Chapter Twelve

Erestor's POV

I awakened from a restful nights sleep to the rays of the sun dancing across my room spreading warm light wherever they went. I stretched like a cat just waking up from a nap. I looked around my room enjoying the comfort of my bed and being unusually lazy. I slowly crept from my bed to look out my window. The world outside my window was alive and vibrant. Birds chirped as they flitted about gathering worms from the cooling earth. Squirrels hurried from tree to tree gathering nuts to store for winter. As I stood there gazing out at the scene before me a breeze made my curtains dance. I welcomed the breeze but I could feel the coolness in the breeze that spoke of the coming colder weather. Though the cold didn't bother me I knew it would affect Brina.

I shook myself out of my thoughts making my way to Brina's room. I stopped just outside her door then raised my hand to knock on the wooden door. I waited for a moment usually Brina promptly answered the door but as I waited I heard nothing from inside her room.

"I wonder if Brina is still sleeping." I thought to myself as I weighed my options in my mind before deciding to just go in.

I reached for the door nob turning it slowly and quietly in case Brina was still sleeping inside. I pushed the door open and peaked my head into the room.

"Brina!" I called softly as I entered the room.

No voice answered my call but I heard her soft breathing. My eyes fell on the bed where Brina was still tucked away sleeping soundly.

I made my way over to the bed. All I could see was Brina's head the rest of her body was safely wrapped up in her blankets. I stood there for a moment just watching her sleep. The blankets rose and fell with her breathing. Her light brown hair spread out on the pillow and around her peacefully sleeping face.

"I hate to wake her when she is sleeping so peacefully but she will miss breakfast if I don't wake her up." I weighed my options before deciding to wake her up.

"Brina." I called again this time a little louder.

I watched her face scrunch up and let out a little moan of protest when she heard my voice still not fully ready to wake up. I felt my lips tug upwards in a smile as I watched her barely awake.

I sat on the bed this time reaching out a hand to lay gently on her face.

"Brina," I called the third time.

Ever so slowly her eyes opened still clouded with sleep.

"Erestor," Brina said sleepily not fully registering that I was there.

"Meleth nin it is time to get up," I said with amusement on my face and in my voice.

Then as if a bolt of lightning hit her Brina jerked up out of bed causing me to withdraw my hand. She looked at me eyes wide and fully awake.

"What time is it Erestor?" she asked.

"Time to get up," I said trying to keep a straight face but failing miserably.

"It's not funny Erestor I never oversleep.," she said throwing off her covers to grab her clothes leaving me sitting on the bed still smiling.

"Maybe you were more tired than you thought meleth nin. Stop making it sound like you have slept the whole day away." I said soothingly.

She stopped to look me in the eyes then taking a deep calming breath before speaking.

"You are right Erestor. I will be right back," she said to me as she entered the bathroom to change out of her bedclothes.

In no time at all Brina was back dressed for the day but her hair was still a mess.

"Don't forget to brush your hair."

She went to look in the mirror. Letting out a groan as she saw how messed up her hair was.

I stood up and walked up to stand by her.

"Sit down meleth nin," I said gently pushing her into the seat in front of her mirror then picking up the brush running it through her messy hair until her hair was all straight and neat. Then arranging her hair in a simple elvish hairstyle.

"There all better," I said setting down the brush.

"Thank you, beloved. I don't know what I would do without you," she said with a smile as she stood up turning to face me wrapping her arms around my neck.

"You are welcome meleth nin. My life would be incomplete without you in it." I told her wrapping my arms around her waist pulling her against me.

I couldn't help my eyes being drawn to Brina's lips wondering what it would be like to truly kiss her and not just a peck on the lips like last night.

I looked up from her lips to her eyes to find my desire reflected in her beautiful green eyes. That was all the confirmation I needed moving toward Brina to kiss her. Just as I was about to kiss her a knock on the door startled us both.

I let out a silent groan at the interruption.

"Brina are you ready to go down to breakfast." Arador's voice called through the door.

"Just a moment ada." she called to her father my disappointment mirrored in her eyes.

We stepped back from each other.

I watched Brina move to the door opening it to greet her father.

"Good morning ada," she said with a smile.

"Good morning Brina," Arador said with a smile of his own.

I moved toward the door to stand behind Brina.

"Good morning Arador." I greeted the chieftain of the rangers. I saw Arador's eyes darken seeing me in his daughter's room.

"What are you doing in my daughter's room?" His eyes asked full of accusation.

"Oh no!" I silently groaned.