"There is that better my love?" He whispered into her hair.
'This is far from better!' Sara thought but instead she moaned an, "Mmhmm." His chest heaved up and down as a sigh of relief escaped his lips.
"What was that for, Ewan?" It still felt a bit surreal that Sara was able to share these intimate moments and not have any control. Sara listened to Cathain's words and at the same time savoring the soft strokes of his fingertips grazing her bare back. Ewan stopped his caresses when she pulled slightly back. She propped up her elbow and rested her head on her hand, her gaze locking with his. She had to stifle a gasp at how overpower his eyes were. They were bursting with love and happiness. Cathain raised her other hand to cover his cheek. Her fingers began to stroke through soft and silky hairs of his beard. Ewan closed his eyes and leaned into her touch. Sara could have sworn she heard the man purr.
A soft chuckle escaped her lips before she asked, "Are you going to tell me?"
Opposed to Sara's choice to continue stroking Ewan's beard, Cathain removed her hand from his cheek and laid it down between their bodies, resting lightly on the bed. With another sigh Ewan opened his eyes and said, "I must be dreaming."
"Why do you say that?"
Ewan smiled at her and Sara swore she could feel butterflies fluttering in her stomach and her heart doing flips. "Because it is only in my dreams where I am in this room, sharing your bed, with you in my arms." She tore her gaze away from his, averting and hiding the blush that was forming on her face. Without looking up she said, "And what if this was a dream?"
"Then I shall pity the poor fool who dares to wake me up in the morning." She couldn't help but grin at the thought. Ewan cupped her chin and gently lifted her face. When she held his gaze again Ewan continued to speak, "If this was a dream and if I had the chance I would sleep forever just to be in your arms." The sincerity in his words and the love in his eyes took her breath away. Without saying a word she buried her hand into his hair and pulled him down into a kiss.
It was chaste kiss at first, mouths meeting in a soft touch. Until she used the tip of her tongue to part his lips, wanting to gain entrance into the warmth of his mouth. She was meet with the tip of his tongue. She sighed as he drew her into his mouth. She may have been the one to instigate the kiss but he was slowly taking control. And for once she didn't care. All she cared about was the wonderful sensations he was producing. Ewan tighten his arm around her waist, pulling her closer until there was nothing left between them.
The kiss ended as they drew apart, panting. Their chest heaved up and down as they both gathered for air. Ewan laid his forehead against hers. He opened his eyes to look at Cathain but hers were still close. He lifted his hand away from her waist to brush aside the hair from her face, placing it behind her ear. She still hadn't opened her eyes. Ewan took the moment to study her, fingers gently roaming over her face. The arch of her eyebrow, down the slope of her petite nose, and over those soft lips. He smiled when she kissed his fingers as they passed her mouth. He stared in awe of her beauty and the fact that he was here with her. For years he had longed to be more then just a protector and friend. He had wanted to be her lover. This was the moment he had been waiting for.
He took in a deep breath then let out the words he longed to tell her since the first time he had laid eyes on her.
"I..I love you Cathain." Ewan held his breath. For a moment he was worried that Cathain didn't hear him. Her eyes were still closed. Was she asleep? No, because he felt rather then hear her gasp at his confession.
Finally opening her eyes she stared deeply into those soulful hazel eyes of his. Sara was taken aback by the love that shone in those eyes. She could feel her heart, no, Cathain's heart swell up inside. It began to beat so fast she was afraid it was going to just suddenly stop. She couldn't believe such reactions could be created by those three spoken words. The hand that was buried in his hair traveled down to nestle against his bearded cheek. Sara waited for Cathain to answer back, to tell Ewan she loved him as well. But Sara was surprised what was said next.
"I.I know, Ewan. I care for you as well."
Nothing else was said. No words of returned love. Nothing. Ewan pulled his head back slightly. He let out the breath he was holding in a defeated sigh. His shoulders slumped and he swallowed the lump in his throat. He blinked several times and Sara was able to catch the familiar pain in his eyes. Ewan reached up to grab her hand that was resting on his cheek, turned his face and kissed her palm. He forced a small smile and said, "Rest now my lady. It's getting late."
