Gabriel carefully laid the restrained falcon on the wooden table near the fireplace. He then began to light the already prepared kindling.
Sparks of flame soon lit up the shadowy and dank room with a merry glow.
“What can I do to help?” Laeleth asked very softly so as not to alarm the bird further.
She had hardly taken her eyes off of it.
The imprisoned creature stared back at her with a terrified and defiant glare.
The young falcon was absolutely remarkable she thought as she studied each detail.
The sharp, yellow beak dipped in black, the deep black hues of its head, and the fiery orange feathers of its outer wing - all of these markings were rather striking.
Laeleth had never been so close to such an animal before and felt an overwhelming sense of curiosity.
“I need hot water and bandages,” Gabriel’s calm but abrupt voice broke into her trance.
He was standing by the stack of firewood in the corner and had taken a thin piece of wood from the chopped kindling. In his hand he held some twine with which he began to fashion a splint.
Laeleth immediately hastened to comply and had soon returned to Gabriel’s side with all that he had requested.
The falcon had been lying passively in its leather prison until Gabriel began untying the tether of the satchel.
It instantly let out a harsh cry and attempted another futile struggle. Its head jerked back and forth angrily as its vicious beak sought to attack anything in sight.
Gabriel’s hands were firm but gentle as he reached out and held the bird down.
Surprisingly the creature quieted at his touch and made no further protest. Gabriel then extended the damaged wing carefully and studied the fracture.
The animal let out a sharp series of cries and Laeleth flinched at the sound. It was so tortured, so pained, and dreadful to hear. She hoped that the poor creature was only frightened and not in great suffering.
She watched spellbound as Gabriel deftly removed the debris that had accumulated around the break and cleaned the area gently with the water.
Laeleth continued to observe mesmerized as the wing was then quickly bandaged and splinted to the strip of wood.
It all seemed to happen so quickly and she was amazed at how skilled Gabriel was with the creature and knowledge of what to do. She would have never been able to handle the situation so rationally.
Once accomplished, the bird stood on the table looking confused and no longer as feisty. It seemed rather subdued from the whole ordeal. The proud head drooped in defeat as it eyed his surroundings. It was almost as though it was considering its captors and whether or not it should be grateful.
“We have done what we can for now,” Gabriel’s voice broke the stillness. “We will have to wait and see if it improves.”
Laeleth stirred from her captive gaze and asked in a hopeful voice, “Will he be all right, Gabriel? Do you think he has a chance to fly again?”
It was no unknown fact that without its ability to fly the falcon could never survive in the wild. This thought was most unsettling to Laeleth and she was quite concerned for its condition.
Gabriel’s face remained grim, but his words encouraged her. “It is still young and has a good chance of healing. The break does not seem as severe as I had first thought.”
“I know where he can stay,” Laeleth stated promptly and made her way to the cabinet on the opposite wall. She cleared out one of the shelves and neatly arranged torn scraps of linen to form a makeshift nest.
Gabriel then lifted the dazed falcon into the space where it soon nestled down in sheer exhaustion.
“Rest now, Valkyr,” Laeleth spoke soothingly. She smiled softly as she watched the bird with continued awe. “You have nothing to fear with us.”
Gabriel looked at her curiously and asked in a surprised tone, “You have already named it?”
“Yes,” Laeleth replied with a rapt smile. She was already becoming rather attached to the young bird. "He must have a name if he is to stay."
“It is a wild animal, Laeleth, not a pet,” Gabriel warned. “Once Valkyr is able to fly again he will need to be released. This is no place for a creature of his kind.” His voice was firm as though his mind was already set.
Laeleth turned to him and her face looked rather disappointed. “But, perhaps … he will want to stay. See? I think he knows we have saved him.” Her tone was imploring as she looked into Gabriel’s eyes and then back to the small, helpless bird.
Valkyr had awkwardly adjusted his wing to fit the space and was passively watching them now as he tucked his head behind the other wing.
