Cupid's Arrow

Part IX

A month had now gone by and Ramsin and his sorceress had made no attempt to go after or harm them.

The gummi's went about doing things in their ordinary daily lives although it had been noticed by most how much better Gruffi and Taffi got on together and fewer arguments occurred.

Jasmin and Gusto were usually out of the Glen either at Gusto's place or somewhere in the forest. A majority of the time was spent with the two going over and discussing art projects or Jasmin posing for him while he created masterpieces of her. The two though would sit and watch the sunset every evening without fail because Jasmin loved sunsets so they would watch them sat on top of the waterfall with her head rested on Gusto's shoulder and his arms wrapped around her.

All the Glens knew that he had been courting Jasmin over the last month and was only a matter of time until the two became mates. Gusto had been worried that Sunni might take it rather hard but so far she seemed happy about it.

Far away in the shadows and darkness of ancient and evil lands Alarna Ramsin's sorceress roamed. Here she planned her revenge and how to take what she needed from Jasmin and rule the world in darkness. Everything foul and evil lurked in the shadows of this broken land the world between worlds, although Alarna's body could not enter here her mind could and this is where she escaped that idiot Ramsin.

The land was barren and wasted and the rivers ran blood, the sky was bleached black and red swirling and raining down light showers of blood. The sun itself was dark orange and red signalling this world's destruction.

Sat in a high chair of silver with dark red and purple silk cushions Alarna sat looking into a misted over crystal ball stood on the table infront of her. The crystal began to clear and show her Jasmin and her friends at the present then misted over again and showed her a year into the future. She curled her lips and thought for a minute then slowly began smiling drumming her fingernails on the table.

"Well, if I can't capture you myself then maybe I can use your cubs to capture you" she said then began to laugh.

Her laughter echoed off the walls and out into the dark void of the dying world.

Taffi and Jasmin sat out on top of the waterfall by Gusto's home talking. It was now early afternoon but the girls kept on talking since over the last month they'd hardly seen each other so they used this time to talk over what each other had been doing. Time crept by slowly and the two fell silent not really having anything else to talk about when they heard laughter. They both became alert that was evil laughter and laughter they knew very well it was Ramsin's sorceress's. They looked around the clearing until they were satisfied that she was not near them and they must just be hearing her thoughts and actions from far off they sat back down again in complete silence both lost in their own thoughts.

"Taffi" Jasmin said finally.

"Yes" replied Taffi.

"How long do you think it will be before Alarna strikes again?" asked Jasmin.

"Alarna?" said Taffi confusedly.

"Oh, that's Ramsin's sorceress's name" explained Jasmin.

"Oh" replied Taffi. "Well, in answer to your question it could be anytime you can never know really".

Jasmin looked down with a worried look on her face she really wanted to know everything would be alright but not even Taffi could tell her whether it would be or not.

Feeling uneasy the two headed back to the Glen quickly and upon entering headed to Jasmin's room where they would be left alone. The two had walked in silently and no one had noticed them come in so when the evening meal came nobody came and got them because no one knew they were there. Emerging several hours later from Jasmin's room the after discussing many events possibly to come and Taffi trying to get Jasmin to tell her about her past although it was difficult because on a few occasions she broke down in tears remembering the sheer horror of them. The two girls last topic though had wandered again onto what had happened in their lives lately and especially the gummi's they'd spent it with. With smiles plastered on both their faces they walked down the corridor into the Great Hall in high spirits all worry from early banished. They walked into the Great Hall where Gusto stood looking a bit frustrated, but seemed to brighten up as Jasmin walked in.

"I've been looking all over for you," he said as Jasmin walked up to him.

"Is it sunset already?" she asked.

"Yes" he answered and the two left the Glen.

They walked over to Gusto's and sat by the waterfall watching the sunset but this was not like other sunsets something was going to happen Jasmin could feel it but she couldn't distinguish whether it was good or evil.

He led her hand in hand all the way to the waterfall and for some strange reason seemed to be smiling all the way and whenever he could he looked at her, which made her wonder what he was up to. Finally, reaching the waterfall they went and sat down on a boulder nearby and wrapped their arms around one another. Jasmin rested her head on his shoulder and noticed he seemed a little tense, but didn't know why. Deciding it not to be too important just now she contentedly watched the sun sink. A warm breeze blew by playing with her hair and she smiled this was a perfect summer evening.

