The camp fire roared up to the sky as Eden sat down under a tree lost to himself in deep thought. It had been a long while since his last visit with Meera. He missed her so. Eden was beginning to think that he was in love. A loud crackle from the fire suddenly woke Eden from his thoughts. He looked up to the starry night sky and looked over to Pegasus, who was grazing on the soft grass of the Norwood Forest. He stood up and walked to the winged horse and patted him on the back.

"What do you think of Meera, my friend?"

The horse looked into Eden's eyes and fluttered his wings and laughed a horses laugh. Eden smiled and thought more of Meera. He hoped she would come across him in his camp. He knew of no place to find the woman. The only reason he was in the forest was because this was the first place he had met her. They took walks and talked for hours on end. He was attracted to her and found her personality magnetic. Eden fell to his bottom with a sigh. He rested his hands in his lap and stared at the fire. How was he going to tell her how he felt? Should he tell her that he loved her? Should he say that he wanted to be hers and for her to be his own?
Eden layed back in deep thought once again, staring up to the night sky.

Meera ran her hands absentmindedly through Enzo's comforting flames as she lay on his back. She was faced upwards towards the many stars that decorated the fabulous night sky. Many thoughts softly floated through her brain in this lapse of work. She mainly thought of how far she had come since first stepping foot in Imythess. Her mind couldn't help but think of the many friends she had made here. One kept on her mind though, Eden. She hadn't seen him in the longest time and she missed him dearly. It felt like a deep empty void when he wasn't around. She just couldn't explain it. It was a feeling that she had never experienced. Always being in the woods, she was not like the other girls and had never truly met anyone she felt this way for. She began to wonder where he was and if in fact that by some odd chance, he was staring up at the same night sky this minute. Her heart twinged as she longed just to feel his touch and see his face once more. Sighing, she rolled off of Enzo and landed softly on her feet with a thump. Patting his haunches, she walked into the woods. As he tried to follow, she turned and shook her head at him.

Picking her way along the wild beauty of the forest a night, she walked aimlessly. Compared to the silence, her ears were even more attuned to the smallest sounds. She heard, suddenly, the unusual sound of the crackling of a fire. Curiously, she traveled towards it. Knowing that it could be anyone, she kept her steps soft and silent. Coming to the clearing, she carefully peeked in. The sight that met her eyes immedietly made them glisten with unshed clears. Bursting into the clearing towards Eden, she held him closely in her arms. Uncaring of her own modesty, she pressed her lips to his. As happy tears ran down her face, she almost did not want to end the embrace. Her mind did not concentrate on anything else in the clearing, nor did she care if something important happened. This was most important to her and nothing could deter that thought. If maybe only for that small moment, her life seemed completely fulfilled and nothing could go wrong.

Before Eden knew it, he was being embraced by someone. He did not know who at first but then sudden realization hit him like an arrow it’s target. It was Meera. He could feel it within himself. She was hugging him so tight that he could not breath, though it would have been the same had she not been hugging him. He returned the powerful embrace and felt her lips touch his. He was in ecstacy and could not fathom a life with this kind of joy and completion... until now. His eyes slid closed and he kissed her back with great passion. No words needed to be said. He did not have to explain what he felt for her. She already knew, he thought. The seconds that seemed to last for an eternity were the greatest Eden had ever experienced. He opened his eyes and looked into her’s. He could have wept with joy, the tears already building up behind his lids. He stared into her eyes spoke so softly that he thought she might not have heard him.

“Meera..... I love you.”

Though he felt foolish for those being the only words he said, it was all he could say. He had a whole prepared in his head, only to be forgotten by her wondrous lips. Eden put his hands on the small of her back and pulled her closer to him and found his lips on her’s. He ebraced her tightly as he passionately kissed her. Eden did not want this moment to end.

As the salty tears ran down her face, Meera once again returned the passionate kiss. Her heart thumped wildly in her chest as this moment seemed to make the world pause. At his confession, she parted from him for a brief moment to softly breathe, "I love you too." When his hand comfortingly rested on the small of her back and pulled her in closer, she in turn snaked her arms around his neck and pulled him towards her. It was almost as if the two beings were one. Parting once again from the feiry joy of his lips, she breathed deeply still holding him for fear that he may dissapear again. Instead, she slid her face beside his and rested her cheek on his own. She soaked up the loving silence that lay between them and embraced him tightly. She whispered in his ear "I never want to leave you again.." That was the truth. After she now knew that her love was returned, she didn't think her heart could bear in this early love to be seperated again from him. Pulling her face back again, she removed her hands from his neck and instead cupped his chin. Slower this time, she brought his face in to kiss her again. Meera closed her eyes and savored the moment in itself, her mind not on anything other than him.

