When she saw him her heart leapt. Tears came showering down as she heard him say her name. She shot forwards towards him as he came towards her. Those arms around her were welcomed, longed for, desired, ached for, and needed. She buried her face in his chest as she held him tightly. Sobbing silently the tears she had wanted to sob since the night before when the Estate was under attack. Ren clung to Aonghas tightly, not wanting to leave his arms ever again.
Holding her tightly as she sobbed, he whispered softly to her, reassuring despite not knowing what their situation had become. He knew that whatever happened must be far beyond his own skill to solve, considering the power contained within the form of his beautiful Ren. Softly leaning her face back from his chest, he wiped at her tears and kissed her once. "Ren, let's warm ourselves by the fire."
A slow nod came as she looked in his eyes. A kiss returned when he kissed her. She bit her lip and squeezed her arms around him as she whispered," Alright....I like the idea of that. I just don't know what else to do..." Head shaking again she slowly slid from his arms, but took his hand as she stepped aside for him to lead the way towards the fire. Eyes showing her delight in being back with her beloved. Feeling safe once again with him.
He nodded at her plaintive words, he took her hand and led her to the narrow gap of the defile's foot. Underneath the slight overhang, he gestured to a clear spot of rock by the fire, and placed two nearby large logs on the blazing coals, instantly igniting a surge of heat in the surround. Her desperation was intensely unnerving, but she obviously needed support, so he sat beside her and leaned her back against him, his own back against the stone.
There was a sigh on her lips as she curled into a ball against the fire. Staying close to him as she thought, twilight orbs void of sparkling life. Slowly she rested her head on his shoulder as she closed her eyes. Sniffling softly she whispered," I've missed you, Aonghas. I've missed you so very much." She had needed him for so long, just to be with him like this was enough for her to find peace, to sort her thoughts, ease her mind, and then work out what needed to be said in order for him to understand why she was like this.
Unlashing his chest rig, he pulled it over his head and placed it beside them, retrieving a thick wool blanket and wrapped them both together. Unable to understand what it feels like to miss someone, he nevertheless felt the inexorable bonding between them, and held her a little tighter, hoping she would soon explain the trouble that had found her. In the meantime, however, he sensed a small distraction may ease her mind.
Thrusting his right hand out from underneath the blanket, he held it open to the snow at her feet, tensing slightly and sighing deeply. Small winds whipped at the flakes, sending them dancing until they coalesced into the tiny figures of a man and woman. Wheeling just off the ground, the snow-figures turned an easy waltz over the crystal ground, separating and reuniting again in a loving embrace. When the show was over, Aonghas let his kiss to Ren's neck, whispering that he loved her. "Whatever has happened, love, I will stand beside you leave death."
Ren's eyes followed his hand as she sucked in a breath to the show she was witnessing. There was a slight spark of gold shattering through her twilight orbs at the sight of the man and woman pulling together in a fond embrace. Her eyes closed as the show ended. Only when he kissed her neck did she shiver as she leaned into him. Hearing his whispers she nodded and returned his words of love whole heartedly. Her voice came as she spoke softly," The Estate....it was attacked....an old friend of mine that put the scars on my chests and back came looking for me."
Shifting against him she whimpered as she bit her lip," He wanted to kill me and I was scared. As soon as I made sure my family was safe and my friends were safe, I left, I came here. I had to make sure you were safe. I didn't want to come and see you hurt." Tears were back as she whispered softly," Everyone's left Aonghas, Wolvie won't talk to me, Sin and my family are in hiding, and....and....you were here. I never felt so alone.." Shaking her head she clung to him as she nuzzled his chest softly. Not wanting to leave his side ever again.
For a minute, he considered the news. A frown came to his face, but he held his anger in check. There would be much time for that later. For now, he gently tilted her face upwards and kissed her once more. "Here I am, love, whole and set. I won't leave your side until your feet are back under you."
Returning the kiss she sniffled lightly and nodded as she bit her lip. Her arms came up around him as she hugged him tight. Pressing a soft kiss to his neck she whispered softly in his ear," Thank you so much Aonghas....I don't know what I would have done without you." Then she nuzzled his neck as she leaned into him closer, taking in his warmth and smiling as she felt the fire's warmth against her just as warmly.
Smiling, he closed his eyes and wrapped his arms further 'round her waist. "You would have done well, love. You're stronger than I am." Taking in her subtle scent, feeling her warmth against him, he sighed again, leaning more comfortably against the stone. "However, since I am here, I'll thank Lyssa for the opportunity to get between you and your problems when needed."
Ren smiled as she looked up at him. Chuckling lightly as she whispered," You are always welcome between me and my problems love. I wouldn't have it any other way." How he even managed to brighten her spirits it was hard to understand as she sat there, smiling to him. Sighing contently she kept her eyes on him as the sparks in her eyes returned in their bouncing display. She felt safe, warm, and for the first time in weeks happy to be where she wanted to be and not brooding over her assignments.
