The Engagement of The Duchess Achtung of Bracht and Sir Eldarion 'Nightwing'
Wethrandir
The ranger knelt by the small campfire and contemplated the past few weeks.
His quest to find the evil beast Zandramas who had killed his brother had
taken many unexpected turns and twists. The most unexpected however had to
be Achtung. From out of nowhere his friend had showed up to aid Eldarion in
his quest. She had left the security of Wayrath, her home of many years to
help him. He had left Wayrath, vowing not to return until his brother�s
murderer was ash. He had expected a solitary journey of vengance, but found
something else quiet different instead. The Dracolich knew the elf was on
her trail and had proved to be the most elusive and cagey prey yet. She knew
that if she had to face him in single combat she must surely perish and so
kept throwing her minions in his path as she continued to flee. This had
given Eldarion�s rage time to cool and to once again take notice of the
world around him. The thing he had noticed most was Achtung�s unswerving
loyalty. He had wondered about her since the day she first showed up. Why
had she left all she knew and cared about to aid him. She didn�t know
Eldarion�s brother, Ronner, that well. The only reason could be Eldarion
himself. The more he watched her he came to know that though she might not
even admit it to herself she loved him. That thought itself made Eldarion�s
heart soar for some reason. Could it be that he loved her as well? They had
been friends for many years now. Nothing else had come of it, but now things
were different. For all of his life he had relied on no others than his
brothers. He had cared for his wives but they somehow never connected with
him and seemed more charges put in his care than actual companions as the
years passed. Eventually they had left his side and he bore no rancor or
remorse at their leaving. Achtung was something different though. He tried
to think about continuing his quest without her and that idea was painful.
How would he be able to accomplish the things that needed be done without
her? His eyes rise to look at her once more across the flames and he finds
that he is holding his breath. Just the sight of her was enough to make his
soul sing.
�Achtung? I�ve been thinking a lot lately. There are some things I need to
know�
She smiles gently at him as she stirs their dinner, another masterpiece that
she had cooked up with the help of his hunting skills. �What is it you wish
to know?� Her aquamarine eyes having that slight glow to them as he finally
broke the silence of the evening. She had left Wayrath shortly after he had
and had been following him ever since. It was when she felt it was safe
enough to make herself known, she had set up camp and it was her infamous
cooking that led him to her. For several years she has had a desire to care
for this man beyond the friendship that they had. Even back at the tower,
when she knew Eldarion would be there for dinner, she would always make he
special Elven dishes, the pies always had a pinch more spice and each extra
touch was added with loving hand. Even after the death of her children,
Achtung remained at Wayrath to serve him, to be near him�everything she did
was for him. It was then that her eyes had only made a short contact when
she responded to him but she was intent upon her cooking.
Eldarion finds himself blushing furiously. He must know. �Achtung�. How do
you�. feel about me?�
She pauses from her stirring, taken slightly aback at his question. She
lowers her gaze from his for just a moment and then raises her eyes again to
look into his as if gazing into his soul. She finds it open to her and there
lies his heart �My feelings for you go deeper than the ocean floor. These
words I�ve only spoken in my mind. But my life would not be worth living
were you not in it.� She goes back to her stirring.
Eldarion feels faint. Her answer was more than he had been unconsciously
hoping for. He circles around the fire and sits next to her. He puts his
hand on the mercury-like brilliance her own to stop her stirring and places
his other hand gently under her chin to raise her gaze to his. His face is
just a breath away from hers as he whispers �Achtung. I can�t describe the
way I feel when you are near me. I know that I cannot live apart from you
anymore. We have been friends for so very long. I have always found great
comfort and solace in your friendship but no longer. Friendship is no longer
enough for me. I want more.� Then with a boldness borne of hope he kisses
her softly.
Her body is rigid at first in disbelief that this is actually happening but
then as a stream flows into a river, she melts into his arms and submerges
into that blissful kiss.
His arms wind their way around her to hold this beautiful creature closer to
himself. He pours all his love and longing into her lips. He explains his
feelings to her with that kiss the things that words would never be able to
form.
When he does reluctantly part from her, he shivers a bit at the feelings
that course through his veins. �Achtung I said that I cannot live apart from
you any longer and I mean it. I need to give all that I am to you and I ask
that you give yourself to me. Be my wife? Please be the completion of all
that I am and grant me the honor, the joy of being the one to complete all
that you are.�
She sighs a small gasp and looks into his eyes to see that there is an
endless love bound there, waiting for her to but open the gates and let it
wash over her. She places her hand on his cheek �I accept with all my heart,
all my body, and all of my soul.� Then draws his lips back to hers to
consummate that pledge that they feel and made to each other.
Dinner is forgotten. The campfire dies down. Another fire is borne and rages
in two hearts for each other as they beat together and the night passes
slowly in love.
Invitations will be sent out later.
*******************************************
The Dragon Ranger Comes
His quest drives him on. The ranger continues his hunt for the killer
of his brother. For but a short time had the five of them been
together. Less than a half hour after years of being apart. Eldarion
had not been fully concious but knew on a deep level of his being
that his brothers were all there. He felt the magic of the fea surge
through them all and grow as it passed from one to the next. Then,
even as he was freed from his self imposed bonds, the world fell out
from under him. The twins were reft away tto distances unknown. The
eldest, Ithillian had been disincorpreated but kept his presence
there. The youngest died at the cruel claw of a dracolich, in his
death he protected his brother. He lashed out with the powers of the
earth that were at his command and came close to destroying his
murderer. From that time on Eldarion was sworn to destroy this foul
beast that stood in opposition to everything the ranger held dear.
Eldarion forsook Wayrath, his sancuary, to carry out his quest. Along
the way he had found the wife that had been lost to him only to know
that once she was found she was no longer his. He found love unlooked
for in his dearest and oldest friend. A love he had not known before.
A love of equals. His quest moved on. Minion after minion the
dracolich set in his path so that she could flee and minion after
minion he destroyed utterly. Nothing would stop him. Or so he
thought. He crouches in a tree top sizing up this latest foe to be
set in his path. Yet another clue to the whereabouts of the dreaded
dracolich when he feels the vibrations calling to him. Though he had
left Wayrath, there were bonds forged there that could not be denied.
Oaths that could not be forsaken. He was a defender of the Queen. A
shield and sword for her to use. To the Reavers he belonged and to
that call must he answer. A few soft words and the tree parts to let
him in. To take him through the fae to the place where he is needed.
The band of cutthroats sit by thier fire, never knowing how close
death had passed them. Not knowing that it would soon come thier way
again for the quest had but a momentary reprive. It would return with
a vengance. Eldarion steps out of a tree close to the keep and
catches his breath. What a magnificent structure. Truely a place to
stand in awe of had he but the time. He stride quickly to the castle
and makes his way to his Queen. "Majesty. You have summond and I have
kept my oath and come. How may I serve you?"
Copyright 2002. All works by William and Rozalyn Terrill. Used with permission.