~Memories~
By Ola
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A/N~ warning: this chapter contains some sexual description. Nothing too detailed or gross. It's supposed to be sensual. Let me know if you think I should change the rating of this story though, ok? Oh, and I hope this hasn't spoiled the surprise for you, cause there's a big one coming =) so enjoy! IF YOU WANT TO SKIP THIS PART, READ THE LAST LINE!!! (comments about reviews at the end =)
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Part 20~
The girl picked up her pack and followed him to the East, over a little hill, and past a copse of evergreens that stuck out from the over wise orange foliage. From time to time, he glanced back over his shoulder to make sure she was following. After another rough climb, they came to what looked like one gigantic rock in the form of a ring. The walls were as tall as the trees, and green lichens were growing on them, but except for a cute little salamander that scampered away as they approached, Lan didn't see anything out of the ordinary. Sindarin mumbled something then went off to the right and disappeared behind the outcropping. But he soon came back and went the other way.
"Aha! Lan, I found it!"
He was halfway in a crack in the rock face and she could see that it extended farther in, but it was not immediately visible at first inspection. Actually, she doubt she would have seen it if she hadn't been looking for it. She briefly wondered whether this was yet another cave and if yes, then how had Sindarin discovered it and why was he leading her there if he was so afraid of them. But no cold and musty draft came to meet her nose. She followed him inside, squeezing into the crack as it wound its way through the rock. Out of the sun, the temperature dropped noticeably, and the rock became quite cold to the touch.
"Close your eyes."
"What? And bang my head on the first step? I know you don't always like me. Especially those times, but please find another way to annoy me."
"Don't worry. I'll lead you. Close your eyes or you'll spoil the surprise." She looked at him suspiciously.
"Come on. Don't tell me you don't trust me." She grumbled but did as he asked and felt one of his hands covering her eyes, while the other snaked around her waist, holding her firmly.
"I trust you with my life here, and you can't trust me to keep my eyes closed? Trust is a two way deal you know?"
"I agree, but if I let go and you stumble, you'll open your eyes anyway. It's a reflex." He slowly led her forward.
A little while later, she felt the sun shine on her face again. The air got a little warmer, and it acquired a distinct smell that tickled her memory but that she could not quite identify; she also felt tall grass swish lightly against her knees.
"Are we there yet?"
"Just a little longer." He sounded very please of himself for some reason. He turned her around, then let her go. "All right, you can open them now."
She did and her mouth dropped open. She was standing in the middle of a meadow full of little bright orange flowers that swayed gently in the occasional breeze. The air was fresh and sweet, a cross between lavender, apple blossoms and oranges. The knee-high carpet of orange blooms extended from one end of this little valley to the other, and was completely surrounded by the high rock walls. However, it was not oppressive, rather, it felt cozy and…like a piece of paradise. Above, the sky seemed bluer.
Lanea turned around, letting her eyes capture the sheer beauty of this little piece of heaven, for a moment forgetting everything except this feeling of happiness; this joy at being able to see nature uncover its secrets for her.
"So?"
She turned back to Sindarin, her eyes aglow. "How did you find this place!?"
"Quite by accident. Do you want the short or the long story?"
"We've got plenty of time. Or maybe you want to go back exploring the caves, like we're supposed to?" she teased.
He rolled his eyes, sat down comfortably and began his tale. "When I was younger, my family used to come to those parts to hunt. I was too small to accompany my father and brothers into the woods and was supposed to stay…home, but what kind of seven years old can stay cooped up in such a beautiful day? So I too went into the forest, without anyone knowing, and played at being an explorer of wild lands; until one day, I happened to cross the path of my father's hunting trip. It was a little later in the year, and all the leaves had fallen. The terrain was bare and I had no where to hide. Of course, if my father found me, he would have thrashed me as if there was no tomorrow. I happened to like my skin just the way it was and din't want it at the mercy of my father's belt. So I ran. I ran as fast as I could, stupidly trying to outrun the dogs and horses, until I saw the rocks and hid behind them. Fortunately, no one had seen me, and the dogs had been to focused on the scent of the pray to pay attention to mine. It was only a few days later that I had came back and like every curious little boy began exploring the "fort." When I found out a way in and the teasure it held, I came as often as I could. Those flowers only bloom in autumn, and so for the first year, I didn't even know about them. Imagine my surprise when I came here after a long absence. Ha. I thought I had come into a different world…I've never told anyone about this place, and sometimes, I wonder whether anyone else knows about it, but I've never found any footsteps here except my own." He sighed and let his gaze roam over the valley.
