f e a r l e s s [mircea] [R]

[Elena Dracul]

he Transylvanian princess shooed some of the stable boys away as she got together the saddle and other tack for the large war horse. The black stallion was usually only used in battle, in war, but she'd felt sorry for him. So she'd chosen to ride him for her day out with Mircea. A lips curved into a smile as she thought of her husband, remembering the wondrous day they'd spent in bed, just the day before. Her cheeks warmed with a slight blush and she hummed under her breath as she prepared Philippe for their ride.

Elena wondered which horse her husband would choose to ride this day. Maybe Keska? Philippe and the other horse got along, for the most part. She let out a small laugh. Either way it would make for an interesting afternoon.

Once Philippe was ready to go, she led him out of the stables and into the courtyard. There she tied his rope to one of the posts then hurried into the manor. She had to let at least one of the housekeepers know where they were headed and for how long. She knew her husband was strong and reliable, but some things, like perhaps a pack of wolves, she knew he could not stand alone against. So if they were to be late, a group of soldiers could be sent out to look for them.

Elena had asked Mircea if on this day they could ride without bodyguards. Just the two of them, and the horses. "Magda!", she called one of the housekeepers over to her, a look of excitement on her face. The large lady made her way over, bowing her head a little before asking, "Yes milady?" Elena smiled at the title. She had let most of the servants know that they could either refer to her as princes or a lady; though she never knew if Mircea approved of this. She would have to ask him when it came to mind again. "My husband and I are going for an afternoon ride. I believe we'll be riding along the river, though I will let you know if he has other plans." The housekeeper nodded her head in understanding, then was sent back to her work.

Elene stepped out of the building again and tried to remember if there was anything else that needed doing before they were to go. Nothing came to mind, so she shrugged her elegant shoulders, tightened the fur coat around herself, made sure her gloves were on securely, then walked across the courtyard and stood beside Philippe. Now she merely had to wait for Mircea.

[Mircea Dracul II]

”Sir?” “Now’s not the time to be disturbing me.” Mircea fixed his vest, pulling the dark fabric across his torso tightly, then buttoning it. “Aye sir, Princess Elena is waiting for you in the stable grounds.” “Good.” Mircea dismissed the young woman, who nearly squeaked each time she spoke with him. So many of these damn maids would squeal and squeak when Mircea had talked to them, given them direction, such simple things that a normal maid would simply bow their heads and get along with it. Yet for some reason, not these ones. He would have to see Magda got the shifts changed. He was getting right sick of it all. It seemed, even if he was married, with the elegant ring adorning his left finger, they still were drooling every chance they got to see him dressing. Infact, he distinctly remembered one morning after his bath when a maid came in, her face flushed so boldly Mircea thought it was on fire.

That had been quite the humorous day.

With a smirk resting on his lips in thought of his recent day with Elena, Mircea finished placing his long coat on. Turning around he took his cloak from the hook on the wall and draped it about his shoulders, pulling it up close, knowing well it would be cold out. Plus, riding along the river would cast a slightly chillier breeze upon the air thanks to the water. It was best decided he dress warmly. About to leave the room he paused abruptly, patting his hips and thighs. With a frown he turned around again, heading into the large closet him and Elena shared. After digging around for a few moments he pulled forth what he was looking for, his long sword. With a smile he tucked it under his arm, the heavy steel all too familiar to this seasoned soldier.

Finally making his way from the bedchamber to the main hall Mircea took brisk steps down the corridor. A few servants came up to him, harassing him for what he needed, what they needed to do, this and that, that and this. Mircea did his best to ignore most of them, if not, he would simply tell them to clean up around the manor. There was no need to have anything special going on, yet, they always seemed eager to do something. The cook however, peeked his head out from the kitchen. ”Sir? Dinner?” “Sundown.” Mircea nodded at the man, and finally made his way down the stairs, and outside.

The cool wind bit his face harshly, then died away, his skin used to the cooler air after a moment. Placing his gloves on, then taking his sword Mircea made his way into the stables, and instead of reaching for loyal Keska, he took up Zane, the white Stallion who had too often served as his Warhorse. The beast was huge, and yet, perhaps one of the most loyal and obedient horses of them all. He was the stallion who was breeding with Sonja, Elena’s mare. IT would be interesting to see the color crosses, plus with the breeding that Zane was, and Sonja, they would make dazzling foals.

