Chapter 13 "Morning Light"

(WARNING: descriptions of nudity)

Levi laid awake gazing at the slumbering Ellaine. The first glimpse of morning had crept into the still room and illuminated her fair countenance in its tender light. Head rested upon the pillow, her long lashes curled over cheeks curtained in dark waves as she slept peacefully beside him. Levi's eyes followed the curves of her naked body elegantly tucked into the folds of the bed sheets. He admired the shape of her, the dip of her waist and the slope of her hips, the softness of her skin warmly aglow.

Levi felt an indescribable sensation of peace. It was unknown to him the last time he had slept soundly. No terrors had shaken him awake nor creeping anxiety disturbed him during the night. When he was with her, the heavy burden of his many sorrows waned. Ellaine's tender strength did not absolve him of the sins he carried. Rather she acknowledged his darkness and violence without fear or pity. She saw him for who he was and still extended her heart to him.

"You disarm me so easily…" Levi thought as he studied her. He thought of their first meeting. Standing in the doorway of his hospital room, Ellaine's steady presence had brought him peace in his dark hour. "Since the beginning," he spoke softly. "You've never been afraid of me."

Reaching out his hand, Levi brushed a lock of hair over her shoulder as he pressed his hand gently against her cheek. He felt remorse that daylight had come for soon he would be parted from her. As she rustled, Ellaine's sleep dewed eyes slowly opened.

"You stayed..." Ellaine whispered softly. Sliding towards him, she pressed her bare body against his as she tucked her head beneath his chin, hand lying flat upon his chest. Encircling her in his arms, Levi held Ellaine as he gently smoothed his palm over her hair. From the hall, the grandfather clock sang out it's half hour chime.

Ellaine moaned, "It's early."

"Mrs. Reeves came into the house an hour ago," Levi spoke softly.

Ellaine sighed as she relaxed against him, tracing her fingers across his skin, she wished to remain in his arms. Thinking of the wounded scout lying in the library, she mentally began to prepare for what lay ahead of her. "I must prepare for the journey to Mitras …" she spoke quietly. Turning up her gaze, Ellaine reached for Levi as she pressed her hand to his cheek. In a gentle voice she cautioned him, "If we go down together, they will be suspicious…"

Arching his brow, Levi rolled Ellaine onto her back as he laid on top of her. She groaned at the weight of him. "Suspicious?" he asked, his voice gruff from sleep.

"Yes suspicious…" She replied with a smile.

Bowing his head Levi pressed his lips to the soft skin of her neck. "If I make love to you again the whole house will hear," he warned in a low voice. Moving his mouth to her ear he continued, "Will they be suspicious then?"

Heat rose in Ellaine's cheeks as she sighed, chills cascading across her skin. "You tease me, Captain," she replied with a shudder. Looking at Levi she held his gaze. It seemed to her that his gunmetal eyes had softened. The dark locks of his hair were messy, a cowlick curling at the crown of his head with wayward strands sticking out from the sides. Ellaine smiled. "You are in a playful mood this morning."

Levi's brows narrowed as he looked down at her. "No one has ever accused me of such a thing," he replied.

"Hmmn," she hummed. Mimicking Levi she scowled sarcastically, "Captain Levi never smiles. Harumph." Her frown dissolved to a smile as her eyes glimmered.

Levi's expression darkened as he situated himself roughly between Ellaine's legs. Grasping her hips, she gasped as he squeezed her tightly. "Are you mocking me Officer Ellaine?" he questioned, voice a low growl.

Feigning innocence, Ellaine cooed softly, "I would never…" Bucking her hips suddenly, Ellaine pushed Levi onto his side as she rolled on top of him. Straddling his lap, she sat upright. Gazing down at him with a smirk, her hair fell about her face and curled lushly around her blushing breasts. "I would lay in bed with you all day Captain… Alas, duty calls us."

Staring up at her, Levi studied the way the golden morning light kissed the skin of her body. As she sat naked upon his lap, the confident energy that glowed about her shone in the joyfulness of her bright eyes. His heart beat quickened against his ribs. "You are… beautiful," Levi spoke softly.