"I'm happy you let me join you in this little kingdom of yours." She sat down by his side.
Sigh. You have no idea how true your words really are, thought Sindarin, looking into her shiny eyes, just as she did into his. He had never before how like the bottom of a river those eyes of hers were. Blue, green, gray, and little dots of brown, like stones submerged in the swift current; their color changed just like that of water, and he was drawn into them like someone diving into a deep pool whose bottom he could not reach, and thus dove deeper and deeper into the clear depths.
Their lips met for a second in a caress much like the one of two butterfly wings. They continued looking at each other as if memorizing every little detail, every freckle, every strand of hair. The butterflies fluttered in the air and once again brushed their wings together, until Lan, trying to move a little closer, lost her balance and crashed into Sindarin, bringing them both down onto the mat of sweet scented leaves and flowers. Her giggle was drowned by yet another kiss, this time much more powerful and heady, while her hands began their own little exploration under Sindarin's shirt. Lying against him, every part of her touching some part of him' she felt like she was lying on a rock, warmed by a day's worth of summer sun, except that he was a lot softer, and much more responsive. And his hands were busy on their own, caressing her back, and holding her tightly to him, wanting to remember the feeling of her body forever. There was no end to their love, but soon, everything that was to be discovered in that minimal range was done, and both of them wondered what to do next, or if they should do anything at all. Sindarin fingered the lacings of Lan's shirt while looking at her in a silent question. She only smiled, but he understood, and smiled back.
Trying to tug each other's shirt at the same time, while lying down wasn't as easy as they had expected; after a moment of trial they had to sit up. It went a lot faster that way, up until the cloth that covered Lan's breast. Sindarin simply didn't know where to begin. Snort. Guys will always be guys. Lots of muscles but nada under the ceiling, thought Lan in between two bouts of laughter at seeing her friend's discomfit face.
"you look like a little boy that had been denied his birthday present."
"Well, I got the present. I just don't know how to unwrap it!" he grinned.
The "present" didn't need to be asked a second time. For a moment afterwards, they looked at each other like curious little children, awed and mightily interested in what they were seeing, until a cold breeze ruffled their hair, and they embraced each other to keep warm, lying back down, where the tall flowers blocked some of the windy element. With his hands safely behind Lan's back, Sindarin took off his wrist guards.
With new territory just waiting to be explored, they jumped to the pleasant task, a permanent little smile on their lips. Lan traced a line down Sindarin's chest with her finger, while his mouth followed a path of its own down her neck and throat. He loved breathing in her smell; she smelled of the outdoors, of wool, and of her own spicy, young, sweet smell that he would never forget. Their legs entangled themselves of their own accord, keeping them close, but not so close that they could not move their hands in between their chests. There were new grounds to be discovered there, grounds on which the young man treaded carefully, gently gliding his hands around the girl's perfect round breasts, delighting in the shivers of pleasure it elicited from her and the way her beautiful eyes sparkled with joy, mischievousness and…
…Shock? That last had not completely registered when he felt her grab his hand, turning it palm up. He let her do it, knowing what was about to happen, knowing it was inevitable now, and deep down, feeling relieved it would soon be over. Her eyes never left his after the glance she had given the black mark on his wrist. Her gray-green, gray-blue eyes. Eyes like the bottom of a mountain stream.
"Who are you to wear the sign of Atar?" a whisper. Her eyes, betrayed, narrowed in suspicion.
"And who are you to know it for what it is?" no louder.
"I have kept no secrets from you. You know…what I am. And yet, you have not been truthful with me." It hurt. It hurt him hear her say that, but he knew that she was right. He looked into her eyes, her gray, gray eyes, for a long time. Wishing to hold her close, wishing to stop the pain. But there was only one way out of this.
"I am Prince Kelleheri Sindarin Mawr Dae Vaugh, third son of Bae Tarallan Thor Dae Vaugh, nephew of her majesty the Queen Seleney."
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A/N~ mmm, quite long, don't you think? =) couldn't find any good part at which to stop it. *grins* if you want the next part, don't kill me for stopping here, ok? =) take heart, the next chapter won't be long in coming (hopefully=)
~Ola~
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-Aurora & Sweetie pie- yep! Those wrist bands were important =) *grins* was that what you were thinking, or something completely else? Lol
-falcon-rider- lol, what did you think he was going to show her? Lol, well, actually, you could interpret it in different ways, although he did want to show her the valley, not the…action =) *grin*