He smiled wider as the sparks he loved so much began to dance again in the deep pools of her eyes. "Let your problems rest a day." He cringed inwardly at the words, going against his instincts for action but wanting her to be comforted so her own hurt could turn to motivation. "For now, this place is unknown to all but us, and no trouble will find us here." He looked out into the bare foliage, where no spring had yet spurred the trees to green in this high place. He was unsettled by the thought of someone who could terrify such a powerful woman such as Ren. His guard would heighten as the minutes drew by, each new log on their high fire put new concern to his mind.
Silent she stayed by his side as she fidgeted with the blanket over them. She kept her lean up against him as she stayed warm at his side. This was the security she needed and she was glad to have it at last. She didn't think of the problems, just the terror she had long thought she could forget, even hope to live without. AS she shifted to rest her head on his chest she closed her eyes with a long drawn, and soft sigh on her lips. Still caressing at his chest, the feel of him so close to her was bliss, she didn't want anything else but him. Bringing his hand to her lips she kissed it softly. Smiling lightly as she turned to look up at him," I love you." The only words she needed to speak to him as she shifted once more in her spot to gaze deeply in his eyes.
His frown slaked in her immediate gaze, causing him to sigh again as his hand was kissed by those full lips. Brushing the hair from her face with a free hand, he looked back into her eyes and smiled lightly in turn, his other hand finding its way around her supple waist, fingertips tracing the graceful curve in her arched back.
Her eyes closed and nuzzled his hand as it brushed against her face. Fingers still dancing on his chest she bit her lip as she felt his arms wrap around her. She practically melted to the feel of his touch against her back. Her hand lifted to the back of his neck and rubbed it softly. Trailing up over his head slowly as she caressed every inch of his shoulders and neck. Leaning in a soft kiss was pressed to his lips.
The hairs on his cold neck stood at her caress, deep longing returning to every inch of skin she pressed her hands to. New heat ignited in him, and a mild flush came to the middling angles of his cheeks as he returned her kiss, now bringing his other hand to her back. Tracing the immaculate curve of her shoulders, he ran his hands down her side with a mildly urgent touch embracing her sensual form with unspoken desire.
Keeping her lips to his she found a smile only he could bring to her lips growing as she slowly, lovingly caressed his shoulders. Rubbing at them softly as she purred happily to the tender touch his hands brought against her body. Shivering softly she shifted so her back was to the fire and her front was facing him. Arms wrapping around his neck, just content to be like this with him even though there was desire growing within. Fingers trailed over his neck and to his chin as she traced his jaw line and cheek softly with her finger tips.
Sharing her gaze, he let the minutes pass as she brushed her soft hands against his face. The moon wheeled overhead, night growing long as they lay there in the cold. Smiling again, he kissed her once more, before sparing a glance to the sky. "The midnight winds will be finding their way into even this place soon, love." He sat up slightly, drawing her along with a firm, strong arm beneath her," Come, there's room enough for two in my humble shelter, and furs enough for six." He chuckled at the thought. "The one luxury I afford myself in isolation."
Slowly she felt his kiss lift from her lips and looked up at the pale moons glow. Smiling still she sighed dreamily as she bit her lip. Turning to look at him as he spoke she nodded. Blinking as she felt the arm beneath her as he sat up. The smile just crew wider as she looked back to him and giggled lightly when she heard him speak of luxury," Hmm. I wonder if me being here is going to distract you from your meditations love. I mean you did come here to think things over." There was a bite of her lip again as she looked to him to make sure she wasn't intruding on his thought processes.
A slightly wild expression came to his face at her words. "Never, love. And besides, meditation was only the beginning of my intentions in this place for the last few weeks." Taking her up suddenly in his arms, he smiled and began to carry her easily to the haw-thorn shelter near the rock face. As they began to move, the air hummed mildly and the warmth of the fire did not leave them. Small currents of heat could be felt, as if they had dragged the warmth with them to entrance of the hidden tent. As he reached the small entrance, he grinned at her with mischief, and collapsed gracefully to the ground with her atop him. Laughing lightly in subtle joy, he crawled on his back, suspending her with him into the tent and coming to rest with her in a thick, almost luxurious bed of extremely soft furs.
Smiling as she was scooped up she giggled again lightly as she heard his words. Biting her lip she kissed and nuzzled his neck as she whispered," Oh and what else were you doing up here love?" When she saw his grin she blinked and gave him a questioning look before she squeaked to his collapse. Blinking again in a shocked kind of way she started to giggle as he crawled on his back into the hidden tent. Sighing as rested on the first she kissed his lips again and caressed his chest lightly. Her eyes bouncing with mischief of her own as she kept herself laying over him and looking down in his eyes as she brought her other arm over his head so that her fingers could slowly trail over it.