A flush rushed across Ellaine's cheeks. Pressing his hand into the mattress, Levi sat up as he reached for her with the other. Cradling her face with his palm he drew her forward as he kissed her. "If you don't get off me," Levi began, "I will pin you to this mattress and ravage you until we wake up the entire village."

Ellaine smiled as she kissed him. "Alright, alright, don't tempt me so," she laughed as at last she rolled off of him.

Moving towards the edge of the bed, Ellaine stood and strode across the room naked. Grabbing her dressing gown from the shoulder of an arm chair, she pulled it on as she tied the silk thread around her waist. Turning her gaze, she watched Levi as he stood and pulled on his breeches. She admired the strength of his bowed shoulders and the shape of his toned arms. Reaching above his head Levi stretched. The muscles of his stomach flexing in sharply cut lines as he leaned backwards. Ellaine blushed. "His body…god damn."

Turning Ellaine shuffled towards a far door, and pushing it open, entered the wash room adjacent to the bedroom. Approaching the mirror, she looked at the wild locks of her hair as she gazed at herself. Pushing her hands against her face she felt the heat of her cheeks. "Shit… What have I done?"

With a sigh she reached for a ceramic pitcher and poured fresh water into the wash basin. Dipping a washcloth into it she rung it out and traced it across her face. Hearing Levi's light step from behind her, she pushed the rag into the basin and rung it out once more. Looking at him she saw that Levi had fully dressed. Motioning towards a small tufted stool at her side, she spoke, "Sit. Let me fix your hair." As she grabbed a comb she continued, "If you go downstairs looking like that…"

"…They'll be suspicious," Levi finished her sentence as he sat down beside her.

Ellaine smiled as she handed Levi the wash cloth, and turned to dip the bone tooth comb into the water. Shaking it out she stepped between Levi's legs. As he wiped his face and neck with the cool rag, she gently ran the comb through his hair. Straightening his part, she combed his dark locks back over his ears. "There, no more cow lick," she spoke softly as she took the cloth from his hand. Turning back to the vanity, she set both upon it.

"The only other person who has ever combed my hair," Levi spoke quietly. "Was my mother."

Ellaine felt sorrow in the tenderness of Levi's words. He had never spoken of his family to her. A guarded man in his nature, she was surprised at his vulnerability. Picking up a silver handled boar hair brush, she stepped toward him. "A lover has never cared for you this way?" Ellaine questioned gently.

Shaking his head he replied pensively, "…Never."

Ellaine's eyes softened. She hummed thoughtfully as she pressed her hand to the side of his face. Carefully running the brush through his hair, she realized how intimate the simple act of grooming him was. Levi's head rested in her hand, his eyes gazing across the room in far off thought. She noticed that his mood had darkened at the thought of his mother. Ellaine understood then that his childhood must have been one of much sadness and loneliness. Bowing, she kissed the crown of his head lovingly as she spoke, "All done."

Lifting up his hands, Levi gently grasped her hips as he drew her close. Pushing his face against the silk that draped over her belly, he felt Ellaine's hand on the back of his head as she held him. He savored the last quiet moments in her company. Closing his eyes, he exhaled slowly. "Are we lovers then, Ellaine?"

"Hattie will have breakfast ready now," Ellaine spoke as she gently ran her hand across his back. "Go have some tea. I'll be down in a moment."

Standing to his feet, Levi studied Ellaine quietly. Sliding his hands to either side of her neck he kissed her. He wanted to tell her that the thought of her would occupy his mind in the days of their separation. He wanted to say that he would find her in Mitras upon his return. He wished to confess the thoughts that lingered on his mind but he did not. Slowly stepping away, he returned to the bedroom. Making his way towards the door, he silently moved into the hall as he secured it behind him. Below, he could hear footsteps of staff moving about the house. Hattie's voice came from the kitchen, and he listened as plates were shuffled across a tabletop. Walking down the hall, he turned to descend the stairs as the smell of tea and fresh bread met him. At last, he stepped down upon the landing and continued on towards the library door. Opening it quietly, Levi entered.

Upon the couch he saw the Scout James laid outstretched, his head resting in a pillow neatly tucked upon the lap of Charlotte. She slept with her arm draped over the sloping edge of the backrest. Her opposite hand curled about James' head, protectively holding him close to her. Levi was silent as he observed them. The tenderness of their body language made him feel pity for their young affection as it would soon be ended. Approaching them, Levi watched as Charlotte stirred.