No matter how Gabriel had tried to be insistent with her he found that she always had a way to the most virtuous part of his heart. She weakened him, but in a way he did not feel helpless by it.
He stared at Laeleth’s face for a few moments; her expression was so eager and unselfish. She had always acted nobly in whatever she did. Her undying heart was the purest he had ever known. Gabriel could not deny her anything she wanted.
He brushed his hand against her cheek and said gently, “You could tame any beast, my darling Laeleth.”
She sensed there was more to his words than just the obvious. He rarely ever said exactly what he meant, but she could always understand when she looked into his compelling eyes. Placing her hand over his she held it there as she gazed up lovingly at him.
But her attention was soon diverted as she noticed his torn coat sleeve. The scarlet tone of the fabric had nearly obscured the blood that had left a large stain from a fresh wound.
“Oh Gabriel, you are hurt!” she exclaimed as she drew back. Her expression immediately darkened as she noticed the amount of blood around the tear.
Up until now she had only been concerned for Valkyr’s well-being. She had completely forgotten the violent struggle he had put up when Gabriel had first saved him.
Laeleth seemed flustered and annoyed with herself and insisted he let her tend to it right away.
“It is nothing but a scratch, Laeleth. I have suffered worse,” Gabriel tried to reassure her. “Do not upset yourself about it.” He seemed entirely unconcerned and relaxed as he too had not remembered it until now.
But Laeleth was not appeased as she began to busy herself with fresh water and clean bandages. From the cabinet she took a few small jars of various dry herbs.
As she laid these assorted items on the table she paused and met his eyes with her own compassionate ones.
“That may be true … but you are not what you were then,” she remarked softly.
These words brought to mind old memories of when he had been under the curse of the vampire.
Her eyes came to focus on a faint scar that marred the center of his chest - a jagged line as of claws scraping the skin.
Her heart sank as she remembered that fateful night; her hands covered in blood; the horror and absolute disgust with herself.
As the vampire spell had already started to wane in that moment so had his abilities to heal.
The mark had never faded completely and would always serve to remind her of that now distant nightmare.
Being a mortal man meant he felt pain again, suffered as anyone else could suffer. Laeleth had wondered at this before, but she was sure of it now.
Gabriel could see the look of regret in her face as she struggled with these dark thoughts. He knew the guilt she still felt.
“Laeleth,” he spoke softly, “try to forget…”
He placed his finger on her sultry lips, gently tracing over every curve.
And without any further protest he removed his great coat and set it aside allowing her to treat the wound.
It appeared much crueler than a scratch. The powerful beak of the falcon, used for tearing flesh from bones, had ripped an ugly gash in his upper right arm where the thick, leather shoulder guard did not reach.
Laeleth gingerly applied a steaming poultice on the unsightly wound. She had spread a mixture of rosemary and thyme on it as well, hoping to ward off any infection.
She felt his muscle flinch at the pressure and she worked a little more quickly. After binding the wound tightly Laeleth felt more satisfied.
It seemed a strange irony that both Valkyr and Gabriel had been wounded much in the same way.
“There … it should heal shortly,” Laeleth stated as she began to clear away the used bandaging and salve.
Gabriel rose and kissed her lightly on the cheek.
“Thank you Laeleth,” he spoke appreciatively. “You should rest now; you look quite weary.”
His eyes studied her slumped demeanor as she leaned against the rough hewn table.
She did feel rather tired again. All of the excitement from the early day and travel seemed to have caught up with her now that she was back at home. Standing before the cheerful fire made her feel incredibly drowsy.
Laeleth felt her eyes begin to flutter closed; the heat of the room was weighing her down heavily.
Still outfitted in her ranger gear, she had not even bothered to set aside her bow and quiver. Her tired muscles seemed to ache in every fiber.
Gabriel took her hand and helped guide her into the next room.
She seemed to be functioning as in a hazy dream as she went through her evening routine.
But soon Laeleth somehow found herself curled up in bed, drifting away into a restful and restoring sleep void of dreams.
