The Hunter's Companions Ch. 15

"I'm sorry," He whispered, after a moment her body softened and she turned in his embrace. At some stage during the night she had turned so that her back was curled up into his chest, but now she was looking at him with her stunning green eyes.

"It's not your fault," She said with a shrug, not quite pulling it off as carelessly as she undoubtedly hoped it would be. She looked as though she was going to say something, but she bit her lip.

"How are you feeling?" He asked softly, changing the subject quickly, wishing that his erection would take the hint.

"Still got cramps. Caristra said that it would be like this until it was over though."

He leant forward and placed a chaste kiss on her forehead, relishing the feeling of her skin against his lips.

"Shall we get some breakfast?" He asked, peering over her head to look out the window, where he could see the sun already peaking over the tops of the surrounding buildings.

"Yes. I'll just go and get dressed." She said before extricating herself from the tangle of blankets and leaving the room quickly. As soon as the door shut behind her Belcarm groaned. He felt like a prize fool.

~*~

Livinia fell against the door of her room the moment it shut behind her. She didn't mean to do it. She didn't mean to push against him like that. But she was still half asleep, and it felt so good to be in his arms, she just wanted to lean against him more, not torture him. She gritted her teeth and cursed herself for being so careless. That tiny action was probably painful for him, and considering that the thought of following through made her feel quite ill, she knew how unfair it was. She would just have to be more careful.

~*~

"Father?" Belcarm's voice echoed through the vast chamber as he and Livinia entered the dining room. Caristra and Aegon were seated at the huge table playing a game of chess. Caristra looked as comfortable as she would with an old friend, but Aegon's back was stiff and he was clearly uncomfortable.

"Belcarm!" His father got to his feet quickly.

"Your father got here hours ago," Caristra said with a grin "But I told him not to wake you. Never fear though, I have been keeping him entertained."

Belcarm accepted the hug from his father with good grace, not wanting him to complain that his son had grown too old for hugs. He smiled when his father pulled Livinia into a careful embrace as well, now that he was finally off duty and able to be the loving man Belcarm knew him to be.

"How are you, Livinia?" Aegon asked, looking at the dazed red-head carefully. Her expression slowly settled and she smiled.

"I've been better," she said with a shrug. Considering what she had been through Belcarm thought that it was a very positive answer.

"And you, Bel?" Aegon asked, turning back to Belcarm.

"Fine." He replied rather curtly and then instantly regretted it as his father looked taken aback. "I'm fine, just tired," He reiterated, this time more softly. "How is Kalendras?"

"Well enough thanks," Aegon sighed, clearly not happy that the subject had been changed quite so quickly. "I came straight here after escorting him to Thunder Bluff."

"That's good," Livinia said, the relief palpable in her voice.

"He was in maximum security in Silvermoon, and I promise that he came to no harm... But I thought you would like to know that he is allowed visitors in Thunder Bluff." That comment was aimed at Livinia and Belcarm could see curiosity burning in his father's eyes.

"Great! I'll get my stuff and we can go now Bel!" Livinia said excitedly.

"You will have breakfast first." Caristra's voice broke through the excitement and Livinia eyes her, trying to gauge whether she would be able to get her own way. When she looked around and saw that neither Aegon or Belcarm would let her through the door without eating she rolled her eyes and took a seat at the table.

Livinia was normally a fast eater, but Belcarm had never seen anybody eat that quickly before. Her meal and drink were both down before he had time to contemplate a second piece of toast. She announced that she would go and get ready to leave and Belcarm saw the concerned glance that his father and Caristra exchanged in her wake.

"I'd better go and get ready too, I suppose," Belcarm sighed, putting his unfinished tea back on the table. He'd come to appreciate Kalendras, but after the Tauren had taken the blame for him, and after Belcarm had cravenly let him, he wasn't sure he wanted to face the Druid. He had failed two people in the past three days; the woman he loved and the male he was competing with.

"Do you mind if I come with you?" Aegon asked, and Belcarm nodded in agreement.

When the door to his room was shut behind him his father helped him into his armor. It was what Aegon insisted on doing every time Belcarm stayed at his childhood house. Not that he needed help; he had become extremely adept at donning his armor quickly, but his father had always enjoyed helping to get him ready for his adventures. Belcarm supposed that it was one of the only things that reminded Aegon of the past. Ever since his mother had died when he was twelve, he and his father had become close.

