Araiel stepped onto the shore and picked up her cloak placing it around her dripping self. She followed Aerin back into the cave. He was already half dressed when she entered. He glanced at her briefly but then began to gather up their few belongings. She followed him out of the cave where he saddled up one horse to continue their journey.

It was hours later. They had reached the outskirts of Minas Tirith by nightfall. Dusk was settling in, and they had come to the old cabin where he once lived. Nothing had changed. As they entered, she could still smell the familiar evergreen and the spices. Aerin lit a fire in the faded hearth and took a sit beside the dusty fireplace. Araiel approached him from behind. His eyes were fixed within the dancing flames. Things had been quiet for too long.

"Aerin," she broke the awkward silence. "Talk to me."

"What do you want to talk about, Araiel? What is there to talk about?" he snapped.

"Aerin, you have to understand something. Will you please just sit down?"

He sighed and ran his fingers through his tousled hair. "All right, angel. I'll humor ye for a bit."

"Thank you," she lowered herself to the ground sitting directly across from him. "Now don't talk. No interruptions. Just listen to me for once in your life…" She almost wanted to take back the words, but Araiel had grown braver in the years. "When I left you, I did it for a reason. It wasn't because I didn't love you. I loved you very much. But you know I was always obedient and sensible. I did what I was told. And I knew our countries would fall to shreds. My sister would never have married Hamir. He was a strong ally then. He still is. And I cannot imagine what he must be going through right now. I know you sent a message informing him that I was safe and that I was merely being escorted to Minas Tirith by someone else, but he still fusses over me like a hen to her chicks. He is the very symbol of authority and nobility, Aerin. He is very important to his people. He is wise and grounded so much more than I. I feel like a child when I am with him at times. But he is gentle and patient with me. That is one reason I love him. But I know he loves me more than I love him," she noticed Aerin's eyebrows raise at this. "Aerin, I have no regrets about what I have done. I have grown much stronger and braver within the time that has passed between us. I believe you have done some growing as well. In more ways than one," she smiled at him beneath dark eyelashes. "But you know that this could only end badly between us. This path that we are hovering on. But things are so…complicated now…" her words trailed off, and Aerin took his chance to speak.

"They don't have to be," his jaw was firm and he stood up and lingered over her. Then he did something that completely shocked her. Aerin took her hands within his strong grip and pulled her up to meet his eyes. "Ari, you were robbed of me. You know it was never a life you wanted. You still do not want it. I can see it in your eyes when you look at me, when you play with Celevon. I saw it when you stepped into the lake. It has always been a normal quiet life you have desired. You are bored where you are." Her eyes flared, but he would not allow her to continue. "And don't tell me that ye don't love me. Because I know ye do. Ye don't think that I don't know you by now? You're still mostly the same Araiel. You still had a drive, a passion, a courage but you hadn't tapped into it yet. That's changed. You found it. I know you will never be content to go back to that life you once knew. And now you have to make a choice. You wanted me then. Do you still want me now?"

He searched his eyes for an answer, but she gave no reply. Her expression was blank. They stood for several moments in silence. And then she finally broke down, her knees buckling and her body molding into his. She did not whimper or moan, but he could see the tears falling down her cheeks.

She slowly looked up and whispered. "I don't know what I want, Rin."

He smoothed aside the hair covering her face. "And it's up to ye to decide, Ari."

He softly thumbed her cheek and moved his lips to her forehead. The simple touch enveloped her in a passion. She missed his hands, his scent, and his touch. The one she had known for so long. It was finally here again like a shooting star. His hands began to explore her face. He ran his fingertips across her cheek and along her jaw line and trailed them across her bare neck. He looked into her eyes knowing she wanted him to continue. Aerin gripped the side of her neck with his hand and inched closer to her face. She felt his breath upon her cheek as his lips floated across her eyelids. He kissed her eyes one by one and then moved them to her nose. She felt his chin drop slightly as he softly kissed up her neck and lingered on her jaw.

"What do ye want, Araiel?"

He brushed his lips across hers. It was featherlike, but it sent an electrifying shock throughout her being. She closed her eyes leaning in to him even further. He sighed.

"What am I going to do with you?" he groaned and pressed his lips to hers in passion.

Araiel parted her lips allowing him to explore her further. When he entered, she heard a low growl issue in his throat. And suddenly, he pulled away.

"Damn it, Ari! Give me an answer before you drive me mad!"

"I thought I was," she murmured softly.

"Ye gonna run away with me, lass?" he smiled crookedly.

"I want you, Rin. Just you."
"For how long, Ari?"

"Doesn't matter…" she pressed her forehead against his sighing again. "But tonight will do."
"The entire night, all you to myself…" She saw the corners of his mouth curve upward, and he bent his head to kiss her again and slowly lowered her to the floor.

When Araiel awoke, she noticed two things. First was the sunlight filtering through the window and then Aerin's strong hand slowly draped across her bare stomach. She turned to look at him. He was still sleeping, and she had to admit he looked more beautiful than ever in this moment. She softly pushed aside the stray curls blocking his eyes. He stirred from her movement and opened his eyes.

"Hey there, luv."

She grinned in response. He gently brushed the back of his knuckles across her cheek. She closed her eyes relishing the familiar touch. He touched his lips to hers, and she opened her mouth willing him on. Softly, he pushed her face away for a moment.

"Now, now, angel, we can't start that again or we'll be in bed all day."

"Anything wrong with that?" she giggled.

He groaned. "Oh Ari, what am I to do about ye? Come on," he helped her to her feet.

"Where are we going?"
"We're going to Minas Tirith. I told you I would escort you there. And then we're doing some weaponry practice."
"And then…?" she asked.

"I don't know," he replied in truth. "But it's time for you to see your family. They will begin to worry about your safety."