"Will she be pleased?" Arthur whispered as he clutched the withering flowers to his small chest, his large eyes looking towards Alexander.

Before Alexander could answer the child, little Duncan spoke.

"Aye, her ladyship will be pleased, she is verra kind." He gave Alexander a toothy grin, satisfied with his answer.

Arthur nodded his head in agreement, as if just now realizing the fact. Fixing his hair, he puffed out his small chest, before giving the door a firm knock.

Alexander merely chuckled at their antics, too amused to say much. He only hoped his ladyship would also find humor in the situation.

Three days.

Three days the castle was deadly quiet, it's occupants afraid to make a single noise, other than pray. He wasn't sure if it was only him, or everyone else as well, but he felt agitated. Things which would amuse him instantly, had him gritting his teeth. And he knew, if Tristan learned of their behavior, he would be beyond furious. A sight Alexander was too eager to see.

A soft sound beckoned them entrance.

Alexander slowly opened the door, letting the wee lads enter first. He watched as Arthur ran towards her ladyship, shyly holding the dead flowers towards her, while Duncan proudly stood next to him.

Alexander snorted. It had been hell getting the flowers, not to mention they weren't worth it. Just looking at them had him wanting to break something. they not only looked unpleasant, but smelled rather foul as well. But the lads would not let him be until he had gotten them their flowers.

Sapphire stared at Tristan's sleeping form, he had yet to wake. She ran a hand down her face, noticing the puffiness of her eyes. They felt sore. She had cried her self to sleep the previous night, the ache in her chest proved this would be a rather difficult day.

She checked his forehead, as well as the rest of his body, it was cool to the touch, nothing that should be the cause of worry, and yet, he still slept.

The harshness which shadowed his features while awake was gone, leaving in its place a beautiful creation to be pondered upon. He truly was magnificent, inside and out.

Her beloved husband.

If only he would open his eyes. She missed looking into their silver depths, the warmth and hardness which lay within. When angered, his eyes would turn to a steely shade of grey, promising retribution. And when he was pleased, they would be the softest of silver, filled with warmth and love.

She missed seeing his secret smiles at dinner time, his arrogant smirk, his full blown, heart melting laughter. She missed the stories he would tell of the days he was but a lad, sharing his life with her. She even missed his anger. She wanted him awake, and soon.

Aunt Margaret had come to her the previous day, telling her tales of Tristan. She had a wonderful time listening to her, seeing a side of her husband which he tried to hide, to no avail. But the stories felt as if he was already gone, and they were remembering him from a time ago. In a way, mourning for him. Suffice to say, she felt sick to her stomach. He wasn't gone. He was in front of her eyes, she could see him. She knew every soul must taste death, had experienced it, but he couldn't leave yet. There was so much about him she had yet to discover.....

Sapphire was pulled from her reverie by a knock on the door. She furrowed her brows, no one usually came at this hour.....

She softly called them to enter, not having the strength to say or do more. She wanted to be left alone. Then again, she had been left alone. Other than her uncle and Isabella, no one came to her.

Sapphire smiled a small, genuine smile. Her first smile in days, as Arthur ran towards her and held up the flowers to her. She smiled gently as she took in their state, the poor things looked good for dead. But his earnest expression had her heart melting.

"Are these for me?" Sapphire questioned as she lifted the lad to her lap, Duncan quick to follow.

"Aye, I picked them me self." Arthur answered with a toothy grin.

"Och, I helped." Duncan chimed in.

Sapphire lightly chuckled, looking up when hearing Alexander's grunt.

"And what did sir Alexander do?"

"He watched us." Arthur answered with a sly smirk.

Alexander's mouth dropped open as his eyes narrowed into slits. The wee lads weren't so adorable after all.

"Now I remember why I detest children." Alexander grumbled as he watched satan's spawn. The nerve of those two! Getting those dead flowers was hell in itself, not to mention they weren't exactly easy to find, nor were they easy on the eyes. Why he even bothered, he knew not.

"Children are The Lords blessing." Sapphire admonished lightly as she gave each one of them a kiss on their foreheads.

