A Life Worth Living

Calaren was dressed in his riding leathers. His pants were dark tan, tanned leather. His jacket was slightly darker but the leather was brushed which made the texture soft to the touch. His gloves, belt and boots were dark brown and all of it was adorned with brass instead of silver which gave his look a certain ornate quality to it though it was quite plain. His cloak was of a dark green that matched alot of the darker leaves on the trees. His long, dark hair was held back by a single leather cord.

For many hours he said nothing to his companion. In truth he really didn’t know what to really say to Narisa nor how to feel about her suddenly deciding that she would leave with him. He knew what it must mean...didn’t he? She rode the horse he gave to her and he wondered if she knew that he had given it to her in truth. He had asked her father, the King not to tell her and he had not as far as he knew. But the queen may have. Did this mean that they were going to be together? He believed that she did love him but that with what had happened...it all could have tainted. Apparently it had not or perhaps she just wished for a change of scenery? He glanced her way a few times. She looked...well, magnificent really in her riding clothes. Women who wore fancy dresses while they rode seemed out of place to Calaren. Narisa never liked to ride that way. She barely even moved her reins, Simaril was easily guided by her knees alone and only when she couldn’t predict what Narisa wanted. Horses that intelligent were rare and he could only guess by her sleek lines and lithe bone and musculature that she had to have royal blood in her, herself. What that meant was that one of her ancestors might have been a Mearas. His red was inferior in just about every way but he was ok with that.

After a few hours he looked back and saw that one of the draft horses had something wrong with a shoe. He stopped and sighed only looking over at Narisa briefly. “It shouldn’t take me long to fix,” he said as if he felt that this was his fault in some way.

Narisa wore a pair of leather riding leggings and a forest green tunic. Her boots were made of a soft, buttery leather and came up just over her knees. Her cloak was wool and lightly fluttered back behind her as she rode. Her long, dark wavy hair was loose around her shoulders. Even though she wore no royal emblem it was clear that she was royalty from the way she held herself as she rode. She lightly steered Simaril with her knees. As they rode she couldn't help but notice the silence between them. She began to fear that perhaps he didn't understand why she had come with him. He hadn't said anything to her since she had first appeared and she wanted to show him that she was his.

When one of the draft horses threw a shoe they came to a stop. Calaren spoke to her for the first time since their fight the day before and she could tell that she needed to do something. She dismounted her horse and walked over to him without a word. She grabbed him by his edges of his cloak and pulled him towards her and kissed him more passionately than she had ever kissed anyone before. If that didn't show him that she loved him and wanted to be with him then nothing would!

When he dismounted then began to rifle through his saddlebag for his tools he hadn’t heard nor seen Narisa dismount. Which was why when he turned around he was completely surprised to see her but not nearly as surprised as when she pulled him in and kissed him. Instinctively he dropped what was in his hands to take her into an embrace. Her lips were moist and warm and he pulled her body up against his and kissed her back. Their kissed continued until he lifted her up into his arms and hugged her tightly.

Calaren said no words, he knew he didn’t need to. The icy that had formed between them over the recent events had completely melted away to reveal the warm light he felt for her. He fixed the shoe though he was obviously distracted now. Had there not been so much daylight left he would think about setting up camp but there was and so he put his tools away and could see her watching him out of the corner of his eye. He wouldn’t mind a more of tasting her lips right then. “No no no, don’t think of that!” He chided to himself internally. Her kisses had set his loins to flames and it was not easy to just set it all aside right then. He heard her mount Simaril then mounted his Red who frisked his tail toward her mare. He paused to turn and look over at her and found that she was looking at him.

Feeling Calaren's arms slide around her, Narisa melted into them. He would be able to feel her heart beating against his own. She poured all of her love for him into that kiss and as it slowly broke she looked deeply into his eyes. No words were needed. Both of them knew in that moment that they would forever be together. Their new lives had just begun and Narisa was excited to know what lay before them. Whatever it was, they would tackle it together.

Although Narisa would have loved to stay there in his arms, there was still plenty of daylight left and a long way for them to go to get to Gehenna. Reluctantly, she mounted Simaril and she heard him do the same. She slowly looked over at him and as he looked back over at her their eyes once again met.

"I love you Calaren."

