Ascending Legends

[Dragongal]

Arryn took the gifts with a wide smile, holding the knife up to the light to see the reflections and the beautiful etchings, smiling as the light played along the blade. The leather wrap was simple, but necessary. The grey hair ribbon, though, was a simple, sentimental gift she adored. She smiled and pulled Dayn into a kiss before pulling back and tying her hair back with the simple, elegant ribbon. She set her gifts on a table and brought over the bag she'd carried Dayn's gifts in, handing it to him. Inside was a thick yet flexible grey wool coat with grey rabbit fur lining on the inside. "Your current jacket won't cut it soon." Once he had taken that out, she held out her hand, in which a simple brass ring that matched the design on her Northern ring, though more masculine. "Have to make sure girls know you're mine, right?"

 

[BookWyrm]

Dayn looked over the jacket with a smile. It had some heft to it, about as much as his gambeson for sure, but he could tell already it was going to be warm and comfortable. When Arryn held out the ring though Dayn found himself slightly emotional. He accepted the gift and slid it onto the proper finger, admiring the design and thought that went into it. "My heart has been yours from the beginning, but it is nice to finally make the statement known." Dayn smiled as he pulled out a final gift box. "It only seems fair to give you this one last." Dayn opened it up, revealing the ring he had bought for her. "I happened to get it from your things without alerting you. I've had the dip done to it." Dayn took her hand and slid the ring onto her finger to show that it wouldn't bother her before pulling her into a slow, passionate kiss. "Thank you Arryn."

 

[Dragongal]

Arryn savored the kiss. "You're welcome love. And thank you too. I'm so glad to have the ring back." She kissed him again before smiling and saying, "Happy Yule, mo chroi."

 

[BookWyrm]

Dayn smiled as he reached up to cup Arryn's cheek. "Happy Yule." Dayn slowly stood up, his hand still in her's as he asked, "Would you dance with me love?"

 

[Dragongal]

Arryn stood up beside him, and said, "Of course, my love."

 

[BookWyrm]

Dayn slowly took her hand, laying his other on her hip before leading her into a slow dance. He held her close, enjoying the feeling of her warmth. "When we have our home built I think it would be nice to have enough space to comfortably dance together." They had some room, but Dayn had been careful about avoiding some low tables that could prove painful if a toe hit them.

 

[Dragongal]

"That would be a nice addition to our plans, I think." Arryn pulled his head down for a kiss as they danced, then leaned her head on his chest.

 

[BookWyrm]

Dayn gently tucked his head down, laying it against Arryn's as they continued through the last of their dance. Once they had finished Dayn had heated up a mug of the mead to share, before going into their bedroom to unwind. Dayn had laid out some of the pillows and blankets in front of the fire and helped Arryn down, letting her lay against his chest as he rubbed her back and played with her hair.

 

[Dragongal]

"This is just heavenly." Arryn sighed with content, nuzzling lightly against his chest. "Easily the best Yule I've ever had."

 

[BookWyrm]

Dayn had just slightly dozed off some, and jumped slightly when Arryn spoke up. He smiled as he resumed rubbing her back. "I have to agree with you there. But I think it is time to call it for the night." Once they were in bed Dayn gently caressed Arryn's cheek as he kissed her. "I love you Arryn." The night passed without problem or stirring, but just an hour shy of dawn Dayn woke covered in sweat and excruciating pain shooting through his hands and back. He felt like his body was slowly twisting in on itself as he finally caught his breath and cried out.

 

[Dragongal]

Arryn woke up with a jolt. "Dayn?" Arryn sat up and ran her fingers over Dayn's cheek and through his hair. "Dayn, love, focus on my voice, okay?" Arryn laid her hand on his neck, trying to use her magic to counter the pain. Please, stop the pain, if my magic is worth anything, please stop the pain.

 

[BookWyrm]

Dayn managed to open his eyes and focused on Arryn. His body has cramped up and frozen in place, his back arched into a painful position and his hand's curled like claws. His breath came in shallow, shuddering heaves as he tried to regain control. Tears welled up in his eyes, the occasional grunt or groan replacing the screams that tried to crawl out of his throat. Despite the pain his eyes never wavered from Arryn, and he could feel her magic fighting to counteract whatever ailment had caused to intensely painful spasm.


Finally, after several long minutes, Dayn's body relaxed. As his back lowered his body was shook as he coughed and gagged. Slowly he turned onto his side, laying his hand on top of Arryn's as he gently squeezed it. He managed to catch his breath, which in turn helped his body to stop shaking. His head slowly slid forward and rested against Arryn. "That wasn't pleasant at all."

