"Excited?" Welf leaned grinning against his anvil.
"Of course!" Bell was half grinning, half fidgeting from excitement.
In Welf´s forge on the workbench was something, hidden under a long cloth.
"You know it took me quite some time to finish it...it was very hard to make...I´m pretty exhausted..."
"Weeelf." Bell had an almost pleading tone.
"Okay okay, I don´t want to torture you any longer...here you go." He grabbed the cloth and pulled it away.
It was a sword. The sword that Welf said he would forge for Bell and it was finally finished. From the tip to the end it was one meter long. In contrast to Ryuu´s sword, this sword was sharp on both sides and had a normal tip. The handle had exact the right length to use it with one or both hands and had leather wrapped around to make it easier to hold. The quillon and the handle had a golden and red color. The quillons looked like stylized wings.
The lowest middle part of the blade were also covered in the gold-red metal, leaving the edges free. The blade itself looked slightly orange, a bit like it was glowing. In Bell´s eyes this sword looked really cool.
"Can I...touch it?"
"Well it is yours, feel free."
Carefully he wrapped his fingers around the handle and lifted the sword up. It was heavier than he had imagined.
"Since it is made from pure adamantite it will be nearly indestructable, also my experiment went well."
"So..that means..." Bell was shaking from excitement.
"Yes, there are magical charges in that blade, but please don´t test that out here."
"Don´t worry, I will test it in the dungeon."
"I can´t say right now what you may be able to do with your charge skill and that sword, you will have to test that out."
"And I will exactly do that today!" Bell was grinning like a child that got a new toy.
"Just don´t overdo it."
"Don´t worry...and thank you very much Welf."
"It was a pleasure to me, but tell me if something happens when your sword comes near to the sword of your lady."
"I sure will" I´m curious myself.
"Oh before you go Bell."
"Yes?"
Welf pointed his thumb over his shoulder to an armor stand, hidden under a blanket.
"My...other project is going well, but it will take some time to finish it, it is just like you wanted it."
"Oh oh oh, I can´t wait to see it!"
"Just be patient a bit."
"I will."
"Now go and have fun with your sword." Welf reached him the scabbard and belt for the sword.
They were made in a way that would allow Bell to carry the sword on his back. He couldn´t wait to test it out, but first he had to visit the pub.
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"Haa..." Ryuu sighed as she cleaned the floor in the mainroom.
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Tomorrow, her small vacation would start. She and Bell had arranged to leave the city for a few days to get some fresh air outside of the walls. Lord Miach had issued a quest at the guild, he wanted Bell to collect some herbs for him in a forest about half a day away from Orario. This way he got the permission to leave the city without further questions. And Ryuu herself didn´t have such a problem. The god Ganesha gave her a small emblem after the tournament, if she showed that to the guards of the Ganesha Familia, they would ask no questions. Ryuu could leave Orario any time she wanted.
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"Back in the dark times, Astrea was a dear friend of mine, so the minimum I can do is allow her child to go to her whenever she wants."
Ryuu was moved by the gesture of the god and had bowed down. "Thank you, lord Ganesha."
"Just give her my greetings when you visit her the next time."
"I will."
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But since her vacation would start tomorrow...Mama Mia let her work very hard, after all she had to earn the additional day off. In the mornings since her birthday, Ryuu had trained with "Justice Lumina" and was very happy with the sword. Whenever she touched it she could feel Bell, as if he were next to her, that feeling only intensified when he was actually next to her.
And then...there was Syr´s gift for Ryuu. When Syr came to work the morning after Ryuu´s birthday, she came to Ryuu´s room to talk to her. She wanted to discuss further details about the gift.
The gift was a promise made by Syr for a certain...topic. She wanted Ryuu´s opinion for that to make no mistakes.
"Good morning."
Ryuu turned around when the door was opened. Only one person beside the staff was allowed to enter the pub before opening and that was Bell.
"Good morning, Bell." The smile that was meant for Bell alone came to her lips.
Bell looked right and left, a red shade on his cheeks.
Ryuu guessed his intention and got red cheeks herself. "W-We´re alone for now..."
He nodded and walked over to her, Ryuu´s heart started to pound faster. Carefully he took her hands in his, then leaned forward and brought his face near hers.
Bell...
Ryuu stood slightly on tiptoe as she leaned to him and then, they shared a lovingly kiss.
Ah...happiness...