“And I love you, my Princess,” he said in a tone that carried with it a lot more warmth than he wanted to convey right then. His eyes had a flash of desire filled heat in them though he obviously couldn’t see that. He saw her cheeks redden though. For the rest of the morning they took a leisurely pace. As they rode they talked. The topics ranged from horses to houses and Calaren had spoke to Lord Phelan about what he wanted. He wanted a fairly large house, either 1 floor and more spread out or 2 floors. There’d need to be room for a large stable and grounds enough to house 2 hands. Which they’d need to help with the horses and any other livestock they wanted to have. He knew Narisa talked a good game but living in the Golden Hall and having servants do alot for you...it was going to be a change for her. He hoped she wasn’t going to buck like a pony to its first saddle.

They stopped to water and rest the horse and they ate dried meat, fruit, a wedge of cheese and bread with a bit of cool, sweet white wine to wash it down. The it was back to riding until he found a suitable place to break camp.

Calaren had seen the countryside before but somehow, with Narisa so near it all seemed much more...colorful and vibrant. The green of the leaves and the grasses as they shifted in the breeze. The hills and plains around them were green this time of year. It had rained alot recently and the usually tan and bleached grass and scrub was a mixture of light and darker greens that spawned Honeysuckle, Thorn brush and wild flowers in every color. It was Narisa who spotted the large ar of level ground. It was just North off the road near a outcrop of large moss covered rocks that would do well to block them from high winds incase it decided to rain.

He brought the carts around with hand gestures to the horses and had them park them facing Westward and side by side. As he dismounted to unhook them from their carts he saw Narisa hop down as well. He was delighted to see her take a hand to unpacking the back of the first cart. She must have seen it held all of his camping gear. That was when he remembered that he had only brought one tent...He cringed inwardly and shifted to not look at her while he continued his work with the horses.

Narisa's own desires mirrored those of Calaren. Like himself, she tried to hide her feelings, although she doubted she was doing a very good job. She pushed her desires aside, knowing that they still had a long journey ahead of them. Thankfully, the weather was good and the sun shone above them as they rode side by side. Narisa was happy...truly happy. She listened as Calaren told her about the house he was going to have built and she began to imagine herself in that house with him. There was much that she did not know about caring for a house, and she did not really know how to cook, but she was going to learn. However, she was not going to spend all of her time in the house. Calaren had promised her that they would be partners and she wanted to spend most of her time with the horses. She planned on hiring a housekeeper to help her with the house so she could be doing the work she needed and wanted to do.

The day went by quickly as they talked of their plans and before Narisa knew it the sun was starting to get low in the sky. She knew that they needed to find a place to set up camp. They needed to find an area of level ground to set up the tent. Soon, Narisa spotted an area that was suitable and they dismounted their horses to begin making camp. Narisa immediately set to work beginning to unpack the first cart, which she knew had the camping gear. She found the tent and pulled it out so Calaren could begin to put it up. She had known he would only have one tent and she was actually pleased about that. She wanted to be near Calaren...even if she wasn't in his arms.

"I'll go find some wood for a fire," she told him after she had finished getting out the rest of the gear.

“Take the bow...please,” was all he said with his back to her as he paused in the middle of pounding in the first tent stake. He didn’t need to tell her why. Out here it was just them too and she was marked now to a degree. Word of what those bandits did had gotten around quickly. Once it is known that the King and his family were ‘not’ untouchable, others might try something they normally wouldn’t. He wanted nothing to do with field medicine today.

While she was gone he managed to get the tent up and set their thick bedrolls inside. Unconsciously he set them equally spaced from the tent walls and from one another. He set her clothing bags and personal effects on her bedroll and his on his. Next he set up the cooking tripod and dumped a good deal of water into it. WIth his carving knife he began chopping onions, carrots, potatoes and shredding greens that he put into the small, iron pot that hung on the tripod. He had a few spices, salt, pepper and a small box of mixed spices his mother had given to him that really made a venison stew taste wonderful. He had already prepped the salted meat. He washed each piece off before he plopped them into the pot. He liked salt but sometimes too much was too much!

He was relieved when Narisa returned. Her arms heavily laden with wood and kindling. He helped her set it all down then gave her his tinder box. “You still know how to make a fire...don’t you?” He asked playfully, his face all a grin. When she took the box from him she made as if to throw it at him and he put his arms up as if to protect himself as if she would really throw it at him. “I’ll just go feed the horses,” he said and stepped away all a grin. He was feeling...mischievous for some reason and he thought it might be because he was so happy. Her just being there made everything he did that much more pleasant to do.

