Indescribable, Part II
Secoura's smile faded and she gasped as Coldhand moved towards her, and brushed the wet hair off her face. He stared into her eyes, and she stared into his. He pressed his body against hers slightly, and stared into her eyes. He had a wonderous gaze, it was almost impossible to break it. Secoura put a finger on Coldhand's lips. **Shh...** she locksent, smiling. She looked up and around her, in the trees, and the water, then back towards the holt. She looked back at Coldhand, removing her finger and replacing it with a soft kiss. Something tugged at the back of her mind as she kissed him gently. Something indescribable.
Coldhand and Secoura were locked in their embrace for what seemed hours. Time stood still, and there was no sound, no forest, no water, no ground - nothing except them, the moment, and the scent of their musk. They soon broke their lock, and they looked at each other mistily. They needed no words, no thoughts; they were absorbed in the moment. A curt "whuf" caught their attention away from each other. It was Smoke, anxiously pawing the ground.
::Hungry. Bighorn near. Hunt.::
Coldhand smiled and looked to Secoura. **Smoke spotted a bighorn nearby, apparently. Should we hunt, or...** His pulse began to race at the thought. He personally would much rather stay, or find a nice, quiet, DRY place to hole up for a few hours, but he wanted to be ginger and careful, like he was holding a delicate flower. He had never felt like this before. He felt like nothing else mattered, and the funny thing was that he never looked at Secoura in that respect. He had never looked at ANYONE in that respect before. Despite that fact, however, he felt this NOW, and he felt it for Secoura, and somehow he knew that she felt the same way for him. Again, something tugged at his mind, only stronger, more tangible. It tugged like something trying to get in a closed door, like something was trying to reveal itself to him. He tried to put an identity to it, tried to unlock its mystery, but he couldn't. It was like a word on the tip of the tounge that couldn't be recalled. It was indescribable.
Secoura smiled at Smoke. She didn't blame the wolf, he was hungry. Stone was too. ::Go hunt now?:: he asked. Secoura thought for a moment. She was torn between her hunger for the hunt and her hunger for Coldhand, for his arms around her,
his lips against hers, everything. Her heart pumped like a hummer's wings. She didn't want to go too fast with Coldhand and ruin their relationship. But she didn't know what to do, she never felt this way before, never felt her heart
beat so strongly, even in the hardest hunts. The feeling was almost undeniable, indescribable.
Secoura looked at Coldhand, stared longingly. **Let's go...let's run off, leave the tribe to their own judgements for a day or two. What harm could it bring?** she locksent, waiting for Coldhand's decision. Whatever it was, it was enough for her.
Coldhand felt her shiver in his arms when she sent. **Yes, let's run away for a bit. But first, let's get out of this metal cold water. You're shivering.** She nodded, and they walked arm in arm out of the water. The sun was nearing the horizon, and the light cast off the forest was transfixing. It bathed them in an orange glow and warmed them. They spot checked their possessions for mud and to see if there was anything missing. They called their wolves. The wolves came up, eyeing each other suspiciously. Stone was part of the pack, but Smoke was a newcomer. He would have to earn his place. They sent to their wolves to ride ahead and scout for the bighorn. Coldhand looked at Secoura. The two had hunted together before, but Secoura had never seen how Coldhand hunted alone. He used his magic to pierce his prey, sometimes at a stone's throw away. He fished using it. He had originally developed the technique for war, but he found other uses for it. He developed a new purpose for it now. He quickly drew his sword, and it danced in his hand. "Secoura," he
said to gain her full attention. Once she looked at him, her jaw dropped. His sword was now a living thing, twisting into myriad shapes, from a wolf, to a tree, to a flower, then finally to a 3 elf tall spire that speared an apple in
the tree above. Suddenly, the sword was back, a solid, inert thing, and the apple dropped harmlessly into Coldhand's awaiting hand. "Something to tide you over until we catch that bighorn. Speaking of catching..." Coldhand dropped to his knees. The strain of using his ability in such a way was more than he could bear. Secoura rushed to his aid, cradling him in her arms. And there was that tugging again, but this time there was something tangible about it. It WAS a word on the tip of his tongue, but it still wasn't there. Or was it a concept, a thought. Coldhand also felt a pushing in his own mind, of something trapped in a hole trying to get out. An idea, a need. It was sweet, but confusing. The answer had to be there. It was indescribable.
