Sept 2002
Disclaimer: I don't own the characters, I'm just borrowing them. The
story, however, is mine. The lyrics from Gilthanas' song are my
creation.
A New Beginning
Chapter 11
Arlena retired to her chambers and closed the door behind her,
leaning against it. She raised one hand to press it against her wildly
beating heart. She closed her eyes, her mind going back to the room
where Gilthanas was, a tender smile touching her lips. He'd been blown
away by her human figure, that much had been clear. She frowned, "Does
he know it's me?" she whispered, unsure if she wanted the answer or not.
She quickly pushed it aside and vowed to get through the night's meal
calmly and assured; though she knew the task would take most of her
willpower when her heart yelling at her to launch herself into
Gilthanas' grasp and never leave. With him so close again, how could
she let him go? She vowed to stick to business and quickly went to look
in her wardrobe for something suitable for dinner.
***
Gilthanas followed Leth into the main dining room, his head
pounding from already have walked too far but he'd said he'd come and he
was here now. His gaze went to the warrior who would sit at the head of
the table, his mind smiling brilliantly at her while he kept his visage
carefully neutral. In honor of his recovery and first banquet at the
hall everyone had been informed that it was a formal occasion; one where
the knights could let their hair down so to speak and be people. The
Lady Arlena was no exception and she looked stunning in a gown of deep
burgundy red, the sides slashed for better movement and allowing the
gentlemen a chance to glimpse her long muscular limbs. Gilthanas felt a
flare of protectiveness but fought it down. She wasn't his, not yet.
Her neckline was plunging and revealed her attributes amply, the pendant
she wore around her neck kept glittering in the firelight and Gilthanas
was sure he saw it flash silver. The gown had no sleeves but the way
she held herself was what conveyed to everyone that, though she was
dressed as a lady, she was a knight and could defend herself if need be.
Gilthanas walked over to her and bowed to her and the group of
ladies she was conversing with. She saw that there were a few elves in
the group more beautiful in feature than the Lady Knight but to
Gilthanas they didn't hold a candle to her. He turned on his charm and
lavished them with outlandish compliments. Making each blush or advert
their eyes until he finished the circle at Alrena. She raised an
eyebrow, her lips twisted in a faint smile. She still loved to watch
him work the ladies. She no longer felt the strong surge of jealousy,
for his gaze kept drifting back to her as if drawn by a magnet.
Gilthanas had kissed the hands of each woman in the group, except the
lady knight, which he'd purposely saved for last.
She extended her hand to him and he took it gently, as if she would
brake if he held it too hard. He bowed over it once, surprising a gasp
out of everyone that saw, including Leth, who watched with an open mouth
as Gilthanas brought the Lady Arlena's hand to his forehead and then to
his lips, kissing the back gently. He looked up at her through his
lashed, his lips on her hand as he straightened, "My lady," he told her
softly, "You have the sweetest scent and the softest skin. Were I any
other man I might embarrass myself." His eyes twinkled with amusement as
they met hers. Her mouth was slightly agape with shock.
Elven nobility never ever bowed to a lady in the fashion Gilthanas
had just done to her unless they were either family, bound by wedlock or
highly respected. She'd never expected him to do something so obvious
in front of a crowd, not so soon. She risked a glance around. To
almost everyone who wasn't part elven or full elven the gesture looked
to be like an innocent flirt. To anyone elven or partially elven, they
recognized the signal for what it was. She felt her face heat slightly
as she met his eyes.
"May I have the honor of escorting the lady to her seat?" he asked
her softly so that no one else could hear.
She nodded once and he bowed to her, releasing her hand as he
offered her his arm. She accepted it gracefully and eyed him from the
corner of her eye as she walked next to him to the end of the table. He
pulled out her chair for her and then helped her sit. She motioned him
to the seat next to her. "Your highness, will you join me?"
