Chapter 27: Returning Home

Thanks for your comments, romulanlover and Guest! Since Vekal's family and clan were already targeted by the Tal Shiar, the family of his first wife did not really have anyone to initiate a blood feud with. Vekal's ex-wife was ultimately just as relieved as Vekal about going their separate ways.


As the last week of their vacation in Mirek came to an end, Asha slowly became used to sharing a bed with Thorek in a physically intimate manner. She mulled over the fact that they had two separate bedrooms at home and wondered how to ask Thorek about their bedroom arrangements after returning to the capital. She was also wondering about how she was going to hike in the woods without fearing for her life; for after the attack, she had reluctantly made sure to explore the woods with another person at least occasionally. However much she appreciated Kihika or Thorek's company, she preferred to be on her own so she could let whatever thoughts that crossed her mind do so unchecked and uninterrupted. During the moments she was alone, she observed and her mind turned her observations into verse.

Solitude in nature inspired her with poetry in Rihan. Romulans loved stories, and storytelling was a crucial part of their everyday life. They often punctuated their narratives about something exciting they had experienced with little anecdotes and ditties. But now, visiting the woods alone near her home made her nervous. She had developed the habit of stopping, looking all around and continuing…only to do the same thing a few minutes later. Ironically, she was becoming more paranoid than the average Romulan.

And so Asha had secretly decided to write sonnets in the shape of little stories, with an arguing couple that kept showing up throughout the book for comedic effect. Some of her poetry was deeply erotic, drawing on her imagination when she was younger and on her actual experiences with Thorek. Asha was not fond of flowery descriptions or purple prose, in contrast to many Romulan poets who portrayed intimate acts by juxtaposing them with lush descriptions of nature. She found her erotic poems the most difficult ones to write because they were so intimate, and all the more rewarding.

Her discovery of sexual pleasure with her husband boosted her enthusiasm to pen such poems, though she made sure to write them when she was alone and to hide the booklet she wrote in. Thorek's interest in poetry was limited, and she wasn't sure how he would react if he knew that she was basically writing about her sexual experiences with him. He was making an effort, however, to learn more about Human poets. Throughout her writing, she kept her language tutor's suggestions in mind, for Rhian was a thorough instructor and insisted that Asha possessed a natural gift for verse, even hinting that with further mastery of the language, she would consider some of Asha's writing for publication – an idea that struck Asha as completely insane. A Human writer's first shy attempts at Romulan poetry? It sounded preposterous. And so she wrote quietly, clandestinely and bashfully. It almost felt like she was trespassing or breaching a law. It was that taste of the hidden, of keeping it all silent, that gave her a secret thrill and motivation to write the way she did.

Thorek didn't know how right he was when he discovered her reading a Romulan drama in bed and he remarked: "My ailhun, you make as much love to the books you read as you do with me."

Asha lowered her book.

"Are you trying to distract me from my book and refocus my attention on you?" she asked, smiling.

"Indeed," Thorek said, removing his clothes and sitting on the bed, naked.

"What's the best way to tell you if I should happen to just want to sleep?"

"Then just tell me."

"You won't be annoyed or feel rejected?"

"No. I would tell you the same thing if I weren't, to use your Human expression, in the mood. It can happen more often than you think," he said wryly and got into bed next to her.

"Okay. I was wondering how to ask you."

"Ashaya," he said gently. "You think too much of the future and details."

She groaned. "Why does everyone say that?"

"Because it's so obvious."

She chuckled. "Is that the Vulcan in you speaking?"

"The Vulcan and the Romulan," he said, kissing her. "Are you in the mood?"

"Very."


Asha was pensive and silent while she packed her bags. It was their last day in Mirek, and she was a little sad to leave. Thorek noticed, and when it was time to leave, he gathered her into his arms and stroked her hair.

"I'd like to come here again next year, my ailhun. What do you think?" he murmured. She raised her face and smiled.

"So would I, my deyhhan."

A signal followed by a knock on their door revealed Kihika, who had returned from her own vacation. Her fiancée had left for Romulus to return to the family she served. Asha greeted her with an affectionate hug, and Thorek, though more reserved, was just as pleased to see her again. Together, they checked the room for any items they might have forgotten and made their way to the flitter with Kihika in charge of the luggage transport device. Christine and Vekal had already loaded their flitter with Galan's aid and were ready to leave. The staff of the residence saw them on their way with a gracious farewell, and the two couples boarded their respective flitters.

