Nestad and His Aewen: A true love story

by Commander Vana

An elf healer, held captive by evil warlords, helps a newly captured Gondorian beauty. Little knowing she would capture his heart. Written as a Role Play by two fine, Christian homeschoolers.

10. Chapter 10

Day 10

When morning dawned (far too soon, in some opinions), the healer was the first to wake. He simply couldn't get enough of the fact that he was lying like this, his beloved warm in his arms and her face relaxed in sleep. He kissed her gently, unable to prevent himself. She just looked so adorable when she was sleeping.

"Mmm…" Aewen stirred slightly when she felt the kiss. She turned her face towards it and smiled slightly, though she didn't wake up.

Nestad chuckled very softly as he hummed softly, soothing her back into sleep. 'Thank you, Ilúvatar, for this precious treasure,' he thought with every ounce of thankfulness in his being. 'I don't deserve her. But I will do everything in my power to make her happy and safe.'

Aewen drifted back into her deep slumber, getting a lot of much needed rest. It was nearly a half hour later when her body had finally had enough, and she began to wake on her own. Presently she opened her eyes, hearing Nestad's soft humming. She smiled as the first sight she saw was his eyes looking back at her full of love.

"Good morning, melethril," the elf smiled, pausing in his humming to kiss her gently. "Sleep well?"

Aewen smiled again and snuggled closer to him, loving the feel of his warm body so close to hers. "I've never slept better," she said softly. "I feel so rested."

Nestad wrapped both arms around his beloved, smiling as he caught a glimpse of her drowsily beautiful face. "I am so glad to hear that," he murmured. "My sleep was as refreshing as a full week's worth of deep sleep."

"Mmm, yes, that's what it was like," she agreed. "A pity it must end so soon. I could stay just like this forever."

"As could I," the elf smiled, realizing that he could, in truth, stay there like that forever, holding her close and drinking in her warmth and beauty. Both fed him in some way, and he would be content with that forever.

They laid there in silence for many minutes; just living in the moment that could last forever if only the world would stop spinning. But it was spinning. And the footsteps coming down the stairs was an unwelcome proof of that.

Nestad scowled at the ceiling. He didn't want to let his beloved go! He was warm and comfortable and happy…but who knew what would be said? Aewen's reputation was important to him, especially as it concerned her relationship with him. Reluctantly, he released her and sat up slowly, every fiber of his body protesting the action.

Aewen sat up with him, taking his hand in hers and giving him a warm smile. "It sounds like breakfast," she said. "Good, because I'm starving."

"So am I," the elf admitted, squeezing her hand and giving her a kiss. "So, even though it means we have to get up…" he mock-pouted, sticking his bottom lip out a bit more than needed.

Aewen giggled and kissed his pouting lip. "We'll be together all day," she said. "And all night tonight. And forever…"

Nestad grinned and returned the kiss. "That's true," he admitted, pulling away slightly. His common sense was still working and reminding him that it would be a really bad idea to be caught kissing when the door opened.

There was the sound of a key in the lock, and Aewen sat up straight, looking at the door. It opened, admitting a guard with a tray of food and water. He set it down on the floor. "Breakfast," he grunted. He looked up at them, both sitting side by side on the cot, looking at him. "What are you gawking at?" he said. And then left, locking the door behind him.

The elf couldn't keep back a burst of laughter, muffling it with a hand. "Had we been one second slower," he managed, "he would have been the one gawking." For some reason, that was beyond funny.

Aewen laughed as well, loving how happy they both were, despite their circumstances. After a moment Aewen got up and brought the tray over to the cot and set it between them. "Oh, look, another orange," she said, grinning as she held it up to smell it.

Nestad grinned and gently snatched it from her fingers after letting her smell it for a moment. "If I may?" he inquired, digging his fingernails into the rind.

"Of course," Aewen said. And then turned her attention to the rest of the food; some porridge and bread, and some water. She took a long drink of the water first. "Oh…that was nice," she said when she was done. "I was so thirsty."

The elf peeled the orange quickly, setting the rinds on the tray with meticulous precision before splitting it and peeling a piece off. "Open," he ordered gently.

Aewen smiled and opened her mouth, not taking her eyes from his. She loved the little sweet things he did to make her happy and feel loved. She felt very special.

He gently placed the piece in her mouth, stroking her cheek with his thumb before leaning in to kiss her still-open lips. "Whenever I smell or taste an orange, you're the one I'll always think of," he murmured.

Aewen smiled softly as she chewed the orange. "There is a smell that will always remind me of you also," she said softly.

The elf slipped a piece of orange into his mouth and arched an eyebrow. "The smell of that horrible tasting sleeping tea?" he guessed teasingly.

Aewen laughed and shook her head. And then she leaned forward and put her face close to his neck, and in his hair, inhaling while she breathed in his fragrance. "Leaves…" she said after a moment, trying to put a name to it. "Grass…starlight…"

"Does starlight have a smell?" Nestad asked, closing his eyes as her smell engulfed him in warmth from top to toe.

"I don't know…" Aewen said, taking another slow breath. "But if it does…then I know how it smells…" She kissed him below his ear.

The elf purred softly as warmth spread from her kiss. His hands cupped the back of her head as his fingers threaded through her hair. "We'll have to find out sometime," he murmured, "if starlight has a smell. I do know the stars have a song."

"Do they?" Aewen asked, kissing him again, feeling overwhelmed by her own feelings. "I've never heard them sing before."

"Few have," the elf managed as he stroked her scalp gently. "Few stop and listen long enough to hear it. I've heard it a couple times." Emotions were taking over him rapidly.

"How long must you listen before you hear?" Aewen asked, her voice barely making it past her throat. She kept her face close to his neck, leaving small kisses below his ear every few seconds.

"Depends," Nestad gasped, one hand moving down to the back of her neck and rubbing gently. "Sometimes you have to listen a long time. Sometimes their song catches you unawares as you go about your life."

"Then maybe…sometime you and I can try listening together," Aewen said, and she moved her lips to his ear, kissing him lightly. Her heart was pounding very fast, and she was quite warm. But it was a very good feeling.

The elf moaned as his blood pounded in his ears, her kisses on his ear making him feel things he'd never felt before. "I'd like that," he managed, his fingers shaking as he stroked her shoulders and neck gently. "It's such a beautiful sound…when the sky sings to your heart…"

"Nestad…" Aewen breathed after a moment, unable to stop what she was doing. "What's…happening…"

"I don't…I don't know…" Nestad replied, his voice barely above a breath as he looked at her, his expression warring between confusion and some other emotion he couldn't quite name. "But…I like it…"

"So do I…" Aewen said, though she couldn't help feeling a bit scared. She wrapped her arms around him and held onto him tightly. "I love you…" she whispered.

The elf returned the hug, his breath short as he held her close. In this state, he was almost painfully aware of where their bodies touched. "I love you too," he replied. "We don't… have to do anything…if you're afraid."

Aewen opened her eyes. How had he guessed? "I…how…how did you know?" she asked softly.

"We're…touching," the elf replied, looking into her eyes. "I can feel…everything you're feeling. It's all right…"

Aewen looked at him, her whole body trembling slightly. "I…I felt things…when I was with the commander…I'm afraid…" She didn't know what else to say. What she was feeling now wasn't anything like what she had felt with the commander. This was wonderful, and full of love. And yet, she couldn't help being a little afraid.

Nestad nodded, holding her close and passing what peace his scrambled mind could find into her. "That's natural," he whispered. "The last time anyone…touched you like this, it hurt. The mind…tries to push away whatever hurts." He kissed her face gently again and again. "It's all right…"

Aewen let him kiss her for a moment. "I'm not afraid of you," she assured him. "I'm not… I love your touch…and your kisses. I feel…very good…"

"So do I," the healer replied, his voice husky. "Oh, melethril…" The sentence was filled with Nestad's confused desire. He didn't want to hurt his beloved, and he had never… been in such a place before. He didn't know what to do. But oh, how he wanted this!

Aewen swallowed hard and drew a ragged breath. "They're…going to be coming for us soon…" she said faintly, as she rested her brow against his. "I wish it weren't so…"

"Me too," Nestad replied, his senses catching the sound of someone coming. "Oh Valar…why now?" He closed his eyes and fought back his desire. "Of all times…" he kissed her long and longingly, putting all of his desire into the joining of mouths.

Aewen let a small cry escape through her nose as Nestad kissed her. But she returned his kiss with just as much desperation, clinging to him tightly. A single tear trailed down her cheek, and she didn't even know why. She was so overwhelmed with emotions and she couldn't understand most of them.

They pulled apart and fought for breath as they stared at each other. "I love you," Nestad whispered as his sharp ears picked up the sound of keys in the lock. "Love can be patient, when necessary." He cupped her face in his hand. "You are my precious wing-fish. I can wait." His body told him he couldn't, but love and his mind overruled his body firmly.

Aewen smiled and bit her lip. "Thank you," she whispered. And she was very grateful to him. The door swung open, and the two lovers quickly pulled away from each other.

A guard stepped lazily into the cell. "Time for work," he said. "Let's go."

Nestad stood up, turning and offering Aewen his hands. He smiled at her, winking and mouthing, "Melin le."

She smiled back, squeezing his hands, and together they left the cell and made their way to the top. The sun was gone, and the dark clouds hanging over the land threatened rain. But it couldn't dampen the way Aewen was feeling right then. She was happy, and it was obvious in her smile, and in her eyes, and in the way she walked.

Nestad's step was always naturally light; he was an elf. But right at the moment, he felt like he was walking on clouds, his heart singing. Yes, his desire had been curtailed. But that was all right. The beauty still holding his hand was betrothed to become his wife. And now that he was thinking with a clear head (more or less) it was probably better that they hadn't done anything beyond kiss.

They reached the healing tent to find that so far no new patients had come in that day. "It's so quiet," Aewen observed. "It was quiet yesterday too, but for that one with the missing hand. I wonder what the reason could be."

"Maybe they finally modified the machinery?" Nestad suggested. "That'd be nice; less patients to worry about while dealing with the new disease."

"I hope so…" Aewen said. "Well, there are still a lot of patients here that haven't been healed yet. Were you going to do that any time?"

"Today would be the best time," the healer said, releasing his love's hand and rubbing his palms together. "What have we today?"

"Well, there are a few people from that battle who still have some injuries that aren't fully healed. And…my old guard, with the neck injury. He's still here."

"He is? Well, I'll see what I can do." His power was fully tangible, nearly crackling from each fingertip as he walked to the first bed, where a young man lay, his eyes closed and his face flushed with painful sleep. His stomach had been badly cut. The day before, Nestad had healed all the worst of the internal injuries, but hadn't had the strength to close the wounds.

Aewen went with Nestad and knelt by his side as he examined the young man. She couldn't help it. She wanted to be by his side always and never leave it. And perhaps she could be of some assistance to him.

Nestad rested one hand on Aewen's shoulder as he finished the examination. "I'll be able to close those wounds," he murmured, gaining strength from her touch and closeness. "It'll just take a moment." He put the other hand on the boy's stomach and let his power close the wounds.

Aewen watched in amazement. No matter how many times she watched him do that, she never lost her awe. Soon the boy's wounds were closed all the way, and the expression of pain on his face was gone. His eyes flickered open, and he looked up at the elf a bit perplexed.

"There you go," the healer smiled. He smoothed a hand over the new flesh, checking for anything he'd missed. "All whole again. How do you feel?"

"Better…" the boy said, blinking and trying to find any pain in his body, but it was all gone. "Thank you." He smiled up at the elf with gratitude. "Thank you so much."

Nestad smiled back, rumpling the boy's hair with a gentle hand. "My delight, youngling," he replied, his other hand gently squeezing Aewen's shoulder. "You may remain here a few moments longer to recover your strength, if you like."

"Thank you," the boy said, and relaxed in the bed, closing his eyes for a while.

Aewen stood up, patting Nestad on the shoulder. "There is that man who had been impaled with sticks," she said. "And he also has a broken leg. You never tended to him again."

"Never had much of a chance," Nestad said, pulling a rueful face as he rose gracefully. "Lucky we set that leg before everything happened; it would have set crooked if we hadn't and I would have to re-break it in order to cure it."

Aewen winced slightly. "That would be awful," she said, leading the elf to the bed where the young man was lying still in some pain. He was awake, but restless.

"It would be," Nestad agreed soberly as he knelt beside the young man. "Hello lad," he murmured, directing the human's attention to the elf. "How do you feel?" His hand rested against his shoulder, careful not to press against the man's wounds.

"I hurt…" the man said, taking a breath and looking up at the elf.

"Yes, I imagine you do," the healer said, sending a wash of soothing strength through the young man's body. He gently flipped the blanket back and bit his lip. He had closed all of the serious injuries and healed what damage was done to the man's internal systems, but he hadn't had the strength to close all of the outer wounds. That showed now; they were full of pus and on the verge of being badly infected. Closing his eyes, the healer carefully rested his hands on several of the injuries and began cleansing the wounds as carefully as possible.

The man closed his eyes tightly and gritted his teeth. A few tears leaked out from under his lids. And a minute later a sob shook his body. Aewen came to his side and took his hand in hers, squeezing it gently.

Nestad paused for a moment to send a wash of soothing relief to the pain and to give himself a second to catch his breath. That much pain so close to his senses was nearly overwhelming. "Peace," he murmured, watching his betrothed with a soft smile. She was so loving, so beautiful, so helpful…

"You're gong to be all right in just a moment," Aewen said softly to the man. "Just hold on…a few more moments."

The man let his tears flow freely, his body still shaking slightly from sobs. Aewen began to wonder if it was from something more than his injuries.

"What is it, lad?" Nestad asked, stopping the healing for the moment, though he kept the flow of soothing healing going.

When the young man was asked to tell the reason for his tears, he cried harder, which hurt to do, but he couldn't help it. Aewen looked up at Nestad, a worried expression on her face.

"Peace," the healer soothed. "Peace." He upped the flow of the bodily soothing, sensing that the young man needed to cry himself out. "It's all right…you're safe here."

Aewen's brow was knit with worry and she held the man's hand. And with her other hand she gently smoothed the hair from his brow. "It will be all right," she said. "Everything's going to be all right…"

The man opened his mouth, as if to say something, but no sound came out for a while. Finally, he managed to say one word. "Faraden…" And then he sobbed some more, large tears streaming down his cheeks.

From the emotions radiating from the young man, Nestad knew this 'Faraden' was someone precious to this human. "Who is Faraden?" he asked gently, seeking to draw the human out. The utter grief caught his heart and put a lump in his throat. It was not safe for the young man to bury that kind of grief; it would tear him apart from the inside.

But by now the man was crying too hard to talk. His eyes were closed tightly, and he was gripping Aewen's hand just as tight.

The elf let the human cry, sensing that it was doing more good let him to cry and hold Aewen's hand than it would to make him talk.

Aewen looked up at Nestad while the man cried. There was a question in her eyes, wondering what they should do. She hated to see anyone in such agony.

Nestad began talking in soft Elvish, seeking to soothe the man as he motioned for Aewen do as she was already doing, that she was doing the right thing.

Aewen continued to hold the man's hand and stroke his brow gently, speaking soft words to him. After many long minutes, the man's crying slowly began to lessen, until he fell into a troubled sleep, his body still shuddering once in a while: after effects of the heavy crying.

"Such grief," the elf murmured, his face etched with sad lines. "No one should have to live through an experience to give such deep grief." He continued his work of healing the man's body, but he began to wonder why. The man was heartsick; would he live long enough to pick his life up?

"Is there anything we can do for him?" Aewen asked softly. "What do you think happened?"

"I am in two minds about what happened," Nestad said after a moment's thought. "Faraden is a female; I did get that much from his tone. Either she was on the cart with him and…didn't make it long enough to be brought here, or she was taken and sold. I'm inclined to the first option."

