Emerald And Aharon

Chapter Twelve

She shrugged her shoulders when I told her I might have to leave, like it didn’t bother her. She spoke, “we’ll deal with that when the time comes, 2 heads are always better than one.

I arched an eyebrow at her, waiting for her reaction to the rest of my news.

She arched an eyebrow back at me, “What?”

“You didn’t answer me about Desiree,” I said quietly, “what about her moving in with us?” I felt myself hold my breath as I waited for her answer. Her opinion mattered to me, but even if she said no, there was nowhere else for Desiree to go.

Emerald shrugged and smiled, “There is nowhere else for her to go, so of course she can come live with us.” 

I stared at her, still not moving, and she laughed, “all right, all right, I’ll give you a straight answer. It doesn’t bother me that she comes to live with us, but I’m not going anywhere either.”

I let out my breath and gave a silent prayer of thanks relieved she was staying. I didn’t know what I would do if she had left.

She smiled faintly and turned to walk away, “I will see you later; I have some things I need to get done.

I nodded my head and said “see you back at the house then.” I had to head home and find somewhere for Desiree.  I moved stuff around and made room in what was a reading room/sewing room and headed outside to hitch Nightshade to the cart.

Soon I was on my way to Sellan, and I saw Desiree standing in the doorway of our old house a distant look in her eyes.  She was clutching a carpet bag and focused on me as I came closer to the house. I climbed down and took the carpetbag from her and placed it in the cart and loaded 2 more that were nearby.

She looked at me, her cerulean eyes full of uncertainty.

“Come on Desiree,” I said coolly, “You have no place in Selllan now.”

She slowly nodded her head, her eyes filling with sadness, “you’re right, I don’t belong anywhere anymore.” She placed the last carpetbag into the cart and climbed in.  I climbed up next to her and clicked my tongue at Nightshade who broke into a trot. I didn’t look at Desiree, or back at the old house that we had shared together. I didn’t want to look back, life was too short to stare back behind you and wish for what you had back.  Life was also too short for regrets; my guardian often said that regret was a wasted emotion.

When we reached home, Alleyne came running out of the house when we pulled into the yard, little Fire in tow. My daughter’s eyes widened when she realized who was climbing down out of the cart.

“What’s mommy doing here?” she asked.

“She is coming to live with us,” I explained as I started to unload the cart.

Alleyne frowned slightly, “What about Emerald? Is she gonna stay?” 

“Of course Emerald is going to stay Alleyne. It would take more than your mother to chase her away.” I replied to her, ignoring the look Desiree sent my way.  I knew from the look she wanted to know what was going on between Emerald and I, but it was none of her business.

“Good,” Alleyne said, “I like Emerald.”

“Emma!” Fire crowed, looking around for her.

Desiree’s jaw dropped, “when did she start talking?”

I shrugged my shoulders, “she has been for a while now.”

Something flashed through her eyes but it was gone as quickly as it was there. “Does she call Emerald mamma?”

I shrugged my shoulders again, “not that I have heard, why don’t you ask her?”

She walked over to Fire and knelt down and Fire threw her arms around her, giving her a hug. She pulled back and held Fire at arm’s length, “is Emerald Momma?”

Fire looked at her, a puzzled look on her face, “Emma?”

Alleyne smirked, and said, “Who are you looking at?”

Fire beamed at Desiree, “Momma” she exclaimed. Desiree stood back up, a look of relief washing over her face as the two of them walked into the house.

I lead Nightshade back to the barn and unhitched him from the cart and placed him in his stall with fresh oats and water.  I came out of the barn and headed towards Auron’s home.

Desiree came outside, “where are you going?”

“To visit Auron and Aurianna,” I replied, not looking at her as I walked past.

When I reached Auron’s, Daystar was sitting in the grass and his face broke into a huge grin when he saw me, “Aharon! I beat him! I beat dad in a sword fight!”

“Good job, Daystar, you’re a strong fighter for your age.” He has been trying to beat his father at sword fighting for a while to prove he could be a man like his dad.

