Eliel sat by the lake happily, waiting for his newest... he didn't know what yet. Aqquaintence? Friend? Lover? All was not sure as of yet. He merely knew they had met on the sands near Istan and had sort of... clicked. He had not met a drow like himself before now who did not wish to obtain his head to bring back to the Drow city, wishing for a few more coins. Once again, a woman with beautiful red eyes popped into his mind, standing over him with a sword, ready to bring his head in. She had used him to get a better chance, him in bed unarmed.

Eliel smiled again and leapt into the water, soaking his clothes. He swam around in the crystal-clear lake. It was growing near nightfall, the moon was beginning to rise, throwing a silvery light over the waters. He laughed and spouted a bit of water from his mouth, floating on his back. Gwen paddled up to him and purred happily.

Eliel splashed water at the cat and poked his tongue out teasingly. The cat glared at him and dove under the water, creating a huge splash. Eliel sighed and shook his head, losing the balance needed to float. He looked around, waiting for Silendra to arrive.

Silendra arrived in a beautiful gown which both accentuated her features and eyes whilst also being modest at the same time. She sat on the bank, the moonlight washing over her, making her seem to sparkle in its light, bringing out her eyes and making her gleam. She smiled as she saw Eliel and called out to him across the water "Eliel I am here," she called, her voice taking on a musical quality as her words drifted across the water to him.

Eliel stopped playing with Gwen for a moment and looked to the lakeside, where Silendra sat. He was mesmerized for a moment, before patting Gwen on the head and leaving the waters. He stepped out next to her and sat down, staring at her eyes. Gwen shrugged and swam happily while Eliel sat in his pleasures.

"You look... Beautiful." He smiled at her warmly and leaned near her. He was drying off now, the water leaving his drow-woven clothes. "So how have you fared on the trip from the deserts?" He asked with a awkward grin. He did not know what to say. These feelings were quite new to him, these butterflies and the overall effect. Usually he was quite restrained, not showing his emotions to any but those he held close to him in trust.

He smiled at her and took her hand, looking out at the waterfall.

Silendra looked at him and a smile broke out on her face "Very well thank you, it was a long trip and I was quite exhausted after I got back but I am fine now thank you," she said and gave his hand a gentle squeeze. She looked into his eyes, and hers seemed to sparkle. Again she blushed when he called her beautiful "And you are very handsome Eliel," she said "I wore these clothes because I wanted to look good when I came to see you." She looked him up and down and smile before returning her gaze to his eyes, beneath the moonlight a light blush rose on her cheeks.

Eliel smiled. "You didn't have to get all dressed up for me. I... well... it's hard for me to say..." His brow furrowed, trying to gather up his courage to say it. "I love you the way you are. there. i said it." He smiled nervously. He had no idea why he might be nervous, considering what had already happened between them. For him, the little he said about himself on the sands spoke louder than the deepest confirmations of love for many men. He smiled at her as he saw her blush a little.

He sat nervously, waiting for a reply. Anything could happen from here. She could reject him, make a move for the bounty, or reply as so few women before her did not. His stomach clenched in anticipation.

Silendra looked upon him as he admitted than he felt for her, that he loved her the way she was and inside her she felt his heart leapt for joy. She blushed and reached up to place a hand on her cheek, her eyes locked onto his and she smiled "Eliel...I...I feel the same," she said and slowly her face drew closer to his. Before she kissed him lightly on the lips, her eyes still locked with his, a happy smile upon her face.

Eliel smiled happily, fluttery feeling exploding in his stomach. He'd never felt so... alive. He looked into her eyes and drew closer to her, kissing her. He held it for as long as he could bring himself, before Gwen decided it was enough by shaking the water off herself, all oveer the couple. Eliel cocked an eyebrow at the panther, flicking water at her. Gwen relaxed and walked up to Silendra.

"Thank the gods. I thought i'd never find someone." He smiled, holding both her hands in his own. Gwen cuddled up to Silendra, seeming to have calmed down. "She trusts you now. That's something that you'll never see again." He laughed and gave the drow woman a deep hug.

Silendra smiled as Eliel deepened the kiss and took both her hands in his and held her in a close hug. She also smiled as Gwen nuzzled her and she again looked up at Eliel, trying to form words, words she had never spoken before "Eliel, I know it is soon but I...I..I think that I...that I love you," she said and blushed tremendously again. Bathed in the moonlight she felt so full of happiness, the butterflies dancing in her stomach and making her aware of only Eliel before her. Everything else was not there, only Eliel. She smiled and kissed him again, then envolped him in a huge hug, resting her head on his shoulder.

