echoes of truth | ❝ tales of loss and fire and flame. ❞

[dragonssung]

song of hope

BOOK 3.5: EVER HEAVENSWARD

Tales of loss and fire and faith
Every word on our hearts engraved
In the dark you will not stray
Forge ahead, till the end, we prayCODE BY TESSISAMESS

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[thewayforpeace]

[ Several hours pass before Aymeric begins to stir, a frown crossing his face as he pulls lightly against the chains still binding him to the wall. It is almost as though he has forgotten where he is and what has transpired recently, but as awareness returns to him, so does the memory of everything that has happened and what has been done to him, against his will.

... Or perhaps more accurately, against the will of Thordan. It takes another few moments before consciousness returns and his eyes slowly slit open. Remembering now that Ishgard's former dragoon chained him up, and one of the two Warriors of Light has been sitting vigil with him, a glower replaces the frown he wears. There is not much else he can do, given the chains are as strong as ever, something he cannot say for himself.

Still, he retains the use of his voice, and considering that is more or less the only asset still left to him, he means to make use of it. For the moment, though, he seems to be alone, except for the Warrior of Light, who seems to have fallen asleep inside the cell with him, and he is unsure if Estinien is still lurking just outside the cell door.

A half smirk comes to his face as he surveys Alkaid, and he just shakes his head. While he would goad her and throw scathing words at her, it seems like a wasted effort, because she most likely would not be able to hear him anyway.

So for the moment, he just waits while his mind turns with plots and schemes he might attempt to put into play when the time is right. ]

[shepherdtostars]

[ Alkaid had done her best not to fall asleep, but the emotional drain of the situation eventually tugged her down into the lightest of slumbers. While she wholly still believes that they will find a way to return Aymeric from his tempered state? She could not help but grant his silent desire to fall asleep at her side. The pain in her heart still remains even if it is now a dull ache that feels as if it would be a constant reminder.

Her eyes open first before she stirs in any other fashion. His breathing still hitches in pain, but it is clearly different than it was before he had drifted off. Her hands flex slightly at the realization of what it means. Then, slowly, she pulls her hands from around him.

Then, she pulls away and raises her head to look at him properly. She notes the glow in his eyes and that can mean only one thing. A weariness takes her own eyes then as she sits in front of him with her hands in her lap. ]

[thewayforpeace]

[ Aymeric's sleep was not particularly restful either, as it was filled with confusing images filled with crystals and a blinding white light and, inexplicably, the same person who continued walking away from him again and again with each dream he had. Now that he is awake again, he has not wasted another second on deciphering these pointless dreams, because he has more important things to do.

Lifting his head as best as he can, he fixes Alkaid with a stare. ]

So you are awake as well. [ His voice lacks its usual strength, but he is clearly not in the best condition ever. Dark circles can clearly be seen under his eyes, and his skin looks considerably paler than it would have normally. ]

What do you intend to do now?

[shepherdtostars]

[ Her expression remains set with her ears bent down, tail around her, hands still in her lap. Aymeric had always been someone of an expert of reading what she said without saying. That is something she does not expect to carry unto the person he has been molded into. He cannot see her. Why would he care to see how she masks how she feels? ]

I am a healer. That is what I do and what I will do until the end of my days.

[ Her answer causes the invisible open wound of her heart a sharp pain. What else can she do for him now? Her hands raise towards herself to flex them once more. Then, whisks of green light twist around her fingers and small specs of white light fall from them. ]

You said yourself it was the only value I would bring to your cause--if I were to join it. Thus, I ought to make use of the one singular talent I have.

[thewayforpeace]

[ Her words catch his attention in a way that nothing else she has said previously managed to. Perhaps it is because part of him still thinks there is a chance that she might join with him in his goals. ]

And yet you still remain undecided, I see. Unless your choice of words is meant to mislead or misdirect, that is. Still, assuming that you still require persuasion, what would convince you to join me in this cause?

[ He is certain that she is no fool. No doubt, she has already seen that he is not the same man that she has grown attached to. She might be an accursed primal slayer but she is far too intelligent for that.

Therefore, the use of persuasive words and wheedling attempts at manipulation will be of no use here. He must ask her what it is she wants, and then see if there is anything that he can do about that. Nevertheless, he is at a bit of a disadvantage here, so perhaps the gift of persuasion, bolstered by his own natural talents and the added influence of Thordan, will come in handy after all. ]

[shepherdtostars]

[ Unfortunately, he is not incorrect. She remains firmly in the middle of the two paths her mind has decided it might take. Either one would have her at his side, but, does she continue to put her duty as a Scion first? Should she lie and conduct yet another covert operation, only this time into Ishgard? Or, should she make her priority seeing that she is at his side as they continue to work on the cure? They could not allow Aymeric to return to Ishgard until he is cured. Further exposure to King Thordan would only worsen his tempering. But, would he allow her to move into the city unattended?

