Farewell My Heart

((Authors Note: I still can not bring myself to re-write the end of this fairy tale as it should be written. This is in it's raw form; mostly. Some changes have been made because spell checker said so. :) For those that have read Guests Cum First, it explains why Mikal made the choice he did I think.

Though she'll never read it here, a heart-felt thank you to the voice, heart and soul behind Matty.

For everyone else, if you believe in true love and soul mates, have tissues handy. You've been warned.))

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MatildaSJD:::stumbling along blindly in the woods, glances up and sees the tavern, heads for it slowly:

DragonsKnt:::;softly from outside::: ........Matty....? Gods....Matty! :::the sound of running feet even as he reaches her:::

MatildaSJD:::blinks up at the blurry figure, frowning, her voice weak:: Mikal...?

DragonsKnt:Mat... Goddess... what.. :::scoops her up whirling toward the Tavern::: Hang on Matty...just...gods...please...:::looking at the door even as he heads for it, his eyes filled with fear:::

MatildaSJD:::clings to him with everything she has left in her::: Mikal....shh....so loud....don't move so much....where are we?

DragonsKnt:::;stepping in and carrying her to the couch::: It's okay Matty...gods... alright... Adrian's Matty...okay... please..? I'm...setting..you down... gods... :::laying her gently on the couch:::

MatildaSJD:::closes her eyes and tries to nod, deciding against that when pain shoots through her body, her voice now a whisper::: Well turn on the damn lights....something hurts, Mikal....everything hurts...

DragonsKnt:::;without taking his eyes from Matty, takes the offered blanket and settles it about her lightly, his hands shaking::: Shhh...I...I know Matty...goddess...where to start... shh... ::;frantically trying to pinpoint the damage, against his own rising tide of pain::: Gods...where to start...?

MatildaSJD:::screams suddenly in pain, sitting up before collapsing back against the couch, breathing hard, unable to speak anymore....her entire body seems to be covered in blood::

DragonsKnt:::;frantic...desperate, his eyes filled with tears he sends his mind dancing through her with a deep blue touch::: No...no....come on Maty...gotta be..something...no...::;an almost frantic note in his voice:::

MatildaSJD:::tears stream down her cheeks as she opens her eyes a bit to look up at him, the knowledge that she is not going to live clear in them, whispers:: I want to see your eyes, Mikal....

DragonsKnt:::::hauling off his shirt to wipe some of the blood...unaware of the wound over his own heart as he sees and knows what is in his wife's eyes, and yet refuses to believe, his own deep blue eyes filled with a love of her that is far deeper then most could comprehend::: Then...look. Matty... I... ::;his voice soft and choked:::

MatildaSJD:::her hand moves slightly, reaching for his, as her eyes close again:: I can't see.... they're gone, Mikal....will you tell Cel and Meria I went to a good place?

DragonsKnt:::;taking her hand gently::: You... you can't... Matty... I love you. ::;a single tear trickling down his cheek, his voice choked, knowing deep within, that this time..nothing he does...no skill, no gift...no training..that she is slipping from him and he can do nothing:::

MatildaSJD:::her breathing finally falls to a normal, shallow pattern for a moment, her fingers moving lightly on his hand:: I love you too....I'm not leaving, Mikal....I'm just going on a much needed vacation....okay? ::attempts a smile, feeling across the bond the soul-deep pain that he's experiencing, desperate to fix it before she dies::

DragonsKnt:Your timing..is lousy Mrs. DeVey... I.. I know.. ::;lifting her hand to kiss the back of it gently::: I will never stop loving you..I promised you that the day I married you...and I intend to keep....that..promise. :::his voice cracking a bit, fighting against the pain, feeling the bond loosen as she slips a bit further away:::

MatildaSJD:::whispers, her voice strained now, frowning a bit with the effort:: Took you forever to finally marry me....you ought to be happy you're getting rid of me....::her fingers flutter over his again, a touch filled with love that contradicts her words::

DragonsKnt:No... not happy at all... ::;his fingers brushing her face,moving her hair off it in a familiar gesture::

MatildaSJD:::winces slightly, the bond weakening even more, her voice a reflection of that:: Remember me...?

DragonsKnt:Always... heartless wench...how could I forget you?

MatildaSJD:::her mouth twitches in a faint smile:: Easy enough, I suspect....just don't leave me yet.. please....I won't keep you long....

DragonsKnt:Not going anywhere... I'm here Matty..::;giving her hand a squeeze:::; Take your time...please... I...:::brushes her face again:::

MatildaSJD:::her hand no longer grips his, her entire body simply lying limp, her voice a barely audible whisper:: Don't you know how to properly say goodbye to your wife?

DragonsKnt: I....don't want to... I don't want to say good-bye Matty... I'm sorry... its the bully in me... ::;pained attempt at a smile, the agony of the bond breaking more racing through him like knives of fire:::

MatildaSJD:::her tears fall faster now, eyes still closed, her breathing going even more shallow as she furrows her brow:: Say goodbye, damn it.....I need you to say goodbye.....

DragonsKnt:As... if...::;choked half sob, knowing she's right..as usual::: if... I ...could... ever...deny... you...anything... Oh Matty..lover... I shall sorely miss you... ::::tears streaming down his face, the wound over his heart growing as she slips further still, he lays a very light kiss on her mouth::: You take my heart with you....Waltzing...Matilda..

MatildaSJD:::straining now, the bond just a whisper:: No....I leave mine with you....if you need me, just look up....I'll be with the moon....::her breathing fades out finally, leaving nothing:::

DragonsKnt::::even as her last breath leaves her he stiffens, his eyes blazing for one brief moment, and then with a heart-breaking cry of a wounded, broken heart-sick soul, collapses over her body, shaking:::

DragonsKnt::::sits up slightly, the last shreds of sanity showing in his eyes, even as her still body vanishes::: Rest in Erin my Love...::::as the sanity flickers and dies, he collapses once more, unmoving,and uncaring:::