After gearing up the warhorse himself, Mircea led Zane from the stables out onto the field, where he spotted Elena, waiting by Phillippe. Releasing Zane’s reins, Mircea made his way up to his wife, catching her waist and spinning her around quickly, pressing their bodies together with a firm kiss. “Good afternoon my love.” He grinned playfully to her. “Ready for a ride?” He smiled as he turned to his white Stallion, shoving his foot in the stirrup and mounting, watching her with a playful gaze.

[Elena Dracul]

he turned toward the sound of hooves on gravel and was pleased with the sight of her husband making his way out of the stables with the white stallion Zane. He was to be the father of Sonja's foal. Elena was very excited for the birth that was to be expected in the near future. Without intending to, Elena found herself wondering, for the hundredth time that week, why she had not yet become pregnant. Perhaps their timing was off, or perhaps Elena was incapable of bearing children. That thought gave her a cold feeling. She could not stand the idea of disappointing Mircea. Perhaps he would even leave her...?

Her mind was brought to the present as her husband placed his hands on her waist and lifted her off her feet. When his lips touched her own, all thoughts of him leaving her left her mind. She returned the kiss, her hands placed gently on the front of his jacket. 'Ready for a ride?'

Elena watched as her husband got into the saddle of the strong warhorse, and found herself wondering how it was that he was hers, and hers alone. She gave Mircea a bright smile before turning to Philippe, placing her foot in the stirrup, then gracefully pulling herself into the saddle. Elena was glad for the riding dress she'd had the maids put together for her. She was permitted to sit like a man on the horse, the dress having a slit on each side. She also had to wear cotton pants beneath the dress, which she did not mind in the least; they kept her much warmer in the winter cold.

The princess turned her head to her husband, reigns clasped tightly in gloved hands, and she gave him a nod. "Yes, it has been too long since we've had the time to ride together." Her smile turned playful as she turned her head to face forward, then dug the heels of her boots into the horse's sides, spurring him into a gallop.

A melodic laugh left her lips as she and Philippe ran over the castle grounds, then through the gate and down the pathway toward the village. Keeping a firm grip on the reigns, Elena turned in her saddle, checking to see whether she'd left her husband behind, or if he was in hot pursuit. He would most likely make her pay for this later, and Elena found herself laughing as she imagined what form of 'punishment' he would use on her.

[Mircea Dracul II]

Before Mircea even had time to think Elena was already galloping down the Castle grounds. Zane jumped as the two took off, his ears pinning to the back of his head in surprise. Mircea laughed, jamming his heels into the Stallion’s side. The beast snorted loudly, and pushed his body forward in a spur from a standing still, to a gallop. It didn’t take the Andalusian stallion long before he was behind Philippe and Elena. His powerful strides and height made him a beast of power and speed, if not sheer intimidation alone. As Zane sped forward, pushing his body to meet up with the black stallion Philippe, Mircea grinned at his wife, her smile melodious and pleasant on his ears.

He loved hearing her laugh. Infact, he loved hearing her speak, hearing her moan as he kissed her and made love to her, hearing her giggles and her laughter. Yet, her laughter was perhaps the most powerful of all. She was so jovial, so bright, it lifted his heart when she did. He wished he could capture such a sound, but for now, he would enjoy just hearing her laugh in joy as their horses raced down the bridge, across the land, and into the woods that surrounded the Transylvanian Castle.

The forest was so pristine at this time of the year. Even though the tree’s were bare, only some evergreens still keeping some colour on the earth, it gave a sort of beauty, if not, rare, morbid one to the earth. The tree’s sleeping, lifelessly underneath the winter sky. Mircea glanced upwards as his horse sped onward, following Elena. It was such a bland shade of grey, threatening to fall apart in cold clouds of snow. Mircea sighed, turning his gaze back down to look at his wife, riding on her horse. She was a pure vision of elegance, even though she didn’t ride side saddle. In honesty, Mircea was glad she didn’t, it made her all the more attractive in his eyes when she wasn’t afraid to do things uncommon or uncouth for a lady of her status. It made her that much more desirable.

