***** Chapter 4 - Reunited *****
His first sensation, as he regained consciousness, was of something cool on his brow. He opened his eyes a little, the dimness indicating that it was either late afternoon, or that he was in a cavern. Gentle hands cradled his bruised body, and then his sight focused, allowing him to see her.
"Are you all right, Vahn? I don't think that anything is broken, so just lay still." Said Noa, with concern in her voice.
She dipped a cloth in a pail of water, and softly cleaned the caked blood from his head. Fortunately, even if the fall had been enough to knock him out, for several hours, it hadn't caused any serious damage. "Did you carry me here?" he asked.
"Yes, you've gained some weight, you know. I had to secure you with ropes, and lift you up the cliff's face. Luckily it wasn't far." She replied with a light smile on her lips.
Vahn wondered at her strength, and determination, so different from the ladies at the Royal court. He raised himself tentatively, realizing with thankfulness that, apart from a mild headache, all systems seemed to be running smoothly. He then directed his attention at Noa.
She was clothed in dull gray attire: loose shirt, pants, boots, and kerchief hiding her striking red hair; she would be all but invisible among boulders. Sorrow could be seen in her eyes, but also excitement, and relief at having him before her. She was still so beautiful, just as he remembered, just as she had appeared in his dreams. So long he had waited for this moment, to finally be face to face with her, but words got stuck in his throat, and he remained silent.
Five days went by, a whole week since he had entered the mountains. Vahn knew that Gala would not be concerned for several more days, for they had talked at length about this expedition, and the monk was amazingly patient. So he spent the time rejoicing in the peaceful surroundings, and Noa's presence.
The ordeals she had endured had not been able to break her spirit, and she was, as always, the uncomplicated, honest, loyal person he loved so much. If only he could muster the courage to say what needed to be said, but up to now, he had only tried to persuade her to come back with him to Drake Kingdom.
"Why don't you stay with me here, Vahn? Don't we have all we need, with nobody to bother us?" was her constant response. "And anyway, you're not well enough to go down the mountain, you should stay a few more days." She had added that morning, even if they both knew the falsenesses of the affirmation. She dreaded being alone again, but wouldn't leave her safe haven for an unsure future.
She brought him to Cort's grave, and her eyes remained dry for once. She also told him about all that had come to past, since they had last seen each other, filling in the gaps that Gala couldn't know about. They talked for a long time, oblivious to the coming night, for there was much catching up to do, and they wanted this moment to last forever.
The next day, the young man finally got his act together and faced her, "Noa, there's a few things we have to talk about. First, Mei married another."
"I'm sorry, Vahn." She said, but her eyes shone with hope.
"It's all right, I've come to realize that my love for her was like that of a brother for a sister, and I'm happy for her, Trevor is a good man." He resumed, "I want to apologize for what happened in Sol, it was stupid of me, will you forgive me?"
"What? You mean that you're not angry at me, for freaking out on you like that?"
"I don't believe this. All that time I thought that you were the one mad at me."
"No, I even hoped that you would kiss me again, but I didn't want to come between Mei and you."
He didn't answer, but instead stepped closer, until their faces were nearly touching. Tenderly, he held her, touching his lips to her brow, her eyes, the tip of her nose, brushing against her expecting mouth, and then softly kissing her.
She responded, tentatively at first, then with assurance. It was different from that unfortunate incident in Sol, she was more mature, not ignorant has before, and she had longed for so long for this moment. Vahn brushed strands of hair from her face, "Please, come with me, I will care for you, you will never be alone again."
"I...I can't...I have to think...I..." and with that she went out of the cavern, to try to restore some order to her thoughts. Blissfully, he understood, and respected her need for privacy; he had much to ponder also. She walked for a long time, musing. Vahn had his pick among the beautiful, sophisticated ladies, wearing pretty gowns, and elaborate hairdos, she had seen at Drake castle. What would he want with an unkempt, plain girl, with boyish manners, anyway? Wouldn't he tire of her, and leave her alone? Wasn't it better to remain here, and not take the chance of being hurt?
Several hours later, she came back with fierce determination in her eyes. "I don't know if I will go with you yet. I have something to ask you first." His expectant posture emboldened her to continue, "What will happen after, and if, we go back to Drake Kingdom?"
There was no hesitation in his voice, as he said, "We will get married, of course, and I will build you a nice house to live in, near the beach." He then went down on one knee, holding her hand, "Will you honor me, by becoming my wife?"
"But, Vahn, I've changed, you don't know me all that well, are you sure about this?"
"I've been a fool for way too long. I don't want to lose you again, of that I am sure."
"But, it's crazy." Tears were welling inside her, in her wildest dreams she had never expected this.
"If life allows me but one insanity, let it be my love for you, my crazy love for a sweet, honest, and gentle girl. I don't see myself with any other, please say yes." Emotion made his voice falter, and he held her gaze.
