"I will not have that, Ro. You still have yet to recover. I will not risk you becoming ill again," Darius told her firmly.
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"Abba, it's too dangerous! What if Rosalina falls ill? She won't leave Darius' side and what is someone decides to hunt him? Do you really want to be held responsible for that?"
"My greatest concern is for my daughter's wellbeing. I will not tolerate that monster in my house."
"He is not a complete monster father," Calista remarked quietly.
"Then if you do not think him as such go and pet him," Daniel challenged her and Calista averted her gaze.
"That thing will stay outside. What the woman chooses to do is her business."
"Sir, be reasonable," Gareth interjected as Calista shot pleading eyes up at him. "She is blind and has suffered much physical toil. She won't be able to endure a long exposure to the elements."
"The woman can stay inside. The creature however cannot," Daniel replied as he folded his arms and stared at Gareth and Calista.

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AWESOME set by the AMAZING Lembas!!!

Rosalina sighed. "for you I will." she said.

_________________
Where do you go when your running away,
The cost of stopping is too great to pay.
~Amanda (saw this written in a washroom stall at a movie theater)

Darius was touched by Rosalina's love but refused to let her join him in banishment. "No, Ro. You must stay in here. At least I know you will be safe and warm."
------------------------------------------------------------
"He could perish in the cold!" Calista exclaimed, utterly incredulous at how unreasonable her father was being.
"Am I not the master of this house?"Daniel challenged her. "Is this not my home whom I can invite whomever I wish and banish those I desire?"
"Yes, but---" Daniel cut her off abruptly before she could continue.
"What is your place daughter?" he asked her, his tone growing hard.
"To love you and obey your will," Calista remarked meekly as she lowered her gaze.
"And are you giving me your duty right now?" he asked her.
"No..." she whispered looking abjectly defeated.
"Sir," Gareth interrupted again, hating to see how crestfallen the woman looked and growing frustrated that Daniel was undoing all the progress that she seemed to be making.
"Not another word mage. Or have you forgotten what this thing did to my daughter and your supposed love? He will not be welcome here again," he added before stepping around Darius and Rosalina and hobbling out of the room.
"I'm sorry..." Calista said softly as she inadvertently approached Darius whom Rosalina was seated upon. "But my father is adamant in his decision. "Perhaps you may be able to sneak back in after he takes his bed..." she suggested.
"I will not defy your father's wishes," Darius told Calista quietly. "Though I thank you for trying to reason with him," Darius remarked in his deep, gravelly voice. Suddenly realizing how close to him she had drawn, Calista flinched and jumped back, unintentionally putting more pressure on her left ankle as she did so and felt her leg give out, causing her to crumple to the ground. Moving to her side in an instant, Gareth knelt beside her before he gently swept the woman into his arms. Giving him a small smile, Calista kissed his cheek in thanks before the mage spoke. "There is a chill on the breeze," Gareth remarked softly. "I do not like your father's idea," he whispered.
Nodding, Calista turned her full attention on Darius and Rosalina. "You may have my quilt for tonight," she offered Darius. "Gareth can start a fire for me for warmth and I have a thin blanket which should be sufficient for me. But out there, even with your fur you may freeze."

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AWESOME set by the AMAZING Lembas!!!

Rosalina bit her lip. "Very well. Darius, I will stay in tonight." she sighed.

_________________
Where do you go when your running away,
The cost of stopping is too great to pay.
~Amanda (saw this written in a washroom stall at a movie theater)

"Thank you," Darius remarked, relieved that she decided to stay inside. Walking over to the bed, he gently lowered himself and waited for Rosalina to dismount.
------------------------------------------------------------
"I'm all right, love," Calista whispered to Gareth who was still carrying her after she fell. "You can set me down," she added just as softly as she gave him a gentle smile. Nodding, Gareth carefully set her down on her feet, careful to stay by her side in case she needed help. Limping over to Darius, Calista tried hard not to tremble as she got near the mythical creature again. "Do you need help, Rosalina?" she asked the woman, prepared to help her dismount if she needed it.

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AWESOME set by the AMAZING Lembas!!!

rosalina bit her lip. "If you could help me to the bed." she said and cringed as she put weight on her ankle and felt out for Calista. "Calista, if you move your arm, I will see it." she said.

_________________
Where do you go when your running away,
The cost of stopping is too great to pay.
~Amanda (saw this written in a washroom stall at a movie theater)

Calista gasped in surprise when Rosalina said she would see her arm if she moved it. "You are getting your sight back?" she asked, a smile flitting across her face as hope sprang into her voice. "This is most certainly great news," she added as she moved her arm and just put it around Rosalina. "Come, let's get you some rest," she said softly as she held on to her and began to lead her slowly to the bed.
Meanwhile, Gareth kept his eyes on both women, knowing that they were both injured and he did not want either to hurt themselves again.
Watching Rosalina move to the bed under Calista's guidance, Darius just remained silent. Once he was sure that she was in bed, he was going to go and find a suitable spot to sleep outside.

_________________


AWESOME set by the AMAZING Lembas!!!

Rosalina nodded. "As i told Darius. Its like seeing dark black move over faded black." She said as she sat on the bed.

