Hot and Alone

[micaylah]

Aethelwyne let the feel of the water caress her. She waited for Taran to see to their guests. She thought about many things. How her life had changed with Taran, how it would change as the babies grew within her. She worried for the first time over how she would accomodate all the changes she would be going through. 'One day at a time Aethe.' she told herself. She reached out to Taran to check on him.

[wiana]

Salian shifted uncomfortably when Taran mentioned sleeping in a room with Elianora. Torlynden's sly voice echoed along the bond. Why not? Don't you like her? I'm sure she wouldn't object if. . . . His voice trailed off maliciously.

I haven't felt that way toward anyone since Marian, Salian replied, his stomach squirming. Torlynden laughed.

Elianora shook her head politely. "I would rather sleep with Soranai," she said. She needed something familiar and comfortable after the strangeness of the past couple of days. "But first, I would like to cleanse myself."

[taran]

Taran nodded, a little ashamed.
"I am sorry. I just presumed..." he said, trailing off. "But nevermind that. Aethelwyne is currently in the washtub, but I'm sure she will be getting out soon. If you would follow me, I can lead you to two seperate rooms. There is the dragon hold to stay in if you wish, Elianora. The choice is up to you, I am merely acting in Aethe's stead until she feels better."

[wiana]

"That would be excellent," Elianora replied. "If you could please show me the way to the hold. I would like to set my things down."

Salian requested the same, ignoring Torlynden's snide remarks.

[micaylah]

Aethelwyne finished with her bath. Her muscles still stiff and sore. It had been a long time since she had felt this way. Slowly she stepped from the tub, wincing as she stepped. Wrapping a towel around her she proceeded to their room. She sat on the bed, not wanting to move.

[taran]

Taran nodded, the told them how to reach their desired locations.
"Now, if you'll excuse me, I should go help Aethe." Taran walked back into the washroom, but Aethelwyne was not there. Moving to their room he found her.
"I was afraid if you were in there much longer you would wilt away," he teased. "Would you like me to do something for you? Message your back, anything to ease your discomfort?" he asked with a smile on his face.

[micaylah]

"Actually I would really like that my love. I don't know why I am so sore. There is a bottle of linament on the dresser that I made for such occassions. It shouldn't smell too badly as I infused it with lavendar but it should do fine to relieve this soreness." She gestured to the dresser.

[taran]

Taran walked over to the dresser, then back to the bed. Gesturing for her to move, he sat down beside her. She lay on her belly as Taran pulled the towel away. Softly, slowly, Taran applied the ointment, moving from her calves, up to her neck.

[micaylah]

Aethelwyne gave in. No longer trying to be strong, she allowed him to take care of her. She needed him to take care of her and for once it was okay. She relinquished control to him solely. She would do as he said. This was a new feeling. Not being in control and relying on someone else. She liked it and finally started to relax. It was as if his hand were pushing all of the pain out of her.

[wiana]

Elianora set her things down and rummaged through them, looking for clean clothes. Soranai lay in a depression lined with fabric next to one side if the bed. The dragon had her eyes closed and was dreaming peacefully. Nora paused for a moment to study her dragon, a smile raising her lips.

She found some clean clothes, threw the rest into an empty chest that stood at the foot of the bed, and walked down the hall from her bedroom. She entered the bathing room and disrobed. Turning her back to the faucet, she turned it on and let the warm water run down her tired and aching back. Letting herself relax, she closed her eyes. After a minute, she turned off the water and lay back, enjoying the experience.


Salian set his things in order while Torlynden rested in his own depression. The dragon's storm-colored eyes followed Salian around in a lazy manner. He yawned, exposing sharp teeth that sparkled beautifully and a pink tongue. Torlynden rumbled in his throat and closed his eyes. That elf girl is quite lovely, he commented before drifting off to sleep.

With a smile on his face, Salian lay back on his clean bed, staring at the ceiling. His mind rested in the safe harbor, unwilling to think about anything other his growing affection for Torlynden. After awhile, he got up and left his room. He walked the hall to the bath. He paused for a second to listen at Eli's door. He didn't hear anything, and continued on.

When he came to the bathroom door, he paused again, not wishing to intrude if Elianora was in there. He lifted a hand and rapped on the door. There was no sound, just like the room. Tentatively, he opened the door and stepped inside. The screen to the actual bath was a little open, and steam issued forth, a sign of habitation.

Startled, he withdrew from the room, and closed the door. Salian leaned against the door for support. I can't believe I almost. . . . He stopped the thought.


Elianora awoke and raised her head when the door slammed. Her eyes widened in shock and she left the bath. She dressed quickly and exited the room. Outside and to the left Salian stood, his head bowed and eyes closed. Tears leaked out from behind his closed eyelids. "You may have a bath now," she said quietly.

He looked up, wiped his eyes, and smiled sheepishly. "I'm sorry about that. I swear I didn't see you."

She nodded. On impulse, she stepped closer to him, her clean clothes brushing against his dirty ones. "What's wrong, Salian?" she asked, her voice soft.

Averting his eyes, his silently wished for another. "Nothing," he said evenly. Then he looked down at Elianora's blue/brown/green eyes and smiled. He raised a hand to brush back a lock of long gold hair from her perfect face. "I'll be fine." Then he stepped past her and into the bathing room.

[Trinn]

Galbatorix stared Mar down. He wasn't sure if he liked the idea of this man going anywhere with his daughter. "You will accopmany Kalri on her journeys." He took quick steps forwards until he stood directly infront of the man. "But be warned. If you betray her, or so much as touch her, I will have your head!" Satisfied, he returned to his throne. "That is all. Now, go and wait for Kalri."

[taran]

Mar did not back away when the king stepped forward, holding his ground. 'He may be the king, and have great power, but I am no coward!' he thought. Inclining his head towards the king, he took his leave. Exiting the throne room, Mar walked to the courtyard just inside the keep's walls, waiting for Kalri to show herself.


Taran finished messaging Aethelwyne tense body. He could feel all her muscles tense and pained, and he did his best to relieve her stress. He sang an old elven love song, one full of soft melodies and soothing tones. He was not the best singer, but he was decent. After he stopped, he pulled the towel to cover her naked form. He lay beside her, running his hand up and down her back.
Is that better, Aethelwyne my love?" he asked in a quiet tone, staring into her soft eyes.

[micaylah]

"Yes love. Much better now. The pain and stiffness has left." She looked at him, her love for him shining brightly in her eyes. She rolled to her side to face him. "Thank you my darling." She kissed him lightly, then laid her head on the pillow. She sat quietly, just staring into his eyes. Letting them pull her in.

[taran]

Taran scooted himself to lay beside her, his head on a pillow. He put an arm over her, pulling her to lay closely to him. Staring into her eyes, Taran let her take him to a place of no worries as he drifted slowly off to sleep...

[micaylah]

Aethelwyne lay, watching silently as he slept. She wanted to remember everything about him for always. Slowly, sleep took her as she lay in his arms.