Love of all Times (20/?)
Title: Love Of All Times 20/?
Author: little___hobbit and Fin_Anwamane
Type: RPS
Pairing: Liv/Miranda
Rating: NC-17
Beta: Ourselves
Warning: Physical violence, abuse and rape described in later chapters not between the main pairing.
Disclaimer: This never happened. This was written in fun that's all.
Feedback: Yes please send to paddington-bear@web.de
or glorfindel@hornorfgondor.com
Archiving: The Angels Realm, others please ask.
Summary: A.U. An Egyptian Princess and her slave fall for one another and overcome the threats of their environment
Italics indicate thoughts
~~~~~
It was a feast the small village had not seen in years. Everyone had come, and as Vegeir had predicted to Nakhti, everyone had brought their share to the banquet. There was fish and pork, wild hare and pigeon, many different sorts of fruit, and sweet bakery as well for everyone to enjoy. Some of the men had brought their instruments and were now playing music to dance to as the feast continued.
Miranda gave Liv a loving smile from afar as she walked through the crowd, filling cups here and offering more food there while her love was surrounded by a rather large group of children, bombarding her with questions about life at the Temple and as a Princess. Over by the fire, her father had occupied Nakhti all for himself, showing off his newfound "son" to the other men of the village while they were chit chatting over a jug of beer.
Suddenly, Bebhim appeared out of nowhere before Miranda, taking the jug from Miranda's hands. "You are a terrible host tonight, my child", she chided with a wink and held up her hand when Miranda wanted to protest. "Yes, I know, you have been going around all day and made sure everyone's having enough to eat and drink, but what about your love?" Miranda blushed and lowered her head. "I know you won't be here forever; you will only have a few days here before you have to return to your duty." Miranda nodded, not knowing what to say. Bebhim glanced over to the Princess who was laughing gaily at something one of the children had said, "She looks like she's really free and happy for the first time in a long time. But she'll look even happier if you go over and ask her for a dance now. Go on, my child; show everyone how much you love her."
Miranda smiled and hugged her mother, careful not to spill the contents of the jug the other woman was holding. "Thank you, mama," she whispered, and then she turned around and slowly walked through the crowd towards the Princess amongst the group of children. As she walked, many pairs of eyes followed her, but she did not care. Here, the looks were none of suspicion or accuse, but of approval and happiness for her.
"Miranda, Miranda, did you know Liv has a marble bath that's all her own?" one of the girls crowed excitedly as she perceived her approaching, and Miranda laughed. "Yes, I know this. Now, will you let me have my love back? I would love to dance with you, Liv," she said turning and looking directly into Liv's eyes. "Dance with me, my love," she whispered and held out her hand to help Liv stand.
Liv looked up at Miranda, a loving smile on her face, as she offered her hand. Looking around at the children she took the offered hand and stood. "I would love to dance with you," she replied as she followed Miranda through the crowd to where other villagers were dancing. "This is a very lovely feast," Liv said over the crowd noise to Miranda, "But it will be even more lovely now... now that I have you in my arms," she added as she stopped Miranda and pulled her into an embrace in front of everyone.
Nakhti noticed them together and turned to Miranda's father, giving him a slight nudge in the ribs. The two men smiled as they watched the women begin to dance.
"I love you," Liv whispered in Miranda's native tongue, smiling at the surprised look on Miranda's face. Just then the music started up again and the two women began to dance. It wasn't long before others joined in and there was soon a line of townsfolk dancing and laughing together, all eyes still on Miranda and her love.
Nakhti and Vegeir laughed and started clapping their hands in time with the music; it seemed a good time was being had by all. Nakhti noticed Miranda's mother standing to the side watching and asked Vegeir for permission to dance with his wife. Once it was granted with a hardy slap on the back and a big grin Nakhti made his way to Bebhim. "May I?" he asked taking her by the hand and leading her into the crowd of dancers.
Seeing the huge grin on his wife's face as Nakhti danced with her, Vegeir laughed heartily and continued to clap his hands. Liv noticed them only a few feet away and pointed. "Looks like your mother is having a good time," Liv said to Miranda as she spun her and they bowed facing each other, as that was the steps to the dance they were dancing.
"Everyone is enjoying themselves," Miranda smiled, "The people of our village have never given in to sadness and depression, but I have to think back a much longer time than just ten years to remember such happiness as I see tonight, I think it was the wedding of Alexandra's eldest brother." She looked over to Nakhti and her mother dancing together. "I heard daddy call him 'my son'. Looks like I have a brother now," she said with a wink as she and Liv resumed their dancing. She felt lighthearted and happy, and the threat of Raneb's men chasing them was pushed into the farthest back of her mind at the moment. Right now, all that Miranda was feeling was happiness and love. The whole village was at the feast, and there was not one amongst them who did not love Liv and made her feel at home, quite the contrary; they had welcomed her love with open arms as one of their own.
