Healing

Walking over to the edge of the spring, I gently place Ella down on the ground, stepping back. Clicking a few buttons on my screen, I put away my battle vestments and weapons. Looking down, I watch as she struggles to get her hands around the buttons on the front of her top.

"Oscar. You're going to have to help me here." Swallowing to try to calm my nerves I kneel beside her and begin to undo the buttons and laces on her dress. Carefully removing it, I place it to the side, doing my best to avoid the smoking wreckage of her clothing. After a few moments, I remove the last piece of her upper body clothing and step back. Smiling she shakes her head.

"You'll need to remove it all Oscar. Please. I cannot do this on my own. I will need to you to carry me in." Catching the full weight of her words, the heat rises, and I feel myself getting red. Coming over I try my best to remove her clothes quickly without touching her skin fumbling over buttons and laces that I shouldn't.

"Come Oscar. We are not children here. It should not be so difficult for one man to undress a lady."

"It's been a long while since I've had to undress a woman. I'm sorry." At my apology her expression softens, and she waits patiently for me to remove the last of her clothes. Getting out of my own clothes, I carefully pick her up and walk to the edge of the springs.

"There's a set of stairs just to the left." Following Ella's instructions, I carefully feel my way down the steps, shivering a little as the heat from the spring climbs its way up my body. Finally reaching the bottom, I wade out into the middle, letting the water submerge both of us to our shoulders. Feeling a tingling sensation around me, I wonder if that is the healing springs working its magic over my tired and worn-out body. With a sigh, she leans into me, and the feeling of her head nestling into my shoulder reminds me of a better time. Trailing a hand through the water, she twists a little, turning into me more.

"This feels right. The waters here have a natural healing ability I have never seen anywhere else."

"How long will it take to heal the wounds on your back?"

"An hour or two at the most. The springs here are very effective in treating these kinds of injuries."

"I take it you've spent some time here before then."

"Once or twice over the years." Leaning back, I shift my eyeline to the trees on the edge of the spring, the heat already beginning to rise in my cheeks.

"You didn't answer the question, by the way. Why did you jump in to save me like that? There was no reason for it."

"Like I said, you know why."

"I really don't." Burying her face in my chest, I catch a slight murmur of words that I only just catch the last word of.

"…you."

"What was that?"

"You're really going to make me say it? I love you, dammit. If you honestly hadn't worked that out by now, then you are more thick-headed than I ever could have imagined." Pushing clear of me, she winces and falls beneath the water as her legs give out. I scoop her up and go back to holding her in my arms. For a moment, she pushes back against me before her strength gives out and she sags back into my arms. Looking at her wet hair, my stomach turns from the guilt running through me. How did I let it get this far? I've always been a man of conviction and made sure my cards were always on the table. How did it come to this? How did I let this happen? Steeling my resolve, I twist her around and stare deep into her eyes, seeing the fear there.

"I'm sorry, Ella. I didn't realize. I've been a fool. Blinded by my foolishness and fear. But that ends now. I love you too." Smiling, she pushes herself clear of my arms, and wrapping them around my neck, pulls my face into hers. Her lips meeting mine. Closing my eyes, I lose myself in the moment. There were no fireworks or explosions like they claim in all those old romance novels. What it really is like is a feeling of being complete. Like there's nowhere else in the world and all that exists is you and them. After what seemed like a long time, she pulls herself clear of me and, looking into my eyes, starts giggling. Finding myself laughing back for no reason, she turns around and presses her back against my chest, folding my arms around her.

"We're both foolish, I think, Oscar. What a mess we've made of this. I'm sorry for forcing your hand." Kissing the side of her neck, I lay my chin on her shoulder.

"I'm sorry you had to. I can't promise you a future. We have no idea what will happen tomorrow." Placing one hand on the side of my face, she runs it through my hair softly.

"None of us do. All we can do is live in the moment. Nothing more, nothing less. I think as long as we can agree to do that, we'll be fine."

"I think I can agree to that." Laughing, she turns and gives me another quick kiss before settling into my arms comfortably. Letting our minds wander, we stood in the springs for a long time as the time passed slowly. Finally moving my hand, I look at the wrinkles on it and chuckle to myself.

"How's your back?" Gently moving away from me, she moves to the edge and stands out of the water. Where the gashes were is now a few thin, ropey scars running down her back. Moving over to her, I run my hand down them causing her to giggle and moves away.

"That tickles, you know?" Smiling, I step forward and wrap my arms around her.

“This place still amazes me. Just when I think I'm starting to get a grip on things, something like this happens and my perspective changes." Turning towards me, she takes my hands in hers and looks me in the eye.

"Sounds like you could do with a more open mind."

"I think I've got a pretty open mind as it is. Should we think about heading back?" Moving towards the edge of the spring, she makes her way over to her clothes and removes a small amulet from inside a pocket. Walking over to the edge of the clearing, she places it on the ground and steps a few paces back and stretches her hand out towards the amulet.

"Infinitum." As the spell takes effect, the amulet grows and, in a flash of light, a small cottage appears in its place. Gathering up her clothes and mine, she gestures towards the cabin.

"You coming?" Nodding my head numbly, I follow her inside the cabin, and my jaw hits the floor. Walking inside, a wave of heat hits me from a roaring fire set in the hearth. Looking around at the small cabin with I see multiple rooms leading off the main hall.

"Even with an open mind, this would have definitely blown it. This place is amazing. " Laughing she lays our clothes down in a corner and lies down on the rug by the fire.

"As for heading back, I'm sure they can live without us until tomorrow, don't you think?" Laughing, I follow her over to the rug and, laying down next to her, fell into a kiss that removed all thoughts from my mind. Whether it was magic or just happenstance, the fire crackled a little tune as we lay on the rug together and, for the first time in a long time, I felt like I was home.