Sorry, Tristor, for some reason the web page didn't show up when I updated. I could e-mail it to you if you give me your address. Also on June 7th I am changing my shift at work. Instead of 4 pm to 12:30 am I will be working 4 am to 12:30 pm so updates might be erratic until I get adjusted.
Chapter 4--Something Stirring
They set up camp that night by a river. Kylia glanced at the water then flashed Drizzt an impish grin. "Want to go skinny dipping again, lotha uss?" she asked.
"Perhaps," Drizzt said. He knew she was trying to get a rise out of Tarion.
Tarion scowled. "You act the part of a slut," he muttered.
"I've already had that part even though I wasn't willing or have you forgotten?" Kylia retorted and stormed away.
Tarion flushed. This time it was in shame. He had forgotten. He knew Drizzt was glaring disapprovingly at him. He deserved it too. "Excuse me," he said and followed Kylia.
Kylia was standing by the water's edge with her back to him. "Go away!" she said.
"Are you crying?" Tarion asked, seeing her shoulders were shaking. He felt horribly guilty and ashamed for making her cry.
Kylia looked over her shoulder at him and there were indeed tears spilling down her face. "Just leave me be! You've made your point and made it quite clear what you think of me!" she choked.
"I'm sorry. I had no call to speak to you so and no right to judge," Tarion said. He saw past the teasing and brashness to the wounds hid beneath them for the first time.
Kylia turned to face him and wiped her eyes. "I know that I'm tainted, stained," she whispered.
Something in Tarion drew him forward and he soon stood in front of her. "You are not tainted or stained. You're beautiful," he said. He froze; stunned by his own admission and the fact that he meant every word of it.
"Do you really mean that or are you just saying it to ease your guilt?" Kylia demanded.
"No, I actually mean it. You are the most lovely woman I have ever seen," Tarion said. "I guess I was to busy looking for Drow treachery to notice."
Kylia reached up and tentatively touched Tarion's cheek. "I've never felt this way before. I'm not sure what it is," she admitted.
Tarion covered her hand with his. "We both need time to sort through our feelings. We have plenty of time, but there is something I would like to do. May I kiss you, Kylia?" he asked.
Words froze in her throat and she nodded. Her eyes fluttered shut as his lips touched hers. He was so tender and gentle that she nearly started crying again. When he pulled back she stared up at him. Her heart was pounding so hard that she thought it might burst. "I have never been treated with gentleness, I am not sure how to react," she whispered.
Tarion brushed a lock of silvery hair behind Kylia's ear. "We have time, but now we should go back. I think Drizzt is considering cutting off my ears and feeding them to me for hurting his sister," Tarion said.
"I'll protect you, but will you kiss me one more time?" Kylia asked.
Tarion smiled and kissed her again this time putting his arms around her waist and pulling her closer to him. After he released her they walked back to camp together.
Drizzt looked at Kylia questioningly from where he was tending the horses.
Kylia smiled and nodded at him to show that everything was all right now. She went to the fire and sat down. She glanced shyly at Tarion then mentally kicked herself. She was acting like a blushing virgin, which was definitely the last thing she was!
Shandra noticed the glance and glanced at Tarion. "What is going on, Tarion?" she asked in Elvish.
"Tyr save me, I think I'm falling in love and with a Drow," Tarion replied in the same language. He shook his head in bemusement as he walked off to see if he could get fresh meat for dinner.
Shandra stared after him then looked over at Drizzt then suddenly she burst out laughing. This trip was going to be a lot more interesting then she'd thought….
Love blooms…Darn Romance Plot Bunny! R/R please!
Translations: Lotha uss--Little One