Out of the corner of her eye, Miranda saw her father approaching and smiled, leaning her head against Liv's shoulder. "Can I steal your love for a dance, my dear?" he asked his daughter and bowed to Liv. Miranda laughed and nodded. "Will you do me the favor of this dance, my child?" Vegeir said to Liv, his blue-green eyes sparkling with joy and cheek just like Miranda's as he held a hand out to the Princess.
Liv smiled listening to Miranda's words as she spoke. When she heard Miranda mention a wedding an idea formed in her head. She did not know how long they could be together without her father finding them, but why not ask for her love's hand in marriage? She was shaken out of her thought when Miranda mentioned Nakhti. "Yes, it does look like you have a brother," Liv replied as she looked to Nakhti who seemed to be enjoying the dance with his new mother. She could see how happy everyone was and it made her warm inside knowing that everyone, including her love was having a good time this night. As Miranda's father approached Liv turned and smiled at him. "I would be honored to dance with you," Liv replied with a bow. She blew Miranda a kiss as the elder man took her hands in his and the two began to dance.
Miranda returned the blown kiss to her love and watched her dance with her father; she felt a warmth inside her that was not the usual heat of desire for her love, but one that came along with the feeling of love and safety. Miranda smiled softly and clapped her hands in rhythm to the music. She looked over to Nakhti and her mother and saw them laughing heartily at something. If only we could always be this safe and happy, but Raneb will never stop hunting us down, she thought sadly, but the doubt was soon shoved aside when one of the little boys tugged at her skirt.
"Miranda, dance with me!" he crowed happily, and Miranda laughed. "Of course I will dance with you," she said and took the boy's hands.
"You are a good dancer, Nakhti," Bebhim said with a smile, "And my husband tells me you are a good guard too. Thank you for keeping our daughter and her love safe, my son. But please, do also think of yourself," the elderly woman resumed, "I do not ask you to abandon them, but to also make sure that you are safe as well. We only found a son, don't let us lose you just as we met you. That is, if you want to be our son," she added softly.
Vegeir may have seemed to be sluggish and clumsy when he had appeared in the crowd this morning, but when he danced with Liv, he was moving about lightly and gracefully in time with the music. "I hope you are enjoying yourself, my daughter," he said just as the musicians changed the tune again, and he stopped, a bright smile appearing on his face. "Oh!" Vegeir exclaimed and looked into Liv's eyes. "Do you love my daughter, Liv? With all your heart? If you do, ask her for this dance," he said mysteriously and gave the Princess a small nudge.
"No thanks are necessary, I love them with all my heart," Nakhti paused. "Mom," he added with a boyish grin on his face. He, much like the Princess had hardly gotten to know his mother before she had passed away, so having a new mother meant the world to him. "I will be safe as well. You have my word," he said as he stopped dancing and gave the woman a hug.
Liv looked at Miranda's father. "Yes, I love your daughter with all of my heart," she replied as she bowed again slightly and turned to see Miranda dancing with the little boy. Giving Vegeir a smile she headed towards Miranda and began giggling at the sight of her love and the small boy dancing as she drew nearer. "Excuse me young man, but may I dance with my love?" she asked, bending over to be the same height as him.
"You can for a kiss," he replied. This brought an immediate laugh from Liv. "You drive a hard bargain," she said and leant in and kissed him on the cheek.
The boy blushed then ran away giggling, holding his cheek as Liv stood looking at Miranda, a big grin on her face.
"Shall we dance my love?" Liv asked as she took Miranda in her arms and they began to dance slowly to the music. As they danced Liv could not shake the thought from her mind that had come to her earlier.
"I must say," the little boy said importantly to Miranda, "You are my favorite dancing partner!" The woman tipped her head back and laughed out loud. "Well I am glad to hear this, my little friend!" she said and winked at him just as the song changed. Miranda looked up surprised, only to find Liv approaching her and her young dancing partner. She watched the interaction between her love and the boy with an amused smile, but also with a nervous tingle in her stomach. How does she know? But she can't know... it's impossible... and yet... God, what shall I do if she does...? Miranda simply nodded when Liv asked her for the dance and leant her head against the Princess' shoulder as they slowly moved to the music. She still could not believe they were dancing to this song. Miranda looked around and found her parents standing side by side, with Nakhti behind them, knowing smiles on their faces, and she blushed.
By the time the music was finished Liv felt she had built up enough nerve and held her hand up motioning for the band to wait before they began again.