Narisa did not need any convincing to take her bow and quiver. After all that had happened recently she had become much more aware of everything around her. She hoped that they would reach Gehenna without much, or any, trouble. It did not take her very long to find kindling. She began to pick it up and as she did she found herself humming to herself. She was so happy that she smiled as she worked and could not wait to get back to him. Everything seemed special and new and she wanted to explore more of their new relationship. She couldn't help but wonder if they would marry once they reached Gehenna or if he would want to wait. She knew her grandfather and she knew that he would not allow her to live with Calaren unless they were properly wed (even though she knew for a fact that he and her grandmother had lived together in both Minas Tirith and in Gehenna before they married).

Once her arms were laden with kindling she set back towards the camp. The sun was now setting and the sky around them was various shades of pink and orange and quite beautiful. She set down the kindling and took his tinder box. At his jesting question she snatched the box from him playfully and moved as if she was going to throw it at his head. She laughed at his response and smiled at him.

"I do...and I know lots of other things too," she told him with a playful grin.

“Good then you can cook for us tomorrow and I’ll fetch the wood,” he replied with an even bigger grin. He didn’t know if she even knew how to cook but he guessed by her expression as he stepped away that she did not. He brought out the stools as the stew cooked and he sat in one of them then leaned over to fill a cup with tea leaves with hot water from the small kettle he had brought. He handed it to her then filled another for himself.

The sun was now just beginning to fall, the bottom edge of it flattened upon the green and gold hills to the east. The mountains were just barely visible still. Hazy blue sentinels that rose high up into the air. With the rocks to block them, the wind was not really much of a problem right then. The smell of the stew made his mouth water but he knew it would still be some time yet and he wanted to distract himself from what he really wanted to do right the which would be to have her on his knee right then. They had kissed several times but always with the restraint that came with courtship. He had never truly had her to himself. Calaren had always had to share her. Well, not anymore. Evenso he felt this...need, this urgency to be with her and he found those thoughts to be quite...distracting.

He held his cup in his hands as he leaned forward. He was thinking of them together in his tent and he wondered what her body looked like without any clothes on. Those thoughts and even more insatiable ones made his cheeks color a bit as he looked out over the nearby hills. A small hawk hunted in the sky just to the North. Probably looking for field mice, he thought trying to move away from his present thoughts.

"I can certainly try to cook...although you may not like the results," she replied with a little grin. She felt so happy right then that she was almost giddy. She would no longer deny herself the knowledge that she loved Calaren more than Eagan and would never love anyone else but him now. It was a feeling that freed her and filled with joy. Their future was open before them and she felt that they could accomplish anything as long as they were together.

She accepted the cup of tea he gave her and sat down near him by the fire. The stew was still cooking and the smell of it filled the air around them. Above, the sky was slowly darkening, starting their first night truly together. As they fell quiet, thoughts Narisa had been trying to keep aside continued to come back. Passion filled thoughts that sent shivers of desire through her body. She imagined his hands and mouth upon her...the feel of his warm breath against her skin...the weight of his body atop her own. She knew in her mind that they should wait until they were married, but her heart....her heart wanted to finally be joined with his...the man who had saved her life...the man she loved.

Narisa's gaze slowly met Calaren's and she could see his own desire reflected in his eyes. Suddenly, they were both on their feet...in each other's arms. Their cups were discarded on the ground as they hungrily kissed...their passions burning hotter than the fire they were standing beside. Narisa's heart was beating hard in her chest against Calaren's as she pressed her body into his own. Their lips parted for a brief moment and she whispered into his ear.

"I want you Calaren...all of you. Take me...for I am completely and solely yours."

A considerable amount of time later…

Embers of red and gold still burned just outside of their tent and naked Calaren had retrieved two bowls of the stew for them to eat. Their bedrolls were pushed together and Narisa had the tan blanket he had brought just snugged up over her breasts and under her arm pits. The stew had a spicy taste to it that Calaren loved and the fact that it had been allowed a bit of extra time to cook made the sauce quite flavorful especially since they both had worked up quite a hunger. Calaren appeared quite comfortable in his nakedness. He sat in the middle of his bedroll with hsi leg crossed and ate next to Narisa who had set to her bowl of stew with a will.

Finally, it was done. They had been together and from that the beginning of the rest of their lives was happening right then. Narisa’s body was all that he hoped it would be. She was strong and firm and also soft in all of the right places. Uncouthly Calaren wiped off his chin as the juices from the stew meat ran down almost to his neck. He didn’t mind Narisa could see him without his clothes. Indeed she appeared to like what she saw and in their coupling they both made more than a little noise as pleasure seemed to fill them both.

