Hey everyone! This is my first story! I hope you like it. I LOVE Maevan! Please read and review!
Declaimer: I do not own the characters or the place. Sadly, Alison Croggon does, she is one lucky woman.
Cadvan heard the scream in his mind before his ears. He whipped around into a couching position in time to see Maerad crumple to the ground. Hem dropped to his knee's and pulled his sister into his arms. Cadvan heard Hekibel gasp somewhere behind him.
"By the Light, no! She can't be!" Hekibel whispered, crying. Cadvan heard her muffled sobs and Saliman's words of comfort, although he was crying. Cadvan couldn't believe what he was seeing. She can't be dead! I love her, how could I let this happen! I will never get to tell how much I loved her, never know if she loved me. I will never hold her in my arms, never get to kiss her... he thought. But then Maerad's arms were around Hem's neck and she was hugging him! Before he knew what was happening, he was beside her, and she was in his arms. She had her face in his chest, and was so happy. Hem got up and walked over to Saliman and Hekibel. They talked and Saliman checked Hem over for any injuries, and found nothing. They then walked back to the camp. So as not to intrude upon Cadvan and Maerad's moment, although what happened was not what they had expected.
When Maerad pulled away, not completely, but far enough that she could look him straight in the face, there was so much she wanted to say but could not find the words. So instead, she leaned forward, and kissed him gently on the lips. She pulled away when Cadvan didn't react.
"I'm sorry," she said, no more than a whisper, "I shouldn't have," she was interrupted by Cadvan, pulling her closer and kissing her passionately. All Maerad could think was how amazing it felt to be close to him, how amazing it felt to have his body against hers. She put her arms around his neck, and deepened the kiss. When they both pulled away, they were breathing heavily, and smiling.
"Never, ever again apologize for kissing me." he whispered, kissing her on the forehead. She leaned in and put her head on his shoulder, and hugged him again.
"And Maerad." he said.
"Mmhmm?" she said, more than content to stay there forever.
"Never make me believe you are dead again." When they finished laughing, they got up and walked over to the camp hand in hand. She had let go of Cadvan's hand and ran over to Hem, tripping once or twice from extreme exhaustion, and hunger. They hugged for a long time, and then remembering her other friends, greeted Saliman and Hekibel with hugs.
Later that night, after Maerad had fallen asleep, Hem came and sat next to Cadvan who was first on watch.
"May I talk to you Cadvan?" Hem said shifting a little.
"Oh course! What is on your mind?" Cadvan said, feeling rather surprised by the anger that was covering Hem's face.
"I wanted to warn you." He said looking out over the Hutmoors. Eyes planted somewhere in the distance.
"Warn me? What about?" Cadvan was very curious to know what he had to be warned about that he didn't already know.
"If I ever see you touching my sister again." Hem said, and turned to face Cadvan, "I will beat the life out of you." At this he got up and went to his blanket. Cadvan stared, mouth gaping open, as Hem lay, he had not noticed that he was not more than a few inches away from Maerad. He didn't think that Hem had seen the kiss, but he had not noticed much else. Cadvan didn't bother waking Saliman up for his watch, he couldn't have slept know even if he had wanted too.
After they had broken their fast, the group set out. They had decided the night before that they were going to ride to Innail. Maerad was very confused by Cadvan's behavior, and was only partly conscious of the fact that Hem didn't every really leave her side. When she mounted Dansor, and Cadvan came up behind her and they started off, she leaned back and joined their minds in mind-speech.
Cadvan! What is wrong, you have not said more than two words to me this morning! You could barely keep your hands off me yesterday. She said, noticing how ridged he was behind her.
I had a late night visitor last night. He said, relaxing a little, glad that he was telling her. Hem came over and sat with me while I was on my watch last night. Cadvan then explained all that had happened with Hem. Maerad was glad for the cloak she wore, so Cadvan did not see her face go bright red.
I guess that explains why Hem has not given me a moments peace! She glanced over at her brother to find him staring at them with anger in his eyes. It also explains why he is looking at you as if to drive a hole through your head. At this they both laughed, although stifled it quickly, not wanting to draw attention to themselves.
That is probably very likely. Cadvan said after collecting himself fully. But I do believe it would be better, for the both of us, if we did not show affection toward each other around your brother. Maerad reluctantly agreed more for Cadvan's safety than anything else. She soon fell asleep against Cadvan, she dreamed of walking with him, hand in hand.
Please Review! Currently working on Ch. 2! :D