"Thank you, these are lovely." Sapphire said to the children as she placed the flowers on the small table by the bed. She would need to place them in something.

Arthur played with her hair while Duncan picked on his clothing. No one saying anything as they sat silently, lost in their own musing. But silence is a rare occurrence when children are around, often not lasting very long.

"Will lord Knight wake up?"

The slight sparkle which had occupied Sapphires eyes with the children's presence diminished with the innocent question.

Alexander stiffened upon hearing the question. He had brought the children so his ladyship could be happy, not upset. It seemed as if his plan was not a bright one. But he knew the children were not to be blamed.

"Of course he will." Sapphire answered, not sure if she was trying to convince them or herself.

"Would you play with us?" Duncan questioned with hope in his wide eyes.

Sapphire gave a sad smile and shook her head.

"I won't be able to, my darling. I need to stay by his lordship and take care of him."

"Can we help?" Arthur questioned.

Before Sapphire could answer, Alexander spoke.

"That's enough. Her ladyship needs to rest as well. Arthur, wee Duncan, you may come back on the morrow." Alexander said sternly, not leaving any room for argument.

The boys climbed down Sapphire's lap as they headed towards the door, each giving her a quick kiss before leaving.

Alexander walked towards the hearth, adding more wood to the fire.

"You need to rest, my lady."

"I am well rested." Sapphire answered curtly, mentally flinching at her rude behavior. She shouldn't be behaving in such a manner. She was supposed to be the lady of the castle, strong and dependable. Not weak and emotional. But she couldn't find it in herself to care.

Alexander nodded not saying anything as he added more wood, making sure the fire would last the day before walking towards her ladyship.

"He will be hale and hearty very soon." Alexander reassured as he tried to give her a smile. They had to be strong for each other.

Sapphire gave a slight smile.

"I know he will." Sapphire whispered, fighting the tears which threatened to come.

"Are ye certain ye doona wish to play with the bairns?"

Sapphire shook her head as she looked away from Alexander, tears stinging her eyes. Her heart always flipped when Tristan would speak in a Scottish brogue, and Alexander doing the same had her heart giving a painful tug.

"I am most certain, I thank you for asking." Sapphire said while looking towards Tristan.

Alexander quietly stood, watching his lady struggle with her emotions. Of it's own accord, his hand lifted to offer some semblance of comfort, only to be brought back. He doubted his comfort would have been accepted.

With a sad expression, Alexander left the room, softly shutting the door behind him.

"We made her cry." Arthur said sadly.

Alexander looked to his left to see the lads sitting on the floor, a distressed expression occupying their features.

"Nay," Alexander said with a shake of his head, "ye made her verra happy. She misses Tristan." Alexander explained gently, not wanting the children to be hurt, but also needing them to understand.

Little Duncan and Arthur nodded their heads. They understood she wasn't upset because of them.

"She loves laird Knight."

"Aye." Alexander answered.

"My da didna love my ma."

"Your ma will find someone who loves her more than your da ever did." Alexander said reassuringly.

"My father loves my mother, but not the same as the lady." Arthur said while furrowing his brows.

"There are different types of love, lad. Each more stranger than the last."

"Are you in love?"

Alexander smirked at the question, deciding not to answer. He was very happy and content with his ways, but the lads had no need to know of them.

"I do believe your mothers are waiting for you to come home." Alexander said evenly, he needed to train.

"Aye." They both answered as they began to walk down the hall.

Tristan opened his eyes, before quickly shutting them once more, the light being too harsh for his sensitive vision. He let his body relax as he moved his right and and then left arm. He could move them, no pain. He did the same procedure with his legs before letting out a relieved sign. As of that moment, all was well. He gently pried his eyes open once more, feeling victorious when they didn't abruptly shut. He felt a slight pain in his head and chest. Lifting his arm, he noticed the bandaged wrapped around his bare torso, the wound being on his chest.

Very slowly he made himself sit upright while his back lightly rested against his bed. His head felt slightly heavy, and a slight throb indicated his healing wound.