Secoura held Coldhand in her arms. She shook slightly holding him. She looked at Coldhand, confused, as he got up. She smiled and took a bite of that red, juicy apple he got for her. She handed it to Coldhand and he took a bite of it also,
then handed it back to her. Secoura kissed him after he swallowed his bite, tasting the apple juice on his lips. She didn't want to break the kiss, but she had to. If her heart beat faster, it would tire itself out. Secoura grabbed her
spear. **Shall we go hunting?** she sent, giving him access to the desire in her voice, to hunt, to go off with him for a day or two.
**Yes, just help me up, that little trick took a bit out of me.** Coldhand replied. They sauntered off into the woods. It was not long until they spotted the bighorn's trail, and from the looks of it he was a good sized one. It was
even less time before they had spotted him. With four predators and one prey, it was an easy meal. After eating it was dark. The sky was clear and cool. They sent the wolves for the rest of the pack to clean up what they didn't eat of the kill. They wandered away in silence, but thru sending, they discussed much. They discussed the Trollish life Coldhand had led recently, they discussed the tribe life that Coldhand had missed out on during his 8 turn bondage. While this went on, they entered a clearing that neither of them recognized. The panorama of stars shone above them, and even though they knew they were lost, the sight was breathtaking, not only to one who enjoyed stargazing, but also to one who rarely had starshine upon him. **It's...amazing!** Coldhand sent, not wanting to breathe.
Secoura lay down on her back, feeling the cool night air on her face. She pointed out all the shapes in the sky. **It is breathtaking, isn't it? Oh, there's the she-wolf hunting the hunter. She will catch him someday, stupid human thought he would always be the hunter.**
Secoura put her head on Coldhand's chest and just listened to his heart and his breath. She felt like a part of him, but the feeling puzzled her. **I don't see a she wolf... wait, there, yes I see it! by the High Ones, I see it! Show me more!** Secoura showed Coldhand the Twin High Ones, The Bear, the Cub, the Fish, the Treewee, the Wolf, and the Herd. Coldhand was entranced by the starshapes, as she called them. He didn't see many stars underground. He wished that he didn't have to return; He wished he could just lie there with Secoura and stargaze forever.
**I have to return to Rawtoxx in four days. I don't want to. I am tired of this. He has me training his son in the arts of the forge, and I could sooner teach a rock. Unfortunately, if I do not return, then he will undoubtedly make trouble
for us. They are already training for war, and I am sure they will want me to have an active hand in this. I cannot risk it. I am...needed here.** Coldhand sent to Secoura. He was originally going to keep this knowledge to himself, not wanting to involve his tribe in bloodshed. He felt, however, that he could tell Secoura anything, despite the fact that she was his chieftess. He had also originally PLANNED to help the trolls, for he had a sneaking suspicion that this
other Clan had at the least knowledge of who destroyed the Demon Clan. But things were somehow different now. He had to insure that he lived. For her. He looked deep into her wood brown eyes. He touched her face ever so softly, and kissed her gently. He felt at peace when she was near, and the starry sky made the moment magical. **I don't ever want to leave here.** He sent. **This will be our special place, When things seem hopeless, and all is lost and broken, we will come here and everything will be fine. That is IF we can find our double cursed way back to the holt!** Coldhand chuckled, And Secoura grinned. She kissed him, and he returned the favor. They slept comfortably, wrapped in Coldhand's bearfur cloak, and felt safe with each other's company, even though their minds were racing for the answer to a puzzle that couldn't be pinpointed, a distant, unrecognizable scent on the winds of their consciousness. It grew stronger by the moment, but the more either of them tried to grasp it, the more elusive it became. It was complex, yet so pitifully simple, ethereal, yet tangible. Indescribable.
Secoura woke up with the disappearing glow of the setting daystar on her face. She heard the crickets hopping in the grass, felt Coldhand's arms around her, the bearskin on her legs, heard the faint sound of bighorn stampeding. Secoura
giggled to herself. Smoke and Stone were probably scaring the bighorn out of their skins just for fun. She opened her eyes and looked at Coldhand. He was sleeping peacefully with a smile on his face. **Wake up oh sleepy one.** she sent, giggling. She suprised herself, she was never this happy or giddy. Coldhand groaned and opened his eyes. He smiled at
Secoura. She got out from under the bearskin and smiled at Coldhand. **I am going to take a bath. I guess I never told you we have hot springs? I should tell you not to follow me, but you won't listen,** she sent, walking to the springs. She pulled off her leathers and jumped in the hot water. She was suprised at how hot it was at first, but she got used to it. She swam up to the surface and hopped out of the water. She took off her jewelry and put them on her leathers.