"It's so sad," Aewen said. "I wonder if there's anyway we can find out who this man is and who Faraden was, and what happened to her."

The elf's lips pursed as he thought. "Who brought him in?" he asked after a moment. He never stopped the healing process; most of the wounds were now clean and getting sealed under his gentle touch.

"I can't remember. They were other slaves. It was such a commotion when he came, I didn't think to notice who brought him. They were field workers, that's all I know."

"Hm. Well, the guards see everyone who passes through the main doors. Perhaps they know what field…Kali!" A memory clicked into place. "Kali would know; I think I remember hearing her mention that she knows this lad."

"Oh, yes. She did say that," Aewen realized. "How do we find her?"

"At this time of day? She'd be in the fields. When we go to lunch, we can find her and ask her then."

"I hope we will," Aewen said. "I feel so sad for this man. I wonder if we can help him at all."

Nestad was silent for a moment. "We may not be able to," he said sadly. "His body will heal," as he spoke, the last wound closed under his hand and he pulled the blanket over the young man, "but his heart is badly wounded. He loved deeply and lost. The heart never truly recovers from something like that."

"I want to try to help him," Aewen said. "Maybe…if he could start a new life he would be able to eventually overcome his grief."

The healer smiled as he rose and came around to his beloved, wrapping his arms around her waist from behind. "You have a loving heart, melethril," he murmured. "That is something to work toward, I think, and I will not give up hope while you hope."

Aewen smiled and leaned back into his embrace, looking up at him. "I never like giving up," she said. "On myself or on others. There's a way out of everything, there must be. There's got to be a way to keep on living, to keep hope alive."

The elf's arms tightened warmly around Aewen, holding her close to himself. "A good axiom to live by," he said, kissing her hair above her ear. "Now…who's next?"

Aewen smiled slightly. "My guard," she said simply. "He's over there."

Nestad let out a gusty sigh. "You sure we can't leave him as he is?" he inquired, releasing Aewen. "I don't relish the idea of him making comments about my betrothed."

"Nestad…" Aewen chided. "He is a person who needs help. You would leave a man in pain simply because he said a few unkind words to us? That would only put you down on his level."

"Oh, I know," the healer replied, cupping her face in his hands. "Anyone ever tell you that you're beautiful when you're slightly indignant?" He kissed her lips gently.

She smiled after he pulled back from the kiss. "I think my brother told me I was cute once. But not beautiful," she laughed lightly.

"Then hear it from me. You're beautiful with your cheeks flushed and your eyes sparkling in indignation." The elf kissed her cheeks before releasing her. "Let's heal your foul-mouthed guard."

Aewen giggled. "All right," she said. And she led the way to where the guard was lying. "Hey," she said, sitting on the edge of his bed. "How are you feeling today?"

The guard opened his eyes and leered up at her. "Better now, thanks."

"Careful," Nestad murmured, shifting into the guard's line of vision. His eyes warned what would happen if the guard continued with that line.

Aewen sighed. "May I ask you a question?" she said. "What have I done to you to deserve such treatment? Why must you always treat me like a piece of well-cooked meat?" Her tone was not accusing, but genuinely curious.

"Done?" the guard asked, genuinely incredulous. "You're beautiful! Why shouldn't I treat you as something tasty? Though the parallel between meat and you is rather hard to draw."

"Then why don't you just tell me I'm beautiful? Why don't you give me a compliment that might actually draw my attention rather than repel it? Women appreciate nice words and valiant actions. They do not appreciate drool."

Nestad had to turn away to keep from laughing aloud as the guard gaped, unable to find words to counter that. "All right, you two," the healer finally managed, swallowing his laughter as he turned back. "We do have a job to complete."

"So, it looks like you'll finally be able to go back to your job," Aewen said to the guard as she stood up to make room for Nestad.

"Is that a good thing or a bad thing?" the guard asked as Nestad knelt beside the cot.

"Hush," the healer murmured as he placed a hand over the guard's throat, resisting the urge to throttle the guard. He was horribly possessive when it came to those he loved.

Aewen smiled slightly and put her hand on Nestad's back as the elf began to heal the guard. She could see his possessiveness, and she felt proud that it was she who made him feel so. But she wanted to assure him that she was all right. That she knew how to handle the guard and was not injured by his brashness.

The elf smiled as he felt his betrothed's touch on his back. "Melin le," he said gently, looking up at her before focusing again on his work with a lighter heart. Nothing would take his beloved from him. Nothing and no one.

Aewen smiled and squeezed his shoulder, thankful for the secret language, and that she knew at least one very important sentence that they could speak to each other in front of those who shouldn't hear.

The neck injury wasn't serious and didn't take much time to heal. Nestad straightened and turned from the guard, whom he'd put to sleep to work easier. "Remind me," he said, embracing Aewen briefly, "to teach you more Elvish later."

"Mm, gladly," Aewen said, smiling up at him. "I would love to learn some. Sometimes I just want to tell you something and not have anyone else hear me, or at least understand me."

"Then we shall work on that this evening. I can, at the least, teach you some handy phrases." He kissed her forehead. "You have such a lovely voice; I can't wait to hear how my language would sound in your mouth."

She smiled slightly. "Well, I hope to at least do it justice. When you speak it sounds like a dream. I don't think I could ever sound that wonderful."

"Don't put yourself down before you even start," the elf warned with a playful frown. "I am sure you will do better than you think you shall." He stroked her face gently. "Now… do we have anything left in here before we head to the new tent?"

"Mm…just a couple quick cases, over there are some more people from the battle, but their injuries aren't too bad. It shouldn't take long."

"All right." The healer and his betrothed went from bed to bed, he healing the minor wounds easily and she talking to each patient. At last, they were done with the conventional cases and went to the back room for a moment. "Hold still a moment," Nestad said, cupping the pendant she wore in his hand. The steady glow from the day before had faded to a light shimmer. "I'll need to refresh this daily."

"All right," Aewen said. She watched as Nestad concentrated to give the pendant back its glow. She smiled slightly, smelling leaves and grass and starlight with him this close again. "I love you," she whispered, not meaning to break his concentration. But she just couldn't help saying it.

The elf smiled, but didn't reply until the pendant was shining again. Then he cupped her face in his hands and kissed her breathless. "I love you too, my wing-fish," he murmured.

Aewen couldn't respond after such a kiss. She moaned softly in bliss and leaned forward into his arms, closing her eyes. He was able to make her feel so wonderful in only seconds. How did he do it?

Nestad held her close, inhaling her smell with his eyes closed in blissful contentment. His mouth trailed a line of kisses from her forehead over one closed eye, rounded her cheekbone and lingered for a moment on her cheek before finding her mouth again.

Aewen kissed him back eagerly, holding onto him tightly. She was very warm by now, and a moment later her hands were shaking. Nestad's kisses were enough to drive her crazy. And she could do nothing but fall under their power.

With a moan, the elf pulled away slightly, resting his forehead against hers as he fought for breath. "If we don't stop," he gasped, "I won't be able to keep my control. You taste so good, melethril…"

Aewen was breathing hard and performing a grand effort to keep herself from kissing him again, since his mouth was so close to hers. "I want so bad to just spend the day with you, or even an hour," she whispered. "To sit in a tree or by a stream. And just be in your presence. I want it more than anything."

"So do I," the healer breathed, tasting her sweet breath in his mouth. "Oh Valar, how I want that…" He couldn't keep from kissing her again, gently and longingly, fighting to keep his control even as he tasted her sweet mouth again.

Aewen moaned softly against his lips, pressing her body close to him, as close as she could. She felt almost desperate in that moment. As if she couldn't get enough of him and it would drive her insane.

"You're undoing me, beloved," he gasped between kisses as he pressed against her, holding her tightly. His grip on his control and his sanity was quickly slipping.

After a few more moments, Aewen pulled away with a muffled cry. "We can't…not here," she panted. "Someone…will see…" She rested her brow on his shoulder to keep herself from kissing him again.

"I know…" Nestad replied, holding her close as they fought for control. "Oh Valar…I'm sorry, beloved…if we could, I'd take you…to a hidden place." He closed his eyes as he felt her breathing hard against him.

Aewen just held him tightly, clenching her teeth hard to bite back the tears that threatened to fall at the injustice of it all. "Sing to me," she asked softly.

The elf cleared his throat as his mind scrambled for a song. After a second's thought, he chose one and began singing softly, his voice low and husky as he sang the Elvish words to his beloved. It was a song about flying, swooping around the trees and dancing above the water.

Aewen stood in his embrace and listened to the beautiful song. Her desperation gradually began to fade into a wonderful peace and feeling of contentment. She was very happy simply to be held in his arms.

The song was one of the longer ones Nestad knew, which was why he had chosen it. As the last notes faded away, he sighed and rested his forehead against her shoulder, holding her close. "I love you," he whispered.

"I love you too…" Aewen breathed. Her eyes closed as the last notes of the song echoed in her heart. "Thank you."

"My pleasure, melethril," the elf replied, still holding his beloved as the real world faded back into focus. "My dearest beloved…my little wing-fish."

For many minutes they stood this way, until the sound of a passing cart outside reminded Aewen that the day was advancing and they had work that needed done. "We should get to the other tent," she said softly. "The 'sick' must be looked after."

Nestad laughed softly as he reluctantly released Aewen. "I almost wish I could say 'toss them'," he said, stroking her face. "But I know I can't." Closing his eyes for a moment, he inhaled and exhaled slowly. The flush that had been growing in his cheeks went down and his composure slipped into place.

"So, shall we go together then?" she asked, taking his hand in hers.

"Together," he agreed, lacing his fingers with hers. "As it should be forever." He smiled at her, the special smile he reserved for only her, before leading the way out of the back room.

Aewen grinned as she walked with him, hand in hand. She couldn't help it. There was no way she could hide the happiness she felt as they walked to the other tent near the death pit. It seemed strange that she could feel so happy in a place like this. Yet she did.

All the 'sick' patients were awake and waiting for something to eat and drink. Playing sick was hard work.

"Good morning, everyone," Nestad called as they entered the tent. It was safe; the guards were forbidden to come within three hundred yards of the tent, and they didn't have elf ears. The healer and his love had picked up the breakfast supplies left outside the radius and handed them out now.

Meril was sitting up in her bed, looking eager to see Nestad. She smiled at him when he approached her bed with the breakfast. "Thank you," she said, taking the food from him.

Nestad returned the smile warmly as he put a flask of water beside her bed. "There will be more when that runs out," he said, "so drink all you can." The memory of Aewen's kisses still ran through his blood like liquid fire, so he couldn't help the smile he bestowed on everyone.

"Thank you," the woman said again. "Must I act in any certain way now that we are safe in this tent?"

"If any come to check, listless. Other than that, all I ask is that everyone keeps their voices to slightly below a conversational level to avoid the danger of an eavesdropper getting word back to those in command."

The girl smiled and nodded. "And may I get out of bed too?" she asked.

"Just stay away from the door. I'm never sure when someone may pass by. But as long as you keep out of sight of any passer-by, it should be safe enough."

Meril smiled again, and the look was quite becoming on her, a face who had not smiled in years. "Is there anything I can do to help you?" she asked.

"Hm…I can't think of anything at this moment, but I'm sure something will come up." Nestad returned her smile. "I'll be sure to let you know if there is anything you can help myself or Aewen with."

Meril seemed to think quickly for another reason to keep Nestad by her side. But she couldn't, so instead she quickly reached out and touched his arm, restraining him gently. But when she realized what she had done, she pulled her hand away and actually looked afraid.

'Oh dear,' Nestad thought, kneeling beside her bed. "You don't need to fear me, Meril," he said quietly.

Her heart was pounding as she looked at him. "I'm sorry," she whispered. "I didn't mean to…"

"Meril." His voice was infinitely gentle and kind. "It's all right. But I think we need to talk for a moment."

She glanced down, her lower lip trembling. "A-about what?" she asked.

"No, no, look at me." He reached out and gently tipped her chin up. "About you, little rose."

She bit her lip and looked up at him as tears welled in her eyes. She didn't like the tone he was using. Somehow she knew she was not going to like what he was about to say.

"Meril, I know little of your history, save that you've been very hurt in your short life," the elf said quietly, meeting her eyes. "I do know that what has been given to you as love is naught more than pain and a broken heart. I also know that yesterday when I showed you love, it was the only true love you've ever known. I understand that, and I understand why you cling to it as a drowning man clings to a life rope." He paused, searching her eyes.

The girl listened, looking up at him as her eyes filled with tears, but they didn't run over, not yet.

Nestad prayed for wisdom as he said, "But the love you felt was as a father for a beloved daughter. It's no less real than a love between a man and a woman, but it's different. Meril, you don't love me, not really. You're in love with real love."

It was then that her tears spilled over as she closed her eyes for a moment. A soft sob escaped her throat. What was he talking about? How did he know what she felt?

"Sîdh," the elf murmured as he rested a handkerchief on her knee. "I know this is hard to hear, and I wish I didn't have to say it."

She sobbed a few more times, wiping her eyes as tears streamed from them. "But how do you know how I feel?" she asked. "You aren't me."

"No, I'm not you. You're you. But I am an elven healer, and we are trained to sense things." The elf was silent for a moment, watching her with an expression of quiet fatherly care.

She continued to cry, as if her heart had been broken in two. And finally she lied down on her side, burying her face in her pillow.

"I'm sorry, Meril," he said quietly, feeling very old as he stood up, deciding that she needed peace to cry herself out. Rubbing his hands absently together, he walked back to the back room and sat down on a crate.

Aewen had watched the whole thing from the other side of the tent. And when Nestad went into the back room, she followed. Sitting down next to him and wrapping her arms around him, pulling him close to her. "You did good," she said. "You did what needed to be done."

"I feel like I messed up every chance she'll ever have to trust in love again," he murmured, his face in his hands.

"No," Aewen said. "You freed her. Now she won't keep false hopes in a future with you. She will be able to move on, even though it will be hard. Nestad…don't feel bad." She kissed his cheek and then pulled him closer so that he could lay his head against her shoulder. "You did good…"

The elf rested against her and forced himself to see things honestly. Aewen was right. It would only hurt Meril more to fall deeper in love with him and then he have to tell her that it wasn't possible, that his heart belonged to someone else. "Thank you, melethril," he murmured, kissing her cheek.

"It's why I'm here," she whispered. "Now, you just keep loving her as a father. She will eventually get used to that idea. I hope you won't avoid her now, just to avoid an uncomfortable situation."

"The thought had crossed my mind." He sighed. "But you're right. I can't solve a problem by running from it."

"No, you can't," Aewen said, smiling slightly. She kissed the top of his head and squeezed him lovingly.

"What would I do without you?" Nestad lifted his head and captured her lips in a brief kiss. "I love you, melethril."

"And I love you," she said. "Everything will be all right, you'll see. Some day that girl is going to meet someone who can love her the way she wants to be loved. Some day all her dreams will come true. I know they will. She's a beautiful girl. And I think there is a wonderful person buried under all that hurt."

"I know there is," the elf said. "I've seen glimmers of it in the last day." He rubbed his face with both hands before rising, offering her a hand up. "Business as usual," he said, really more to himself than to his beloved.

Aewen smiled. "What else do we have to do?" she asked. "I suppose we'll need to stay in the other tent most often to keep an eye on those who are really sick and wounded."

"I'll be in that tent most often," he agreed. "You can go between them, if you are extremely careful and stay in shouting distance of either tent. These here will need some care, if only to keep up the façade of the plague. I'll need to devote a couple days back here to make it look like I'm working on a cure."

Aewen nodded. "Would it be all right if I stayed here for a couple days without going to the other tent unless you really need me? I'd kind of like to disappear for a while, and maybe I'll be forgotten some."

