Maerad beheld the ravishing beauty of Il Arunedh and gasped. She hadn't expected to see so many blossoms, for neither the flowers of Innail nor Lirigon had ever piled so high amongst the brick walls of the buildings. Examining row after row of the soft pastel hues, she drifted into a fantasy-like daze where everything was perfect and time stood still; it was no secret as to why the School was a place of great pilgrimage.
"I knew you would find them stunning." Cadvan noted her astonishment; his eyes alight with mischief. "They have waited here for centuries, carefully biding their time until the Fire lily herself could look upon them and beam with satisfaction."
Maerad couldn't help but blush at his comment as she sat underneath one of the trellises that supported the heavy bushes. His loving friendship had granted her many new and exciting experiences since the downfall of the Nameless one, only some of which could surpass the exhilarating moment she now found herself in.
"Cadvan," she began, waiting as he joined her on the low bench. "Would you ever leave me?"
His eyebrows furrowed for a moment before he laughed. "How could I?" he replied, taking her hand. "Why would I is the better question."
His inquiry had made her realize how foolish she had sounded. "What I meant was why do you love me?" she corrected. Her pride wouldn't admit it but she felt as if her existence would be for not if he ever left her; she needed Cadvan.
Cupping her delicate face, he seemed to understand. "Nobody, not even poets, has ever measured what the heart can hold within its recesses. To explain why I love you would take ages."
"Hmm," she murmured, taken in by the sweet aroma filled garden and the warmth of Cadvan's hand. He continued cradling her face, inching his way forward to kiss her gently. "You have too much free time if you contemplate such things," he chided playfully, stroking her cheekbone. "For surely you must know why I brought you here in the first place?"
Maerad paused, knowing not why her heart began to race. "You always told me you would," she answered hesistantly; it had not been the planned response.
Nodding, he didn't seem to notice her blunder. "Aye, I did."
A breezed joined their company as Cadvan found a rose and turned to face her again. "Maerad, time is too slow for those who wait, too swift for those who fear," he said wisely, twisting the floret. Maerad continued to watch with curiosity, absorbing his words with much furor and devotion.
"It is too long for those who grieve, too short for those who rejoice, but for those who love…" he trailed off, flashing his brilliant smile as his eyes met hers.
"Yes?" Maerad asked impatiently, her soul screaming with anticipation.
He placed the rose in her hand, closing her fingers around its thornless stem. "…time is eternity."
Her breath caught in her throat as he revealed a small piece of jewelry from his pocket. "Little did you know, Il Arunedh is also known for crafting rings," he smiled.
"Cadvan I-"
He did not cut her off; her reaction died on her tongue on its own accord as he slipped the ring onto her finger. Her veins constricted, her lungs became devoid of air. The world ceased its rotation and the noises of every creature ended except the quiet breath exhaled from Cadvan's chest. She no longer wafted the scent of the roses nor felt the beams of golden sunlight that crossed her face as he gazed at her so tenderly that she found herself melting. Time truly granted her forever to bask in this moment as Cadvan finished speaking, his voice little more than a whisper as he leaned his forehead against hers. "I want you to marry me."