Secoura looked up suddenly and saw Coldhand coming towards her. She stood there suprised, her wet body revealed to him, her hair sticking to her breasts. She jumped in and looked over the edge of the bank at him, watching him come towards
her.
Coldhand smiled at her. His pulse was racing, his head felt light and giddy. But he was dead serious, more serious then he had ever been before. He began to slowly disrobe. First off came his armlets, then his shoulder belt, then his
tunic, boots, and finally his leggings. He was a lean, trim sculpture of stone, and the sight of him sent a warm shudder through her. He stood before Secoura as an equal, just as vulnerable as she was. He waded into the water, which was surprisingly warm. No matter, he had other goals in mind. He swam to Secoura, who waited with a lustful look in her eye.
They met in the center of the spring, where they floated inches from each other staring at each other's eyes. He gently kissed her after a minute. She pressed her body up against his, feeling their hearts beat in unison. Their bodies intertwined in the spring like two snakes. For both, the experience was pure bliss.
Suddenly, he had it. The puzzle, the mystery, the indescribable concept took life in his brain with an all-consuming fire and light that he had never experienced before. He looked into Secoura's eyes, and realized that he could see her through those glistening portholes. He knew her, what motivated her, what hurt her, what made her laugh, what made her cry. He saw her past and present with amazing clarity withing a flooding instant. He knew Secoura inside and out, and somehow, he knew that she was reading him in the same manner. He saw that she was through the window to her soul that had revealed itself to him. This was the question he had been racking his brain for the answer to. It was now describable.
The answer was Aerie.
**Aerie...** he sent without thinking, and at the same time, he recieved a send from Aerie.
**Tsakk...**
They both stopped short. They looked at each other with dumbfounded expressions. Was this...? The question rang out within their collective mind. Yes was the answer.
**Well, isn't this interesting...** Tsakk sent to Aerie. He drew himself closer to her, and whispered in her ear. "What say you?"
Aerie stared at Tsakk. **I've dreamed of this, but I never thought it would happen...to me. But you know that already,** she sent. So many questions ran through her mind, so many thoughts. **Recognition...Tsakk, it scares me!** she sent as she looked up at him. **I have this feeling in my gut...like when Flame calls me by Aerie, or when I'm fighting a bear. I'm...i'm nervous, scared.** Aerie shuddered in Tsakk's embrace. She was still shuffling through all his memories, his aspirations, his fears, his loves. She saw the happenings with the Demon Clan, and how he felt about the tribe. He was a loner, one who loved his tribe but didn't let anyone know that. Aerie didn't hear or pay attention to any other things happening around her, except Tsakk. She didn't hear Stone in the forest eating his ravvit and wolf-grinning at her with Smoke. She didn't see the glow of the stars on the water, the reflection of the moon on her face. Aerie looked up at Tsakk, her love, her life, her soulmate, and kissed him passionately. **What say you is my question. Because I say yes...** she sent. That urge recognition caused was... undeniable. She couldn't say no, even though it scared her so badly.
Tsakk sympathized with Aerie's fear. This was new and alien to him, and he wasn't really keen on the fact that she knew every little dark corner of his mind. She knew just how brutal his past had been, and just how violent he could become if provoked. She knew of his plan to war with the trolls, she knew of his use of magic during the hunt, she knew of his distrustful nature. It erupted upon him like a volcano. Yes, he was just as fearful. but there was the fact that it was too late for reconciliation. Besides, he could have recognized someone he wasn't interested in, or disliked. He was thrilled he had recognized Aerie.
**Yes.**
He took her by the hand, and placed his forehead against hers. **I don't know where this will lead us, I don't know if we will be lifemates, but I think that this is RIGHT. For the first time since my parent's death, I feel like an elf.
All because of you, my sweet Aerie.** He softly caressed her face, kissing her deeply. The puzzle, now unlocked for both of them to read, began to shape itself anew. It meshed into a new answer, a new form, and gracefully became one. As did they.
One.
