Truth and Falsehood

Adder was honestly amazed she had actually come. "Says the woman who can't even tell what her own hands are doing." Adder replied with a bit of a smile. "It's nothing big, I can finish it. Besides, you don't even know how to make beef stew." He picked her up then, his arms screaming in pain, and set her aside so he could finish cooking. He began to chop up an onion, and he glanced back at her. "So, what brings you here?"

"What? I just wanted to visit and make sure you were well... since you didn't tell me you were leaving." Amoneha sat down and fiddled with her hands.

Adder nodded slowly. "I see... well, you have good timing since I'm making stew!" He smiled to her and tossed in the onions. "That room was really boring, so I decided home would be more comfortable. Don't worry, I'll take it easy, and I won't go doing anything stupid... I know I'm still healing."

"I'll still be watching you..." Amoneha replied. His words were still echoing in her mind, that he loved her... she still wasn't sure what to say to him. She knew she cared for him deeply - but just how deeply?

Adder laughed a little bit. "I know, I know." He sat down while the stew cooked and sighed a bit. "You don't really trust me to not do something stupid." He glanced down at her cane and tilted his head a bit. "Your cane could use some help... I can take it to get it fixed for you. The paint is chipping off on the side."

"Please don't worry about my cane, that can wait forever... just focus on getting better." Amoneha smiled, "Please get off your feet soon."

"I am! See?" Adder grinned a bit and pointed to the stool he sat on. He was in pain, but he wasn't showing it. "Your cane needs to be fixed though, because now it isn't reflecting well on your beauty. I'll try and find you a new one in a bit that you can use until I get that one fixed again."

Amoneha smiled again, "You are so... persistent. You've been through hell and back and yet... you just smile and keep moving."

Adder grinned at that. "Yeah... well, there's no use in dwelling on it, right? I mean, it wouldn't help me to feel any better at all. If I smile enough when I'm not happy, I then begin to believe I'm happy, and I forget about why I wasn't happy in the first place!"

"I see." Amoneha nodded slowly.

After eating dinner, she sat quietly at the table with her hands folded on top of each other. "Can you hold my hands again?" She asked.

Adder was a bit surprised at her question, but he nodded with a smile, and moved his chair to sit beside her, then took her hands in his and kissed the tops of them. "Your hands are very cold..." He commented softly.

"I can't tell... I wonder if I'll ever feel again." Amoneha wanted to feel his touch, his hands were big around hers and she was sure they were warm.

"You will." Adder seemed fairly confident of that. "Who knows? You're a seer, maybe you're lying to yourself about something and it's causing this." He massaged her hands gently.

Amoneha gaped a little, her eyes were wide and then she looked down at her hands, "I'm not hiding anything... I'm... in shock from committing murder." She gulped hard. "I murdered a man..."

"Murder is killing a person for no reason... you didn't murder him." Adder explained gently. "You killed him to protect yourself... and to save me, and the king. You're a hero, Amon... not a murderer."

"I... I still killed and the rage... I can only remember a burning anger I couldn't control." Amoneha took a few slow breaths, "I couldn't control myself and I... I can't even remember hitting him, but when I came to..." She stammered shakily, "I still took someone's life... I know it was the only way but I can't feel better."

Adder nodded slowly and drew her into a warm hug. It stung a bit, but he knew she needed the hug. "I know... that's something that is never easy to get over. You may never forget it, but the pain will eventually go away. What is important for you to remember is all of the lives you saved by killing him." He pulled her into his lap so he could better comfort her, yet made no other advancement. "You are very strong... and a very kind person for this to be affecting you so badly."

Amoneha nodded slowly, her eyes were still wide and she was beginning to cry. "He almost murdered me... why do I feel terrible? I don't understand... does it hurt badly because he looked like my brother? If my brother acted strange... would it be easy to kill him? I don't... how could I...?"

Adder shook his head. "No, because you're smarter than that... and kinder. When I was acting strange, you didn't kill me." He smiled kindly. "You knew he wasn't your brother, and that's why you killed him. I know you would never truly kill Kynen, no matter what."

Amoneha seemed relieved, "You are always my hero..." She said, "My best friend."

Friend... a friend Adder could be. He loved her dearly... like more than a friend, but if she didn't want that... he could settle with friendship. "Ah... really? So I'm a hero, then?" He grinned and rested his chin on her shoulder. "Don't tell anyone, they might think I'm actually a nice person."

"I won't tell a soul... if you don't tell anyone that I cry all the time." Amoneha nodded, she had so much she wanted to say to him but it wasn't the right time. She couldn't just say it... not then.

Not there.

"Your secret is safe with me." Adder laughed a little bit and hugged her tighter.

--

Kynen's hands were trembling as he buttoned his jacket, he was just so nervous. "I love Rina so much... and I'm so excited to marry her, I'm just... a little scared. I mean, I'm scared that I might not be the best husband or something for her. Or... what if she gets pregnant and we have a baby? Will I be a good father? Would I be able to support them and take care of them?"

"You will do just fine." Adder smiled.

"How do you know?"

"Because you don't think you're ready... which means you're perfect for it. Just... treasure her, and keep her safe... love her unconditionally and always forgive and forget... and always admit when you're wrong, and apologize even when you don't think you have to. If you can do those things, you'll be a good husband to her."

Kynen sighed nervously and nodded. "A-Alright. I can do that. I love her, she's my world... and she'll be mine in a few moments..."

"Well, go out there! We don't want her to be halfway down the aisle and realize no one is waiting for her!" Adder pushed him out the door.

"Ah!!! Right!" Kynen sprinted off to where he was supposed to be, leaving Adder behind to chuckle at the situation.

"You're beautiful." Amoneha said as she finished lacing the back of the dress for Rina.

"Thank you... I'm so nervous, but not in a bad way... I just can't wait to be away from the crowd. I want to be alone with Kynen for a little bit." Rina's hands were shaking but so where Amoneha's, she was still getting her feeling back. Was Adder right? Was she hiding something even from herself?

"I understand... I suppose. We should go now though, it's time."

Rina nodded, her curls bounced playfully as she walked with Amoneha leading the way. The sunlight was beautiful, as was the gentle and comforting breeze. Rina smiled with tears in her eyes when she saw Kynen waiting for her at the end of the aisle. Her heart pounded and butterflies swarmed, she couldn't stifle her giggle fast enough.

Adder stood by the doorway and smiled to himself when he saw Rina's expression... and stifled a chuckled at Kynen's. He looked like he'd just seen an angel, though to him, she very well could have been an angel. Kynen's eyes were bright with excitement, and he bounced on his heels in anticipation of the vows. Adder couldn't help but be a bit jealous, Adder would be with his true love forever, and he'd be married to her and have children. But Adder... he'd simply be the best friend, though he had to admit that it could be worse. She could have treated him differently after his confession, and stopped talking to him entirely. Yes, being the best friend, and knowing everything about her... that was preferable to being written off completely.

Kynen's grinned broadened when he took Rina's hands in his, and the vows began there.

"Rina looks beautiful today." Adder whispered to Amon. He hadn't turned to see her, but he knew she was there... he knew her presence well. "Kynen was scared he would disappoint her... but I don't think he will."