Under the Rain

So it's a little different than the Theme I posted but it's close. I also couldn't write Dolph's POV because I've never done that before.

It's fluffy. So ridiculously fluffy.

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Heavy storm clouds hung over the mountains as the Fifteen and Fricka plodded up the valley, heading for home after a long battle. Fricka hadn't wanted to wait a day to rest before returning, so they had set out, tired and each sporting various wounds and aches.

Soon it started to rain with a rumble of thunder; a cold, steady rain that soaked the skin and crept into already aching joints, numbing immobile limbs.

Fricka had taken two arrows to the shoulder and Dolph could see she was in pain, although she said nothing and rode on through the steady downpour as if nothing was wrong.

He rode up beside her and pushed his dripping blonde hair out of his face, "Fricka, are you okay?"

"Fine Dolph." she replied. Her voice was tight and her hair was plastered to her face and back...he noticed that a cut on her cheek was still bleeding a little.

"We can stop you know...make camp and continue in the morning." he suggested, leaning over and setting his hand on her thigh, waiting for her to bat it away.

"I want to get home."

She couldn't deny how good that big, warm hand felt though and finally looked at him tiredly,

"I just want to get home..."

She looked so exhausted and it was all Dolph could do to not make her stop for the night. She had broken the arrow shafts off but left the arrows themselves in and he knew they needed to be removed and properly bandaged.

"Alright.." he said quietly, knowing at this point she would just fight him and they would both end up hurt worse.

The group plodded on through the forests, deeper and deeper into the mountains, getting colder and wetter with every passing moment. Dolph continued to keep an eye on Fricka and noticed when she started shivering, hunched down in the saddle, reins laying untouched on her horses neck. He didn't miss much when it came to her.

After several hours, Kasbaarg finally came into view through the downpour and the horses summoned some untapped energy and picked up the pace, working their way up the steep, narrow trail that lead to the castle and finally clopped into the courtyard, stopping in front of their respectable stalls.

Dolph quickly dismounted and un-saddled his horse, setting his gear under the eves of the stable while he fed him, then turned to Fricka who was still mounted, eyes closed.

"Fricka, come on. You need to get down and move a bit." he said, going over and patting her leg worriedly.

Her eyes cracked open and she looked down at him blearily.

"I don't think.... I can feel my legs." she said, then met his eyes, "Help me?"

He smiled despite the rivulets of water running down his face and into his eyes as he reached up and caught her waist, tugging her down and into his arms, holding her until she got her feet under her. He kept expecting her to shove him away sharply, muttering things like 'I'm fine, I can take care of myself' but instead she stood there, face against his chest, shivering.

Carefully, mindful that she was fully armed, he cupped her chin in his hand and tilted her head up, kissing her softly.

"We're home...you can get warm and dry now." he whispered.

"Don't let me go.." she murmured and he smiled.

"You know I won't."

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I tried to keep it short. Short stories are hard because I tend to end up with chaptered epics. Hope you like it Karmira.

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