Chapter 12
Loac felt a hand tapping on her shoulder. She yawned and rolled over in bed.
"I'm back," said Falinir.
Loac opened her sleepy eyes and looked up at his smiling face. He seemed happier than usual. In his hands were two identical sparkling ruby amulets, each with a golden necklace chain.
Falinir said, "I know you were upset earlier today when I said it was impossible for us to marry. Well, I was thinking about it, and there's nothing stopping us from at least becoming engaged. In Valenwood, we have a tradition. When a man and woman become engaged, they wear a matching set of jewelry as a symbol of their engagement. It can be matching rings, earrings, bracelets, or necklaces. I bought these necklaces as a promise to you. If the day ever comes that we really can wed, will you be my wife?"
He knelt down on his knees and held out the necklaces to her.
"Yes," said Loac in excitement. The sleepiness left her eyes, and she jumped out of bed hugging Falinir. Falinir placed one of the necklaces around his neck, then carefully put the other one on Loac. She held the large ruby pendant up to her face and looked at it.
"It's beautiful," said Loac, "Thank you so much."
"They're enchanted rubies. Wearing it will protect you 100 percent from any fire magic," said Falinir.
"Amazing... That's a very powerful enchantment for an amulet," said Loac.
"I've always admired the Altmer ability to craft such powerful magical items. I'd never be able to find anything this powerful in Valenwood or even the Imperial City, " said Falinir.
"It's not that difficult to enchant things. You just need an enchanting altar and the ability to cast that specific spell," said Loac, "I could probably make a simple magical ring."
"You've studied magic extensively, I bet," said Falinir, "Considering you're the High Wizard's daughter."
"Not more than anyone else my age. My father has only taught me the basics so far. I'm still young, and I'm actually not as skilled in magic as most people. I can do some weak destruction spells like fire and shock. I also learned an alteration spell that lets me breathe underwater. I can heal minor wounds too," said Loac, "That's about it."
"You still know a lot more magic than I do. I only know one spell," said Falinir.
"What's that?" asked Loac.
Falinir lifted his hand to cast the spell, then he suddenly vanished before her eyes. A few seconds later he reappeared with a grin.
"Invisibility? I've never studied that. My father told me that invisibility is... well it's... nevermind. What should we do for lunch?" asked Loac trying to change the subject.
"What? What did he tell you?" asked Falinir in curiousity.
"Well, my father told me invisibility is..." Loac said reluctantly, "...only used by thieves, murderers, and cowards."
Falinir laughed hard.
"That is hilarious! Oh, your father is quite a character! I've never stolen anything or murdered anyone, that is for certain. As for hiding being cowardly, well it's viewed quite differently in Valenwood. Sometimes the most intelligent man is the one who knows when to hide or run away," said Falinir, "Being able to hide is perhaps the most life-saving skill a person can have. You know, the most famous poem in Bosmeri literature, the "Meh Ayleidion", means "The One Thousand Benefits of Hiding."
"Perhaps you can teach me invisibility sometime," said Loac.
"Of course. I'd be happy to," said Falinir, "Now then, how about a walk around Skywatch one last time before we depart for Alinor?"
"How about something better?" said Loac coyly, while softly brushing her fingers across the bed.
Their last hours in Skywatch were spent entwined as lovers in bed, cherishing every last fleeting moment together at the inn. Then as the day grew late, they reluctantly packed their luggage satchels and boarded the coach for the long journey back to Alinor.
The following few months in Alinor went by as usual. Loac and Falinir kissed occasionally in his office, but were never able to spend the night together. The trip to Skywatch really had been their only opportunity. Falinir kept his amulet carefully hidden under his shirt, so that no one would know of his secret engagement to Loac. Loac wore hers openly, but no one knew of it's hidden meaning. The only person who knew there was romance between Loac and Falinir at all was Henantil. Whenever Loac passed Henantil in the hall, he stared at her longingly and it made her feel uncomfortable and frightened. However, there was something even more important on Loac's mind. She didn't want to tell Falinir until she was sure, but she was now absolutely certain after three months. She was pregnant.