Speaking of, she was going to be in for it when they got home later, for taking off on him like that. With a devilish grin he thought of how he could tease her, torture her and punish her for it. So many devious ideas came into his head that he had to take a deep breath of winter air to calm his blood. As he did, he managed to inhale something else, the first flecks of snow, falling down like soft wisps. It wasn’t heavy, in fact, it was so very light Mircea barely noticed, but he smiled as he saw them collecting slowly upon his coat. Snow…finally. Meant that their ride would be short, though that was no problem, the fire would be raging and warm in their bedchamber when they got home…plus, they could heat each other up.

Kicking Zane faster Mircea raced past Elena, calling out to her as he did. “You’re in trouble when we get home.” He laughed at her, a devious grin on his face as he kicked Zane again, the horse taking strong strides to pull forward, racing around a turn in the woods. It didn’t last long however…Zane was pulled to a hard stop as Mircea rounded the thick grove of pine tree’s and came face to face with a group of bandits, sitting on the road, toothy grins on their faces as they stared him down.

[Elena Dracul]

lena caught sight of her husband and his fierce warhorse Zane quickly catching up to them. She spurred Philippe, quickening his pace, but he was considerably older than Zane, and by the time they'd made it past the village and into the thick forests, Mircea was right behind her. Another bout of joyous laugher flew out behind her as she followed the path, trying to outrun her husband. Her long brown hair and fur cloak flew out behind her, the chilly air slipping through her dress. Elena's skin was already chilled, and she was glad for the pants protecting her legs. This chase was far too amusing for her to go back and change into warmer clothes.

Besides, they wouldn't be out for very long. Most likely they would be back at the manor before sunset. Elena wondered what the cook would have prepared for them this day. More than the dinner however, she looked forward to her time alone with Mircea in their bedroom. Her cheeks flushed red, warming her a little, and she let out a sound close to a giggle. When it came to her husband she acted like a girl who'd barely made it into womanhood.

She shook her head in awe, then simply smiled. They both acted like newlyweds, and she loved it. Early in their marriage she'd constantly worried that he would grow bored of her and stray to other women. No such thing had happened. She loved the man so dearly; if he were to stray...she could not even imagine the pain she would have to bear.

Mircea startled her out of her dark thoughts as he galloped past her, 'You’re in trouble when we get home.' The princes couldn't help but let out yet another delighted laugh before lowering her body closer to Philippe's back and urging him to run faster. Elena watched as Mircea sped past a bend, and hurried her horse to keep up with Zane.

The sight that encountered her gave her only seconds to make a decision and react. Elena kept Philippe's pace the same, although the horse had tensed and wished to stop. She slowed down a little as she approached Mircea, then rode past him. Elena jerked the great war horse's reigns and leaned back. The frightened stallion brought his front hooves off the ground, his neigh echoing through the woods. She would not let them hurt Mircea.

The bandits were caught off guard, having never expected such a bold move from a Transylvanian lady. They soon recovered however, pulling close together into a group once more after having been scattered by the hooves of the large war horse. They had their weapons ready, approaching the couple.

Her breath was forced out of her as Philippe brought his hooves back down onto the hard ground. She had to keep her hold on him tight, keeping him from bolting. Elena knew that she would have to jump from his back and run back to Mircea if he were to run. So Philippe was let to prance nervously on the spot as Elena turned her head to look at Mircea. He was her husband and a warrior, he had to know what to do.

[Mircea Dracul II]

Before Mircea could react, before he could even stop his wife from moving forward any further she was pushing Philippe past him and Zane, at the same pace, to startle the bandits. Shockingly, they were fooled, for they all scattered, only to stumble on one another. It gave Mircea time to draw his sword, the sliding sound of steel on steel obvious as he tapped Zane forward, the horse taking pounding cantering moves forward, spooking a few bandits. Without warning he leaned over, his sword’s broad side slapping Philippe’s rump, spooking the horse to get moving. The last thing Mircea wanted was Elena in danger, no matter what the cost, even if it was down to his own life. He had yelled for her to run as he pushed Zane forward, the horse snorting loudly, tucking his large neck in and rearing up, kicking his legs out at the bandits as Mircea slid from his back.

He took one glance back to make sure his wife and her horse had gone, knowing well that the old timer war horse wouldn’t like being slapped on the rump with a sword, even if it was the flat side. Pleased to see that she was probably struggling somewhere down the path with the horse he turned to the bandits, one which was trying to avoid being toppled and trampled by Zane. Mircea on the other hand, didn’t hesitate to move forward briskly, his sword swinging hard into one of the Bandits arms. The man screamed, having been distracted by the giant of a warhorse that was throwing his forelegs around and biting. Mircea moved forward again, kicking the man he’d just cut down in the gut, sending him tumbling. Deflecting some blows from another bandit Mircea managed to dispatch that one completely, his sword swiping across the man’s throat, spraying a crimson shower onto Mircea’s coat as he tucked out of the way mostly, aiming his weapon for another bandit.