"How are you... really?" Aegon asked and Belcarm's shoulders drooped.

"We were too late!" Belcarm said, finally able to say what he had been feeling.

"She's alive," His father supplied. Belcarm waited for Aegon to do the last buckle on his chest plate before looking him in the eyes.

"But what they did to her..." He trailed off, knowing that it was not his place to share what Livinia had gone through with anyone, even his father.

"And you? What did they do to you?" Aegon asked.

"Not... Nothing- what makes you think-"

"Did you kill Rioden?" His father asked, Belcarm stopped his spluttering and his face hardened.

"Yes. And I'd do it again. I'd do it slower, and more painfully too if I could. He deserved worse than he got." Belcarm's response was unflinching and cold. His father managed to keep most of the shock from his face, but it shone through in his eyes despite his best efforts. "I would have done it in cold blood as well. With his arms tied behind his back."

"Belcarm..."

"You would prefer a clean fight?" Belcarm laughed "Do you have any idea how dirty that prick was, dad? He used spells, and potions, and even his damn pets against her. He broke her. When Kalendras and I burst into the room she was convinced that we were dead. Convinced that months had passed and that she was in love with him."

This time Aegon's expressionw as an open book of horror and surprise. His mouth dropped open and Belcarm's laugh was low and hollow.

"I prefer a fair fight too, you know that... But for Rioden? I would have chained him to a post and stripped his skin off him inch by inch if I could."

"I understand. When I found your mother's killer..." Aegon trailed off slowly and looked away from his son, a darkness taking over his normally mild features.

"Does it ever-" Belcarm started, but his question was cut short by a loud knock at his door.

"Come on Belcarm!" Livinia wined though the door, making him laugh.

"Coming!" Belcarm called, giving his father a grim smile before leaving the room and following Livinia.

~*~

The moment that Livinia saw Kalendras she rushed to fall into his arms. The sight made Belcarm's stomach turn with jealousy, but he had to be happy for Livinia. He could tell from her eagerness how desperate she was to see the Tauren, and Belcarm had been lucky enough to hold her all through the night, so any sort of jealousy was uncalled for. However, Belcarm felt quite justified in his jealousy of Kalendras's living conditions. Where Belcarm had been locked up in a tiny cell, injured and left to rot, Kalendras had been made very comfortable in a large teepee. He wore no chains or manacles and seemed to be on a friendly, first name basis with his guards.

"Nitawa Kee, it is so good to see you," Kalendras's deep murmur was impossible not to hear. "Are you well?" Belcarm saw Livinia shrug and then caught Kalendras's eye over her shoulder. He frowned at the Tauren and Kal nodded imperceptibly, seeming to accept her ambivalent answer. "And you, Paladin?"

The question took Belcarm by surprise, but both Kalendras and Livinia were looking to him for an answer. He gave them both a curt nod and told them that he was fine. Kalendras turned his assessing gaze back to Livinia.

"How are you, Kalendras? Do you know what is going on?" Belcarm asked, fingers curling into fists when Livinia stroked Kalendras's neck carefully, as if memorizing the feel of his fur on her fingers.

"They have set the trial to start in a week, to coincide with the end of Mitrae's trial in Silvermoon City," Kalendras explained "I'll be on trial for murder."

There was a hitch in Livinia's breathing and both of the males attention shot to her.

"You don't need to do this." Belcarm said, Kalendras looked up at him and laughed.

"After you were jailed while I was free to enjoy diplomatic immunity?" Kalendras questioned "I can't let you look like the hero all the time, pretty boy!"

~*~

Livinia's eyes went wide and she looked between Kalendras and Belcarm carefully. After a few tense moments Belcarm burst into laughter and relief flooded through her. She had thought that Kalendras was being foolish, issuing such an insult so lightly, but clearly she was wrong. In the little time that had passed since their first encounter it appeared as though the two males had grown more comfortable with each other. She closed her eyes and rested her head against Kalendras's chest, relishing in the way that his earthy scent permeated through his clothing.

Kalendras told her about his side of the story, how he had escaped and met with her parents, then Aegon. How he had gathered the guild and helped to plotted with Aegon to rescue Belcarm's and herself. His references towards Belcarm were surprisingly amicable, but Livinia found it comforting to know that they weren't likely to kill each other.

