Sword and Shield

Twenty minutes later, Miashgon sat in his room, holding the new blade at his lap. He let the light of sunset shine on it. The blade shone bright gold, and the jewels in the hilt sparkled. It was like fire and lighting before his eyes, or that's how he imagined it. A hard knock sounded on his door.

"Come in." He said, wondering who it was.

The door opened, and Zerona entered, a frown in her eyes. "Xavier just told me the news." She sighed, "He was quite excited about it to tell you the truth."

Miashgon shook his head. "I can't say that I won't enjoy myself, Zerona."

Zerona laughed in a manner that was completely different from her usual light-heartedness, "Of course you'll enjoy yourself! Three months out in the country, just you and Xavier. You've always talked about doing it. I just wish you hadn't chosen the three months before your coronation to carry it out."

Miashgon sighed, "I didn't choose this Zerona, you know that." He stood up, "Though I don't see how the timing of this expedition changes its impact."

Zerona frowned at him, looking him in the eyes, "Miashgon, when you return, you'll be crowned King. Then you'll start gaining responsibilities, load by load." She sighed, "I love you, and I was hoping to spend the last three months of our freedom with you."

Miashgon took Zerona's arm, and held her close, "Don't be worried about a simple thing like a Coronation. No matter what I do, I'll aslways make time for you. Now, I have to do this for my father. If I had any other choice, I wouldn't go."

Tears welled up in Zerona's eyes, "I want to believe you're right, and that nothing is going to change, but-"

Miashgon stopped her, "Shh.. No buts. I love you, and nothing is going to change that." He paused for a moment, then held out a hand, "I have an idea. Give me that necklace I made for you."

Zerona looked puzzled, but shrugged as she took off the necklace, and placed it in Miashgon's hand.

"Now, I never told you, but I saved all the shards that were cut off this sapphire when it was cut, and had them set into a gold ring," Miashgon said, smiling, "and because of this, I can do some binding magic with them."

He reached into a drawer in the table next to him, and pulled out a gold ring with sparkling blue veins. He touched the gemstones from the two pieces of jewellry together, and whispered a spell, "{Let these two brothers speak to one another}" The sapphire glowed for a moment, after which Miashgon returned Zerona's necklace, and put the ring on his right hand.

"Now, I have to leave for a few months. However, if you ever want to talk to me, all you have to do is touch the sapphire-" as he spoke, he reached for the ring with his left fingertips, "-and think of what you want me to hear-" Miashgon stopped speaking, but the words entered Zerona's mind all the same, '-and I'll hear you, clear as a bell.'

Zerona gasped, then reached for her necklace, 'Really? That's all I have to do?'

Miashgon laughed, "Yes, that's all you have to do. I'll always be right there with you."

Zerona kissed Miashgon, "Thank you! You have no idea what this means, Miashgon."

Miashgon smiled again, "I think I do. Having you able to talk to me will be my protection from loneliness and depression while I am away."

Zerona smiled, and kissed him again, holding him close, "I should probably leave, you have a lot of preparation ahead of you."

Miashgon smiled wearily, "That I do. That I do. I'll see you before I leave tomorrow I hope."

Zerona smiled one more time, happiness shining from her beautiful brown eyes, "I'll be there, I promise."

The door shut, and Miashgon continued to pack. As he reached for the next item, he heard Zerona's voice, 'Goodnight Miashgon, I love you,' and smiled.