Ewan pulled Cathain with him as he shifted onto his back. She rested her head in the crook of his neck, her hand over his heart. Neither one slept instead both were wallowing in their own thoughts. 'She cares but not enough to love me,' Ewan thought. He laid there recalling how his search leaded him here to Connemera. To the Warrior Goddess, Cathain. How a chance meeting with an old man and a destiny he wasn't aware off had changed his life.
He grew up alone, an orphan at the tender age of eleven. Ewan had no recollection of his parents, if he had any brothers or sisters, or any family that would take him. The only possession of his past were the clothes on his back and a ring that had been too big for him to wear, hanging from a long piece of tattered old twine that was tied around his neck. Ewan bounced from place to place, trying to survive. No one loved him, no one wanted him, and no one cared. That was until an old man with stringy blonde hair and eyes, that were able to pierce into ones soul, found him unconscious, nearly half dead. Starved and cold from sleeping outside in the chilling nights. The old man took him in and nursed him back to health.
During the second night Ewan awoke, panting and drenched in sweat. He had another one of those odd dreams again. This time it was about a woman clad in armor. Her face was hidden, as always, behind the helm of her helmet. On her right wrist was a piece of jewelry with a red stone in the middle. The stone glowed brightly and suddenly the innocent bracelet turned into sword.
"What did you see, boy?" Ewan turned his head and found the old man sitting in a chair staring at a ring. Ewan patted his chest and looked down. His twined necklace along with his ring was gone. "Give it here! Its mine!" He yelled from the bed. If he weren't so weak he would have jumped from the bed and grabbed it. The old man got up from his chair, walked over to the Ewan and sat on the edge of the bed. The old man held out his hand, the ring on his palm.
Ewan reached out to snatch the ring from the old man's hand but he wasn't fast enough. The older man had closed his fingers around the jewelry, securing in his fist. "I will give back your ring. But first tell me what did you see?" Ewan eyed the old man. Not sure if he could trust him. "Don't worry I give you my word you will get your ring back after you tell me." Ewan sighed and began to explain his dream. About the woman and the bracelet that turned into a weapon. True to his words the old man gave Ewan his ring.
"How long have you had these dreams, boy?" The old man continued to sit on the edge of the bed.
"My name is Ewan not boy!" A small smile formed on the old man's lips. He nodded and in response, "My apologizes young Ewan. I meant no disrespect. My name is Lazar." Lazar's smile grew wider, softening his weathered appearance. "Now tell me. How long have you been having these dreams, Ewan?" Ewan placed the necklace around his neck, still clutching the ring in his hand. He looked up to stare at Lazar, his eyes held a far away look as he tried to recall the first time he had the dreams.
"I really don't remember when the dreams started. They just came to me. It's always the same. The warrior woman with green eyes and the weapon she wields with the red stone in the middle. Then there are times when I see another warrior, a knight in armor. He stands in the shadows; always watching the woman warrior, always near by." Ewan blinked and shook his head as if coming out of a trance. Lazar listened and took in everything Ewan had said.
"Where did you get the ring?"
"I didn't steal it if that's what you were thinking." Ewan squeezed his hand around the ring, securing it in his fist.
"I made no accusations, Ewan. I am just curious." Ewan lowered his head. Once again forced to remember that he was alone in this world. No family to take care or love him.
"I don't know who gave it to me for I have no family. It's the only possession I have to a past I can't remember. I've always had it and I've never been apart from it."
Lazar didn't speak right away. He tilted his head, scrutinizing Ewan with his narrowed gaze. Lazar could hear soft clicking sounds as the pieces of a puzzle began to fit together in his head. The dreams about the wielder and the blade. The ring he carried around his neck. But how he came to be an orphan was the only thing that would remain a mystery.
