Chapter 15 Traveling

Three days later the Minotaur and the Kender were surprised when their path crossed that of a young, lone plainsman. They watched silently as he approached them with a hesitant and slightly nervous smile and sad eyes.

"Greetings, fellow travelers of the road," he greeted them softly as he walked closer. "My name is Stagheart. I have left my former home on the plains to go on a Mate quest for the other half of my soul."

Taz blinked, smiling up at him as the Kender deliberately reached out with his small left hand, tucking it into Kaz's large right hand with a wide grin on his delicately beautiful face. "Really? Well, my name is Taz, and this is my Soul Mate, Kaz. You are certainly welcome to travel with us. Though, we are headed for Kendermore to visit my mother."

"Well, I- Thank you, that is very, uh.. Kind of you, but.. Your Soul Mate is a Minotaur?.."

"Love that is true knows no boundaries, Stagheart," Taz replied with a suddenly stern expression as he looked up at him with serious eyes where he stood at Kaz's side holding his hand. "You would do well to dwell upon that before considering your own quest for love."

"Of- Of course," the plainsman stammered, his high and elegant cheekbones, which were unusual for one of his race, flushed an enchanting shade of pink. He was clearly much abashed at his own words. "I was merely surprised, is all. I meant nothing cruel by it, please believe me."

"I do," Taz reassured him, suggesting with the usual strange abruptness of eager Kender thought, "Perhaps our friend Tanis might help you in your search? He stays in Qualinost now, though."

"Oh?" Stagheart inquired curiously. "Perhaps I might travel there, then. Is he very wise?"

"The wisest person I know. Except maybe for Raistlin, but you do not want to talk to him. He's a right cranky Mage sometimes."

"Oh. I see. Then I shall seek out this Tanis."

Dalamar closed and locked the door to the shop after sending Crysania on her way. He then switched the wooden open sign in the window to closed before ascending the stairs to return to the kitchen and his family. He smiled with gentle eyes as they all looked up at him when he entered the room.

He was not surprised, however, when they all gave him strange looks. He knew enough of the effects of his talents to assume that there must still be a lingering raw wildness visible in his gray eyes after the spell-song casting. He moved to stand at Raistlin's side, though not close enough for the other Mage to touch him. "Crysania is gone, Shalafi Raistlin," the usually sweet-tempered Elf said quietly. "She will not remember a thing about her visit here, and she will not be back."

"Well.. That is good, then," the red robed Mage said in response, his low voice raspy as he stood up carefully with a sleeping Ulin cradled in his arms securely. "I will just settle Ulin down for his nap so that we can head back downstairs together to reopen the shop."

Stagheart traveled with the Kender and the Minotaur all of the following day, getting to know them. They stopped to build a camp and rest for the night before they would part the next morning, Kaz and Taz for Kendermore, Stagheart for Qualinost.

Taz sat down beside Kaz on a large log, leaning close against his side with a happy, contented smile. The pair was watching the plainsman as he sat down across the fire from them on a second log there with a quiet sigh.

"So," Tasselholf spoke up excitedly, and Kaz realized that his Kender was trying to cheer the human male. "Why did you decide to leave your plains?"

"It was time," Stagheart said with another sigh, though he smiled as he explained it to them. "The plains were never my real home. I have always known, ever since I was a young boy, that my destiny and my true love lay elsewhere from my birthplace. I know not why, but.. the Gods seem to have favored me with this truth, though it has sometimes been, well.. painful, to know that I was never meant to stay there. And my friend.. my best friend Swiftraven, I- I believe that I have hurt him most grievously with my departure. I do care for him, very much, but he has already met his Soul Mate. And I could not share him with another, especially if I loved him in such an intimate manner. I am fully aware of how selfish that does sound, but.. I need someone who will love, truly love, only me. It is just the way that I am. I can not help how I feel."

"No, of course not," Kaz rumbled low, slipping his large right arm over Taz's small shoulders possessively. "I feel the same. I would never share Taz with another for anything on Krynn."

