The Tale of the Ugly Troll (cont. Part III)

[dplax]

Drusalia 13/22 and Verrion 10/24

Verrion looked at Drusalia for a few moments and then went over to her and gave her a hug.

"I know you must not be eager to talk to Aeriah again, yet we should go after the others."

"I don't know what has gotten into him lately. I remember, but a few days ago we had no problems with each other and now he just isn't the same as before. Or do you think it is me who is pressing matters too much?"

"Well, it is said that women sometimes are the most stubborn creatures in this world." - he said with a smile playing around his cheeks and before Drusalia could protest he embraced her in a passionate kiss.

When their lips parted and the taste of the kiss lingered Drusalia sighed. With her hands she looked for Verrion's hands and after she took them she looked deep into the aasimar's eyes.

"Verri...There is something I feel that I have to tell you. I am not really an elf. Half my blood is human, while the other half is nymph." - she looked at her love's eyes, wondering what his reaction was going to be...

OOC: to be continued by Bozos.

[Saliarasri]

Fairioni quietly listens as she thinks to herself about what has happened.

'It's kind of interesting... in some way, that's merely a more cruel way to demonstrate that she's displeased.. as he's noticed. It' sthe same as couples not sleeping together for a night..' Farioni muses as she leans rather heavily on her staff.

'He is right. It IS kinda cute' is her thought as she slowly lays down to take a rest

[Calaethis Dragonsbane]

"If its any help, neither have I"Galein replied softly, "I feel guilty for having robbed Aeriah from you, and yet, though I do not share his feelings... I... do sense a bond with you; a friendship of sorts. It is odd what fate brings..."


Slowly, Galein whispered, "I do not know what the future holds, nor do I know your part in it, but..." he smiled, his glass-green eyes warm and caring as his smile lit up his face, "I would have you by my side, as a companion, if nothing else... and, perhaps, together, we can discover and forge our own destinies and places? At least, we can be friends, if nothing else, and I for one, am glad to have known you, since my awakening." The elf smiled again, his eyes charming Jena despite her feelings of confusion. He sounded so much like Aeriah, and those eyes, those gorgeous eyes... so deep, as though, she could see to the very depths of his soul as they swallowed her whole. Kindness, love, compassion, tenderness... all were present, as well as a true desire to heal rather then destroy. In her heart, Jena knew that Galein was good and trying to do the right thing; the thing that was best for his people - the only way he knew how. She saw friendship, companionship, and felt a yearning to be with him, at his side. Something about him was powerful and compelling, and yet, he was so selfless; his soul was pure, and he would not try to take advantage of her as many might. He still regarded her with respect - respect for Aeriah, even though, Aeriah was not present in the flesh. He would not violate the relationship the two of them had forged. No, here was a rare soul indeed, even for an elf. Noble, but dark, as he hid himself away in shadow, and yet, the presence of light within him was too compelling to just hide away, and his aura was powerfully attractive. No, one day, he would make a fine king, if he ever assumed the mantle of rulership... and yet, for all that, he was troubled, his inner feelings in conflict and turmoil. He was as confused as Jena was, yet, he tried his best to be strong for all their sakes. Jena knew that he would carry this burden alone, sparring the others from as much as possible... unless they forced him to share it. Such was his nature. And so serious, so unlike Aeriah's light-hearted, and yet, there was such... similarities - as many differences, subtle though they were, they shared the same basic principles of righteousness and justice - in their own way, neither would allow evil to befall the land. Jena discovered that she was deeply troubled, for as much as she wished Aeriah back, she was unsure of the cost - Galein's cost...

And yet... was there such a choice? Even if she could, would she choose to sacrifice Galein over Aeriah? Would it be selfish? She knew, deep down, it would, and yet, she still wished for him... but... she sensed something was amiss within Galein himself; he seemed to have changed, subtly, changed, from what Kyr had said... he and Aeriah increasing shared the same aspects, or so, it seemed. Maybe he was just always like that, or maybe, Aeriah wasn't as lost as everyone thought... maybe, he lived within Galein yet. She did not know. From the look in Galein's eyes, as they swallowed her, his soul was pondering the same questions, and for the briefest of moments, she felt her soul touch with his; his fears, doubts, hopes and dreams touching her mind; his thoughts inside hers, and she felt a change, a subtle change... something of Aeriah was inside Galein; she knew it, she could feel it. It was so faint, she almost did not believe it, but it was there, and it was something, that even Galein himself did not know yet, nor did Aeriah. Perhaps, it was a side effect, or perhaps something more... Then the bond, the link, evaporated, as Galein's eyes released her, and suddenly, Jena felt the need to breathe. It seemed, that he had not realised the depths of his own eyes, nor that they could touch like that... it seemed... almost something only elves could do. Jena recalled tales of such perfect understanding between certain elves; a kindred knowledge, or knowing, a linking, a bonding, without words, but with thoughts, emotions and pictures. It was a myth though, surely... a legend. And it could only happen to those of elven origin. Maybe... the elves of this world were different... but, Galein seemed equally as shocked, his eyes widening slightly, though, he was as silent as ever... and no one else could have seen this exchange. It was over in an instant, and yet, to Jena, it felt like an enternity... and she had only begun to percieve the true depths of Aeriah's feelings, and those of Galein's. Even though she had touched his mind, his soul, there were still walls; things that she knew were hidden, sealed away, just as she knew her own barriers were in place... but for an instant, they had touched, and shared an understanding that went beyond words, beyond... anything she had ever known.

And shattering the moment, Galein suddenly yawned, breaking her concentration, and rubbing at his eyes, promptly smiled at her and passed out.

[Bozos of Bones]

OOC: The continued post, with delay.