Eliel held on to her, a feeling of disbelief at his luck resting in his heart. He smiled and latched onto her lovingly, fearing if he let her go, she would be lost to him forever. He smiled and looked up at the moon, a tear of joy in his eye. He reached up a finger and wiped it off, drawing it to his finger. He looked at it with awe. He had not had tears, of loss or joy, for decades. This woman had gotten to him.

Eliel released her and leaned back a bit, looking her over. He smiled as he tried to get up, slipping on a mossy patch and sliding into the water. He blew a couple of bubbles lazily and laughed, breaking the silence. Looking at her, his heart was warmed, contrasting the cold water. He shivered once before his body got used to the water. "Do you wish to join me?" He asked with a wink.

"It's a bit cold." He paddled around the bank a bit.

Silendra smiled and slipped off her dress, revealing a lighter underdress "My dress isn't exactly good for swimming in," she laughed and hung it up on a branch, her underdress kept her decency as a woman's garment should when out in public, she slipped into the water at his side and smiled across at him "What now?" she asked with a happy smile on her face and a contented gleam in her eyes.

Eliel grinned emberassed a bit when she hung up her dress and joined him. It gradually wore off, though, for a feeling of calamity. He dove underwater and swam below the waterfall, keeping close to the ground as to avoid the rushing water. He came up on the otherside, smiling. Ther waterfall was between him and the rest of the world, a small empty cave with an abundance of moss and boulders to sit on.

He swam under again and surfaced near Silendra, grinning. "Follow me." He motioned for her to follow and made his way over to and under the waterfall, into the cave.

Gwen seized his cloak and bag and swam under the falls, dragging the load along. The bag's meterial made it waterproof, for short periods of time. He scratched her head and admired Silendra, content. "You are beautiful." He smiled dazedly at her.

Silendra dove down and under the water fall, she surfaced on the other side next to Eliel and clambering up she sat on a mossy rock next to him. As he called her beautiful, she blushed yet again and twirled a lock of hair about her fingers and looked up at him "You really think that?" she asked as she shifted to sit more comfortably at his side, water running down her back from her raven locks. Her eyes twinkled as she looked at him and she gave a broad smile "and you are very handsome Eliel," she said kissing him softly upon the lips.

Eliel laughed as she asked her question. He closed his eyes and nodded. "Of course i do." He smiled as she complimented him and he kissed her back, holding her close.

Several thought flitted about in his mind, things which told him to stop then and there, for the sake of his own progression in life. While on the outside, he seemed calm and happy, on the inside he fought an internal struggle for his own feelings. The thoughts reminded him of how he had been used before, and how a love could stop his progressing into the person he wished to be, Eliel fought back.

He reminded himself of all the good they had together, even with the little time they'd known each other. He thought of how they met, and what they could become. Eliel smiled a little. His last thoughts before vanquishing the evil thoughts once and for all was how she loved him and could help him through dark times.

Silendra watched him, recognizing the signs of internal struggle. She put her hand on his cheek and her eyes fixed on his, willing him the strength to overcome. He would be strong, he could to it. She buried her head in his chest as they sat behind the waterfall. She hadn't known she could feel this way but Eliel made her feel many things, all of them good, every last one. She smiled and sighed a happy sort of sigh as she sat there in his arms, content to let him hold her and watch the water flow by and listen to the muffled songs of birds.

Eliel smiled as she cuddled up to him. This was another example to reinforce his beliefs in their relationship. He smiled at her and wrapped his arms around her, the world drawing to a pause for him. Eliel rested his head on top of hers, resting there. "Thank you for everything, love." He said softly to her. Such an encounter almost never occured among drow, as their tendancy was to breed or kill each other. But these two rejected from the society of the drow maneaged to meet and become lovers.

All of this reminded Eliel of how complex the world was, and nobody could survive without someone at their side to help them, to care for them. He was happy he had finally met his after half a century of searching. He was still quite young in terms of drow years. Eliel admired Silendra, enjoying her being close to him.

Silendra smiled up at Eliel and gave another, deeply contented sigh. In full truth she had not been banished from the Drow City but had left of her own accord, finding it a dark and unforgiving place. She could return if she wished but she never wanted to, it was too horrible there "Eliel?" she asked softly "the truth is I was not banished from the Drow City, I ran away. I had to get out of that place, its become horrible, its barely safe for anyone let alone a young female Drow like myself," she said "there are interfamily killings frequently, large sections of the city are too dangerous to pass. I ran away from there, just had to get out. I couldn't take another moment in there." She snuggled into him more, she would be safe now, he could protect her from all the badness and the nasty people.