He bowed to her again and then took his seat. The rest in the room
quickly found theirs and the banquet began. Gilthanas watched Arlena as
she watched him. He noticed the frequent questioning looks she sent his
way and hid a private smile. The banquet was a fine affair with jokes
and revelry and music for everyone. They ate easily, conversed quietly
and laughed as the bards displayed some of the funnier parts of their
history. Finally people began to dance and Gilthanas, playing host to a
degree, gallantly requested that the lady Arlena join him in a dance.
She gracefully accepted and laughed as he spun her out onto the dance
floor. People stopped to watch as the music died into a soft, slow
ballad.
Gilthanas and the lady knight came together. She was almost as
tall as he, he noted idly as he only had to tilt his head slightly to
look down at her. He spread his hand open in invitation. She came as
if drawn and he enfolded her in his arms. His heart ached as they
aligned perfectly, even in human form. Without a doubt, this was his
Silvara, his lady. He closed his eyes, tilting his head to rest his
forehead against hers as the music continued. They swayed softly to the
music, disappearing into their own little world.
Arlena fought it. She tried, really she did, but the moment the
music of an old ballad she and Gilthanas had danced to began to play,
she knew she was lost. She went willingly into his arms, aching to be
held by him. She closed her eyes, matching his step perfectly, falling
back into the natural rhythm of dancing with him. She ached. All of
her ached, from her weary spirit to her broken heart and she felt tears
pool in her eyes. She bit her lip, willing them not to fall as the song
continued. She didn't heed the words as the music changed, another
slow, mournful ballad beginning to play. After a few more steps she
felt Gilthanas freeze.
She stopped abruptly, opening her eyes to look up at him. His gaze
held such a longing, a pain and a need that she was forced to look away,
fearing he would see the same in hers. "Listen to the words," he
murmured to her, his voice raw with emotion.
She looked confused but then opened her ears and her eyes widened.
"On Silver wings the lovers flew
Across the streams of Silver
To discover a purpose that they didn't know
Across the streams of Silver.
The lover's pair, an elf and dragon, matched before time
Across the streams of Silver
Brought together in times of trouble, torn apart in time of pain
Across the streams of Silver
A Quest to find his love
Across the streams of Silver
Stretching over twenty year
A quest to find his love
A lost soul mate to make them whole
Across the streams of Silver."
The Lady Arlena would hear no more. She tore herself from
Gilthanas and ran from the hall, tears glittering in her eyes. A Knight
she was and a knight she would always be, but in her heart the song was
tearing her in two.
Gilthanas watched her go as the music died suddenly. He turned to
the guests, "I beg your pardon, that was not the intention. Please, I
will go find the lady and return with her. Continue, please.
Musicians," he turned to them, "something a little more lively please!"
They nodded and Gilthanas turned on his heel and strode from the
hall. He followed the path outside to the garden, somehow knowing she
would seek refuge there. He was suddenly glad that Leth had shown him
the way around the castle before coming to the banquet. His steps were
soft, soundless, as he approached. He melted into the gardens and
quickly went to the middle where there was a shallow stream. Sure
enough, on the single bench by the stream, was the Lady Arlena.
"Silvara," he murmured as her pale straw colored hair suddenly
seemed to reflect silver for a moment.
She looked up, startled and Gilthanas felt his heart clench. Her
cheeks were lined with silver streaks, marking her tears. He stepped
out of the bushes as she pushed herself to her feet, ready to run again.
"Please don't leave," he said softly, knowing she would hear him.
She froze, looking back at him, "Can I do something for you?" She
pulled her knightly stature around her like a cloak, pushing aside the
battered feelings in her soul.
He advanced towards her and finally stood in front of her after a
few minutes of careful treading. He didn't touch her though; he simply
stared down into her eyes. "Why have you been hiding from me?" he
finally asked, his voice raw from how much it hurt asking the question.
"You found me easily enough. I didn't go far."
"I don't mean tonight, I meant all those years ago when you
disappeared without me. Why did you run?"
