Willow's End - Jera Skyspear
Elvish words/phrases linked to Glossary OR hover mouse to see translation.
Promise of Spring

She wandered through the garden with a globe of light in her hand, though there really was no globe, simply gathered light. The cold night was crisp and clean and Jera Skyspear roamed slowly, just enjoying it, though ultimately she did intend to go to the firehall. She found a large stone among a configuration of them and carefully stepped to a nice smooth one suitable for sitting.

It took a bit of maneuvering to get her warm cloak and dress arranged to cover the cold rock and maintain modesty. Jera left the globe of light floating while she got settled then gently moved it off with her left hand to release it. The darkness was not so dense here with the glow from the firehall windows within sight... and the stars... and a quarter moon... They all made good company.

Once situated, Jera relaxed and began to sing to the night, softly whispering the tune as light as the chilled air that might carry it, light and twinkling as the stars scattered above her in a canopy of blue-black velvet. She sat cross legged upon her stone perch, hands relaxed upon her knees, all bundled in the rich green cloak given to her by Ashevathallion. But, her voice was free in the cool breeze. Her heart was free to soar upon it, through the crisp night, up through the layers of sky as though dispersing among the stars themselves.

Jera looked up to that sky, the velvet seems to move and waiver as the tiny lights winked in and out. She searched idly for patterns among them, and names by which they are called by some. She grinned at how fanciful some are, but also how insightful, for at least a few among the natives here could also see that what shines Above, shines Below, as well. She closed her eyes to meditate on this for a bit. Her slow even plumes of breath swirled about her while her mind and heart reached further outward.

A silent shadow in the garden paused. He'd been walking through, looking for his nephew, but instead found himself watching Jera. "It seems to have become the rage, this sitting or standing about in cold weather."

She grinned, hearing the voice she loves most. Without opening her eyes, she responded, "For my part, I am testing a gift. This fine cloak serves well, even on a night such as this. I shall have to thank the giver properly someday."

Ashe grinned too as he walked a bit closer. "I'm sure the sight of you wearing it, and knowing it warms you, is thanks enough for the giver. How fare you this eve, Jera Skyspear?"

Slowly her eyes opened as she turned her head only slightly to align with the direction of Ashe's voice. "My heart has been with the stars this night, but truly sings now that you're here."

He reached for one of her hands, brought it to his lips, and kissed her fingers. "You are the music my heart sings to. I think it knew you were here, not Ian, and thus led me to you."

Using his hold, Jera pulled herself to stand, although she needed only minor leverage to uncurl from her cross legged position. She stepped down to Ashe with her bright smile, "Ian shall have missed much. How are you and if I may ask, what has you searching at this hour for your nephew? Is he not at the Manor?"

Keeping a light hold on her hand, he covered it with his other one to warm it a bit. "I, as ever, am fine, and even better now that I am with you. As for Ianno, he is still a bit troubled over taking up the post of Guardian. He's taken to long walks, and Skye thought he might be here in the garden."

"Ah well, though I may have let my mind walk among the stars, I think I'd have noticed him had he passed by. I did wonder about his new post and if it would take him even more away from the Lady Skye and the children."

"No, in that, we can be grateful. If anything, it will tie him closer to home. There's much that needs to be done, once the news of Blackhawke's disappearance spreads further afield."

Jera frowned slightly, "Well, shall we look for him then? Your nephew, I mean." She glanced around the garden briefly then back to Ashe and slipped her other hand to his. It had gone quite cold too now.

"No, I think he most likely is in his office in the barracks. I saw a light on there as I entered the gardens. It would have been my next stop. Ian will be alright. He just needs to work a few things through."

"Well, then... what do you need or where need you to be?" She looked down at their hands folded together."I'll admit that I'm content to be here like this for a bit, however, I'd not want to stay you."

"Let's go into the hall, your hands are cold, and the fire there will feel inviting on such a night as this, eh?"

She grinned, "Just the invitation I like, yes."

"Good." he smiled back, "I know we are supposed to dance over the snows and such, but I think that was started to keep us warm on nights like this. I for one, prefer a warm fire." He freed one hand to motion toward the pathway. "Shall we?"

Jera chuckled as they proceeded, "Yes, I think we could dance on snow another night, if the urge strikes. Winter has only begun. Besides, I was on my way to the firehall when I just had to find a perch and... participate in the night a bit. But now, the night is biting back, I think."

Ashe nodded, his own breath a veil of mist trailing behind him as they walked. "So, was there any matter in particular you were meditating on, or was it just in general?"

"Oh, much and nothing. It's likely the season. Things slow down and I realize that all I do is seasonal and short-lived in that way?" She was so comfortable striding along with him. He made it easy to share her ponderings.

"Short lived? What makes you think this?" he frowned.

"I mean, what survives one year's labor into the next?" she sighed, "And why am I concerned with this at all? I don't know. Maybe it's the proximaty of these humans and their dramas and their wish to build and leave monuments to outlive them and.... hm... Maybe I should stay outside and let the cold chill my thoughts more, to quiet them?" She shared with him a broad grin at herself.

He laughed, "Oh no, not that. Then you'd freeze and be a monument too. Really, beloved, there are so many whose illnesses are cured by means of the herbs you gather. Is that not a legacy? And what of the things you have made with your craft?"

"Now see, I've need of reminding, and pleased that you are with me to do it. Though I pray you'll not find it a burden."

"I could never find you a burden, milady. Never dare think otherwise. You make everything new for me. Ah, here is the door!"

