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A Legend's Journey

Chapter 11

Auron stood there, mulling over the cryptic words. 'A beautiful day? That doesn't answer my question!' He thought he'd better get Raine's food to her before it got cold. He picked up the tray he had prepared and went to her room.

Raine smiled softly when she saw him. "Oh, this looks good. Thank you, Auron."

He rumbled his response and helped her sit up a little more then placed the tray on her lap. She really was hungry and seemed to enjoy the food. She ate most of it and sipped the coffee.

Julan's words were circling in his mind. Okay, he would ask. "Do you think you would enjoy a few minutes in the sun? Julan said it is a beautiful day outside. I'll carry you. I know you can't manage for yourself just yet."

Raine thought, 'if it means a few more minutes in his arms, I'll even ride a Chocobo!' She smiled, "Oh, that would be so nice, Auron! If you don't mind, that is."

Auron thought, 'Mind holding you in my arms? Ha!'

"Let me take the tray back to the kitchen and straighten up. It will only take a few minutes, then I'll be back."

"Okay."

It was only moments before he returned, scooped her up in those strong arms and carried her up to the roof garden. It was a beautiful day and it felt good to be out in the sun again. Auron sat her on one of the benches. He took a seat on the opposite bench.

Eyes closed, Raine tipped her face to the sun with a smile. "The sun feels so good."

She had no idea of the picture she made sitting there in her white gown, barefooted, smiling up at the sun. Auron's breath caught. 'She is so beautiful...'

When she heard no response, her eyes opened and she looked at him. Belatedly, he found his voice, "Yes. Yes, it does." He sounded a bit odd. Her head tipped to one side, she looked him questioningly.

"Sorry, I was thinking." 'Julan, I had better be interpreting you correctly! Okay, it is now or never.' The expression on his face was intense and serious and Raine felt a tinge of fear in her chest.

With fear and uncertainty in his heart, he crossed the short distance between the two benches, knelt before her and enfolded her hands in his.

"Raine, there's something I have to say. I know I've behaved oddly but - but I've had some things to settle within myself. From the time I was 5 years old, the monks prepared me to be a Warrior and a Guardian. Their very strict codes of conduct and rigid rules were drilled into me daily. Those teachings have served me well all my life."

He looked down for a moment, then back at her. "The world is different now. The services I provided are no longer in demand. I see a different path before me and I want to follow that path."

Raine's breath was caught in her throat. He was going away! He was leaving! She didn't know if she could bear this or not. She couldn't move. No! It just can't be!

Taking a deep breath, he moved a little closer to her. Dark eyes looked into blue ones.

"Raine, I think ….. No, that's not right."

She thought she was going to pass out with grief over losing him.

"Raine, I - - I have - - fallen in love with you. I don't expect a response now, but I hope that in time perhaps you - - could - - love me, too."

His eyes were locked on hers.

Raine was in shock. 'What?? - - Did he just say - -?' Her ears were roaring, her heart was pounding. She struggled to get her breath.

"I hope I haven't offended you by saying this. I - I have no experience with this." He saw her staring back at him mouth slightly agape, saying nothing, not moving.

He held his breath in fear as he awaited her reaction. A sharp intake of breath which she held for a long moment. An exhaling sigh followed as her eyes closed for a moment.

A sob escaped from her throat. Tears poured freely down her face as she gave way to the emotions she had held inside for so long. Between racking sobs, she said, "Auron, I have loved you from the moment we met. I have wanted to tell you that for so long. So very long! I thought you only wanted to be my Guardian!"

Tears cascaded down her cheeks and she could hardly talk. "I was afraid for you to find out so I tried very hard to keep it hidden. I was afraid you would send me away somewhere if you knew. I didn't think I would ever be able to tell you. Auron, I love you with every fiber of my being. I never want to be apart from you. Never, never!"

Hope, relief and a host of other emotions flooded his face. He stood and pulled her to her feet. He wrapped his arms around her small body holding her tightly and buried his face in her hair. Finally! At last! His heart couldn't beat any faster, his feelings couldn't be any more intense. He could hardly believe it. 'If this is a dream, there is going to be hell to pay when I wake up!'

"I don't know how or why you came to this place, but I thank every god that has ever been for bringing you here. You are my life from this moment on, Raine."

He bent down to her upturned face and the almost-kiss was finally, after so long, a kiss.

Gently and sweetly at first, then more passionately and urgently. Neither had ever experienced this before and they were left shaking and shaken by the experience.

Auron held her so tightly she could hardly breathe. He would never be able to describe the relief, the happiness, the release he felt inside. He hardly recognized the feeling of real happiness because he had experienced it only in the distant past of his early childhood.

Her hand seemed to move on its own to touch the side of his neck and slowly slide up into his hair, just behind his ear. Their lips met again, this time with a little more urgency.