"I don't know what you're talking about," she couldn't meet his
eyes.
"Arlena... Silvara... whatever it is you call yourself, you are a
part of me, I had to find you again. I felt like you'd shattered my
heart when you left."
"I don't know what you're talking about," she told him again.
Gilthanas saw she was trembling, though, discrediting the words. She
was strong, his companion, but her strength flowed from her spirit and
heart. The heart he'd broken all those years ago when he'd failed to
meet her at Huma's tomb in Southern Ergoth. A promise he'd regretted
breaking ever since.
He raised one hand to her face but didn't touch it, leaving his
hand a bare finger's width away. "You hurt me Silvara, I'd like to know
why," he said softly, his eyes searching her face.
"I'm not Silvara," she told him, meeting his eyes again. Her
breath caught at the naked need in his eyes and she relented, "What
makes you think I'm your lost love, Prince?"
He smiled, "The way you say my name, Lady. The way you move," he
grabbed her hand and placed it over his heart, "And the way you affect
me here no matter what shape you take, be it elf, human or," he paused,
looking deeply into her eyes, "dragon."
Gilthanas saw tears shimmer in her eyes again, "Prove it. How do
you know I'm some mythical creature?"
He gently placed his fingers on her cheek and brushed a silver tear
off her face, "For one you're crying silver tears," he told her softly,
"You know too much to be an average human. The way you hold yourself,
my love, gives it away. Admit it, Silvara, Arlena, whatever it is you
want to call yourself, you are still the only one who makes me feel
whole. You complete me, Silvara, don't deny me the one thing that
brings me happiness, I beg."
"You denied me," she told him rashly, not bothering to deny his
remarks, "You said you loved me and when things came between us you
fairly killed me when you couldn't find the time for me. How could you
do it, Gilthanas?" she asked him, tears running unheeded down her
cheeks, "How could you do that to me, to us?"
His eyes darkened with pain as he gently pulled her into his
embrace, "I'm sorry. I didn't know how else to deal with the confusion
I was feeling. I know now I should have talked to you about it, should
have tried to learn to accept it but I was stubborn and young and full
of a love, I can say now, that I couldn't accept. Ignoring you and
pretending the problem wasn't there was easier. I've learned the hard
way what it is to live without you, Silvara, I can't do that anymore.
I've regretted not meeting you all those years ago, I've paid for my
actions, far more than you know."
She pushed away from him, "You're still calling me Silvara, why?"
He smiled, "That's easy. I fell in love with an elf named Silvara
that was really a dragon. I never did know how to say your true name so
I say the one that I knew you first as. To me you will always be
Silvara, the Kagonesti elf that healed me and stole my heart and the
Silver dragon who loved me and shares my spirit and soul."
Her eyes glistened again, "Prove what you say is true."
He got down on one knee, "I beg your forgiveness, Lady, I know no
other way to make amends for the hurt I have caused than to vow my heart
and my life to you for the rest of my days and beyond."
She pulled him to his feet and then took a few steps back and
pulled her clothes from her body quickly. She saw him swallow hard and
hid a smile. The garden was secluded enough that nobody would be around
this time of night and she felt safe adapting her true form. She
shifted from human to dragon in a few moments, her glistening wings
springing from her back as her nose elongated and her body filled out.
Within minutes the Silver Dragon that had filled his dreams stood in
front of him. Gilthanas took a step towards her, holding out his arms.
She lowered her muzzle and allowed him to hug it as tight as he could.
"I love you, Silver Lady," he told her softly, "I was too much of a
buffoon to see how much and just how badly I need you in my life.
Please forgive me."