Jera laughed as she teased, "A door is hardly a new thing."

"No, but it's an exceedingly clever thing and a welcome convenience." He grinned as he opened the door, bowing with a flourish. "After you, milady."

She nodded to him with a more formal than necessary gesture, smiling all the while, and preceeded him into the warm firehall. Ashe followed her in, closing the door firmly behind himself, then signaled to Lumiere, "Two mugs of hot tea, please!" Jera swept her fine cloak from her shoulders and folded it over her arm. She was not going to put it in peril by hanging it on a peg by the door.

The tea arrived and Ashe took both for now, gesturing with one in the direction of the hearth, "Shall we sit?" Jera deftly slipped the extended mug from his hand as she passed to find two suitable chairs near the the hearth and turned to sit. Only then did the cloak come off her arm to be laid aside. "Ah yes. It does feel much more comfortable in here."

Ashe waited until she was seated then joined her. "Yes, I believe a warm and toasty elf is much preferrable to a cold and frozen one. For one thing, there's no need to wait for a thaw to move."

"Well, depends on who might attempt a thawing." She lifted her tea in a mock toast then grinned into a sip.

"Ah, true," he chuckled and returned the mock toast, then took his sip as well. "So, tell me, what has occupied your days of late?"

"Not near enough. The colder months move so slowly. This season oft requires more patience than I seem to have, patience I must find for the tedium of mending that which needs it and tending to slowly growing things."

"Ah, but when the seed sprouts in the Spring, then all the tending will be worth it, will it not? The Mother moves at her own speed. We must learn patience from her."

"Oh certainly yes. It's just... after the hustle of harvest, I suppose there's a feeling of something missing. But, I will adjust. The wheel seems to turn more slowly in winter and I gradually learn to do that too." She took another sip of tea and then a relaxing breath, perhaps trying to work on that rhythm now.

Ashevathallion sighed softly, just looking at her for a long moment, then extended a hand to run a finger along Jera's cheek. "Vanimle sila tiri, a'maelamin. Amin naa lle nai."

Jera turned toward his hand and smiled softly. "Is that so, my love? Will you wait then, right here, with me... til I decide on what to command next? I'll warn you, it could take a long while..."

He set his tea mug aside and took her hand. "I would wait for all eternity by your side if you asked me. In fact, I just might even if you don't." After a moment, he added with a grin, "Of course, we might be covered in cobwebs and used by nesting birds, but I'll brave it for you."

She snickered, "I hope they're songbirds," then let her gaze drift over his face and back to his eyes. "Although I think eggs would be in peril. Long way to fall, from the top of a tall handsome fellow such as you."

"Ah, but you forget the cobwebs. They'd break the fall."

Again she laughed, "Yes, yes, 'though surely someone would come along and dust us now and again? Lumiere perhaps?"

"Perhaps. Or Ian's children." he leaned in and kissed her lightly, "Or our own." then let out a breathe he was holding without realizing it.

Jera whispered against the corner of his mouth, "I have not yet fully contemplated that."

"Jera Skyspear..." his voice was but a whisper too, "Will you bind your Fate with mine?"

She tilted her head to the side and regarded him, "Am I not already bound by heart?" then slowly her smile grew "What is it you are suggesting, Ashevathallion?"

He actually blushed slightly. "I'm asking you to be my.. er..mate..er..wife.." Quickly he added, "Not right away, mind you. We're not humans to rush will he nill he into these things. But, we could do it in the Spring?"

Looking down at her hand in his, Jera set her tea aside so the fingertips of that hand could trace along his fingers. After a pause, she nodded slowly, before looking up to Ashe with a warm smile, a blush, and softly whispered words. "Yes... in the Spring."

Ashevathallion smiled then leaned forward to kiss her once more, a bit longer this time. "You have my heart, Jera Skyspear." She lifted her hand to brush along his jawline. "And you mine. It has been with you a while."

He took a long shaky breath, "I'm not sure I can wait until Spring. How very..human of me..but I will. I will wait." He seemed to debate with himself for another moment, then added with more certainty, "For now, I best leave before I disgrace the honor of my clan."

Grinning, Jera nodded in agreement, "Indeed, for I fear I am not likely a good guardian of your clan's honor... not... in this."

Neither of them made to move apart, despite their words. Ashe spoke to himself again, "Then, I should go now, before I am too weak to move." Again she nodded, still close with him, "Perhaps a cold walk in the night, under stars..." She wanted to be helpful, but fought her own wishes too. "But... only to the edge of the garden where our paths currently part?" Besides, the fire in the hearth seemed terribly close, altogether too warm. The night air might be just the thing.

Ashe sighed, "Aye, only that far..." At last he leaned back, took another deep breath and grinned to her, "Only that far, or I'll have to take a cold swim in the lake." He rose to stand and extended his hand to her. She accepted his gesture and squeezed his hand before releasing it to put on her cloak. Now his arm was offered, "Walk with me a ways, milady." She took his arm as he leaned to kiss her gently, then led her to the garden door.

"Yes, I will walk with you a ways... as far and as long as the Goddess will allow."

The two walked out of the hall and down the path, with a few pauses and murmured exchanges. Then they took a longer pause at the split in their path before reluctantly taking steps away from each other.

Jera called to him thoughtfully but not entirely without mirth, "I think you have just proposed a way to make the slow wintertide seem even slower."

His voice carried back to her as the shadows began to fill the gap between them. "Spring will come, love. Spring will come." First his voice faded away and then Ashe himself was gone.

DHP and Bill West © Dec 2002

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