Danger and Diplomacy (closed)

[Lordmikel]

Ark snuggled in with Morwena. She felt so good, her body rubbing against him. "Know that I am exactly where I want to be and I would not have it any other way." He kisses her on the lips as his fingers slide through her hair. "If and when I need to be elsewhere, I will most assuredly go, but that is not at this time."

 

[haremfaery]

"As long as we are in human lands, it is easy for me to keep you near. You are the only one I can fully trust. And if I insist that my body guard sleep in my chambers, tongues may wag, but I do not care. I have every reason to keep you near me day and night. I shall endeavor to stay here as long as I possibly can. Once I am called back home ... I do not see how we can stay together. We will have to part ways."

Why she continued to torture herself about what the future held for the two of them--or rather what it did not hold, she did not know. She should be savoring the moment.

She sighed. "Time to sleep, I think."

_______________
((Any ideas for their next adventure--or how to continue this one?))

 

[Lordmikel]

Ark cuddled up with Morwena as the two fell asleep in each others arms. Ark awoke first, holding Morwena's naked body pressed against him. His hands slowly caressed her breasts, as he considered if they could make love before breakfast.

(I have an idea)

 

[haremfaery]

"Mmmm," Morwena moaned quietly as she slowly awakened to Ark's caresses. "So nice to sleep in a comfortable bed. And with such a companion." She smiled at him and put her hand over his where he gently squeezed her breast.

((Good, because I am out of ideas And also, so sorry for taking so long to respond. I started a new job and it leaves me brain dead many weeknights. I'm hoping to get back on track soon.))

 

[Lordmikel]

Ark nodded in agreement as her hand came across his as he playfully worked her breasts. He leaned in, gently kissing her neck, loving how she smelled and tasted. "Are you hungry for food ... or are you still hungry for something else?"

 

[haremfaery]

"Mmm, perhaps we should take a break and eat something. I would not have you ruin your stamina." She grinned at him. "After living on what we could forage while we were on the run, having a proper meal is a luxury I look froward to."

 

[Lordmikel]

Ark nodded as he looked at some of the clothing the king had sent to their room. His was rather on the drab side, something more along the lines of a guard would wear. But it would make sense for him to be dressed like this for the moment. He would not stand out as much in comparison to wearing his ranger garb.

He looks over to see what Morwena would choose before they head down towards breakfast.

 

[haremfaery]

Morwena looked at the clothing that had been brought for her and chose a dress she found the most aesthetically pleasing. None of the clothes were anything like elven styles, but that was to be expected. Everything was of fine quality and in the fashion favored by the ladies of the human king's court.

She found the clothing restrictive with the tight-laced bodices that confined her from bust to hips. At last the skirt was full and allowed her to take strides as she wished.

Morwena was also shorter and more fine boned that her humn counterparts, so the neckline of the dress bared most of her shoulders and showed more cleavage than she was comfortable with. She found a shawl among the clothing and draped it over herself. She knew Ark would be disappointed, but she was already a matter of curiosity in the palace, she did not want to be more of one by exposing so much skin to the subtle leers of the courtiers and the disapproval of the ladies.

Without a maidservant to help with her hair, she made a simple long braid that hung over her shoulder.

She smiled at Ark watching him watching her as he pulled on his boots. "Am I now presentable enough for a court breakfast?" She turned a bit so he could inspect her. The dress was a bit long for her, but it was no matter, she would just gather the skirt in her hands so she could walk without stepping on it.

 

[Lordmikel]

"like truly a Princess." He says as he admires her clothing. "You look radiant even in those clothes." He stood before her in his own drabber clothes. "I at least will look like I belong. Not at your side, but at least in the room."

He held open the door for her and made a point of walking in front of her as a good guard would do.

As they arrive at breakfast, the room is quite aflutter. Servants are running here and there getting everything ready. As the two enter, one of the porters approaches Morwena, "I will show you to your seat, if you will permit me."

 

[haremfaery]

"You are my personal guard, you belong at my side, always." She squeezed his arm before they went through the door.

At breakfast, the servants seemed more animated that was usual. It made Morwena wonder if it was a special day or if the servants were relieved to know that all was now well in the kingdom.

Morwena nodded assent to the porter and followed him across the room.

 

[Lordmikel]

Ark whispers in Morwena's ear. "It is not every day they get to serve and Elven Princess." He stayed at her side as she requested as the porter led them to the table and one chair for her.

Ark took a step behind Morwena, as he watched her take her seat.

 

[haremfaery]

Morwena gave Ark a small look. Had she known he would be expected to standby and watch her eat, she would have ordered food for him in her room. But he seemed to take it in stride.