It is quite a complex set of paths.

She knows what her heart says: to remain here in Limsa with him. Yet, her heart has always said to remain at his side, even as the far reaches of the star call her away time and time again. Now, she quite clearly in her mind, sees the result of endlessly putting duty in front of what her heart has begged for. Her sister has always pleaded that she listen to what she truly desires. Now, in her mind, she can clearly see the price for not heeding such advice. She may very well lose the rock she has centered herself on whilst she has ever been so far away.

How many more times must she fail him in different wants before she learns to listen to what her heart says? A potential lady of his house that is never there, a wife unable to bear him children regardless of their racial differences, and now as a Warrior of Light. Had she simply remained in Ishgard for once, she might have saved him from this--him and countless others. How is she to call Ishgard her home when they needed her most she was whisked away from it all?

Alkaid simply tilts her head down at the unearthing inadequacies continue to pile inside her heart. They have been there in some shape or form, but her time in Norvrandt had only dug them further inwards. Now... ]

You are an intelligent man, Ser Aymeric. Tactful and quite able to read any that might stand before you. [ She doubts King Thordan would change that of him. Otherwise, why keep him at all? ] Surely it is not hard to ascertain what it is I would desire.

[ Something she knows King Thordan will never truly give her. Perhaps he might lie to Aymeric and say he would permit it. Although, she very much doubts that. He has indeed already begun shaping her betrothed into what he would need.

While she still believes and hopes they can save him? The part of her that can see nothing but her own failures to him cannot help but wonder if she truly has lost him. ]

[thewayforpeace]

Ah.

[ An amused sort of smirk crosses his face as he watches her, and as it does, he can feel ripples of Thordan's displeasure in the back of his mind. Well, it is not entirely displeasure, because there is also the feeling of seizing an opportunity that has been placed in front of them both.

If Aymeric's hands were free, he would fold them together, forming a point with his index fingers as he considers everything she is telling him, both with words and without. Even so, he weighs everything that has unfolded in front of him, and he plots his response. ]

A compliment for a compliment. What do you say to that? If I am intelligent, then so are you. Certainly, you are no fool, even if you have thrown in your lot with those who are.

[ Perhaps it is a backhanded sort of compliment, but he recognizes her intelligence and her usefulness both. ]

It is certainly not difficult to determine what it is you wish for. [ If she is paying close enough attention, she might notice that now it seems as though Aymeric has been relegated to the background and Thordan has taken the foreground. ]

You desire me- or rather, the inferior me. [ The smirk shifts into a smile, but it is a cold one, with nothing but a malevolent sort of deviousness contained within. ]

Can you find the satisfaction you seek, knowing that the person I was is no more?

[ Thordan is once again imposing his will upon Aymeric, using him to speak words that are not his own, but where does Aymeric end, even tempered as he is, and where does Thordan begin? There is no proof that who Aymeric truly is is entirely gone, but Thordan certainly seems determined to make it seem as though that is the case.

And what is more, it seems as though even more of his aether has fallen into place, aligned with Thordan's, and so it is difficult to tell where a separation exists, if it even still does. ]

And if your desire was met, what then? What would you do next?

[shepherdtostars]

[ A faint twitch of her ears happens once he pronounces 'Ah' the way he does. That simple thing alone tells her much more than anything else he might ever say or do the rest of their conversation. His will and Thordan's has become one and buried whatever might be left of the knight she loves so dearly. A painful beat is given by her heart and she wonders how much more it might be able to withstand until it comes bursting from her.

Her eyes cast upwards through her hair as he compliments her to a certain point. He might insult the Scions as he wishes, and she certainty has not been above that herself. She does not rise to the bait as perhaps he hoped and instead continues to listen as he speaks on. Her hands curl together in her white ruffled half-skirt. It is obvious that the words he speaks are meant to hurt and drive underneath her skin; make her doubt choices she has made or the way she perceives things.

Nails bite into her palm and a frown takes her face. How my more is she meant to endure? How much must her sister endure until the forces behind this world are satiated? What might be left of them--the people underneath the Warriors of Light--when the dust has settled? Who will be there to stand at their sides? Her eyes close as she feels a surge of anger pierce through the dull pain in her heart.