He never knew that he liked the feeling of soft fingers in his hair.

Raine's weakness, combined with the emotional roller-coaster she had just been on, made her feel a bit dizzy. Auron felt her sway and immediately swept her up in his big arms.

He moved to a shaded area of the bench and sat, holding her on his lap, his arms still supporting her. He could hardly believe that it was true. It seemed right just to look into her blue eyes as blue eyes looked into his dark ones. Soft sweet kisses, some not so soft. It was a time of realization and acceptance of the change that was taking place in their lives.

Neither knew or cared about the passing time. Only the heat of the afternoon sun finally drove them back into the coolness of the villa. Auron descended the stairs carrying her and sat in the remaining big chair in the living area, holding her in his lap.

They talked a little more, they enjoyed just being close to each other. Soon, Raine's head slowly dropped to his shoulder and her dark lashes rested on her check. Auron's eyes took in her every detail as if memorizing them. He didn't know the name of the feeling flooding him as he had never experienced it before, but he knew that he would move any mountain or capture any star if she wanted it.

He thought of the future. He knew only one thing: Raine was going to be in it. He wanted their future together to begin that very moment. Enough time had passed already. There was no need to waste any more of it.

A little later, when Raine stirred in his arms and lifted her head from that warm place on the side of his neck, sleepy blue eyes smiled at him. "I was almost afraid to wake up – afraid that this was just a dream."

Dark eyes that could melt her soul looked into hers as that deep, soft rumble said, "This is the rest of our lives, Raine. I've never wanted something so badly in my life. I'm near the end of my third decade. If it took all the heartache, pain and sorrow of all those years to have this time now with you, it was worth it and more. I would do it all again."

Raine was deeply touched by his words. She leaned toward him and their lips met. She knew she would never tire of those wonderful firm but soft lips on hers. She would spend the rest of her life doing her very best to make him happy. He was her life, her sole reason for living.

After their lips separated, Auron looked into the blue eyes he loved and his low rumble softly said, "I have one thing to ask of you."

He looked down for one moment. He thought, 'I don't know where all this leads or winds up, but it's where I want to be and with the woman I want to spend my life with. That's all that matters.'

"Raine, I love you with everything in me. I want to spend the rest of my life with you."

He paused again then he spoke words he never thought he would be able to say.

"Raine, I'm asking you to be my wife. Will you marry me?" His eyes watched hers intently.

Raine's sharp intake of breath and closed eyes frightened him for a second until she let loose a huge sob, her arms flung around his neck, holding him so tightly and her "Yes. Oh, yes, yes, yes, yes!" allowed him to breath again.

He would never be able to name the emotions and feelings that flooded him. He only knew that everything he had ever wanted was right here in his arms. His lips found hers and lingered there for a long time.

When they parted, Raine said, "I love you, Auron. With every fiber of my being, I love you. I promise you that I'll do everything I can to make you happy. I promise you that."

"Then just be yourself and I'll be happy." Oh, that low, rumbling voice!

She wished her mother was alive so she could share some of this overwhelming happiness with her. 'She'd like Auron,' she thought. She was lost in her thoughts for a moment when his wonderful lips pressed against her own. Oh, she could get used to this!

They just sat there together, happy in just being close to each another, his fingers tracing small patterns on her back, hers gently stroking his chest, moving to his neck and hair.

Auron's stomach growled. She giggled.

"Are you hungry?" he asked.

"Starving!" she replied.

"Well, I'd better go visit Nan and see what's good today." He stood and gently placed her in the chair he had just vacated. She looked so small in the chair. Before donning his coat, he thought for a moment, went into his room, returning after a few moments. Then he put on his scarlet coast, smiled at her and said, "I'll be right back."

Auron had decided that there was one stop he wanted to make before seeing Nan. He proceeded to the tent of Nahon. Nahon traveled all parts of Spira and had one of the best collections of jewelry available anywhere. Nahon instantly recognized the tall man who had entered his tent and stood to bow a welcome to him.

"Good afternoon, Sir Auron! It is a pleasure to have you visit. How may I serve you?"

"I would like to see a selection of ladies' rings, please."

"Of course, Sir! There is a large variety from which to choose. Is it for a special occasion? Perhaps I can better make recommendations for your consideration if I knew ...."

A moment's silence, then "An engagement ring."

Nahon studied The Guardian for one moment, nodded to himself and said, "Yes. I think I may have something that will interest you." He had a vivid image of the beautiful woman he had seen with Sir Auron in his mind and knew the ring that would suit her best.

He knelt down behind his counter and pulled out several velvet-lined drawers until he found the one he wanted. He placed the ring onto a velvet square and put it on the counter top, focused a small light on it and stood back for Sir Auron's inspection of it.