After a few moments they separated and smiled, they could never stop smiling after they kissed.
"Are you going to the dungeon?"
"Yes, I want to test something out." Bell reached behind his back and loosened the sword scabbard. "Welf made this for me."
"Ooh." Ryuu´s eyes wandered along the scabbard and the blade, after Bell unsheathed it carefully.
"He forged the rest of the antlers into the blade."
Ryuu looked at him without answering. Does that mean...
"Welf said our swords...might react to each other."
"Hmm.." She looked at him in thoughts. "I guess...we will find that out tomorrow."
"I hope so...but first..." Bell looked up and cleared his throat.
"Miss Mia?!"
"Comin...oh boy, morning." Mia came out of the kitchen.
"Good morning, I would like to ask you something."
"Go on."
"Ahem...my party will soon reach the 37th floor of the dungeon."
"Aha."
"And...I would like to ask you, if you can give Ryuu some days off when we will go down there for the first time. I will help out here as much as you want and we plan to have a small party here when we come back."
He and Ryuu had discussed that topic, visiting the 37th Floor again would be an...interesting experience. And both had to be sure that they were not afraid of that Floor. Of course there would be a huge difference between their last "visit" and the next one.
"And why that?"
Ryuu looked at Bell when he took her hand gently. "The 37th Floor is something...special for us. It has something to do with...that incident."
Mia crossed her arms and let her ganze wander between Bell and Ryuu.
"Well since you are paying and helping out...I say okay."
"Thank you very much!"
"Ah, say that to me after I had you help out here." Mia had her evil grin again and returned to the kitchen.
"So then, I will be going."
When Bell turned to the door, Ryuu leaned forward and gave him a kiss on the cheek.
"Stay save, Bell."
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It was a warm day when Ryuu and Bell left Orario to wander to the forest, there was no road leading to it, so they had to walk across the grasslands. That had its benefits in it´s own way, for one they could walk barefoot and it was unlikely that someone would cross their path. They really enjoyed the presence of the other and talked freely about all kinds of subjects. Both had large backpacks with them, they would spend three days at the forest and then return to Orario. In the meantime they would fully enjoy that little vacation. Nevertheless they had their weapons with them, training together was also something they enjoyed and both were curious about their swords. When they met in the morning, Justice Lumina started to shake a bit and Ryuu had the feeling, that it reacted to it´s other half. After walking for a few hours...Ryuu felt a light touch against her hand, when she looked down she saw Bell´s hand, nudging against her. Slowly, they entangled their fingers first, then going over to holding hands while walking.
We are holding hands in bright daylight...since when did I become so daring...
She looked over to Bell and he smiled to her.
Well we are alone, so it is okay to be lovey dovey...
Around the early afternoon, they reached the forest. It wasn´t as big as the forest they spend a night on their journey, but still big. And what was most important, it had a lake. For now they put down their backpacks and sat down on the grass to enjoy the sun and take a break. Having a Falna had it´s benefits and to be able to walk for eight hours without the need of a break was one of them.
He wiggled his little toe and nudged hers gently, Ryuu giggled and nudged against his. Lying down in the grass, they closed their eyes and just listened to the wind in the tree tops.
So relaxing...
After half an hour, they got up again and went into the forest, there were no paths here so they had to be careful. They saw no big animals, just some bunnies and birds, the forest was almost quiet...it was perfect.
Maybe it had something do to with the next day, but Ryuu was in a very lively mood.
"Bell?"
"Yes?"
Wordless, Ryuu pushed Bell lightly from the side, then she started to run into the forest, giggling. For a moment he was surprised, then he followed her, laughing. He held his sword scabbard in his hands, since the nap he hadn´t strapped it back onto his back.
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He didn´t really chased her, they had just fun running through the forest together...like a fairy and a rabbit...
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When they reached a glade near the lake, they stopped and calmed down.
"I´m sorry Bell, I don´t know what is with me today." She was still smiling.
"You don´t have to, I can understand you."
For a moment they smiled at each other, then they started to set up their camp together. After that they took turns at bathing in the lake. And in the evening...
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Haaaa...I´m so nervous...
After spending the day walking around the forest and the grassland, they returned to the camp. Ryuu had set up a small magical tool, that would start to buzz after a few hours and they had taken a nap until it was dark outside. She looked up to the sky, no clouds...no strong wind...just the full moon hung right over the glade, it was their only light source...as it should be. She couldn´t stop the pounding of her heart.