For an answer, she kneeled to his level, hugged, and kissed him, to which he reciprocated with quiet passion. Noa had decided that whatever happened, she would have one gift from him, a memory to cherish and comfort herself with. She stood up, stepping back, disrobing, and showing herself in all simplicity, with no shame, no doubts, no fears, but only trust and love.
Vahn shed his clothes, and similarly let her see him, for once not feeling self-conscious, as had been the case in the past. He let himself be drawn into those emerald orbs, feeling tender desire, not lust, for this was a pure, untainted moment, and he saw Noa in her entirety, inner and outer beauty evident in a fleeting glance. On her skin were the marks of countless battles, but to him she was more beautiful than any other, for she was the one he loved, the one he had waited for all of his life.
They approached each other slowly, silently, unwilling to risk shattering that fragile instant, tentatively touching, cautiously exploring, mouths uniting, hearts beating in harmony, souls rejoicing at having found a companion, a lover, a friend.
He kissed her with gentle desperation, as if her lips were a life-giving spring, as if only she could ever quench his thirst. Noa's instincts had never betrayed her, they told her that this was true, that this was right, and she drew her companion down on her makeshift cot of fur covered grass.
Sensing that Vahn was holding back, feeling gratefulness at his affectionate concern for her, she took the initiative, and then they were united in one flesh, one mind, one soul, joined in a timeless embrace of intimacy and love that even angels long for, many times repeated, true, but always new to those pure of heart, as are all mysteries of life.
Noa embraced the feelings building-up inside her, giving herself to the moment with no reservations. Her hold on her lover tightened, and an incontrollable moan escaped her, as the world exploded in a symphony of sensations, celebration of life, and pure unbound joy.
Vahn kissed her neck, buried his face in her hair, reveling in the taste of her skin, inebriated by her scent. He was wholly committed, in a way that transcended the body, and touched the deepest parts of his being. "Noa, I love you!" the words passed his lips of their own volition, as his body tensed with the release of his pleasure. "I love you, I love you..." He whispered in her ear, many times over, elated at finally being able to utter those words to her, feeling complete, content, fulfilled.
The next morning found them, still in each other's arms. Vahn awoke, gladness filling his heart, at the realization that it had all been real, and not a mere dream. "My Love, this I swear," He said softly, "I will spend my life with you, and you'll never be alone, ever again, my sweet Noa, I am all yours...for always."
Even in the embrace of slumber, there was a smile on the red-haired girl's relaxed features, for she knew, with unshakable certainty, that even should they part in body, their souls would remain together, forever.
His first sensation, as he regained consciousness, was of something cool on his brow. He opened his eyes a little, the dimness indicating that it was either late afternoon, or that he was in a cavern. Gentle hands cradled his bruised body, and then his sight focused, allowing him to see her.
"Are you all right, Vahn? I don't think that anything is broken, so just lay still." Said Noa, with concern in her voice.
She dipped a cloth in a pail of water, and softly cleaned the caked blood from his head. Fortunately, even if the fall had been enough to knock him out, for several hours, it hadn't caused any serious damage. "Did you carry me here?" he asked.
"Yes, you've gained some weight, you know. I had to secure you with ropes, and lift you up the cliff's face. Luckily it wasn't far." She replied with a light smile on her lips.
Vahn wondered at her strength, and determination, so different from the ladies at the Royal court. He raised himself tentatively, realizing with thankfulness that, apart from a mild headache, all systems seemed to be running smoothly. He then directed his attention at Noa.
She was clothed in dull gray attire: loose shirt, pants, boots, and kerchief hiding her striking red hair; she would be all but invisible among boulders. Sorrow could be seen in her eyes, but also excitement, and relief at having him before her. She was still so beautiful, just as he remembered, just as she had appeared in his dreams. So long he had waited for this moment, to finally be face to face with her, but words got stuck in his throat, and he remained silent.
Five days went by, a whole week since he had entered the mountains. Vahn knew that Gala would not be concerned for several more days, for they had talked at length about this expedition, and the monk was amazingly patient. So he spent the time rejoicing in the peaceful surroundings, and Noa's presence.
The ordeals she had endured had not been able to break her spirit, and she was, as always, the uncomplicated, honest, loyal person he loved so much. If only he could muster the courage to say what needed to be said, but up to now, he had only tried to persuade her to come back with him to Drake Kingdom.
"Why don't you stay with me here, Vahn? Don't we have all we need, with nobody to bother us?" was her constant response. "And anyway, you're not well enough to go down the mountain, you should stay a few more days." She had added that morning, even if they both knew the falsenesses of the affirmation. She dreaded being alone again, but wouldn't leave her safe haven for an unsure future.
She brought him to Cort's grave, and her eyes remained dry for once. She also told him about all that had come to past, since they had last seen each other, filling in the gaps that Gala couldn't know about. They talked for a long time, oblivious to the coming night, for there was much catching up to do, and they wanted this moment to last forever.