“He had a little help,” came Auron’s voice from my left, I glanced at him and arched an eyebrow when 

Daystar spoke, a little defensive, “Emerald gave me a few tips, and they gave me an edge.”

“It won’t happen again,” Auron growled, and then his face broke into a smile.  He ruffled his son’s hair, “well, not for a while, anyway.”

“So, Emerald was here?” She had probably stopped by to talk with Auri; the two of them were close.  In some cases those two were more sisters then Desiree and Aurianna were.

Auron nodded his head, “aye, we were talking when a strange look came across her face and she muttered something like 'oh gods, not her,’ and she had to meet up with another immortal and that she would meet you back at the house.” 

I frowned, something didn’t feel right.  Meetings with immortals usually meant there would be a fight unless the meeting was with Talatiana, which would be under a flag of truce.  But Emerald would have mentioned she was meeting up with Talatiana, not that it was an unnamed immortal. The more I thought about it the more uneasy I became, and I decided to go look for Emerald, not wait for her back at the house.

“I’ll see you later Auron, there are somethings I need to take care of.”

Auron nodded his head, “till we meet again brother,” and he and Daystar headed inside.

Something deep down told me to go into the woods.  It seemed like a perfect place for immortals to fight; most mortals wouldn’t venture deep into the woods without reason so there was little chance of interruption.  I followed that deep sense, ignoring the winding paths that snaked their way through the trees. I made my way deeper into the forest, most of the midday sun blocked by the thick canopy. I soon saw what seemed to be light up ahead and forced my way through the brush and shoved aside a few hanging vines and came into an almost perfectly circular clearing. As I stepped into the clearing I saw her collapse and her sword falling from her hand.

I took another step into the clearing and just as quickly her sword was back in her hand and she was starting to try and get up, “you’re in no condition to fight Emerald.”

She looked at me and she shook her head as she took my hand.  “You would be surprised what I can do in this condition.”

I helped her to her feet and kept a hold of her hand as we walked back to the house together. As we walked, I was relieved to see that Emerald was ok and a part of me screamed at me to acknowledge my feelings for her, but I ignored it.  There would be time to figure out my feelings for Emerald.

We came into the kitchen when we reached the house.  Desiree was cooking dinner and she looked at us as we came in and her eyes narrowed as she noticed Emerald and I holding hands.

Alleyne stared at Emerald being covered in blood and Emerald slipped her hand out of mine and murmured, “I think I’ll go wash up before Alleyne and Fire see me.”

She headed upstairs and after a few moments, Alleyne followed her.  Fire came into the kitchen and toddled over to me, throwing her arms around my leg in a hug.  I smiled and scooped her up, hugging her back.

Things in my life took the same pace for about a month.  Desiree took over the household, teaching the girls how to cook and talk.  I taught Alleyne more sword fighting, and Emerald helped. What I felt for Emerald grew stronger, and I would find myself staring at her for no reason.

That came to an end one spring morning.  I was cleaning out Nightshade’s stall when I heard a deep voice call my name, “Aharon! Where are you?”

I came out of the stable and saw Khaliem standing there. He was tall and lanky with a dark complexion.

“Khaliem! What are you doing here?  I thought you were out tracking Isilk.” 

“I am tracking Isilk, that’s why I am here,” he replied, wiping his brow with the back of his arm.

I frowned, a chill settling into my stomach, “oh really?” If he was tracking Isilk that had to mean they were nearby.

“Aye, they have been doing raids on nearby villages, there have been a few well placed strike backs, but they are looking for something.  From what I have been able to ascertain, they’re looking for you, and a few other specific druids.”

“For me?  Why me? Who else are they looking for?” I asked.

Khaliem shrugged his shoulders, “I am not sure, except for the reason of you’re one of the oldest druids.  Other than that, does it really matter to them?”

I didn’t reply, but looked off into the distance.

“I’m here for your help.  If they are looking for you, it’s best to get away from here, lead them away and possibly into a trap and kill of the raiding parties.”

I didn’t say anything at first, and slowly I nodded my head, “aye, I will help you.  Meet me tonight on the northside of Selllan in the woods at midnight.”

Khaliem nodded and left, heading into the woods to make preparations.

