Elidor: Oooh, something exciting happens this chapter, I know it!
Russa: That's because you already read it...
Elidor: Oh yeah... darn memory blanks.
Russa: O.o Just do the disclaimer.
Elidor: Okeydokey! Russa does not own Dragonlance. The characters and story are hers though.
They stopped for the night, as Riishu had said, in a series of caves at various points along the ravine wall. The group slowly diluted into the caves until only Riishu and Elin were left. They made their way a little farther until Elin spotted a cave that would be just big enough for the two of them.
In silence, the two elves made their way inside. Riishu doled out the food. They ate without a word.
After a while of sitting and staring through a crack in the ceiling at the stars, Elin broke the silence. "Was that how you healed me when I fell?" Riishu nodded, the movement barely visible in the dim light. Elin gazed at her profile, slightly illuminated by moonlight shining into the cave entrance. She looked so fragile, away from the façade she put on when around the other elves. And yet, he saw a light in her eyes yet. Not all hope had faded from the captain.
Elin scooted up next to her and wrapped her in a silent hug. Riishu's stiff posture collapsed, allowing her body to lean on his. The half-breed tilted her head up until her eyes met his.
His face slowly lowered to meet hers. Their lips touched, hesitantly at first, but then with steadily increasing passion. Elin pulled Riishu to him. She didn't resist at all; a shudder of passion shook her body.
When they broke apart, the captain was smiling. "I'm glad you're here, Elin." she repeated. Her eyes said something different, which Elin saw with no trouble. "I love you, too," he told her.
She let her entire body go limp as he kissed her again. This time, when they broke apart, Riishu laid her head in his lap and gazed up at him. There was such a look of contentment and joy in her eyes that Elin couldn't help but kiss her once more.
He was the first to pull back. He wagged a finger at her and grinned. "See? I told you everything would be alright." Riishu knocked the offending digit aside and tackled him. Sitting on top of the half-breed, she leaned in close. "Okay. You were right." she admitted, then kissed him again.
Elin pushed her off and sat up. He wrapped an arm around her waist. "Does it surprise you?" Riishu leaned into his shoulder. "Nah. You're always right." Elin stared at her in shock for a moment before catching the mischievous twinkle in her eye. He mock-growled. "Ha-ha, very funny. Now kiss me, you little imp." She obliged willingly.
After a moment though, Riishu pulled away. Elin reached for her again, but the captain avoided him. She got quickly up and strode outside. Elin followed her, concerned and confused.
He found her behind a rock to the left of the cave entrance. She was sobbing quietly, face in her hands. Elin scooped her up in his arms and carried the unresisting elf back inside.
The half-breed gently set her down and asked. "Riishu, what's wrong?" She raised her head, gazing at him through tear-filled eyes. "Elin, we can't be together. We're in the middle of a war. There's no way…" she choked. He tried to hug her, but she pushed him away again. "It's too dangerous. I'm a wanted criminal, Elin. You personally haven't done anything illegal yet, but if they find out you've been with me they'll hurt you." A tear escaped from her eye. "I can't let that happen."
Elin brushed the tear away and gripped her shoulders. "Riishu, I helped you escape, remember?" The captain nodded. "Right, but they don't know that. You-" Elin cut her off. "Don't say it!" He leaned forwards and kissed her gently. "I don't care," he whispered, his face an inch from hers, "I don't care that you're wanted. I don't care that they may hurt me. All I care about is you. I want to spend my life with you. No matter the cost."
Riishu looked up at him. "But-" Elin placed a finger on her lips. "Shh. No more talking." Before she could protest, he wrapped his arms around her. Drawing the captain close, he murmured, "I love you." Her eyes shone with happiness. "I love you, too." Elin pulled her even closer. "That's all that matters," he whispered. Riishu raised her head to meet his kiss.
Soon after, the elves curled up together. Riishu was asleep within a few minutes, her arms around Elin's neck and her head resting on his chest. He absentmindedly stroked her hair. For the first time in his life, the half-breed felt like he was wanted; like he belonged. He slipped an arm around Riishu's waist and hugged her closer. The sleeping captain sighed happily and snuggled even closer.
Her eyes opened blearily, gazing up at him. She smiled dreamily. "Elin," she murmured. The half-breed tilted her chin up and gently kissed the half-asleep elf. Riishu sighed happily, laid her head back down, and fell asleep. Elin breathed in her woodsy smell, sighed himself, and curled up around her. He drifted off into a deep sleep, lulled by the sound of Riishu's heartbeat.
They're finally together! Huzzah! It took me a full evening to write this part. I'm not very experienced in the fluff department. This is only the second story I've written with any fluff at all really and the other one wasn't very long. Hope it worked out okay for you! There is more coming, no worries!