Then, for a brief moment, she feels embraced by a sense of comfort--love. The feeling that she is not alone in the pain or burden of all that has been placed on her and her sister. She tries to grasp onto the feeling, but it slips away from her the moment her heart tries to reach for it. Left alone again in the cell with the remnants of the man she loves. Yet, somehow, she feels that underlining feeling beneath the pain.

Alkaid raises her two-toned eyes to Aymeric and his curved smile. One that cuts deep into her as it does not belong to the knight. Not even when they believed him to colder than he was. ]

Could you find the satisfaction? [ A question for a question instead of an answer. ] Could you look at me and see me as the person you asked to marry you? Or, would you simply see the woman who could kill King Thordan at any moment?

[thewayforpeace]

[ His actions are limited because of the chains still binding him, but his eyes watch her every move, looking for every change in expression, every hint of what she is thinking, even if it is a barely perceptible difference.

Here is where his desires and Thordan's seem to differ, because what he wants more than anything is to have her at his side, because she is useful and a strong healer, but also because he envisions that she could be a better ally than most, if not the best one he could choose. And while he still refuses to allow anything but serving King Thordan and Ishgard to get in the way, there is a small part of him that still longs for her closeness and the love she has given him, and for the chance to return that love.

But no sooner does he begin to have those thoughts than Thordan begins taking him to task, telling him that it is impossible for him to serve both Ishgard and maintain the love he has for her.

The internal conflict shows itself on his face in spite of his efforts to appear cold and impassive. ]

Is it so difficult for you to imagine that I could? I could find that satisfaction, and could see you as that person. [ But since she has raised the question that is at the crux of the matter, he adds: ] Would you still seek to slay him, knowing what that means to me?

[shepherdtostars]

[ Her gaze softens only slightly as she watches the expression he wears shift. While she does not have the talent of reading people as he does? She has the experience and ability to read him. Alkaid had not expected him to respond much at all to her desires. In fact, she had thought he might mock her or belittle them. The conflict on his face is enough to help fan the embers of hope inside her heart. The ones that feel nurtured by undercurrent of love and strength that is certainly not her own.

After a brief moment of debating with herself, she carefully unwinds her hands to lift once more to either side of his face. The metal of her engagement ring rests against his skin as she rarely takes it off. ]

Primals feast on aether--needing more and more to sustain them. If King Thordan has been summoned as he had been before? We do not know what aetheric pulls he will draw from the people of Ishgard; from the land itself. [ Her head tilts slightly, her pink tinged bangs sweeping to the side as she does. ] If I am forced to pick between Ishgard's people and King Thordan? I would have to.

[ She could expound on the idea that there would be no peace in Ishgard if the primal and his knights continually drew from the people and its land. She could argue more that all Aymeric would truly be placing into effect would be the countless of sacrifices of people's aether to sustain the primal that insists he is the Lord Speaker's father. Perhaps even she should. Yet, she feels it would go unheard and simply brushed off. Logic does not have a place when it comes to those that are tempered.

As to his other question? Alkaid does not answer with words. Instead she places her lips on his and lets her eyes close. Words area easy to sway and phrase. Actions of the heart, however, have a way of speaking despite themselves. He might still only kiss her to meet a base expectations--which is what she truly believes he will do--but she still hopes it might still get through to him. That somehow she might keep some part of who he is alive against Thordan's will. ]

[thewayforpeace]

[ For once, Aymeric acts without a moment's hesitation. No sooner does she place her hands on both sides of his face than his eyes slide closed, and for just a moment, he pauses, relishing the feel of the offered contact.

But then she begins to speak about primals, what they do, and what she must do, and he stiffens, although he does not pull free of her hold on him. ] Why must it be a choice? Even if the people and the land itself end up in servitude to Thordan, is that not the way it should be?

[ Thordan's hold on Aymeric still exists, even though he has proven himself capable of responding to what she has given him, namely a much kinder sort of treatment than what he has received from he one he still thinks of as father. ]

Could you not come to see that what he does, he does out of necessity? [ The smallest of trembles sounds in his voice as he goes on. ] Ishgard- Ishgard must be saved, and he is the only one who can do it.

[ Never mind that the Warriors of Light and the Scions have already saved Ishgard. Thordan's snares have woven themselves so thoroughly into Aymeric's mind that he truly believes Ishgard is once again in danger, and their only salvation lies with Thordan.

He opens his mouth to continue speaking but he is silenced by Alkaid's kiss. At first, his eyes go wide, startled by the action, but before too many seconds pass, he leans into the kiss and his eyes slide closed once more.