Nestad smiled as he gently kissed her. "I would have suggested that myself, melethril," he murmured. "I'd as soon as have everyone forget about you. You should be safe here; everyone who would touch you is too afraid of the plague to come within the border."

"And for that I am so very glad," she said softly. "Though, I will miss you a lot. You will come visit me often, won't you?"

"Of course I will," the elf assured. "I'll visit often." He deposited another kiss on her lips. "So I can kiss you," another kiss, "and remind you just why you love me." He grinned teasingly.

Aewen giggled. "Then I will look forward to it," she said, standing on her toes to kiss him herself. "All day," another kiss, "with eagerness." She kissed him one more time.

"Mm…you're making it very hard to leave you, melethril," Nestad murmured, kissing her once on the lips and another time on the nose.

Aewen smiled. "Oh, so it's working, eh?" she said, her eyes glinting with playfulness.

"Yes, and very well," the elf said, rubbing his cheek against hers gently.

Aewen kissed his cheek lightly, and then pulled away and looked in his eyes. "Now, go," she said. "I'm sure there will be more wounded soon. And remember to keep your ears open for any news about that young man and who he might have lost."

"Will do, madam," Nestad grinned as he gave her one last kiss before taking his leave. He paused outside the main doorway and, in case anyone was watching, brushed himself down with the light of his power. Satisfied that he was 'clean', he headed to the injured tent, as he mentally dubbed the older healing tent.

From the doorway Aewen watched him until he was gone from sight. She sighed and wrapped her arms around herself, and then finally went back into the tent. What was she going to do all day? Talk to the patients? She guessed there wasn't much else to do, other than sleep on one of the many empty beds.

Hours passed slowly until the noon gong rang. Nestad set his work kit down with a sigh of relief and stretched his back. 'Time to collect my beloved,' he thought with a smile of joy as he headed for the 'sick' tent.

Aewen had decided to take advantage of her second option for how to spend her time. And so when Nestad finally came back to the sick tent, she was sound asleep on a cot that she had drug into the back of the tent so she could have some privacy.

The elf found her and smiled, kneeling beside her cot and resting his chin on his palms. "So sweetly innocent," he murmured aloud. "Especially when sleeping."

Aewen heard the voice in her unconscious mind, but didn't wake up. She murmured something softly in her sleep. It sounded like, "Wading in the bull rushes…"

Nestad laughed softly and just watched her as she slept, content to remain by her side forever. "Bull rushes?" he wondered aloud.

"Mm-hm…" the woman said, nodding her head ever so slightly. "Because it's where the marsh birds live…"

"Do you like marsh birds?" the elf asked, vastly amused at the conversation.

"Marsh birds…" Aewen murmured. She shifted her position slightly. "They don't…Um, they don't…Hmm…"

"What's that, beloved?" the male asked, stroking a hand over her hair.

"Because their eggs are missing…" the woman said.

Nestad laughed softly as he rested his head beside her shoulder. "Beloved," he murmured. "It's time to wake up, sweetheart."

"Mm…" A moment later Aewen's eyes opened and she looked up at Nestad, as if confused. "Did you say something?"

"Several things," Nestad replied as he lifted his head. "And you responded to most of it. I didn't know marsh birds lived in bull rushes."

"What?" Aewen said, laughing lightly, thinking that Nestad was starting to go out of his mind. "What are you talking about?"

"You were talking about bull rushes, and I asked about them. I didn't know you sleep-talk." He kissed her lips gently.

Aewen blushed. "Oh, you heard me talk in my sleep?" she said. "My brother has always teased me for that. I've been doing it since I was little. At least a few times a week. I hope I didn't say anything embarrassing."

"Nothing too bad. Just things about birds. Sorry to wake you up, but the lunch gong just rang. You'll need to change your clothes before going to the mess hall."

"Change…change my clothes?" Aewen asked. "What for? And into what? I have no other clothes."

"Blast." Nestad looked around. "The commander said, specifically, that we have to change our clothes before going into populated areas like the mess hall and the supply tent. Um…here." He found a dark blue dress and handed it to her. "Part of supplies," he shrugged.

Aewen examined the dress for a moment and decided that she would fit into it. "It's even a bit nicer than the one I'm wearing now," she said, grinning. Then she looked at him smugly. As if to say, 'Well, are you going to sit here and watch me change, or do I get a bit of privacy?'

"Don't tempt me, melethril," the elf laughed as he rose, ruffling her hair with a gentle hand. "I'll be back in a moment to change into my nicer clothes."

Aewen grinned, and then as soon as the elf was gone, she got up from the bed and removed her old, dirty and bloodstained dress, and slipped into the clean one. It felt so good! She smoothed it out; pleased to see that it fit even better than the one she had been wearing. She fixed her hair a bit; smoothing it back into the braid that Nestad had done for her the day before. When she was done, she called him back.

Nestad returned and stared for a moment. He hadn't seen her in anything but her bloodstained clothes before. "You are stunning, my beloved," he said, bowing deeply.

She laughed. "Well, I wouldn't say that," she said. "But, cleaner, yes. And it feels almost normal. I just wish my hair was clean. I'm not used to having it so dirty all the time, it's starting to get very annoying. But I guess I'll have to learn to live with it. I'd rather not go ask for a bath."

"If you like, we can try your idea after lunch," the elf suggested, coming close and resting his hands gently on her slender waist. "And you are stunning."

"My idea?" Aewen repeated, looking up at him. "And which idea is this?"

"Using a basin to wash your hair, at the least," he replied, kissing her lightly. "I know what it's like to walk around with filthy hair all the time."

"Oh, really? You think I could do that? I would love it. Oh! I would love that so much!"

The elf smiled widely at her excitement. "Then we shall do that after lunch," he decreed. "Until then…go on out so I can get changed." He chuckled, arching an eyebrow at her the same way she had arched hers at him earlier.

Aewen laughed and kissed him on the cheek. And then she nearly skipped from the room, so excited she was.

Nestad laughed softly as he began changing rapidly. He paused in the act of drawing his tunic on to examine his torso. There were still faint marks from the beating he had received a few days ago. Of course, all the worst beating had been on his back, and, go figure, he couldn't look at his back without twisting painfully. "Aewen!" he called, deciding to get her to look at his back.

Aewen came back into the room, expecting to see him dressed and ready to go. But when she saw him bare-chested, she blushed and cast her gaze to the floor. "Oh, I'm sorry," she said.

"For what?" The healer grinned and tipped her chin up. "I wanted to ask you to check my back. I can't see it without twisting my spine into a knot, and I want to know how I'm healing."

"You…but…it's not appropriate…" Aewen said, trying not to look at his chest.

"Would you prefer for me to kiss you senseless first?" the elf asked. "It's not inappropriate for you to look at a male's back, is it?"

"I just…" she blushed. "I was raised in propriety…" she tried to explain. "And as such it is not proper for men and woman to show any skin other than faces, necks and hands. I guess I'm just too engrained in my upbringing."

"Nothing to be ashamed of there," Nestad said gently. "The world would be a better place by far if such morals were practiced from the West to the East. I would just like you to tell me if the welts on my back are healing all right."

Aewen carefully looked up at him, as if something unexpected might happen. Or perhaps her father might appear out of nowhere to berate her for breaking the rules of propriety. But she forgot all about that when she saw Nestad. She had seen only one other man without a shirt on in her life, and that had been her brother. For a moment she seemed to be lost in another reality as she gazed at him. Since his body was…well, perfect; slender, yet obviously very strong.

The elf saw the look of awe on his beloved's face and couldn't keep back a slight blush. He was average compared to many elves, and his body was actually considered underdeveloped when compared to a warrior's. He resisted the urge to cross his arms across his chest. "Seen everything?" he asked teasingly after a moment.

Aewen snapped back to reality and blushed deeply. "Oh, I'm sorry!" she said, putting her hands over her mouth. "I didn't mean to stare, I've just never…I…"

"Sîdh!" Nestad laughed. "It's all right, really. Besides, you look adorable when you're blushing." He stepped a bit closer, his arms loose at his sides. "You don't see many males without their shirts, do you?"

Aewen shook her head. "No, only my brother…once or twice. I'm sorry, I'm acting so silly."

"Not silly. Never silly, my dearest." He cupped her face in his hands and smiled at her warmly. "Adorable. Sweet. Shy. But never silly. All right?"

She smiled slightly. "All right," she said softly, and looked up at his face with a bright smile. "Now, what did you want me to do?"

The elf turned around. "Is my back healing all right?" he asked, gathering his long hair into his hand and glancing over his shoulder at his beloved.

Aewen looked at his back, and couldn't help but reach her hand out toward one of the pale scars in his otherwise flawless skin. Her fingers brushed against them lightly. "It looks fine to me," she said. "You have a few scars, is all."

"And those probably won't go away easily, if at all," Nestad nodded, liking the feel of her fingers against the scars. They didn't hurt anymore, thank the Valar, but the skin was more sensitive to touch than the rest. Her fingers felt good, lightly stroking the sensitive skin.

"I imagine they won't," Aewen said, nearly mesmerized as she continued to touch his back gently. "It's just amazing that they healed even this fast. But…I guess it's not amazing for you. For you it's normal."

"For me, it's amazing that there will be any scars," Nestad replied, nearly purring in delight. "Elves only scar if the injury is very, very bad." He smiled wryly. "I guess I know now what will cause scarring on an elf."

Aewen smiled, and then rested her whole hand against his skin, running it up until it rested his shoulder. Then she leaned in and kissed him on the back of the neck just below his ear. "It's all right though, isn't it? I mean, who will see them? You can't even see them."

"The only way they will be seen is if I take my shirt off, and I don't do that often around others as it is." The elf leaned back into her kiss, smiling. "And I'm sure they'll fade in time, if not completely disappear."

"Then it's all right," Aewen said. She kissed him again, very much enjoying it, though she knew they had to go to lunch.

"Yes, it is," Nestad agreed, turning and kissing her gently. "Now…if you're anywhere near as hungry as I am, we won't make it to supper. Shall we go eat, beloved?"

Aewen sighed. "Yes…I guess we should go," she admitted. "Hurry and put your shirt back on."

The elf preened playfully. "What, you don't like seeing me like this?" he asked, his eyes dancing. "I was thinking of walking all the way to the mess hall like this…"

Aewen grinned. "Actually…I love seeing you like this. But, if we are to hurry and get there before the lunch hour is over…" she grinned again, and then kissed his chin, the only part of his face she could reach without him bending over.

The elf bent his head and kissed her gently before sliding his shirt on, adjusting the dark green materiel over his shoulders and smoothing it down in the front. "Yes, food concerns need to come first in this case," he agreed, turning in a slow circle. "How do I look?"

Aewen grinned. "Handsome," she said. "And very huggable, too," she added, wrapping her arms around him for a moment. "Shall we go?"

"Indeed, my dear," Nestad replied, returning the hug before taking her hand and leading her out of the tent and toward the mess hall. He made sure to 'brush them down' before they left the three hundred yard mark, just so everyone watching would feel safe.

When they got to the mess tent, it was quite obvious that they were late. Everyone was already sitting down and half finished with their food. Aewen looked around for Kali as soon as they entered, letting Nestad find them a seat.

Kali looked up and waved as the elf and woman entered the tent hand-in-hand. There were two seats that she had bullied everyone into keeping open beside her; she now motioned for the pair to come sit by her. "Thought you weren't going to make it," she called over the general ruckus.

Aewen grinned as she hugged the older woman briefly before sitting down next to her. "We're here now," she said. "How are you doing? I haven't seen you in a few days. How's Bella?"

"I'm fine and she's well. Asks about you quite often." Kali looked at the elf. "Well, glad to see you're in one piece, more or less," she said in her usual blunt way.

"Took me a while to get back into one piece," Nestad replied with a smile as he accepted the food passed to him and passed her share to Aewen.

"He's just fine," Aewen said, flashing a grin at Nestad, and then leaning her head against his shoulder briefly. "He's back to his old self anyway."

"Well, best if he can joke," Kali said. "Means he's not too bad off." Her eyes flicked between Nestad and Aewen and she smiled. "Though I see some things have changed, anyway," she added.

"Yes…" Aewen said, taking a bite of her food. "For the better." She grinned up at Nestad again, unable to take her eyes from him for too long.

"Quite definitely for the better," Nestad agreed, kissing his betrothed's cheek.

Kali sighed mock dramatically. "Such a wonderful thing, young love." She grinned as Nestad sputtered something about 'young?!'.

Aewen grinned also, still looking up at Nestad. "Well, I'm definitely happy," she said. "Happier than I've ever been," she added in a softer tone.

Nestad's eyes softened as he looked down at his beloved, cupping her face in one hand. He had eyes for nothing besides her, not even his food.

Kali snapped her fingers between the elf and the woman's faces. "Ok, real life calling," she said with a grin. "You both need to eat, or you won't be fit to deal with this plague I've heard about." She winked.

Aewen tore her gaze away from Nestad and glanced at the woman. "Oh, so you've heard about it, eh? What have you heard?"

"Whispers and rumors from the kitchen staff and those passing by when you were checking everyone," was the prompt reply. "The word gets around pretty quickly. So how long did it take you to think of that?"

"Not very long," Aewen said. "I thought of days ago, we just never had the opportunity to put it into action." She looked at Nestad. "And so far it's going very well."

"That's good." Kali took another bite and tapped the table with her fork. "So when are you going to send me and Bella through your screening?"

The elf took a bite. "Soon," he replied. "But perhaps you can do something to help us." Kali arched her eyebrows in question and Nestad continued, "You know the truth about the plague. Find out who else is ready to escape and keep them close to you when we come to the north field."

"Only those who really want to do everything to get away are going to go," Aewen explained. "We don't want to burden the group with those who are not completely willing."

"Shoot, the north field is crawling with people who are desperate to leave. How many you looking' for?" Kali ate another bite.

"Seven or eight," Nestad decided after a moment. "Women and children mostly, though if there's a couple strong men, they will be invaluable on the trail."

"We definitely wouldn't want to send a group of women and children out on their own," Aewen said as she finished eating before the others. She had been quite hungry.

"All right." Kali finished her plateful a second after Aewen. "I'll work on that. When will you be coming?"

"Probably later this afternoon," Nestad replied before taking another bite. "After all, everyone will need to be checked carefully for this plague."

"Will I be going with you?" Aewen asked the elf, looking up at him. She wanted to. But she was a bit afraid of having so much exposure.

"That's up to you, melethril," the elf said gently, his eyes warming as he looked at his beloved. "It would probably be safer for you to remain in the tent." His eyes told her that he wanted her with him, but he also wanted her safe.

Aewen bit her lip as she thought about it. "I'd like to go," she said. "I would love to get out for a while. I've been feeling so cooped up."

"Then we'll expect you in a couple hours," Kali said decisively. "Those I've chosen will be around me when you first come and spread out a bit as the examination progresses. No sense in having suspicions raised. Bella will be with me, though."

Aewen smiled. "I look forward to seeing her," she said. "I've missed her in the healing tent. And maybe Nestad can finish healing her leg."

"We'll see plenty of her when I find the plague in her," Nestad assured his beloved. "Which reminds me: Kali, when do you want to leave?"

"As soon as possible. I understand you already have the first group put together, but I want to be in the second one with Bella." The older woman folded her hands together. "Do you have a specific place we should go?"

"We had thought to direct you to the people of Esgaroth, a land close to my homeland of Mirkwood. From there, you can be directed anywhere you desire to go."

"And I'm drawing a map for you to follow," Aewen said. "So it shouldn't be too difficult to find your way. She smiled at Kali with mixed feelings. "I'll miss you here," she said. "You've become a good friend to me."

