A few minutes passed and Hazel slept the moment Arzaan left to get changed. He stood at the foot of the bed watching not able to understand how she could sleep the moment he was gone. He didn't take that long but she was already asleep. Did his presence bother her? He asked himself but did not know how to answer that.
He hadn't done anything that could make her feel uncomfortable, they only spoke and he answered a few of her questions. She had always been very guarded around him and spoke more freely with Idril, he should be mad but he could get mad at her. She needed someone she could talk to if she didn't find it fitting to talk to him. The only problem was that Idril was more busy than he appeared to be.
Being a high elf and the elven lord, his responsibilities were many. The elves were in charge of many things in the realm which means Idril was in charge of many. And there was also the problem with the dark elves with Duran and their life and counterpart of Idril. He was as powerful as Idril was and could do so much damage to the elves and the realm which Idril had to watch out for.
Being around Hazel all the time or vice versa, would only distract him and make her prone to danger. It was already dangerous enough that she was the only human in the realm and everyone had their eyes on her with many hating her without a reason but wouldn't dare to speak openly.
The thought of people hating led to his biggest in the butt, Drabor. The Elder Fire Dragon. Everyone saw him as a leader and respected his age. His words against Hazel would stir a lot of trouble and cause many to despise her even more. If he learns of Hazel being a mage…
He shook his head, sighed, and pushed all of those thoughts out of his mind. He needed some sleep too. Days had passed since he had a decent sleep. Every other thing could be handled after a good night's rest.
Joining her in the bed, he stared at her face, she was so peaceful and defenseless like this. He stretched his hand to touch her and a small growl appeared making his hand pause and drop back to his side. He felt an ache in his heart. He thought that they had bonded, even if it was just a little, but this subconscious reaction from her crushed all of that.
Why would she let him stay if she didn't even want him to hear her? He asked himself.
He was about to get off the bed and leave when she stirred in her sleep and mumbled some incoherent words, a bigger frown appeared on her face, and droplets of sweat started to form on her forehead. He stopped and stared at her. Was she frowning earlier as a result of the dream or a subconscious reaction to him?
Her lips moved again and this time he was able to read her lips, "No, don't go," were the words she mouthed. Making him wonder who it was she was saying that to. What was she dreaming about?
Seeing her sweat I creased, he stopped thinking and held her, hugging her. "It is alright, Hazel," he whispered, gently caressing her back. He felt her body relaxed in his arms and her frown easing up.
He didn't know what she dreamt about but it didn't look like it was good. Had she always had such dreams while she slept? He asked himself. Taking a few strands of her hair between his fingers, feeling how soft it was, he brought it to his nose and sniffed her scent from it. "What is bothering you, Hazel?" he asked out loud.
Without letting her go, he lay in his arms hoping he would stop the bad dreams and shut his eyes to sleep as well. They back open when she wrapped her arms around his waist and adjusted her head on his chest l, seeking warmth from his body. He smiled and shut his eyes again.
The moment he shut his eyes he received a message that was transmitted to him by Idril telling him that he was in the throne room waiting to meet with him. He frowned because he thought Idril was long gone. He could ignore him and sleep but for him to have been around for so long and this late, it only meant that whatever he wanted to say was important and he probably didn't want anyone else to know about what it was.
"I will be back soon," he said and kissed her forehead before leaving the room and heading for the throne room. If what Idrul had to say was not important then he was sure to at least leave a punch on him to remember not to disturb him again next time.
He arrived at the throne and found Idril standing there with his station g at the door as he waited for him. "What is so important that I cannot wait?" Arzaan asked. He was annoyed though he knew it must be important.
"Duran was at the Dark Lands," he said going straight to the point. He too didn't have time to waste beating around the bush. As much as he would love to tease Arzaan on how upset he was because his time with his make was disturbed, there were more pressing matters to be discussed and his people needed him now.
"When?" he asked. His tone suddenly became serious and his expression hardened.
"Before you sealed up the cracks," he replied and walked towards the large windows overlooking the part of the land they were talking about. "He was the one who t broke the seals and somehow, I was unable to sense it," he frowned, having to say that out loud. He was still wondering how that was possible. Duran had done a lot of things without his knowledge, just like he couldn't do anything major such as breaking or sealing the darkness with Duran knowing.
"You were distracted?" Arzaan asked, standing beside his friend as they both stared far ahead of them.
"That is not it," Idril replied, "There is something, I just don't know what it is," there had to be, he felt it but it was foreign, he was unable to recognize it.
"Was he thereafter I sealed the cracks?" Arzaan asked because he felt someone present the moment he turned around to leave but he was not able to tell who it was.
"Yes, but he was not alone," Idril replied, these, he was very sure of it. "There was something with him. Something dark, not very powerful but it escaped from the cracks,"
"It means I was there a minute too late," Arzaan and Idril turned to look at him. "Had I been earlier, he wouldn't have been able to unseal the seal of darkness,"
"You sound like you are blaming yourself," Idril said and Arzaan nodded,
"I am," he said. This was not the time for such things to be happening, yet he allowed such to happen.
"What about me? I wasn't able to sense him, it still puzzles me. How?" Idril said.
"Do you know where he is now?"
"In the mountains not too far from the light river," Idril replied.
"Have Olivia keep an eye on him, he is still within her reach," Arzaan said and Idril nodded once and paused for a moment.
"She will attack him the moment she finds him near her river," Idril said. That Naiad wasn't the calmest being in Arcadia despite her soft features, she was a killer too. And a very stubborn one at that.
"Then you should hurry, we do not want any clash between them, she can fend him off, but if something from the Underlands is with him, we don't know if she would be able to survive, we can't lose her,"
"I will take my leave, something is going on in territory that needs my attention," he said. Arzaan nodded and stepped away from him. A light circle appeared under his feet and faded along with him.