Ewan squirmed lightly under Lazar's scrutiny, pulling the covers higher, clutching it to his chest. Finally Lazar spoke, "Your dreams have meaning, Ewan. You are having visions. Visions of the next wielder of the blade." Ewan's brows furrowed as he listened to Lazar. "Visions? Are you mad, Lazar?" Lazar chuckled at the boy's question. "I see it will take some time to convince you."
"Convince me of what?"
"The woman in your vision is the wielder, an important woman. The weapon she wields, the Llan An Cailleach, holds a great power. And the knight in the shadows is you, young Ewan."
"Me?!" Ewan's eyes widen in disbelief, "That can't be me? I'm.I'm just a.a boy." He lowered his head, "I am of no import. I'm nothing special."
"You are special my son." Ewan's head snapped up and he blinked several times. Obviously taken aback from the endearment of such a simple word, son. It was the first time anyone had said or referred to him in that manner. Surprisingly it was a great feeling Ewan never once had the privilege to experience, he couldn't help but grin. Seeing that Lazar had Ewan's attention he continued to speak. "You have a destiny now, Ewan. You will play an important role in the wielder's life. You will be her protector and her guide. That ring that hangs around your neck is a symbol of that destiny." Ewan removed the ring from around his neck and examined the ornate object. He rubbed the small blue stone that was clutched in the claws of a dragon. As he stared into it he could have sworn it swirled and glowed. But it happened so fast he wasn't sure what he saw was real.
"But why me, Lazar?"
"You have been chosen, Ewan. As to why?" Lazar shook his head, "That I cannot tell you. Whither you believe or shun what I say; you must make a choice. Will you accept your destiny or runaway? But do not answer me now." Ewan fingered the ring, touching the stone one last time before placing it back around his neck. "Come it is getting late and you need your rest. Sleep now, young Ewan. You have much to think about in the morning." And for once in his life, like being called son, Lazar tucked him into bed. Ewan watched as the old man made his way back into his chair by the fire. It wasn't long before Ewan fell asleep. His dreams filled with a green eyed warrior, the blade, and him.
'This is far from better!' Sara thought but instead she moaned an, "Mmhmm." His chest heaved up and down as a sigh of relief escaped his lips.
"What was that for, Ewan?" It still felt a bit surreal that Sara was able to share these intimate moments and not have any control. Sara listened to Cathain's words and at the same time savoring the soft strokes of his fingertips grazing her bare back. Ewan stopped his caresses when she pulled slightly back. She propped up her elbow and rested her head on her hand, her gaze locking with his. She had to stifle a gasp at how overpower his eyes were. They were bursting with love and happiness. Cathain raised her other hand to cover his cheek. Her fingers began to stroke through soft and silky hairs of his beard. Ewan closed his eyes and leaned into her touch. Sara could have sworn she heard the man purr.
A soft chuckle escaped her lips before she asked, "Are you going to tell me?"
Opposed to Sara's choice to continue stroking Ewan's beard, Cathain removed her hand from his cheek and laid it down between their bodies, resting lightly on the bed. With another sigh Ewan opened his eyes and said, "I must be dreaming."
"Why do you say that?"
Ewan smiled at her and Sara swore she could feel butterflies fluttering in her stomach and her heart doing flips. "Because it is only in my dreams where I am in this room, sharing your bed, with you in my arms." She tore her gaze away from his, averting and hiding the blush that was forming on her face. Without looking up she said, "And what if this was a dream?"
"Then I shall pity the poor fool who dares to wake me up in the morning." She couldn't help but grin at the thought. Ewan cupped her chin and gently lifted her face. When she held his gaze again Ewan continued to speak, "If this was a dream and if I had the chance I would sleep forever just to be in your arms." The sincerity in his words and the love in his eyes took her breath away. Without saying a word she buried her hand into his hair and pulled him down into a kiss.