Eliel smiled and held her close. "It's alright. I know of this better than most. My house was nearly wiped out, and maneaged to fix themselves, only to fight more. The entire existence of the drow societies was to fight amongst themselves, hidden in their caves, struggling for power." He sighed at his memories of the horrible land.

The young were taught the ways of the drow through pain and warfare, brought up in blood. He shook off the thoughts, happy to be with Silendra. "I think no less of you for running, and i wouldn't no matter what. I'm no perfect man myself." He smiled at her. "I would have run away as well. If i had the chance."

He smiled and listened to the sounds of the night, crickets chirping, nightbirds singing. The waterfall seemed to have quieted a bit. He smiled contentedly, listening to the hypnotic sounds.

Silendra felt safe in Eliel's arms, safer than she ever had before and she relaxed into his arms. She looked into his eyes and could see her future there, a vision of her standing at Eliel's side holding a baby arose in her mind. But she was female, this was to be expected. She smiled at the vision, at some stage in their lives all young women of every race dreamt of having children and what they would be like but Silendra shook her head, it was far too early for that yet, silly girl what was she thinking? She grinned, that would come in later years but for now she was content with simply being with Eliel, having him hold her and resting together like this.

Eliel smiled as he held her, mind a blank. His world was shattered, however, when a crackling was heard over the rushing water, accompanied by snorts. He turned to his bag and slipped his gauntlets on, feeling them adjust to his hands. He put one finger up to his lips and made a hand signal. Gwen circled to the opposite side of the cave. A black snout appeared in the waterfall, sniffing around the cave. Gradually, a bear came in.

Eliel froze as it caught sight of him, looking him over. The bear growled at him, obviously the owner of this cave. Eliel looked back at Silendra and nodded, mouthing 'get back'. He turned back to the bear, too fast it seemed. The bear roared and barreled into Eliel. He hit the floor, hands around it's neck, but not squeezing, only keeping it from biting him. He did not want to kill it, it was only defending it's teritory.

Silendra gave a startled yelp as the bear entered the cave and rounded on Eliel, pinning him to the ground. Her heart raced as did her mind, she would not let anything happen to Eliel, she could not let anything happen to him. She gained the bear's attention and drew it back further into the cave, leading it away from her love. She called to it in an enticing voice, leading it on "Here bear, follow my voice," she said. When the bear swatted at her with a big paw, she dodged it and leapt to the side, springing from rock to rock she leapt over the bear's back, landing in a crouched position.

Eliel watched the lumbering bear crawl towards Silendra, Murder on it's mind. Eliel bithis lip and ran after it, tackling it. He made it stumble to the side, surprised by the sudden weight. He extended his claws and jabbed at it's legs, severing muscles and tendons. The bear howled and fell, snapping at eliel. He cursed as it caught his leg with a limp paw, swung at him. He seized the bear's head and jerked it to the side sharply, snapping it's neck. Eliel sighed and rolled onto the moss, chest heaving.

He was out of breath, and Gwen walked over, looking humbled. She lay next to him and lay her head on his chest, apparently sorry for not helping him. He willed his gauntlets to loosen, and took them off. Eliel sat up tiredly, a faint smile on his lips. "I'll never let you get hurt, at whatever cost, for as long as i can help it." He said through breaths.

Eliel looked down at his leg, seeing torn cloth on his pant leg. he sighed and rolled it up, observing the neat cut the bear had given him in it's thrashing. He dug through his bag for thread and a needle.

Silendra gasped when she saw the wide cut on her love's leg and although she was touched ny his willingness to protect her she ran to his side "Oh love your hurt," she said "I'm so sorry, I shouldn't have done anything. But I just couldn't let that bear hurt you." She said and dug in her own bag for some bandages, drawing them out she raised his leg gently and soaking a bandage in some ointment she wrapped it around his leg "I'll make it better, I'll make it better," she said as she bound the bandage around his leg.

Eliel bit his lip as she bound his leg, apologizing frantically. He smiled. He grunted as she finished. "You're cute hwen you're anxious." He winked and laughed a bit, attempting to get to his feet, but failing. He fell on his backside and chuckled to himself. Gwen came along and he used her to get to his feet. Eliel sat down on a rock next to Silendra. He looked her over again, smiling to himself on her actions. she really cared.