Glancing around Liv could see the villagers looking at them, wondering what was about to happen. She caught sight of Nakhti from the corner of her eye and saw him nod as if he knew what she was about to do.
Fighting down her nerves, Liv reached out and took both of Miranda's hands in hers, looking her in the eyes. "My love," she began, only then realizing how loud the silence was, "Long have I yearned to find a true love, one with whom I feel eternally connected, one whom I feel I can spend the rest of my days with, to love and be loved by until I draw my last breath in this life." Liv stroked Miranda's hair gently. "My love, since the day I first laid eyes on you, you have had my heart. You have captured mind and are in my thoughts and dreams always. There is not a moment that passes without me thinking of you and longing to be with you, to hold you in my arms. I know, with all my heart that I can never love another and pray you share these same feelings." Liv knelt in front of Miranda and looked back at her love's blushing face. "My love, in the presence of your family and friends, with the Deities as my witness, I ask you: Will you marry me?"
The nervous tingle inside her grew yet stronger when Liv beckoned the musicians to stop and turned to look into her eyes. As her love spoke up and made her feelings for her known to everyone, Miranda gasped slightly and tears welled up in her eyes. This cannot be, she cannot know, no, she cannot, this is a tradition of our people, she cannot know! Miranda thought as she watched her kneel down in front of her. Liv's words seemed to come from afar and at the same time they were loud and clear. Will you marry me? The words echoed in her mind and she looked down at Liv while her brain was racing. Liv was asking her to be her wife, to spend the rest of their lives together! Oh yes, I want that! But what of... No. He won't get us. Never. Not now, not when she is about to be my wife.
Miranda grabbed Liv by the shoulders and gently made her stand up so they could look straight into one another's eyes. "With all the Deities as my witness, I swear that I do share your feelings. In fact, I do believe I have loved you even before we met, Liv," she said softly, "I believe in soul mates, and you and me, we are soul mates. Never have I come across a woman gentler, more caring and more beautiful than you are, my love. You are the essence of my life, the reason why I am. I cannot live without you and your love for me.
"You are the first thought in the morning when I get up, and the last when I go to sleep at night, and even in my dreams I am thinking of you only. Each second that we are apart, I feel incomplete, something inside me seems to be dying until I am back in your arms - the one place that I belong to."
Miranda reached up to cup Liv's face and pull her close for a loving kiss, gently brushing her tongue over the soft lips until they parted and she could let it slip inside. The sight of the two women kissing caused the surrounding crowd to murmur approvingly. Miranda's parents smiled happily and both gave Nakhti a squeeze as the kiss continued until they had to pull away to draw breath.
Locking gazes with her love again, Miranda smiled. "To answer your question," she said quietly though still loud enough for everyone surrounding them to hear, "Yes, I will marry you. No matter what comes, I will be yours forever." With this, Miranda pulled Liv close again for another kiss, with the crowd cheering on them.
Once the kiss was broken Liv looked at Miranda. "So, you said yes right?” Liv’s mind was racing and her heart was pounding. She thought she heard Miranda say yes and by the way everyone was reacting she was almost positive she did.
Throwing her head back, Miranda laughed heartily at her love's question. "Yes, my love, I did say yes!" she exclaimed and pulled Liv close to kiss her deeply as she spun her around. The crowd around them erupted into even more cheers at that; when they finally broke the kiss again, the two women found themselves surrounded by the villagers who all wanted to congratulate them. "I can't believe that you will get married before me!" Alexandra exclaimed brightly and pulled Miranda into a tight hug, kissing her soundly on the lips. Miranda blushed a deep shade of red but smiled happily and thankfully nonetheless. Alexandra laughed at her friend and turned around to Liv, "Come here, you!" she said brightly, and before Liv could react, she too got a kiss pressed onto her lips. Miranda laughed and slapped her friend's arm. "Now, now, Alexandra, let her live! You will scare and scar her for life."
"My kisses don't scar or scare people," Alexandra grinned and let the other villagers take over to congratulate, "They have other qualities, but scary is definitely *not* amongst them. Addictive, maybe..." She winked at someone standing behind her friend.
Miranda laughed again and shook her head, then she reached for Liv's hand and turned around to lead her away; she found her parents and Nakhti standing right behind them, the three faces beaming with happiness and pride, though the latter wore a suspicious flush on his cheeks. Miranda suppressed a giggle as she remembered Alexandra's cheeky remark just a moment ago and let herself be pulled into a tight hug by her father while her mother hugged Liv. "I guess that means we'll have to organize another feast real soon, hm?" Bebhim winked at the two women.