The next day, the young man finally got his act together and faced her, "Noa, there's a few things we have to talk about. First, Mei married another."
"I'm sorry, Vahn." She said, but her eyes shone with hope.
"It's all right, I've come to realize that my love for her was like that of a brother for a sister, and I'm happy for her, Trevor is a good man." He resumed, "I want to apologize for what happened in Sol, it was stupid of me, will you forgive me?"
"What? You mean that you're not angry at me, for freaking out on you like that?"
"I don't believe this. All that time I thought that you were the one mad at me."
"No, I even hoped that you would kiss me again, but I didn't want to come between Mei and you."
He didn't answer, but instead stepped closer, until their faces were nearly touching. Tenderly, he held her, touching his lips to her brow, her eyes, the tip of her nose, brushing against her expecting mouth, and then softly kissing her.
She responded, tentatively at first, then with assurance. It was different from that unfortunate incident in Sol, she was more mature, not ignorant has before, and she had longed for so long for this moment. Vahn brushed strands of hair from her face, "Please, come with me, I will care for you, you will never be alone again."
"I...I can't...I have to think...I..." and with that she went out of the cavern, to try to restore some order to her thoughts. Blissfully, he understood, and respected her need for privacy; he had much to ponder also. She walked for a long time, musing. Vahn had his pick among the beautiful, sophisticated ladies, wearing pretty gowns, and elaborate hairdos, she had seen at Drake castle. What would he want with an unkempt, plain girl, with boyish manners, anyway? Wouldn't he tire of her, and leave her alone? Wasn't it better to remain here, and not take the chance of being hurt?
Several hours later, she came back with fierce determination in her eyes. "I don't know if I will go with you yet. I have something to ask you first." His expectant posture emboldened her to continue, "What will happen after, and if, we go back to Drake Kingdom?"
There was no hesitation in his voice, as he said, "We will get married, of course, and I will build you a nice house to live in, near the beach." He then went down on one knee, holding her hand, "Will you honor me, by becoming my wife?"
"But, Vahn, I've changed, you don't know me all that well, are you sure about this?"
"I've been a fool for way too long. I don't want to lose you again, of that I am sure."
"But, it's crazy." Tears were welling inside her, in her wildest dreams she had never expected this.
"If life allows me but one insanity, let it be my love for you, my crazy love for a sweet, honest, and gentle girl. I don't see myself with any other, please say yes." Emotion made his voice falter, and he held her gaze.
For an answer, she kneeled to his level, hugged, and kissed him, to which he reciprocated with quiet passion. Noa had decided that whatever happened, she would have one gift from him, a memory to cherish and comfort herself with. She stood up, stepping back, disrobing, and showing herself in all simplicity, with no shame, no doubts, no fears, but only trust and love.
Vahn shed his clothes, and similarly let her see him, for once not feeling self-conscious, as had been the case in the past. He let himself be drawn into those emerald orbs, feeling tender desire, not lust, for this was a pure, untainted moment, and he saw Noa in her entirety, inner and outer beauty evident in a fleeting glance. On her skin were the marks of countless battles, but to him she was more beautiful than any other, for she was the one he loved, the one he had waited for all of his life.
They approached each other slowly, silently, unwilling to risk shattering that fragile instant, tentatively touching, cautiously exploring, mouths uniting, hearts beating in harmony, souls rejoicing at having found a companion, a lover, a friend.
He kissed her with gentle desperation, as if her lips were a life-giving spring, as if only she could ever quench his thirst. Noa's instincts had never betrayed her, they told her that this was true, that this was right, and she drew her companion down on her makeshift cot of fur covered grass.
Sensing that Vahn was holding back, feeling gratefulness at his affectionate concern for her, she took the initiative, and then they were united in one flesh, one mind, one soul, joined in a timeless embrace of intimacy and love that even angels long for, many times repeated, true, but always new to those pure of heart, as are all mysteries of life.
Noa embraced the feelings building-up inside her, giving herself to the moment with no reservations. Her hold on her lover tightened, and an incontrollable moan escaped her, as the world exploded in a symphony of sensations, celebration of life, and pure unbound joy.
Vahn kissed her neck, buried his face in her hair, reveling in the taste of her skin, inebriated by her scent. He was wholly committed, in a way that transcended the body, and touched the deepest parts of his being. "Noa, I love you!" the words passed his lips of their own volition, as his body tensed with the release of his pleasure. "I love you, I love you..." He whispered in her ear, many times over, elated at finally being able to utter those words to her, feeling complete, content, fulfilled.
The next morning found them, still in each other's arms. Vahn awoke, gladness filling his heart, at the realization that it had all been real, and not a mere dream. "My Love, this I swear," He said softly, "I will spend my life with you, and you'll never be alone, ever again, my sweet Noa, I am all yours...for always."
Even in the embrace of slumber, there was a smile on the red-haired girl's relaxed features, for she knew, with unshakable certainty, that even should they part in body, their souls would remain together, forever.