Had she wanted him dead at some point, she would have left him to the bear. That was it. The voices were quieted for good. He had no doubts anymore about her being the right one. He stared into her eyes for a moment before drawing her into a deep kiss.

As Eliel pulled her into the deep kiss she blushed again, unable to help it, she loved it entirely though. Her lips melded with his as she leaned into the kiss, putting as much as she could into it. Her hands went up around him and she smiled through the kiss, after they reluctantly broke the deep kiss she rested her head on his shoulder and she looked up at him "Oh Eliel, you make me feel things I never knew I could feel before," she squeezed him tight and hugged him closer. She felt like she could sit like this forever, never letting him go.

Eliel smiled as they broke apart, more together than ever. "And you make me feel things i should never be able to. Even after all that i've done in my past, where nobody else would want me, you do. Thank you." He squeezed her hand gently. Gwen walked over and gave Silendra a lick on the cheek. Eliel chuckled softly. He held her close, looking at the waterfall.

"let's go back outside. The moon's up." He said quietly, breaking away extremely reluctantly. Eliel glanced at her and waded next to the waterfall, waiting patiently. This night was turning out to be a turning point in his life, whereas it was intended to be a simple date. He smiled at the feeling of water cleaning his wound, having learned as a boy to not mind pain. He used pain as a tool, using it to learn his limits and what amount of danger he lay in.

Eliel placed a fist into the falling water, opening an arch in the rushing falls. With the other hand, he gestured for her to go through.

Silendra smiled at him "Of course I want you Eliel," she said "Your so unlike all the other Drow men I have seen in my time, there is something different about you and I like it." She kissed him softly upon the cheek as she dodged through the waterfall which he held open for her, she clambered up the rocks to stand on the ledge beside the cave, the way the bear had come. Her wet underdress hugged her form, accentuating her curves expertly, she smiled down at Eliel "Come on over love, its lovely up here," she called to him, her voice musical and enchanting.

Eliel watched her pass through with a smile. His grin grew when she stood on the rocks, underdress wet. He chuckled as he walked up behind her and hugged her from behind, holding her close. he rested his chin on her head and sighed contentedly. He liked everything about her, and the wet dress didn't hurt. He smiled mischeviously.

Eliel placed his hands on her stomach and stared at the moon, loving the scene before him. Gwen swam through with their bags and such, running off to fetch the dress from the tree. Eliel sat down on a mossy rock and tugged on her hand, motioning for her to sit.

Silendra chuckled as Eliel tugged on her hand and she sat down beside him, folding her legs and giving his hand a gentle squeeze. She patted her coin purse, not much in there but almost enough "Eliel?" she said "Gwen has made an impression on me, I was thinking of buying a panther of my own. They're such cool animals." She smiled and kissed him softly, her eyes sparkled in the moon light and she was so content to sit with him here.

Eliel smiled at her and leaned his head onto her shoulder, contented. He Loved this woman. He watched Gwen as she made her way around the waters. He admired the cat, wishing they could truly speak to each other, not just purring and hand signals. He had planned to save his own money to accomplish this feat, and realized the series of spells required would cost a small fortune.

He sighed and closed his eyes. "I plan to save for a series of spells to allow Gwen to become more than just a panther. She will be as intelligent as any man and be able to speak with me. I look forward to the moment." He smiled and flicked a bit of water at Silendra playfully, feeling a bit tired.

Silendra smiled and nuzzled into him, putting her arm about his waist. She thought of what she would buy when she got back to town, she had been planning to buy a Panther but now she was uncertain. Should she buy spells to further her magic or should she spend it on a companion? She looked up to Eliel and smiled again, nuzzling deeper into him, kissing his neck and resting her head in its crook. Oh how she loved being in Eliel's strong arms, she felt so entirely safe, like nothing could ever harm her.

Eliel looked around and spotted a patch of grass and soft earth. He yawned and looked back at Silendra, running his fingers through her hair. Deciding on a course of action, he stood and lifted her into his arms, carrying her over to the patch of grass, where he set her down gently. He laughed a bit and sat down, ready to sleep. "It's been quite an eventful night, wouldn't you say so? Announcing my love for you and being mauled by a bear, all in the same night." He laughed.

"Would you like me to escort you to an inn? I'll be camping out here. Nothing to fear, with gwen here and the bear gone. Figured i'll be sleeping under the stars." He smiled at her and contiued stroking her hair. He enjoyed the feeling, being so close to her.