Kali touched the younger woman's face gently. "As I and Bella will miss you," she replied. "I will be in Rohan. When you and your beloved get free, come find us and say hello. I promise I won't ever let Bella forget either of you." Her gaze included the elf that had delivered her baby all those years ago.

Aewen bit her lip and then couldn't help but put her arms around the woman. "Thank you," she said. "I will come and find you for sure."

The older woman looked surprised, but smiled slightly as she returned the hug. "I look forward to it," she murmured gently. "Until then…watch over this lad, hm? He talks big, but he needs a woman's hand to help him." Nestad pretended to be offended, but a smile lurking around his eyes belied the offence.

Aewen smiled and pulled away from the woman, leaning back against Nestad. "I will," she said, smiling slightly. "It's what I live for now."

The elf wrapped his arms around Aewen's waist as he smiled at Kali. "I'm in good hands, then," he remarked.

"Yes, and I'll feel that much better leaving, knowing you're being watched by a capable woman." The gong signaling the end of the meal came and the older woman stood up, tray in hand. "I'll see you later this afternoon," she said with a careless wave as she walked away.

Aewen rested her head against Nestad's shoulder and sighed. "I will sure miss her," she said softly.

"So will I," Nestad replied, holding her as the other slaves began trailing out of the mess tent. "But she'll be in a better place than this pit. That's something to be happy about, even if we will miss her."

Aewen nodded, and was silent for a while. "I guess we should get back," she said. "Before the guards find us here."

"A good idea." Nestad stood up and helped his beloved to her feet, kissing her fingers gently.

She smiled at him, and then together they walked back to the healing tents. "Are you coming back with me? Or do you need to tend to wounded?" she asked.

"It's been very, very slow today. No new injuries, and I'm in shouting distance if anything happens. I'll come with you back to the 'sick' tent." He smiled happily at the prospect. Even the thought of talking to Meril again didn't seem so bad with his love beside him.

Aewen smiled up at him. "I'm glad," she said. "And…you mentioned something about basins of water?"

The elf laughed softly. "Yes, you will get your hair properly washed by yours truly," he replied, kissing her forehead. "With some herbs that I think will get your hair thoroughly clean and make you smell even better than you do."

"Oh, better than oranges, eh?" she teased.

Nestad kissed her temple as they kept walking. "Oranges is part of it, but I can't say any more." His grin was beyond impy.

"Oh, and why not?" Aewen asked, grinning up at him.

"What, can't I make some things a surprise? Don't worry; you'll like the surprise. I promise."

"Oh, all right," Aewen said in a resigned voice. Then she grinned and laughed lightly as they reached the sick tent. "So, how long am I going to have to wait?" she asked.

"Just until I can heat up the water for your washing, my darling," he replied as he held the tent flap up for her and entered behind her. "Can you be patient that long?"

"Yes, of course," Aewen said. "I'll undo my hair while I'm waiting…unless you would rather…"

"What do you think?" Nestad asked, letting one hand play with her thick braid as they walked together to the back room. "As if I would pass up the chance to work with your lovely hair."

Aewen smiled. "So, just tell me what to do," she said, standing before him, willing to be moved in any direction.

"Give me a moment to put the water on to heat," the elf replied, his swelling love stealing his voice for a moment as he looked at his beautiful love. Clearing his throat, he matched actions to words before turning back to Aewen and gently turning her around.

"And now what? Should I sit?" she asked.

"Yes," the elf replied, steering her to the cot and gently pressing down on her shoulders. "Relax, beloved. Let me minister to my lady."

Aewen smiled and sat down willingly. "That sounds very nice," she said. "I can't wait to see what your surprise is."

Nestad stood behind her and began undoing the braid with gentle fingers, smoothing the hair as he went and untangling any knots with infinite patience. He found a small brush and brushed her hair out gently, running the dark hair through his fingers. "You have lovely hair, my dear," he remarked as he finished undoing her hair.

Aewen smiled, closing her eyes as she enjoyed the feel his hands working with her hair. "Courtesy of my Númenorean heritage," she said.

"I love it," the elf said, twining his fingers in the dark mass and burying his face in it, inhaling happily. "It's so uniquely you."

Aewen giggled lightly. "But it's so dirty," she said. "Are you sure you don't want to wait and bury yourself in it when it's clean?"

"Nope, can't wait," the elf replied with a grin as his fingers ran along her scalp. "It's so soft and silky, even dirty, that I can't resist playing with it."

"Mmm…" Aewen tilted her head back, her eyes closed as he massaged her scalp. "That feels so good," she said. "I can't even tell you."

"Oh, you like that, hm?" Nestad let the rest of his fingers get involved, gently rubbing patterns on her scalp as he hummed a soft song designed to make her relaxed.

After a few moments, Aewen chuckled slightly. "Are you trying to put me to sleep?" she asked. "I'll need to lie down pretty soon if you keep it up."

"All right, I'll stop. And perfect timing too; the water sounds like it's warm enough." With a tender kiss, the elf released her hair reluctantly and retrieved a basin on his way to the hissing kettle. Using a thick cloth pad, Nestad pulled the kettle off the fire and poured the water into the basin so it would cool a bit before using it. Leaving it for a moment, Nestad began looking through a small cache of vials he kept in a hidden place, murmuring something to himself.

Aewen sat on the cot watching him while she waited, feeling a strange excitement that she couldn't name. Just the idea of Nestad washing her hair was thrilling. This would be the best moment she had spent here so far. It seemed that since she met Nestad, things have only been getting better.

At last, Nestad found the vial he had been looking for and returned to the basin, slipping the vial into his pocket on the way. Smiling with anticipation, he carried the basin to where his beloved sat and set it carefully near the head of the bed. Using all the blankets, he supported the basin and made a cushion before gripping her hand gently. "Go ahead and lay back," he said with a smile.

Aewen lay back until the blankets nicely supported her head, and her hair was falling into the basin of warm water. She smiled up at the elf, realizing what a vulnerable position she was in. But she trusted him with her life, and that included everything else. She knew that this was going to be wonderful.

Nestad's heart melted as he saw that entrancing smile on his beloved's lips. "I love you, melethril," he whispered, kissing her gently before moving behind her head so he could work on her hair, soaking the long black tresses in the warm water.

Aewen closed her eyes and just let him do what he wanted. "I love you, too," she whispered after a moment, not even noticing how much time had gone by. This would be heaven for sure.

The elf smiled as he worked the water through her hair, getting all the dirt out. Moments later, he collected her wet hair together in one hand and lifted it up so he could dump the dirty water out. He refilled the basin with clean water and opened the vial he'd had in his pocket. The smell of oranges, passion fruits and other assorted fruits filled the back room, though orange was the dominant smell.

Aewen smiled and opened her eyes to look up at him. "Is this the surprise?" she asked.

"Yes," Nestad replied, kissing her forehead. "Do you like it?"

"It's wonderful," she said. "Where did you get it?"

"I made it," he replied with a smile. "It wasn't too tricky, actually, and I had fun gathering the oils for the smells." He poured some into his palm and began working it into her hair with the utmost tenderness.

"It smells so wonderful," Aewen said. "Now I'll be able to agree with you when you tell me I smell like oranges."

"You smell like oranges anyway, my dearest," the elf replied with a grin as he finished working the oils into her hair and began rinsing so the smell wouldn't be overpowering.

"So you said. I could never smell it," Aewen remarked, unable to stop smiling.

"That's because you never smelled the enticing little corner where your neck and shoulder meet." To prove his point, Nestad kissed that spot gently.

"Mm…no, I guess I haven't," she admitted. "But I love it when you do."

"There you have it, then. The smell of the fruit we love so much lingers right…there." He kissed the spot again, nuzzling it with his nose before returning to his self-appointed job of rinsing her hair.

Aewen sighed in contentment. "I'll feel so much better after this," she said. "Thank you for doing this for me. The only thing I'm lacking now is a bath. But I don't suppose I'd fit in that basin." She chuckled.

"Don't tempt me to try," Nestad laughed softly. "I'll work on getting permission for you to bathe in the pool not far from here." He finished rinsing and dumped the water out again before wrapping a warm cloth around her wet hair.

"That would be heaven," she said. "Can I sit up? Or are you not finish yet?"

"You can sit up now," he replied, helping her sit up while keeping her hair bundled up in the cloth. "I need you sitting up while I dry and braid your lovely hair."

"All right," Aewen said, sitting up carefully. She smiled at him and cupped his cheek with her hand briefly. "You're so sweet," she said.

"Naaaw," he drawled teasingly. "It's just when I'm around you, sweetheart. You're a lovely inspiration for all sweet deeds." He kissed her lips lightly before beginning to rub her hair dry.

"Oh, really?" Aewen said, smiling and glancing up at him. "Then I must be a good influence on you, eh?"

"Always, melethril," the elf smiled, gently pressing her head down so he could get rid of most of the water before braiding.

Aewen grinned. "Well, that's good to hear," she said. "What are we going to do after this?" she asked.

"My goodness, but you're an active lass," Nestad laughed. "We'll go around to each of the beds and talk to everyone before we go visiting the north field. After all, Kali will need time to recruit the leaving party. After that…well, we'll see what we shall see."

"Okay," Aewen said. "I'm glad you're not going to leave me alone again while you go to the other tent. Not that I can't be alone," she added hastily. "I just…I miss you when you're gone."

Putting the cloth aside, Nestad kissed the back of her neck, resting his hands on her shoulders and rubbing gently. "As I miss you, beloved. I'd as soon never be far from you."

Aewen smiled and leaned back slightly to be closer to him. "Mm…I like that," she said. "Do it again?"

"Of course," he replied, delighted to find another way to please his beloved. His long healer's hands worked the tense muscles in her neck and shoulders with the strength born of long hours holding a sword or a bow.

Aewen closed her eyes and sighed in contentment. "That's nice," she said. "You're so gentle. I'm used to my brother's hands…so heavy."

Nestad smiled in delight as he continued kneading her shoulders and neck, working down to just between her shoulder blades and back up. As he worked, he filled her with the love he felt for her, allowing it to pass through his fingers into her very being.

Aewen felt the love flowing. It was nearly overwhelming her. And the power that she could also feel flowing from his fingers into her back was amazing. She sighed deeply as her heart rate quickened and her breathing became more rapid. She was feeling so…so…she couldn't even describe how she was feeling. She had never felt this way before.

At last, Nestad stopped with a gentle kiss on the back of her neck. "I should braid your hair now," he said, his voice husky with his deep love for the woman sitting before him, her head bowed.

Aewen didn't respond at first. But when she realized that he had stopped, she turned slightly to face him, wrapping her arms around him. "Don't leave yet…" she whispered.

The elf moaned softly as he knelt before her and embraced her. "All right, melethril," he whispered back. "I won't."

Aewen pressed close to him again, wishing to feel that connection they had been sharing. It had been unlike anything she had ever experienced before. "I could feel you," she said softly. "Like…you were here…" she said, pressing a hand to her chest. "You were so close, how is it possible?"

"Like this?" Nestad asked, letting his power flow into her as it had been flowing before he cut off the connection.

A quick intake of air was Aewen's reaction. "Yes…" she breathed. "It's like you're a part of me…" Tears welled in her eyes simply from all the emotion she was experiencing.

"I am a part of you, melethril," he whispered, his fingers lacing into her wet hair. "As you are a part of me. You're the other half of my soul." He captured one of her hands and pressed it over his heart. "You're here," he said. "Do you hear my heart singing with your love?"

Aewen smiled through her tears and nodded. "Yes…I can feel it," she said. "I can…" She looked up at him, her eyes sparkling with happiness.

Nestad's heart melted as he bent to kiss her long and lovingly. Her hand remained on his heart, so she could feel it when his heart rate sped up at the taste of her mouth, the smell of her wet hair, the feel of her body pressed against his.

Aewen kissed him back willingly, completely lost to the outside world. Right now her world was Nestad and the love she could feel flowing from him. He was all that mattered to her then. She dug her fingers into his back, not able to get close enough to him.

Shuddering, Nestad stood up, bringing her up with him so they could press more fully against each other. He had to break away for a moment to breathe, but returned to her mouth as soon as he had a breath.

Aewen wasn't even aware that they had changed positions. She just kissed Nestad deeply, feeling great passion taking over all her senses. Her hands slowly worked against his back, as if trying to feel his scars through the material of his shirt.

The elf's hands smoothed over her back, resting against the small of her back and pressing her against himself as firmly as he could. One hand knotted in her dress, feeling the soft material against his fingertips.

Aewen shivered and opened her eyes for a moment. She was feeling things she had never felt before. But she was eager to keep on feeling them. Her heart was pounding and she knew that Nestad could feel it too, the way she was pressed against him. She didn't know what was happening, but at the moment there was nothing she could do about it.

Nestad managed to pull his face back a bit and stared into her eyes. His own eyes were dark with passion and love. "No…privacy here…" he gasped, still holding her close as he shivered.

"Where…is there?" Aewen said, her voice catching as she gazed right back into his eyes, her fingers not pausing in their gentle exploration of his back.

The elf thought, as best as he could through his jumbled thoughts, and groaned. "Nowhere I want to wait for," he managed, burying his face in the crook of her neck.

Aewen sighed in passion and closed her eyes again. She turned her head slightly so she could give him a kiss next to his ear.

"Valar, melethril," he gasped as he clung to her, his whole body vibrating with passion and desire. He took a deep breath, fighting for control. "When we…join," he said huskily, "I want it to be special for you…maybe that will erase your memories. This is…wonderful, but there's too much chance that we'll be caught." His body fought every word his mouth was saying, but he knew it was right.

Aewen hugged him tighter and shut her eyes just as tightly, as if that would shut out his words and make them untrue. But she knew they were true, and there was no escaping it. She whimpered softly in desperation. Why did they have to be here? Why couldn't they be in a deep forest with no one around?

"I know," the elf whispered, her whimper resonating painfully in his heart. "I know. And Elbereth, I wish it was different." He kissed her desperately, wishing they could be in a place where there would never be any interruptions, that they could become one with no fear.

Tears trailed down Aewen's cheeks as he kissed her. But she continued to cling to him as if her life depended on it, not wanting to lose the connection they had. She was afraid that she would feel terribly empty with it gone.

They held each other for time immeasurable. At last, Nestad let out a shuddering sigh. "I'm going to go completely insane if this keeps up," he said, his tone dry. "Absolutely, thoroughly bonkers." He didn't release her, not yet. This was too good to be interrupted by mere duty.

Aewen didn't answer him. She just tried to rest in his embrace, wishing that she could lie down and still be in his arms. She didn't want to leave them, not yet.

After another fifteen minutes or so, the elf shifted his hands up her back to her shoulders. "I love you," he whispered, meeting her eyes. "I love you so much…"

Aewen looked up at him through her tears. She somehow felt that this was coming to an end, and she didn't want it to. She was almost desperate for it to continue. She wanted to tell him how much she loved him too. But her voice wouldn't work for some reason. All she could do was look up at him, her eyes pleading. For what she didn't even know.

Answering tears filled Nestad's eyes as he looked back into her eyes. He saw all the love she had for him there, but also the pain and longing. He wanted nothing more at that moment than to take her somewhere secret, anywhere, and soothe all that pain away. Instead, he held her closer, kissing her face.

After a few minutes, Aewen finally found her voice, and was able to speak her desires. Or at least her secondary desires. What she needed right then to overcome the pain of knowing what she could not have. "Lie down with me?" she asked, her voice rough. "Just hold me?"

Instead of answering verbally, the elf picked her up and deposited her on the cot before stretching out beside her, gathering her slender body into his arms. "Peace, my love," he whispered as he pulled her as close as she could be physically. "Peace."