It seemed Ark was right about the servants. Many went out of their way to walk by her table to look at her up close. She was not used to people openly staring at her, but she took it with the serene calm her people were known for.

 

[Lordmikel]

Morwena need not have concerned herself with food for Ark. It seemed he took it upon himself to test all of the food as it as delivered. Every once in awhile he would wink at Morwena as he took a bite out of one pastry or another.

It was then finally that the King arrived. The entire room seemed to stop as all bowed to the King.

The King did small talk with Morwena, asking how she slept well. (You may add anything you'd like to the conversation.)

"Later we shall conduct business. But for today, please enjoy our hospitality, explore the town see everything that you can."

 

[haremfaery]

Morwena worked hard not to blush, smile, or laugh when Ark winked at her. It was as if he thought this all was very funny and was sharing the joke with her. She supposed the fact that they were lovers by night and mistress and servant by day amused him to no end.

Morwena stood when the king entered and dropped into a graceful curtsy , then retook her seat after the king sat.

"Princess Morwena, I trust you slept well?" The king asked.

Morwena could almost feel Ark's smirk behind her. She schooled her face into calm passivity. "Yes, Your Majesty. I am beginning to feel safe again. Having Ark watch over me helps me to sleep easy. Thank you for indulging me in this."

"Not at all, my dear. I am happy you are recovering from your ordeal."

They exchanged pleasantries throughout the meal, at the end, the king said, "Later we shall conduct business. But for today, please enjoy our hospitality, explore the town see everything that you can."

"I shall do that, Your Majesty. I would very much like to see more of your city. And I am sure Ark, being a ranger, has grown quite bored spending so much time indoors." She smiled at Ark, it was time to tweak him a little. She expected he would be perfectly happy to retire to her bedchamber and stay there for the rest of the day. And night. Truth be told, she would be perfectly happy with that as well, but they couldn't be that obvious about what they were doing.

 

[Lordmikel]

The King looks at Ark, "Ah yes, my Ranger." He seems to put emphasis on that. "Did your training go well?"

Ark nodded to the King. "Training went very well. The elves certainly know the forest very well. It was quite the exciting time."

The King seems pleased with this answer.

"And I will be happy to show the Princess around the town, I'm sure she will enjoy the gardens as well as the shops."

The rest of the meal continues with small talk and the bringing of food. Ark continued to watch the room, eying Morwena. His thoughts did occasionally drift to thoughts of her kneeling before him, using her mouth as only she can. Or the way she would be on top of him. But for the moment, such thoughts were only enticing him to take her to bed sooner rather than later.

 

[haremfaery]

Morwena noticed the emphasis on "my Ranger."

"More exciting than any of us would wish." Morwena put in. "Your Majesty, I realize I have taken up all of your Ranger's time since our return." She chose not to remind the king that without them surviving the attempt on her life and making their way to the capitol, the kingdom would now be in the hands of the Vizier and his men and the king would be ... dead.

"I will write to my father and have him compensate Your Majesty and Ranger Ark for this inconvenience. I will also let him know of Your Majesty's generosity in allowing Ranger Ark to act as my personal guard while I remain in your city. I am most grateful."

Morwena saw Ark stealing glances at her and hoped no one else noticed. She worked hard not to blush. She could feel the heat between them when they made eye contact. She couldn't get through the rest of breakfast fast enough so they could be together out of the scrutiny of the court even if they were out in the city.

Finally, breakfast was finished. Morwena took her leave of the king. She and Ark walked out the Eastern gate and into the city.

"We must still be careful not to be too familiar in public, but at least there are no prying eyes. But Morwena spoke too soon. People they passed noticed the couple, particularly the Elven woman in the elegant clothes with the extravagant ears.

"Perhaps I should have thought to wear a turban. A stop to a cloth merchant may be in order. While the adults were more surreptitious in their glances, the children openly stared. Some even waved and called out to her. She smiled and looked pleasant at the rude humans. But she reminded herself that Elves outside of the bordertowns were a rare thing. After spending time with Ark, she was learning more about humans and their ways. These humans were just curious and more open with their feelings.

"So, what do you wish to show me in your fair city?"

 

[Lordmikel]

Ark had watched the princess during the meal, impressed by how well she handled the King. "I think the waterfall first."

Ark led her through the city, going deeper and deeper into the city. Suddenly as they turn one corner, Morwena will spot trees a bit further down the lane. The trees become thicker and she will soon here the sound of a waterfall. A bit further up the path and she could see the waterfall. It was quite magical. That included the magic involved with the waterfall. The water seemed to be falling out of a hole in the air. It came pouring down it onto rocks below. There was a pool, but not a very large one considering the amount of water pouring into it. It was certainly quite the sight.

