclaimed, wishing to hit him on the back of the head.



"I didn't have much time to reach water, and my body was already starting to enter panic mode. My mind didn't even consider it to be honest. My only desire at the time was to get to water. I apologize for worrying you, (f/n)."



Resting her fingers against her forehead, she responded, "It's alright. It was my fault for using the bucket and thinking that there wouldn't be a high chance of knocking it over in your sleep. I'm just glad that you're alright. I had thought the worst for a moment there."



An arm wrapped around her waist and drew her closer. He pressed her against his side before he placed a gentle kiss atop her head. "I'm not going to leave you alone in this world, especially with that mage still on the loose." His lips moved from her head and glided down to her right cheek. Tarhuinn placed a feather-light kiss there before he whispered, "Besides, you still have that promise to fulfill."



Cheeks warming up, she glanced downwards. "I'm going to go make us some breakfast. I'll bring it out here." She peeked over to him. "Do you want me to bring out your pack so that you can change into non-ripped up clothes?"



"I would appreciate that. I'll take a bath while I wait for you."



Nodding in response, she removed his arm from her before she got back to her feet. On the way inside, she grabbed a few clinglobs. After she placed them on the counter, she grabbed the metal pot to fill with water along with his pack. Tarhuinn was already by the shore of the lake and took his pack once she handed it to him. She grabbed some water swiftly before she made her way back inside.



After she finished making breakfast, she opened the door cautiously and peeked out towards the lake. To her relief, he was dressed. Opening the door fully, she walked out and met him at the water. She seated herself on the dry ground before she handed him his bowl. He took a seat himself and began to eat with her. "Are you planning to take a bath before we head out, (f/n)?"



Placing a bite of food in her mouth and swallowing, she nodded. "Yes, the water will be warmer down here than when we travel up the mountain. I still wish that it wasn't so cold. You're lucky that you're used to such temperatures."



"That may be the case, but I cannot travel as easily as you. If it weren't for me needing to have my feet in water, we could've taken a route around the pixies possibly, and I would be better able to defend you. It's difficult to see you walk into that cabin, yet I can't follow easily. My limitations are great in this environment, and I now understand why my kind likes to stay in our mountains. The water paths are everywhere for convenience. Out here, I have no other choice but to follow the natural course of the water."



"You're forgetting, though, that you're an excellent fighter and swimmer. In addition to that, you're an excellent teacher even though you don't want to teach me anymore." She looked over to him and smiled. "To me, those limitations are little in comparison to your capabilities."



Smiling softly, he set down his bowl of soup and leaned over to her. He placed both of his hands on her cheeks and glided his thumbs over her skin. Heat enveloped her cheeks, but she didn't remove her gaze from him. "Thank you, (f/n)." Tarhuinn rested his forehead against hers and closed his eyes. "I have forgotten something important, though."



Wondering what he could mean, she was about to ask before he pulled his forehead away. He opened his eyes as his hands traveled up to her head. His fingers combed through her hair. "I never explained my reason for what I did to you. I shouldn't have called for you like that, but I was so concerned for your life. I thought that maybe I could slow you down and convince you to come back to me. It was foolish. I could've seriously injured you, yet I put that behind my own selfish desire to have you back in my arms.



"Despite this, I don't think that I can apologize. Based on the pixies' report, I know that you suffered from it, yet I was so happy to hear that you were halted in your advance to this cabin. I hope that something like that never happens again, but if it does, I might do the same thing again."



She leaned against one of his hands as it came past her. (F/n) placed her breakfast aside for the moment and held his hand to her cheek. "I understand that you were concerned and inflamed. I'm not saying that it's okay to perform that tactic on me again. For this time, though, I forgive you even if you don't apologize. I'm just glad to be done with that awful task."



"Thank you again, then," he answered before he gently pulled his hand back.



They both went back to eating. Once completed with their meals, (f/n) washed the dishes in the water and took them back in. She placed them where they had originally been before she entered the bedroom and grabbed her pack. Not heading out of the room immediately, though, she checked the wardrobe. There might be another cloak inside, which would aid them greatly on the rest of their trip.



Searching through Will's articles of clothing, she managed to find one. It was a thick tan cloak without a hood on it. Still, it looked quite warm, and Tarhuinn had lost his. She took it, along with some of the blankets in the room, and headed back outside. Tarhuinn gave her a questioning glance as she presented the various items. "They'll help us on the colder nights. Besides, you need a new cloak anyway."



"I would argue on the matter if it weren't true. We'll be heading into colder territory, and we'll need warmer supplies to handle the nights up there." He took the cloak and blankets from her before he packed the blankets away in his pack. "You'll wear the warmer cloak."



"No, you will. I still have mine, and it's small for you. If I need more warmth, I'll," she paused for a moment while her cheeks grew a little bit warm, "huddle up next to you." She placed her hands on his upper arms and started to turn him around. "Now, look the other way while I bathe."



Laughing a little, he faced the other way for her. She removed her hands from him and went to tend to her bath. "I expect you to stay close to me a lot, then," he commented, which made her shake her head. Hers cheeks were still warm, but the water would cool them off soon enough.



Slipping out of her clothes, she set her shirt and pants aside. She had only worn them for a little while, so they could remain dry. There was another pair of undergarments in her pack, so she could wash the ones that she was currently wearing. (F/n) stepped further into the water and shivered a little. If only she could influence the water to be warmer.



Washing herself, she noted the various bruises from her being thrown around last night. When her hands would run over them, she winced slightly. At least, the cold numbed them some. Apparently, though, Tarhuinn had heard her quiet shows of pain. He peered over his shoulder, about to swiftly look the other way again, but he saw the bruises quite well. His dark blue orbs widened while rage started to grow. "Did he do that to you?!"



Jumping, (f/n) went into deeper water to hide herself. She looked back at him. "Tarhuinn, please look the other way. I'll be fine. They'll heal," she tried to reassure. He wouldn't listen, however, and he searched through their pack to find some salve.



"When you're finished, let me apply this to you. You know that I won't look at you. Let me do that much. I don't want those things on you. You deserve better than to wear those marks from him."



There wouldn't be a way to convince him otherwise. He was allowing his concern for her to get the best of him again. This time, though, she didn't mind. It would be nice to have these heal quicker, and she trusted him to not take advantage of the situation. "That's fine." With her confirmation, he faced the other way again.