Liv could not believe the number of villagers that had surrounded her to offer their congratulations. She had feared that the reception they had received and the feast were just tokens of courtesy, but now it became clear to her that the villagers really did see her as one of their own, and not only because she had Miranda's love. Turning to Miranda she saw Alexandra kiss her, causing her to blush. They are so... intimate... I wonder what bonded them like this... But before Liv lost herself in her thoughts, her mind was suddenly jarred back to reality as Alexandra pressed a kiss on her lips as well.
"Oh!" Liv exclaimed as Alexandra broke the kiss and pulled away, feeling herself blush just like Miranda was. Quickly she looked to her love but she showed no sign of surprise and was joking already with the woman about the potency of her kisses. Liv let out a giggle as she followed Alexandra's gaze to Nakhti, whom was standing a few feet behind Miranda with her parents. Liv was fairly sure she could read what the guard was thinking just by the expression on his face. With an inward chuckle, she shook her head. He's got such a dirty mind... I think I need to have a word with him again.
When Miranda grabbed Liv's hand and ushered her to her parents Liv smiled politely at Alexandra as they passed. Once Miranda's mother pulled her into a hug, Liv felt tears of happiness spring from her eyes. She laughed at her future mother-in-law's words about yet another feast. "It does look like it, doesn't it," Liv said and hugged Vegeir now. "Mother... father," she said and smiled when it made the old couple's faces light up with pride and joy.
Just in that moment, the band started to play again, and Liv turned around to Miranda who was just being spun around by Nakhti. Once the guard set her down again, Liv stepped up behind her love and snaked her arms around Miranda's waist. "Care to dance with me, my future wife?" she whispered into Miranda's ear.
Laughing, Miranda wrapped her arms around Nakhti's neck as he spun her around. "I am so happy, my brother!" she said quietly to him when he finally put her down again and smiled brightly, "And I have a feeling that Liv and I won't be the only ones to find happiness in this village," she added with a wink and giggled when Nakhti's eyes darted over to Alexandra and back and he blushed once more. When Liv's arms snaked around her waist and she heard Liv's husky words in her ear, Miranda could barely suppress a shudder. She nodded slowly and turned her head to kiss Liv's cheek. "I would love to dance with you," she said and took Liv's hand again to lead her closer to the band while the villagers formed a wide circle around the fire to give them space for their dance. Miranda pulled Liv close, wrapping her arms firmly around the Princess' waist as they began to slowly move to the gentle music.
"You know, that song we danced to, when you asked me to marry you," she said quietly after a while, "I could not believe it when you asked me to dance to it. Do you know what it was?" When Liv shook her head, Miranda blushed and smiled. "Here in our village, we believe that those who dance this song together will get married. The elder call it Engagement Dance," she explained quietly, "That's why I was so especially surprised when you asked me for the dance."
On one of the sides of the small square that had formed for Liv and Miranda to give them space and some privacy to dance, Bebhim hugged Nakhti. "I am so happy for them both," she said with tears in her eyes. "But I fear that Liv's father will not approve of the marriage. For our people, it is normal to have couples of the same sex. Miranda is not the first. In fact, my husband's aunt was married to a most wonderful woman. But in your world?" she added sadly.
"Now, now, let us not think of these things yet," Vegeir said and gave her a gentle and yet firm squeeze, "For their sake. We should have faith in the Deities that your flight is over and you will be safe here. In fact, I do believe it from the bottom of my heart. Tomorrow I will call upon a council of the elder and discuss the matter with them. Maybe we can find a solution to the problem. But now is not the time to worry about anything of this at all. In fact, I think, you should go and ask this young beauty over there for a dance, before she explodes," he added with a grin and pointed over to the fire where Alexandra was standing, her eyes fixed upon Nakhti's tall figure.
Liv smiled as she looked at all of the smiling faces around them as they danced. "It was your father that suggested I dance with you at that moment," Liv admitted with a small blush as the two moved slowly to the music. "I was dancing with him at the time and he..." Her voice trailed off and she glanced at Miranda’s father with a smile, which he returned. Returning her eyes to Miranda she whispered, "I love you... for all times," and she gave her a gentle kiss.
Over in the crowd of people Nakhti placed a hand on Bebhim’s shoulder. "He is right. Let's not think of such things. There is a wedding to plan," he said smiling as he gave her a slight squeeze. ‘Now, if you will excuse me. There is a beautiful woman over here that I think needs to be rescued from exploding,” he added with a wink and turned to walk to Alexandra.
As she heard her love's words, Miranda blushed even more and looked around to her father who grinned widely at her. Shaking her head in disbelief, she turned back to Liv and smiled softly. "I love you too, Liv. For all times," she agreed and returned the kiss just as gently.