Birds sang in the trees around, the trees swayed slightly in the warm, sweet smelling breeze and the sky was bleached yellow and pink as the sun slowly descended.

Gusto suddenly turned to face her and looked at her so she looked up at him from where her head rested on his shoulder. He was smiling then after a moment or to of gazing at her he said, "Can I ask you something?"

"Yes" replied Jasmin getting a fluttery feeling in the bottom of her stomach.

Gusto left her side and stood infront of her holding her hands then slowly went down on his knees.

"Will you be my mate?" he asked.

Jasmin was overwhelmed with emotions she didn't know what to think or feel, but responded with the only answer she could think of "Yes" and flung herself into his arms.

Gusto cradled her in his arms feeling like the luckiest gummi on Earth as his smile widened and he pulled her closer to him.

Taffi feeling a mix of emotions due to the events of the last month decided to go for a walk after Gusto and Jasmin left to clear her head and think over things so she left the Glen.

She walked around the forest not really looking where she was going the only thing she knew was that this was a part of the forest she'd never been in. Her thoughts weren't on where she was going instead they drifted off to a particular gummi back in the Glen.

The sky began to grow dark and the crescent moon rose high into the sky with bright, shining stars peering out. The wind blew rustling the leaves and the sound of running water could be heard, but Taffi was at the other end of the forest from Gusto's. She walked over finishing her song and lifted herself up onto one of the rocks. A large tree stretched over providing shade, but not too much because the moonlight still shone down on her. She laid down on the rock and closed her eyes listening to the melody of the river.

The Glens sat round the fire in the Great Hall it was getting late and Jasmin, Gusto and Taffi were still outside. They'd been sat for an hour waiting for them thinking they would probably realise the time and come back soon, which did turn out to be partly true because Jasmin and Gusto walked in about five minutes later extremely happy. However, Taffi did not return and time crept by the cubs were sent to bed while Gruffi, Gusto, Zummi, Jasmin and Tummi went out searching for Taffi, Grammi stayed behind with the cubs.

They separated outside each going a different way so that if Taffi was in the forest one of them would find her and agreed to meet back in a couple of hours.

Gusto though teamed up with Jasmin wanting to stay close to her incase Ramsin's sorceress attacked.

The moon crept higher and a chill wind blew past letting Gruffi know it was already early morning. He walked along hoping that Ramsin and his sorceress had nothing to do with this, but as he walked on he was getting more and more worried. He'd been out just over an hour now searching and knew he'd have to turn back soon. He was searching near the edge of the forest when the sound of running water caught his attention. As far as he knew no rivers flowed through the forest but then again they'd never really ventured to this side of the forest there was no need to. He followed up the course of the river up into a clearing then saw what he sought. There lying on a boulder slightly shaded by a large tree nearby was Taffi peacefully sleeping. He walked up to her slowly and quietly so he wouldn't wake her until he stood right beside her. Carefully he sat down on the boulder next to her and watched her sleep she looked at ease and so innocent. He sat thinking a moment less than a month ago he would have said he disliked her now he was deeply considering the fact that he loved her.

Taffi stirred slightly and a soft moan escaped her lips as she turned over. Gruffi placed his hand on her shoulder and gently shook her; she moaned again and opened her eyes a sliver to see who it was. She sat up fast when she saw it was Gruffi then grabbed her head as a dizzy spell over came her.

"Lay down" she heard him say.

Gruffi still had his hand on her shoulder so he slowly began to pull her down and surprisingly enough she didn't resist. She laid back down on the boulder and stared up at him and smiled then said "What are you doing out here?"

"Could ask you the same thing" he replied.

Her smile broadened and then he continued "if you were a cub you'd be in a lot of trouble right now"

Taffi continued to smile at him then answered "But I'm not a cub am I?"

"No" he whispered back looking away from her.

