I dindt wnat to jump into a romance, but time does speed by, doesnt it? like, i just made 3 seasons go by like poof.
and i might not post as quickly, but i already have this one written. i tend to try and write at least one more chapter before i post, because then if i get another idea i can change it...
hey! im back to nearly-sane! dont worry, sorka is still...sorka, even if she just is going on and on and on and on like she has pms or something. shes just angry because shes doing badly in a class shes not supposed to do bad in...sniff :,( dont worry i wont take it out on you fanfic-ers...
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The tradition of morning and evening walks in the palace grounds became a habit, one that Lianah enjoyed more than anything else in her new home, because it promised her time with him. Terrin knew some of the most facinating stories she had ever heard, and her own stories of her village and home delighted Terrin, so long secluded from society.
There seemed to be endless acres, each with its own unique sights and paths...in fact, she never seemed to walk in the same place twice.
Time passed freely in the castle. Spring with its fields of violets and lilies blended into summer's joyous warmth and into the orange and red autumn, and then the air grew brisk and cool with the first winds of winter's chilling breath. Frost decorated the branches and shrubs, but yet no snow fell.
"B-R-O-C-A-D-E spells brocade, as in your tunic," Lianah recited. Ever since Terrin had discovered she could not read, he had began his spirited campaign to teach her. "H-A-Z-E-L-W-O-O-D spells hazelwood." Her cheeks were pink at the tips as she recalled her embarrassment, when she had to admit she couldn't understand the strange runes on the musty pages.
"Good," Terrin replied, his breath slightly freezing in the air. She smiled, grateful for his teaching and help. What she could read now was simply amazing...and there was still so much more to learn.
"R-I-V-E-R spells river," she tried, when she saw the lazily moving stream winding its way through the frosted fields. Squinting, she stared at the glimmering waters. "It's so...shiny?"
Terrin went with her to investigate. "Oh, yes," he said, "did you know the bottom of this little brook is covered with shards of quartz?" He grinned delightedly at her surprise. "It is! See?"
Obligingly, she crept closer to the rippling stream. "Oh!" she cried, "It's so beautiful!" The sparkling facets winked back at her, dazzling her eyes.
The boy, on the higher bank, was still looking intensely at the river bottom. "Do you see something in there?" he asked, his voice curious. "By that big rock over there, do you see it? Something gold-" his voice broke off in excitement.
"I see it!" Lia exclaimed. A gold glimmer was clear under the surface.
Terrin inched closer over the slippery bank. "Do you think you can you get it?"
Determination, and her insatiable curiousity, flared. After all, what if this was that- that pureblade thing? She didn't dare mention that possibility to Terrin, even if he may be thinking the same thing...she had to get it.
Reaching, she struggled to grasp the golden chain. "Almost..." Her fingertips, numb with the freezing water, brushed the edge of the precious metal.
His shout warned her, but too late. "Lia, look out, its the..."
Something hard struck her back, and she toppled into the water without a splash. The crystal clear liquid closed over her head, and she felt the chain slip through her fingers. Through the surface, she saw the shining bird swoop into the air and wink out of view.
"Terrin!" she struggled to the surface, remembering the summer she and Johnlin had 'learned' how to swim in the millpond, and she had learned well. But the heavy fabric of her skirt entangled her legs and she was dragged down by the current.
In the next moment, she lay among the brilliant crystals at the bottom of the river. Dreamily, for her head was light with lack of air, the stones shone brightly and beautifully in her eyes.
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"Lia!" Terrin yelled, seeing her go under. Shedding his heavy coat and abandoning all caution, he sped across the slippery rocks and leapt into the chilly water.
Luckily, he wasn't as heavily shod as she, and he was able to swim quickly and effectively to her at the bottom. Still concious, she stared up at him calmly and reached out a hand. Hauling her off the bottom, she managed to kick and they burst through the surface of the river with an explosion that sent showers of sparkling water everywhere.
"Terrin?" she coughed, shivering. He nodded, half numb with the cold water. "Thanks."
"Let's go?" Staggering to their feet, they both somehow made their way towards the castle in the distance, moving for warmth and the prospects of becoming warm inside.
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Finally reaching the entrance, trembling with cold, they unbarred the heavy door and was gratified by the rush of warmed air. Slowly walking through the hall, their extremities ceased to tingle with its bone-jarring pain.
"Terrin?" Lia said, her voice a sad echo in the hallway. She held out her slender palm, holding out a simple gold chain twisted negligently around a single shaft of ordinary clear crystal. "I'm sorry," she said, offering him the chain, "this was all it was."
He took it numbly, feeling hopelessness chill his blood. Then there was no hope...for he had wished it to be a knife or blade of some sort. They continued to walk through the great hall, headed for their rooms.
"Lia," he turned to her guiltly. She twisted around to look at him. "I'm sorry I made you fall in for just something like this."
"Terrin, it's all right. The bird pushed me in, and you got soaked too, right?" She smiled, finding a slight bit of humor in the chilling dunk.
"I feel bad," he insisted, and it was the truth.
"It all worked out fine, and," she paused for emphasis, "I even got a souvenier!" she giggled, as she held out the hand-length shaft of clear crystal. She stopped at the edge of the marble-polished floor, looking up into his face. Her expression, framed by dripping red locks, was so positively mischievous that he had to laugh.
Later, Terrin would not know what exactly had happened. All he remembered was how her face was tilted up just at the right angle, the humor gleaming in her beautiful green eyes, and how much he apprecated that she risked herself for his fruitless whim.
So, the stupid fool he was, he kissed her.
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is this a cliffhanger? it is, isn't it? hehehehehe...sorry.
copyright sorka robinton 2001