"Belcarm told me that you both turned up at the portal," Livinia said, after he asked her what had happened in the Swiftspell's dungeon. She did it on purpose, not willing to talk about that which she was desperate to forget. If Kalendras noticed her less than subtle chance of topic he said nothing.

"That we did," Kalendras replied solemly.

"Does that mean that you're both..." She trailed off.

"Willing to share? Not particularly... But nor are we willing to give you up," Kalendras said softly, stroking her cheek with one thick finger.

"And if it means accepting that brute?" Belcarm asked nonchantly "It could always be worse."

~*~

Belcarm and Livinia spent the better part of the day with Kalendras. During that time they had a visits from several of the residents of Thunder Bluff, all of which seemed thoroughly unimpressed that Kalendras was being imprisoned for acting in self-defense. A couple of them must have known about the strange relationship between the three adventurers, judging by the odd looks that Livinia and Belcarm were receiving. Kalendras assured them that the news would've spread fast, especially after what happened at the Diplomat's Ball. Nevertheless, Livinia and Belcarm were treated respectfully, and with a touch of curiosity and the day went quickly.

When the change of guard was announced Belcarm said that he and Livinia had best return to Dalaran before it got too late. Livinia resisted, but when he pointed out that she hadn't eaten since breakfast Kalendras had walked her to the flap of his tent himself. Just before Belcarm followed her out Kalendras put one massive hand on his shoulder.

"A word, Paladin?" He asked as quietly as his booming voice would allow. Livinia turned and frowned but Kalendras smiled at her reassuringly. "Orrin will watch over you," Kalendras said, the new guard outside of his tent nodded stiffly and Livinia snorted.

"I don't need someone to watch over me!" She snapped, but she stepped out of the tent anyway, the canvas flap fluttering shut behind her. When Belcarm turned around the Tauren was looming over him, and angry glare in his eyes.

"She's in pain. Why have you not healed her?" Kalendras growled, now it was Belcarm's turn to snort.

"You think I haven't offered?" Belcarm laughed, after a moment Kalendras rolled his eyes and paced away. "She says there are some things that are supposed to hurt. If you ask me, she has spent far too much time around you."

"She wants to feel the pain they caused her?" Kalendras asked, shocked.

"What? No- I healed that already, she was glad to be rid of the evidence of the... Torture." Belcarm said, his joking tone becoming more serious. "This pain is from something different... From a potion that Caristra gave her to make her blood come early."

"Why would she want to do that?" Kalendras asked, frowning. Kalendras was keenly aware of the Blood Elf culture and would have known what that decision meant for his lover. Belcarm crossed his arms over his chest and glared at the Tauren.

"Do you think they had her down there for a Fish Feast?" Belcarm sneered. "When they took me down to her room her clothes were torn to shreds and barely hanging off her shoulders and hips. She had whip marks all over her body and there was dried blood and seed on her thighs." Belcarm watched as Kalendras's body tensed and he took a deep breath. None of this was Kalendras's fault, and he was keenly aware of how this news could make a lover feel.

"I thought that... but when I saw her... She looked fine- she wasn't badly hurt, and she was dressed... and she clung to the bastard!" Kalendras almost howled.

"Perhaps, in time, she'll tell you and I what happened. She didn't tell me much, but I'm sure you don't need to be told to imagine what she went through. It is not my place to speak for her, but all I can say is that she damn well needed that potion."

Kalendras sighed and nodded slowly, clearly agreeing with Belcarm's line of reasoning.

"Watch over her?" Kalendras asked, his voice tight.

"There is nothing else I'd rather do," Belcarm replied. "She'll be safe with me."

"If she gets hurt, Paladin, I'll-" Kalendras begun.

"Cut my balls of? If she gets hurt again, Druid, I'll cut my own balls off," Belcarm interrupted, Kalendras gave a curt nod of approval. Belcarm said farewell to the Tauren before walking out into the dimming light and slipping his hand into Livinia's.

"Everything okay?" She asked, curiosity and suspicion burning in her eyes.

"Yes. Let's go." Belcarm said, planting a soft kiss on her cheek before leading her towards the portals.