Removing her lips from him, she used one of her hands to stroke his cheek lovingly. With her other hand she whiped away some of her own tears that ran from her own face. Everything seemed as if was in slow motion and yet Meera hadn't a care for the world. The lands of Imythess could wait because this moment was to precious to ever give up. In silence she simply stared and lost herself in his wonderous eyes. She had no more words to say. Her heart believed that there was a time and place for talking over things, and this moment was not it. If there was anything Eden needed to say, she was ready but no words could express the joy that had bubbled up in her heart upon sight of him. Her heart twinged as her eyes wandered once again over his handsome features. The farmilliarity of it was so comforting. She closed her eyes and attempted to bring herself back from the heavens that she felt she was living in right now. A broad smile spread across her features only partially expressing her happiness.

Nothing seemed to exist anymore but the two of them. After her lips were released from his, the world came back in a rush. Eden gazed into her beautiful eyes and lost himself. She was extremely attractive. Eden brought his hand up to her hers, caressing it. With the other hand, ran through her hair and then to her cheek. Her tan skin was soft, only adding to the infinite beauty she already possessed. A slight breeze came about and blew Eden’s bangs over eyes. He wiped them away, never leaving his gaze from Meera’s eyes. He felt complete now that she was here with him. He knew somehow he would find her again. Deep within his heart, he felt that they would be together again. Now he did want to lose her. He did not want to leave her, but that is what troubled him so. She had said to him that she never wanted to leave him again. His heart ached with pain with what he had to tell her. Eden stood up and grabbed for her hands, wanting her to stand with him.

Pegasus walked over and nudged Eden’s elbow. Eden looked at the horse and smiled. He forgot that he wasn’t alone. The winged horse walked around the tree and continued grazing. Eden returned his eyes to Meera. He did not want to tell her the bad news, but he knew he must. It was his duty. He was on the verge of tears.

“Meera.... I must tell you something.... A darkness grows in the Istan Desert. I have seen more and more demons walking about. The other day I went to Istan City to check with the generals of the army. We spoke on important matters of setting defense. The demons have been going into the city, attacking the people. The generals tell me that they are on the brink of war. I must go and fight with them. I can not let the army of darkness have their way. More than once I have seen the Goddess of darkness herself. I do believe that she will unleash her fury in war with the people of Istan. This is why it pains me so to tell you this. I must go to Istan.”

Eden’s knees were about to give in. His stomach was weak and he was beginning to sweat. A slight breeze sent shivers up his spine. He feared that she would be mad at him, but it would not stop him from leaving to Istan.

Slowly Meera stood with him. In silence, she stared at him soulfully soaking up all of his goodness. After studying his face, she realized that he seemed to be wanting to tell her something, but for some reason he did not want to. Sensing that it was important knowledge, she waited in silence. She knew, by experience, that it was much easier to talk to someone when they knew you well. She felt that she knew him better than she knew herself. Squeezing his hands in encouragement, she waited for whatever he might need to say. As he spoke, she listened intently. Her eyebrows furrowed in concern. She hadn't heard of these attacks. It was another thing because she was a good friend of the goddess of darkness. Knowing full well that this must mean something bad, she continued to focus on what Eden was telling her instead of the matter that made her curious. At his final confession of his worries, a large smile spread over her face. She let out a soft laugh. Laying her head on his chest and wrapping her arms around waist again, she continued to smile. Looking up at him, she said "Is that your only worry? I cannot believe you didn't think of this before..." after musing for a second, she continued on. "You don't think I'd let you have all the fun! Of course you knew I'm going to go with you."

