Time Softens But Doesn't Heal

[Arthur Pendragon]

While he knew she did not want this, she had chosen this. And even with that thought in mind, he knew full well that she felt there was no choice. Because . . . if the situation was reversed, he would give his life for hers without an ounce of hesitation. This was not her time. It should have been his time, and he was not going to let her suffer for what should have been his fate. "Then do not leave us," he said in a low voice, only due to the pained emotions in him that were preventing him from being able to speak louder. He knew that they had been at odds, but in this moment, did not think of anything else . . . apart from the fear of losing her. He leaned forward, pressing his lips against hers, the fear adding a strong desperation to the passionate kiss. It was filled with so many emotions he had never had before . . . because he had never kissed her so close to losing her. He pulled away enough to speak, though his lips still hovered near hers.

"I will not let you die," he stated bluntly. She may not allow him to stop this, but he would not let her die. Which, only meant that they were contradicting each other. "I will not let you," he repeated, as if convincing himself just as much as her. He would not let her decide that his life was more valuable than hers, because it was not. Far from it. The children needed her. The . . . child inside of her needed her, far more than they needed a father. "And I love you," he told her in a strong voice. He was feeling far too much right now, and there was no room for doubt in her words. He believed her; whole heartedly, he believed her. "This will not be the end. It cannot be." He refused to believe it would be, and refused to accept that it was out of his hands. So to ensure his mind did not focus on such defeat, he found her lips again, and kissed her with more desperation and passion than before.