[open post of crackiness]

[tip_tilted]

As a result of Draco's charm, the Lynet who walks at a brisk pace down the path from the Mansion to the Orkney cottage is almost unrecognizable as Lynet. It's amazing what a smile can do. Anyone who might stop her on the way would, under normal circumstances, get a tongue-lashing -- but today, who knows?

Comments

[littlebetter]

So! Suppose that when she gets back to the cottage there's a little folded note tucked into the door, and that when it is opened one will find within, in Gaheris' crooked, tilting handwriting:

Lady. if you will see me, I'll wait at the edge of the woods by the stream. I'll wait. you've no need to come-- if you will.

[tip_tilted]

It is fortunate that she is still charmed into niceness by Draco's spell, or she would have an entirely different reaction to the note. But, however she may feel about it, the nice thing to do is certainly to go meet her husband by the stream, as written.

[littlebetter]

He's waiting skittishly, pacing a little, somewhat dishevelled--honestly terrified, and very unsure.

[tip_tilted]

She comes up behind him, stopping several feet away.

"Gaheris?"

[littlebetter]

He turns around in a tight, quick movement. "Lady--"

[tip_tilted]

She closes the gap between them (is it not the nicer thing to do?) and nearly reaches out to him--

"--art thou well?"

[littlebetter]

A breath too quick. "I'm trying."

[tip_tilted]

Softly, "Dost come easier?"

[littlebetter]

A shake through him, and he catches at her hand. "Lady--lady, I love thee--"

[tip_tilted]

"Ay?" she says softly, and allows him to take her hand.

[littlebetter]

"Forgive me, God, I didn't mean--I love you--"

[tip_tilted]

"I know it," she whispers. "I do..."

[littlebetter]

"Forgive me, forgive me, please, don't--I can't tell you, I can't go near them, I can't, it aches my head, but I love you--" grasping blindly for her hands.

[tip_tilted]

She takes his two hands between hers and presses them tightly, drawing him in closer to her. "You have nothing for which to ask my forgiveness."

[littlebetter]

"Everything, I swear, everything, but don't turn me away. Let me stay with you. Let me--see, I'm not afraid of you--look--" and it's true that he isn't flinching from her touch, or at least not noticeably. "Somewhere else, not that house, but let me be with you--somewhere else--"

[tip_tilted]

In a soft, careful, low voice, "If that is what you wish."