The Hare and the Naiad's Pool (DaddyisHere and Eirlys Vitae)

[DaddyisHere]

He'd been called many names. The Rabbit, the Weasel, the fox... all because he was good at getting out of tricky situations.

This had been the trickiest. His mission had been to get into the palace and retrieve a prized jewel that had been stolen from his prince. That the jewel had been stolen in circumstances that were best not discussed was an aspect that the Hare didn't need to know about.

He had succeeded in his mission. The jewel was recovered and he had handed it off to a courier with nobody knowing... but he wasn't so lucky.

He had been running for three days. He had worn out two horses and had finally taken to running on foot. It allowed him to move more quickly through the underbrush and down the smaller trails.

At last, he had given them the slip. He had found a small secluded valley quite by accident. He'd smelled a hint of fresh water and had eventually found a niche in a huge cliff. He'd slipped through passages barely wide enough for anyone to get through. He was a little taller than average height, but was very slender. 'Built like an Épée' his instructor had always said, and his slim body mixed with wiry strength had always served him well.

At last, he emerged into the secluded valley which was much warmer than the surrounding countryside. He made his way to the beautiful spring. The water was deep and blue, and called to him. He'd been barely surviving on brackish water gleaned from leaves.

Viktor bent down and pressed his lips to the surface of the pool. Drinking deeply, he felt his strength leaving him. Three days on the run, without sleep.

He saw a comfortable looking rock near the pool and crawled to it. Pulling his cloak about him, he curled up and surrendered to sleep.

 

[Eirlys Vitae]

A mortal man, a criminal who had just escaped his pursuers... She felt his fear and worry, she could taste his guilt and the smell of adrenaline he experienced filled the valley before he even entered. Yes, she sensed him from a fair distance, as no human being stepped in here for a few thousands of years. Existence of creatures like her was denied nowadays, she knew it - raindrops finding it's home in her pool were bringing her news about the world outside the valley. And now there was a man! Making sure he was completely asleep, she made her way out of water and knelt down next to him, sliding eyes up and down him - a living man!

For a water nymph, naiad, seeing one was very rare. She sat by his side naked, water streaming down her body, and Nana carefully placed finger on thief's face - immediately taking it away. Times when naiads were worshiped were long gone - oh, she pitied herself for no longer receiving annual gifts at first! - and now no one seemed to believe them existing at all. Nana could still remember clearly how each day many people were at her pond, taking it's water for healing purpose and leaving her kind presents for help. Later times had changed, but there were still mortals there! She didn't even mind little boys spitting into pool, as long as they were here. But eras were changing, kingdoms and cultures were falling, people were dying and so was the nature. An old entrance to her valley was nearly blocked now, people seemingly forgot all the ways through woods, and Nana was destined to remain living in her pond all alone, no longer witnessing living men.

But here he was! Exhausted, hungry, scared... But at least alive. Nana didn't want to let him go so fast and she was sure he'd leave right after waking up...While her nature didn't allow her to leave any further than the valley was. All the naiad wanted was a conversation - oh, she hadn't had one in a long time! Hearing someone's voice, even if criminal's, even if bad person, would be a real remedy to her soul.

For a few more times she gently touched him, again quickly taking her hand away - but then Nana landed whole hand on his cheek, giving it a small stroke. A living man, a mortal man in her valley! No other nymph in whole wide world now was happier than she was.

 

[DaddyisHere]

Viktor had needed the rest so badly. How long he slept, he did not know... but then he felt someone nearby.

In normal situations, even as tired as he was, he would have awoken instantly upon feeling someone nearby. However, he was exhausted after three days, and there was also a sense of peace about the valley. It was a good place.

In his sleep, he sensed someone nearby and vaguely knew they were touching him. Slowly, slowly, he felt consciousness returning. At last, the hand stroking his cheek stirred him completely.

With the strength and speed borne of years as a spy and professional thief-for-hire, he sat up, snatching the hand by the wrist.

"Who are you?" he demanded. "How did you find me and... why aren't you wearing any clothes and... my how in the world can you be so beautiful? And, what is your name?"

He was instantly smitten. Her face was beyond stunning and her body was perfect... perfect. Her hair seemed to be blue, but not blue. It was the same with her skin. Her skin seemed to shimmer in a way that echoed what the water looked like.

He kept hold of her wrist, awaiting answers.