"I would never share Kaz, either. I may be a Kender, but do not let that fool you into complacency. I am fully capable of killing anyone who would even think to lay a hand on him."

"Yes, I- I am sure that you are," Stagheart stated, nodding with clear approval at the abrupt seriousness of the Kender's expression. "Which is as it should be. A lover is one's most treasured acquaintance and possession in life."

"..Dalamar?" Raistlin inquired in his familiar, soft raspy voice later that night where he lay on their bed after having settled Ulin in his cradle.

Caramon sat next to his brother as the Dark-Elf removed his black robes, leaving himself clad in nothing but his ring and collar. "Yes, Shalafi Raistlin?"

"Where did you learn to sing that way? As you did earlier with Crysania, to make her forget?"

Dalamar sighed softly, but he moved to sit as well, naked beside them both on the mattress as he licked his plump pink lips before answering him. "I spent much time among the Kagonesti in my youth, after I was cast out from the icy cold bosom of Silvanesti. ..They taught me to sing in their ways, as well as much else that I think I would not have learned about myself otherwise. I am very grateful to them for the things I learned among them, and I had thought to stay forever there, but.."

"But what?" Caramon asked him with clear curiosity.

"Kerchani. My- My teacher, he.. He made unwanted physical advances toward me. I felt sorry for his pain and loneliness, yes, but I could never have given him the love that he sought. That he needed and deserved. So I left. I am where I belong, now, here with you both."

"Yes," Raistlin said calmly. His golden-hourglass eyes were glittering visibly with love, possession and lust as he reached out for Dalamar, pulling his now familiar form into their arms securely. "Yes, you are."

Stagheart smiled as he bid farewell to his new friends the next morning, waving when Taz did before turning away at the path's fork to head toward Qualinost. He traveled quickly, making good time, reaching the Elven forest before two days had fully passed. The former young plainsman was not surprised when he was stopped at the border by a pair of guards. He clearly surprised them when he asked for Tanis, but they escorted him to a slender beautiful man with long golden hair and green eyes.

The guards explained the situation to him in their lilting, bird-like tongue, and the other man's eyes narrowed as he studied him. This caused Stagheart to barely restrain the urge to fidget uncomfortably under his intense stare as the Elf dismissed the guards back to their posts at the border.

"I am Gilthanas, Elven prince and Speaker of these lands. Tanis is my Forever Lover. What is it that you want with him?"

"My name is Stagheart, formerly of the plains. I do not know Tanis personally, but a friend of his that I recently met on the road, Tasselholf Burrfoot, told me that he might be able to help me with my Mate Quest."

"Really?" Gilthanas inquired of him in clear startlement. "The Kender?"

"Yes," Stagheart replied with a clear smile of amusement. "The Kender. I had never met one before leaving home, though I had heard tell of them, of course. He is quite the little bundle of energy."

"Yes, quite," Gilthanas said with a matching grin that surprised them both. "I shall have Tanis sent for, then."

Tanis was smiling as he walked with Laurana around the garden near the small home that they shared with Gilthanas. He was mindful of her heavily pregnant condition as he watched her out of the corner of his left eye to be sure that she was not tiring too greatly.

"I will not break, Tanthalas, my love," the Elven princess said softly with some amusement.

"I know that, sweetheart. I just do not want anything to ever happen to you, or our child."

"Mmm.." she hummed contentedly, inclining her golden-haired head in agreement before laying it on his shoulder. "And I appreciate that, very much. I know that all of this, us, can not have been easy on you. Not as easy as you make it appear at least, especially after all that my brother and I have put you through."

"No, it has not been easy, that is true," Tanis admitted as he slid his left arm around her slender shoulders gently. "But I love you both, so I can handle it. Trust me."

Laurana was about to say something in response, but a young messenger Elf came up to them just then. The boy bowed to them both respectfully before speaking to Tanis softly. "Speaker Gilthanas sends for you."