I stared after him, the full implications of the situation hitting me in the face.  Tonight I would have to leave, and before I did that I would have to tell Emerald what I had been avoiding, how I felt about her.

After dinner the girls were getting ready for bed and Desiree was doing dishes I approached Emerald.  

“Come take a walk with me? I want to talk to you about something.”

She nodded her head, a flash of interest passing over her face.

We walked together into the garden behind the house and I lead her to a stone bench under a rose arbor.  I glanced around more out of habit for any signs of trouble, there were none. I sat down and pulled her down next to me.  I looked at her, her features etched out in the moonlight, and after a minute I spoke, “I love you Emerald. I love you more than I thought would be possible, I fell in love with you on the day I met you, though I wouldn’t admit it at the time.”

She smiled, “I love you to, though you already knew that.” She laughed softly, “I fell in love with you when we started fighting, though you intended to kill me.”

I opened my mouth to protest, but she held up her hand to stay it, “I know it wasn’t personal, you were defending your family, and I find no fault in that.  Within a few minutes I found my match in sword fighting, and soon after that I found my match for life.”

“Pretty words Emerald, I thought I was the one supposed to say them,” I teased quietly.

She shrugged her shoulders, “I have always had a way with words.”

“Aye while I...”

“While you have a way with showing how you feel, like ruffling Alleyne’s hair, or rubbing Fire’s back. Placing your hand on my waist as we walk together.  Your actions or lack thereof have always said more than 1,000 words put together.” She squeezed my hand and I glanced down startled, I had taken her hand in mine without even really thinking about it.  Before I could react she leaned forward and hauled me down and kissed me. I froze slightly unsure of what to do, but kiss her back as it felt so right, everything with her felt so right.

Emerald pulled back and I started to speak, “Emerald-” but I stopped, something looked different about her, like she was disturbed and then I felt something to.

“I’ll be right back, Tala wants a word,” she said as she stood up.  Talatiana? What did SHE want? I know my eyes showed my disgust and annoyance as Emerald shrugged her shoulders.

“She never shows up after dark unless it’s important, she is usually busy with... other things.” Emerald shuddered as she spoke, and I decided not to ask what 'other things’ she would be doing. Maybe my dislike of her was something more than the first impression. Maybe she was a dark one, though I had not heard of an immortal becoming one of those before.

I waited patiently for her to return, warring with myself with what would happen tonight.  I didn’t want to leave her, but I would have to. 'Gods, I love her!’ I thought to myself.  'Why does it have to be like this? What a mess...’ Emerald coming back interrupted my thoughts and I noticed her fastening a necklace.

Her eyes meet mine and she grinned at me, “now, where were we?” she asked.

I smiled faintly and stood up and started towards her, “let’s see, I told you that I love you, you said that you loved me, and then you kissed me.”

“Oh yes,” she said, acting like she had truly lost her place and regained it with the recap and said teasingly, “then I guess it's your move Aharon.”

No sooner were those words out of her mouth, I had her up and draped over my shoulder like a sack of potatoes.

“Put me down!” she squealed and I slapped her on the butt and replied, “I will, in a minute, I’m making my move like you said.”

A few minutes later I put her down in my bed.  I’m not going into details of what we did, you can use your imagination there, but I did make love to her.  Afterwards we lay together and Emerald fell asleep. I kissed the top of her head and held her close, watching her sleep.  She looked so peaceful like this, and made me not want to leave even more. I brushed a stray strand out of her face, “I’m so sorry,” I whispered, “I WILL be back, that I promise you.”

I carefully slipped out of bed and hurriedly dressed, careful not to wake Emerald for there would be hell to pay and I knew I wouldn’t be able to leave then. I took the Celtic cross that I wore and murmured a spell, a duplicate forming in my hand. I carefully placed this around Emerald’s neck.  She would now know I was alright, and in some cases where I was if she needed me.

I slipped out of the house, and into the forest.  Khaliem was there at the meeting spot, waiting for me.  I nodded to him and he nodded back, and we headed off together without saying a word.

If I had known what was to happen to my family and the village, I wouldn’t have left.