Chapter 8

It was another night when a blizzard had blown its way in. Thankfully their tent was in a crevice in the canyon or they'd be snowed in and buried. Lindel hardly had any time to prepare firewood. He had sent Merituuli out thanks to being not human the cold wouldn't affect him too badly. But there was only so much the little guy could do so Luna sat there buried under the blankets close to Lindel and their small open fire. He had his arms around her and Luna asked, "Is this normal here this time of year? At this rate, we'll freeze." "I was careless this time usually I'm more prepared and have more wood but we'll be fine if we keep close together," Lindel said having Luna sit in his arms.

Hearing Merituuli had returned Lindel looked up as his familiar came in and dropped a bit of wood into the fire and said, "This is all I could scavenge out there Lindel I'm sorry." "No that's plenty thank you Merituuli this little bit helps," Lindel said as he focused on bringing their fire back to full. Within a few minutes it warmed up and Luna still leaned into Lindel. "This should last us until dawn the storm will have passed by then," Lindel said as he held Luna close. Luna took in his warmth and ended up getting cozy enough to where she had fallen asleep. Lindel lay her down and got under the blankets with her. The man knew there was not much they could do for dinner so they had eaten some rations earlier.

He just lay there watching Luna sleep with so many things running through his mind. "Can't sleep Lindel?" Merituuli asked with a yawn. "Not sure I should be used to her lying so close up against me but it makes my mind run a million miles at once. I can't help it I should be used to this as of late I'm so confused." Lindel said softly as she rolled over on his back. "I think you're just in love and confused," Merituuli said grinning and Lindel found himself blushing. He rolled over and Luna pressed close to him in her sleep and he found himself latched on too. Merituuli's words came back to his head and he blushed but the man finally calmed down and would fall out to sleep. Come sunrise the storm had passed and Luna had woken up. Grabbing a change of clothes she ditched the flannels not caring Lindel was there. The woman had become quite comfortable around the man. Though Lindel sat up to see her buttoning up her long sleeve and yawned saying, "Morning already… I wonder how buried we are." "I'm about to find out," Luna said pulling on her shawl she left the tent and came to the entryway. Seeing a wall of snow she blinked and said, "This was a big one." Though Luna squealed as the wall came crashing down on her Merituuli came sliding his way in laughing.

Lindel had been changing when he heard Luna's yell and scolding of Merituuli who was laughing. The man sighed thinking those two were always driving each other crazy. He threw on one final layer before coming out to see Luna flick a wave of snow onto his familiar and the woman said, "Take that you little heathen!" Merituuli popped out of the pile of snow saying, "That was fun do it again!" "Luna quit using magic in such a manner," Lindel said coming over. "I don't see the problem Lindel we're just playing," Luna said. "You need to save your reserves I'll need your help to clear out our camp in one fell swoop," Lindel said taking her hand and Luna followed after him.

The two of them stopped in the Far East corner of their camp and Lindel said, "Now let's remain joined at the hands and I want you to focus and repeat the words I say in your mind. In other words, just focus and make my spell get a boost." He smiled and the two of them closed hands as Lindel said, "Oh winds of the great east build up and grant my desire." As the two focused when the wind picked up around them it blew through their camp and flung all the snow out the west exit and just like that the area was clear with just a thin layer of snow."

Opening his eyes Lindel held Luna close in his arms saying, "You did good did you at least sleep well last night?" Luna blushed looking at him and burying her face in his chest she said, "Yeah I did thanks to you keeping me warm by sleeping next to me." Pulling away she said, "Is it possible for me to go to the city for the day Lindel? There are some things I'd like to do and I know you can't leave the Aerie so I'll take Merituuli with me." "I suppose if that's what you want you can go southwest to the capital of this land Reykjavik. I ask that you be careful will you need some money as well?" Lindel asked.

Luna nodded and hugged him saying, "Yes please, and thank you." "Try and make a day out of it enjoy yourself and mind your surroundings," Lindel said as they walked back into their sleeping area he pulled out a brown box before counting out and handing her some money. "That's the plan maybe I'll pick up some books like normal books while there and we do need more materials so we can have some new clothes," Luna said as she took the money and made sure it was tucked away safely.