**Yes.**
Coldhand awoke at sunset. Another beautiful sky, thank the High Ones, but he could smell the storm approaching. He could barely see the dark clouds on the horizon, and he knew that by morning, it would be pouring rain. Ratdung. He looked at Secoura, who was nestled tight to his nude frame with her head upon his chest. He remembered the bliss of joining the night before. It was magical. He was a bit worn; they had joined for hours, led by the throes of recognition. He saw that she slept with a slight grin on her face. She looked so peaceful sleeping. She usually wore a stern, hard expression. He kissed her forehead lightly, not wanting to wake her. She stirred, and the grin was replaced with irritation at having to wake. The peaceful grin was on her lips again when consciousness returned and she saw Coldhand's eyes gazing lovingly at her. **Did you sleep well, Aerie?** he sent.
**Like a cub in his mother's arms.** she replied.
**It looks as if it may rain by morning light. We may want to find shelter before it does.** Coldhand warned. He kissed her once more, then rose to gather their possessions, which were carelessly scattered about from last night's escapade.
In doing so, he caught a wisp of a scent trailing across his keen nose. It came as a surprise, for it smelled like an elf. Not an elf he knew, no this one was strange. He thought he smelled a strange wolf as well on a second testing of the
air. **Aerie, do you smell...** He knew by her expression that she had indeed. Her eyes were scanning the countryside suspiciously. "AYOOH!" Coldhand cried out to summon Smoke. He was unsure if he would respond to an audible cry, but sure enough, he did. Stone came too, recognizing the call of a pack member. Stone and Smoke seemed to have reached some sort of agreement between themselves, for they no longer eyed each other harshly. Good, it was all he needed for Smoke and Stone to be fighting. ::Seek nonpack elf and wolf.:: he sent to Smoke.
::Smoke kill?:: was the shocking reply. What had this wolf done with Jaden?
::No. Seek. No kill.:: The wolves rode off in search of the strangers. Coldhand turned to Secoura, who was busily dressing, not wanting to be caught with her pants down. Coldhand followed suit, wishing the two could run naked all
night. Ratdung. The two had finished dressing when they heard Smoke howling a short reply, confirming the success of his mission and allowing the elves to pinpoint his bearing. **I know that you are going to hate me for this, but I want you to be careful. If this is another revenge crazed elf, then I ask that you let me handle it,** Coldhand sent to Secoura.
**I will be careful, Tsakk. Put your fears to rest.**
They looked at each other. Coldhand kissed her cheek and whispered "Thank you." They then wordlessly slunk into the woods searching for the source of Smoke's howl.
Coldhand and Secoura were locked in their embrace for what seemed hours. Time stood still, and there was no sound, no forest, no water, no ground - nothing except them, the moment, and the scent of their musk. They soon broke their lock, and they looked at each other mistily. They needed no words, no thoughts; they were absorbed in the moment. A curt "whuf" caught their attention away from each other. It was Smoke, anxiously pawing the ground.
::Hungry. Bighorn near. Hunt.::
Coldhand smiled and looked to Secoura. **Smoke spotted a bighorn nearby, apparently. Should we hunt, or...** His pulse began to race at the thought. He personally would much rather stay, or find a nice, quiet, DRY place to hole up for a few hours, but he wanted to be ginger and careful, like he was holding a delicate flower. He had never felt like this before. He felt like nothing else mattered, and the funny thing was that he never looked at Secoura in that respect. He had never looked at ANYONE in that respect before. Despite that fact, however, he felt this NOW, and he felt it for Secoura, and somehow he knew that she felt the same way for him. Again, something tugged at his mind, only stronger, more tangible. It tugged like something trying to get in a closed door, like something was trying to reveal itself to him. He tried to put an identity to it, tried to unlock its mystery, but he couldn't. It was like a word on the tip of the tounge that couldn't be recalled. It was indescribable.
Secoura smiled at Smoke. She didn't blame the wolf, he was hungry. Stone was too. ::Go hunt now?:: he asked. Secoura thought for a moment. She was torn between her hunger for the hunt and her hunger for Coldhand, for his arms around her,
his lips against hers, everything. Her heart pumped like a hummer's wings. She didn't want to go too fast with Coldhand and ruin their relationship. But she didn't know what to do, she never felt this way before, never felt her heart
beat so strongly, even in the hardest hunts. The feeling was almost undeniable, indescribable.