Today...
She heard footsteps and looked up. Bell returned after he was away for a few hours.
"Ryuu..."
"Bell..."
For minutes they just looked at each other without saying something.
"I have come, my love." He looked serious.
"I have waited for you, my love." Ryuu was sitting on a rock, so she looked up to him as he came a step closer.
They spoke those words with a strange seriousness, but their eyes were filled with love. Their behaviour and words were all part of...the ritual. Bell held some white clothes under his left arm, as he came to her and held his right hand out. Smiling shyly, Ryuu took his hand and let him help her getting up, she held some white clothes under her right arm.
"Shall we go, my love?"
"Yes, my love."
Together they slowly walked to the lake, while looking into each others eyes. That was not meant to happen, but they just couldn´t take their eyes of the person they loved so much. Arriving at the lake they stopped, they let go of the other and turned their back to each other. Piece after piece they took off their clothes and went into the lake.
Slowly and carefully they washed their bodies without looking at each other under the eyes of the moon. They were both nervous but started to calm down, the washing helped. After they made sure that their bodies were as clean as possible, as the ritual demanded, they left the lake, dried themselves with towels and then put on the white clothes. These were silk robes tied to the shoulders with strings. Ryuu also wore a pendant with a light green gem, that she had gotten from Astrea.
Together they slowly walked back to the camp, put down their clothes and then stood in front of each other in the middle of the sheet, that was in the exact middle of the glade. The forest was quiet, the moon their only witness.
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Bell smiled and took her hands carefully."Ryuu...I love you. You are the one my heart beats for, you are the woman in my mind. By this full moon, I promise to you that you will be the only one for me, now and forever. I give you my everything...my love...my life...my heart...my body...everything will be yours...forever...I love you, Ryuu.
And the only girls I will ever tell that I love them, will be the ones that call you mother. And if I will ever be reborn, I will find you again, so I can love you again. From this moment, I will take you as my partner. I pledge to honour, encourage and support you through our walk together. When our way becomes difficult, I promise to stand by you and uplift you, so that through our union we can accomplish more than we could alone. With every beat of my heart, I will love you."
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Ryuu looked up to him, the pounding of her heart calmed down as she heard his words. How long had she dreamed of that day...that it would be like this.
.
"Bell...I love you. My heart beats only for you, my thoughts are with you everytime. By this full moon, I promise to you that you will be the one for me, now and forever. I will offer you my everything...my life...my love...my body...my heart...everything will be yours...forever...I love you, Bell. And the only boys I will ever tell that I love them, will be the ones that call you father. You saved me back then, you are my reason now, my reason every day. You strengthen my weaknesses, help me with my dreams. Here and now I pledge my life to yours, that I will help you with your dreams as you help me. No matter where life leads me, I know that as long as you are there, that is where I am meant to be."
.
After finishing the pledge, both leaned forward and with closed eyes, they kissed.
It was an old elven ritual, since elves doesn´t marry like other races, they pledged their love to each other under a full moon in a quiet forest at night. The only people that Ryuu had ever told that, were Syr and Astrea. It had a very romantic feeling for her and she was happy that it went like this. She couldn´t describe with words how happy she was right now.
"Ryuu...I have something for you."
From a tiny pouch at the back of his robe, Bell took something out and held it between his fingers. It was a ring. The ring was not simply made of gold, it looked like a curved spiral, made from three different metals, gold, silvery and something dark.
"Ryuu...I want to ask you to take his ring from me.."
He pointed at the silvery metal. "This is made out of parts of my first weapon."
Next was the gold. "This is made of Val´s coins I got after my first adventure."
And the dark metal. "And this...is made from parts of the goliath scarf..."
Ryuu´s eyes widened, each part of that ring had a deep meaning for both of them. Small tears started to fill her eyes. "Yes, gladly."
Carefully he put the ring on Ryuu´s ring finger on her left hand.
"And..."
She looked up to him.
"Would you...still marry me?"
Since they exchanged the pledges, for elves they counted as a "married couple". But Bell was not an elf, so he asked her for a formal wedding. In the past she never thought about that, but she also never imagined that she would fell in love with a human. His question brought Syr´s gift back to Ryuu´s mind.
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"Ryuu...my gift for you...if you will ever have a wedding with Mr. Bell, I will make you the most beautiful wedding dress in all of Orario."