It was chaste kiss at first, mouths meeting in a soft touch. Until she used the tip of her tongue to part his lips, wanting to gain entrance into the warmth of his mouth. She was meet with the tip of his tongue. She sighed as he drew her into his mouth. She may have been the one to instigate the kiss but he was slowly taking control. And for once she didn't care. All she cared about was the wonderful sensations he was producing. Ewan tighten his arm around her waist, pulling her closer until there was nothing left between them.
The kiss ended as they drew apart, panting. Their chest heaved up and down as they both gathered for air. Ewan laid his forehead against hers. He opened his eyes to look at Cathain but hers were still close. He lifted his hand away from her waist to brush aside the hair from her face, placing it behind her ear. She still hadn't opened her eyes. Ewan took the moment to study her, fingers gently roaming over her face. The arch of her eyebrow, down the slope of her petite nose, and over those soft lips. He smiled when she kissed his fingers as they passed her mouth. He stared in awe of her beauty and the fact that he was here with her. For years he had longed to be more then just a protector and friend. He had wanted to be her lover. This was the moment he had been waiting for.
He took in a deep breath then let out the words he longed to tell her since the first time he had laid eyes on her.
"I..I love you Cathain." Ewan held his breath. For a moment he was worried that Cathain didn't hear him. Her eyes were still closed. Was she asleep? No, because he felt rather then hear her gasp at his confession.
Finally opening her eyes she stared deeply into those soulful hazel eyes of his. Sara was taken aback by the love that shone in those eyes. She could feel her heart, no, Cathain's heart swell up inside. It began to beat so fast she was afraid it was going to just suddenly stop. She couldn't believe such reactions could be created by those three spoken words. The hand that was buried in his hair traveled down to nestle against his bearded cheek. Sara waited for Cathain to answer back, to tell Ewan she loved him as well. But Sara was surprised what was said next.
"I.I know, Ewan. I care for you as well."
Nothing else was said. No words of returned love. Nothing. Ewan pulled his head back slightly. He let out the breath he was holding in a defeated sigh. His shoulders slumped and he swallowed the lump in his throat. He blinked several times and Sara was able to catch the familiar pain in his eyes. Ewan reached up to grab her hand that was resting on his cheek, turned his face and kissed her palm. He forced a small smile and said, "Rest now my lady. It's getting late."
Ewan pulled Cathain with him as he shifted onto his back. She rested her head in the crook of his neck, her hand over his heart. Neither one slept instead both were wallowing in their own thoughts. 'She cares but not enough to love me,' Ewan thought. He laid there recalling how his search leaded him here to Connemera. To the Warrior Goddess, Cathain. How a chance meeting with an old man and a destiny he wasn't aware off had changed his life.
He grew up alone, an orphan at the tender age of eleven. Ewan had no recollection of his parents, if he had any brothers or sisters, or any family that would take him. The only possession of his past were the clothes on his back and a ring that had been too big for him to wear, hanging from a long piece of tattered old twine that was tied around his neck. Ewan bounced from place to place, trying to survive. No one loved him, no one wanted him, and no one cared. That was until an old man with stringy blonde hair and eyes, that were able to pierce into ones soul, found him unconscious, nearly half dead. Starved and cold from sleeping outside in the chilling nights. The old man took him in and nursed him back to health.
During the second night Ewan awoke, panting and drenched in sweat. He had another one of those odd dreams again. This time it was about a woman clad in armor. Her face was hidden, as always, behind the helm of her helmet. On her right wrist was a piece of jewelry with a red stone in the middle. The stone glowed brightly and suddenly the innocent bracelet turned into sword.
"What did you see, boy?" Ewan turned his head and found the old man sitting in a chair staring at a ring. Ewan patted his chest and looked down. His twined necklace along with his ring was gone. "Give it here! Its mine!" He yelled from the bed. If he weren't so weak he would have jumped from the bed and grabbed it. The old man got up from his chair, walked over to the Ewan and sat on the edge of the bed. The old man held out his hand, the ring on his palm.
