An epic journey

Kaura smiled brightly up at Tristan as he gently rubbed his thumb over her cheek. She shivered slightly, happy tears gathering in her eyes as he spoke softly to her, reassuring her. It was as though he wanted her to no that no harm would ever come to her as long as he lived. "With you by my side, I know I'll be fine." She whispered, her hand clutching his. And she met his eyes shyly, which was almost silly considering their previous actions.

She laughed softly when he pulled her into his warms, and pressed her cheek against his chest. She let him lay them both down, and pulled him in close under the covers. She enjoyed the feel of his naked body against hers, seperated by just a slick layer of sweat born of their lovemaking. It was almost arousing, if she wasn't so content being in his arms, sharing the caring moment. "Goodnight." Kaura whispered, and planted a kiss on his forehead. A slight smile pulled on her lips as she recalled the human term for mates, what she wuld call Tristan here in this world. "My dear Husband." She whispered, her eyes closing. Even if she couldn't bring herself to say it yet, her love reflected the love that threatened to overwhelm her.

Gently he takes hold of the covers, softly tucking in here and there to nestle in comfortably with her. Laying his head upon the pillow his hand finds rest again, landing upon her shoulder. The feel of her unbelievably soft skin, pressed against his was ceaselessly pleasing. He softly sighs with content as eyes slowly fall shut from exhaustion. Fingers idly twirl a lock of her still damp hair between them as he quietly listens to her every word.

He never thought how three simple words could be so powerful. My Dear Husband, she so sweetly whispered, suddenly made his heart miss a beat. It was then, perhaps because he had spent far too much time around these Humans, that he was blasted with a moment of clarity. What they had done, what they had become together was drastically yanked into vivid realization a that very moment. Even as his body begs for respite, battered with fatigue, thoughts and emotions stubbornly continue to stir. Right then, it was easy to see yet it was a quiet thing, that needed no words, but the love he had longed to receive from her was right there. Lips curve into a broad, elated smile as with the last of his strength he leans down to place one last kiss to the top of her head before sleep finally takes hold. A single thought dwelling in the depths of his mind, how sweet it will be to wake to a love like that.

Kaura couldn't recall the last time she had slept so well, dreams that were normally haunted by images of her untimely death were now filled with a smiling face with copper hair and green eyes. He took her hand gently in his own and spoke soft, comforting words to her that calmed her mind and brought a smile to her lips.

Hours later she stired, light just starting to flood in through the window, and yawned softly to herself. She smiled to see Tristan still laying beside her, his eyes closed, and she reached up to stroke his hair. The silky locks slid through her fingers with ease, and she even leaned in to gently press a light kiss to his forehead before slowly sliding from the bed. She stretched, and began preparing for the day.

She set a pot of water in the hearth to heat, so they would have warm water to wash himself in, and set out clothes, and set out a simple shift and gown to wear, to gently urge her mate awake. "Tristan..." She whispered, leaning down to place a tender kiss on his sensitive ear. "It's time to wake up..."

Her words, like the sweetest melody ringing faintly in the distance, to pull him gently away from sleeps embrace. Nostrils inhale deeply, sucking in the potent smells emanating from the hearth, as he takes the first real breath of a new day. He stirs quietly for a moment before slowly turning and blindly mashing his lips into hers, a silent yet delightful confirmation that the events of the night before were more than some delusional fantasy. His lips curve into a broad smile against their kiss, as a hand gently cups against her cheek. Almost painfully, he breaks the kiss to whisper faintly "Good morning my love..." Eyelids slowly lift to expose first light to those emerald hued pools, gladly catching her within his sight to begin his morning. The thought of taking her again dances swiftly through his mind but is quickly washed away as the realization of what lies ahead.

Placing his hands flat against the bed he pushes himself up, shaking his head briefly from side to side to remove the already dozens of blurry thoughts from his mind. Sweeping the room with his gaze he can't help but smile, seeing all the things she has done."Did ya sleep well ma dear?" He asks warmly, bringing a hand around to grasp and peel the covers slowly back. Wheeling around, he places both feet on the floor and slowly rises to a stand, arms reaching out above his head as he stretches.