Author: little___hobbit and Fin_Anwamane
Type: RPS
Pairing: Liv/Miranda
Rating: NC-17
Beta: Ourselves
Warning: Physical violence, abuse and rape described in later chapters not between the main pairing.
Disclaimer: This never happened. This was written in fun that's all.
Feedback: Yes please send to paddington-bear@web.de
or glorfindel@hornorfgondor.com
Archiving: The Angels Realm, others please ask.
Summary: A.U. An Egyptian Princess and her slave fall for one another and overcome the threats of their environment
Italics indicate thoughts
~~~~~
It was a feast the small village had not seen in years. Everyone had come, and as Vegeir had predicted to Nakhti, everyone had brought their share to the banquet. There was fish and pork, wild hare and pigeon, many different sorts of fruit, and sweet bakery as well for everyone to enjoy. Some of the men had brought their instruments and were now playing music to dance to as the feast continued.
Miranda gave Liv a loving smile from afar as she walked through the crowd, filling cups here and offering more food there while her love was surrounded by a rather large group of children, bombarding her with questions about life at the Temple and as a Princess. Over by the fire, her father had occupied Nakhti all for himself, showing off his newfound "son" to the other men of the village while they were chit chatting over a jug of beer.
Suddenly, Bebhim appeared out of nowhere before Miranda, taking the jug from Miranda's hands. "You are a terrible host tonight, my child", she chided with a wink and held up her hand when Miranda wanted to protest. "Yes, I know, you have been going around all day and made sure everyone's having enough to eat and drink, but what about your love?" Miranda blushed and lowered her head. "I know you won't be here forever; you will only have a few days here before you have to return to your duty." Miranda nodded, not knowing what to say. Bebhim glanced over to the Princess who was laughing gaily at something one of the children had said, "She looks like she's really free and happy for the first time in a long time. But she'll look even happier if you go over and ask her for a dance now. Go on, my child; show everyone how much you love her."
Miranda smiled and hugged her mother, careful not to spill the contents of the jug the other woman was holding. "Thank you, mama," she whispered, and then she turned around and slowly walked through the crowd towards the Princess amongst the group of children. As she walked, many pairs of eyes followed her, but she did not care. Here, the looks were none of suspicion or accuse, but of approval and happiness for her.
"Miranda, Miranda, did you know Liv has a marble bath that's all her own?" one of the girls crowed excitedly as she perceived her approaching, and Miranda laughed. "Yes, I know this. Now, will you let me have my love back? I would love to dance with you, Liv," she said turning and looking directly into Liv's eyes. "Dance with me, my love," she whispered and held out her hand to help Liv stand.
Liv looked up at Miranda, a loving smile on her face, as she offered her hand. Looking around at the children she took the offered hand and stood. "I would love to dance with you," she replied as she followed Miranda through the crowd to where other villagers were dancing. "This is a very lovely feast," Liv said over the crowd noise to Miranda, "But it will be even more lovely now... now that I have you in my arms," she added as she stopped Miranda and pulled her into an embrace in front of everyone.
Nakhti noticed them together and turned to Miranda's father, giving him a slight nudge in the ribs. The two men smiled as they watched the women begin to dance.
"I love you," Liv whispered in Miranda's native tongue, smiling at the surprised look on Miranda's face. Just then the music started up again and the two women began to dance. It wasn't long before others joined in and there was soon a line of townsfolk dancing and laughing together, all eyes still on Miranda and her love.
Nakhti and Vegeir laughed and started clapping their hands in time with the music; it seemed a good time was being had by all. Nakhti noticed Miranda's mother standing to the side watching and asked Vegeir for permission to dance with his wife. Once it was granted with a hardy slap on the back and a big grin Nakhti made his way to Bebhim. "May I?" he asked taking her by the hand and leading her into the crowd of dancers.
Seeing the huge grin on his wife's face as Nakhti danced with her, Vegeir laughed heartily and continued to clap his hands. Liv noticed them only a few feet away and pointed. "Looks like your mother is having a good time," Liv said to Miranda as she spun her and they bowed facing each other, as that was the steps to the dance they were dancing.
"Everyone is enjoying themselves," Miranda smiled, "The people of our village have never given in to sadness and depression, but I have to think back a much longer time than just ten years to remember such happiness as I see tonight, I think it was the wedding of Alexandra's eldest brother." She looked over to Nakhti and her mother dancing together. "I heard daddy call him 'my son'. Looks like I have a brother now," she said with a wink as she and Liv resumed their dancing. She felt lighthearted and happy, and the threat of Raneb's men chasing them was pushed into the farthest back of her mind at the moment. Right now, all that Miranda was feeling was happiness and love. The whole village was at the feast, and there was not one amongst them who did not love Liv and made her feel at home, quite the contrary; they had welcomed her love with open arms as one of their own.