“I’m glad you like it,” he said as he saw her tip her own bowl up to drink the sauce that was at the bottom. The juice ran down her chin as well. She almost looked...disappointed he thought as he took her bowl. Apparently she was as hungry as he had been and he set the bowls and spoons down near the foot of their bedrolls. He smiled over at her and slowly he reached over and took hold of the blanket tucked around her. Gently he tugged it down and pulled it back off of her so he could see her more clearly now. Earlier it was a mad, passionate scramble and he hadn’t really gotten a chance to see her.

Calaren had never been with a woman before. He had felt women over their clothes of course but he had never cared about anyone as he did Narisa. He didn’t go along with how he was raised at all. He wanted a companion not a dutiful wife. He knew in his heart Narisa was everything he had hoped for. Gently he touched her left breast and cupped it into his warm hand. He repeated the process with the other as if he expected it to feel different. “Would you mind if we went a little slower this time?” He asked in a very smoky voice as he moved his hand down between her legs. He was very curious about her body and she would see what he was doing to her had affected him as he shifted to kiss her once more.

Narisa hadn't wanted it to end. Everything about it had felt right and now they truly belonged to one another. The passion between them had been almost too much to bear and Narisa was actually glad that they were quite alone out in the wilderness for their moans and cries had echoed into the night sky. While Narisa had been with Eagan once, not even that night had compared to this. They were now two young lovers with the world at their feet and ripe for the taking. Narisa felt whole.

Their passionate activity had worked up quite the appetite for Narisa and she gratefully accepted the bowl of stew from Calaren. It was quite flavorful and Narisa hungrily ate spoonful after spoonful until she finally discarded her spoon and just tipped the bowl back to drink what was left at the bottom. A little juice ran down her chin and she wiped it away as she handed her now empty bowl to Calaren. Eating had temporarily distracted her from memories of what had occurred between them not that long ago, but now that they were finished passionate thoughts once again filled her mind. She felt Calaren's eyes on her and she slowly looked up at him as he reached over and gently pulled away the blanket she had been holding around her body. She allowed it to fall away so that he could gaze upon her. Her body was still glistening from their last encounter. Narisa felt somewhat shy as her new lover examined her, but she could see that he liked what he saw. Narisa was lithe and lean, but also toned from years of riding and working with horses. Her body bore only one scar...the one that he had created in saving her life.

As Calaren reached out and touched her left breast she closed her eyes and a sigh of pleasure escaped her lips. Her breasts, while not overly large, were well shaped and firm and her nipples stood erect as he began to touch her right one. His words made her shiver with obvious desire as felt his warm hand leave her breasts. As his hand lightly traveled down her body she knew where it was going to land and she opened her eyes to look into his own as he touched her between her legs. She didn't need to answer him. He would know her answer in her lips as she kissed him back. After a moment, she gently pulled back and then slowly and seductively laid back upon the bedroll so that he might view her body a little easier.

For  few moments Calaren only looked at her. Her smile and the flushness in her cheeks told him that she wanted this, wanted him. Would it always be like this? He wondered. She had taken charge today and her hands had moved swiftly to undo his jacket and his belt. That was just something a woman didn’t do. Well...other women. But he definitely liked it. He liked everything she did. He leaned forward and gently took her right nipple into his mouth as he pressed her left one between his fingers. He felt her hands pull at his hair and he grinned as he had always wanted to do this to a woman and he actually was...to Narisa! He loved the feel of her stomach and the soft, mass between her legs as he drew his hand down there again. She seemed to shift a little with her abdomen so her body met his hand. He heard her let out a moan and so he explored her further and to his surprise she really appeared to like how he touched her there. Clearly they were meant for one another. Their bodies fit well together as he laid down atop her. He kissed her softly, passionately and he felt her take hold of his head as she kissed him back.

“I love you, Narisa,” he said as he paused then pulled his head up to look into her eyes. She smiled and then she twisted abruptly and forced him onto his back. They made love long into the night and the next morning he found that she had curled up into his arms. It was not yet even daybreak and when he shifted to remove himself she made an unapproving sound. He smiled and hissed her neck and she shifted to give his mouth more room to continue doing that if he so desired to. He did but he knew the horses needed tending and they still had a long way to go yet. “I’ll tend the horses,” he said as he pulled back and began to put on his britches. He had banked some coals for the morning so they could have a bit of tea with their bread and cheese. Parceling out the food would be implied as her job for the morning but it certainly didn’t look to him as if she was ready to get up just yet.