The Dragon raised her head and then picked Gilthanas up with one
clawed hand and offered him a step up onto her shoulder. He stepped
onto her back and firmly began to massage the muscle joints of the
wings. He remembered her telling him once, long ago, that Dragons loved
to have their eye ridges scratched and their wing joints massaged. He
did his best now to massage the wings. She stretched out under him,
relaxing and he felt her rumble deep in her chest. He massaged the wing
joints for the next half hour before sliding down off her back and
walking forward to where her muzzle was. He scratched her eye ridges
and then leaned down to hug her snout again. "Silvara, my love, we must
return to the banquet before people come looking for us and find
something they do not expect."
She sighed.
He grinned, scratching the ridges one last time before stepping
away from her, "I know you dislike not being able to be in your natural
form but it's necessary to insure your survival."
She shifted her gaze to him surprised and he shrugged as her eyes
closed and she slowly diminished in size. "Now where do you put all
that weight, my dear?" he asked her teasingly.
She smiled, quickly dressing in her gown and equipment again,
"Easy, It's in my legs," she told him flippantly as she walked over and
then wrapped her arms around hi neck, staring into his eyes. "Do you
find this shape displeasing, Gilthanas?" she asked quietly when he said
nothing and stared at her.
He shook his head, "No. I found the elf more appealing but you've
tried not to make yourself so in your human form. I am still drawn to
you, it's not the form, not anymore. The first moment I saw the Lady
Arlena I knew it was you and I wanted you."
She shifted, as if with a thought, into Silvara and Gilthanas' eyes
widened as she dragged his head downwards. Their eyes fluttered closed,
hearts beating as one as he pulled her into a tight embrace. She felt
his breath on her cheeks, her lips, and lifted her head to meet his.
They hesitated.
"Gilthanas!" called an urgent voice suddenly.
Gilthanas groaned and lifted his head as Silvara suddenly vanished
and Arlena took her place. "Later," he whispered to her quietly. He
removed her arms from about him and offered her his arm which she took
as they walked back to the banquet. Many questions had been put to rest
be neither believed this was to be the last of their discussions. They
made their way back to the banquet hall, laughing softly together as
Leth caught sight of them. They explained their brief absence in as few
words as possible and then, with Leth trailing behind, continued on
towards the hall.
Disclaimer: I don't own the characters, I'm just borrowing them. The
story, however, is mine. The lyrics from Gilthanas' song are my
creation.
A New Beginning
Chapter 11
Arlena retired to her chambers and closed the door behind her,
leaning against it. She raised one hand to press it against her wildly
beating heart. She closed her eyes, her mind going back to the room
where Gilthanas was, a tender smile touching her lips. He'd been blown
away by her human figure, that much had been clear. She frowned, "Does
he know it's me?" she whispered, unsure if she wanted the answer or not.
She quickly pushed it aside and vowed to get through the night's meal
calmly and assured; though she knew the task would take most of her
willpower when her heart yelling at her to launch herself into
Gilthanas' grasp and never leave. With him so close again, how could
she let him go? She vowed to stick to business and quickly went to look
in her wardrobe for something suitable for dinner.
***
Gilthanas followed Leth into the main dining room, his head
pounding from already have walked too far but he'd said he'd come and he
was here now. His gaze went to the warrior who would sit at the head of
the table, his mind smiling brilliantly at her while he kept his visage
carefully neutral. In honor of his recovery and first banquet at the
hall everyone had been informed that it was a formal occasion; one where
the knights could let their hair down so to speak and be people. The
Lady Arlena was no exception and she looked stunning in a gown of deep
burgundy red, the sides slashed for better movement and allowing the
gentlemen a chance to glimpse her long muscular limbs. Gilthanas felt a
flare of protectiveness but fought it down. She wasn't his, not yet.
Her neckline was plunging and revealed her attributes amply, the pendant
she wore around her neck kept glittering in the firelight and Gilthanas
was sure he saw it flash silver. The gown had no sleeves but the way
she held herself was what conveyed to everyone that, though she was
dressed as a lady, she was a knight and could defend herself if need be.
