Chapter 37 – EPILOGUE

Do You Still Love Me

There was something about this warm late spring morning. Something inexplicably wonderful. It had her feeling both elated and apprehensive at the same time. Having readied Ocel for his morning stroll with Gwen and seen them off the premises, she quickly checked on Khadgar. He was still sleeping soundly, so she continued to potter about doing her morning chores.

Quite why she took such fierce pride in what she was doing she did not know, but she was driven by some unknown force to have everything just perfect. She even went into the garden and collected some flowers to put in vases and dotted them about the house - their colours and fragrances brightening the rooms.

She found herself in the kitchen, making chicken noodle soup and baking cookies. She laughed lightly to herself. It was as if she was a puppet, being made to do all these things, yet not against her will. She was thoroughly enjoying it. Once the cookies were out the oven, she put the soup to a simmer then went through to check on Khadgar again.

As during the days before, she used her healing to work on his wound again. It was almost completely healed, his skin having knitted together and forming the scar which would serve as the reminder of his injury. It would no doubt ache though when he woke - if he woke soon. Other bruises, cuts and grazes were practically gone, only very subtle signs of any damage having occurred.

As she settled in the armchair near the window, she stared at his face. Did she like the beard? No, she didn't. That task however, would have to wait until he was conscious again. She smirked. It was something she had never done before; she was actually looking forward to shaving him. More than ever, she wanted this man to be real. To be Khadgar. It had to be him. Why did she she still harbour doubts? Fear? Shielding herself against more potential heartache? She yawned. She felt drowsy suddenly. Perhaps using her magic so often drained her a little more than normal? She pulled her legs up under her and covered herself with a blanket. Illidan had been so adamant that this was indeed Khadgar. In truth, she had no reason to doubt his word. He had proved to be a loyal friend to both of them, time and again. Yet still ...

"Ugh!"

Her eyes sprang open. She must have dozed off. She shivered a little, the breeze sweeping in through the open window and carrying the delicate voiles over her and the chair. As the soft drapes floated back to the window, her breath caught in her throat. Steel eyes were looking at her intently. She watched, unblinking as he stared at her. Her heart pounded loudly in her ears. This was the moment she had waited for, pleaded for, wished for and feared. His gaze went from one of love and warmth to hurt and shame within seconds.

Then he spoke. "I - I'm sorry, Sarah," he managed, breathless. His voice was strained through lack of use over the past two weeks. "I didn't mean the things I said. I ..." His face was riddled with guilt.

Nervously, she unfurled the blanket from her legs. It seemed like the distance between the chair and the bed stretched out with each step she made. She blinked rapidly, the action causing her eyes to water and nip, but the bed at least was nearer. The man who lay in front of her turned away. Her heart sank.

A little uncertain, she gingerly sat on the edge. "Khadgar?" she whispered. He did not respond. She was trembling all over, but it was now or never. "Khadgar." Her voice was slightly stronger. She reached out. Her eyes were fixed on her fingertips as they closed the distance to his face.

As she made contact with his chin she inhaled sharply. Slowly she breathed out, relieved. He did not vanish, he was still there - and he felt very real. She gently turned him to face her. This man looked so like her Khadgar. "You have been through much," she said, her voice soft like a summer breeze. "Do not punish yourself for things that were outwith your control."

Her eyes were drawn first to his Adam's apple as he swallowed, then his eyes which expressed amazement at her compassion. His voice was hoarse."I said some - harsh things, which I can never retract."

She hushed him, placing her forefinger on his lips. Everything was alright now. Everything was crystal clear. "You and me both," she said quietly. "I reacted sharply to what you said, and I'm sorry too. But I know now it was the influence of the Void. You were not alone, Khadgar, many others experienced the same torment. It was a heavy shroud of fear and uncertainty that made us say and do what we did. It was not us. Never us."

He lifted his hand, attempting to stroke her cheek, but pain in his shoulder caused him to wince and lower his arm rather heavily. Her eyes fixed on his as she watched him studying her face. Her fingers neared his cheek, then she hesitated once more, uncertain. Slowly, her fingertips moved forward again but they moved down and touched his mouth. She was still trembling.

What are you thinking my love? She smiled as she heard his thoughts. Do you forgive me, I wonder. Do you still love me?

In response to his unspoken questions, she leaned down and her mouth covered his. Within that kiss, she made sure he received the answers he sought. Forgiveness, understanding, relief, joy and the deepest of love poured from her through that kiss.

A few moments later she pulled away. His eyes were darker. She smiled. She knew that look. "Sleep. I will be here when you wake," she whispered, gently tracing her fingers over his eyes. He still needed to heal fully. Now she had the reassurance she needed.

Archmage Khadgar was back.

A/N - Here ends the third book in the series of the Sarah & Khadgar Chronicles. Thank you all so much for joining me on this little venture, I hope you found it enjoyable.

Now, if you wish to find out how tough it was for Archmage Khadgar to survive as a raven during all those days, then please feel free to read my next story... A Raven's Tale, which I shall start uploading sometime this week.