Silendra smiled and gave a gentle squeak when he laid her down on the soft grass "Escort me to an Inn?" he giggled "aren't you the proper Drow." She burst out laughing and kissed him suddenly "But I love it and yes I would love to accompany you to an Inn, in fact I would love to accompany you anywhere," she said fumbling with the pouch which hung about her waist which contained her spells. Since leaving the Drow city she had been learning nature spells, to make a change for the best in her life.

Eliel smiled. "Then let's take our leave. It's growing cold out." He smiled and winked at her, taking the dress from Gwen. She purred and lay next to Silendra, tail curled around herself. Eliel smiled and handed the beautiful dress to Silendra, a smile on his face. "I think you'll be needing this. Wouldn't want you to get... well... raped." He winked and looked to the sky for a moment.

Eliel got up and stretched, feeling his leg burn a bit. He smiled at the feeling of pain. Pain let him know he was still alive, and he took consolation in the fact that since he was hurt, this couldn't be a dream. He thanked the gods for it and looked back at Silendra. "I love you, Silendra." He put on his cloak over his pack, adjusting it to fit.

Silendra smiled and climbed into her dress, zipping it up and adjusting it to fit comfortably. When he spoke of her being raped a dangerous gleam appeared in her eyes "I would like to see them try," she said and then took his arm "yes look us go," she said and smiled in an extremely pretty way, linking arms and humming softly as they would began to trot off to the Inn. Silendra was still pondering what she should buy, a Panther companion would be nice, or perhaps a bird, she really did not know.

Eliel smiled at her and took her arm, winking at her. "Tell me, what's on your mind?" Eliel smiled, looking at her smile. He kissed her on the cheek and looked ahead. He knew the path to the inn quite well, by heart, as he visited quite often. He decided he would stay at the inn as well tonight, leg straining. Eliel chuckled as he thought of staying in the room next to her... His thoughts drifted into her room at night.

Eliel shook the thought from his mind and concentrated on the path, meditating over hwat had happened that night. He appreciated what she had tried with the bear, trying to keep it away from him, risking her good health for him. He smiled, nobody had ever done that before. No other person would even bother, save for a few people who he thought may give a small effort.

Silendra smiled as they walked along and blushed softly when he asked her what she was thinking of. She grinned and looked up at him "You of course silly," she leaned up and kissed his cheek softly, wrapping her arms about him as they walked. Finally! Finally she had found the one who was for her and only for her, she never thought she would after all that happened to her. Because of this she hugged him all the tighter and rested her head on his shoulder.

Eliel smiled, looking ahead. In more ways than one. He saw them together, he saw a ring, and a small face. Eliel cut off the thoughts there, seeing the inn ahead. He smiled and tapped her on the shoulder and pointed ahead. The guard at the door was dozing off, waking up as the couple approached. He snarled and reached for his sword as he saw the two drow, but then saw Gwen and relaxed a bit. "Oh, it's you." The guard sighed, talking to Eliel. He waved them in.

"What are the two of you doing out so late?" The human asked as they passed by. Eliel winked. "I don't think that's any of your business, Jarred." He smiled and walked in.

The innkeeper sighed and reached for a room key. "One or two?" She asked wearily. It looked as if she was about to go to sleep herself. Eliel raised his eyebrows and looked at Silendra. "Two rooms?" He asked her, wondering just how mischevious she was.

Silendra smiled at him as he spoke to the Inn Keeper "Perhaps two rooms would be best for now my love," she said looking at Eliel and whispering in his ear "it is a little too early for what you are thinking yet." She smirked and ran a hand along his back and along his arm "Though I will give you that when the time comes love," she twirled and her hair spun about her like a raven tide, she stopped and the bangs fell back into place exactly.

Eliel laughed and nodded. "Two rooms it is." He chuckled at her, taking the two keys. "Here you go, love." He smiled at her last comment, giving her the key to her room. He took his own and gave her a tight hug, kissing her goodnight. "'Night, then." He winked and walked upstairs, to his room.

Eliel opened his door and walked in, slipping his bag into the corner. Eliel dropped onto the bed, looking up at the ceiling. He chewed on his tongue and thought over the night. Gwen crawled in and jumped on the bed, curling up next to him. Eliel smiled and drifted off, thinking of Silendra.

Silendra chuckled as he gave her the key and she returned the hug, kissing him softly upon the lips before they parted ways and she trotted up the stairs to her own room. She placed her pack down neatly in the corner and slipped out of her dress and into some light sleeping robes, she lay down upon the bed and the moment her head hit the pillow she was asleep, sleeping soundly and dreaming of Eliel.