[Elora]

Uien for her part had absorbed it all, hungry for all that she could have of Falowik. He gave her much, and she marvelled at it all. His arm clasped by her own, his presence beside her a living flame, his voice rising and falling, in and out of his memories. What cost had her request been honoured at? She could only guess. It pained him, she knew, and she had asked this of him. Silent but for a few encouraging acknowledgements, Uien let Falowik tell her all that he would.

They found themselves back at the Prancing Pony and Uien's mind was swimming with many things. Guarded and cautious, Falowik asked her of her thoughts. She thought she glimpsed a fragment of shame. In truth, the shame belonged not to him. It was that of those who had left a child to the cold mercies and tides of a troubled world, and to her for dredging up such sorrow. But how to soothe that? She looked up into Falowik's expectant face and marshalled her thoughts as best she could.

When she spoke, it was with a voice made quiet by her musings, without hesitation or artiface.

"It seems to me that Bree failed you, my love, yet despite it all your spirit and heart outgrew them. I can see now why the wilds called you so. What small town can contain one such as you, Falowik Laurëatan? Doubt not that better was owed to you than you received."

Uien smiled as she shaped his dear name. She drew closer to him, holding his gaze to hers which did not falter.

"It is as I feared," she said. He frowned slightly at her words and she pressed on. "Every moment that passes, each new thing I learn of you, the stronger my heart cleaves to you.

"Not all homes are such as you have known. It is my hope that you may look upon mine, though it is now an empty place. I would have you know it as I once did, to give to you what you have given me this day."

And perhaps he would find some measure of the happiness she had known, for it was her mind to share it with Falowik. Close as she was, Falowik's presence seemed to surround her. Her voice became a whisper as she drew closer still, her heart singing. She was floating again.

"I have learnt that home is a feeling, not a place." With that, Uien reached once more as she had on a night in front of another inn. Perhaps he would object now as he ahd then, and he had every right to, for such boldness. Nonetheless, Uien's mind had settled on one thing.

Gently, slowly, she pressed her lips to Falowik's in a kiss. Time fell away and it could only have been a moment. But for Uien, it was more than eternity. In that moment, immortality was theirs. When it broke, Uien sighed, "Home." She had found it after being without it for so long. It was Falowik. Her pulse galloping in her ears, cheeks flushed, Uien barely heard herself add to a shocked and frozen Falowik, "It is past time to give you glad memories of this place."

No sooner had she spoken so did the import of her actions and words catch up with her. Never had she done such a thing. Her presumption in daring kiss him uninvited cast her into a world of uncertainty. Would he reprimand her? Turn away? What would she do then? The answer was hers immediately: love him nonetheless.

Uien fought hard against the urge to repeat her actions and stepped down from where she had risen to her toes. She dared meet Falowik's eyes again, a little fearful of what she may find there. He was tense, coiled, as if struggling with something.

"Forgive me. Forgive me..." Her hand trailed down from where it had perched upon his shoulder. Her skin was both hot and cold, alive and she could still feel the softness of his mouth. Before she could hear the words of rebuke, Uien stole herself away. She slid past him, slowly at first, intent on making her room before she shamed Falowik further and staying to do it all again. Uien paused in the threshold of the Inn, to glance over her shoulder to where Falowik stood. Her best intentions were no match for her heart's demands. His back was to her. Breathing rapidly, Uien tore herself away to collect the key to her room from Butterbur.

Rattled and flustered, Uien dove behind the door and sank onto the bed, lightheaded. Her joy had undercurrents of fear now. Pressing her fingers to her lips, she closed her eyes. Foolish, impetuous, rash... you rush forward to claim something that is not yours by rights. And you would do it again, and again... Off-balance as she was, Uien was not aware her thoughts were spoken to the empty room. If I have driven him away, at least let him find happiness. Let him know love, even if it is not mine. Uien stared at the floorboardst, half waiting for the knock at her door. Surely she would be left behind now. Falowik had every right to request that it be so.

In the silence of the room, Uien curled up against the tide of criticism that rose in her mind. Her mother chided her, her father exclaimed in exasperated frustration. Her brothers shook their head at her. And an orc hissed at her with an unwholesome leer, "Not for you, not ever. You cannot wash us off through a thousand years. What use would any have for you now."

In the midst of this, Uien took refuge in a filament of hope that refused to fade. It burned stubbornly and she sheltered there, in the image of his smile, the sound of his laughter, the touch of his hand on her own, a stolen kiss. When Uien rose again, she crossed to the small stand and poured out water into a bowl left there. Again and again she swept the cool water against her flushed face. She could not wash away the broken cackling in her mind, mocking. Then Uien stopped and dried her damp face. Nor did she wish to wash away other memories, sweet and new. She would endure one for the other, and a great deal more besides if it came to it.

She studied her reflection in the mirror. She seemed fevered, eyes bright, skin wan, cheeks flushed. Through it, Uien found a smile. She would endure what she must, for had done so in the past. This time, she had a reason. It was Falowik. It was home. Uien turned away to study the view from her window. She sat there, pondering how to best mend the damage of her boldness, staring at the scene below.

[ November 02, 2003: Message edited by: Elora ]