Merituuli appeared and said, "Going on a trip I see this should be fun." "Keep her safe Merituuli I'm going to mind to the day's work while you two are gone," Lindel said as they left. The man then saw them off as they rode one of the dragons and took to the sky. The man then went on with his daily chores and rounds. Reaching the outskirt of the city was only a half hour on their ride's flight. Luna was happy to go into the city perimeter and Merituuli walked alongside her saying, "Let me guess you're going shopping for Yule season. I'm not sure Lindel is big on modern objects so maybe find him something old and dusty." Luna saw it was safe and she said, "I'm going to collect supplies and hand-make him something in secret. Maybe some yarn and I can knit him a scarf and gloves, but I mainly wanted to come here to what it had to offer. Unless there are shops that sell magic items?" "Hard to say they only appear to those who need them most. Lindel is of a dying breed of people mages are rare and far few in between. I know London has these things not sure about Reykjavik though." Merituuli said.

Walking the streets the number of weird creatures and spirits seen among the humans was nothing new to Luna. She had her first sightings at the tender age of thirteen and it just became worse from there. Since then her family had long abandoned her in this country. The woman just ignored anything she saw of them and Merituuli kept close as a warning for them to leave her alone. Walking into a store she looked around. The woman would spend a good half of the day wandering from shop to shop and eventually head on back. Lindel was tending to one of the youngling dragons when he saw her come back up the path.

She held some things in her arms and he stood up and walked over saying, "Did you enjoy yourself seems you went on a shopping spree." "Mostly raw material and shush don't ask questions it's a surprise," Luna said as she smiled walking off. Merituuli saw him watch her head back to where they stored supplies and said, "Kissy kissy you just can't stop watching can you." Lindel flicked his familiar on the nose saying, "Hush you and be silent." "Ow that hurt!" Merituuli whined softly and Lindel rubbed his head carrying on with his chores. Lindel had given Luna some more lessons after she came back and they practiced until near sunset. The man saw her blowing her bangs out of her face and the woman's hair was becoming a nuisance.

Leaving and returning with a pair of scissors Luna said, "Cut it chin length it's thick and it's annoying." "You sure it's good for the cold weather I just wanted to trim you up," Lindel said concerned about why she wanted to do that. Yeah but I can't show off my new earrings with my unruly mane now can I?" Luna said brushing her hair back Lindel saw the teardrop earrings and smiled saying, "I see very well besides your hair will be back to this long by next spring for sure." He then started to pull back and brush her hair getting to work. Luna felt her head becoming lighter and soon Lindel was done. Luna leaned into him and said, "Are you going to sleep close to me again tonight?"

"Only if you want me to. Luna are you sure you're okay with staying out of touch with civilization? It's just a big thing for someone like you to make a choice so suddenly. I don't want you to because of m-" Lindel said but cut off as Luna kissed him again startling him. The man felt a sense of warmth coming from her and his arms slid around her. He didn't want her to go he enjoyed every aspect of having her around. The kiss lasted for a good minute before Luna pulled away. "I'll do it again if you ask such a stupid question Lindel." The woman scolded softly. "Eh… okay dully noted I won't bring it up ever again," Lindel said looking a bit nervous not wanting to anger her. Luna smiled and said, "Good now I'm going to change and turn in for the night come lay with me when you're tired and ready." She stood up after that and said, "Good night." "Good night," Lindel said smiling as she vanished heading to bed.

Lindel sat there for a few more minutes his heart pounding from being flustered in such a manner. "I'm absurd…" He said to himself softly and he got up going into the tent. Luna had just finished tugging her flannel top on and she saw him and smiled. Lindel shed the extra layers of his clothing and got to work starting a fire for the night. After that he came over to Luna he lay down next to her and got under the blankets. Luna wrapped an arm around him and Lindel said, "It's always warm when I'm close to you it's actually enjoyable." "It is for me too Lindel after all I do love you," Luna said. The man found himself blushing and as he looked at Luna he couldn't help his pounding heart and he just held her close after that saying, "I love you too Luna…"

He held her close and buried his face into her shoulder as his feelings were mixed up and all over the place. "Are you okay…" Luna asked sounding tired. She then placed her hands on his face and said, "Your emotions are all over the place." Though Luna was caught off guard by a kiss Lindel had gotten her with. The woman melted as she lay there and he pulled away saying, "Sorry..." Luna laughed saying, "It's fine but we really should get some sleep. I can barely keep my eyes open and I got a project I need to start when I wake up…" Her eyes closed and Lindel lay down beside her after adding kindle to the fire. Seeing her finally asleep Lindel whispered, "May you be blessed with pleasant dreams Luna. He kissed her forehead and settled down to sleep.