He couldn't remember what happened. He was in his chambers, meaning he was not participating in any battle. How did he get injured? While sparring? He doubted anyone could get a blow that wound knock him unconscious. He would need to ask lord Rivers.

Tristan ran his hand through his hair, wondering where his delectable little wife was. As the thought ran through his mind he watched as the door to his bathing chamber open, and the object of his desire appear.

Tristan stared mesmerized as Sapphire dried her hair with a peculiar expression on her face. She looked.... ill, to put it mildly. Her usually flushed cheeks were devoid of all color, her expressive eyes empty of emotion.

Tristan frowned. She was drying her hair, but the action seemed tedious, as if her mind was elsewhere. He should do something to lift her spirits, but what?

Tristan smirked as his male mind began to work. His little wife would be blushing soon.

"I believe you gave me your word we would bathe together, my lady. Tis improper to go against ones word." Tristan husked as he lazily watched the play of emotions cross her features. Mentally frowning when no color touched her cheeks.

Sapphire heaved a sign as she donned her clothing. She needed to leave her depressed state. She couldn't lock herself in one room. She needed to walk around the castle, make sure everything was in order. Then she had to go to the battlegrounds, work on the men's techniques before heading off to the village to see if the people needed anything.

Sapphire absentmindedly dried her hair as she left her bathing chambers, mentally seeing how fast she could have everything done before returning to Tristan's side.

Upon hearing his voice, she jumped, startled.

She blinked once, then twice, then a third time as she watched him leaning against the bed with a wicked smirk on his beautiful lips.

"You're awake....." Sapphire whispered, too afraid to believe it. Her eyes must be playing tricks. Maybe she was going insane, who knows, it could be possible.

"Am I to be asleep?" Tristan asked as he cocked his head to the side, staring at the shocked expression on his beautiful wife's face.

"Lord, nay!" Sapphire exclaimed quickly before dropping the cloth and running to his side.

Sapphire ran her hands over his face, down his chest, before returning her hands to his face, watching him with wide eyes, as if any second he would disappear.

"You really are awake."

Tristan lifted a perfect brow in wary amusement.

"Are you feeling alright, my lady wife?"

Anger, frustration, happiness and joy all took turns playing across her face before tears filled her eyes and began to cascade down her cheeks.

"AM I ALRIGHT?" Sapphire all but screamed.

"You have been unconscious for the past three nights and you ask me if I'm alright!!" Sapphire cried in outrage, barely being able to speak due to her tears.

Tristan pulled her arm until she fell on him, laying on him until her head was even with his.

"Your wound-." Sapphire protested.

"Will be fine, my wife is more important." Tristan said as he tenderly wiped away her tears.

"My apologies, I had not the slightest idea I was unconscious for those many days, or that you would worry." Tristan said softly, sincerity pouring from his words.

"Of course I would worry! I love you, Tristan! When will you learn to believe it." Sapphire said angrily, although the effect was lost due to her sniffling.

"For your sake, soon enough." Tristan answered as he kissed away the stubborn tears which refused to leave. She was crying because of him, an action he couldn't bear. She shouldn't be crying, least of all over him.

"May you stop crying please. I can not see you in such a state." Tristan pleaded, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Tis not my doing. I feel relived and so, so very happy that you are awake. I thought....." Sapphire trailed off as more tears cascaded down her cheeks, blurring her vision, all which Tristan gently kissed away before responding.

"I am perfectly fine. There is naught to worry over." Tristan reassured as he pulled her to his chest and leaned against the bed, soothingly running his hand along her spine.

Sapphire continued to softly cry tears of relief while Tristan continued to soothe her, each not willing to let the other go, completely content with holding on to their beloved.

I know I said updates will be back to normal, sorrrryyyyy!!!

I didn't realize the work load would be so demanding.

I appreciate every single comment and vote and all you lovely ppl who put up with me! thank you soooooo much for reading!!!

I know it's short, but hopefully, hopefully, let's all pray, the next update be quicker ;).

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