Aewen buried her face in his tunic and cried the rest of her tears. But it felt good to be held by him this way. It was very comforting and relaxing. And slowly her body began to relax and her tears stopped coming. But she didn't move. She didn't want to break the spell that seemed to have been cast over them. And she was feeling a bit sleepy as well.

Nestad sensed her sleepiness and began humming softly, stroking her damp hair gently and soothingly. He vowed to make up the entire day's worth of frustration to her when they had assured privacy. Until then, he comforted her as best as he could in this manner.

Aewen became quite drowsy and calm as she lay there and listened to his soft humming. Gradually her body began to relax as she drifted off to sleep, snuggled as close to Nestad as she could be. "I love you…" she whispered faintly just before she lost all shreds of consciousness.

"I love you," the elf whispered back, continuing to hold his beloved close as his heart rate slowed down gradually. He was content, for the moment, to just hold her. His body would demand satisfaction, but enough time for that later. Right now, her sleep was the most important. After a half hour or so, he slipped out of her arms carefully. Closing his eyes, he surrounded her with a tangible sense of his power and love. It wouldn't replace his physical body perfectly, but it would do until he returned. He left a note by her hand: 'You look too adorable asleep to even consider waking you. I'll be back from the field as soon as possible with our new inmates, so we can touch and kiss and cuddle some more. This won't last long, and night cannot come too quickly for me. Your beloved, Nestad.' With one last fond look, he slipped out of the tent and headed for the north field.

Aewen woke not two minutes after he left. She sat up straight, realizing after a moment that he wasn't there. "Nestad?" she said softly, looking around the room. She had thought for sure he was there, she had felt his presence. But no, he was gone. Then she noticed the note beside her on the bed. She read it quickly and then flew out of the bed to the door. She stopped, scanning the land for any sign of him. There he was, quite a distance out, she couldn't call that loud, or run to catch up. Tears welled in her eyes as she watched him disappear from her sight. "Nestad!" she wailed. Not too loudly, but still, the cry was from deep in her heart. She sat down in the grass just inside the door and watched the horizon as tears fell down her cheeks.

Nestad stopped mid-step as he heard a cry echo in his heart. He looked around, wondering if someone had called him. His eyes lighted on the tent entrance and saw Aewen sitting on the grass, tears running down her face. "Ai Valar, melethril," he murmured, running back to the healing tent and kneeling beside her. "You're supposed to be resting, beloved," he said, kissing her tears away.

Aewen clung to him, thinking it too wonderful to be true that he actually came back. Had he heard her cry? It seemed impossible. But what did it matter now? He was back with her. That's all that mattered. "I woke and you were gone," she said, trying to get control of her tears. "I wanted to go with you…you left me here…"

"Shh, shh," the elf soothed, holding her close and letting her cry into his tunic. "I'm sorry, melethril…I shouldn't've left you alone. I'm sorry…" He rocked gently, trying to help her calm down.

A moment later Aewen finally stopped crying as he held her, now feeling rather foolish. "I'm sorry," she said. "I'm acting like a child…"

"No, beloved. You're acting like someone who's very deeply in love." Nestad kissed her face and head tenderly. "I won't leave you behind again."

"Really?" Aewen asked, looking up at him. "You'll let me come with you to the fields?"

"I did say you could earlier, remember?" The elf kissed her lips tenderly. "You may certainly come with me, if you so desire."

Aewen smiled slightly and nodded. "I want to," she said. "Why did you come back?" she asked after a moment, realizing that he had come running across the field to her.

"This is going to sound overly corny, but my heart heard you call my name," he replied, stroking her hair. "I didn't know you were awake until I heard you call me."

Aewen looked up at him. "My heart cried out when I saw you walking away and you were too far away for me to call you or run after you. But how is it possible that you heard me?"

"You are part of my heart, melethril, remember? Something as agonized as the cry I heard…that could not help but be passed on." He kissed her gently, cupping her face in his hand.

"I'm glad you came back," she said. "But I'm sorry to have worried you like that. I didn't know you would hear me."

"Don't worry about that," he murmured, helping her to her feet. "I deserve to be worried, after leaving you alone like that." He kissed her again. "I am truly sorry."

Aewen hugged him close for a moment. "You're so good to me," she said softly. "Sometimes I feel I don't deserve it. But I love you for you it."

"You do deserve it, beloved," he replied just as softly. "You deserve so much more than what I can give you right now. I love you so much."

Aewen smiled and rested her head against his shoulder for a moment. "But now look at me, making you late. Shouldn't we be going?" She pulled away and tried smoothing her unruly still-damp hair.

"Ah, but what a perfect reason to be late," the elf smiled as he gently smoothed her hair down. "Hold still," he ordered gently as he braided her hair deftly. "After all, it simply wouldn't do for my beautiful assistant to be rumpled when making an appearance. Gossips' tongues will wag." He kissed the back of her neck, telling her silently that he was teasing.

Aewen smiled as she stood still for him. She dried her eyes with her fingers, starting to feel much better. "I was looking forward to going out," she said. "I would like to see the wide world again."

"And the wide world should be able to gaze upon your beauty, as much as I would love to keep you for myself," Nestad replied, finishing her braid and smoothing the hair on the top of her head gently.

Aewen blushed slightly. "I think I would rather hide a bit and just look at the world," she said. "I want only your eyes gazing at me."

The elf smiled as his heart tingled at her words. "Your wish is my command, melethril nín," he murmured as he wrapped his arm around her waist. "But you're right; we should get going if we're to bring any new inmates in today."

Aewen grinned. "Then let's go," she said. And they walked together, arms around each other's waists, up to the north field. The day was beautiful; sunny and warm with a light breeze. Aewen took a deep breath of the free air and smiled at the swallows wheeling overhead. She felt one hundred percent better. It was amazing.

"Life is absolutely perfect right now," Nestad decided aloud. "I haven't ever seen a day more beautiful than this one." His arm tightened on her waist, reminding himself that she was really his.

Aewen grinned up at him. She couldn't agree more. "It is," she said. "Simply perfect." As they walked, the crop fields came into view, and the slaves who worked there. The crop looked to be corn, only knee-high yet, but beautiful as the stems blew in the soft breeze. Many slaves were busy hoeing between the rows.

The elf's step took on a brisker tone as he approached the overseer. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Kali motion for someone to come closer to her. "Excuse me, sir," he said politely, "but could I trouble you for a moment?"

The overseer looked the elf up and down, and then looked at the woman at his side. "What do you want?" he asked a bit gruffly.

"I've orders to check every slave for a new disease that's turned up in a kitchen slave." That was stretching the truth just a tad, but Nestad was relying on the order 'Do whatever it takes to contain this'.

"A disease?" the overseer repeated. "What kind of disease? One that can spread?"

"Yes, a contagious disease," Nestad replied, using the correct terminology for the fun of it. "I haven't learned much about it yet; it just came to my attention a couple days ago."

"Well, none of my people here seem sick," the man said, gazing out at the workers. "If any of them become sick I will send them to the healing tent."

The elf shook his head. "This disease is different than any I've ever seen. By the time normal symptoms appear, it has already spread far in the body. It's best to catch it as quickly as possible so those with the disease have a chance at life. All I ask is the ability to check your workers. It won't take more than a half hour."

The overseer grumbled a bit, but finally consented. He motioned for Nestad to do whatever he needed to. "Just you don't take anyone from my field without you telling me about it."

"Of course," Nestad replied, moving to an unplanted part of the field. "Cover your ears," he murmured to Aewen before sticking two fingers in his mouth and letting out a piercing whistle.

Aewen covered her ears and looked up at him with wide eyes. "What was that for?" she asked.

The elf pointed. All of the slaves were looking at him and some were already heading toward where he stood. "That's the signal for all slaves to come in when a gong isn't available," he explained. "I had to learn how to do that when I came here."

"Oh…" Aewen nodded slightly as she watched the slaves come. She spotted Kali with Bella, and waved to them.

Kali smiled and bent to whisper something to Bella. The little girl's head flashed up and she began running to Aewen. "'lo!" she greeted enthusiastically as she wrapped her arms around Aewen's legs.

Aewen laughed and lifted the girl into her arms. "Hello there," she said. "I've missed you in the healing tent, you know?"

Bella clung to the older woman like a monkey, wrapping arms and legs around her. "I've missed you too!" she said, giving Aewen little-girl kisses all over her face.

Kali reached the area a moment later and smiled as she watched her daughter. "I think your beloved has grown a small growth," she remarked to the healer.

"At least it's not a harmful growth," Nestad replied with a grin before calling, "Everyone line up in a straight line, please! This will only take a few moments if everyone cooperates!"

The crowd obeyed, some of them already aware of what was going on. Aewen continued to hold Bella, content to do so as long as the girl wanted her to. She smiled at Kali as she moved to stand beside the other woman.

The healer moved to stand before all of them. "I don't know how far the rumors have spread," he said, cupping his hands around his mouth to amplify his voice a bit, "so I'll tell you what's going on. A couple days ago, a young woman who worked in the kitchens came into the healing tent with an odd disease. I checked her co-workers and discovered it had spread to some of them. This naturally concerns me, so I am checking every field. Congratulations, you're first."

A murmur went through the group and many of them looked afraid, while others displayed knit brows as the only sign of their worry. No one asked questions, since they knew that they would find out everything when Nestad came to them. The first person in the line was a young man in his mid twenties. He was looking at Nestad expectantly.

Nestad glanced at Kali, who nodded slightly. "Any questions before I examine you?" he asked the young man.

"No, sir," the man said. "Just tell me what I need to do. I'll do anything."

That confirmed it for the elf. He placed both hands on the young man's shoulders and let them glow just a bit, making it appear that he was really examining the man. The corners of his mouth hardened, as he appeared both sad and angry. "I'm sorry, lad," he said, loudly enough for those around to hear as he motioned for the young man to go to his left, Nestad's right. "Wait there until I'm done examining, please."

The man nodded and moved to the side as everyone else in the group murmured again. One of them was sick! What did that mean? That they could all be sick? The next one in line was a young girl, no older than fourteen. She looked up at the elf, fear in her gaze.

"Peace, lass," Nestad murmured, resting a hand on the girl's shoulder. She was shaking with fear under his touch, and he thought, 'Either she's an incredible actress, or she truly doesn't know what's going on.' "Do you have any questions before I check you?" he asked.

"Am I going to die?" she asked, wrapping her arms around herself.

"Not if I can help it, lass." The elf met her eyes squarely as he placed his other hand on her other shoulder.

"I don't want to die," she whispered. "Not here, not like this."

"And none can blame you for that." Nestad's heart ached; he wanted all of the children, particularly the young women, out of this camp as soon as possible. He glanced at Kali, who shook her head slightly. So this lass hadn't been picked. He sighed and zipped his power through her. "You're clean," he said, motioning to the place she should go.

The girl breathed with relief and tears flooded her eyes. "Oh, thank you, thank you!" she said as she moved away.

The next in line was a man holding a boy of about five in his arms. "Can children get this disease too?" he asked.

"I'm afraid that disease is rarely a respecter of age, sir," Nestad replied, resting a hand on the boy's head. "Is he your son?"

The man nodded. "Yes," he said. "And if one of us is sick, then we're both sick. We stay together…no matter what."

That told Nestad all he needed to know, and it was confirmed by a slight nod from Kali. He had to mentally congratulate her; she had gotten a child and a man in one shot. Closing his eyes, Nestad put his other hand on the man's shoulder and let his power light his hands up. "The lad has it," he murmured after a moment, "but you don't. Are you sure about this?"

"Yes," the man said. "I go where my son goes. He's all I have in the world."

The elf stepped back slightly and motioned to the side where the other man stood, waiting. "Then may the Valar protect you," he said quietly. "Both of you."

"Thank you," the man said, bowing slightly. He cast a quick look in Kali's direction, giving her a slight smile.

Kali returned the smile a bit shyly before turning her attention back to the check. She knew that the next five people didn't have the 'disease', then the young woman beside her and Bella and Kali herself.

Aewen watched the whole thing with interest. The number of people who were willing to go was impressive—much better than with the kitchen staff. She guessed that because they were field hands, they had more to run from. The kitchen staff had life easy compared to most of the slaves.

At last, Nestad finished and looked at the people clustered in the 'sick' group. All told, there were ten. Only eight of them were diagnosed with the disease, but Kali had made the same decision the man with the young child had made. "Come with us back to the quarantine tent, everyone who was picked out." He let out a sigh and went to the overseer. "It spreads fast," he said simply.

"These all have the disease?" he asked. "They are all sick?"

"Yes," Nestad said coolly. "Every one of them, and we'll be lucky if it doesn't spread further before all this is over."

The overseer backed away from Nestad slightly. "Well, just take them away and make them better. It's nearly half of my workforce for this section."

The elf bowed his head slightly. "I shall do everything in my power," he replied gravely before turning to those who were sick and motioning for them to follow.

Aewen, after giving Bella back to Kali, fell into step beside Nestad. She grinned up at him. "Quite a group we got this time," she commented.

"Wonderful, isn't it?" Nestad asked, looping an arm casually around her waist as they walked. "It's just the right size, I think. And if the first group travels slowly enough, they'll be able to merge and travel together for safety."

"Oh, that would be nice," Aewen said. "Maybe the first group could even wait for the second one at a particular place. A safe place."

"Sounds good to me. We'll work it out with them today. But first we'll have to get them all into bed." The elf let out a soft whistle. "This will nearly fill all the beds. We'll have to get more."

"Well, that's a good thing," Aewen said. "But, at least there will be some men in the next group. I was afraid they would all be woman."

"Kali's a bright woman who has survived years here. She knows how important we males can be." The elf put his nose up and strutted a few steps, which was odd to see a graceful elf do.

Aewen laughed and gave him a light shove. "You think you're so tough, eh?" she said.

"Give me a few moments of privacy with you, and I'll show you just how tough I can be," he murmured in a low voice right beside her ear. He then grinned imply and pulled away to walk several paces ahead of her.

Aewen's mouth dropped open in shock, and she even paused in her step for a second. Then she grinned and jogged a bit to catch up with him. She grabbed his arm as she kept pace again. "You naughty elf," she said, her eyes dancing.

Nestad laughed softly. "Did I shock you, dearest?" he teased. "And perhaps I am." He grinned down at her. Oh, how he loved seeing her in proper light; she seemed to shine to his eyes when she smiled like that.

"Well…you've piqued my interest," she answered, grinning, and then winked at him.

"Oh have I?" They entered the protected area and the elf glanced around conspiratorially before capturing her mouth in a firm kiss, tasting her deeply. "And what's that done, hm?" he asked when he pulled away, his eyes shining.

Aewen smiled up at him, breathless. "Ohh…it's made my interest more than piqued," she said.

"Good." He tapped her chin and grinned down at her. "Not many hours left until we are sent back to our cell. Keep that interest piqued until then, hm?"

Aewen shivered with anticipation, and she felt a bit nervous, but she grinned and nodded. "I think that now it will be all I can think about until then," she said.

"You and me both, darling." He kissed her again before drawing her into the tent. It was, to put it bluntly, chaos. "Cover your ears again," he murmured, sticking his fingers into his mouth.

Aewen quickly covered her ears just before Nestad let out another piercing whistle. Everyone turned to face him and quieted down.

"Everyone who just arrived today, please claim a bed and sit on it. I'm not any good at speeches, but I'm going to attempt one today." He rested his hands on his hips and smiled a half smile at everyone.

They all glanced at one another and then did as he said, watching him closely. Aewen took a seat in the grass by the back door to watch.

Once everyone was settled, their full attention on the standing elf, Nestad let his arms hang loosely by his sides. "For those who don't know me, I'm Nestad of Mirkwood. Kali has probably filled you new ones in pretty well, so I don't need to lie to you. Here's the deal: all of you have been chosen to leave because you will do anything to be free. I won't lie: it will be a hard journey, but I think all of you can make it. Those who came in a couple days ago, you will be 'dying'," he crooked his fingers in the air to show he was quoting, "tomorrow and buried tomorrow night. My lovely assistant back there-wave, Aewen," he motioned to his beloved.