Out of the corner of her eye, Miranda saw her father approaching and smiled, leaning her head against Liv's shoulder. "Can I steal your love for a dance, my dear?" he asked his daughter and bowed to Liv. Miranda laughed and nodded. "Will you do me the favor of this dance, my child?" Vegeir said to Liv, his blue-green eyes sparkling with joy and cheek just like Miranda's as he held a hand out to the Princess.
Liv smiled listening to Miranda's words as she spoke. When she heard Miranda mention a wedding an idea formed in her head. She did not know how long they could be together without her father finding them, but why not ask for her love's hand in marriage? She was shaken out of her thought when Miranda mentioned Nakhti. "Yes, it does look like you have a brother," Liv replied as she looked to Nakhti who seemed to be enjoying the dance with his new mother. She could see how happy everyone was and it made her warm inside knowing that everyone, including her love was having a good time this night. As Miranda's father approached Liv turned and smiled at him. "I would be honored to dance with you," Liv replied with a bow. She blew Miranda a kiss as the elder man took her hands in his and the two began to dance.
Miranda returned the blown kiss to her love and watched her dance with her father; she felt a warmth inside her that was not the usual heat of desire for her love, but one that came along with the feeling of love and safety. Miranda smiled softly and clapped her hands in rhythm to the music. She looked over to Nakhti and her mother and saw them laughing heartily at something. If only we could always be this safe and happy, but Raneb will never stop hunting us down, she thought sadly, but the doubt was soon shoved aside when one of the little boys tugged at her skirt.
"Miranda, dance with me!" he crowed happily, and Miranda laughed. "Of course I will dance with you," she said and took the boy's hands.
"You are a good dancer, Nakhti," Bebhim said with a smile, "And my husband tells me you are a good guard too. Thank you for keeping our daughter and her love safe, my son. But please, do also think of yourself," the elderly woman resumed, "I do not ask you to abandon them, but to also make sure that you are safe as well. We only found a son, don't let us lose you just as we met you. That is, if you want to be our son," she added softly.
Vegeir may have seemed to be sluggish and clumsy when he had appeared in the crowd this morning, but when he danced with Liv, he was moving about lightly and gracefully in time with the music. "I hope you are enjoying yourself, my daughter," he said just as the musicians changed the tune again, and he stopped, a bright smile appearing on his face. "Oh!" Vegeir exclaimed and looked into Liv's eyes. "Do you love my daughter, Liv? With all your heart? If you do, ask her for this dance," he said mysteriously and gave the Princess a small nudge.
"No thanks are necessary, I love them with all my heart," Nakhti paused. "Mom," he added with a boyish grin on his face. He, much like the Princess had hardly gotten to know his mother before she had passed away, so having a new mother meant the world to him. "I will be safe as well. You have my word," he said as he stopped dancing and gave the woman a hug.
Liv looked at Miranda's father. "Yes, I love your daughter with all of my heart," she replied as she bowed again slightly and turned to see Miranda dancing with the little boy. Giving Vegeir a smile she headed towards Miranda and began giggling at the sight of her love and the small boy dancing as she drew nearer. "Excuse me young man, but may I dance with my love?" she asked, bending over to be the same height as him.
"You can for a kiss," he replied. This brought an immediate laugh from Liv. "You drive a hard bargain," she said and leant in and kissed him on the cheek.
The boy blushed then ran away giggling, holding his cheek as Liv stood looking at Miranda, a big grin on her face.
"Shall we dance my love?" Liv asked as she took Miranda in her arms and they began to dance slowly to the music. As they danced Liv could not shake the thought from her mind that had come to her earlier.
"I must say," the little boy said importantly to Miranda, "You are my favorite dancing partner!" The woman tipped her head back and laughed out loud. "Well I am glad to hear this, my little friend!" she said and winked at him just as the song changed. Miranda looked up surprised, only to find Liv approaching her and her young dancing partner. She watched the interaction between her love and the boy with an amused smile, but also with a nervous tingle in her stomach. How does she know? But she can't know... it's impossible... and yet... God, what shall I do if she does...? Miranda simply nodded when Liv asked her for the dance and leant her head against the Princess' shoulder as they slowly moved to the music. She still could not believe they were dancing to this song. Miranda looked around and found her parents standing side by side, with Nakhti behind them, knowing smiles on their faces, and she blushed.
By the time the music was finished Liv felt she had built up enough nerve and held her hand up motioning for the band to wait before they began again.