Under the light, the ring sprang into life. The design of the ring was as if a slim strand of gold was wrapped in a circle, but instead of meeting, the two ends extended past each other, each curving slightly away from the other forming an empty channel between them.

Set into the channel was a brilliant, deep blue sapphire that seemed to pulsate with a life of its own. Beautifully cut elongated diamonds complimented the blue stone and accentuated the gentle sweeping design of the ring. It was stunningly breath-taking. And exactly what Auron had in mind.

He smiled. "Yes. Excellent, Nahon. That is the one."

Nahon was very happy that The Guardian was pleased. And relieved. He was somewhat intimidated by this big man!

"Shall I wrap it, Sir Auron?"

A smile tugged at one corner of Auron's mouth. "No, that won't be necessary."

Auron counted gil taken from his room into Nahon's hand, took his leave and went to Nan's tent.

Nan was always glad to see Sir Auron, so her smile widened when he appeared before her. "Hello, Sir Auron! How is Raine?"

She noted the definite softening around his eyes and mouth at the mention of her name. Her eyebrows rose a little. 'This is new! Progress?'

"She's much better, thank you, Nan. Still a little weak but greatly improved. She's very hungry so I need something nice for a good meal."

'Very hungry?' Eyebrows rose higher and her smile got even wider. 'Yes, I would say that there definitely has been some progress!'

Nan picked out some special items and offered suggestions for a few other things. Sir Auron made his selections, paid and waited a moment as Nan wrapped them. As he was leaving Anya entered the tent. He nodded to her and started toward the villa.

Anya was about to burst while she waited for the tall man to put distance between himself and Nan's tent. When she felt he was far enough away, she grabbed Nan's arm and exclaimed, "He just left Nahon's tent! I saw him myself! What do you think?"

Nan's eyebrows couldn't go any higher. "Nahon's?? Nahon, the jeweler? Oh! Oh, my!" And they spent much time speculating, examining possibilities, and finally came to only one conclusion. And, as it happens, it was the correct one.

Almost the entire population of the square had the news by the next morning.

Auron entered the villa to find Raine still resting in the chair, legs tucked under her, staring out the window with a soft smile on her face. 'There has never been a more beautiful woman!' In her little white gown, barefooted, hair draped over her shoulders, she was innocently enticing. He felt a stirring somewhere in his middle. 'That will have to wait, Auron!'

Hearing his arrival, she turned and gave him a smile that went straight to his heart. Still carrying the food package, he went to her, bent down, reached around her with one arm and kissed her and kissed her and kissed her.

Then, his low voice said, "I love you, Raine. I love you more than I can tell you."

"And I love you, Auron. I can't tell you how happy I am."

"Still hungry?"

"Famished!"

Standing, he smiled down at her from his great height. "I'll prepare our meal. Just rest here."

Releasing the hand she had been holding, Raine smiled and nodded. Auron went to the kitchen, a smile twitching one corner of his lips.

When the meal was ready, he went to the living room, stood before the chair and held out his hand to her. Looking up at him with love, she took his hand, unfolded herself from the chair and followed him to the table.

He held the chair for her as she sat and took his own seat. Raine looked at the food he had prepared and an "Ohhh!" involuntarily escaped her. Auron was pleased.

They began to eat, enjoying their meal. The food was really delicious and Raine ate until she couldn't hold another bite. "Auron, that was just wonderful! You really are an excellent cook. Thank you for preparing it." Auron was just glad to see her eating again.

Auron cleared the table and filled their cups with the fresh coffee they both liked. He took her hand across the table. "I'll always remember this day with great happiness, Raine. Thank you for giving this memory to me."

"You have given me more than you'll ever know, Auron." She looked down a moment. "I never had much happiness in my life, but you have more than made up for it. That is a gift I will treasure forever."

Holding Raine's hand, Auron reached into his pocket and said, "I have something for you - a ring - a memorial for the love I have for the beautiful woman who will be my wife and my promise to you that I will love you and cherish you for the rest of my days." And he slipped it on her finger.

Auron smiled. "Is it suitable, Raine?"

Raine couldn't even breathe. She had never seen such an exquisite ring before. Auron's words of what the ring would signify to both of them seemed to be singing from the ring itself.

When Raine finally caught her breath, she looked into Auron's beautiful dark eyes, and said, "I will love you forever, Auron. I will always be by your side and, with everything that is in me, I will do my best to be the wife you deserve. Thank you. Thank you for this ring but especially what it stands for."

She looked at her left hand. The stones truly seemed to be alive as the facets caught and reflected every tiny bit of light. It was incredibly exquisite - a true reflection of the man who gave it to her. Then somehow they were in each others arms, sharing a long, deep kiss.

Julan, that wise old man, was right. It had been a very beautiful day!