This bandit was a bit quicker, coming at Mircea with two daggers. Mircea avoided one aimed for his head, the other however, caught his stomach, ripping into his vest and shirt and tearing across his skin. Mircea growled, ignoring if Elena had come back or not, he had a partner fighting with him, be it a giant warhorse or not. The horse however, was not as fortunate as Mircea had hoped, for while Zane promptly hoofed one man in the face, he received a cut to his flank, enough to have him whinny loud and kick out again, taking one man down, sending him toppling down into the ravine. Mircea didn’t pause to look at Zane, but kept moving, his body in pain, but still going back on it’s muscle memory of a fighter, he cut down another bandit, killing him with a stab to the stomach, and the last one, who was injured by his arm scrambled up, and went running down the road. Mircea stood panting, sword still at the ready, that was until he let it drop, and turned to look for his wife.

Ignoring the bodies, he knelt to the ground, his arm clasping around his stomach, his face contorted in pain. Zane on the other hand was limping, keeping his leg up and applying little pressure on it, the horse however moved closer to Mircea, leaning his head down to rest along side his master, knowing well the smell of blood, and it wasn’t often Mircea was on the ground, or at least, kneeling on it.

[Elena Dracul]

he was about to lean to one side and pull out the long dagger she'd hidden there when suddenly Phillipe surged forward. Elena reached up and gripped onto the saddle to keep from falling off. Once she'd regained her balance, the princess attempted to calm the large warhorse. She had no sucess and she took a quick look over her shoulder, trying to discern her husband's figure from all the others. She felt tears sting her eyes as the warhorse's long legs took them away from Mircea and the bandits. The horse suddenly took a turn, breathing through into a ticker part of the forest. Elena gasped as a thorn cut across her cheek, and she frowned. Her brows pulled together and she tried to control the horse with renewed strength.

Her arms felt on fire, and her cheek stung, but finally Elena had slowed Philippe to a canter. Once she'd regained full control she turned the horse around and urged him into a gallop, back in the direction they'd come from. Her thoughts had cooled and she found that she could think more clearly. Philippe wasn't one easy to bolt. Elena was sure that her husband had something to do with the horse bolting. As she thought deeper on the matter, she seemed to remember Mircea yelling for her to run. Damn the man!

Elena spurred the horse, forcing him to a faster speed. Philippe could rest once she'd made sure Mircea was alive and well.

Finally they made it to the place where they'd been attacked by the bandits, Elena skillfully having followed the horse's large hoof prints int the dirty. And she'd made it just in time, for large snowflakes were making their way down, settling on the ground. Within minutes Philippe's hooves would have been hard to discern. She slowed the horse to a canter, large brown eyes taking in the fallen bodies of the bandits before settling on Mircea's form. Elena slid out of the saddle while the horse was still moving, almost stumbling as she hurried over to her husband, "Mircea!" She hoped that he was merely kneeling out of exhaustion and not out of pain. Quickly she went to her knees in front of him, not giving a damn about the expensive dress being torn and muddied on the cold ground. Dark brown eyes went from his face down to the hand clutching his stomach, and she had to fight the urge to groan or cry out in panic. With gentle fingers Elena pulled his hand back, trying to see the damage through his vest and shirt. There was enough blood for her to worry over infection and fever, but she could not yet worry over his dying.

Elena took a deep breath and tried to think. She tore her eyes from the wound and looked around. The snow was falling heavily now, thick enough that it was hard to see the horses through it. "Love, we have to find some shelter. Do you think you're able to climb onto Philippe's back?" She'd noticed Zane limping as she'd been running to Mircea. A strong wind sent the snow flying around them in flurries and the princess shivered. There was no way they could find their way back home in this. "We need to find shelter...." She hoped her husband knew of someplace nearby where they could rest, and Elena raked her mind for the names and appearance of the herbs her maids had taught her about when she was in her early teens.

