The curtains blew in the wind and he started his climb. Hand over hand, the cold stone of the castle rubbed against his already callused hands as he sought his next handhold, then he next foot hold. Strong powerful limbs worked together in unison to pull his form up the side of the castle. He could remember the last time he had done this, when he had made a promise to her that he would be back for her. The night he had whisked her away to his small home, where he bathed her, fed her and showed her that his love for her had never waned or faltered. Now, here he was again, climbing up the wall one grip at a time. Hand over hand, one foot hold after another he scaled the wall. Clouds overhead cast him in shadow and hid him from the patrol of guards that marched to and fro between their posts.<br/><br/>When at last he gripped the edge of the window he hoisted himself up with a final surge of effort and with surprising skill and grace he landed lightly on the wooden floor of her chamber. There he stood, his eyes on her, body slightly tense with pent up emotion that he resisted expressing. So much about this moment was different than the last, so much felt like it rode on this moment that he feared that any sudden movements would cause it all to fall to ruin.<br/><br/>“Maria…” her name was spoken on bated breath as he took that first step toward her. The old wood, brought there generations ago by the first nobles to settle the land creaked under the heavier bulk that made up Brádach.  Once the first step was taken the others came like an avalanche and he was before her before either of them could really think, let alone breathe. Things were different now, in a good way, back to how they had been when they first connected.<br/><br/>Slowly with the utmost care he reached up and caressed the side of her face, “Maria…” her name once again whispered. With just the utterance of her name, he wished to express to her just how much she meant to him and how much he wanted her and how much he loved her. There was no other place in the world he wanted to be, than right there with her. The woman he loved and soon to be mother of his child.<br/><br/>The hand at her face shifted to cup it and tilt her face more up toward his own, “I love you...” he whispered before he lowered down and kissed her.