Lifting her head off of his chest, she placed her hand where it had once been. Leaning in for one more quick kiss, she pulled back and looked him back in the eyes studyingly. She didn't know how he would react to her coming with him, but if he knew how stubborn she was, he wouldn't even attempt to fight her. When it was a matter such as this, she fought against anyone's conflicting views feircly. As if supporting her words that she had already spoke, she said "You know I can hold my own in a fight, especially if it is for the good of this wonderous land!" She held back though from telling him of his plans for confronting Ranewen. She planned to see the other sides views. Meera knew that this best way to make sure you were fighting a moral fight was to see how the other side was thinking. She didn't quite know what she would get when she talked to Ranewen, but she knew it was necessary. Concentrating back on Eden, she gave him a bright cheery smile. She hoped that he would be somewhat comforted from the fact that she would go with him and they would not be seperated. Meera had grown up around a normal town where the womenfolk stayed home, took care of the kids, and cooked. She had vowed never to live a life like that. She would not just simply sit back and let her battles be fought for her. She was a warrior at heart and nothing could seperate her from fighting for what she believed in.

Eden smiled at her. He could say nothing. He could think of nothing. He wanted only to hold her in his arms. He nodded at her statement and embraced her. He was weak with hunger. He had to sit down and rest. Rest. He had not much of that lately. Eden let her go and looked down to the ground. He bent his wobbly knees and sat down crossed legged. He looked up at her and held out a hand so she may sit with him. “Let us eat, Meera. I am weak with hunger. I must eat something”

OOC: So sorry. Lon time. And I am brain dead.

Meera let out a soft sigh as he released her. She closed her eyes and smiled. It was just so wonderful to see him again. Her own knees felt weak from the sudden rush she had felt upon sighting him. Stepping backwards she leaned against a tree for a moment. Blinking away some of her unshed tears, she said softly "yes, let's eat." Before sitting down next to him, she glanced over at his Pegasus. It was a magnificent beast. He obviously seemed very loyal to Eden. Giving a respectful nod towards it, she then reached out to take ahold of Eden's hand and sit down next to him. Leaning her head on his shoulder, she just soaked in the moment. Wrapping her wings around her like a blanket, she felt very comfortable and serene. After brushing back a piece of hair behind her ear, she turned to him with a cheery smile and said "what have you been up to this whole time? Canoodling with other women?" With a gentle laugh, she squeezed his hand. Her own bright eyes looked into his tired seeming ones. Instantly she became concerned, "You seem very tired. Do you need to rest? I could keep watch for you if you need it," She offered in a concerned voice. Obviously he was tired, but she couldn't make him sleep. He looked like he'd come a long way. Narrowing her eyes in concern, she looked him over. He didn't seem sick, but there were always other things. "Did you catch something?" She asked finally before quieting down and waiting for him to answer something.

Eden silently laughed to himself. Her questions of concern only brought a smile to his face. He looked into her eyes and returned the hand squeeze. She asked him what he had been up to lately. Eden’s mind raced, and made his head hurt. Maybe he had come down with some minor illness. It was very possible. The journey to the forest was long and hard. Before he made for his trip, he had captured Pegasus. The horse was stubborn and hard to submit to Eden’s will. It only made Eden want the horse all the more. The process of breaking Pegasus was a painful one. Eden reached around for his pack and pulled dried meat and a few vegetables. He handed Meera a piece of dried meat and took a bite of his own. The taste of it was delicious. Eden downed his meaty bite and looked down at Meera on his shoulder. With a smile, he said,

“Canoodling with other women? While it may have a fun time, I did not go through with it.” Eden looked into her eyes to see what her expression would say about the tease. “Well, let’s see,” he said with a sigh, “My journey here was long and hard. I did not rest much: there were teams of bandits prowling around, looking to see if they could find any easy prey. There was that part, and then Pegasus over here, being a stubborn horse, kept me up most of time. He did not like the idea of being under my control. Although I showed that he could go away to his freedom, he stayed with me for some reason. The wild beast is probably thinking how he could get back at me.” Eden looked over to Pegasus and smiled. They were friends indeed, both stubborn, both clever, and both hard to break. Pegasus shot his head back and snorted. Eden laughed.

With his arm over Meera’s shoulders now, Eden ate the rest of his meat and offered some vegetables to her. He tossed a few carrots to Pegasus, who happily ate them away. Maybe he was getting sick. No. That wasn’t it. It was just the hard ride here. Eden did not like to waste time when he set his mine to something. That was part of his stubborn way. Eden leaned against Meera and asked, “So tell me my Meera. Have you been meddling with men? What have you been up to lately?”