_________________
Where do you go when your running away,
The cost of stopping is too great to pay.
~Amanda (saw this written in a washroom stall at a movie theater)

"At least it is progress," Calista remarked softly as Rosalina sat on the bed.
"Rest well, Ro," Darius remarked as he let his gaze linger over her for a moment longer before heading outside.
Limping over to Gareth, Calista gave the mage a weak smile. "I need to get my quilt for Darius," she told him, remembering the promise that she had made.
Nodding, Gareth swept Calista up in his arms again and carried her to her room. Once there he carefully set her down as she picked up the quilt she had made years ago that kept her warm for many a winter. Picking her up again, he carried her outside and over to where Darius had made his bed a short distance from the house under the covering of a tree. After Gareth set her down again, Calista limped over to Darius and gently draped the quilt over his body, trying not to tremble as she did so.
"Thank you, my lady," Darius told her softly as he rested his great head on his paws as he sighed sadly, knowing that Calista was still afraid of him.
Nodding stiffly, Calista gave him a small smile. She was afraid of him but she was starting to pity him more now. "I am truly sorry..." she whispered before Gareth picked her up again and carried her back into the house.

_________________


AWESOME set by the AMAZING Lembas!!!

Soon night fell and everyone fell asleep. everyone but Rosalina. She wasn't able to sleep. Her dreams kept her awake. So finally she eased out of the bed, and felt her way to the door of the house and out. She didn't know where Darius, she she moved gingerly through the darkness until she saw something move. She smiled, as she went for it and felt her protecters form. Quietly she got down and got under the blanket, waking Darius as she did.

_________________
Where do you go when your running away,
The cost of stopping is too great to pay.
~Amanda (saw this written in a washroom stall at a movie theater)

Feeling something move under the blanket with him, Darius opened one eye and saw Rosalina at his side. "Ro, what you are you doing here?" he whispered. "You should be in the house where it is warm," he told her.
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In her room, Calista rested comfortably for the first time in what seemed like months. Nestled protectively in the arms of her mage, with the thin blanket covering the two of them and a fire in the fireplace crackling in the stillness of the night, the young woman finally felt a sense of peace.

_________________


AWESOME set by the AMAZING Lembas!!!

Rosalina bit her lip. "I couldn't sleep. My dreams . . . I couldn't sleep." she said, not wanting to say more.

_________________
Where do you go when your running away,
The cost of stopping is too great to pay.
~Amanda (saw this written in a washroom stall at a movie theater)

Sighing softly at Rosalina's words, Darius knew that telling her to go back inside would be a waste of breath and that Calista or Gareth would not be much comfort for her. "Very well, Ro," he said finally. "You may stay out here, just be sure to keep as warm as possible," he whispered, hoping that his body heat would be enough to keep her warm. "Stay close to me. I will shield you from the elements as much as possible."
------------------------------------------------------------
During the night, the fire went out and a sudden chill filled the room. Shivering in the cold, Calista was roused slightly from her sleep as Gareth awoke and rose from the bed to start the fire again. He had tried to keep his movements light in the hopes that he would not awaken the woman sleeping in his arms, but she had awoken despite his best efforts. Lifting her head as she watched Gareth rekindle the flame, a sleepy smile traced her lips as Gareth walked back over to the bed and then lay down next to her.
"Thank you," Calista whispered as Gareth took her in his arms again. "You make me feel safe and warm," she said softly as the mage pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead.

_________________


AWESOME set by the AMAZING Lembas!!!

Rosalina nodded, pressing into his warmth. 'Thank you." She said and soon fell asleep, shivering as she did.

_________________
Where do you go when your running away,
The cost of stopping is too great to pay.
~Amanda (saw this written in a washroom stall at a movie theater)

Surrounding Rosalina as much as he could, Darius did his best to keep the woman warm and shield her from the elements. Staying awake for some time, Darius just made sure she was okay before finally letting himself fall back asleep.
------------------------------------------------------------
"You are welcome, Rose. Just rest. I will always be here for you," Gareth whispered as Calista snuggled against him.
"Do you think Darius is all right outside and Rosalina is okay alone?" Calista asked the mage a bit sleepily as she tried to stifle a yawn.
Chuckling at her attempt to shove sleep aside, Gareth leaned forward and kissed her lightly on the lips. "For now, get some rest beloved. You have not slept much over the past few days and your body needs the rest," he whispered. "We will check on Rosalina and Darius in the morning," he added softly, although he fell more in love with her for her gentle heart that was reasserting itself against her fear.
Nodding drowsily, Calista gave him another soft smile. "You should just make my room your permanent residence," she whispered sleepily. "I like having you near," she added.
Chuckling lightly, Gareth reached up and gently caressed her cheek. "I like being near you," he whispered. "Now, no stress. Just relax, my love. I will hold you through the night," he added as he pulled her closer to him. Nodding almost imperceptibly, Calista gave him one more smile before allowing her eyes to fall close.

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AWESOME set by the AMAZING Lembas!!!

As the night wore on, Rosalina, unknownly to all, became colder. She had indeed become sick, very sick. By morning her face was pale, and she was coughing uncontroably, and her brow was soaked with sweat.

_________________
Where do you go when your running away,
The cost of stopping is too great to pay.
~Amanda (saw this written in a washroom stall at a movie theater)