Ewan reached out to snatch the ring from the old man's hand but he wasn't fast enough. The older man had closed his fingers around the jewelry, securing in his fist. "I will give back your ring. But first tell me what did you see?" Ewan eyed the old man. Not sure if he could trust him. "Don't worry I give you my word you will get your ring back after you tell me." Ewan sighed and began to explain his dream. About the woman and the bracelet that turned into a weapon. True to his words the old man gave Ewan his ring.
"How long have you had these dreams, boy?" The old man continued to sit on the edge of the bed.
"My name is Ewan not boy!" A small smile formed on the old man's lips. He nodded and in response, "My apologizes young Ewan. I meant no disrespect. My name is Lazar." Lazar's smile grew wider, softening his weathered appearance. "Now tell me. How long have you been having these dreams, Ewan?" Ewan placed the necklace around his neck, still clutching the ring in his hand. He looked up to stare at Lazar, his eyes held a far away look as he tried to recall the first time he had the dreams.
"I really don't remember when the dreams started. They just came to me. It's always the same. The warrior woman with green eyes and the weapon she wields with the red stone in the middle. Then there are times when I see another warrior, a knight in armor. He stands in the shadows; always watching the woman warrior, always near by." Ewan blinked and shook his head as if coming out of a trance. Lazar listened and took in everything Ewan had said.
"Where did you get the ring?"
"I didn't steal it if that's what you were thinking." Ewan squeezed his hand around the ring, securing it in his fist.
"I made no accusations, Ewan. I am just curious." Ewan lowered his head. Once again forced to remember that he was alone in this world. No family to take care or love him.
"I don't know who gave it to me for I have no family. It's the only possession I have to a past I can't remember. I've always had it and I've never been apart from it."
Lazar didn't speak right away. He tilted his head, scrutinizing Ewan with his narrowed gaze. Lazar could hear soft clicking sounds as the pieces of a puzzle began to fit together in his head. The dreams about the wielder and the blade. The ring he carried around his neck. But how he came to be an orphan was the only thing that would remain a mystery.
Ewan squirmed lightly under Lazar's scrutiny, pulling the covers higher, clutching it to his chest. Finally Lazar spoke, "Your dreams have meaning, Ewan. You are having visions. Visions of the next wielder of the blade." Ewan's brows furrowed as he listened to Lazar. "Visions? Are you mad, Lazar?" Lazar chuckled at the boy's question. "I see it will take some time to convince you."
"Convince me of what?"
"The woman in your vision is the wielder, an important woman. The weapon she wields, the Llan An Cailleach, holds a great power. And the knight in the shadows is you, young Ewan."
"Me?!" Ewan's eyes widen in disbelief, "That can't be me? I'm.I'm just a.a boy." He lowered his head, "I am of no import. I'm nothing special."
"You are special my son." Ewan's head snapped up and he blinked several times. Obviously taken aback from the endearment of such a simple word, son. It was the first time anyone had said or referred to him in that manner. Surprisingly it was a great feeling Ewan never once had the privilege to experience, he couldn't help but grin. Seeing that Lazar had Ewan's attention he continued to speak. "You have a destiny now, Ewan. You will play an important role in the wielder's life. You will be her protector and her guide. That ring that hangs around your neck is a symbol of that destiny." Ewan removed the ring from around his neck and examined the ornate object. He rubbed the small blue stone that was clutched in the claws of a dragon. As he stared into it he could have sworn it swirled and glowed. But it happened so fast he wasn't sure what he saw was real.
"But why me, Lazar?"
"You have been chosen, Ewan. As to why?" Lazar shook his head, "That I cannot tell you. Whither you believe or shun what I say; you must make a choice. Will you accept your destiny or runaway? But do not answer me now." Ewan fingered the ring, touching the stone one last time before placing it back around his neck. "Come it is getting late and you need your rest. Sleep now, young Ewan. You have much to think about in the morning." And for once in his life, like being called son, Lazar tucked him into bed. Ewan watched as the old man made his way back into his chair by the fire. It wasn't long before Ewan fell asleep. His dreams filled with a green eyed warrior, the blade, and him.