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Tears of joy filled her eyes and she smiled incredibly happy. "I will!"
With a small laugh, they kissed each other again.
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And for the last part of the ritual...they would offer their everything to each other.
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For some moments they just stood in front of each other, until Ryuu took Bell´s hands and brought them up to the strings that held her robe in place. She just smiled to him.
They had spent the evening apart from each other to formulate their pledges and prepare their hearts for the night.
"Ryuu..." Slowly...very slowly Bell started to pull on the string.
Only a touch of red graced her cheeks, as the robe slipped down her body, leaving Ryuu naked except for the pendant.
Now slowly, Ryuu reached up herself and pulled lightly on the strings of Bell´s robe, leaving him naked.
In the movement of Bell´s eyes, Ryuu could see that he tried not to look down.
She smiled. "Bell, it is okay, look at me, my love."
Slowly, his eyes and face wandered down, for the first time he saw her naked body without averting his eyes and Ryuu was willing to show him, she was still a little bit shy. A pleasant shiver ran over her body as his eyes stopped for a moment at her breasts, then continued to wander down. Now she lowered her eyes too, eyed his chest and well toned stomach and...further down. Ryuu gulped lightly, Bell´s slowly rising...excitement...was clearly visible.
Carefully, Bell touched Ryuu´s shoulders and pulled her to him, she put her hands on his chest and closed her eyes. They kissed each other will all the love in their hearts and then...
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They slowly sank down on the blanket...
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None of them had any experience but that didn´t matter. They were very gentle with each other, especially Bell stopped for a moment whenever Ryuu squeaked lightly, when he touched something sensitive.
Except for the others name, no clear thoughts build up in their minds. Both were overwhelmed with the unknown sensations.
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The other's slowly quickening breath...
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The shudder that ran down their bodies under the others hands...
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The pleasant feeling of naked skin on skin...
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That sensation when their bodies finally became one...
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Dear gods...I´m so happy...
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Ryuu and Bell hugged each other gently, they kissed each other and only the smallest squeak came from Ryuu when Bell slowly started to move, without noticing it, she slowly wrapped her legs around his waist.
Bell...
Ryuu...
This was not a filthy act like Ryuu had feared. It was not a dirty act driven by lust, they made love to each other in a very gentle way. The only thing they felt was...love.
After a few minutes, Ryuu felt something...deep in her body...that was rising. Her hands wandered aimlessly over his back, sometimes hugging Bell, sometimes caressing him.
"Bell..."
"Ryuu.."
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A moment later their minds overloaded, an unknown sensation like never before washed through their bodies, Ryuu´s legs clung to his hips, her feet crossed, as their bodies started to twitch, Bell tensed up slightly and then...she felt something hot splashing inside her.
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""Mmmmnnnnhh!""
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It was warm on the glade even in the night. Both lay on their side, Ryuu in Bell´s arms, snuggled up to each other. Lost in thoughts, Ryuu slowly ran her hand over her lower stomach.
I can feel Bell´s warmth inside me...
She had thought it would be beyond embarassing...but it just felt...wonderful.
"Bell...I´m so happy.."
"And so am I." Gently, he kissed her neck.
Ryuu slowly raised her left hand and looked at the ring, then giggled.
"What is it?"
"I just thought about...how much happened since our first meeting. I was so embarassed when you just took my hand...and now...we´re here.." She giggled again.
Bell smirked and pulled Ryuu a bit closer to him. "A lot happened...and a lot more will happen and we will see it together."
"I love you, Bell."
"I love you, Ryuu."
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They cuddled for a while, until Ryuu felt...something...pressing against her. She guessed what it was, so she turned her face around.
"Bell?"
"I...can´t do anything against that...I´m sorry."
With a loving smile, Ryuu turned around in Bell´s arms. "You don´t have to, my love."
Gently, she pushed Bell so that he rolled onto his back and Ryuu lay on top of him. With a strange shine in her eyes, Ryuu straightened up and straddled his waist. This time...Ryuu started to move.
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It didn´t took long untill...
"Bell!"
"Ryuu!"
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They continued to love each other for hours, until they got tired and slept in each others arms, covered by a blanket.
Their first night as a married couple.
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Authors Note: I want to thank you again for all those Reviews. Hey we just went past 100.000 words and the story will still be going for a while. I thought for a while when in the story to place this chapter and now is the best moment.