Dragonborn - chapter 13.

Reunite

She wasn't sure when she fall asleep or how much she slept. In the past few days she was too worried to take any kind of rest. She sat by Oswald's bed, watched his suffers while her heart squeezed tigth in agitation. She saw as his body jerks out uncontrollable, as his wounds open again and again. He wasn't able to shout anymore. He fell into a kind of dream full with poisonous nightmares.

Ortensia did what she needed to do. Each time she cleaned his sweaty face and body with a cool rag, forced some sip of water into his mouth to avoid dehydration, changed his soaked bandages. In the rest of her time Ortensia sat on the bedside, her fingers softly caressed Oswald's hand and waited. She didn't dare to fall asleep. She was afraid if she close her eyes she loses the one she loves.

She woke up when she felt a gentle touch on her shoulder. Her eyes snapped open and noticed the old wizard standing by her side. For a moment she wasn't sure what happened, then she let out a scared gasp and turned back to the bed.

"He's still alive." Reassured her the wizard. Ortensia sharply exhaled.

"...thank goodness..." muttered, touching Oswald's cold fingers.

"That's already a miracle he survived this long."

"Oswald is strong. Stronger than anyone think." Answered Ortensia with love in her voice. Master Sid sadly shook his head.

"I believe you, miss Ortensia, but either his power has an end. I'm not sure if he can take it too long."

"Drake won't let this happen." She stated, keeping her eyes on Oswald's pale face "he won't let him die." She bit her lips in agitation. The wizard saw he can't argue with the woman, thus he caressed his long beard, thinking what to do. He knew how stubborn Ortensia can be, yet he saw this time she's on the verge of her power.

They weren't sure how much time has passed when they heard some people shouting outside. They both raised their heads, so they could see a dark blur dashing by the window, then the ground rumbled by its landing. Ortensia and Master Sid changed a look. Someone trotted upstaits and slammed the door open. For their surprise in the entrance Drake and Minnie gasped heavily. Ortensia jumped up with eyes wide open.

"M-Minnie... Drake..."

"A-are we in time?" Panted the mouse boy, his voice was full with worry.

"W-we brought the flower we need." Minnie pulled the herb out of her pocket. Once again the wizard and Ortensia changed a glance with each other. Then the female rushed to the youngsters, closing them into a tight embrace.

"Thanks God you're okay." Sniffed and kissed their cheeks. Drake winced by the pain in his shoulder blade and he was startled by the gesture. Both the kids were dusty and exhausted, barely stood on their feet. Minnie reached out her hand to give the medicine to Master Sid, but the wizard only stared with shock.

"This... this what you were talking about?" Rattled. Drake moved out of Ortensia's arms and nodded.

"Yes it is. This medicine can save my father's life."

"This isn't a medicine, but a deadly poison!" His harsh statement stunned the others.

"What are you talking about? This is surely a medicine!" Said back Drake "I ate this flower a plenty of time and never got poisoned."

"Because you're a dragon! You must be immune to the flower's poison, but it kills a mortal like your father!" Everyone glared upon the wizard, don't believing their ears.

"Y-you mean there is no hope?" Whimpered Ortensia, fighting with her tears "He will die?"

"I'm terribly sorry, miss Ortensia." Answered the wizard mournful. Drake clenched his fist, trembled in the whole body. That's why they went through all the danger? For nothing? The male didn't want to accept this. There must be a solution, anything! He merged his claws into his palms in agitation. He didn't know the flower is poisonous. Maybe his kind has something that make them immune to the venom? He concentrated hard, then suddenly an idea formed in his mind. In the next moment he snatched the flower out of Minnie's hand and stuffed it into his mouth.

"Drake, what are you doing?" Gasped the girl shocked. The dragon grimaced by the bitter taste as he chew the herb, then spit a green, sloppy dumpling into his hand.

"What are you manage to do?" asked Master Sid when Drake stepped closer to the bed.

"I can't just stand here and watch as my father die. At least let me try something!" Stated the male determinative, glaring into the wizard's eyes. Master Sid endured his glare, trying to find out what is in the boy's skull. He knew he can't change his mind, so he sighed and stepped aside. His idea worth one shot. There isn't anything they can lose at this point.

Drake sat onto the edge of the bed, looking down at his barely alive father. He bit his lips by the sight, with his free hand he weakly touched the soaked cheek. Then gently raised Oswald's head a little and squeezed the dumpling, dripping a few drop of the gross herb's juice into his mouth. The rabbit slightly twitched in his arm, but nothing has happened. Drake placed him back onto the pillow and stood up.