~*~

Four days later Livinia woke with a fierce stabbing pain in her gut. She gasped and curled into a tight foetal position as the red hot knives seared through her. It had been like this ever since the first day they had visited Kalendras. As soon as they had arrived back at Caristra's the first stab hit her, hard, and she grasped Belcarm for support. When he picked her up and carried her to her room she didn't bother arguing. As soon as he placed her on the bed she crawled over to her wardrobe and rifled through the bottom draws for one of the thick cloths she used so rarely. She shimmied out of her pants and almost cried in relief when she saw the first drop of crimson blood.

Ever since that day she had continued to bleed and cramp painfully. Her blood had never been bad; she had always continued on with her life as usual when it was her time. She knew that some other elves were not so lucky, that they were plagued by sickness for their blood. Now, she finally knew how it felt to be disabled by the cramps. For two days she had insisted on going to see Kalendras, but every time he saw the pain in her eyes he tried to heal her and she refused. He told her that she should be staying in her bed, but she glared at him and told her that she needed to be with him. On the third day he had refused to see her and, completely outraged, she had no choice but to turn around and let Belcarm escort her home (with a satisfied smirk on his arrogant face).

Livinia sighed in relief when she felt Belcarm's hot hands brush over her waist and settle over her thin linen night shirt. The heat of his skin seeped through her top and soothed the pain a little.

"Just let me heal you- it'll help for a while." His voice tickled her ear and she smiled, but she shook her head.

"No. Just hold me," She said, burying her head into her pillow and closing her eyes.

There was a loud knock at the door and Belcarm sat up quickly, taking his soothing hands away with him. Livinia groaned and curled into herself tighter as he made his way over. When the door opened Livinia heard a familiar voice and poked her head up in interest, not quite able to pinpoint the owner in her fuzz of pain. She couldn't see over the end of the bed though, and the pain returned just as bad as it was before and she closed her eyes again.

"Livinia?" Belcarm asked, rubbing her shoulder. "Liv, we need to talk." She suppressed her groan just in case their visitor was still there and sat up.

"I'm sorry to bother you, your Aunt said you were quite ill..." Aegon said clearing his throat awkwardly. Livinia wondered what Caristra had told him about her predicament. When she looked at him though, she saw nothing but the awkwardness of knowing that he had interrupted his son and his son's lover in the bedroom. Livinia managed a smile and she straightened herself, the blanket falling off her and revealing her respectably cut nightgown.

"That's fine. What's wrong?"

"The Supreme Justice has requested that you testify against Mitrae Swiftspell tomorrow. I told them that it was ridiculous but they insisted. With the death penalty on the table they want to hear all sides of the story."

"Death penalty or not, that is not going to happen," Belcarm growled at his father.

"Bel-"

"No. Completely out of the question." Belcarm interrupted Livinia's protest.

"They also want you to testify son," Aegon added gruffly.

"I will, but there is no way that Livinia is going back to Silvermoon."

"If you don't let her testify Mitrae might get away with it." Aegon's voice was serious and filled with reason.

"Good, then I will hunt him down and kill him. Slowly," Belcarm sneered, Aegon pinched the bridge of his nose.

"I'll do it," Livinia said, looking between Belcarm and his father. The pain in her gut was wrenching, and she wanted nothing more than to go back to sleep. Despite her personal agony the thought of Mitrae getting away with what he had done made her feel ill to the core.

"Liv, they will make you relive everything!" Belcarm said, turning to her and ignoring his father.

"I want justice," Livinia said, straightening her back and trying to add some strength to her assertion.

"We can do that ourselves without the help of the courts," Belcarm said quietly and Livinia gritted her teeth.

"We will do it ourselves if the courts fail."

"You can hardly get out of bed," Belcarm said tersely, Livinia glared at him angrily. "Do you really want to go and tell a courtroom full of people what you went through?"

"No! Of course I don't, but it isn't like I have much of a choice, do I? They'll find any reason to set the prick free, those bastards in Silvermoon love him! If finding out what he did is what will end his pathetic life then I'll tell them a hundred times over!" Livinia told Belcarm, getting to her knees so that she was level with him as he stood beside their bed. She and Belcarm glared at each other for several minutes before a grin crossed the Paladin's face.

"How about we ask Kalendras what he thinks about this idea, eh?" Belcarm said.

"Don't you dare!" Livinia spat, her mouth setting into a hard line.