A lightning bolt slices through his mind, a signal that Thordan is displeased by this turn of events, and that is what keeps Aymeric from deepening the kiss, even though he does not pull away. ]

[shepherdtostars]

[ There is no shortage of answers she might give him for his questions. She has already decided upon the one to give him, but, believes perusing the answer of his first questions more important at the moment. Not only because she loves him and wishes to kiss him. The kiss, in her mind, is far more than an answer to his question. It exists as a test as well. Would he kiss her back only to attempt to sell her on the notion that they might still be together under Thordan's rule? If so--then could it ever be that a part of him might be devoted to her and not his whole devoted to the God-King?

She cannot answer the questions for only he can. Yet, she must pose them in order for the thoughts to even spring into his mind. She does not expect his true self to be able to spring forth from his tempered state or even to reappear until the cure is administrated. She merely hopes that some part of that man can remain at the forefront of his mind to receive the cure.

His return of the notion is a step farther than she had expected. Still, she wishes to press the silent question and answer further. A hand slides to the side of his neck as she presses her lips further to deepen the kiss. ]

[thewayforpeace]

[ Since this all began, Thordan has had moments in which he fell silent, one of which happens to be the moment that Aymeric and Alkaid connect in that kiss. For once, all thoughts of doing Thordan's bidding and following what surely must be his will have been also silenced, and now all he can think of is the surge of emotion he felt when her lips pressed against his. It takes him a moment to recognize what this feeling is, but it cannot be mistaken for anything but love.

Of course, it is a love that he, as he presently is, did not earn, but nevertheless, the remnants of his true self have resurfaced long enough to stir up a feeling in his own heart... A feeling of returning that love and wanting to make that plain to Alkaid, even if she is a Warrior of Light and a slayer of primals. It is a strange sort of conundrum, but any bitterness and hate that he ought to feel for one who brings down primals has been drowned out by these sudden feelings of affection.

But no sooner does he let those feelings wash over him than Thordan's displeasure crashes down upon him again. It seems as though they will not be allowed to relish this moment, because Thordan has other plans. Although Aymeric's lips remain pressed against Alkaid's, he stiffens as a sharp pain in his head cuts through everything else he was thinking and feeling. If not for the chains holding his hands in place, they would have dropped to his sides as the battle between his wants and Thordan's intensifies once more.

He only wants Ishgard and her people to be safe, and he wishes to have the Warrior of Light on his side, in whatever form that might take. What's more, he wishes that he could love her, as he once did before he fell prey to Thordan's snares.

Being pulled in so many different directions and not being able to truly settle on one has not rendered him senseless, not this time. Instead, he has fallen into a troubled silence, still retaining his awareness of himself and his surroundings, but being more or less speechless.

Still, he can feel Alkaid's hand resting against his neck, and her touch is what causes him to look at her once more, as if trying to maintain their fragile connection. ]

[thewayforpeace]

[ Perhaps it seems strange, but Aymeric's mind has associated Nidhogg with further pain, and evidently that is distressing enough to cause him to cease making any actions at all. But with the lance put out of sight, the fear that temporarily gripped him subsides, and he resumes slowly eating the food that had been procured for him.

Before too long, he has finished what he was given, and aside from setting the tray down on the floor once more, Aymeric's movements cease once again.

With nothing more to do than sit there, Aymeric's eyes slowly slide closed, as exhaustion sweeps over him once more. The food certainly helped, although it will take more than one attempt at eating to restore his lost strength, and so for the moment, Aymeric remains seated with his back to the wall, half dozing but dimly aware of the man still seated across from him.

It isn't until some time has passed, perhaps a little over an hour, that a faint knock sounds from the door at the end of the hall. Aymeric fell asleep at some point during that time, and so the sound does not wholly register with him, but the hand that is resting on the floor twitches as if trying to stir its owner back to a state of wakefulness. ]

[shepherdtostars]

[ Estinien would not blame him for such a coronation. Nidhogg--the wrym--brought untold suffering even if that, in the end, Ishgard was responsible. His essence crafted into a lance would only relate to further pain, regardless if Estinien had used the weapon against Aymeric or not.

Once the meal is finished, Estinien moves the empty dishes and tray away ad to communicate he will not push Aymeric further. He is free to rest as needed. And then, once his friend has fallen into slumber, he stands and moves to the front of the cell with the lance in tow. He leans against the bars and closes his own eyes with his thoughts until the gentle knock reaches his ears. A glance is spared to Aymeric before he quietly steps from the cell and removes the chair from underneath the door handle.