"Captain Levi," she spoke as she sat upright. Charlotte blushed as she looked down at James, who yet slumbered upon her lap. "James was uncomfortable in the night…he asked that I sit with him…I must have fallen asleep."

"Hmn," Levi hummed. "Thank you for watching over him, Miss Charlotte."

James awoke then as his darkly rimmed eyes turned towards Levi. "Captain," James spoke, his voice hoarse from sleep.

"This morning, you will depart with Doctor Ellaine for the military hospital in Mitras," Levi spoke authoritatively.

"Yes, Sir," James replied as he nodded.

Levi's eyes narrowed. He saw then that sweat clung to James' ashen brow. "Ellaine was right…he has a fever." Nodding he spoke, "Doctor Ellaine will be here presently to prepare you for transport."

"Yes, Captain," James spoke as he turned his gaze upwards towards the fair Charlotte. "Is Miss Charlotte coming with us?"

"No," Levi replied gently. "You must travel lightly to save time."

The door of the library opened and Hattie entered there with a tray of breakfast held in her hands. "My darling Charlotte, I've brought you and the scout some food…" she spoke in a hushed voice. Upon seeing Levi, she startled with excitement, "Oh! Captain Levi, good morning!" Approaching the couch Hattie placed the platter upon the coffee table loudly, and turned towards him expectantly, "Do follow me to the kitchen Captain, there is plenty to eat."

Craig appeared in the doorframe as he peered inside. A biscuit with salted ham was tucked into a white cotton napkin that he held in his hand. "Captain, I have prepared the short carriage and our fastest mare," he spoke, his mouth half full. "Will you be accompanying Doctor Ellaine and the scout?"

"I will not," Levi spoke as he turned towards Craig. "The company at the Outpost departs in 48 hours. I will lead my men back to headquarters at that time."

Through the far door on the opposite side of the Library, Ellaine appeared in long strides as she spoke in a commanding voice, "Hattie, my sword, where is it?" Dressed in a white long-sleeved blouse tucked into high waist camel colored riding pants, she wore black gloves and shining oiled boots. In her hand she carried a large leather bag, its contents within jingled quietly as she walked. The length of her hair was brushed back and twisted into a long braid that draped over her shoulder. She wore dark mascara popular with noble women that lengthened her eyelashes and she smelled fragrantly of perfume.

"My goodness, Ellaine," Hattie spoke softly. "You look as beautiful as you are terrifying. I'll fetch your sword, straight away."

"Thank you," Ellaine replied as approached the company gathered there. Looking at Craig she continued, "My mare, is she ready?"

"Yes, Ma'am," Craig spoke as he bowed his head to her. "Your medical bag and supplies are packed."

"Excellent," she replied as she turned towards Charlotte. Pressing her gloved hand to the girls shoulder she counseled her softly, "Charlotte, why don't you go rest. Thank you for tending to our patient so kindly."

"Yes, Doctor Ellaine, of course," she spoke shyly as she gently lifted James head from her lap. Moving out from beneath him, Charlotte laid him down upon the cushion as she stood to move away.

Kneeling beside James, Ellaine looked at him as she studied his sweat dewed countenance. Darkness encircled his eyes and the skin of his face was translucently pale. From her medical bag, she withdrew a bell and an ear piece. Pressing it against his chest, she listened to his heart and lungs. "We will travel fast, soldier," she spoke cautiously. "The journey might make you uncomfortable, so I will give you some medicine before we depart."

"Yes, Doctor," James spoke as he nodded. "I can handle it."

"Good, that's the spirit," she spoke with a smile. Pressing her gloved hand to his forehead, Ellaine could feel the fever burning in his skin. "I will return to you shortly."

Standing, Ellaine turned as Hattie once again appeared in the doorway. In her arms she held a rapier in a black lacquer sheath with a braided golden cord. "Your sword, Chief Officer Adalheidis," Hattie spoke pensively as she held the weapon aloft.

Outstretching her hand, Ellaine took hold of it. As she withdrew the blade to inspect it, she turned it in the light, its sharpened edge gleaming brilliantly. Sheathing it once more, she tied it to her waist at her left side. Looking to Captain Levi, Ellaine found that his eyes watched her closely. "With me, Captain," she spoke as she departed the room.