“I’m not doing all the work,” he said playfully as he put on his stockings and then his shirt. "Even if you are beautiful laying like that," Calaren said.

For the first time in a very long time Narisa fell asleep easily and slept peacefully through the night. In Calaren's arms she felt safe and completely loved. She fell asleep dreaming of their new lives together. Morning came far too quickly for Narisa's liking. She could sense the cool air outside the tent and Calaren's body was warm against her own. However, she felt him shift and get up, despite her vocal protests. Slowly, her eyes fluttered open and she shifted on the bedroll and sat half up to look at him. Her long, dark, wavy hair was mussed from their nightly activities and sleep, but it made her look even sexier as she lounged there looking at him through her partially drowsy eyes.

"Are you sure you don't want to come back to bed?" she asked with a little smile. When he continued to dress she smiled and laughed and got up. She dressed and began to pack up the items inside the tent before helping Calaren to take the tent down. She then got the fire going in order to prepare some breakfast. They didn't have much, but Narisa did the best she could (considering she had no idea what she was doing). She handed the plate to Calaren and watched hopefully as he took a bite.

In truth he would have loved to come back to bed but that wouldn't get what needed doing done. The horses were ready to get moving and he watered them and began to hook back up their harnesses when he smelled food cooking. He looked back to see her trying to use the heavy skillet he had brought. It smelled good though and she appeared to be concentrating on what she was doing. When she finally called him and and handed him a plate he saw it was eggs and a bit of cheese and peppers. He sat down on his stool next to her and took a bite. To his surprise it was actually pretty good and he ate quickly more out of hunger than anything else. They washed it all down with hot tea.

“So have you been to Gehenna Narisa?” He asked. “I really know very little about it,” he said.

Narisa was holding her breath as she watched Calaren take his first bite. To her surprise he didn't spit it out right away and then to her amazement he took another bite and then another. Feeling rather proud of herself, she fixed a plate for herself and tried what she had just made. It was actually quite good! She could only hope that this was not a fluke and that she would be able to cook other things as well.

"I have not been back to Gehenna for several years," she replied before taking another bite. "My grandparents, as you know, are the leaders of the village and everyone there looks up to them and admires them greatly. While they say it started small, it is quite large now. There are many shops surrounding the market, which lies in the center of the village and then fanning outward are the villager's houses and fields where they keep the sheep. My grandparent's house sits atop a hill overlooking the entire village. It's one of the most beautiful villages I have ever been to. They are honest, hardworking people there and they care about each other. I think you will feel right at home there Calaren."

Calaren ate why he listened to what Narisa had said about Gehenna. It sounded wonderful! A place where he could breed, raise and train horses in peace. He had gotten tired of the life of a soldier and officer. So much death and politics. Finally he could have the country life with the woman he loved. His dreams were coming true…

He could have listened to Narisa all morning but hey had a full day and half of another yet until they reached their destination. He did the dishes while Narisa packed the food back up and scuttled the last remnants of their camp. It wasn't long before they were on the road again and sometimes they were close enough to talk.

“Is what happened last night going to happen tonight, Narisa?” He asked with a very warm smile on his face. Obviously he liked what happened and him asking again was obviously to let her know that it could happen again if she wanted it. She could have ‘him’ if she wanted.

Narisa knew that they needed to get moving since they still had a day and a half journey to reach Gehenna. Narisa helped to pack up the food and then the rest of their camp. It was still early morning when they set out. It appeared that it was going to be another nice day, for which Narisa was thankful. The sun was shining above, but there was a light breeze from the west. Narisa was enjoying riding Simaril. The young mare was excellently trained and responded quickly to her commands or gestures. She was leaner than Onyx had been and sure footed.

As she and Calaren rode together they were able to talk a little and while they spoke of many things, it was clear what was on both of their minds. Narisa smiled slightly at Calaren's question and glanced his way.

"Perhaps," she playfully answered, though Calaren would be able to tell that Narisa wanted to be with him again as much as he wanted to be with her. She was quiet a moment before becoming more serious.

"I should warn you that my grandfather will not allow us to live together unmarried...even though he and my grandmother did...twice.'

There wasn't an abundance of dust in the air as the recent rains had allowed the soft dirt that made up the narrow road to harden into a crusty mud. The sky was clear right then with a warm breeze that carried her scent to him and he breathed it in and it made him want her that much more right then. 

