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softly, tears coming to her eyes.  “Alyna,” she paused and glanced at Roger.  “The fever stole Garin’s sight.  We had hoped it would return but Brother Martin fears he will be permanently blind.”
    Tears escaped and rolled down Alyna’s cheeks.  Her fat her’s grip tightened on her shoulder.  She was both relieved and horrified.  Relieved that Garin lived, horrified that something so terrible could happen to such a valiant young man.  She swallowed the hard lump in her throat.
    “ May I see him?”
    The baroness gazed at her with sad green eyes.  “I don’t think....”
    “ Please, your excellency.”
    “ All right.  I warn you, while the fever no longer plagues him, he is still disoriented and weak.   Sometimes he knows his state and sometimes he does not.”  She stood and Alyna followed her.  As she passed Roger, Alyna saw his jaw set in a grim line.  Only one man in the room truly understood Garin’s loss.
    Alyna fought to steady herself on the journey to Garin’s room.  The baroness opened the door and spoke with someone inside.  Quietly she motioned Alyna to follow.  “Loud noises make his head hurt,” the baroness whispered.
    A small fire in the hearth cast an eerie dim glow in the room.  Alyna’s heart s talled when she saw Garin in the bed.  The blankets covered him to the waist, his skin ashen and his face gaunt.  His hair was a tangled mess.  He stirred restlessly.  The slash across his chest remained a dark, angry line, but it appeared as if it was hea ling without problem.  It would probably fade to a faint scar.
    “ You may only stay a few moments.  He tires easily.”
    “ I understand,” Alyna whispered.
    The moment she spoke, Garin’s eyes flew open.  “That voice,” he said.  “I know that voice.  Alyna is that y ou?  Mother?  Am I hallucinating again?”
    Alyna almost choked.  “Nay, Garin,” she said and sat beside his bed.  She took his hand and gripped it tightly.  “I am here.”
    “ Thank God.”  He returned her grip but Alyna felt the weakness still plaguing him.  He re ached for her and Alyna guided his hand to her face, closing her eyes as he caressed her cheek.  “I don’t know why they insist on keeping it so dark in here, I can’t even see you.”
    Tears spilled down her cheeks.
    “ Alyna, my sweet, please don’t cry.  I will be better soon.”
    She swallowed again.  She would not...could not break his heart.  His blue eyes were still clear and beautiful but they did not focus on her.  “Of course,” she said and forced herself to smile.  “It just hurts me to see you ill.”
    “ It take a lot more than a fever to put me down.”  His fingers tightened on her face.  “Good Lord, I want to see you.  Mother, light a lamp please.”
    “ Nay,” Alyna said quickly and leaned closer.  “The light will hurt your eyes, Garin.”
    He inhaled deeply, his fingers moving to her hair.  “Glory,” he whispered so only she could hear.  “You smell wonderful.  Like a field of lavender in springtime.”
    A shudder possessed the very core of her being.  She knew she was on the verge of breaking, of completely losing control.  What could she do?  What should she say?  His fingers continued to weave through her hair and she spotted the bandages on his arms.  She scowled, looking at them closely, then her eyes widened in horror.
    “ Garin,” Eleanor said softly.  “I am sorry but you n eed to rest now.”
    He sighed disconsolately.  “But I only want to see Alyna.”
    “ She can sit with you later.  You must not overtire yourself.”
    “ Very well,” he said.  “Alyna, I look forward to our marriage.”  He pulled her hand to his lips and kissed the back of it. 
    She almost groaned.  His breath was warm and his lips soft.
    “ So do I,” she whispered, kissing his cheek.
    Suddenly, Garin’s arms enveloped her, pulling her against him.  “I survived the war because of the hope you granted me.” He