Secoura looked at Coldhand, stared longingly. **Let's go...let's run off, leave the tribe to their own judgements for a day or two. What harm could it bring?** she locksent, waiting for Coldhand's decision. Whatever it was, it was enough for her.
Coldhand felt her shiver in his arms when she sent. **Yes, let's run away for a bit. But first, let's get out of this metal cold water. You're shivering.** She nodded, and they walked arm in arm out of the water. The sun was nearing the horizon, and the light cast off the forest was transfixing. It bathed them in an orange glow and warmed them. They spot checked their possessions for mud and to see if there was anything missing. They called their wolves. The wolves came up, eyeing each other suspiciously. Stone was part of the pack, but Smoke was a newcomer. He would have to earn his place. They sent to their wolves to ride ahead and scout for the bighorn. Coldhand looked at Secoura. The two had hunted together before, but Secoura had never seen how Coldhand hunted alone. He used his magic to pierce his prey, sometimes at a stone's throw away. He fished using it. He had originally developed the technique for war, but he found other uses for it. He developed a new purpose for it now. He quickly drew his sword, and it danced in his hand. "Secoura," he
said to gain her full attention. Once she looked at him, her jaw dropped. His sword was now a living thing, twisting into myriad shapes, from a wolf, to a tree, to a flower, then finally to a 3 elf tall spire that speared an apple in
the tree above. Suddenly, the sword was back, a solid, inert thing, and the apple dropped harmlessly into Coldhand's awaiting hand. "Something to tide you over until we catch that bighorn. Speaking of catching..." Coldhand dropped to his knees. The strain of using his ability in such a way was more than he could bear. Secoura rushed to his aid, cradling him in her arms. And there was that tugging again, but this time there was something tangible about it. It WAS a word on the tip of his tongue, but it still wasn't there. Or was it a concept, a thought. Coldhand also felt a pushing in his own mind, of something trapped in a hole trying to get out. An idea, a need. It was sweet, but confusing. The answer had to be there. It was indescribable.
Secoura held Coldhand in her arms. She shook slightly holding him. She looked at Coldhand, confused, as he got up. She smiled and took a bite of that red, juicy apple he got for her. She handed it to Coldhand and he took a bite of it also,
then handed it back to her. Secoura kissed him after he swallowed his bite, tasting the apple juice on his lips. She didn't want to break the kiss, but she had to. If her heart beat faster, it would tire itself out. Secoura grabbed her
spear. **Shall we go hunting?** she sent, giving him access to the desire in her voice, to hunt, to go off with him for a day or two.
**Yes, just help me up, that little trick took a bit out of me.** Coldhand replied. They sauntered off into the woods. It was not long until they spotted the bighorn's trail, and from the looks of it he was a good sized one. It was
even less time before they had spotted him. With four predators and one prey, it was an easy meal. After eating it was dark. The sky was clear and cool. They sent the wolves for the rest of the pack to clean up what they didn't eat of the kill. They wandered away in silence, but thru sending, they discussed much. They discussed the Trollish life Coldhand had led recently, they discussed the tribe life that Coldhand had missed out on during his 8 turn bondage. While this went on, they entered a clearing that neither of them recognized. The panorama of stars shone above them, and even though they knew they were lost, the sight was breathtaking, not only to one who enjoyed stargazing, but also to one who rarely had starshine upon him. **It's...amazing!** Coldhand sent, not wanting to breathe.
Secoura lay down on her back, feeling the cool night air on her face. She pointed out all the shapes in the sky. **It is breathtaking, isn't it? Oh, there's the she-wolf hunting the hunter. She will catch him someday, stupid human thought he would always be the hunter.**
Secoura put her head on Coldhand's chest and just listened to his heart and his breath. She felt like a part of him, but the feeling puzzled her. **I don't see a she wolf... wait, there, yes I see it! by the High Ones, I see it! Show me more!** Secoura showed Coldhand the Twin High Ones, The Bear, the Cub, the Fish, the Treewee, the Wolf, and the Herd. Coldhand was entranced by the starshapes, as she called them. He didn't see many stars underground. He wished that he didn't have to return; He wished he could just lie there with Secoura and stargaze forever.