[Mircea Dracul II]

Taking a strong, deep breath as snow began to fall around him, Mircea reached his free hand up, brushing it along his warhorses’ head. Zane kept his head down, his eyes closing as he took another limping step towards his master. Mircea on the other hand turned to the sound of a horse approaching, and as he looked up, just in time to see Elena kneeling before him, her worried voice as she called his name ringing in his ears like the cry of a lost lover. The snow around them was nearly whiting out the entire forest, the horses, especially Zane was nearly impossible to see even as close as he was. Mircea turned his eyes to Elena as she spoke, and even when she moved his hand he covered it back up as soon as he could, not wanting her to see the damage, knowing well it would worry her.

“We won’t make it home, and I can’t make it on the horse.” Mircea’s voice was gentile. Yet the idea of shelter was a good one. Mircea looked down the white out road, and tried to gauge, by looking at what tree’s he could see, if he could see the stone marker that was down aways. The stone was chipped by travelers on this road, and refined by Mircea a few years ago to be a marker towards a cave that was nearby. While it usually housed bats, especially deep down in the bowels of the cave, the first fifty feet in were packed dirt and stone, and it was usually uninhabited. Struggling to attempt a standing position, Mircea leaned against Zane, still holding his stomach. “Down the road…there’s a cave down there. I know where it is if I can find the stone marker..” He took a deep breath, glancing down to his feet before looking into his wife’s eyes. His free, unbloody hand reached up, brushing along her cheek a moment. “Come on, I can make it.”

Reaching to take her hand and give it a gentile squeeze he moved towards Zane, removing the hand holding his stomach and gripping the horses’ saddle. The white warhorse turned his head, looking at Mircea. With a gentile tap on the horses withers, the stallion began walking, his limp causing him to be slow enough for Mircea to handle. Mounted, while they could get there quicker, would cause too much pain for Mircea to handle, as well as too much abrasion to the wound that was already across his stomach. Either way, Mircea would make it, because he had set his mind to make it, and there was no way he was going to let that go.

The road was long, because of the pace they took, but it didn’t take long before Mircea spotted the too familiar pillar of stone that was standing beside a tree. Turning around, he glanced across a small span of woods, and sure enough, saw the entrance to the cave, nearly lost in the snow. “There!” Mircea pointed it out, and reached over to put his arm gently around Elena, pulling her closer to him, yet not pressing her against him. The last thing he wanted on her dress was his blood. “Come on.” He held Elena as he began the walk through the forest towards the cave, knowing well that it could be treacherous, and he didn’t want her getting tripped up by anything. Thankfully, even with Zane’s limp the horse made it, and Mircea was even able to get the horse into the larger part of the cave’s open mouth. Turning to Elena he took her hand, and pulled her after him.

Inside the cave Mircea sat down, leaning against the rock wall as he eyed Zane. The horse stood, his leg still partly lifted, and turned his head to his master. In silent communication, the horse began limping towards him, using the dirt, rather than stone as his walkway. Once the horse was close enough, he took a few moments, but lay himself down, guarding his injured leg, and leaving it exposed, instead of the one he sat on. Mircea himself leaned his body back, and eventually, lay himself down completely on the floor, wincing as his stomach argued the motion. “Elena…” Mircea looked to her, reaching his hand out to her. “..I’m sorry.”

This wasn’t the ride he was hoping for. He wanted to take her for a ride through the woods, experience the onset of winter, and go back home to their bedroom, and to each other’s arms with the heat from a fireplace licking their skin. Instead, he was injured, she was cold, and they were in a cave while a snowstorm leered outside, blocking them in like a thick curtain. The only heat they would have was each other, unless they were able to find remnants of firewood probably left in the cave, or near the mouth of the cave, to start a small fire themselves.

[Elena Dracul]

ircea. He was all that mattered in this situation. Elena brought her eyes back to his face as he spoke, and she felt hope rise in her chest. If they could just get out of the cold she could take a closer look at his wound. Arnica! The yellow flower was native to this region, and she'd caught sight of it a few times during the warmer seasons. Would there be any left?

Elana put an arm around Mircea's waist as he pushed himself to his feet, wincing at the thought of how much pain he was in. She simply couldn't bare knowing he was hurt. So her decision was made. Once they'd found shelter, she would make sure he was safe and warm, then she would go out and search for the Arnica until nightfall.

