~Aldith POV~

-I awoke to the sound of something metal clattering to the floor.

"Eliech!"*

"Be quiet. The lady Aldith is still sleeping."

"What happened to her anyway?"

"Have you not heard? Orcs were traveling through the borders of our land. It just so happened that Aldith and Haldin were there. They fought off many Orcs, and Aldith was challenged with the captain, a huge Orc. He stabbed her. A terrible wound, it was. Haldin killed the Orc and brought her back here. She's slept for days, recovering."

It all came back to me now. I opened my eyes. Farim and Baril, two of our youngest recruits, were standing not ten feet away from me. They noticed I had awoken. Blushing, they turned and left the room. But not before giving me some awkward glances. I bit my lip to keep from laughing.

I sat up. My head pounded. I probably shouldn't have done that. Feeling quite dizzy, I rested back against the pillow. I noticed my shoulder was feeling much better, though it still burned. I heard someone entering the room.

It was Haldin.

"Aldith!" He cried.
He ran to my side as fast as he could. His usually grim face was filled with joy. Tears sprang in his eyes. He pulled me into a tight hug. My shoulder protested. I cried out.

"Aldith, I'm sorry!"

"I'm fine, Haldin." I grimaced.

"No, you're not. You're recovering. I shouldn't have done that."

"You did what I would have done."
I replied.

Haldin looked troubled. He opened his mouth to speak, but quickly shut it again.

"What is the matter?" I asked.

"Nothing. Nothing at all." He said.

"Haldin, you're lying. What is wrong?"

"Aldith, nothing is wrong." His voice cracked.

"Honestly, Haldin, what is it?"

Haldin muttered something unintelligible.

"Wyndmere has returned. A scout said he saw a grey stallion heading north. Two of our men went after him. They eventually caught up to him and brought him home." Haldin's eyes were like closed shutters. This was not what he was going to say.

"That's.. Great news. Ranulf will be glad of his company again." I replied.
Maybe Haldin would tell me later.

"Haldin?" Someone called.

Beredon entered the room.

"Excuse me." Haldin said. Amusement shone in his eyes as he left my bedside. He and Beredon exchanged some awkward glances before he left. I wondered what was going on.

"Look who finally woke up."
He teased.

I shot him a warning glance.
He only laughed and ran to my bedside.

"Welcome back." He said.

He hugged me lightly, not wanting to hurt my shoulder.

"How is your shoulder feeling?" He asked.

"It still aches. But it's much better."

He kept glancing at it. I wondered why. I looked and noticed the bandages must have fallen off. My shoulder was a sickly grey color, and the wound was still very noticeable. I looked away, feeling rather sick.

"Are you alright?" He asked again.

"Yes. I think so." I paused for a moment.

"Why does it look like that?" I asked.

"The blade punctured very deep. It will heal up.. eventually." He answered. His gaze met mine. There was an unreadable expression on his face. He almost looked sad.

"Why is everyone acting so strange?" I asked.

He looked away.

"The blade you were stabbed with..." He started.

"What about it?"

"It had strange runes engraved on it. Haldin has been studying it. He perceived it to be a poisoned blade."

"Yes, I knew that already."

"He fears worse things will come of it. He thinks a dark spell lays on the blade."

"That's impossible." My voice cracked. Was it?

We were silent for quite some time. Beredon broke the silence.

"You had better get some rest." He said softly.

"Beredon, I've been resting for days. I.."

"Please, Aldith. You need rest. Haldin's orders." He replied.

I gave in. I was feeling rather tired.

"Thank you for visiting with me, Beredon." I said.

"Anytime." He answered softly.
He got up and left.
I laid back down and yawned.
A dark spell... the thought ran through my head over and over until at last I fell asleep.-

A/N
Thank you so much for reading! I hope you enjoyed this chapter. I know it was rather boring but I enjoyed writing it all the same.~

*Eliech: Curses!