Aewen smiled and waved to them all. Both Bella and the little boy waved back to her.

"Aewen has made up a map of the way to the place you should go. We've put a bit of thought into this. Now, as you are such a small group, we thought it would be wisest if you stop somewhere and wait for the second group to catch up for safety's sake. It is a long journey for only a few to attempt alone. Any questions?"

"When exactly are we leaving?" the man with the little boy asked. "And what are we required to do until then?"

"Good question. Those who arrived today will be leaving in two days from today. We'll make your 'restless' period rather short so you can get out of here. As to what you need to do until then…just keep the little ones still and stay out of sight of the doorway." The elf glanced around. "Any other questions?"

A woman on the closest cot to Nestad raised her hand. "How do we 'die'?" she asked. "And when we do, what happens to us?"

"Ah yes. When you 'die', the guards will have to take my word for it. They don't come close to even the normal dead; they'll stay as far away as possible from the bodies of the diseased dead. When you 'die', Aewen and I will take you to the death pit after dark. You won't have to stay there long; just about fifteen minutes to allay any suspicions after we leave." Nestad held his breath. He was well aware that many feared what could be caught from the dead, no matter what he did to contain what the dead had.

"S-stay in the death pit?" the woman who had asked the question said. "You mean…we really have to stay down there? But…"

"Madam…what's your name, lass?"

The woman seemed taken aback by his question. She faltered for a moment. "My name…my name is Saereth," she said, looking at him.

"Saereth," Nestad knelt before her and took her hands in his, meeting her eyes honestly. "I will do everything in my power to protect you and those with you from anything the dead had. This is a necessary evil. Are you willing to pass through it for freedom?"

She stared down at him for a moment. And then finally she nodded slightly.

The elf nodded in return before squeezing her hands and rising. "I give all of you my word that I will do everything physically and spiritually possible to protect all of you from whatever may linger in the death pit. I never recant my word; will you trust me?" His compassionate eyes swept the tent.

Slowly, every head in the tent began to nod in answer. Aewen smiled. They would trust him. She was glad. It would have been awful if, after coming there, some of them didn't want to go any farther.

"Thank you," the healer murmured, letting his head droop for a second. "Any more questions?"

None were forthcoming. Aewen had the greatest urge to put her arms around her beloved. She stood up and went into the back room to wait for him. She knew he would come to her as soon as he was finished.

"Then make yourselves comfortable. Do try to keep any conversation to just below a conversational level of voice; we don't want anyone noticing that we're having a good time here." With that, Nestad headed for the back room. He was stopped momentarily by Bella coming to greet him, but was able to press on when Kali came to claim her daughter, winking at the elf and motioning to the back room. He entered the room and wrapped his arms around his love. "That went better than I dared hope," he murmured.

Aewen returned his embrace tightly. She sighed with relief. "Ohh…Nestad. How are you now, hm?"

"Now that I'm with you again? Much better. Mmm…" he inhaled her smell happily and kissed her cheek. "You smell like Valinor on Arda, beloved."

Aewen smiled. "Oh, really? I thought I smelled like oranges," she teased.

"And passion fruit, and lemons," he added, kissing her nose. "All together, added with your personal smell, that is what Valinor smells like. Or at least, what I imagine Valinor smelling like."

Aewen grinned. "Well…I guess I should take that as a compliment," she said.

"Given that I intended it as one, yes, you should." The elf touched the tip of her nose with the tip of his and smiled teasingly.

She grinned and laughed lightly, and then kissed him. "I love you, you know that?"

"Mmm…" he returned the kiss warmly. "Do you indeed?" His eyes twinkled as he turned her teasing back on her. "Prove it." He grinned.

She smiled slightly and looked into his eyes. "And how would you like me to prove it?" she asked in a beguiling manner. "What would satisfy your doubt?"

"That voice almost does it by itself," the elf admitted, his voice shuddering just a bit. "Hmm…can we have a kiss, beloved?" He nuzzled her cheek with the tip of his nose.

Aewen smiled, and then she gave him a slow, deep kiss, one of her hands finding its way to his right ear as she did so. She put as much passion into it as she could, wanting to make his anticipation worthwhile.

Nestad moaned into her mouth as she touched his ear. "Found my weak spot," he panted when they separated. "I'll have to make it a point to find yours, my sweet."

She smiled as she ran the tip of her finger along the ridge of his ear. "I'll let you know when you do," she said softly.

"Mmm…I think I'm convinced of your sweet love." He shivered at her gentle touch. He never remained unaffected when touched there, but her touch was even more powerful than any other's.

She looked at him. "Oh, are you?" she said. "Well, I'm glad to know that I can be so convincing. And that you would never doubt my love." She kissed him lightly.

"As if I could ever truly doubt it," he replied, returning the kiss. "Only a couple more hours," he added, his voice a purr.

Aewen drew a ragged breath, feeling her nervousness creep up on her again. "Only a couple more hours…" she breathed.

Nestad felt her nervousness and cupped her face in his hand. "I love you," he murmured, meeting her eyes directly. "I love you completely and thoroughly." He smiled. "And I'm nervous too," he added with a light kiss.

She smiled, feeling some relief to hear that from him. "Thank you," she said. "Just… know that I'm not afraid. Not of you."

"I know," he replied gently. "If you were afraid of me, I wouldn't be feeling anticipation from you. It's natural, and nothing to be ashamed of."

"You're so good to me," Aewen said, smiling up at him. "Sometimes I think I don't deserve it. But I'm happy for it."

"You do deserve it," the elf assured her, holding her close to prove it. "Love you, and I love to see you happy. It makes your spirit shine even brighter to my eyes."

Aewen smiled and rested her head against his chest for a few moments, just enjoying being held by him. But finally she looked up. "So, what are we going to do for the next two hours? We have a lot of people out there."

"I'll go to the other tent and check for any new injuries," he decided after a moment. "You can come with me, if you like, or you can stay here and talk to those leaving tomorrow night. They may need encouragement."

Aewen thought for a moment and then nodded. "All right, I'll do that," she said. She smiled. "Say hello to my injured guard for me."

Nestad chuckled. "I'll try to remember," he replied, kissing her tenderly. "Of course, me being the jealous lad I can be, I may well forget…"

Aewen made a face. "No need to be jealous," she said. "I love you, and only you. But, tell him…tell him I wish him luck."

"All right. I'll tell him." He kissed her again before releasing her and leaving the back room. He caught Kali's eye before the woman winked, grinning broadly. She knew the look of someone deeply in love, and the elf had that painted all over his face. Blushing slightly, Nestad smiled back before leaving the 'sick' tent.

Aewen came out a moment later, looking around and wondering what she should do. There were so many people in there now. But at least they were all safe, and she along with them. She spotted Kali and smiled as she made her way over to her friend.

"Your elven friend sure seems happy," Kali remarked as Aewen came in earshot. Bella latched onto the young woman happily; glad that she would be able to spend a few more days with her friend the 'sistant'.

Aewen grinned as she picked the little girl up. "He's not the only one, Kali," she said. "I can't remember a time when I've been more happy."

"I'm glad for both of you," Kali smiled as she patted the space beside her on the cot, silently inviting the younger woman to sit down as Bella chattered happily about how 'Ne'tad' was okay, and she was so happy to be there.

Aewen sat down gladly, and then embraced Kali as best she could with Bella on her lap. "I can't believe that in just a few short days you and Bella won't even be here."

Kali returned the hug, deftly avoiding hitting her daughter as Bella bounced on Aewen's lap. "And it shouldn't be too much longer after that before you leave yourself," she pointed out. "You already managed to get half of the north field in here. If you can keep that up with all the fields, it shouldn't be too long before you've gotten everyone out that you can."

"I hope so," Aewen said. "Just feel so sorry for those that we have to leave behind. When I see the terrified faces of those that Nestad turns away…I just…I just want to stop them and say, 'no, it's not what you think. It's really your freedom!' It pains me that we aren't telling them outright the truth. I mean…what if Nestad is missing the signs? What if he is turning away someone who would really do anything to get away, but is just very scared of the disease?"

"With some of these people, they have nothing to return to. Even if you told them outright that you're offering them freedom, they would turn and run the other way—particularly among those who either enjoy their jobs or have relatively easy jobs. Most here today…they're either recently enslaved or hate their assigned tasks enough to do anything get out of here and find a new life." Kali's face was sad as she spoke the truth.

"I know…" Aewen said. "There is a girl here…that one, over there," she said, pointing to Meril. "I don't know her whole story. But she grew up here. And ever since she was old enough she has been a toy of the soldiers. It's all she's known. And when she came here all she wanted to do was die. She was so relieved when Nestad told her that she had the disease. And so broken when she found out later that it wasn't true. My heart just broke for her. And it still does."

Kali turned to look at the lass Aewen pointed at. "Ah, Meril," she murmured. "Yes, that is her story. Never knew her parents or where she came from, poor lass. But I see she hasn't tried anything drastic." She sighed when Aewen gave her a quizzical look. "About three years ago there was an escape attempt by some of those in the 'whore pit'. She joined them, as her spirit was still strong enough to dream of escape. They were caught about a mile out and…" she shook her head. "I still have nightmares about the things they made the rest of us watch them go through. A few days later, someone went to wake Meril up for her work and found her watching her blood flow out of her wrists. They only just got her to Nestad in time."

Aewen put her hands over her mouth in horror. "Oh, poor girl," she said, tears stinging the backs of her eyes. "Poor, poor girl. You don't think she'll do anything like that again, do you?"

"I pray she won't. The fact that she hasn't yet gives me hope." Kali put an arm around Aewen's shoulders. "When is she to leave?"

Aewen hesitated. "Well…I don't know. She…well…" she didn't quite know how to explain it.

"Uh-oh," Kali murmured. "That doesn't sound like a promising beginning. Any explanation that begins with two 'well's doesn't bode well. What's happened?"

Aewen sighed. "The other day…when she found out that she had been chosen to escape. She was very depressed about it. Since she doesn't have anywhere to go. All she wanted to do was die, Kali. But she was crying. And…and Nestad held her while she cried…to comfort her…" she looked up at the woman to see if she was catching on.

"Tell me you aren't going where I think you're going with that," Kali said slowly, one eye narrowing slightly.

Aewen nodded. "She…felt love for the first time, Kali. But she misinterpreted it. She wanted to stay here, with Nestad, rather than escape."

The older woman let out a sigh. "Ohh dear. Has Nestad talked to her since then?"

"Yes, he did. And he told her the truth. She was…very hurt. That was earlier…I don't know how she is now. He hasn't talked to her since then."

"Yes, I imagine she was hurt. She'd pinned all her hopes on something…and then watched them all burn in one moment. Poor lass…" Kali sighed. "Well, we'll see what happens. If she wants, she can come out with my group. I'll keep a good eye on her."

"Thank you, Kali," Aewen said. "I just…I just wish she had someone…you know? Someone who could love her. Someone she could trust in and feel safe with for the rest of her life. It's just not fair."

"That's life, unfortunately. We can keep hoping she finds such a person one day, but life is rarely so kind or so fair." Kali's face softened. "I do understand what you mean, though. You have found such complete happiness with your lad that you wish everyone could have such joy. That's good of you."

Aewen smiled slightly and looked over at Meril, lying still in her bed, staring up at the ceiling. "I don't even know what I would say if I went to talk to her. What does one say to someone who is so broken?"

"Put yourself in her shoes. If you were in that situation, what would you listen to, and what would you push aside?" Kali sighed. "I reacted in a different manner. I grew a thick skin and developed a brisk manner. I deal well enough, and I have Bella to love, no matter who her father is. She doesn't even have a child to love."

Aewen didn't say anything to that, just watching the girl from a distance. Meril eventually rolled over onto her side. And as she did that, the women could see the sparkle of tears in her eyes before she closed them.

"You have a good heart, Aewen. You will think of the right things to say when you speak with her. Until then, remember that your elven lad loves you." Kali smiled and winked as she lay down. "Now, I think a nap is in order for me," she announced. "After all, this is a nice change from the fields."

Aewen smiled. "Yes. Sleep while you can, my friend. Soon you will not get much of it. But…sleep in exchange for freedom doesn't sound that bad to me."

"Sounds like a fair trade for me," Kali replied with a grin as she looked up at the younger woman. "Do you want to keep Bella with you, or should I take her now?" Bella clung harder to Aewen, signaling her desire to remain with her.

Aewen smiled again, looking at the little girl. "Oh, I think she can stay with me until Nestad gets back. I don't mind."

"T'ank you!" Bella exclaimed, relaxing her grip a bit as she grinned up at Aewen. "I like bein' with you."

Aewen grinned. "I like being with you, too, little one." She looked at Kali. "Sleep well," she said softly, and then stood up.

A couple hours passed before Nestad re-entered the 'sick' tent, shaking his hands dry of the water beading on his fair skin. He looked around for his beloved, missing her smell and her touch after so long without it. He smiled as he located her sitting in a corner playing with Bella. Her face shone so happily…he almost didn't want to bother her.

A moment after Nestad entered the tent, Aewen felt s soft tingle on the back of her neck. She looked up and saw him standing a short distance away, watching her and Bella. She grinned, her eyes sparkling. She had missed him in the short hours he had been gone. "Bella, look who's here," she said, pointing at the elf.

Bella looked up as well and jumped up to greet Nestad as the elf walked over to the happy pair. "Aewen taught me a new game!" she exclaimed, hugging the healer's knees.

"Oh?" Nestad asked, kneeling and hugging the girl properly. "What did she teach you?"

Bella grabbed his hand and led him to a small patch of dirt. Pulling him down onto his knees, she said proudly, "Watch!" She reached out with a chubby forefinger and drew painstakingly in the dirt for a moment before sitting back. "B-E-L-L-A. That's my name!"

"Oh, Aewen's teaching you how to read? Good job, Bella!" he congratulated, looking at his beloved with a warm light in his eyes.

Aewen smiled. "And she's a very quick learner too," she added, kissing the girl on her hair.

"I'm glad to hear that." They were interrupted by a long yawn from the little girl. "You should rest, little one," Nestad said gently. "It's getting close to bedtime for everyone." He glanced at Aewen, a shadow of a smile teasing his lips.

She blushed and looked away quickly. "Yes, to bed," she said, lifting the girl into her arms and carrying her over to Kali's bed. "Would you like to sleep with your mama?"

"'es," Bella murmured, holding onto Aewen's neck sleepily as she was carried. Kali woke at the sound of her child's voice and smiled sleepily as she lifted an arm to cradle the girl close. "Thank you," she whispered as Bella snuggled close to her, her thumb finding her mouth.

"You're welcome," Aewen said with a smile. "Sleep well, you two." Then she turned back to Nestad and came close to him. But out here in the main part of the tent she didn't embrace him. "Everyone's been tended to, and most are asleep," she reported.

"There was a minor emergency in the other tent," he said, explaining his long absence carefully, fighting the urge to gather her in his arms and kiss them both senseless. "But everything's settled now, and those in the other tent are sleeping as well." He put a hand on her shoulder. "Time for us to retreat to our safe cell," he remarked.

She smiled slightly and nodded. "All right. I suppose the guards are waiting for us anyway. Lead the way…" She motioned for him to go first. She tried to remain calm on the outside. But inside her heart was doing flip-flops in anticipation of what was to come in such a short time. She was nervous.

Nestad took the lead easily, and, for once, the guards had no snide comments as the pair crossed the safe line, brushed off by Nestad's sparkling power. The trip back to the cell was silent. The elf was just as nervous as Aewen was, but this was…right. The time was right. He was just afraid of hurting his love, of bringing back the painful memories.