“Well, we will do what has to be done then but that isn't today,” he said warmly as he continued to look straight ahead. He was thinking about her soft curves and how her flesh tasted. That and how wonderful she felt under him. He wanted to feel that again...no,now and indeed he looked around them but then allowed those thoughts to drift out of his mind.

“I can't get you out of my mind,” he said abruptly. Ok well maybe not completely out. “Nor of how wonderful you felt,” he told her.

Narisa was also looking straight ahead as similar thoughts danced around in her head...the way he looked, the way he smelled, the way he touched her. She felt her cheeks beginning to warm and she looked over at him slightly when he confessed that he couldn't get her out of his mind. For a brief moment she too wondered if perhaps they could...

"I cannot get you out of my mind either Calaren," she admitted softly with a grin. "However, we will never reach Gehenna if we cannot control ourselves."

She was right of course. And he nodded to her words. She would be his wife and then they could do what they liked. And as much as they liked he thought. Fire heart bobbed his head as if he could sense something in the air. The movement made Caleren take a cursory look around but no one was there. With his knees and a simple command to Simaril to pause he shifted his leggy red over aside to hers then leaned over to kiss her once more. Her lips were warm and just as urgently needing his and his was for hers. “I'll make love to you over and over and over Narisa...I promise.” He whispered in a very smokey voice. His cheeks were hot and he felt his hardness down below. “My body is so ready for yours,” he told her. “I just wanted you to know what you do to me,” he added then kissed her again.

Narisa felt her cheeks burn even hotter as Calaren moved his horse closer to hers. When he kissed her, she closed her eyes and kissed him back just as deeply. Her desire began to grow and his words caused her mind to begin to cloud over. She wanted him...and seeing his visible reaction to her made her squirm slightly in her saddle. She was ready to give in...ready to beg him to take her right then and there...but suddenly she pulled back. Something was wrong and it took her a moment to finally realize what it was.

"Calaren," she whispered, keeping her face close to his, "the forest has gone completely quiet."'

Calaren’s eyes only strayed from hers by sheer will due to what she said. Someone or something was nearby and so he gestured toward her bow that was tucked in under her saddle strap. He tested his sword in his scabbard but then motioned with a tilt of his head for them to continue on.after several hundred yards he visibly relaxed.

“Tell me more about your grandmother. I heard she had been attacked long ago by wolves but then she went to see the elves and was healed somehow?” He asked as their horses stepped hastily in time with one another. They decided no to stop for lunch and twice Calaren left her side to scout the tree line. He hadn't seen anything though.

Narisa nodded and quietly pulled her bow from the saddle strap. Her quiver was strapped across her back and she was ready at any moment to fire if need be. They continued on, but nothing happened. Narisa did not entirely relax though. Something didn't seem right to her, although she couldn't put her finger exactly on what it was. They kept their horses at a brisk walk and Narisa remained on guard. She did, however, look over at Calaren when he asked her about her grandmother.

"My grandmother is an amazing woman. She is an elf of Noldorian descent and was raised in Rivendell. She saved my grandfather's life and that is how they met and they claim that they fell in love almost from that moment. She was the most amazing archer before her recent injury. My grandfather says he has never seen the likes of a fighter like she was. The people of the village love her dearly and she is fiercely protective of them. She is the most hardworking woman you are likely to ever meet. She has been attacked twice by wolves. Once, long ago before they had my mother or even my uncle Beren or aunt Nauriel. They say she was bitten on the upper thigh one harsh winter and nearly died in my grandfather's arms. However, she is a tough woman and pulled through. Then, a few years ago she was attacked again. This time the wolf bit her right shoulder, nearly pulling her arm off so I'm told. She was once again lucky to have survived, but was told by the healer that she would never regain full strength in that arm. My grandfather took her to Lothlorien and they healed the wound, but they say her arm still is not the same as it once was."

Calaren was not really surprised. He was marrying in to ‘the’ royal family of the age. “I've heard that your grandfather is a hard man. I'm somewhat...concerned about our first meeting and I'm hopeful that you'll help in that regard,” he asked. He also hoped that he being a soldier and all would have helped to a degree but her grandmother too sounded hard. And suddenly his confidence waned as to how this was going to go. 

“Do you think...uh, that they’ll like me?” He asked unsurely. But he wanted them to. Calaren always preferred to be liked and took it badly when someone didn't like him. It was one of his few faults but it was a fault. One he hadn't completely grown out of.