She leaned in close to Tristan to whisper softly in his ear, but was surprised when his first waking act was to press his lips to hers. Her eyes widened before she kissed him back, her hands pressing lightly to either side of his cheeks, holding him close. Reluctantly Tristan broke the kiss to whisper his greeting. "I slept very well." Kaura responded with a smile as he pulled back the covers, and placed his feet on the ground. Her hand found his, and squeezed lightly before he stretched.

Her cheeks heated slightly as she watched him, glorious in own skin. It was almost surreal to her, yesterday he was a stranger to her, and today he was her mate. Oddly though, that thought didn't bother her in the slightest. Neither human now Elven unities were founded too heavily on emotion, rather just convenience. It wasn't unusual for a male and female to bond if they shared similar interests. The fact that Tristan had an emotional connection with her, made this very special indeed.

She smiled slightly, and rose to her feet as well. "You are a different kind of Elf?" She questioned, glancing over her shoulder as she walked to the hearth. "You're not Ljósálfar?" Without hesitation she reached into the flames to pluck out the pot. She moved to the washstand and poured the bubbling water into the bowl, stirring it with her fingers to help it cool. "I know there are many kinda that take shelter in our village..." She said quietly, setting the now empty pot aside. "Yours is sensitive to heat, is it not? You may want to wait until this cools some."

A calm silence washed over him as lips slowly turn into a warm smile when she steps away. His intense gaze dancing across her features in loving admiration. The thin beam of sunlight deftly slipping between the curtains further illuminating her slender, athletic physique, warmly kissing against her bare skin. He briefly hesitates before answering, tragically lost within the moment of loves quiet submission.

Bare footsteps fall nearly inaudible against the wooden planks of the floor as he strides toward her, yearning to grace her with even the slightest caress. Slender digits land daintily upon her hips as leans forward to place one tender kiss to the back of her neck. The smile upon his lips only broadening with delight as she shivers beneath such tender gestures of his affection.

Arms languidly snake about her waist, his body pressing lightly to hers, then tilting his head slowly down to softly whisper in her ear. "Aye love, that we are indeed." Reaching for the bowl with an outstretched hand but to suddenly stop short as the heat rises against the palm. "We Xrilandri have always been as such, even magical sources o the flame an' heat we ten' ta have a difficult time with..ironic considering the red hair wouldn't ya say?" Softly chuckling to himself and withdrawing his hand, letting fingers curl against the palm into a loose fist. "It make casting some spells..difficult ta say the least, often why most of us lean more ta ice."

With the almost silent movements of a trained warrior, Tristan walked up behind Kaura. Her mind was lost in the swirls of the water, not even noticing his approach until his fingers trace across her hips, and his lips landed lightly on her neck. She gave a small groan in pleasure, and half-turned to face her mate, smiling brightly. "Xrilandi?" She questioned softly, canting her head slightly. His species leaned towards ice? "I'm afraid I am not too familiar with your species." She dipped a cloth into the basin, and wrung out the excess water before she set to washing herself. It was more troublesome to get the dust from travel off with only the limited water to work with, but Kaura didn't mind too terribly. There were plenty of rivers and streams along their path to bathe more properly in, should they choose. Or perhaps even a lodging that had a form of tub, where water was filled to wash the entire body at once.

She Shook her head of those thoughts, laughing to herself softly. "Should we spend another few copper on a morning meal?" She asked after a moment, casting a look over her shoulder at Tristan. "Or simply eat on our travels? I brought dried fruit, meat, and some wrapped cheese." She gave a lazy wave towards her bag before setting down her rag. She turned completely to face him and wrapped her arms around his neck, nuzzling affectionately under his chin. She planted one or two light kisses before pulling back, smiling still. "We should send some word back to the village of our mating." She considered. "Our families would wish to know."

Tristan exhales slowly as his mind attempts to handle he barrage of inquiries one at a time. His brow furrows as eyes idly occupy themselves following her movements while she continues bathing. Clearing his throat he begins speaking softly, stammering at first. "Well...for tha longest time, much of mah clan operated and lived in seclusion. We nae moved here by choice, growing human settlements forced us ta move in order ta maintain our livelyhood. As such mah...mah parents decided to leave to avoid the swell of conflict within our clan." Betraying eyes selfishly expose that hint of sadness at the mention of his parents. Shaking his head briskly in futile effort to cast away the oncoming onslaught of grief, his mind attempting to quickly leap to a new thought.

