What Happens In Solstheim

Chapter 11

A/N* A 'small' intimate scene at the end of the chapter. Please don't read if you feel uncomfortable.

It was around midnight, almost twelve hours since their disaster in the ruin, when she started stirring. Teldryn hasn't left her side once in that time, refusing to eat or to get some shut eye until he knew she was alright.

At first only her fingers twitched, feeling around for something. He saw and opportunity and took it, reaching out and gently taking her hand. Her fingers clasped around his gingerly, causing to let him released a breath of ecstasy of the feeling of her - even if it was something as simple as just holding her hand. The corners of his mouth turned slightly upwards when she muttered in her sleep, thus tightening her grip on his hand. His smile, however, faltered when she started shaking, her breaths coming out in wheezes and her brows furrowing to a deep frown.

Realizing that she was having a nightmare, he leaned over and placed both hands on her shoulders, trying to shake her awake as gently as she could, "Red, you got to wake up, you're only dreaming."

He nearly fell off his chair when she bolted upright, almost head butting him to Oblivion. Teldryn quickly put the helmet back on when seeing her eyes wide open and looking about the room frantically, searching for whatever she must have seen in her dream.

Teldryn approached the situation cautiously, "Farah?"

Her head jerked to him, her face visibly relaxing when seeing that she was back in the tower and he was sitting next to her. Farah uttered a sob and threw her arms around him, nuzzling her face in the crook of his neck. Her body shook violently as she let it all out. Teldryn wrapped her in his arms, resting his chin on her head and just... held her. As simple as that. His heart ached for her, knowing that whatever happened in that realm had this effect on her. What she faced there must have had a permanent scar on her.

"I'm here." He whispered, giving her a gentle squeeze, "You're safe. I'm not going anywhere."

They remained like that for what felt like hours until she was calm enough to stammer out, "I- I thought I was sti-still in Apocrypha. Last thing I rem-remember is being... that lurker... I never saw it coming."

Her head turned down and saw the bandages around her waist, one side stained with blood. As if realizing that she was injured it started burning and aching. Farah winced and pressed her hand to it. Teldryn helped her lie down and quickly retrieved another health potion.

"Here, you should drink this." He helped her tilt her head and pressed the bottle to her lips.

Farah didn't protest and gulped down the whole thing, "Thank you, Teldryn." The warmth of his hands made her relax as he lowered her head to the pillow and she watched him discard of the empty bottle, "You're still here."

"Told you I'm never leaving you again." He told her truthfully, "Even if you don't want me there, I'll always be nearby to make sure you're safe."

Her brows furrowed, "Not want you? Teldryn, I'll never not want you around. Even when you're in a bad mood, even when we're fighting, I'll always want you with me."

She was playing his heartstrings and he felt his emotions running freely out of his mouth, "I was jealous. Of that Nord."

"Halbarn." She mentioned the name.

"Yes, whatever." He waved it off, "I hated seeing you and him together and enjoying each other's company. I guess I was just scared."

Farah fumbled with her fingers, "Scared of what?"

"Of not having that chance with you." It came out as a whisper, though she heard every word.

"Teldryn..."