Glancing around Liv could see the villagers looking at them, wondering what was about to happen. She caught sight of Nakhti from the corner of her eye and saw him nod as if he knew what she was about to do.
Fighting down her nerves, Liv reached out and took both of Miranda's hands in hers, looking her in the eyes. "My love," she began, only then realizing how loud the silence was, "Long have I yearned to find a true love, one with whom I feel eternally connected, one whom I feel I can spend the rest of my days with, to love and be loved by until I draw my last breath in this life." Liv stroked Miranda's hair gently. "My love, since the day I first laid eyes on you, you have had my heart. You have captured mind and are in my thoughts and dreams always. There is not a moment that passes without me thinking of you and longing to be with you, to hold you in my arms. I know, with all my heart that I can never love another and pray you share these same feelings." Liv knelt in front of Miranda and looked back at her love's blushing face. "My love, in the presence of your family and friends, with the Deities as my witness, I ask you: Will you marry me?"
The nervous tingle inside her grew yet stronger when Liv beckoned the musicians to stop and turned to look into her eyes. As her love spoke up and made her feelings for her known to everyone, Miranda gasped slightly and tears welled up in her eyes. This cannot be, she cannot know, no, she cannot, this is a tradition of our people, she cannot know! Miranda thought as she watched her kneel down in front of her. Liv's words seemed to come from afar and at the same time they were loud and clear. Will you marry me? The words echoed in her mind and she looked down at Liv while her brain was racing. Liv was asking her to be her wife, to spend the rest of their lives together! Oh yes, I want that! But what of... No. He won't get us. Never. Not now, not when she is about to be my wife.
Miranda grabbed Liv by the shoulders and gently made her stand up so they could look straight into one another's eyes. "With all the Deities as my witness, I swear that I do share your feelings. In fact, I do believe I have loved you even before we met, Liv," she said softly, "I believe in soul mates, and you and me, we are soul mates. Never have I come across a woman gentler, more caring and more beautiful than you are, my love. You are the essence of my life, the reason why I am. I cannot live without you and your love for me.
"You are the first thought in the morning when I get up, and the last when I go to sleep at night, and even in my dreams I am thinking of you only. Each second that we are apart, I feel incomplete, something inside me seems to be dying until I am back in your arms - the one place that I belong to."
Miranda reached up to cup Liv's face and pull her close for a loving kiss, gently brushing her tongue over the soft lips until they parted and she could let it slip inside. The sight of the two women kissing caused the surrounding crowd to murmur approvingly. Miranda's parents smiled happily and both gave Nakhti a squeeze as the kiss continued until they had to pull away to draw breath.
Locking gazes with her love again, Miranda smiled. "To answer your question," she said quietly though still loud enough for everyone surrounding them to hear, "Yes, I will marry you. No matter what comes, I will be yours forever." With this, Miranda pulled Liv close again for another kiss, with the crowd cheering on them.
Once the kiss was broken Liv looked at Miranda. "So, you said yes right?” Liv’s mind was racing and her heart was pounding. She thought she heard Miranda say yes and by the way everyone was reacting she was almost positive she did.
Throwing her head back, Miranda laughed heartily at her love's question. "Yes, my love, I did say yes!" she exclaimed and pulled Liv close to kiss her deeply as she spun her around. The crowd around them erupted into even more cheers at that; when they finally broke the kiss again, the two women found themselves surrounded by the villagers who all wanted to congratulate them. "I can't believe that you will get married before me!" Alexandra exclaimed brightly and pulled Miranda into a tight hug, kissing her soundly on the lips. Miranda blushed a deep shade of red but smiled happily and thankfully nonetheless. Alexandra laughed at her friend and turned around to Liv, "Come here, you!" she said brightly, and before Liv could react, she too got a kiss pressed onto her lips. Miranda laughed and slapped her friend's arm. "Now, now, Alexandra, let her live! You will scare and scar her for life."
"My kisses don't scar or scare people," Alexandra grinned and let the other villagers take over to congratulate, "They have other qualities, but scary is definitely *not* amongst them. Addictive, maybe..." She winked at someone standing behind her friend.
Miranda laughed again and shook her head, then she reached for Liv's hand and turned around to lead her away; she found her parents and Nakhti standing right behind them, the three faces beaming with happiness and pride, though the latter wore a suspicious flush on his cheeks. Miranda suppressed a giggle as she remembered Alexandra's cheeky remark just a moment ago and let herself be pulled into a tight hug by her father while her mother hugged Liv. "I guess that means we'll have to organize another feast real soon, hm?" Bebhim winked at the two women.
