"Sargon, you look terrible. You need some rest." Catelyn said as Sargon gave her a crooked smile.
"Thanks for the compliment, Catelyn." Sargon said lightly, feeling at ease that she was able to tease him in the midst of her pain and frustrations.
She had been spending her days between caring for Harold and keeping Vianna busy and she was exhausted. She needed to do as much as she could for him no matter how tired she was. Caring for him kept her from going mad.
"Hello Lady Aurian, it is so good to see you." Catelyn spoke through her fatigue as she slightly bowed her head towards Sargon and put her arms around Aurian, hugging her tightly.
Aurian could feel the weight of her pain she carried around with her. She tried her best to be strong when she simply needed someone to be strong for her. She must be going through so much in such a delicate state. She thought.
"Catelyn darling, I have missed you. She said, taking both of Catelyn's hands in hers.
"We have all missed you as well."
"Now tell me, how are you feeling, dear? How is the baby treating you?"
"Well, honestly, I feel terrible. I cannot eat much, and I am always tired. I can barely keep up with Vianna."
"Well, first things first, Vianna will be fine without you for a little while. She has plenty support, and you need to take care of yourself before you become ill. I will prepare something for you to help you to eat and rest. You need to be strong for the new baby. Harold will be just fine. You need not worry your pretty head about a thing. Focus on the kingdoms new baby that is on the way. The little one needs mommy to not be so stressed." She said as Catelyn forced a smile through the tears that formed.
"It has been so difficult. I am happy you are here. We need you."
"It is good to be needed." She said, glancing at Sargon. He knew he should have told her about everything sooner but he too was glad she was home now.
"How is my little Vianna doing? Have you been able to turn her into a little lady yet, or is she still climbing trees and tumbling around like a little boy?" Aurian smiled.
Catelyn couldn't help but laugh. She knew Vianna was quite the challenge to raise. She was just like her father, and she hated being a lady. Catelyn loved her just as she was. Had it not been for traditions and what society expected of them, she would simply allow Vianna to live life as carefree as she pleased. The thought of her being a free spirit put a smile on her face.
"Vianna is doing well. We had a couple scares with her through all that has been happening, but she is doing well right now. Marie placed a protection on her so she wouldn't be affected by the witches again."
Sargon's chest tightened at the sound of Marie's name. He hated that the bond was broken, yet he still craved for her. He still wasn't at peace with the thought of waiting until the right time to help her. Who knows when the right time would ever be? What if he was to never see Marie again?
He forced the thoughts out of his head and focused on his mother and Catelyn. He would drive himself mad with worry if he thought about what he could not fix.
"Marie seems like a lovely woman." Aurian said as though questioning Catelyn.
"Oh, Marie is simply wonderful, my lady. It is heartbreaking what is happening to her. She has done so much for us all. Vianna is alive and well because of her and Sargon finally found his mate. We never thought he would. I hope we can find a way to bring her back somehow." Sargon's head darted in Catelyn's direction.
Everyone seemed so worried that he would end up alone. By the looks of things, that may still be his reality.
"We will find a way, darling. Patience will see us all through."
There was something about Aurian that calmed everyone and made every situation seem manageable. Sargon began to wonder if she was casting spells the entire time to keep everyone at ease or if it was just her natural aura. Even he felt calmer. Maybe it was the bond breaking. He wondered, immediately feeling annoyed at his thoughts.
"I am just so concerned about Harold. He hasn't woken up yet. I feel so helpless."
"I am working on that, dear. Do me a favor. Go to your room and try to rest. Mabel will be up shortly with tea and pastries for you. You will be able to eat, so have some and then rest. I will visit you later."
"Yes, my lady. Thank you." Catelyn said as she followed Aurian's instructions and left for her room.
"Poor thing. She is so hurt. I really love that one. Harold is very lucky to have her. Their love is strong and will last."
"Yes mother, she has been the best thing to happen to him."
"I agree. You know your best friend can be a wild one. Between him and his wolf, I am not sure which is wilder." She rolled her eyes as Sargon smiled in agreement.
"Sargon, darling, come with me. We need to pay my special room a visit."
They walked down the hall to the now familiar room. Sargon still couldn't believe his mother was able to keep the room a secret for so long. He hated anyone near him that kept secrets from him. Since it was his own mother and she had good reason, he would need to get over the betrayal that kept seeping into his thoughts.
"What are we doing here?" He asked, confused as to why he was needed in the room.
"Harold needs help, and I can help him."
"You can?"
"Yes, I can. There are many things your old mother can do. I honestly wish I had told you about this sooner. I could have helped before things got to this point. Two powerful, good-hearted witches are always stronger than one."
Sargon began to feel foolish for trying to hide the troubles of the kingdom from his parents. Well, at least from his mother. His father still did not speak to him after their disagreement.
"Can you break the spell completely?"
"Unfortunately, I cannot. I can, however, wake him up and allow him to function as Marie did for him. I can give him some strength as well. It will not be his wolf strength, but it will help. That's what I need you for. You and Harold will be bonded by blood now. I guess you both should have been real brothers after all." She said, touched by the thought. She was so proud of them both.
"How will my blood help him?"
"Son, you are the descendant of the greatest Alpha King ever known to our kind. Alacar's power is infinite as yours is."
"Yes, I know my lineage, but how does this help Harold?"
"With your blood, I can give Harold some of your power without having to awaken his wolf. Whatever you give to him will be regenerated within you before you even feel it missing. Harold will simply be in human form with a bit of your wolf strength and ability. You are the only one who can do this. When the spell is finally broken, he will feel stronger than he did before. His loyalty to you will natural grow stronger because of the blood bond."
"I have never been concerned with Harold's loyalty. He is a good man. I just wish we knew this when Marie was still here."
"Yes, well let's not think of the past now. We have a task to accomplish. Now, let us prepare and go wake Harold up!"