"Very well. I will-"

Laurana gasped suddenly where she stood at his side, pressing her right hand to her large belly with a barely detectable wince.

"Laurana? 'Laura, what's wrong?" Tanis asked her quickly in concern, laying his hand on her arm now gently.

"Oh, I- The child, it comes!" she gasped, moaning in pain softly as she leaned against him for support.

"The child? Now?" Tanis gasped, his low voice somehow tense and comforting at the same time.

"Yes, Tanis, now!" she panted, clinging to his arm in clear pain.

"Alright. I will help you inside to lay down," Tanis promised her, turning to the messenger for a moment. "Will you tell Gilthanas about this, please? He needs to come here quickly with the midwife and healer."

"Of course. I shall return swiftly."

Tanis nodded, turning away to lead Laurana back inside their small home carefully. He assisted her to lie down among the sheets and pillows gently. Gilthanas was there with the healer and midwife less then ten minutes later, and her two males retreated to the other side of the room at their direction.

"When did this happen?" his prince asked him seriously. "Is she alright?"

"Just now when we were out walking in the garden. She's fine as far as I can tell. I've never spent much time around pregnant females to be perfectly honest. What was it that you sent for me for?"

"Tasselholf sent this plainsman, Stagheart, here to speak with you. Apparently, he thought that you could help him on his Mate Quest."

"Taz said this?"

"Yes."

"Well, I will go and speak with him then, I suppose. Will you take care of Laurana if she needs anything?"

"Of course I will."

"Thank you."

Stagheart stood outside the small home shifting from foot to foot nervously. His fingers were twitching slightly, the fact that he knew what was going on inside making him even more anxious to speak to Tanis and be on his way. He visibly relaxed when the door opened and then closed as the man that he assumed he was seeking came out.

"I am Tanis," he stated abruptly, surprising Stagheart with his tone. "Gilthanas told me that Tasselholf sent you here to me. I am sorry if I am being unintentionally rude, but Laurana is in there giving birth to my child-"

"What? But I thought that-" Stagheart stammered, blushing bright red at Tanis's strange look in response. "The Speaker said that you were his. Uh, not that it's any of my business, of course."

"I do belong to Gil, and he to me. We belong to each other. Laurana is Gilthanas's sister, and she belongs to me. Now, how can I help you, Stagheart? Gil said something about Taz?.."

"Yes, I- I met him and his lover Kaz on the road-"

"Kaz? Really?" Tanis interrupted him with obvious surprise, watching in some befuddlement as Stagheart nodded in the affirmative. "Mmm.. Well, Kaz and Taz does have a nice ring to it. So, continue."

"Uh, right. Anyway, we met on the road. I had no idea where I was going after I left my former home on the plains, but they were for Kendermore. I told them about my own quest to find a Mate, and Taz said that you might help me somehow."

"Well, and this is just a guess mind you, though my guesses are usually right. But given your name, I would suggest that you seek out the Forest Master of Darken Wood. She should be able to help you."

"The Forest Master?"

"Yes."

"Who is she?"

"She's a unicorn."

"A unicorn? Really?"

"Yes."

"Oh, well.. Thank you. You, uh.. Probably want to get back to, uh.. That. So I'll just go.." Tanis smiled at Stagheart's obvious discomfort, offering, "You are certainly welcome to spend the night here and get a fresh start in the morning."

"Really? Thank you. I accept your hospitality."

Laurana was screaming when Tanis opened the door to go back in, so he quickly shut the door behind him and went to kneel at her side opposite Gilthanas. He was surprised to see that her hair and beautiful face were already wet with sweat from her exertion.

"Things are progressing smoothly," the midwife said with a smile in his direction before turning back to Laurana when she whimpered softly in pain. "It should not be long now."

A little less then an hour later Tanis was holding their newly born child in his arms with a wide grin on his face as the midwife and the healer woman withdrew to let them enjoy this moment together alone.