Enraptured at the opportunity to enjoy himself with his love for the first time in so long, he smiled widely, keeping his hands busy throwing furs over them to beat back the cold air. "I have been practicing aeromancy, love. I haven't taken up the art in nearly five years, but my old skill seems to be deep-seated."
Her head tilted as she felt the warmth of the furs hold her tight," Was that the show I saw with the two figures out by the fire?" Smiling still as she kissed his chin softly. Fingers still gliding over his cheek and over his head as she stayed nestled as close as she could to him.
A deep heady breath escaped him at the closeness of her body, their forms fitting each other easily in the soft surface of the shelter. "It was. I perfected that little performance in the first few days, since thoughts of you were so prevalent in my mind."
Blushing to his words she pressed her lips to his neck as she whispered," Not a day went by that you weren't on my mind." It was true. She found it hard to sleep at night since her bed was empty, their bed was empty. So she had hardly found time to sleep in their room taking residence in the basement and sleeping on a makeshift bed like she had done so long ago. Now she was next to the body she had missed hogging half the bed at night as she curled against it for warmth. How she had missed the man her heart treasured so much. Looking in his eyes, her own eyes showed how much she had deeply ached to be near him to be with him since he had left those few weeks ago.
Holding her close, he cherished her presence, knowing that she felt the same. Pulling the blanket close to rest their heads on, he undid the belting on his neck guard, placing it beside the rest of his gear and laying down, more comfortable to be free of it.
Tenderly her fingers came up to trail over his neck as she kissed it softly. Nuzzling and nestling next to him she sighed happily and bit her lip as she rested her head on his shoulder. Sighing contently she closed her eyes.
Staying awake just to look at her, so beautiful in repose, he kept her close and gazed over her form. Stunned despite himself at her boundless sensuality, even while simply lying beside him, he smiled again before laying his own head down, and joining her in resting for one last night from their worries.
"Can we stay here for a few days or do you want to go home in the morning love?" Was whispered as she lay there fingers still idly twirling over his neck as she kept her eyes closed. Furs covering her shoulders as she shifted, kicking off her jeans and boots as she got more comfortable.
"We'll discuss it tomorrow, beautiful. Depending on this threat, we could use this place to gather allies and form a plan. If that won't be necessary, we can return first thing." Inwardly he hoped she would advise returning. His hands twitched. Behind his closed eyes, his mind turned from thoughts of his beloved to visions of violent retribution for this fool who dared to terrorize her.
Biting her lip she sat up as she swallowed. Worry suddenly in her eyes as she heard his words. Shifting she looked down at her hands as she slid up on her knees. The furs falling off her shoulders as she sighed," Aonghas promise me something, please, I beg of you." Terror and worry mixing and trembling on her voice.
Sitting up alongside her, his brow furrowed with intent, he placed one hand to her back, reassuring her. "What is it, love?"
Shaking her head she whispered as she wrapped her arms around him," Please, please don't go after this one. Please. He...he...could kill me with a blink...please...I don't want to loose you."
He considered the request for a moment, then pulled off his shirt and kicked off his boots. "Would you have me let him take you as he may, and bring destruction into our lives at will?" Seeing the deep concern and truth of her words in her eyes, he continued. "I promise not to attack him directly, but in turn I ask that you understand; he must be redressed. I shall do everything in my power to put him in his place, no matter what contrivances of long thought are necessary."
Nodding she was half distracted by the sight of his bare chest, but she was more focused on the thoughts that had brought her much worry. She bit her lip as her eyes went up to his again and then a whisper fell from her lips," I understand, and no I just wanted him to leave me be. I figured the first time I asked it was enough to get him to do so. I didn't want him in my life after he attacked me so long ago, but I understand. I do." Biting her lip she pressed a kiss to his cheek. She couldn't help it she whispered softly in his ear," Hero."
A grim chuckle limped from him at her use of the word. "I'll not do a thing until I understand the situation fully." He looked distant for a moment, considering. "Perhaps it would be best to go directly home, if only to get a firm grasp." He shrugged then and smiled, wrapping his hand to her waist, fingers edging under the hems of her clothing, caressing her soft skin. "In any case tonight there is no-one here but us. Let's enjoy that."
Even though the prospects of going home soon scared her she nodded to him as she smiled at his last bit of words. Closing her eyes half way to the feel of his hands against her skin she sucked in a breath as she whispered lightly," Yes, please. Us, alone like this. I've missed this so." Her eyes locking with his as her hands came up to run over his chest slowly. The feel of his flesh making her suck in another breath.
Nodding in assent, he lay down, pulling her gently to him and kissing her deeply. He intended to make up in spades for his absence.