And before Aewen knew it, they were in their cell, and the door was being closed and locked behind them. The footsteps of the guards faded away. Aewen stood there, her hands shaking, not knowing what to do. She felt strange, as if she were meeting Nestad for the first time.

The elf stepped around and bent a bit to meet her eyes. "Melethril," he murmured softly, the gentle word echoing in the silent cell.

She drew a ragged breath and took a step toward him. "Hold me…just for a moment?" she asked softly, looking into his eyes with a slightly frightened and pleading expression.

"Of course," he replied tenderly, gathering her into his arms and holding her close. He could feel her heartbeat fluttering like a trapped butterfly against her ribcage. Humming softly, he pressed her head against his chest so she could hear his nervous heartbeat as he sent a wash of soothing power into her. "I love you," he whispered.

"I know you do," she whispered. "And I love you…so much." She closed her eyes for a moment, taking deep breaths. "Will you…will you tell me what you want?" she asked hesitantly.

"Oh, beloved," he murmured, still holding her. "I just want to love you. If you will allow me to love you as a man loves a woman, I will do so gladly. But if you're not ready…if it's too soon…then I can wait for you to be ready."

"I…I want it…" she said, looking up at him, her lower lip trembling. "I do. I'm just…a little afraid."

"Then let me soothe your fear," Nestad replied, meeting her eyes tenderly as he continued to hold her trembling body close. He gently touched his lips to hers.

Aewen melted at once, and returned his kiss deeply. She wrapped her arms around him, pulling him tight against her. She felt a rush of anticipation and thrill. And tried to ignore the fear that would only mar a beautiful thing.

"Mmm…" the elf hummed happily as he felt her anticipation swell to swamp the fear. He let one hand stroke her shoulders, smoothing her dress over her slim form as he allowed himself to drown in her kiss and love.

Aewen trembled at his touch, and her breath came in short gasps between kisses. She leaned closer to him until their bodies were pressed together. He was addictive. She couldn't get enough of him.

Nestad moaned as he felt her body press firmly against his. His body reacted to her touch, tingling every place they touched and short-circuiting his brain. "Elbereth, beloved," he gasped, breaking free of her mouth to trail kisses all over her face and neck.

It was Aewen's turn to moan now. She gripped him tightly, tilting her head back so he could kiss her neck easily. This was wonderful. Amazing. She loved every second of it, even though her heart was about to pound out of her chest.

The elf slowed down, his control taking over. This was what they both wanted; he knew that. He also knew that they finally had the privacy to do this act. That meant, to him, that it was worth taking the time to do things properly. He nuzzled her neck slowly, tasting and smelling her soft, tanned skin.

Aewen stood there in his embrace, her fear pushed far in the background. Nestad was so gentle and loving. So unlike anything the commander had done to her. She couldn't even associate one experience with the other. What she was experiencing now was her first time…how it should have been. She wanted to tell this to Nestad somehow. And finally she found her breath long enough to speak a few words. "Nestad…it's perfect…" it was all she could say. But she knew it was enough.

Nestad purred softly against her soft skin before gently picking her up and placing her tenderly on the cot. "Then let us see if we can make it a little more perfect," he whispered, one hand resting against her stomach and the other cupping her face as he leaned in for another long kiss.

Aewen's hands found themselves in the elf's hair, stroking the back of his head as they kissed. Every once in a while she would brush her fingers against one of his ears, just to give him a little thrill. She loved his reactions when she did that.

"I swear I will find your weak spot tonight," he gasped as her fingers trailed over his ears. "Oh, yes…that feels delightful, darling." He kissed a line down her cheekbones to her chin, then down her neck again, pausing in the adorable little indent at the base of her throat.

Aewen smiled. "I look forward to finding it with you," she said softly, her eyes glazed over and head lolled back into her pillow.

Nestad continued his line of kisses until he was brought to bay by the cloth of Aewen's collar. There he paused, looking up at her pleasure-flushed face as he rested his hands on her shoulders, his fingers slipping under the cloth to find her skin.

Aewen drew a ragged breath and opened her eyes. She gazed into his with deep desire and longing. She let her breath out slowly between her lips. Then she smiled at him, encouraging him to continue.

He kissed her lips tenderly as he worked the cloth off with the utmost of care, his hands sliding over the revealed skin gently. He didn't pause until the dress was pulled down to her waist. He then pulled back a little to look at her. His breath whistled out between his teeth at her beauty.

She blushed and looked down, feeling a strong urge to cover herself. But she resisted it. Nestad was meant to see her this way. He deserved it. And she wanted it too.

"Oh, my beloved…" Nestad's voice trailed off as one hand tenderly cradled her face. "You are beautiful. So beautiful…" His other hand rested on her flat stomach, marveling at the softness of the skin beneath his fingers.

Aewen trembled slightly at his touch, but her body craved it. She looked up at him and smiled. "I love you," she whispered. "And I trust you."

His eyes filled with tears at the level of trust she showed him. Lowering his head, he rested it on her chest, listening to her heartbeat for a moment as his hands explored slowly, taking their time to learn every inch.

Aewen's heart was pounding rapidly. She laced her fingers through Nestad's hair, and tried to relax under his soft ministrations. It was hard to do, but she really did feel safe, even in such an exposed position. This was perfect, just like she had always imagined it should be. And she loved him all the more for respecting her this way, and for wanting to make her happy.

Sensing her slight apprehension, Nestad sent a wash of soothing power into her as his hands paused along her rib cage, counting each rib with the wonder of someone discovering something new and precious.

Aewen let out a slow breath as she felt his power flow through her. She smiled and kissed the top of his head, feeling a bit better. She was gradually getting used to this, and liking it all the more. She put her hands on his shoulders, rubbing them back and forth slowly, wishing to touch him also.

The elf shivered at her gentle touch as he kissed her chest tenderly, purring at the softness and warmth under his mouth. She tasted every bit as good as she smelled, in his opinion.

Aewen moaned softly and her body squirmed with desire. Her hand began to work the fabric of his shirt up, until she managed to pull it off over his head. And then she returned her hands to their place on his shoulders. She smiled up at him.

Nestad lifted his head just long enough to let her pull his shirt off and returned his hungry mouth to her chest as soon as the fabric was gone. He moaned softly as her hands touched his bare skin, sending ripples of sheer desire through his body. He managed a smile back as he met her eyes, his blue eyes darker than usual because of his carefully controlled passion.

When Aewen saw the look in his eyes, it about undid her. She leaned her head back into the pillow and closed her eyes as she let another moan escape between her lips. Her hands began to slowly stroke his shoulders and upper back as far as she could reach. She loved the feel of his smooth skin under her fingers. She paused for a moment whenever one of her fingers brushed across a scar.

The elf paused in his exploration to let her explore him, shivering as she traced the faint scars he wore on his back and shoulders. He arched under her touch, moaning softly as he nuzzled her chest gently, much like a child seeking nutrition.

Aewen pressed her lips together and squirmed a bit under him, too overcome with passion and desire to stay still. "I love this…" she breathed, wishing to encourage him and let him know how she was feeling.

"I'm glad," he moaned, his fingers finding the cloth bunched at her waist. "So glad…" He couldn't stop tasting, but his curiosity about what was yet unrevealed was climbing to a peak where he had to know. His passion was taking over rapidly, though he continued to fight to keep it slow.

Aewen held her breath for a moment when she felt where his fingers were. But then she let it out slowly and lifted her hips slightly to make it easier for him to do what he wanted to do.

The elf gently slid the cloth off her hips and down her legs, smoothing his hands over the smooth flesh beneath. When she was at last free of the dress, he set it neatly to one side and began to play with her feet, kissing her toes and wiggling them experimentally. He was bound and determined to take his time over this. It was too precious to be rushed.

Aewen giggled, looking down at him, squirming a bit. "That's ticklish," she said. Though it was obvious that she didn't really mind his doing it.

"Is it?" he asked, running his fingers up and down the soles of her feet teasingly, grinning at her helpless giggles. "Not quite a weak spot, but noted as a weakness, nonetheless." He moved up to her ankles and calves, kissing and stroking.

Aewen was in complete bliss, just lying there soaking up Nestad's loving attention. And surprisingly she wasn't as nervous as before. She was gradually getting used to it. She just hoped that it stayed that way. For now, their play wasn't very serious. She knew that soon it would be. But she tried not to think about that, and only focused on the here and now.

Nestad moved slowly up, kissing every inch of skin and smoothing his fingers over the new skin reverentially. He had seen all of this before; he was a healer. He'd seen everything under the sun in his long lifetime. But this was…different. He wasn't looking at her as someone to heal. He was looking at her as his beloved, the woman who would be his wife.

Aewen moaned softly a few times, breathing deeply as Nestad kissed her body. The amount of passion she was feeling was intense. And she couldn't focus her mind on anything other than what he was doing to her. All thoughts of the evil commander and his strong hand were gone. All she knew now was love. Nestad's love.

At last, the elf reached the juncture of her thighs and paused, looking up at her face with glazed eyes. "Melethril," he rasped. "Melethril, look at me."

She looked down at him and blinked a few times to clear her vision. Her body was trembling with excitement and pent up passion.

"Last chance to turn back," he said, resting a hand on her hip tenderly and rubbing his thumb lightly against the bone.

"No…" she breathed. "No…I want this…I want you…" She looked at him with much resolve reflected in her eyes, and no fear to speak of, only a bit of nervousness.

Nestad moaned softly at her words and moved up into her reach. He captured her hand in his and gave her palm a surprisingly chaste kiss before placing her fingers against the waist of his pants. "Then claim what it yours, beloved," he whispered.

Aewen looked at him a moment, and then down at where he had put her hand. Her heart began to pound even harder. She sat up and kissed his lips deeply, and at the same time let her hands undo the laces of his pants, and then begin to work the fabric down off his hips, kissing his mouth the whole time.

The elf groaned into her mouth as he was released from his pants at last. "Oh Valar…" he murmured brokenly as he cupped her face in his hands and kissed her even deeper.

Once Nestad's pants were down at his feet they were beyond Aewen's reach, so she figured that he would get rid of them the rest of the way. And in the meantime, she ran her hands over his bare back while not breaking their passionate kiss. Her hands explored his body willingly, eagerly. His back and hips and stomach, and up to his chest and back down again. She loved the feel of his strong muscles under her fingers. Such a hard, strong body compared to hers. She suddenly understood why women were weaker than men. It was not only dictated by society. Society was dictated by reality. But knowing his strength didn't frighten her. It actually made her feel safer to be held in his arms. More protected.

Nestad shifted, pushing his pants away with a foot as he moaned at her touch, reciprocating with his heated touch. Passion was putting up a fight, demanding to be fulfilled at last. He pressed her soft body against his heated body, hissing in delight at how well their bodies fit together.

Aewen drew in a sharp breath and let it out raggedly. "Nestad…" she breathed, feeling like she would explode with passion. She pulled away from him slightly so she could see his body. She had never seen a man's body before. And babies and young boys did not count, she realized. She gasped softly and stared at him for a moment, feeling nervous all over again. But she pushed it aside, and made a very bold move, she thought: she lay back down on the cot and held one arm out to him, inviting him to lie with her. She thought for sure he could hear her heart pounding.

She didn't have to invite him twice. Licking his lips in nervous anticipation, the elf stretched his long body beside hers, moving so he was leaning over her so he could press his lips to hers. His hand stroked down her side, unable to get enough of the feel of her soft skin under his fingers. "Do I pass muster?" he asked teasingly as he pulled away a little to look at her under him.

She giggled and put her arms around him, running her hands up and down his back. "You're perfect," she said. "This is perfect. It's all exactly how I dreamed it should be."

He laughed softly, amazed that the passion had backed off enough to let them find a moment of hilarity. "I'm glad I can be the fulfillment of a dream, then," he teased, his hand resting on her hip. "Though I doubt you dreamed it would be in this setting…unless you have the gift of foresight or something similar."

Aewen smiled slightly. "I see only you," she said, gazing into his eyes. "In your arms I am in the most grand setting I can ever dream of. I need nothing else…"

A lump rested in his throat as he looked back into her eyes, seeing his reflection in those trusting depths. "Glad to hear it," he whispered. "I can't provide much better than just me yet." His hand slid over to rest on her abdomen, his thumb rubbing over the silky-smooth skin.

She shivered slightly at his touch and smiled. "I love you," she whispered. And then tightened her arms around him and kissed his lips tenderly.

"I love you," he whispered back before their lips touched. He lost himself in her gentle kiss as his hand continued downward a bit hesitantly. This was new territory for him, and he wanted to get it right so he wouldn't hurt her.

Aewen kissed him back, her body shuddering at his touch. She knew that the long awaited moment was about to come. She was ready, yet still very nervous. But she trusted him, and that was what mattered.

Using his knee to part her thighs gently, Nestad moved so he was hovering over her slightly, teasing her with his almost-touch as his fingertips traced patterns on the inside of her thigh.

Aewen bit her lip in expectation, her body moving towards his slightly. "Nestad…" she groaned.

"Mmm…someone's needy," the elf said huskily, his body vibrating with need as he let his fingers slide further up her legs.

Aewen gritted her teeth. "Now you're being cruel," she said, her voice barely making it past her quick breathing.

"To both of us," he rasped back, feeling the moisture between her legs with a shiver of anticipation. Spreading her legs a bit further, he settled between them on his knees. Her face was too adorable in its almost-painful anticipation; he couldn't resist kissing her long and tenderly as he settled his body over hers.

Aewen moaned into his mouth and she pulled away from the kiss as she gasped, her arms around him and gripping him tightly. Moisture appeared in the corners of her eyes, but she slowly relaxed, looking up at him.

"Does it hurt?" he asked anxiously, ready to pull away if she said it hurt badly. That was the last thing he ever wanted to do to his beloved.

She shook her head. "No," she gasped. "No…" she smiled, taking slow breaths. "I'm just not used to it." She looked into his eyes as her breathing slowed again. "We are one," she observed.

His heart sped up as he heard her say that. "We are, beloved," he agreed, meeting her eyes for a long moment before pressing his cheek against hers. "One heart, one mind, one body…one."

Aewen held him tightly, closing her eyes as she drank in this moment. This whole experience was so perfect. There was no way that Nestad could ruin it. And no way that she would ever be afraid of him.

They remained still for a long moment, clinging to each other as they grew accustomed to the sensation of being fully one. At last, Nestad murmured, "Beloved, if I don't move soon, I'm going to catch on fire."

She giggled and looked up at him. "Well, then what are you waiting for?" she teased.

His answer was a slight motion, designed to tease her as he braced his hands on either side of her head.

She drew in a breath between her clenched teeth. "Ohh…Nestad," she gasped. "No more teasing, please…I just need you. Just love me." She was quite ready and more than willing.

Shivers ran through him at her words. "As my lady commands," he rasped, giving her one last tender kiss before beginning to move to the dance as old as time, yet as fresh as the leaves in spring.

Aewen's hands gripped the blankets at her sides as Nestad began to move. She moaned deeply over and over. And even though she tried to keep it down so the guard outside wouldn't hear, she was finding it difficult. The knowledge that it was Thaeden, the nice guard, who might hear them, gave her a lot of comfort.

Nestad buried his face in her shoulder to muffle his moans of delight as his movements sped up just a little bit. Oh Valar, this was Valinor on Arda. This moment, this experience of utter connectedness with his beloved…nothing could ever top it. How could it? He balanced carefully on one hand as the other stroked his beloved's body over and over, seeking to bring her to the same level of pleasure he was feeling.

Aewen's body shuddered and she was panting, her eyes closed. And then all of a sudden, a very strong wave of pleasure surged through her. She cried out softly at its intensity, one hand reaching up to grip Nestad's shoulder. She moaned his name as the pleasure continued to dash away all her senses until she knew nothing else.