"What shall you name him?" Gilthanas inquired with a smile in return.

Laurana was grinning as well, though somewhat tiredly, as was to be expected after giving birth.

"Tanthas," he said firmly in reply, smiling at them both with contented eyes as he passed the tiny bundle wrapped in blue blankets with a thatch of red-blonde hair upon his little head into Gilthanas's arms carefully.

He held the sleeping babe for a while in silence, though he was clearly uneasy about holding something so small and vulnerable, soon giving Laurana her turn before his sister fell asleep.

Tanis took the boy babe back into his arms then, moving closer to Gilthanas and leaning back against his chest with a smile. He was clearly pleased when his cousin slid his arms around his waist, holding him securely as he took Tanis by the chin gently. His fingers turned his head slightly so that he could press his lips to his in a tender and coaxing kiss.

"..Tanis?"

"Yes, Gil?"

"Would you.. lay with me?"

"Yes, of course. Nothing could make me happier."

He laid Tanthas down beside Laurana carefully, making sure he was warm and that he stayed asleep before they moved to the other side of the room together. Gilthanas took Tanis in his arms and lowered him down onto his back, kissing him on the lips gently as they removed each other's clothes quickly. Tanis moaned softly, helplessly into his kiss, causing Gilthanas to smile against his lips when his cousin sweetly spread his legs open for him. He gasped sharply when Gilthanas broke their kiss to lower his mouth to the small and tight excited nub of his left nipple, licking and nipping at it hungrily with a soft growl of desire.

"Ahh, Gil!" Tanis cried out, though he clearly tried to keep it down for Laurana and the babe's sake. He was arching his back and bucking his hips unconsciously when Gilthas sucked his peaked flesh deep into his hot mouth, his face and chest flushing pinkish-red with his passion. "Do not stop! Please, do not stop!"

Gilthanas paused only long enough to switch his attentions to his other nipple when the first became too sore for him to continue with it in good conscious. Soon, Tanis's whole body was thrashing wildly, his muscles taunt with need. He was twitching visibly, oversensitive as he practically wailed for him. The half-Elf desperately tried to stifle his sounds as his hips moved, grinding his naked butt into the sheets ands blankets without realizing it, obviously seeking the by now familiar friction deep inside his ass.

Gilthas slipped down between his legs while his beautiful cousin was distracted by his need, knowing that what he was about to do would only intensify his lover's need. He began kissing his opening before sliding his tongue along the sensitive skin of his lover's divide, causing Tanis to gasp with clear shock and squirm helplessly when the Elven prince then began to lick at his hole tenderly.

"Ahh, Gil! Hot, wet! Gil! Gil, please!" Tanis begged him in a hushed, pleading voice. His breathing was low and ragged with desperate want. "Ahh, Gods of Krynn! Please, take me, beloved cousin! Inside, need you inside me!"

"With pleasure," Gilthanas purred, rising above him now as he slicked himself up thoroughly with warmed oil.

Tanis parted his legs wider still, gasping as his cousin slowly started to push his hard, hot cock deep within his tight, aching channel. He winced at the slight stinging burn as he accepted his invasion of his body eagerly, wrapping his legs around Gilthanas's waist in order to coax him inside deeper.

"Tanis!" Gilthas hissed through gritted teeth, arching his back slightly when Tanis's hot and sweat slick hands touched his bare skin there. "You.. So tight! Never get over you! I love you!"

"I love you, too, Gil! So much!"

Gilthanas started to thrust his hips, driving himself deeper into Tanis's body, taking them both closer to their peak. This caused his cousin to moan and cry out raggedly as he came hard, his channel clamping down around Gilthas's cock. The older man jerked with a low groan as he spilled his seed deep into him, Tanis's arms coming around him when he slumped down atop him with a contented sigh.

"Mmm.. Gil," Tanis said quietly in his ear.

"Yes, Tanis?"

"I never thought that I would meet an Elven prince who was so good at kissing ass.."

Gilthanas laughed quietly.