"I hope it will work..." muttered, tottering a little. Minnie immediately grabbed him not to fall. In the next moment she felt the boy's full weight leaning against her, his head knocked on her shoulder.

"Ugh D-Drake! You're heavy..." she groaned and glanced upon the boy, who was dozed off in her arms. Minnie blinked startled, then smiled and carried him to the other bed on the opposite side. Just as she settled the boy, she felt the same exhaustion and dozed off on his chest. Ortensia and Master Sid watched them, the cat even had a warm shine in her eyes, like she know something nobody else know yet.

He wasn't sure how, but the hellfire vanished from his body. There wasn't any kind of pressure in his chest. He took a deep, sharp breath and slowly opened his eyes. He didn't recognize the place even when his vision cleared. His head was heavy as a boulder, he could move it with great effort. As he looked around he noticed someone sitting on a chair, it's head and chest rested on the edge of the bed. Very weakly he reached out his only hand, touching between the tiny horns. The person let out a soft groan.

"D-Dra...ke..." by the rattle the mouse raised his head, staring down at the other wide wide eyes.

"Papa..." moaned, then crawled closer to Oswald "Oh Papa!" His arms wrapped around the rabbit's frame, embracing him tight. Oswald winced, but nuzzled into his shoulder, hugging back with one arm, tear streamed on both their faces.

"F-finally... finally... my sweet boy..." sobbed Oswald, didn't care about if anyone see them.

"I'm here Papa, I will never leave you again." Whimpered Drake. The rabbit closed his eyes, a weak yet warm smile crept across hi face. Gently caressed his soft head.

"Shhh... it's alright... Papa is here..." lulled him Oswald. They heard the door open and the two girls entered.

"Oswald..." Ortensia gasped surprised, then hurried to the bed.

"O-Ortensia...?" Oswald was embraced tightly by the female, Drake stepped behind to give place to them. Ortensia snuggled into his shoulder, her body trembled.

"Thanks goodness you're alive. We... we were so afraid..."

"H-hey, please don't cry... I'm fine." It seems the male doesn't know he almost died. Maybe this is the best for everyone, thought Drake.

"Oh you big fool!" Huffed Ortensia and leaned into a kiss. Oswald froze in startle, but slowly his heart melt in love and kissed back the female. Minnie embraced Drake's arm, watched the sweet reunion with joyful smile on their face. They went through a lot of danger, learned a lot of thing about each other and they both felt something they couldn't describe. But this was all right. Everything will be okay now.

Six months later...

Seasons has changed, slowly autumn arrived. The wind came down from the mountains, bringing chill on its back. In the kingdom the villagers were in the middle of the harvest, prepared for winter. But, as usually, everyone took a short stop in the new Aurora inn to warm their outcold body with a nice meal or drink. The innkeeper was more beautiful than before as she and her daughter served their customers. Nobody wondered when they sensed a soft thud from outside and two more person entered the inn.

"Home sweet home." Smiled the elder one, holding a large sac in his right hand. Both of them wore warm fur coat and cape, protecting them from the cold.

"Welcome home." Ortensia greeted them and kissed the taller newcomer with love. Oswald dropped the satchel and embraced his mate.

"Hey my beloved one. Good to see you again." Smiled Oswald warmly. Drake was greeted by the shy Minnie. Both of them blushed, the boy scratched his hair awkwardly.

"Ehm... I'm glad you're back." Murmured Minnie, smoothing her apron.

"S-so do I..." Drake nodded, then stepped closer to her, touched her nose with his own, hand folded on her one. He wanted to greet her better, but still he was shy and unsure how to act toward the girl. Minnie blushed and chuckled.

"And how was your hunt?" Asked Ortensia curiously. Therefore the males grinned at each other and from the satchel they picked out something really tiny. The girls raised a curious brow.

"Quails?" Wondered Minnie.

"Believe us, they're the most delicious birds ever." Told her Oswald "Noble's meal. The finest what my mate deserve in her condition." he said and knelt down to kiss Ortensia's visibly round belly. The female chuckled and caressed his head.

"Oh you... I love you so much."

"I love you more, my beloved one. You and the little one." Oswald hugged her sweetly, full with desire.

"Don't forget us!" Smirked Drake and with Minnie joined to the embrace.

"I would never forget you." Told them the hare. Things have changed in Oswald's life. He never thought once he will have a beautiful wife, a strong son, family. But this was all good. Changes are good. Even for a veteran slayer like him. This was like... a dream. And he never wanted to wake up.

The End