Liv could not believe the number of villagers that had surrounded her to offer their congratulations. She had feared that the reception they had received and the feast were just tokens of courtesy, but now it became clear to her that the villagers really did see her as one of their own, and not only because she had Miranda's love. Turning to Miranda she saw Alexandra kiss her, causing her to blush. They are so... intimate... I wonder what bonded them like this... But before Liv lost herself in her thoughts, her mind was suddenly jarred back to reality as Alexandra pressed a kiss on her lips as well.
"Oh!" Liv exclaimed as Alexandra broke the kiss and pulled away, feeling herself blush just like Miranda was. Quickly she looked to her love but she showed no sign of surprise and was joking already with the woman about the potency of her kisses. Liv let out a giggle as she followed Alexandra's gaze to Nakhti, whom was standing a few feet behind Miranda with her parents. Liv was fairly sure she could read what the guard was thinking just by the expression on his face. With an inward chuckle, she shook her head. He's got such a dirty mind... I think I need to have a word with him again.
When Miranda grabbed Liv's hand and ushered her to her parents Liv smiled politely at Alexandra as they passed. Once Miranda's mother pulled her into a hug, Liv felt tears of happiness spring from her eyes. She laughed at her future mother-in-law's words about yet another feast. "It does look like it, doesn't it," Liv said and hugged Vegeir now. "Mother... father," she said and smiled when it made the old couple's faces light up with pride and joy.
Just in that moment, the band started to play again, and Liv turned around to Miranda who was just being spun around by Nakhti. Once the guard set her down again, Liv stepped up behind her love and snaked her arms around Miranda's waist. "Care to dance with me, my future wife?" she whispered into Miranda's ear.
Laughing, Miranda wrapped her arms around Nakhti's neck as he spun her around. "I am so happy, my brother!" she said quietly to him when he finally put her down again and smiled brightly, "And I have a feeling that Liv and I won't be the only ones to find happiness in this village," she added with a wink and giggled when Nakhti's eyes darted over to Alexandra and back and he blushed once more. When Liv's arms snaked around her waist and she heard Liv's husky words in her ear, Miranda could barely suppress a shudder. She nodded slowly and turned her head to kiss Liv's cheek. "I would love to dance with you," she said and took Liv's hand again to lead her closer to the band while the villagers formed a wide circle around the fire to give them space for their dance. Miranda pulled Liv close, wrapping her arms firmly around the Princess' waist as they began to slowly move to the gentle music.
"You know, that song we danced to, when you asked me to marry you," she said quietly after a while, "I could not believe it when you asked me to dance to it. Do you know what it was?" When Liv shook her head, Miranda blushed and smiled. "Here in our village, we believe that those who dance this song together will get married. The elder call it Engagement Dance," she explained quietly, "That's why I was so especially surprised when you asked me for the dance."
On one of the sides of the small square that had formed for Liv and Miranda to give them space and some privacy to dance, Bebhim hugged Nakhti. "I am so happy for them both," she said with tears in her eyes. "But I fear that Liv's father will not approve of the marriage. For our people, it is normal to have couples of the same sex. Miranda is not the first. In fact, my husband's aunt was married to a most wonderful woman. But in your world?" she added sadly.
"Now, now, let us not think of these things yet," Vegeir said and gave her a gentle and yet firm squeeze, "For their sake. We should have faith in the Deities that your flight is over and you will be safe here. In fact, I do believe it from the bottom of my heart. Tomorrow I will call upon a council of the elder and discuss the matter with them. Maybe we can find a solution to the problem. But now is not the time to worry about anything of this at all. In fact, I think, you should go and ask this young beauty over there for a dance, before she explodes," he added with a grin and pointed over to the fire where Alexandra was standing, her eyes fixed upon Nakhti's tall figure.
Liv smiled as she looked at all of the smiling faces around them as they danced. "It was your father that suggested I dance with you at that moment," Liv admitted with a small blush as the two moved slowly to the music. "I was dancing with him at the time and he..." Her voice trailed off and she glanced at Miranda’s father with a smile, which he returned. Returning her eyes to Miranda she whispered, "I love you... for all times," and she gave her a gentle kiss.
Over in the crowd of people Nakhti placed a hand on Bebhim’s shoulder. "He is right. Let's not think of such things. There is a wedding to plan," he said smiling as he gave her a slight squeeze. ‘Now, if you will excuse me. There is a beautiful woman over here that I think needs to be rescued from exploding,” he added with a wink and turned to walk to Alexandra.
As she heard her love's words, Miranda blushed even more and looked around to her father who grinned widely at her. Shaking her head in disbelief, she turned back to Liv and smiled softly. "I love you too, Liv. For all times," she agreed and returned the kiss just as gently.