Nodding Levi followed behind Ellaine as they moved down the back hallway. He could sense the tension from her. Shoulders squared, she carried herself with an air of authority that was unusually firm for her typically docile humor. Moving into a small room off the library, it was a narrow study lined in cupboards with shelves of glass and drawers with carefully detailed labels. Ellaine withdrew a syringe from a wooden box and began to mix a concoction of several vials of medicine.

Levi watched her as he spoke, "What's wrong?"

"I fear that James has developed symptoms of Septicemia overnight. It's a type of post wound blood infection," Ellaine spoke as she shook a small glass vial in her hand. Piercing the bottle with the needle tip she withdrew the murky liquid into the syringe. Capping the syringe with cork as she guarded it in her hand as she turned to Levi. "I must move quickly if your Scout is to survive."

"I trust your assessment, Doctor," Levi spoke firmly.

Ellaine paused. Levi's dark eyes focused on her, handsome countenance calm and attentive. She wanted to tell him that she would think of him in every moment they were apart. She wanted to say that she wished to see him upon his return to headquarters. Ellaine chastised herself for being gripped by selfish desire and could not bring herself to say such things. Nodding she spoke, "It is time, Captain."

Exiting the storeroom, she returned to the library, Levi close behind her. As they entered, Ellaine approached James's side. Kneeling, she pushed back the sleeve of his shirt and with a quick hand, injected him with the cocktail of medicines. "This medicine," Ellaine spoke softly. "Will make you sleepy and help you rest on the long journey ahead of us."

James grimaced. With a sigh, the scout felt the drugs spread throughout his body as it began to take hold of him. "Yes, Doctor…" he mumbled as he looked at Ellaine with doleful eyes.

Standing Ellaine grabbed her bag as she turned, "Craig, would you carry the young man for us."

As Craig walked to her side, he spoke kindly, "Let's go my boy." Scooping the small framed scout into his arms for the last time, he lifted the solider from the couch.

Exiting the Library, the company made their way out the front door of the house and onto the porch where ahead the horse and cart idled at the ready. Levi helped Craig load the scout onto the back of the cart and tucked him into a heavy throw. Ellaine pushed her bag beneath the driver's bench. Standing up onto the platform, she lifted the saddle blanket that draped over the seat. Craig had packed a rifle with six shots. Lifting the gun into her hands, Ellaine slid back the bolt handle to check the chamber, one round loaded.

"My goodness Ellaine, is that necessary?" Hattie spoke in a worried voice as she wrung her hands nervously.

Levi spoke forebodingly, "The road is a dangerous place." Looking at Ellaine, he found himself transfixed at the sight of her. Framed in the morning light, she stood with the long rifle in her hands, sword tied at her waist. A gentle breeze tussled the loose strands of hair about her stoic face, blue eyes glowing with strength.

Sliding back the bolt guard to secure the chambered round, Ellaine spoke assuredly, "It is better to be safe than sorry." Kneeling, she tucked the rifle underneath the bench seat. Looking at Craig and Hattie, she continued, "My love is with you always. I will return home again soon."

"Please, travel safely Ellaine," Craig spoke as he took a teary-eyed Hattie under his arm. Tucking her against him, Hattie wiped her tears with a handkerchief.

Crossing his arms over his chest, Levi spoke with reservation, "Don't do anything reckless, Doctor Ellaine."

Ellaine laughed. "I won't shoot anyone unless I have too!" she called with a smirk. "I will safeguard your scout, fear not Captain." Turning to grasp hold of the reigns, with a swift crack of the leather and a cry, she urged the mare into a steady trot.

Levi watched as Ellaine steered the carriage from the estate. Turning out onto the road, moving swiftly, he watched until she disappeared into the tall oaks of the far tree line. Clinching his teeth, Levi's chest tightened. "Be careful, Ellaine."

(Thank you so much for reading. As always, your thoughts and comments are always welcomed in the reviews. Respectful regards, THOA)

(Characters and places within the AOT world belong to Hajime Isayama and full copywrite belongs to him. OC and plotline belong to author THOA.)