Chapter Six: Valentine Roses.

A/N: So sorry, yet another filler. But I will be cutting the next filler chapter out, putting an abbreviated version here. I will then proceed straight to the progression of the main events in the next chapter. Thanks for your patience. I also apologise for the long wait, I have MANY personal issues to work out, not to mention exams, but slowly and surely, things are working out. Thanks again for your patience.

Flashback:

They shared their first kiss on the beach by the light of the rising sun; at a time for new beginnings. As they came up for air, Robin smiled that trademark cocky grin and quipped, 'dinner and a movie tonight?'

'Sure' she replied,

'Then it's a date'.

End flashback.

The early morning sun shining through the black gauze curtains pleasantly awoke Raven one morning about two weeks after that fateful morning. She stretched lazily and glanced out the window at the calm sea below. The rising sun, unmarred by clouds promised a clear perfect day.

As she rose and prepared herself mentally for the day ahead, she noticed the tower was strangely quiet. Silently thanking fate, she assumed her meditative pose and began her steady chant. She did not need to meditate as much as before, but still enjoyed the peace it brought.

Prepared for the day ahead, she dressed and started down for breakfast. Unknowing to her, Robin was on a quiet mission of his own. As she approached her place at table, she tuned out the others, now awakened, in their respective rooms. Getting her usual cup of tea, she turned and sat down. After a peaceful breakfast, she prudently decided to retire to her room when she heard the sounds of the others start to descend to the main areas of the tower.

Returning to her room, she noticed a strange bundle on her table, barely visible in the twilight dimness of her room. Disturbed and annoyed that someone had been in her private sanctuary, let alone left something there, she moved to the desk cautiously. What she saw there however, softened her eyes and caused a gentle smile to light up her face.

There sat a bouquet of the deepest garnet red roses she had ever seen, so red they looked almost black. Levitating a vase over, she made a quick trip to fill it with water. Returning to her room, she looked more closely at the bundle. Sitting on top was a note,

Happy Valentine's Day, love.

Look at the stems of the roses please.

There you will find something.

I only have to offer this and a humble invitation to dinner tonight.

I'll see you later this morning. I'm sorry I could not be here,

I was called away on business, but I leave this to be my messenger.

I'll come see you in your room as soon as I can.

Love you.

Oh, there is a surprise in the roses. Happy hunting.

Puzzled, she glanced at the stems. There, holding them together, was a ring. It was crafted of sliver, the band carved with a simple knotwork motif, set with a single black stone. Raised to the light from the window, it glittered with a multitude of all colours of the rainbow. But as she turned toward her room, in the artificial light caused the colours to be still, the stone similar to a simple crystal. Her interest piqued, she resolved to ask Robin about it later.

Carefully placing the ring aside on her desk, she began to gingerly separate the roses, until she realized someone had carefully removed all the thorns. Smiling at his thoughtfulness, she began to arrange the roses in a vase on her table.

As she arranged them, she frowned. There were already twelve deep red roses in the vase. Someone had added another rose so there were actually thirteen. The last one was different somehow. On closer inspection, she found it was a fake flower. It was made of silk, the petals a deep blue; the colour of his eyes.

A note was attached to it. It said simply, 'I will love you until this last rose dies.'

'Do you like it? It is a very special rose. It is one which will never fade or die; it will stay just as it is now. Just like my love for you. And even in the deepest darkest winter, when all is bleak and grey, you will at least have one flower.'

Raven felt soft gentle hands touch her shoulders, turning she saw him standing there, with a gentle smile on his face. 'I finished my work early; I thought to come surprise you. So, I ask again, do you like it? '

'Very much.' Raven stammered. I love the ring. It's beautiful.'

'I thought you would like it. It is a black diamond, different from the others, and mysterious, but with so many deep beautiful facets just waiting to spring to life. It only shows its true beauty in a certain light, but when it does, the variety of colours and the sheer beauty of it surpasses all others. Just like you.' He knew his hooded eyes could not reveal much, trained as he was in the art of hiding his emotions, but he made up for it in his words, his voice, and his deeds.

Smiling, Raven brought his head down to look deeply into his eyes. 'I don't have your silver tongue, nor your skill for beautiful words, but just let me say thank you and I will love you always, no matter what.'

Looking into her eyes, inches away, Robin saw a world of emotion in those huge eyes, revealing to him what lay behind the simple words. She may not have said much, nor elaborately, but her eyes said the thousand words she could not express.

That night, as they returned to the tower, all was dark. They had spent hours walking in the parks, along the beaches, sometimes talking, sometimes silently, just enjoying each other's company.

Robin, being a gentleman, walked her to her room, placing a final goodnight kiss on the back of her hand. Reaching to take the kiss Raven offered, he realized something had changed.

She kissed him goodnight, gently, but with passion, their tongues locked in an intricate dance, tangling. Slowly, gently, their lips still joined, she drew him toward her darkened room. But she did not get far. Robin, sensing what she was about, picked her up in his arms, cradling her gently as he carried her into the room. Her arms were around his neck, her lips palying havoc on his neck, her fingers stroking gently the back of his neck, and down his spine.

As they entered her room, she slid fron his arms, gliding her arms around his waist, drawing him in against her body, drawing him further into the sanctuary she allowed no one to see or enter.

There, by only the light of the moon and the stars, they joined themselves to each other, the ultimate expression of love that exists. Finding in each other, their love returned, and finding fulfillment in that gentle giving and taking as only lovers do.

For a long time later, they stayed there, in each others arms, not thinking but content to just be there, to exist. Letting her gaze wander about the room, Raven spied the bouquet of roses in the vase on her table, and beside it, in a crystal vase by itself, the blue rose. It was then she realized that in this simple but life altering deed, they both were bound, more profoundly than the bonds of love, more deeply than any piece of paper could make them be. They had found their soulmate, their perfect lover, and their one true love, all in one person, in each other.

And in their height of passion, the sacred words fell from Raven's lips. The words that would bind them together forever. My muirn beatha dan, my love destined by fate, by dan.