**I have to return to Rawtoxx in four days. I don't want to. I am tired of this. He has me training his son in the arts of the forge, and I could sooner teach a rock. Unfortunately, if I do not return, then he will undoubtedly make trouble
for us. They are already training for war, and I am sure they will want me to have an active hand in this. I cannot risk it. I am...needed here.** Coldhand sent to Secoura. He was originally going to keep this knowledge to himself, not wanting to involve his tribe in bloodshed. He felt, however, that he could tell Secoura anything, despite the fact that she was his chieftess. He had also originally PLANNED to help the trolls, for he had a sneaking suspicion that this
other Clan had at the least knowledge of who destroyed the Demon Clan. But things were somehow different now. He had to insure that he lived. For her. He looked deep into her wood brown eyes. He touched her face ever so softly, and kissed her gently. He felt at peace when she was near, and the starry sky made the moment magical. **I don't ever want to leave here.** He sent. **This will be our special place, When things seem hopeless, and all is lost and broken, we will come here and everything will be fine. That is IF we can find our double cursed way back to the holt!** Coldhand chuckled, And Secoura grinned. She kissed him, and he returned the favor. They slept comfortably, wrapped in Coldhand's bearfur cloak, and felt safe with each other's company, even though their minds were racing for the answer to a puzzle that couldn't be pinpointed, a distant, unrecognizable scent on the winds of their consciousness. It grew stronger by the moment, but the more either of them tried to grasp it, the more elusive it became. It was complex, yet so pitifully simple, ethereal, yet tangible. Indescribable.
Secoura woke up with the disappearing glow of the setting daystar on her face. She heard the crickets hopping in the grass, felt Coldhand's arms around her, the bearskin on her legs, heard the faint sound of bighorn stampeding. Secoura
giggled to herself. Smoke and Stone were probably scaring the bighorn out of their skins just for fun. She opened her eyes and looked at Coldhand. He was sleeping peacefully with a smile on his face. **Wake up oh sleepy one.** she sent, giggling. She suprised herself, she was never this happy or giddy. Coldhand groaned and opened his eyes. He smiled at
Secoura. She got out from under the bearskin and smiled at Coldhand. **I am going to take a bath. I guess I never told you we have hot springs? I should tell you not to follow me, but you won't listen,** she sent, walking to the springs. She pulled off her leathers and jumped in the hot water. She was suprised at how hot it was at first, but she got used to it. She swam up to the surface and hopped out of the water. She took off her jewelry and put them on her leathers.
Secoura looked up suddenly and saw Coldhand coming towards her. She stood there suprised, her wet body revealed to him, her hair sticking to her breasts. She jumped in and looked over the edge of the bank at him, watching him come towards
her.
Coldhand smiled at her. His pulse was racing, his head felt light and giddy. But he was dead serious, more serious then he had ever been before. He began to slowly disrobe. First off came his armlets, then his shoulder belt, then his
tunic, boots, and finally his leggings. He was a lean, trim sculpture of stone, and the sight of him sent a warm shudder through her. He stood before Secoura as an equal, just as vulnerable as she was. He waded into the water, which was surprisingly warm. No matter, he had other goals in mind. He swam to Secoura, who waited with a lustful look in her eye.
They met in the center of the spring, where they floated inches from each other staring at each other's eyes. He gently kissed her after a minute. She pressed her body up against his, feeling their hearts beat in unison. Their bodies intertwined in the spring like two snakes. For both, the experience was pure bliss.
Suddenly, he had it. The puzzle, the mystery, the indescribable concept took life in his brain with an all-consuming fire and light that he had never experienced before. He looked into Secoura's eyes, and realized that he could see her through those glistening portholes. He knew her, what motivated her, what hurt her, what made her laugh, what made her cry. He saw her past and present with amazing clarity withing a flooding instant. He knew Secoura inside and out, and somehow, he knew that she was reading him in the same manner. He saw that she was through the window to her soul that had revealed itself to him. This was the question he had been racking his brain for the answer to. It was now describable.
The answer was Aerie.
**Aerie...** he sent without thinking, and at the same time, he recieved a send from Aerie.
**Tsakk...**
They both stopped short. They looked at each other with dumbfounded expressions. Was this...? The question rang out within their collective mind. Yes was the answer.
**Well, isn't this interesting...** Tsakk sent to Aerie. He drew himself closer to her, and whispered in her ear. "What say you?"
