Disclaimer: That's right. No own.
Warning: Oozing sweetness. This might be harder to bear than gore!
Little Blog: I wish I could somehow animate what's going through my mind as I write this for you to see, along with the beautiful music I listen to while typing this. If you could see the pictures in my mind I get from this…well, anyway, thanks for reviewing lots and keep reading!
Soft orange-pink light permeates the quiet stillness of the autumn morning, a pleasant feeling of comfort and wakefulness. I open my eye just a tiny bit, peek out to see if he is even now beside me, if he is conscious. His long, dark eyelashes flutter, I close my eye, feigning sleep. If I can remain like this long enough without giving away my pretense, perhaps he'll wander around a bit and explore.
Sitting up, tangling his fingers in his wild hair, glistening with a light sweat and a myriad of colors reflected in the hazy morning light. He glances over at my listless form, puts a hand delicately on my ribcage, feeling it rise and fall evenly, as I am able to control my breathing significantly. It remains there for what seems to be several minutes, then, apparently satisfied that I am indeed asleep, he lays back down, pressed against me tightly, arms around me in a strong yet gentle hold. I feel the whisper of his sugar-sweet breath on my ear, I know I must be blushing; whether or not he notices, I cannot tell.
Leaning his head on my narrow shoulder, I hear him speak, in low tones.
"Lle naa vamina, a'maelamin," his fingers trace my neck lightly, along my face, over my scarred eye. "Lirimaen…"
Places his velvet lips on my cheek, which is flaming hot in my shyness, lays a small kiss. I cannot keep my eye shut any longer, it pops open, meeting his gaze directly. I am clearly embarrassed, but in a good sort of way; I feel…very, very happy. He smiles carefully, sits up and away from me as I slowly stretch, and arise, savoring this emotion pulsating through my body. I hear the bedcovers rustle; turning around, he is suddenly beside me, chin on my shoulder, eyes wide with…?
The moment is shattered upon the sound of that like a galloping horse, coming in this direction, I suppose. He appears terrified, grips my sleeve much like that of a child who hides behind the skirts of his mother. Utters a small cry, then gazes at me in anxiety. "What is it?" I still do not know him enough…to know why he behaves thus.
I move to the window; a knight, visored, in silvery armor, riding on a white horse, is dismounting cautiously. Seated behind him is a lovely maiden, auburn hair soaking up the light of the sun fully, eyes gleaming a bright gold. By her garments I imagine she is some sort of noblewoman; why, though, should such gentle ones be here, in the deep woods of the highlands? Turning to my aelf, to find he has disappeared, I sigh regrettably and draw my robes tight around my thin frame, step outside my abode.
"Hello, sir knight," I say loud enough for him to comprehend me over the rushing autumnal winds. He glances in my direction as he lifts the maiden form the patient horse, setting her down gently.
Removing his visor, reveals a familiar face, midnight black hair, charming smile. It is the knight I healed several months ago, who claimed he would return. A man of his word, truly.
"Hello, mage! I promised I would come back to you! See that I have!" He comes toward me, his arms spread wide, and embraces me in a crushing hold. I stammer, "You've entirely regained your strength…"
Throwing back his head in jovial laughter, he counters, "'Twas you that made it so! And now," he pulls away, opens his arm in invitation to the beautiful woman timidly standing behind him, "See what your healthy knight has found." She walks slowly, cautiously toward me, eyes lowered yet meeting my own. "Thank you, kind mage, for healing my beloved," she murmurs, her voice like a petal on the wind.
I must seem confused, for he laughs again, leading me by the shoulder into my abode, "I shall tell you everything!"
"I told you that you healed for good purpose, magician. For love, for love…" His eyes roam about, taking in the humbleness of my dwelling. "For love, I would…do anything, would you not?"
I smile, "I would that it were I knew such feeling…" And yet…
"I never did tell you my name. How uncouth, yet it was necessary at the first time of our meeting, for I am a wanted man."
"Names are irrelevant to me. I see you are a truly wonderful person."
His eyes smile genially. "Strong word, this 'wonderful'. I would not be so high as to describe myself in such a manner. Yet, I shall tell you now, my name is Tamahome, knighted by the King Hotohori of the southern realm. I am said to be one of his strongest knights, yet I do not see it," his face becomes sad, tumultuous with emotion. I rest my hand on his back lightly.