Gilthanas walked over to her and bowed to her and the group of
ladies she was conversing with. She saw that there were a few elves in
the group more beautiful in feature than the Lady Knight but to
Gilthanas they didn't hold a candle to her. He turned on his charm and
lavished them with outlandish compliments. Making each blush or advert
their eyes until he finished the circle at Alrena. She raised an
eyebrow, her lips twisted in a faint smile. She still loved to watch
him work the ladies. She no longer felt the strong surge of jealousy,
for his gaze kept drifting back to her as if drawn by a magnet.
Gilthanas had kissed the hands of each woman in the group, except the
lady knight, which he'd purposely saved for last.
She extended her hand to him and he took it gently, as if she would
brake if he held it too hard. He bowed over it once, surprising a gasp
out of everyone that saw, including Leth, who watched with an open mouth
as Gilthanas brought the Lady Arlena's hand to his forehead and then to
his lips, kissing the back gently. He looked up at her through his
lashed, his lips on her hand as he straightened, "My lady," he told her
softly, "You have the sweetest scent and the softest skin. Were I any
other man I might embarrass myself." His eyes twinkled with amusement as
they met hers. Her mouth was slightly agape with shock.
Elven nobility never ever bowed to a lady in the fashion Gilthanas
had just done to her unless they were either family, bound by wedlock or
highly respected. She'd never expected him to do something so obvious
in front of a crowd, not so soon. She risked a glance around. To
almost everyone who wasn't part elven or full elven the gesture looked
to be like an innocent flirt. To anyone elven or partially elven, they
recognized the signal for what it was. She felt her face heat slightly
as she met his eyes.
"May I have the honor of escorting the lady to her seat?" he asked
her softly so that no one else could hear.
She nodded once and he bowed to her, releasing her hand as he
offered her his arm. She accepted it gracefully and eyed him from the
corner of her eye as she walked next to him to the end of the table. He
pulled out her chair for her and then helped her sit. She motioned him
to the seat next to her. "Your highness, will you join me?"
He bowed to her again and then took his seat. The rest in the room
quickly found theirs and the banquet began. Gilthanas watched Arlena as
she watched him. He noticed the frequent questioning looks she sent his
way and hid a private smile. The banquet was a fine affair with jokes
and revelry and music for everyone. They ate easily, conversed quietly
and laughed as the bards displayed some of the funnier parts of their
history. Finally people began to dance and Gilthanas, playing host to a
degree, gallantly requested that the lady Arlena join him in a dance.
She gracefully accepted and laughed as he spun her out onto the dance
floor. People stopped to watch as the music died into a soft, slow
ballad.
Gilthanas and the lady knight came together. She was almost as
tall as he, he noted idly as he only had to tilt his head slightly to
look down at her. He spread his hand open in invitation. She came as
if drawn and he enfolded her in his arms. His heart ached as they
aligned perfectly, even in human form. Without a doubt, this was his
Silvara, his lady. He closed his eyes, tilting his head to rest his
forehead against hers as the music continued. They swayed softly to the
music, disappearing into their own little world.
Arlena fought it. She tried, really she did, but the moment the
music of an old ballad she and Gilthanas had danced to began to play,
she knew she was lost. She went willingly into his arms, aching to be
held by him. She closed her eyes, matching his step perfectly, falling
back into the natural rhythm of dancing with him. She ached. All of
her ached, from her weary spirit to her broken heart and she felt tears
pool in her eyes. She bit her lip, willing them not to fall as the song
continued. She didn't heed the words as the music changed, another
slow, mournful ballad beginning to play. After a few more steps she
felt Gilthanas freeze.
She stopped abruptly, opening her eyes to look up at him. His gaze
held such a longing, a pain and a need that she was forced to look away,
fearing he would see the same in hers. "Listen to the words," he
murmured to her, his voice raw with emotion.
She looked confused but then opened her ears and her eyes widened.
"On Silver wings the lovers flew
Across the streams of Silver
To discover a purpose that they didn't know
Across the streams of Silver.