Meera had to laugh at his agreeing to her sarcasm. With nose wrinkled, she promptly stuck her tongue out at him. She accepted the meat gratfully and brought it up to her mouth only taking a few nibbles at a time. It had been a while since she had eaten any dried meat. Usually, she just took it and cooked it. It just wasn't like her to plan ahead. Call it a weakness, but it worked for her. Finally she finished her piece and whiped her hands off on her pants. As he went to tell his story, she listened wholeheartedly. She looked up at his face, interested to hear how he came across the pegasus. With a smile, his encounter sounded somewhat similar to her bond with Ciaran, except he didn't stick around all the time. He could be summoned though and he would come in a heartbeat. That was all that mattered. Accepting his vegetables, she ate those quickly. She had much to tell him. Laughing at his firing back of her joke, she nodded her head and said "Actually yes I have. Here and there, been breaking a few hearts." Shrugging her shoulders, she made it seem like it was no big deal. Though in fact she hadn't done anything of the sort. Only making new friends and dealing with the misled. With a laugh, she continued with, "I've just been hanging around. Nothing out of the ordinary has happened."

With a sigh, she glanced up at the stars again. It was beautiful out here. The air was perfect. A little cold, but not enough for a cloak. It was balanced just enough with the humidity that it was fairly warm as well. Realizing that she had left Enzo, Meera quickly used her spell to find him. He was right outside of the clearing? Aparently, he hadn't listened to her and and had followed her to the clearing. With a laugh, Meera gestured her hand outwards and said "Enzo.." Obviously with great hesitancy, he stuck his flaming head out. Once he realized that Meera wasn't mad, his body followed completely and he walked over to her. Picking her head of Eden's shoulder, Meera leaned her forehead against Enzo's and stroked his neck for a second. Scolding gently, she said "Next time, when I say stay...stay." With that, she gave him one final pat and gestured over to Pegasus. Maybe they would get along. Shaking his feiry mane, Enzo dutifully plodded over to the white steed. Leaning her head back again, Meera nestled it back into Eden's shoulder. "Did you learn anything new? Anything that you can teach me? Some sparring techniques?" As if to emphasize her point, she feigned drawing her sword and taking a couple jabs at the air. Resting her hand back across her stomach, she waited for his answer.

Eden listened to the beautiful woman with open ears. He laughed at her teasing remark. He brought up his eyes to the starry sky with her. It was a beautiful night indeed. Eden breathed deeply and closed his eyes. The moment was perfect. Sitting here with Meera was a satisfying feeling. To be with her at last, after his hard journey, was rapture. This kisses they had shared earlier were beyond any good emotion one could feel. The warm hugs and gazing into each other’s eyes was splendid. This was a good night.

Eden saw watched as Enzo came into sight. He giggled when Meera softly scolded him. Pegasus was excited to see another horse. He flapped his wings and snorted his excitement. Pegasus watched as Enzo walked over to him. They would get along with each other just fine. Eden watched the two horses for a moment, wondering what they could be communicating or thinking. Meera then asked Eden if he had learned anything new. Some technique for battle. That, Eden did learn.

“Well… there is Pegasus here, whom I have learned to ride with out effort. My bow skills are quite exceptional, I think, on the back of Pegasus. I have taught him to think for himself while riding in combat. I feel as though my broadsword has become an extension of my hand.” Eden looked into her eyes. “ I have learned to dodge balls of fire. I encountered a mad woman when I was in the Village of Kellen. She killed a few men and reeked havoc on part of the village.”

As Enzo walked over to Pegasus, he was also happy to see another equine. Ciaran was there sometimes, but rarely. Meera only called upon him in battles. Enzo wasn't good with all the noise and tended to stand helplessly whereas Ciaran could effectively lance anyone with his horn and kick out when needed. Enzo felt slightly incompetent but was reassured at the fact that he was always with Meera and was one of her preffered companions. Tossing his head a few times, he greeted the pegasus and somehow felt right at home. Careful not to burn him with the flames radiating off of his body, Enzo walked up right in front of him and just stood, surveying the winged horse. In a way, they were both alike. Both Enzo and Pegasus carried traits that were unique to just their species. Together, they could be very powerful.