Taffi sat up again but more slowly this time so she didn't get dizzy then turned and looked at him. She was worried he seemed to be fighting a battle inside himself and losing, she placed her hand on his shoulder and he turned round. A pained look was in his eyes but she didn't know why she lifted her hand and unconsciously began to caress his face but that only seemed to make it worst and he was staring at the floor again. She placed both of her hands onto his shoulders and turned him round to face her the said "Look at me"

He slowly lifted his head and met her gaze the only thing he wanted to do right now was to tell her how much he loved her but he couldn't find the right words.

They sat there in silence saying nothing but their eyes giving much of their true feelings away. Gruffi scooted closer to her until he was sat directly infront of Taffi with hardly any room between them. He sat infront of her and tried to speak but he kept stuttering and couldn't get a word out so he sat looking her and closed his mouth now feeling incredibly stupid and embarrassed but surprisingly enough Taffi said nothing just gave him a quick smile. He opened his mouth to speak again but Taffi put a finger to his lips and shushed him he looked confused and even looked a little scared when Taffi leaned forward. She whispered in his ear before he could say anything.

"I know what you are trying to say" she paused "And I feel the same"

When she sat back down Gruffi's face looked shocked, relieved and happy and he surprised her by wrapping his arms around her and pulling her onto his knee. She snaked her arms around his waist then looked up to see him smiling at her, she smiled back and he leant over and kissed her cheek while she then leant up and caressed his face but this time she saw no pain just love reflected in his eyes. They stayed in that position for a few minutes before Taffi said "Why were you out here?"

"I was looking for you" he replied.

"Just you" she asked.

"No" he answered.

"In that case don't you think we should be heading back" Taffi said.

Gruffi nodded so she slowly got up then took his hand in hers and began walking back to the Glen. The two made it back before any of the other's so Taffi went inside while Gruffi waited for the others. He didn't have to wait long before Gusto and Jasmin came back followed by Zummi and the rest.

"Did anyone find her?" asked Jasmin.

Everyone shook their heads apart from Gruffi who just stood by the entrance not saying or doing anything. The group headed in feeling weary and depressed and walked into the Great Hall. Jasmin looked over at the fireplace and she froze there sat in a chair by the fire with a shawl wrapped around her shoulders and a mug of tea in her hand was Taffi happily talking to Grammi.

"TAFFI" Jasmin screamed then threw herself at Taffi.

"Easy Jaz" replied Taffi as Jasmin hugged her tightly.

The others apart from Gruffi all looked shocked but pleased that Taffi was okay and back in the Glen. Then Jasmin looked up at Taffi and her face turned serious and she said, "If I weren't so happy to see you I'd be very angry right now"

"What are you my mother quit worrying Jaz," said Taffi returning the hug.

The others slowly crept off to bed leaving just Gruffi, Taffi, Gusto and Jasmin. Taffi sat back down in her chair while the other three sat in chairs around her. The light from the fire flickered and wavered it threw huge shadows into the corners of the room and shone on Taffi's face warming her cheeks giving a slight red glow to them. She yawned loudly and rubbed her eyes then looked at the others, they were staring at her, which made her slightly nervous and fidgety.

"Taffi, why were you out so late?" Jasmin finally asked curiosity overwhelming her.

Taffi yawned again then looked at Jasmin and simply told her " I fell asleep "

Jasmin wore an expression that sort of meant 'typical' shook her head then leaned back in her chair and yawned.

"We should go to bed," said Gruffi standing up.

Gusto and Jasmin nodded then stood up, but Taffi remained sat not making any sign she'd heard Gruffi say anything. She was wrapped in her thoughts about her and Gruffi, how would Ramsin and his sorceress strike next and general thoughts on what the future held when she felt her self being lifted up. She looked round slightly surprised then she saw Gruffi and she smiled warmly and relaxed wrapping her arms around his neck and resting her head against his shoulder. He walked out of the Hall and down the corridor with Taffi in his arms and as soon as he was out of sight Jasmin turned to Gusto and said, "What's with them?"

"Don't know" replied Gusto shaking his head.

"Did he get hit on the head or something because last time I saw them together they hated each other," said Jasmin.

Gusto turned and smiled at Jasmin's comment then took her hand kissed it and began walking down the corridor hand in hand with her.

TBC…

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