▪️G O L N A R▪️

My heart raced just thinking about Cedric's wound.

With each step toward the castle, my mind churned with a profound sense of confusion that seemed to cloud my every thought. Cedric's actions baffled me. He had always been standoffish, his motives shrouded in mystery.

I never thought he would willingly endanger himself, especially for someone like me.

There had been faint whispers of Cedric's involvement in the recent attacks, casting a shadow of suspicion over him. Even Kieran, Cedric's own cousin, had doubts about his loyalty. The tension between them had always been palpable, but now it seemed to simmer with a new intensity.

Yet, if Cedric truly harboured malicious intent, why would he intervene to save my life?

The question gnawed at me, filling me with a sense of unease as we hurried through the debris-strewn streets. Was there more to Cedric's actions than met the eye? Or was I simply grasping at straws, desperate to make sense of a world suddenly thrown into chaos?

The journey seemed endless, every stumble or uneven cobblestone beneath our feet a potential threat to Cedric's fragile state. But Alaric and I refused to falter, our determination unwavering as we pressed forward.

I could sense Alaric's worry, his normally stoic expression etched with lines of concern. Guilt weighed heavily on him, a burden he carried silently, knowing he had been unable to protect us both. The strain of the recent magical exertion showed on his face, a subtle weakening that belied his usual strength.

As we neared the safety of the castle gates, I spared a glance at Alaric, noting the tension in his jaw and the weariness in his eyes. It pained me to see him struggling, burdened by the weight of his responsibilities as both a King and a brother.

But amidst the turmoil, one thing remained clear: Alaric's unwavering dedication to his family and his kingdom.

When we finally approached the towering gates of the castle, a surge of relief washed over me. The guards sprang into action at our arrival, their expressions shifting from curiosity to concern as they caught sight of Cedric's battered form.

Alaric wasted no time. "Summon the healers!" he commanded, his voice cutting through the air with urgency. "And prepare one of the rooms for treatment."

The guards nodded in acknowledgment, swiftly carrying out Alaric's orders. Two of them stepped forward, gently taking Cedric's limp form from the Fae King's arms, their movements careful and steady as they carried him toward the designated treatment room.

With Alaric leading the way, I followed closely behind, my heart heavy with worry for Cedric's well-being. Each step felt like a struggle, the weight of uncertainty pressing down on me with every passing moment.

Upon entering the room, Alaric immediately directed the healers, his voice firm as he ensured that Cedric received the attention he needed.

I watched with bated breath as the healers began their work, their skilled hands moving with precision as they assessed Cedric's injuries.

Alaric's eyes never left Cedric's frail form. His brow furrowed with worry, he turned to the lead healer, his voice tight with concern. "How is he? What can we do?"

The healer, a woman with a reassuring presence, met Alaric's gaze with a sombre expression and replied, "His injuries are severe. The dark magic used against him was strong, it has tainted him, eating away at his very essence. We will do our best to remove the corruption, and even then, it will take time to heal him."

Alaric's jaw clenched at the news, his fists tightening at his sides. "Time is a luxury we cannot afford," he murmured, his voice edged with desperation.

The healer nodded as her gaze softened, "I understand, Your Majesty. We will do everything in our power to aid his recovery, but it will require patience and perseverance."

"Do whatever it takes," he said firmly. "Cedric is strong. He will pull through this."

As the healer and her assistants continued their efforts, I stood by Alaric's side, offering silent support in the face of uncertainty.

But duty called, and despite our reluctance to leave Cedric, we knew we could not stay. The looming threat to the Fae Kingdom demanded our attention, urging us to prepare for a decisive meeting with King Baldur that was destined to take place later tomorrow.

With a heavy heart, I turned to Alaric, our silent exchange speaking volumes.

There was no need for words—we both understood the gravity of the situation, the weight of responsibility pressing down on us like a suffocating blanket.

"We must go," Alaric said, his voice tinged with regret. "There's much to be done."

I nodded in agreement.

With one last lingering look at Cedric's still form, we turned and left the room.

As we made our way through the castle corridors, my thoughts lingered on Cedric and his selfless act. Had it not been for him, it would have been me lying there wounded, fighting for my life.

I could not shake the feeling of gratitude mixed with guilt that gnawed at my conscience. Cedric had risked himself to save me, his actions a testament to his unwavering loyalty and the depth of his sacrifice. And yet, I had doubted him, allowing baseless rumours and unfounded fears to cloud my judgment.

As we reached our chambers, Alaric held the door open for me.

Entering the room, I let out a weary sigh, sinking into a nearby chair as the reality of the situation washed over me. Alaric watched me closely, his brow furrowed with worry.

"Are you alright, my love?" he asked, his voice gentle yet probing.

I hesitated, unsure of how to articulate the conflicting emotions swirling inside me. "It's Cedric," I confessed finally, unable to keep the turmoil at bay any longer.

Alaric's expression softened with understanding as he took a seat beside me.

"I just can't believe he did what he did"

Alaric placed a comforting hand on my shoulder as he spoke, "Cedric's actions speak volumes of his character. Rumours aside, there's never been any doubt in my mind of his trustworthiness and bravery."

I nodded, grateful for his understanding even as doubts continued to plague my thoughts.

As I rose to go freshen up, I could not shake the lingering unease that gnawed at my conscience. Cedric's actions had saved my life, of that there was no doubt. But the questions and doubts still lingered, a constant reminder of the complexities of loyalty and sacrifice.

Later that night, as the castle settled into an uneasy quiet, we received an update on Cedric's condition. The news spread like wildfire, igniting a spark of hope amidst the darkness that had engulfed us.