Meera's eyes glittered in hapiness for him at all of his newfound skills. She found that there was always something special about the bond between a warrior and their steed. If it was not strong enough, they perished easily. When the bond was nurtured and matured respectively, it was a beautiful thing. There was a great amount of respect that had to rest with each part. Though the rider may seem in control, the horse had eyes as well. When something didn't seem right, the rider had to trust the horse's own instincts, sometimes going against the human ones. Letting out a little sigh at the compassion between horse and rider, Meera's mind once again focused on the rest of what Eden had to say. So he had been saving villages from utter destruction. With an inside laugh, Meera had to think that it was nothing out of the ordinary for him. Smiling she said "now don't go taking all of the fun from me!" Laughing out loud now, she exclaimed, "Dodging balls of fire? When did you have to use that? By the looks of it, you fared pretty well." Lifting her hand up to his chin, she grasped it lightly and softly turned his head from side to side. Lifting her other hand up, she cupped one cheek. Another smile set on her face as she said "no scorch marks or burnt hairs. I'm proud of you!"

Eden had to laugh, he enjoyed Meera’s witty humor. He could always get along with those kind of people just fine. Meera made him comfortable and at home. It felt as if nothing could go wrong when he was with her. It was simple bliss. Eden had not felt this way for any person. In some ways, it was extraordinary, and then in other ways it was awkward. Eden did not think it to be a bad thing, only that he was not used to the emotions. He beamed as he gazed into her eyes. He was in a state of rapture to be close to her.

Eden tried to block the memories of seeing the mangled and burnt bodies. He was sad for those poor victims. He wished they did not have to die at the hands of that mad woman. She was a woman the likes of which Eden had never seen. They had stared into each other’s eyes seconds before springing into battle. He saw only madness and the voracity for bloodlust. The memories would no go away. The fire of rage burned in his heart. He had yet to stop her. Eden was sure that she was out there somewhere, this very moment, taking innocent lives.

Eden’s smile faded away as his memories took him. His head lowered he said, “I may have fared well Meera, but others have not… Her name is Jasmine. She is a powerful woman. She nearly killed me. I had to flee for my life. I was so ashamed of my self. She is probably out there right now, performing some evil task. I have to find her. She has put a fiery rage in my heart that cannot be quenched. I must destroy her.”

Bringing her hands back down, Meera placed them comfortably in her lap. He seemed to be happy to be back. His company was so nice. She could not even begin to describe it with the words she knew. His laugh did seem to lighten the mood a bit, but nothing could make the memory of death go away. It always seemed to linger and pop up at the most inconvenient of times. That was a fact Meera knew for sure by experience. After a couple times though, she found a way to master the horrific things. Whenever they hit in the form of a nightmare or flashback, she would take a walk or swim. The water and fresh air tended to calm her emotions down and remind her where she was and that she wasn't there anymore. The event was in her past. Meera didn't remember all of this until she saw Eden's head hang low and face fall silent. Smile fading from her face, she realized that for right now, maybe laughter wasn't the best medicine. It actually might have made it worse. Shutting up, she just looked at him softly for a second. He didn't seem like he wanted to talk for a minute. Respecting his wish, she waited for him to speak first. When he finally did, she was astonished. Jasmine...why did that soud so farmilliar. Almost like a person she had met before, but not quite for some reason. It would bother her until she came face to face to see if it was indeed Jasmine from Odreth.

At his news, Meera knew how horrible he must have felt inside. Inching forwards a bit, she reached up and clasped his hand between both of hers. Concerned eyes tried to figure out the right words to say. Upon finding them, the normally soft golden emerald eyes turned as hard as diamonds. Speaking out, she said "I cannot completely understand what happened there, but it seems horrific. I want vengence upon this woman too. Anyone causing as much death and pain as you mentioned is good as dead. I wish no better than death to her." Her lips formed a thin line as her eyes began to look past Eden. She was already angry with this woman though she hadn't even met her. Meera knew some fire magicks. They were controlled, but could also become very destructive in the wrong hands. Fire was a powerful element. One that she did not particularly care for. It was useful, yes, but could cause much more harm than good. A comfortable feeling settled in her heart as she remembered the most effective counter for fire. Her own element water she felt very comfortable with. Water might just be the answer Eden seeked on how to defeat this woman.