Aerie stared at Tsakk. **I've dreamed of this, but I never thought it would happen...to me. But you know that already,** she sent. So many questions ran through her mind, so many thoughts. **Recognition...Tsakk, it scares me!** she sent as she looked up at him. **I have this feeling in my gut...like when Flame calls me by Aerie, or when I'm fighting a bear. I'm...i'm nervous, scared.** Aerie shuddered in Tsakk's embrace. She was still shuffling through all his memories, his aspirations, his fears, his loves. She saw the happenings with the Demon Clan, and how he felt about the tribe. He was a loner, one who loved his tribe but didn't let anyone know that. Aerie didn't hear or pay attention to any other things happening around her, except Tsakk. She didn't hear Stone in the forest eating his ravvit and wolf-grinning at her with Smoke. She didn't see the glow of the stars on the water, the reflection of the moon on her face. Aerie looked up at Tsakk, her love, her life, her soulmate, and kissed him passionately. **What say you is my question. Because I say yes...** she sent. That urge recognition caused was... undeniable. She couldn't say no, even though it scared her so badly.
Tsakk sympathized with Aerie's fear. This was new and alien to him, and he wasn't really keen on the fact that she knew every little dark corner of his mind. She knew just how brutal his past had been, and just how violent he could become if provoked. She knew of his plan to war with the trolls, she knew of his use of magic during the hunt, she knew of his distrustful nature. It erupted upon him like a volcano. Yes, he was just as fearful. but there was the fact that it was too late for reconciliation. Besides, he could have recognized someone he wasn't interested in, or disliked. He was thrilled he had recognized Aerie.
**Yes.**
He took her by the hand, and placed his forehead against hers. **I don't know where this will lead us, I don't know if we will be lifemates, but I think that this is RIGHT. For the first time since my parent's death, I feel like an elf.
All because of you, my sweet Aerie.** He softly caressed her face, kissing her deeply. The puzzle, now unlocked for both of them to read, began to shape itself anew. It meshed into a new answer, a new form, and gracefully became one. As did they.
One.
**Yes.**
Coldhand awoke at sunset. Another beautiful sky, thank the High Ones, but he could smell the storm approaching. He could barely see the dark clouds on the horizon, and he knew that by morning, it would be pouring rain. Ratdung. He looked at Secoura, who was nestled tight to his nude frame with her head upon his chest. He remembered the bliss of joining the night before. It was magical. He was a bit worn; they had joined for hours, led by the throes of recognition. He saw that she slept with a slight grin on her face. She looked so peaceful sleeping. She usually wore a stern, hard expression. He kissed her forehead lightly, not wanting to wake her. She stirred, and the grin was replaced with irritation at having to wake. The peaceful grin was on her lips again when consciousness returned and she saw Coldhand's eyes gazing lovingly at her. **Did you sleep well, Aerie?** he sent.
**Like a cub in his mother's arms.** she replied.
**It looks as if it may rain by morning light. We may want to find shelter before it does.** Coldhand warned. He kissed her once more, then rose to gather their possessions, which were carelessly scattered about from last night's escapade.
In doing so, he caught a wisp of a scent trailing across his keen nose. It came as a surprise, for it smelled like an elf. Not an elf he knew, no this one was strange. He thought he smelled a strange wolf as well on a second testing of the
air. **Aerie, do you smell...** He knew by her expression that she had indeed. Her eyes were scanning the countryside suspiciously. "AYOOH!" Coldhand cried out to summon Smoke. He was unsure if he would respond to an audible cry, but sure enough, he did. Stone came too, recognizing the call of a pack member. Stone and Smoke seemed to have reached some sort of agreement between themselves, for they no longer eyed each other harshly. Good, it was all he needed for Smoke and Stone to be fighting. ::Seek nonpack elf and wolf.:: he sent to Smoke.
::Smoke kill?:: was the shocking reply. What had this wolf done with Jaden?
::No. Seek. No kill.:: The wolves rode off in search of the strangers. Coldhand turned to Secoura, who was busily dressing, not wanting to be caught with her pants down. Coldhand followed suit, wishing the two could run naked all
night. Ratdung. The two had finished dressing when they heard Smoke howling a short reply, confirming the success of his mission and allowing the elves to pinpoint his bearing. **I know that you are going to hate me for this, but I want you to be careful. If this is another revenge crazed elf, then I ask that you let me handle it,** Coldhand sent to Secoura.
**I will be careful, Tsakk. Put your fears to rest.**
They looked at each other. Coldhand kissed her cheek and whispered "Thank you." They then wordlessly slunk into the woods searching for the source of Smoke's howl.