Alaric and I gathered in the infirmary, our hearts heavy with anticipation as we awaited word from the healers. The atmosphere crackled with tension, each passing moment stretching into an eternity as we braced ourselves for the worst.

Then, finally, the lead healer emerged from Cedric's room as she announced, "Cedric is no longer fighting for his life."

The words hung in the air, a weight lifted from our shoulders as we exhaled a collective sigh of relief. Cedric's condition had stabilized, his body finally beginning to respond to the healing magic woven by the skilled hands of the healers.

A wave of gratitude washed over me, mingled with a profound sense of relief that threatened to overwhelm me. Cedric had pulled through, defying the odds and emerging from the brink of death stronger than ever before.

As we gathered around Cedric's bedside, I observed him. His features were still drawn with exhaustion, his breathing laboured, but the spark of life had returned to his eyes, a silent testament to his resilience and strength.

Alaric clasped Cedric's hand in his own, his voice thick with emotion as he said, "Welcome back, brother."

Cedric offered a weak smile in response. "Thank you," he said hoarsely, his voice barely above a whisper.

As the healers continued their work, I felt a sense of hope stirring within me. Cedric's recovery was a beacon of light in the darkness, a reminder that even in the face of adversity, there was always hope.

————— ▲ —————

The following day, Alaric, Kieran and I walked towards the meeting room, the weight of our respective histories with the Orcs heavy on our minds.

As we approached the grand doors, guarded by vigilant sentinels, I could not help but feel the weight of history bearing down on me. It was just months ago that the Fae were my sworn enemies, their very presence a threat to everything I held dear. And now, here I was, walking side by side with Alaric, their King, as his Queen.

I remembered the fierce battles, the bloodshed, and the bitterness that had festered between our races for generations. The idea of an alliance between the orcs and the Fae would have been unthinkable not too long ago, and yet, here we were, on the brink of forging a new path forward together.

Yes, Alaric and Baldur had indeed signed a treaty that declared peace between our people, but forging an alliance together was an entirely different endeavour.

As we crossed the threshold into the meeting room, the tension in the air was palpable, a silent testament to the lingering distrust that still simmered beneath the surface. The Fae nobles regarded King Baldur and his company with wary curiosity, their expressions guarded as they assessed the orc king who had once been their sworn enemy. And yet, amidst the unease, there was also a glimmer of hope—that perhaps they could set aside their differences and work towards a brighter future together.

Alaric took his seat at the head of the table, his expression a mask of diplomacy, while Kieran and I sat beside him, acutely aware of the eyes upon us.

On the other side of the table, Baldur and his delegation sat proudly, their brows furrowed. Izara was next the Orc King, her posture composed, while Khagra occupied a seat on the other side of Baldur, his gaze locked in silent confrontation with the Fae nobles.

Despite the gravity of the situation, a smile tugged at the corners of my lips as I caught sight of my best friend, her presence a comforting reminder of the bonds that transcended race and lineage.

Izara met my gaze with a knowing twinkle in her eye, her lips quirking up into a playful grin as she sent me a subtle wink. In that simple gesture, she conveyed a world of unspoken understanding—a silent reassurance that no matter the challenges that lay ahead, we would face them together.

With a nod of gratitude, I returned Izara's wink. In that moment, amidst the weighty discussions and looming threats, the warmth of friendship shone bright, a beacon of hope amidst the uncertainty that surrounded us.

Alaric cleared his throat, his voice steady as he addressed the room, "Thank you all for coming. We find ourselves in troubled times, facing a common threat that knows no allegiance."

Baldur's brows furrowed in thought, his expression reflecting slightly. "I must admit, I was taken aback by the proposal I received when Izara returned from your wedding," he began, his voice a low rumble that echoed through the chamber. "Given how we both feel about war, an alliance between our two people is inevitable. The orcs will help the Fae, please, enlighten me further about this threat."

Murmurs erupted amongst the nobles, their voices hushed but filled with disbelief and uncertainty. The notion of the orc king offering aid so readily was met with scepticism and apprehension, as if the very foundations of their world had been shaken by his unexpected declaration.

Alaric seized the moment, his voice cutting through the murmurs like a clarion call.

"The threat we face is unlike any we have encountered before. It knows no boundaries, respects no treaties," he declared, his tone unwavering despite the turmoil in the room. "It is a danger that threatens us all, Fae and orc alike. Together, we stand a better chance of overcoming it."

Baldur's eyes narrowed as he responded, "If what you say is true, then we must act swiftly to protect the Isle of Wrobel."

I nodded solemnly, meeting the Orc King's steely gaze with a determined one of my own. "It is true," I affirmed, my voice steady despite the weight of the memories that flooded my mind. "The threat has wreaked havoc on the Fae kingdom, claiming countless lives and leaving destruction in its wake."

While I spoke, the images from yesterday flashed before my eyes.

"The Fae King's brother, Cedric, sacrificed himself to protect me, he's currently healing from wounds that almost killed him. This enemy is strong and cares not for the lives it destroys."

Baldur's expression softened slightly, a flicker of understanding crossing his features. "Then we shall stand together, fae and Orc, to defend our lands," he said, his voice resonating with determination.

As the discussion unfolded, the tension in the room began to ease, replaced by a shared sense of purpose and determination. Despite the lingering shadows of distrust and enmity, the orcs and Fae were united now by a common cause—a cause that demanded their unwavering cooperation and resolve.

In the face of a common threat, the orcs and Fae found themselves bound not by the chains of enmity, but by the ties of fate that bound us all.

By the time the meeting drew to a close, I could not help but feel a glimmer of hope amidst the uncertainty. Together, we would face the darkness that threatened our lands, drawing strength from our newfound alliance and determination to protect all that we held dear.

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A/N: Time is of the essence...