"Magic." Says Ark. "The water drops from the hole up there, into the pool, where another hole is located which is where the water comes from."

 

[haremfaery]

Morwena walked with Ark through the city thinking they had perhaps reached the center. She noted that even in the wealthy parts of the city, it seemed dirty to her. At least by Elven standards. But there were gardens and a few trees.

Finally, there they were. It must be the pride of the city. She was surprised no one had mentioned it. But it was the first thing Ark took her to see. She knew it was magic even before Ark told her. She could feel the magic radiating off of it.

At first she thought it was an illusion, but once she realized that the water was real she was duly impressed. "It's magnificent. How is the magic maintained? Who created this? What sort of spell was used? Dual portals, I understand, but how to get the eater to start flowing...?" As someone who could wield some magic, her curiosity was piqued. She had never seen magic used in this way.

"Thank you so much for showing me this." She sat on the rocks by the pool and let her fingers trail in the water.

 

[Lordmikel]

Ark was quite pleased that she liked the waterfall. It was quite the exciting sight. Many people had come and see it at least once, oohed and ahed at it and then left. But he still enjoyed seeing it.

"My understanding, opening the portals simply cause the water to flow. A simple flow of gravity. I am told the magic is maintained by the sun. As for the creation, Good Wizard Yzlin. Perhaps ten years ago. It is quite an impressive feat I am told."

He admired her as she sat on the rocks, her fingers sliding through the water. He walked closer to her, picking up a small rock. "One of the tricks is to do this." He takes the rock and tosses it into the water. They watch it slowly fall beneath the water until he points to the portal as they watch the rock fall through the upper one to fall back into the water.

 

[haremfaery]

Morwena laughed as she watched the stone fall along with the water into the basin below only to reappear falling from the top of the waterfall. It fell slower than if one had simply dropped it from the same height. She marveled at the mind that could not only think of such a thing, but actually combine the spells to create it.

"But..." She began as she thought more about it. "If everyone tosses in a stone, before long soon it will be nothing but stones. Does someone remove them periodically? They must."

She walked around the waterfall seeing it from all angles. "I should very much like to meet this 'Good Wizard Yzlin.' I had not known that human mages could become so powerful." Elves lived a long time and could devote decade upon decade to the craft. A human would be old and frail by the time they came close to becoming a master adept.

She must tell her father of this mage and this spell. Her thoughts turned to how a spell such as this might be used in other less pleasant situations. Using the sun's energy to power the spell, that would eliminate the need for mages to continue to pour energy into the spell. No need for them to rest. It was a frightening idea. A few months ago, she would have never thought about benign spells being turned to a dark purpose, but now she had seen the evil that men might do.

However, she didn't want to waste her time with Ark thinking such negative thoughts.

"Are there are more wonders in this city of yours? is this your favorite spot?" She gave him a bright smile.

 

[Lordmikel]

"Eventually the rock will fall at such an angle that it won't fall through again. The game is to see how many times it will fall through." Soon enough she will notice that the rock stops falling through.

"I know the wizard is quite the recluse, but we might be able to visit him. He might open his door for another practitioner such as yourself."

Ark loved the way Morwena smiled. "Well this is the most exotic I would say. Now there is also the toy shoppe. That is actually my favorite. It is always a wonder to see what he has."

 

[haremfaery]

"Ah. I see now. How very clever." She laughed when the stone finally landed at the edge of the pool.

"As a visiting dignitary who has rescued the king and the kingdom from the grips of the Vizier, I should think the sorcerer would be able to find time to meet with me. It would not be good to insult an Elven princess." She was only half joking about that. She couldn't imagine anyone declining an audience.

"A toy shop? Really? A grown man interested in toys? I would have thought your favorite would be the armoury." She laughed again. But then Ark's childhood was much closer in years to him than hers was to her. She had to remember that humans aged faster and died much sooner than Elves.

 

[Lordmikel]

"Well you see, these are not just any toys." He pauses as he tried to think of the words. "They are clockworks toys. They have gears and you turn a crank to make them move on their own, it really is quite fascinating." Ark seemed quite excited t be talking about them. In an age of magic, technology would be quite amusing.

"But yes, I'm sure the mage will make time to see you. We can inquire and send a runner when we return if you want."

 

[haremfaery]

"Clockwork toys ... They sound delightful. And clever. I look forward to seeing them. The children must be very excited about them. Is it far? Can we walk or must we hire a carriage?"

She let her hand trail through the waterfall again. "I would very mush like to meet this mage. The thought process to come up with this idea ... He must be a genius."

 

[Lordmikel]

"Oh we can walk." Says Ark. "Unless you would like to go see the wizard now?"