Unsurprisingly, Alkaid stands at the door, now in changed attire. Her hair braided over her shoulder and dressed in simple garb he can recall seeing in Ala Mhigo. In her arms are blankets and pillows even if her gaze is tilted downwards and her ears pressed to her head. ]

I take it to mean, then, that you will not be joining the Scions on whatever mission they require? [ His voice is low as not to disturb the man sleeping in the cell. Alkaid shakes her head gently at his question. ] Good.

[ Alkaid steps into the room of cells once Estinien allows her in. The brown flat shoes she wears now hardly make a sound as she comes to stand in front of the cell until Estinien opens that door as well. Her gaze sweeps over the familiar room to note that the food Estinien brought is empty. She looks up to the dragoon to see him not to confirm her silent question. A breath of relief leaves her and she presses her hands to her eyes to stop the tears that threaten to gather.

Finally, she steps quietly into the cell and makes her way over to her betrothed. She notes he has finally drifted off to sleep and another small breath of relief leaves her. She places the pillow to the side, regardless of how dirty the floor is, and unfolds one of the blankets. Then, she carefully drapes it around him as not to disturb him. Alkaid takes her place in front of him once more and drapes the other blanket over her lap. ]

[thewayforpeace]

[ While this is going on around him, Aymeric remains asleep, unaware that Alkaid has returned to the cell. When she drapes the blanket around him, he moves to curl into it as if seeking its warmth and comfort as well.

The sleep he has managed to find is not the most restful, but at least it is something, and if nothing else, at least some of the strain on his face has faded while he sleeps.

For the time being, the primal's rage has quieted, and in his absence, Aymeric has finally fallen into a peaceful state, the closest he has come since this all began.

Still, even as he continues to sleep, a slight crease that forms in his forehead indicates that all is not well even now. His aether has ceased to move, and although Thordan has gone silent in his mind, the primal's influence is still present, an ever swirling undercurrent that could pull Aymeric away at any moment.

After a few moments, something else stirs within Aymeric's mind, and he abruptly jerks, hands moving to curl around his frame as if something is threatening the rest he has just managed to find. The crease on his forehead deepens into lines betraying his discomfort, and as he shifts against the wall, a corner of the blanket loosens and falls away from him.

Somehow, he remains asleep, but as his movements become increasingly agitated in response to whatever unseen threat is forming in his mind, the fragile hold he has on sleep lessens until finally, his eyes snap open. And for just a moment, the glow within them appears diminished and less bright as his mind tries to catch up to the sudden shift from slumber to awareness. ]

[shepherdtostars]

[ Part of her longs to sleep. She has had but a few hours here and there these last days, and certainly it shows in her emotions. Her eyes fall shut a handful of times as she waits for him to wake. However, she forces herself back awake so she may not miss when he finally rouses. She wants to be the first thing he might see. That way he sees she meant what every word she said.

What truly snaps her awake is how he shifts in his sleep. Alkaid tilts her head back to look at him properly. The crease in his forehead and increasingly agitated movements catch her attention. Her hands reach out to take his into hers, gently wrapping her digits over his wrists. Eyes slip shut as her hands come to life in green and white light. She had not finished healing his self inflicted wounds after all.

Alkaid only opens her eyes once she feels him look at her. Her head tilts back once more and a tired smile takes her face. The braid slips back over her shoulder and is crowned at the end with ribbon made of the blue on Ishgard's flag. It may not be much, and she doubts he will notice her change of attire, but she hopes the color will show she still sees Ishgard as home. ]

Hello again, my knight. [ Although, she is aware he is still not himself and thus the meaning of the constant calling him her knight may well go unnoticed. She cannot help but call him terms of endearment. ] Did you dream?

[thewayforpeace]

[ If he could but find the voice and the will to say what would have been on his mind and heart had he still been in control of himself, he would not have hesitated to tell her that she must sleep, no matter what happens to him and no matter what state he is in. But he can do no such thing, as the power of speech has long since left him, and his ability to move of his own accord has mostly departed as well.

But as his awareness returns and as he claws himself free of the dark turn his sleeping thoughts had taken, not all of himself has returned. The small signs of recognition and life that Alkaid had managed to stir up have faded once more, and nothing, not even the color of the ribbon at the end of her braid, catches his eye.

He does not resist nor pull away when she wraps her fingers around his wrists so that she might begin to heal them. But neither does he speak or react to her words or her touch. Oddly enough, the glowing in his eyes does not resume the level of brightness that it had before he fell asleep, but even without that, the look in his eyes still remains blank, as if he no longer registers even the simplest of details of the cell that is still keeping him captive.

His mind cannot quite tell where the Warrior of Light ends and when Alkaid begins, but it is as clear as it can be that she is trying to help, and so he stays still, letting her take hold of his wrists and do as she pleases.