Her head tilted up and she tried to study the sky, tried to see how many hours of daylight she had left. It was hard to tell with the constantly falling snow, and the sun being shrouded in dark clouds. About an hour, that is all the time she was given. Elena sighed and quickly lowered her head, watching where she was stepping. It wouldn't do them any good if she were to fall and twist her ankle, or much worse, break it.

Elena had unconsciously taken Philippe's reigns when they'd started moving, and she led the tired horse along behind them as they made their way through the forest. She dearly hoped Mircea's sense of direction wasn't too hindered by the snow. 'There!' She followed his gaze and sighed in relief when she saw the cave's entrance. Elena stayed close to her husband as they made their way toward the cave, pressing close but not too close, she didn't want to bring him more pain than he was already in.

The horses were led inside, then Mircea, then herself. She scanned the woods around them, trying to catch sight of any danger, then quickly hurried inside and out of the snow. The large snowflakes had clung to their hair and clothes, and now that they were in a slightly warmer place they melted. Her cloak was soon soaked, along with her long brown hair. She watched Mircea sit, soon accompanied by the wounded Zane. Elena would need to find more of the herb than she'd bargained for. But first she had to make sure he was warm. Without hesitation she went to Philippe, took off his saddle, then the thick blanket they'd used to keep the tough leather from digging into the horse's back. She strode to Mircea and laid the blanket on him, covering him from foot to chest. The princess then went and did the same with Zane, draping the second blanket over her husband. She sighed and knelt by him, "Don't apologize for anything, love." Elena placed a hand to his cheek then leaned in and gave him a kiss.

Then before she could change her mind, Elana pulled up the hood of her cloak, shrouding her face in shadows, "Do not move from this spot. I will be back." She turned on her heel and walked out of the cave before he could stand and go after her. The sooner she began her search the sooner she could help her husband get well.

~*~*~*~*~*~

Something around a half hour passed before Elena returned. Her cheeks and hands had gone red from the cold, and her slight frame shuddered, the chill having sunk in to her bones. With jerky movements she shook the snow out of her cloak and moved deeper into the cave. The princess had found the Arnica, or she wouldn't have returned so quickly.

[Mircea Dracul II]

She kissed him, and her lips were warm on his own, even if they both were cold. After she left, Mircea could only sigh, looking around for a long while and getting used to the dark. Finally, he fought the urge to remain laying down and he rolled over, pushing his body into a crawling position before he stood up, carefully. Once up, he moved around slowly in the mouth of the cave, and managed to find a few un dampened branches. They weren’t ridiculously thick, and they wouldn’t keep a fire for too long, but if he could get one started, he could find more wood…or something. Or the snow would stop and they could get home. He gathered what wood he could and he threw it in a space of dirt between two rocks, and while looking, managed to find one log. Pleased with it’s thickness he drug it over to his pile, and sat down.

It took him at least ten minuets before he had a spark, and once it was, he had some twigs lit. In fear of them blowing out, he took some of his shirt, now ripped, and pulled it off his body, uncaring of the hole it now left and how it left his stomach exposed. The blood was already coagulating, attempting to seal the wound, but there were still some trickles moving down his skin, and feeling them starting to cool felt odd. Either way, he took the shirt and let the flickering flame catch it, and quickly moving it underneath the other logs and twigs, he remained there, watching and blowing the fire to life.

It was small, but it was heat, and that he knew. With a sigh he leaned against the rock that was nearby, then groaning he stood again, finding the blankets Elena had been so kind to cover him with and placing them back on his legs, now at least ten feet away from his original position. Philippe was laying near Zane, who was now sleeping, his head hanging loosely against his chest and legs. Mircea on the other hand, closed his eyes, feeling the heat from the fire begin to warm him. It was slow, but it was a start.

He heard footsteps, and opened his eyes, unsure of how much time had passed, but he stirred awake from the small nap he just took. He tried to sit up seeing Elena, but his stomach angrily protested, and he winced, laying his head back down. He reached one hand up however, looking for Elena to come to him. Seeing her move, he took her frozen hand and pulled her towards him, hoping to get her to lay beside him, or sit, where the fire was only two feet away, and hot enough to keep Mircea warm, warm enough that he had pushed a blanket off during his nap. “Your freezing. Foolish woman why did you go out there.” He smiled however, reaching his hand up to brush along her cheek, glad that she was back. He did shift however, moving his feet aside so she could move closer to him and the fire. “Sit here…you’ll warm up.”