The lover's pair, an elf and dragon, matched before time
Across the streams of Silver
Brought together in times of trouble, torn apart in time of pain
Across the streams of Silver
A Quest to find his love
Across the streams of Silver
Stretching over twenty year
A quest to find his love
A lost soul mate to make them whole
Across the streams of Silver."
The Lady Arlena would hear no more. She tore herself from
Gilthanas and ran from the hall, tears glittering in her eyes. A Knight
she was and a knight she would always be, but in her heart the song was
tearing her in two.
Gilthanas watched her go as the music died suddenly. He turned to
the guests, "I beg your pardon, that was not the intention. Please, I
will go find the lady and return with her. Continue, please.
Musicians," he turned to them, "something a little more lively please!"
They nodded and Gilthanas turned on his heel and strode from the
hall. He followed the path outside to the garden, somehow knowing she
would seek refuge there. He was suddenly glad that Leth had shown him
the way around the castle before coming to the banquet. His steps were
soft, soundless, as he approached. He melted into the gardens and
quickly went to the middle where there was a shallow stream. Sure
enough, on the single bench by the stream, was the Lady Arlena.
"Silvara," he murmured as her pale straw colored hair suddenly
seemed to reflect silver for a moment.
She looked up, startled and Gilthanas felt his heart clench. Her
cheeks were lined with silver streaks, marking her tears. He stepped
out of the bushes as she pushed herself to her feet, ready to run again.
"Please don't leave," he said softly, knowing she would hear him.
She froze, looking back at him, "Can I do something for you?" She
pulled her knightly stature around her like a cloak, pushing aside the
battered feelings in her soul.
He advanced towards her and finally stood in front of her after a
few minutes of careful treading. He didn't touch her though; he simply
stared down into her eyes. "Why have you been hiding from me?" he
finally asked, his voice raw from how much it hurt asking the question.
"You found me easily enough. I didn't go far."
"I don't mean tonight, I meant all those years ago when you
disappeared without me. Why did you run?"
"I don't know what you're talking about," she couldn't meet his
eyes.
"Arlena... Silvara... whatever it is you call yourself, you are a
part of me, I had to find you again. I felt like you'd shattered my
heart when you left."
"I don't know what you're talking about," she told him again.
Gilthanas saw she was trembling, though, discrediting the words. She
was strong, his companion, but her strength flowed from her spirit and
heart. The heart he'd broken all those years ago when he'd failed to
meet her at Huma's tomb in Southern Ergoth. A promise he'd regretted
breaking ever since.
He raised one hand to her face but didn't touch it, leaving his
hand a bare finger's width away. "You hurt me Silvara, I'd like to know
why," he said softly, his eyes searching her face.
"I'm not Silvara," she told him, meeting his eyes again. Her
breath caught at the naked need in his eyes and she relented, "What
makes you think I'm your lost love, Prince?"
He smiled, "The way you say my name, Lady. The way you move," he
grabbed her hand and placed it over his heart, "And the way you affect
me here no matter what shape you take, be it elf, human or," he paused,
looking deeply into her eyes, "dragon."
Gilthanas saw tears shimmer in her eyes again, "Prove it. How do
you know I'm some mythical creature?"
He gently placed his fingers on her cheek and brushed a silver tear
off her face, "For one you're crying silver tears," he told her softly,
"You know too much to be an average human. The way you hold yourself,
my love, gives it away. Admit it, Silvara, Arlena, whatever it is you
want to call yourself, you are still the only one who makes me feel
whole. You complete me, Silvara, don't deny me the one thing that
brings me happiness, I beg."
"You denied me," she told him rashly, not bothering to deny his
remarks, "You said you loved me and when things came between us you
fairly killed me when you couldn't find the time for me. How could you
do it, Gilthanas?" she asked him, tears running unheeded down her
cheeks, "How could you do that to me, to us?"