He remains seated with his back still resting against the wall, although his brief period of slumber saw him slump down a little closer to the floor, and he has not been able to straighten back up again on his own.

Similarly, he cannot answer her question, but he certainly did dream, and although the details of it are rapidly fading, even if he could speak of it, it was decidedly not a good dream. ]

[shepherdtostars]

[ Her eyes move over him to gage a reaction of any sort to find none. That, more than anything, breaks her heart. Even if all he saw was the Warrior of Light? It had been something. Her shoulders sag and her own gaze falls back to their hands. If she had stayed, would he have been in such a state? Had she somehow used her magick to fight off Estinien and managed to stay, would he still be able to recognize her? All it feels as if once again she's failed him.

Her head tucks down to hide her expression. Although she doubts he would even notice the hurt in her eyes or how her hands gently shake. Instead, she turns her focus to his wrists. Her fingers brush along the wounds until they have sealed entirely.

Next, she moves her fingers along his forearm to try and stimulate his aether. If anything she might be able to convince his body to let her healing energies flow through him so she might know where to heal next. She can tell it has stagnated once again and she desperately tries to encourage it to move once more. ]

I'm sorry they took me away. [ Her voice is soft and part of her wonders why she must try to continue to reach out when he will not respond. ] I've told them that my place is here with you: my betrothed. They were far from keen on the idea, but...

[ What sort of wife would she be if she simply let King Thordan fully take him? ]

I saw you ate. I'm glad--it will help more than you think. [ She's certain Estinien will bring more food and water in a few hours. ] Did you wish to sleep again? I will be here while you do.

[thewayforpeace]

[ Although that brief period of rest and the food that he had eaten at Estinien's behest has helped to restore a small portion of his strength, it is certainly not enough to reverse the damage and the strain that has been inflicted upon him. And surely Alkaid's abrupt departure came as a surprise, but Aymeric's present state of unresponsiveness is not her fault. If Aymeric could speak those words to reassure her, he would without hesitation.

Still, he continues to sit there motionless once more, the only sign of movement being the slight twitch of his fingers that could simply be an involuntary reaction rather than having any particular significance.

Somehow, however, even though Aymeric remains in an inert state, barely aware of his surroundings, when Alkaid turns her attention to trying to awaken his aether again, it stirs but only briefly. It is as if his body wants to respond to her efforts so that he can finally begin to heal, but the stagnated aether is still refusing to shift.

His head dips lower then, as if indicating that he wishes only to sleep, but in the next second, it raises again, and he fixes his eyes upon hers. Even in his depleted state, one thing is clear: he still has a care for others. As Estinien had previously noted, the remnant of Aymeric that remains is still concerned with the welfare of his people, and even though Alkaid is only an honorary citizen of Ishgard by his own declaration, that concern seems to extend to her as well, at least as much as he is able. It does not seem to matter that he cannot bring to mind a recollection of who she is, either as herself or a Warrior of Light, but there is no dislodging the worry that has formed.

He cannot cause the words to come, but if she is looking, she might notice a certain expression in his eyes that is only partially obscured by the ever-present glowing: concern, of course, but also a wordless request for her to see to her own needs as well. ]

[shepherdtostars]

[ Without the words of reassurance she simply continues to blame herself. The whole of it could have been avoided if she had listened to her sister and her own heart sooner. Now, Aymeric and Ishgard are suffering for it. Some part of her feels if she can restore his aether flow and heal him, it might at least be some small way of repentance for the hurt inflicted upon him.

Her head tilts as she desperately tries to listen to the smallest hint of his aether. Estinien has certainly injured him, but, she can tell the dragoon held back. A frown forms on her face with the realization she will simply need to pick an injury and move from there. Perhaps the one that hinders his breathing? He then at least would be able to breathe and that alone would help him physically. Her hands come to a stop at his elbows as her shoulders sink further.

Alkaid finally forces her eyes upwards at him again to find him attempting to nod off once more. Her fingers gently brush along his skin to help encourage the notion if he so needs it. Then, his eyes meet hers, and the breath in her throat catches. There is no sign of recognition but instead concern, a trait as true to Aymeric as any of his bravery.

A smile is forced for his sake despite the tears threatening to form in her eyes once more. ]

I'll sleep when you do. That way, if you need me, you can find me.

[ She pulls away from him long enough to sit a little away to his side. A she places the pillow in his lap and then gently guides him to rest his head on the pillow. Once done, she once again drapes the blanket over his body. One hand rests in his hair while the other at his back. ]

When you've woken up I'll see to asking Estinien to bring us breakfast.