Drusalia 13/22 and Verrion 10/24
"I always thought that something was weird about your elven ears."
Her eyes went wide at the unexpected reply. Verrion's warm disarming smile betrayed what he meant to say before he said it. "I knew." He kissed her forehead, and hugged her, holding her close in her arms. He had known for quite some time now, somewhere around the night they first lay together. He understands perfectly why she didn't want to say it untill now. But now she said it. She showed him her last secret, and opened herself up for him.
After an endless moment in his arms, her head on his shoulder, she finally looked up at him, with tears in her eyes. The tears first started as tears of expectation, but have changed into ones of joy. [b]"You... you know? How? How long?" but she quickly pressed her head on his shoulder again, and took back the question "Sorry for even not trusting you, Verri.. But I love you, I love you and I didn't want to... to taint your feelings for me." she said between sobbs, tears again rolling down her cheeks.
Verrion turned her head to look at him, his eyes also welling with tears, and spoke "I know and I know why and I understand and I love you regardless of what you are, or that you hid it. I love you, Drusalia, and let noone tell you otherwise." The two love-birds kissed passionately, their hearts connected now through the last barrier, their kiss lasted for a good minute. And more.
The last secret between them now gone, their souls were joined completely, and without turning back. They now knew each other, trusted each other and loved each other better than anything they have known before. That is, untill they regained their memories.

[dplax]

Drusalia 13/22

She wiped the tears from her cheek and smiled. For the first time since she had lost her memories she felt completely happy. All she desired to do at the moment was to be with Verrion. She hugged him and then with her head on his shoulder the tears came again. Yet this time they were tears of joy. Finally regaining her composure she withdrew from the hug and this time took out a small piece of cloth from one of her pockets and wiped her tears with it.

"The others shall be getting anxious. Shouldn't we go and find them?"

[TheMuse]

Galein took Jena by the heart when he led her into the moment when dialogue disappears into a pleasant hushed stillness.

“We cannot begin to imagine the lives we touch or the ways we leave our mark upon this world.” So true were the words of the wise and gentle elf Ancallin: Jena’s teacher and guider. How true these words echoed in her mind at that one moment: that one gaze she shared with Galein. If only for an instant, her reason for being here was crystal clear, and for the very first time since her arrival she felt she had a purpose. She was not just a confused, helpless girl anymore: no, she was a strong, influential female figure who was capable of love, and who desired to be accepted and cherished for who she is. Her doubts were beginning to clear. As she gazed at Galein, however, a single thought struck her as odd. How could she be sharing this special bond, which only elves share amongst each other, when she herself was not an elf? The thought crossed her mind, but she just as quickly brushed it aside as simply the desire, the longing she had to be soulfully intimate with the elf she had grown to love. The allure and charm in Galein’s eyes made Jena breathless, yet she had no desire at that instant to breathe. It was a minute sweet surrender of her to him: helpless in his gaze yet entirely comfortable and peaceful was she.

The intense emotion of the moment caused Galein to yawn, or at least Jena assumed that this was the reason, and before she could respond to his previous statement and question, he was no longer in the world of the awake. She leaned forward briefly and gently caressed his cheek. Jena smiled, for it was about time Galein got some decent rest, and for several moments she just watched him.

[Calaethis Dragonsbane]

In his sleep, subconsciously, or perhaps, it was Aeriah - Galein's arm reached up and took Jena's upper arm in a vice-like, yet gentle grip, and pulled her down beside him, holding her close against his slumbering form...

[TheMuse]

Jena blinked several times, startled at first, but she did not resist Galein's pull, and as she lay next to him she closed her eyes and smiled. She snuggled up against him, in spoon fashion, and nuzzled her face against the back of his neck until she found the perfect spot to rest her lips. She let her long, dark wavy hair tumble loosely to her side and caring not for whatever mess lay in their future, Jena remained completely and utterly at peace, if even only for the moment.

[Bozos of Bones]

Verrion Sieg 10/24

"Yes, let's." he said, as he stayed Drusalia's hand with the cloth. With his finger, he carefully wiped one of the tears off her face, and then licked it. "Joy.." he said, smiling. It really had a strange taste of happiness. He took her hand, and started for the tunnel.

[Calaethis Dragonsbane]

Six hours came and went, and within the darkness, Drusalia and Verrion got horribly, horribly lost and took a wrong turn - a turn that ordinarly they would have spotted, but, for some reason, they didn't...

~~~

Both Galein and Jena slept peacefully, lying beside one another, neither of them disturbing the other in their rest. Galein awoke first only to discover the girl was still asleep. Both had had dreamless dreams ( ), although, it was a bit early for Jena to be waking just yet, or so, Galein decided. In the night, he had rolled over onto his other side, and the girl's face was buried in his chest and shoulder. Gently, so as not to disturb the girl, he raised his arm and rubbed his eyes, wiping away some of the grit and dried tears which were beginning to crystalise. One of the advantages of being elven was, that Galein did not get 'sleep' in his eyes.

Blinking as he regained his awareness, Galein looked down at the sleeping girl with a smile, and gently stroked her hair. Fallen to one side, it revealed her ear and side of her face that neither Galein, nor Aeriah had seen before. Raising his eyebrow, Galein just smiled, kissed her temple and covered her with her hair again, stroking and caressing it with a tenderness and affection that would have surprised even Kyr.

~~~

By the time Galein had finished covering Jena and was watching her snooze, Drusalia and Verrion arrived at the cave entrance...

~~~

Meanwhile, up on the surface; Artelm had fled, managing to escape the rocs as they had gone off in search of different, fatter toad-like prey. Whether they had been successful, the halfling did not know, but by some quirk of fate, he too, discovered the cave entrance leading to Galein and the others...



[ 02-16-2005, 05:35 PM: Message edited by: Calaethis Dragonsbane ]