Winterfall

As I woke, I stretched beneath my covers. Letting the cool air brush against my skin. As the air darted across my skin goose bumps formed, forcing me to bury myself further in the covers.

Maria dear, it’s time to get up. Théoden whispered softly through the bond. He seemed oddly awake for our dream life just ending.

Do I have to? I groaned as I slowly lowered the blanket from my face allowing my skin to get used to the brisk air.

Yes, we need to train this morning. Théoden seemed amused, for what reason I do not know.

Fine. Best to get some anger out before I meet with Fredrick.

There you go. I will meet you in the arena.

Yeah, yeah. I muttered as I felt that my body had finally adjusted well enough to the brisk temperature this morning, that I swung my legs over the edge of the bed and stood up. The covers fell as I fully embraced the brisk air as I stretched my arms and legs.

I let out a sigh as I shuffled my feet against the floor. Mornings were really not my thing, however, it beat staying in bed all day long.

I opened the door to my wardrobe and pulled out a black sweat set and my boots. Along with a fresh pair of under garments. I slipped everything on and ran my wired comb through the rats nest I call my hair.

Do I have too?

I asked him one more time as I glanced back at my bed. The warmth of the bed taunted me. Calling me to come back to it and curl back up in a ball.

Yes.

I sighed loudly in disappointment as I found the strength and walked out of my room, locking the door behind me. I walked along the marbled hallway down the marbled staircase and into the grand hall. There, I walked into the kitchen to grab a quick bite before heading to the arena.

“Good morning Roland.” I gave our chef a smile as he came out of the back pantry of the kitchen carrying eggs and bread.

“Good morning Maria.” He huffed as he placed the items on the counter. “If you want a light snack before training there is a premade plate of bacon, eggs, and toast in the cooler.”

“You know me all too well.” I moved past him and opened the cooler and pulled out the plate he had covered up. I removed the cover and headed out the kitchen with the plate. Slowly munching on the food as I walked towards the arena.

On my walk there, there wasn’t much for movement amongst the citizens. Most were still asleep as it was two in the morning. Which I did not mind as it allowed me to enjoy the quiet morning hours all to myself.

Taking in my surroundings, I couldn’t help but smile as the moonlight captivated my kingdom all too well. Giving it a breathtaking glow of peace.

It took me ten minutes to walk to the arena as I was taking my sweet time. As I opened the door to the arena Théoden was already there stretching. “If it wasn’t for the bond, I thought I was going to have to track you down.”

“Whatever.”

I placed the now empty plate on the ground next to the arena door. “Stopped for food?” Théoden arched his eyebrow as his lips parted in a smile.

“Needed fuel for practice.” I declared as I crossed my arms.

He rolled his eyes, “Shall we get started or are you just going to stand there?”

“I-” I was at a loss for words. Now, I could just punch him or I could use the plate I just sat down on as a prop.

“Maria, don’t.” Théoden raised his hand to block the plate from crashing into his face as I had bent down, picked up the glass plate, and threw it like a frisbee. The plate crashed against his arm breaking upon impact. “Roland’s not going to be happy about that.”

“Please, there are a ton of them in the castle.”

Théoden bent down and picked up three pieces of glass. “You may be limited to magic in our dreams. However, I can still utilize my own magic.” Théoden declared as he cast a simple spell that when used with the right items can hurt. “I hope you are ready to eat your own…weapon?” Théoden said with a smile as a tiny magical catapult had formed in his hands as he started to fling pieces of glass in my direction.

One by one I managed to dodge each piece. Might not have been graceful but hey, I dodged them. As the final piece of glass was flung in my direction, I miscalculated and felt the sting of the glass pierce my skin. I glanced at my arm and watched as blood began to drip from the gash.

I shot him a glare, “You asked for it.” I growled as I ran towards him as quickly as I could and swung three times. The first, missing as I targeted his left side. The second missed as I targeted his left shoulder. The third impacted as I targeted his right side.

I didn’t have enough strength in it to cause him any damage, apparently. He grunted as my palm impacted his shoulder but as I looked up into his eyes he had a look in his eyes that sent a chill down my spine. “Nice try.”

He pushed back against my body and sent me flying across the arena. My body smacked hard against the wall then the floor, causing dust to stir around my body. As my body hit, a few bones cracked under the pressure.

Once I was fully on the ground, I remained still as I focused on healing my body. “Maria!” Théoden's voice boomed in the arena as I heard him race towards me.

In a split second he was there by my side. “Are you alright?” He questioned me between his own heavy breathing.

“Théoden, I…” I began to whisper beneath my breath. To be fair, I was fine, I was just acting in hopes to surprise attack him.

“Yes?” He scanned my body with his eyes. Making sure that my healing capabilities had started. Just as a sigh was about to leave his lips, I punched him in the face hard.

He groaned on impact as the sheer force behind my fist sent his head backwards. “Damn it!” Théoden groaned. As soon as his head repositioned itself, I saw out of the corner of my eye that I had broken his nose as blood dripped from his nostril.

I remained still on the floor as I was afraid to move. I saw and felt his anger radiate within him. I felt his stern glare fall upon me as my eyes remained fixed on the arena’s ceiling.

“Maria.” He spoke in an authoritative voice, “One of our rules is no face.”

I glanced at him with an apologetic smile, “Sorry love, I miss calculated my aim. I was trying for your left shoulder.” I slowly sat up and stared at his face. I brushed my hand against his cheek as he let out a sigh. “I can not be mad at you, you know?” He rested his head against mine.

“I know you said I can not do magic outside of dreams but-”

He shook his head, “My own healing has taken care of it already.”

I sighed in relief, “Should we continue?”

“We have only gone a few rounds but the impact we both already received, sure.” Théoden stood up and held out his hand to help me up. “You know, I would love to see how you will tell Roland about the broken plate.”

“I’ll blame it on you.” I looked up at him with a smile.

“Ha! Not a chance.” Théoden replied.

“Should you take care of the blood on your face first?” I asked him as we started to head towards the doors of the arena.

“Right, that.” Théoden said as he used a simple spell to clean him up. “Now let’s go get a proper breakfast.”