Asha was at the wheel again, since she enjoyed driving, and off they headed for Romulus, following the same route and plan to lunch with Christine, Vekal and Galan.

As evening approached, Asha saw the huge raptor on the senate building of Romulus in the distance. It seemed to glow ominously as she approached the capital. No doubt there were hidden scanners checking the outgoing and incoming traffic, and Asha watched her speed limit carefully. Thorek was dozing in the passenger's seat, opening his eyes every now and then to get his bearings, and Kihika was engrossed in her wedding arrangements.

Asha couldn't help shivering as she flew close past the senate building, recalling Senator Vreenak's stare around a year ago and the fact that the whole planet was governed from the halls of the imposing structure. The raptor looked anything but welcoming as she passed it, and she heaved a small sigh of relief as she directed the aircar towards her home on Romulus. She parked gracefully in front of the villa and got out, stretching. Kihika smiled to herself when Thorek stroked Asha's forearm with two fingers and she took his hand.

Despite her sadness about leaving Mirek and her trepidations about returning to Romulus, Asha was glad to be home. And the topic she had been worrying about suddenly came very naturally to her lips when she asked Thorek: "Since we shared our bed as lovers in Mirek, my husband, do we leave our bedroom arrangements unchanged or shall we revise them?"

Thorek laughed, as he thought her manner very business-like.

"I am most agreeable to sharing a bed with you whether we mate or not, Ashaya. I would simply suggest some furniture rearrangements."

They agreed on his moving into her bedroom, as it was larger than his, and keeping his as a spare just in case one of them wanted to sleep alone. Then they contacted Christine and Vekal to ensure that they, too, had arrived safely.


After spending the next day unpacking and going through their purchases, Asha suggested a well-deserved break by going for a walk in the woods. As they relaxed on a bench, Asha commented on how many of the hikers had set'leths with them.

"A set'leth is a very popular and much beloved domestic pet," Thorek said.

"Yes, I recall Shah'ko."

"Nearly every Romulan child grows up with a set'leth, and almost every Romulan household has one."

"Christine said they had been thinking of getting one when she was pregnant, but when she miscarried, they scrapped the idea. She thinks it only makes sense to have a set'leth if there's a child in the house."

"Do you agree with her?"

"No. Maybe she thinks that getting a set'leth would be like a child replacement or something. I think anyone who has enough time and resources should be able to enjoy the company of a set'leth. They seem to be friendly creatures if well trained."

By now, Asha had patted many a set'leth. The creatures couldn't be bothered about her Human DNA, in contrast to some of their owners.

A few days later, the spring festival, one of the most important occasions on the whole planet, started. Asha had not bothered about the celebrations last year. She had been struggling with the outcome of her kidnapping and Thorek with the aftermath of his breakup with R'ëal. How much things had changed since then! This year, she decided, she would attend the festivities. As she discussed her plans with an enthusiastic Kihika, Thorek asked for a few minutes of her time, saying that he had something important to discuss with her, and if Kihika could accompany them.

Asha, puzzled, took his hand and went downstairs, glancing at him several times. His expression was neutral. Maybe he had found another lover. But why would Kihika have to be present in that case? They reached the hall, where a large basket was sitting on the floor.

"I believe Humans celebrate a large variety of feasts on Earth during the spring season," Thorek announced, sounding as grave as a judge, "during which family members gather together for the festivities. As we are currently celebrating our spring festival and you have expressed interest in obtaining a pet…" He handed her the basket. She looked at him with wide eyes.

"Open it," he said, smiling. She obeyed. Inside, a pair of large shining eyes peered out, surrounded by lots and lots of dark brown fur. Two enormous fluffy ears poked out. It was a set'leth cub. Asha stared, completely silent. Thorek looked concerned.

"In case you do not approve of her-"

Asha put down the basket carefully and threw her arms around his neck. "Oh my goodness! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! She's lovely!" She covered his face with kisses. Thorek turned bright green and pressed her to him tightly. He let go reluctantly when Asha knelt down and took out the cub. The little creature snuggled into her arms, and Asha rested her cheek against the top of its head. It was love at first sight, and Asha christened her Lilou on the spot.

"Why Lilou?" Kihika asked, voicing Thorek's thought.

"I don't know. It's of French origin. She just looks like a Lilou," Asha said.

"I grew up with a set'leth, my Lady. I'll show you how to train her properly so she'll be a faithful companion to the whole household."

"With some input from me," Thorek added, sounding amused.

"Lilou," Asha cooed, placing her on the floor and laughing as Lilou ran around her, eager to play.