[thewayforpeace]

[ Somewhere deep inside him, where the memories of the people he loves still live, unspoiled by the primal's influence, Aymeric knows that the pain he feels is nothing compared to what he would feel if she were to ever leave him. And although he has seldom put such feelings into words, what he feels now pales in comparison to the feelings that come when she is far from Ishgard and from him, even though he will never begrudge her for being so far away.

Still, even in the midst of the pain that still swirls around him, something else begins to move once more, pushing against the unwanted influence that has largely kept Aymeric a captive, unable to move or speak as he wills. And beyond that, his own aether has been held hostage and subjected to the will of another. Now, though, as Alkaid attempts to read what she can from his aether, it begins to move: slowly, but gradually increasing and responding to her efforts.

Even when she moves away from him, arranging the pillow on the floor and guiding him to lie down, the currents inside him shift and move, but still not yet flowing freely.

Once she drapes the blanket over him, he shifts again, as if wishing to draw what warmth he can from the covering. The cell is not too cold, at least, but the blanket is comforting, and that seems to be what he is seeking most in this moment.

And when she rests a hand in his hair and the other at his back, he moves yet again, this time responding to her touch and pressing into it as much as he is able. He is still tempered, of course, because his aether beginning to move is not enough to sever the primal's influence, but at least it is a hopeful sign. ]

[shepherdtostars]

[ She has no plans of leaving his side or breaking off their engagement. As selfish as it might be, Alkaid clings to the hope and dream they may one day marry. That she will one day be his bride and join his house--clan for no better word--and fill his family home with life. It saw her through so many troubling nights in Doma and Norvrandt. She hoped that some part of him feels he needs it as she does... but, perhaps, she is the one who clings far too much.

Once he is settled on the pillow in her lap? She drapes more of the blanket over him. He quite obviously is in need of it more than her. Instead, she turns her attention to his back and gently rubs up and down. She can tell it is tender and bruised from the sheer force Estinien pushed into him. Aiding his back will also help his breathing. She pauses only once he presses into her hands. Then, after a moment, she returns to gently running her fingers down his back.

It is easy enough to tell when he finally drifts back to sleep. Her hand slows it's movements until she stops all together. Exhaustion is weighing down on her and her own aether runs low. All dhe can do is hope his aether will continue to try and move until she can attempt it once more.

Despite her own will, her eyes fall shut and sleep claims her. At some point she even leans forward with her head resting on the arm facing her. The Ala Mhigan weave is thick, but it will be obvious to anyone in the morning how cold the cell had become. The blankets have namely gone to the cause most wroth it in her mind: one over her legs and the other gently tucked around him.

Despite her own wishes, she feels the tears she has tried to contain slowly begin to fall. The cracks in her demeanor finally begin to show. The hand at his back raises to cover her mouth to make certain she stifles any sounds wishing to come forth. She would not disturb the rest he finally has found simply because she is breaking. Alkaid tilts her head back against the wall behind her and shuts her eyes tightly. She scolds herself inwardly again and again for breaking when he needs her to be the impenetrable Warrior of Light.

Eventually, exhaustion claims her as she silently cries herself to sleep.

Her sleep is far from comfortable, happy, or inspiring. The cold from the cell only feeds into the lonely dreams of fearful outcomes of the events. Dreams in which she has had to part from her beloved. Dreams where even after the trial had passed he was sent back to the aetheric sea, leaving her behind. Tears manage to run down her face even she sleeps as her heart feels slowly chipped away.

What pulls her from bleak dreams is not the man in her lap but the sound of armor shifting. Her ear twitches and raises towards the sound. Alkaid raises her head and gaze to the front of the cell where Estinien has entered. She blinks a few times at the light, forcing her now stiff body to sit up.

How long has it been? ]

I would wish you a well morning, but I see the night was not kind to you. [ Estinien speaks gently - for himself as it is - before turning his gaze down to Aymeric. ] He has slept through the night?

If morning is here, than yes, he has. [ Alkaid looks up tiredly at Estinien before gently rubbing Aymeric's arm. ] He'll need breakfast...

And so will you, given your unseemly state. Call for me when he wakes. I have spoken with the Chief Admiral and secured better accommodations for the pair of you.

[ Her eyes narrow in thought, but Estinien waves her questions away and returns to the hallway attached to the door. He has had to do something in which he believes under his station. That much is obvious to her. Regardless, Alkaid shakes her head and looks back down to the man in her lap. She makes sure to keep her cold hands from touching his skin as she continues to gently rub his arm before he wakes.]

