When Reman awoke, he did not open his eyes. It was not that he was unable to, rather, he didn't want to burn his eyes on the lights above, he'd seen them last night. The Imperial estimated that is was either early morning, or very late in the afternoon based on the activity he heard around him, and none of it was in his room. Because Glade was still sleeping, he judged that by her breathing pattern, Reman guessed it was the former, the sun probably hadn't even risen yet.

Thinking all of that took less than a single second. The Imperial was feeling better than he had in years, despite having only received a few hours of sleep, he felt as though he'd actually gotten some rest. The very thought almost brought a tear to his eye, he was so close now, it wouldn't be much longer before he could walk amongst the fields of Kvatch, soon he would see his family once more. But Reman had a job to do, and daydreaming wouldn't make it a reality. He and Glade would leave as soon as possible, no sense in wasting time, they'd waited long enough as it is.

Even while he remained in bed, the Imperial could feel how much his strength had returned. The rush was amazing, he'd definitely gotten a power boost from his nap. Reman unconsciously flexed the muscles of his forearms, noticing how much stronger they seemed. A noise made him cease his actions, someone was coming, somepony, Reman corrected himself. Immediately, the sound of four pairs of hooves entered the room. Without opening his eyes, the Imperial would have to wait for one of them to speak before he could confirm who they belonged to. Wait, another pony came in, that made three newcomers, who were they?

“Look, Glade's sleeping.” That voice belonged to Luna. She came all the way from Canterlot to see him? The thought touched Reman's heart.

“Not anymore.” Glade groaned slightly, she must be stretching before she starts actually getting around. The female lycan jumped to the floor, hooves clacking against the stone, or at least what sounded as such. “I slept late, didn't I?”

“You aren't on a schedule, you are allowed to recuperate, these have been stressful times for us all.” Celestia's voice sounded just as sagely as it always had. Despite her best efforts, however, Reman could hear how tired she was, perhaps getting into an all-out deathmatch inside a bakery wasn't the best thing to present a monarch. “You certainly seem to have rested rather well, given circumstances.” Glade must have gotten the same boost Reman had, if she seemed better off now. “Has anything changed?”

“No, he hasn't moved a muscle.” The sorrow in the lycan's voice was evident, but the Imperial wasn't going to show his hand yet. If she was so torn up about her friend's injury, then Reman would give her a surprise, to make up for the pain he'd caused.

“We can't be too sure, though, he may have improved during the night, even if by some miniscule amount.” That voice was unfamiliar, even to Reman's amazing memory. This pony must have been a doctor here, wherever here was, that is. “I'll just begin scanning, now.”

With those words, the Imperial felt a strange sensation. It was magic, no doubt, but it held strange qualities to it. In a moment, Reman's entire body felt as though it had been submerged in a vat of fizzing water, with bubbles tingling over every inch of his skin. It was a strange mixture of Restoration and Illusion magic, by his best guess, but the combination's purpose was unknown. Then, just as quickly as it began, the sensation ceased, leaving the Imperial rather confused.

“Anything?” Luna's voice was small, as though she had lost hope. Reman's mind superimposed Arriana over the blue mare, and the girl whined over her sick brother, begging him to wake up. It took every ounce of self-control for the Imperial to resist rising and wrapping the Princess in a calming embrace, a brother's instinct to assure his younger sister's comfort. Old habits were hard to kill, even for someone so adept at killing.

“I heard something, like a dog barking in the distance, very faint.” The healer's news brought new life to the room. It seemed that any sort of improvement, however slight, was a relief to the ponies around Reman. Of course, at least one of them was worried for her friend's life, the life of her pack-mate, it made sense to feel some joy with the revelation. Feeling Glade's enthusiasm made the Imperial wonder if all forebears felt this close to their progeny, but quickly dismissed the thought. There was simply no way he and Zenammu would ever have gotten along.

“Luna, I believe that we'll be staying the entire day, perhaps I should get us all some breakfast?” Celestia was only asking Glade, Reman could tell, because both Princesses smelled like food.

“I could go for a bite.” That was the first time the Imperial had ever heard the lycan mare address the monarch informally. It was a refreshing change from the norm.

“Then, I'll be back in a few minutes.” Celestia quickly exited the room, leaving Luna, Glade, and Reman alone. Neither of the mares said anything for a few moments, both enjoyed the Imperial's calm, even breathing, a sign of his possible recovery. Subtle bursts of air gave away Glade's exact location, even the direction her head was facing, she had a nervous tic whenever she was excited: look to the left slightly and shift wings twice. If she looked to the right, they moved only once.

“I hope he wakes up soon.” Luna's voice came from the left, giving Reman her location as well. The Imperial hadn't spent as much time with her as he had with Glade, so if she could give away anything about her emotions, the man couldn't pick them up.

“You say that like I'm meant to be surprised.” Glade chuckled a little, good to see she still had some humor within herself. She was facing away from the Imperial, Reman decided to put his plan into action.

Within a fraction of a second, the lycan opened his eyes, faced Luna, and gave her silencing gesture. The Lunar Princess witnessed, and silently complied, and while she was excited, she held her facade of calm concern. She had no way of knowing what Reman had planned, but assumed it would be positive.

In the next moment, taking less time than before, the Imperial rose in the bed. Remaining completely silent, he extended his arms. While the lycan only did anything like this for a combat grapple, this action couldn't be farther from that. This movement was rarely employed by the warriors of Nirn, only used when absolutely necessary.

Reman of Cyrodiil grabbed Summer Glade from behind, and wrapped her in a hug. The mare must have assumed it was some form of attack, before she realized who it was. The Imperial rested his head on the mare's shoulder, and smiled.

“A little birdy told me you were worried about me?” The mare whirled around and buried her head in her friend's chest. She wrapped her forelegs around his torso, returning his embraced. The moment was tender, right up until Glade slapped Reman across the face.

“Don't scare me like that again!” She tightened her grip on him, as though she was afraid that he would vanish into thin air. To the Imperial's surprise, tears were streaming down her face, she must have cared for him deeply, more so than anyone could have anticipated. Reman held her closely, an attempt to console her, remedy her fears. The two lycans jumped slightly when Luna joined in on their little bonding moment, the blue Princess was welcomed with open arms.

After five minutes, the three broke apart. Each participant was smiling in his or her own way, one small, one wrapped in tears, and the final was cheeky beyond mortal understanding.

To everyone's surprise, Luna giggled.

“It's ironic, isn't it?” The blue mare held a hoof over her mouth as she spoke. Despite how obvious the humor was to her, Reman and Glade were left in the dark.

“I'm sorry, but you've lost me.” The Imperial wasn't uneducated, as the son of a powerful noble, he was taught by some of the finest tutors in Cyrodiil, but the concept of irony was lost on him.

“The only time combat has ever been in your favor is the time you almost die.” With that, the man joined her in laughing, much to Glade's dismay.

“How is that funny?” The lycan mare was dumbfounded at their behavior. How could somepony laugh at Reman's misfortune.

“Lighten up, Glade, it's all in good fun.” Despite his attempt at humor, the Imperial failed to bring a smile to the mare's face. The lycan leaned towards his pack-mate , cheeky smile plastered on, however, he failed to notice Glade's devious grin. Luna watched only in curiosity, fascinated by the odd behavior they exhibited. It was in the next instant that the Lunar Princess and the Imperial would receive a surprise.

Summer Glade pressed her lips to her forebear's.