His eyes darkened with pain as he gently pulled her into his
embrace, "I'm sorry. I didn't know how else to deal with the confusion
I was feeling. I know now I should have talked to you about it, should
have tried to learn to accept it but I was stubborn and young and full
of a love, I can say now, that I couldn't accept. Ignoring you and
pretending the problem wasn't there was easier. I've learned the hard
way what it is to live without you, Silvara, I can't do that anymore.
I've regretted not meeting you all those years ago, I've paid for my
actions, far more than you know."
She pushed away from him, "You're still calling me Silvara, why?"
He smiled, "That's easy. I fell in love with an elf named Silvara
that was really a dragon. I never did know how to say your true name so
I say the one that I knew you first as. To me you will always be
Silvara, the Kagonesti elf that healed me and stole my heart and the
Silver dragon who loved me and shares my spirit and soul."
Her eyes glistened again, "Prove what you say is true."
He got down on one knee, "I beg your forgiveness, Lady, I know no
other way to make amends for the hurt I have caused than to vow my heart
and my life to you for the rest of my days and beyond."
She pulled him to his feet and then took a few steps back and
pulled her clothes from her body quickly. She saw him swallow hard and
hid a smile. The garden was secluded enough that nobody would be around
this time of night and she felt safe adapting her true form. She
shifted from human to dragon in a few moments, her glistening wings
springing from her back as her nose elongated and her body filled out.
Within minutes the Silver Dragon that had filled his dreams stood in
front of him. Gilthanas took a step towards her, holding out his arms.
She lowered her muzzle and allowed him to hug it as tight as he could.
"I love you, Silver Lady," he told her softly, "I was too much of a
buffoon to see how much and just how badly I need you in my life.
Please forgive me."
The Dragon raised her head and then picked Gilthanas up with one
clawed hand and offered him a step up onto her shoulder. He stepped
onto her back and firmly began to massage the muscle joints of the
wings. He remembered her telling him once, long ago, that Dragons loved
to have their eye ridges scratched and their wing joints massaged. He
did his best now to massage the wings. She stretched out under him,
relaxing and he felt her rumble deep in her chest. He massaged the wing
joints for the next half hour before sliding down off her back and
walking forward to where her muzzle was. He scratched her eye ridges
and then leaned down to hug her snout again. "Silvara, my love, we must
return to the banquet before people come looking for us and find
something they do not expect."
She sighed.
He grinned, scratching the ridges one last time before stepping
away from her, "I know you dislike not being able to be in your natural
form but it's necessary to insure your survival."
She shifted her gaze to him surprised and he shrugged as her eyes
closed and she slowly diminished in size. "Now where do you put all
that weight, my dear?" he asked her teasingly.
She smiled, quickly dressing in her gown and equipment again,
"Easy, It's in my legs," she told him flippantly as she walked over and
then wrapped her arms around hi neck, staring into his eyes. "Do you
find this shape displeasing, Gilthanas?" she asked quietly when he said
nothing and stared at her.
He shook his head, "No. I found the elf more appealing but you've
tried not to make yourself so in your human form. I am still drawn to
you, it's not the form, not anymore. The first moment I saw the Lady
Arlena I knew it was you and I wanted you."
She shifted, as if with a thought, into Silvara and Gilthanas' eyes
widened as she dragged his head downwards. Their eyes fluttered closed,
hearts beating as one as he pulled her into a tight embrace. She felt
his breath on her cheeks, her lips, and lifted her head to meet his.
They hesitated.
"Gilthanas!" called an urgent voice suddenly.
Gilthanas groaned and lifted his head as Silvara suddenly vanished
and Arlena took her place. "Later," he whispered to her quietly. He
removed her arms from about him and offered her his arm which she took
as they walked back to the banquet. Many questions had been put to rest
be neither believed this was to be the last of their discussions. They
made their way back to the banquet hall, laughing softly together as
Leth caught sight of them. They explained their brief absence in as few
words as possible and then, with Leth trailing behind, continued on
towards the hall.