[thewayforpeace]

[ While Aymeric slept, his mind began twisting and churning as though his being asleep gave the primal influence a big enough open to slip through once more and do its level best to disturb his rest.

At first, none of the turmoil that is playing itself out in his dreams shows on his face, but as his mind tries to respond to the outside stimuli going on around him, his expression shifts from one to relative calm to another suggesting some small amount of distress. His mind seems to be determined to conjure up rapid flashes of distressing images, rather than one long nightmare, but regardless, what is flashing before his mind's eye is enough to cause outward signs of trouble.

The images come in succession, each growing more distressing the longer they go on. First, he sees Ishgard in flames, the city burning to the ground. Next, he sees a a tall dragoon fighting a losing battle before he is finally cut down. And finally, he beholds a terrifying set of images of two sisters also locked in a battle they can't win that ends with them lying far too still on the ground, hands reaching out to each other in a last goodbye.

His brow creases once more, only to smooth out again once Alkaid begins to gently rub at his arm. That action interrupts the troubling images his mind has conjured up, and instead of death and loss, he just sees someone faceless and clothed in white reaching out to him. Even as he sleeps, he reaches out with one hand, as if hoping to take hold of the person in white. But try as he might, she always remains out of his reach.

But as he stirs, awareness slowly settling back in, Alkaid's touch (the real Alkaid, not the one from his dreams) brings comfort that counters the distressing things he was forced to see. Still, even with her gentle touch on his arm, he curls in on himself once again, and one single low moan escapes him even as his eyelids flicker and slowly open.

For just a moment until his mind catches up with him, he is hovering somewhere between those terrifying scenes of death and loss and those other images that made him feel completely at peace.

But as he comes back to a state of wakefulness and awareness, that feeling of being at peace fades, and he is thrust back into a state where a primal continues to claw at him on one side and on the other, a far gentler hand tries to keep him from being pulled away.

Nevertheless, it should be quite clear just who Aymeric is trying to reach for, and it is not the primal that continues to hurt him, but the people who are there with him, watching over him. It takes no small amount of effort, but he nestles himself deeper into Alkaid's lap, and one hand reaches out in the direction Estinien's voice had come from, not realizing that the dragoon has already departed for the moment. ]

[shepherdtostars]

[ Alkaid's gaze wearily raises to the hand he reaches out with as he dreams. She moves to take it within hers, but stops short as she reminds herself how cold her hands are. Aymeric needs the rest and she does not wish to be the one to make him wake due to any alarming sensations. Instead, she gently moves his arm at the elbow to return under the blanket to keep warm. His moan feels like another dagger to her heart. What sort of healer is she if he is still in such pain and discomfort? She shuts her eyes against the tears in them and gently squeezes his arm instead.

His arm moves once again and she looks to see where he might be reaching out towards as he nestles further in her lap. She looks to the bars and the realizations settles in. Estinien. While part of her is glad that he does not seem to fear the m an he would call his best friend? Part of her cannot help but wonder if it would be better if Estinien sat with him instead of her ever increasing amounts of failures.

Alkaid swallows the lump of emotions in her throat and forces her voice to sound normal. ]

Good morning. [ She can't bring herself to attach a term of endearment. Not when she feels unworthy to give them as she does. Her fingers gently move up and down in one spot on his arm where she can feel a slight tension of the muscles. ] Estinien was here not too long ago... he said he's found a better place for you to stay. Perhaps it has a real bed you might sleep in.

[ Alkaid turns her head to the door and moves her hand away from Aymeric's arm. ] Estinien!

[ A moment later the dragoon re-emerges and enters the cell. He takes in the sight of the Warrior of Light before his gaze falls back down to Aymeric. He kneels then, Nidhogg at his back, and arm draped over his knee. It is easy to see the Lord Speaker needs food and water, and a better environment. H ad he not been sure Aymeric was incapable of harming another? He would not have insisted on a room for him. ]

Well, tis plain to see the sleeping beauty finally joins us. [ An interjection of humor to help raise the spirits of the two sunken moods in the cell. He shakes his head. ] I hope you have the strength to at least partially walk, Aymeric. I will not degrade you allowing the whole of Limsa to see me carry you through the streets like a doll.

The room isn't far, is it? [ Alkaid's tone has dropped considerably to almost a whisper, lacking in its normal convictions and confidence. ] I'm not certain he can walk very far.

All he need be able to do is move his legs. I will sport the rest of his weight. [ He looks back down to Aymeric and waits for the man to look back to him. ] Come then, Aymeric. Push yourself up the most you are able.