Slowly leaning forward he places one tender kiss to the back of her neck before stepping around beside her. A hand outstretches to take hold of a cloth and dunk it into the warm water. Eyes focus their gaze upon the stream of water pouring from the saturated cloth as it rises. Slender digits clutch towards the palm, firmly squeezing excess water from the cloth. Silently he then drags the cloth down the left forearm, turning his attention back to her before continuing. "Knowing Marco he most likely already has a meal prepared and anxiously awaits for us. Best ta save our food stows for when we really need them. Also, should you wish...to send word ta your family he could help ya with that"

The young elf kept her eyes glued onto Tristan as he took the cloth and began to wash himself now. Something about seeing his hard muscles glisten softly in the morning light made her heart pound louder in her chest.She cleared her throat lightly, and placed a tender kiss upon Tristan's cheek before moving away. A slight frown pulled at her lips when he spoke, and she shot him a concerned look. The slight pause then he mentioned her parents she had shrugged off, but when he didn't mention sending word to his parents... She had to assume that meant that there was no one for him to send word to.

She gave Tristan a sad look as she pulled on her shift and chose a clean blue dross to wear that day. Eventually she would learn everything about him and his history, but the sadness in his voice halted any questions she had right then. It was the morning after their mating, a time to rejoice the eternity they will spend together... Painful memories could wait until a more appropriate time. "We should go down and eat." She said gently, buttoning the front of her dress slowly. "I believe I will ask Marco to send back word in three weeks then." She said with a half laugh. "I am still a child in the eyes of my loved ones, they may not approve.... They may wish to challenge this to the Elders... It is best to put some distance between us and the village before they know."

Limpid emerald pools stare deeply in silent confession of emotion, focusing their intense gaze upon the small pool of water. His mind leaping from one memory to the next, plagued with thoughts of a distant past, thought to have been forgotten long ago. His hand clutches the cloth, tightening slowly, sending a slender stream of water running down his chest as it drags against his neck. The sweet sound of her tender voice abruptly shatters the daze, gratefully freeing his attention from bitter thoughts better left for another time. "Aye..you're right..." He mutters lightly, a fragile smile gracing his features as he tosses a glance to her.

Extending his hand out over the bowl, he offers a firm squeeze on the cloth to relinquish the excess water trapped within. With a silent sigh he places the cloth upon the table, trading it for a dry towel. Quickly dabbing himself dry he turns about, returning to the foot of the bed. "I dinnae think the Elders will oppose upon seeing our return when this be all said and done." He states, his voice soft yet confident as he reaches for the pants she'd laid out for him. Taking a seat on the bed he quickly begins tugging them on one leg at a time as he continues. "But you are right, better ta have a head start just in case.." A sly grin plays upon his lips as he glances up at her, inattentively reaching for the shirt at his side to slip it on as well.

Moments later, he's finally dressed, hands randomly pawing at the belts, pouches and other odds and ends, to double check that everything is in its proper place. "Ah..there we are." He asserts, coupled with a slight nod before turning to face her once more. "Ya ready ta go mah love?" Lips curling into a tender smile as he extends a hand toward her to gently take her own.

Kaura could tell that Tristan was staring intently at the warm water, his mind on something far more serious. She moved to the window, leaning against the frame as she let the first rays of light hit her sin, shivering to the glorious light as it helped restore lost energy. She smiled to herself, staring at the rising sun as her lover dried himself with the rag. He spoke softly, and Kaura had to agree. At the moment the elders saw her as a child throwing a fit, wishing for the unobtainable. They would indulge her, allow her this brief whim... But ultimately she was to return unsuccessful, and return to her life to live and die alone. As it must be. But, should she have completed this.... It gave her new options to explore, new ways to live. Her taking a mate would not be as the woman/child of her kind, but as the hero of her race... Two heroes joined for eternity. There could be no protest.

She turned back to see Tristan already mostly dressed, tugging his shirt into place before he checked his clothing and extended a hand to her. She curled her fingers around his lightly, and squeezed. "I am ready." She said, deciding to leave her bag where it was until after they ate. "And quite hungry, how about you...?"