"How so?"
"For I…" choking back a sob, "I…have violated everything… for this maiden you see before you now…" He waves his hand to the window, where the girl is seated outside, directly in the view of the sun.
"She is lovely."
"She is also the Queen of the southern realm." He grips my shoulders, eyes wild with regret and something, something fearful. "I love her," swallowing hard, "I love her so much, and she feels this as well. Have I done the wrong thing, spiriting her away, if we love each other so much we cannot be apart no longer?" His voice is desperate, seeking answers I feel I cannot give him. Withdrawing slightly, I gaze at the floor, rubbing my hands against my sleeve.
"You stole her from the palace?"
"We agreed upon it. The royal knights are in an uproar, the kingdom frantic for her return. The king," Tears sliding down his face, "The king knows it was I who lead her away, and has declared me treasonous, that I should be slaughtered when found…"Wiping them away roughly, "But I do not care! I love her, and we shall run far away together, far away…" His voice fades off, gazing at her bright form.
Fidgeting, I feel intense desire…to tell him…
"You are right."
Glances up confused. "But I--"
"You love her, do you not? She loves you, does she not? Then," swiftly taking in a breath, "Love each other together, even if it means treason, even if it means you are out of favor. For what can mean more than this, your love?"
His eyes become hopeful, glittering with delight at my words.
"I would do anything to be with her for our eternity!"
Smiling, sorrow aching in my heart, I grasp his hand. "There is a mountain not far from here, where no one dares to venture. I shall lead you to it; there is a small village, mostly of monks, seeking solitude. If you would like, I would it you should stay there, for a little while, until there can be better accommodations for you…"
Standing up, he once again crushes me in his embrace, "How good you are, mage! How good you are!"
"I shall lead you there tomorrow. For now, please feel as if this is your home, be at ease." I wander out to her, gently guiding her inside to her love, and then take my leave, for now, I must…
I must find him.
Having wandered the darkening green hills for hours, it seems; and yet, no trace of him. Was he so terribly frightened by other human beings? But he has no fear of me. This I…shall struggle to understand. Can it be that he has had dealings with human beings before me? Or perhaps, I am the only one he has come to know, and my nature, quite unlike ordinary men, is what he expects from all.
I gather up the folds of my robe as I near the lake, lean down to sip some of the clear waters. Sparkling reflections of light from their haloed forms, they swirl about in the cold air, patterns of beauty, ceaseless in their design. I sit down, resting my arms on my knees wearily; I have always been weak in physical strength, something, I believe, is necessary for me to see them.
I know now that no one can really know these beings, their motives, their minds.
The sound of wind chimes fills my empty soul, as my eye searches endlessly for his form. Where, where in all the wood is he hiding? Is he hiding from the strangers?
Or from me? My eye mists over in pain, a dull, gray pain. To be alone…
Is the worst thing in the world.
"If you are there…"
"If you would hear me, I am searching for you…"
"I wish…you would be here with me, my dark aelf…"
Flashing like lightning are his crimson eyes, embedded deep in the darkness of a tall pine. I sense his presence, a silent, bleak aura. His slender hands find mine, hold mine. Something in his expression…is wilting, is sad. I draw him towards me, in a deep embrace, hold him close for what seems eternity.
"I'm sorry that you were frightened away…" I whisper into his hair; the night sky is a blanket of stars., so harshly beautiful, I draw in a sharp breath.
He gazes into my eye, I feel him fitting into my very soul, drinking me in, "A'maelamin," he speaks gently.
I remain in the wood with him until sunrise. When I see him sleeping as the rays of light creep over the horizon, I quickly depart. This day, I shall aid Sir Tamahome and his beloved to safety.
"I shall return to you," I whisper in his ear, then hurry back to my abode, my eye filled with tears.
I feel so afraid…What happened yesterday…I could not bear it if…if he were to..
To leave me alone again.
*dances* So how do you like it so far? I really am enjoying writing this. With IF, it was like dragging deep, deep depression out of me and vociferating it, which was very hard and painful. But with this...it's everything good and happy…^-^ For now! *evil laughter*
Tasuki: 9.9 She's off her rocker!
Chichiri: Oh no she's quite nice, no da…
Tasuki: I guesssssss….