The elf whimpered as he hit the apex. He moved twice more and froze as his seed left him, washing his entire being with intense pleasure. He had never felt anything like it in his life…her name on his lips, he clung to her as he felt himself starting to come down, his body going limp.

When Aewen felt him fill her, it was the most wonderful thing she had ever known. He was truly a part of her now. She felt complete in a way she had never felt before. When he settled on top of her and they had lain still for a moment to catch their breath and regain their senses, Aewen looked at his face so close to hers and spoke her thoughts aloud, wanting him to know. "I am complete," she whispered, her voice wavering slightly.

Nestad nuzzled her face as he fought to breathe properly. "As am I, beloved," he whispered, unwilling to move, but afraid that he was crushing her. "I was never myself before now." He gently sucked her earlobe into his mouth.

Aewen gasped at that and moaned softly, smiling. "Oh…" she giggled.

"You like that?" he murmured, running his tongue lightly over her earlobe as two fingers came up to tease the other one.

"Oh…yes…" she said, hissing through her teeth. "Don't stop…"

The elf obeyed happily, tracing patterns on her ear with his fingertips as he continued to suck wetly on the other earlobe.

Aewen moaned softly, unable to do anything but just lie there and let him have his way with her. What he was doing was so pleasant.

"Interesting," he murmured, pulling away from his treasure for a moment. "Both of us react strongly to touches on our ears. Wonder if that has anything to do with your heritage?"

"Mmm…maybe…" Aewen breathed, squirming slightly. "But must we discuss it now?"'

He laughed softly and returned her soft earlobe to his mouth, sucking on it and rubbing the rim with his tongue. "I suppose not," he replied, blowing across the wet skin teasingly. "Enough time for that later…"

Aewen shivered and moaned again. "I think…that you've succeeded," she breathed.

"I think I have too," he replied, highly satisfied. "I told you I'd find your weak spot." He stopped touching both ears and grinned teasingly down at her as he tested the strength in his arms. They still felt like wet noodles, so he remained on her contentedly.

She looked down at him with a slight smile. "What are you doing?" she asked.

"Watching you," he replied, inhaling the smell of her hair happily. "And smelling your sweet hair. And just enjoying being connected to you far too much to try getting up just yet."

Aewen grinned. "It's perfect," she said. She wrapped her legs around him, shifting a bit under him to give herself a slight thrill.

He shivered as the thrill shot through him as well. "Then I am not squishing you?" he asked, nuzzling her cheek with his nose.

She shook her head and wrapped both arms around him. "No, I love to feel your weight on me. It's quite nice. You are not as heavy I thought you would be."

"I am an elf," he pointed out, wrapping both arms around her. "I'm light enough to walk on snow without leaving much of a footprint. Part of the bodily makeup of all elves." He kissed her cheek. "In this case, it means I can lay on you completely without making it too difficult to breathe." He chuckled. "More difficult to breathe than any other time I touch you, that is."

"Mmm…" Aewen smiled. "I love not being able to breathe when you're concerned," she said. "Every minute of it."

Nestad rolled his hips lazily, bumping lightly against her pleasure center. "Glad to hear it," he purred.

Aewen moaned and gripped him in surprise, then took a deep, shuddering breath. "Again…" she said softly, closing her eyes.

That moan and shuddering breath did something to Nestad that affected him deeply. His breath caught as his body woke up again and he moved again, fighting to keep his movements gentle and teasing.

Aewen couldn't hold back the moans that followed one after the other. "More…" she breathed. "Oh, Nestad…more…" Was it possible they could go again in one night? She was willing to find out.

So was Nestad. Shifting himself for better reach, he began moving again, feeling the cot shake under them as his blood inflamed and his pace sped up. His hisses of pleasure escalated quickly to soft moans, her name the most frequent sound.

Aewen gritted her teeth, holding her breath every now and then, only to let it go with a deep moan and then hold it again. It seemed to her that the pleasure of this second time was even more intense than the first. Could it be that this time she was not even the slightest bit nervous, and that she was experiencing it simply for the pleasure of it all, and the love she could feel from her beloved?

As they had both already hit their climax once before that night, the road to completion should have been faster, or Nestad had always been told. However, since he had already been satisfied once that night, he had a little more endurance to experiment, to tease a little. Just when he felt he must hit the top or die, he would slow down, letting his blood cool a little before speeding up again.

After a few minutes of that, Aewen was nearly in agony with pleasure, her body squirming and trembling under his as she gripped the blankets at her sides tightly. Tears leaked from the corners of her eyes just from the amount of intense emotions she was feeling. And finally she couldn't take it anymore. "Nestad!" she cried. "Finish me…"

Nestad's endurance snapped at those words and he moved faster, capturing her mouth in a fierce kiss as he hit his climax. For a moment, he thought he had gone blind from the sheer pleasure of completion after the teasing period. He wouldn't have cared if he had gone blind; the feeling of filling her once again with his essence was too good to pass up. His cry of delight was swallowed up in the kiss.

Aewen cried out also as she felt him fill her a second time, this time much more intensely. But his mouth over hers muffled her cry. And so her body expressed the escape of her passion where her screams could not. She shuddered violently until she went limp, her chest heaving. And finally she pulled away from his kiss if only to catch a breath. She was sweating now, but didn't really care. She had to lie there for a few minutes to regain herself.

"Ohh…" Nestad groaned as she pulled away from his mouth. "By the Valar…" He stroked her face gently as he fought to breathe, sweat shining on his back and forehead. "Are you all right?" he managed, concerned for her as always.

It took a moment for her to respond. But when she finally did, she nodded and smiled. "Wonderful…" she breathed, opening her eyes to look at him. "Perfect…"

The elf continued to gasp for air; two releases in one night were tiring. He let himself rest on her, loving the feel of her moist, warm body against his. "I'm so glad," he whispered in her ear, his tongue darting out to teasingly lap at her earlobe.

Aewen moaned and giggled at the same time, the sound in itself being rather funny, but she couldn't help it. And then she was still breathing heavily, which made expressing any sound difficult.

"You sound so cute when you do that," Nestad gasped, burying his face in the crook of her neck and trying to catch his breath. That was a little tricky, as he was still connected to Aewen, but he was quite reluctant to break that connection.

"Cute?" Aewen said, slowly regaining her composure. She giggled again, this time without the moan. "I don't know if I can agree with you there, my love."

"Mmm…really? Well, I think everything you do is adorable," he murmured, catching his breath and slowly nuzzling her neck. "So I may well be wrong…but I think I'm right, personally."

She smiled and kissed his hair. "All right. I'll let you live in your fantasies," she teased, running her hands down his slick back as far as she could reach.

"As long as my fantasies may include you, I ask for nothing more." His hand stroked over her hip and up her leg, following it around where it wrapped around his waist.

"Mmm…I could stay just like this forever," Aewen said lazily. She was getting quite tired, but didn't want to fall asleep and miss this.

"We will," he promised. "When we are free, we shall be able to spend every night of our lives like this." He kissed her neck. "We'll have a bigger bed, one that isn't in constant danger of breaking under us…complete privacy with a door we can lock from our side, not vice-versa."

Aewen smiled and stared dreamily up at the ceiling. She was quiet for some time, and just before Nestad began to wonder if she had fallen asleep, she spoke again. "Nestad? What makes a woman and man husband and wife?"

"I'm guessing you aren't talking about the ceremonies that make such a legally binding pair," the elf replied, playing with her ear idly.

"Mm-nm," Aewen said, shaking her head slightly. "I've never thought about it before, but what really makes a husband and wife? And what is the ceremony for anyway?"

"As I've always understood it, what makes a husband and wife truly a husband and wife is the level that their selves are bound together. And the ceremony is to officially bless such a binding before the Valar, I suppose."

"But can two people be married without such formality?" Aewen asked, turning her head to look at his face. "Do the Valar really need all that in order to bless them?"

"You're thinking of the human wedding ceremonies," he remarked, looking back. "For elves, it's not a matter of the formality, but of the heart. And no, I don't believe they need all of that. After all," he nuzzled her neck, "I was blessed by you, and I didn't have to go through a ceremony to be blessed thusly."

"So…do you think, then…that a man and a woman, if they truly love one another, could be married without such ceremonies? If they proclaimed it together before the Valar?"

"Ah, I think I see where you're going with this," he murmured. "Yes, I think they could. The Valar are witnesses everywhere to everything, be the setting a grand court in Minas Anor or a small cell."

Aewen shifted slightly so she could see him better. "And…what…I mean…" she faltered, not knowing how to express what she wanted to say.

"Is that what you want?" the elf asked softly, moving to see her beautiful face. "To become my wife here and now, in the sight of the Valar?"

Aewen looked at him as her heart began to beat faster. "What do you want, my love?" she asked, wishing to know his thoughts. She wanted to know if she was being silly, or if he felt the same way.

"Valar, melethril, I want nothing more than to make you mine in the sight of Ilúvatar and the Valar. How would your family react, do you think?"

"I don't care," Aewen said softly. "I don't care anymore, Nestad. I want to be your wife, no matter what anyone else thinks. If my father insists on having a formal ceremony, then so be it. I will do that for him. But…I don't want to wait that long. I want to be yours now."

He was silent for a moment. "Then come, melethril," he whispered throatily, getting up and offering her his hands. "Come stand before me and before the Valar as they witness our vows."

Aewen smiled and stood shakily to her feet. Only then did she realize how chilly it was in the cell. She grabbed one of the blankets off the cot and put it around Nestad's shoulders, and then put the other one around her own. Then she stood and faced him, smiling up at him with bright eyes, even in the darkness of the cell.

Nestad allowed his light to shine from his skin as he took her hand in his. "Erebel," he murmured, "known better, and more appropriately, as Aewen, the vow you take today is sacred to the Valar and sacred to Ilúvatar, he who created us all. This vow is not to be entered into lightly or without thought; it is binding for every day of your life. Are you resolved to continue?" His eyes were warm as he spoke the words of the vows he had heard many others take before. They took on a special meaning now, one that was the best thing this side of the Sea.

Aewen smiled as tears began to shine in her eyes. "Yes," she whispered.

"I love you," he whispered before clearing his throat and letting his voice fall into the cadence common to the vows. "Repeat after me: I, Aewen, take you, Nestad, to be my partner, loving what I know of you, and trusting what I do not yet know. I eagerly anticipate the chance to grow together, getting to know the man you will become, and falling in love a little more every day. I promise to love and cherish you through whatever life may bring us."

Aewen opened her mouth, but it was a moment before any sound came out. She gazed into his eyes, never once even blinking as she repeated the precious words. "I, Aewen, take you, Nestad…my most beloved," she smiled, "to be my partner, loving what I know of you, and always trusting what I do not yet know. I eagerly anticipate the chance to grow together, getting to know the man you will become, and falling in love a little more every day. I promise to love and cherish you through whatever life may bring us." She paused. "No matter what others may say or do…I am yours forever."

Tears pooled in the elf's eyes as he heard her say the precious words. "Oh beloved…" he whispered. It was a long moment before he could regain his voice to say his vows. "I, Nestad, take you, Aewen…my little wing-fish," he laughed softly, "to be my partner, loving what I know of you, and trusting what I do not yet know. I eagerly anticipate the chance to grow together, getting to know the woman you will become, and falling in love a little more every day. I promise to love and cherish you through whatever life may bring us. Through everything, I am yours, my heart."

Tears left Aewen's eyes and trailed down her cheeks as she looked up at him. "Oh, Nestad…" she breathed. And then leaned closer for the binding kiss; the kiss that would seal their vows for all eternity, never to be broken.

Nestad leaned forward to meet her, his lips covering hers tenderly as his tears trailed down his face to mingle with hers before dropping onto the blankets. This was sacred, this moment that they swore their vows before the Valar and sealed it with this joining of mouths. The elf knew in that moment that they would never be truly separate, not really. She was his wife.

Aewen kissed him softly, closing her eyes as she let the realization of what they had just done sink in. Once their very special kiss finally broke, she looked up at him. "My husband…" she whispered. And then she laughed with joy and threw her arms around his neck.

"My wife," he whispered back, picking her up and spinning her gently, holding her close. "Oh, my beloved, beautiful wife…" He laughed for the sheer joy of being able to say that. "My little wing-fish has taken flight with me."

Aewen laughed with him and threw her head back as he spun her. "I'm flying!" she exclaimed happily.

They spun for a moment longer before Nestad returned her to her feet and held her close. "I have a new word to teach you, melethril," he whispered in her ear. "Do you want to hear it?"

She grinned up at him and nodded eagerly. "Yes," she said.

"Hervess," he said, pronouncing it with relish. "When I say that, I mean you. It's 'wife' in Elvish."

She grinned with delight. "I like it," she said. "And what is husband? So that I might call you also."

"Husband is hervenn," he replied with a wide grin. He shivered at the thought that she would call him that. To him, that was an infinitely precious name, one saved to be spoken by only one person. She was that person.

She smiled slowly. "Hervenn," she repeated. "Melin le, Hervenn nín."

He moaned softly as he pressed her slender body close to his. "You learn fast, Hervess nín," he said huskily. "Melin le."

"They are precious words to me," she explained. "I could never forget them." She kissed his jaw, which is as far as she could reach without standing on her tiptoes.

The elf lowered his head and kissed her mouth long and lovingly. "I'm glad," he whispered, one hand slipping under the blanket she wore to find the soft, pale skin of her back.

Aewen breathed in deeply and gazed into his eyes. "Now, no matter what happens to me here, I will be happy because of you. I will be content. And you will be always with me, even if we are for a time separated. I can feel you…inside me…inside my very soul. You are part of me, my love."

He met her eyes, feeling tears well up. "And you call me a poet," he whispered. "I think that title better suits you. You are the other part of my heart and soul, beloved. Always."

Aewen smiled and laughed lightly, hugging him close. "Oh…I'm so in love with you," she exclaimed. "And I can't say it enough. What now? I'm afraid that if I don't get any sleep tonight I won't be good for anything tomorrow. But I hate to end this time."

"So do I, beloved," the elf murmured, wrapping the blanket that rested around his shoulders around both of them. "We both need rest after joining twice. That's tiring work." He guided her back to the cot.

She smiled and snuggled close to him as they lay back down. Now that she was wrapped in blankets and Nestad's arms, she was no longer cold. "We just have to remember to wake up before the breakfast comes tomorrow. I would rather be dressed when that door opens."

Nestad laughed softly. "I would rather you were dressed as well," he murmured. "You have a beautiful body, darling, and I'd as soon I'm the only one who sees it." He hooked an ankle around her calf, embracing her fully.

She kissed his lips lightly as one hand came up and smoothed his hair back gently. "Mmm…my dear husband," she said, grinning. "This is our wedding night. And it has been the most special night of my life."

"I'm glad, my beloved wife," he replied with a tender smile and an answering kiss. "I'm glad it's been as special for you as it has been for me." He closed his eyes as his fingers curled in her hair.

Aewen rested her head against his chest and closed her own eyes. She breathed in and out deeply, loving the smell of him. Trees, and grass, and starlight. The newly married couple laid there in one another's arms in silence, not needing to talk to understand or express the love they both felt for the other. It was nearly half an hour later when Aewen finally drifted off to sleep and the most peaceful dreams she had ever dreamt. She didn't wake up once, and she got a lot of much needed sleep.

Nestad remained awake a while longer, holding his new wife protectively close. His heart was singing from all that had happened that day. Oh, how he loved this woman in his arms! He would do anything for her just to see that alluring smile and feel her lips under his. At last, he fell asleep from sheer weariness, his face buried in her hair and his mental alarm set for just before the breakfast soldiers arrived in the morning.