 

[Dragongal]

Arryn wrapped her arms around Dayn, gently nuzzling against his neck. "I think we have to go back and find out... if maybe we missed something. Maybe there was some poison I didn't see. If you want, I can go alone. it's okay. I just want to stop your pain."

 

[BookWyrm]

Dayn closed his eyes and wrapped his arms around Arryn. His heart rate slowed considerably now. Whether he realized it or not Arryn had become a comfort to him. Just having her arms around him, her nuzzled against his neck, or being close to her seemed to ease off his stress. Perhaps it was an affect of their bond together, or maybe it was a change in her magic. Dayn would later consider it a bit of both, but at the moment he was simply lost in her love and concern. "No," he said quietly, "I'll go with you." Dayn's body twinged, shooting pain through him for a few seconds again. "If I can anyway."

 

[Dragongal]

Still holding him close she ran her fingers through his hair, gently kissing his cheek. "Okay, we'll go in the morning, okay? Do you think you can get more sleep?" As she brushed his hair back she lightly caressed his cheek, trying to keep him focused on her.

 

[BookWyrm]

Dayn smiled faintly. "I can give it a shot." He closed his eyes again, his focus still on the feeling of Arryn's hand caressing his cheek. He loosened up his arms, though he left them around her and gently rubbed his thumb along her lower back. He carefully laid his head down on her shoulder before turning to kiss her neck gently to say thank you before falling back asleep.

 

[Dragongal]

Arryn held him close, keeping him warm and secure. She enjoyed having him so close, having his head against her shoulder and wrapped in her arms, but she didn't like why she held him so close. Instead of sleeping, she stayed up, slowly brushing her fingers through his hair more to calm herself than anything, waiting for him to wake up.

 

[BookWyrm]

Dayn woke with the morning sun, though he found that he hadn't moved much. He slowly adjusted himself, more or less to let Arryn know he was awake then for any other reason, before turning his head enough to kiss her neck again. "Good morning love." He slowly tucked his head back against her neck as he quietly asked, "Did you stay up watching over me?" He knew the answer to this already. He yawned tiredly before nuzzled against her neck. "Thank you." There was no reason to reprimand her. He gently started rubbing her back again. Despite being nuzzled against Arryn's neck he was slowly waking up, he just didn't want the light in his eyes at the moment.

 

[Dragongal]

"You're welcome, love." Arryn smiled a bit, kissing his cheek before just holding him close. "No pain this morning?"

 

[BookWyrm]

Dayn shook his head. "Just aching." Finally he laid his head back and stretched what little he could without hurting himself. He gave a tired smile as he reached up and laid his hand on Arryn's neck and gently rubbed it with his thumb. "It was nice sleeping here, wrapped in your arms. It was warm and peaceful. You have a calming feel about you." Dayn moved closer again and pressed his forehead against her's. "Like how you are right now. I can feel it. Its the same feeling I get when you use your magic on me. Its nice."

 

[Dragongal]

Arryn smiled, closing her eyes. "I'm glad I could be of use to you, my love." She kissed him lightly, then just laid there close to him, gently running her thumb over his cheek. If she found out a person was hurting Dayn like this, she definitely would not be so "calm". SHe had no idea why he'd sense this calm about her, but that wasn't her concern at the moment.

 

[BookWyrm]

Dayn kissed Arryn's cheek before finally sitting up. "I think it's finally time to get up." His hands and back still hurt but if they waited until the pain left they might now get anything done at all. "I guess we should eat something before heading back out." His body felt weird, almost distant like he was in a dream.

 

[Dragongal]

"I've got it," Arryn said, getting out of bed. She adjusted the blankets around him and kissed his cheek before going to the kitchen. She made some soda farls and fried up some sausages, bringing them to him on a tray, along with some tea.

 

[BookWyrm]

Dayn sighed before kissing Arryn. You didn't have to do that. Of course if he knew this was something she enjoyed doing. He'd learned not to reprimand her for fussing over him. "Thanks love." Dayn ate with little appetite, though the tea he was a gods send. Something was definitely off, maybe in more ways than one. For Arryn's sake he forced himself to eat more than what he wanted, though it was slow going to be sure.

 

[Dragongal]

When Dayn was done, Arryn took the tray away and cleaned up. She went back to the bed and sat at Dayn's side. "Ready, love?"