After he finished telling her his story, she hugged him tightly and rested her head on his shoulder. Loving his closeness, she thought about his many adventures, and shivered as she realized how many times she had come so close to losing him forever. Willing herself not to thing about such things, she tried to concentrate on enjoying his presence, and on the dangers still to be had. A small sigh escaped her lips as she raised her eyes to meet those of her love. Years of constant danger had thinned him considerably, and given him an air of danger and alertness. Still, in his eyes she still saw the grinning man that she had fallen in love with so many years ago. As if he had read her mind, he grinned at her and assured her that everything would be all right. Northerly winds swirled around the little house, shaking loose shingles and slamming small branches into the walls. Drafts entered the room through cracks in the walls and from under the door, threatening to blow out the candle that still burned in the window. Freezing rain began falling hard, covering the ground with a blanket of thick and grainy ice. Outside they could see lightning tearing through the sky, lighting up the underbelly of the heavy clouds, and could hear the ominous tolling of the thunder. Recent events had taught him to be cautious about everything, and so reluctantly he left his wife's embrace to stand by the window and look outside. Even though he had amassed knowledge of many helpful spells in his travels, he knew too well how very vulnerable they were. Verily, he had tried to keep the danger as far from her as possible, but he had realized that she would be safer if he could be there to protect her, and so had fought his way back to her. Enveloping their house in a very faint protection spell that was not easily detectable, he turned back to his wife and sighed with exhaustion. Realizing how tired he must be, she kissed him gently and led him to their bedroom, where for the first time in years, he was able to fall asleep in the arms of his love.


[dedication page]
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