Solace In The Storm

The wind howls and the sound of rain falling against the rooftop wake her from her slumber, yet the warmth of the fire eases her of her worries, imparting that she remains in safe company.

Though her body feels fatigued, the stresses of the day mixed with heavy workload of the week, she feels a sense of accomplishment, knowing that they have more than caught up on their tasks, and the next few weeks would not be spent in blind panic and hurried activities. They'd taken the necessary precautions before it was too late, and their patrons would be more than provided for during this rainy season. A lot of travelers would be stopping in, and they would have everything they needed for a comfortable stay, and be well fed without the burden of the leaving the inn.

Taking in the dancing light, she watched the flames lick the brick work before disappearing into the night, and she felt herself fortunate to have the life she did. It wasn't long ago that her own home had been taken, and the years of training had hardened her into a shield maiden, unable to form attachments to any living person that crossed her path. But he had been different, and with devotion and candor, he'd brought her back to realm of the living, and made her want for a life better than glory and dying young.

He'd done it so carefully, yet so easily, that she hadn't even noticed his integration into her circle until that first beside the fire when he'd asked her about the book she was reading, and whether or not she would recommend it? Her piercing green eyes had taken him in, measured him from the inside out, and she found herself talking to him of history and battles, dreams and hopes for the future. She'd never opened up to anyone, and the night had passed with such ease and bliss she hadn't been aware of his flawless assault at her icy walls until six months had passed, and he had given her a kiss under the moonlit sky and knew that she never wanted anything else, but to be his bride and live with him until the end of their days.

It was only a month more that she'd walked down the aisle to him, the boy whom she'd known since childhood, but had allowed herself to be separated from by their elders and trained as a soldier against their enemies, and she'd promised to be his, even in the afterlife in Summerland. That night, they took their passion in hand and felt their souls combine.

He had always been the one; her greatest protector in battle, her confidant before and after, and the dearest friend and devoted lover. His aura had combined with hers before she'd even recognized it, and now, there was only eternity.

Her eyes had closed without her knowledge, the comfort of their bedroom, the pouring rain, the comfortable pallet in front of a roaring fire all an elixir to relax her exhausted being, working to lull her back into sleep. However, the greatest gift had come when his arms encircled her, cradling her into him as he placed soft kisses to her shoulder, and whispered his love for her so gently she felt as if she were floating.

He had finished the last of the work, and returned to his beloved bride after hours apart. His scent made her crave to be with him, to ride out the rest of the night in total bliss, but she knew their time would come, and that, for now, all she needed was his love and his touch for her world to be complete.

As she fell into a peaceful slumber, she carried his devotion into their shared dreamworld, where time stood still in the Forest of Light, and they bathed in the moonlight; a God and Goddess of love as timeless as the ages, and immortal in the minds of generations to come.

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