Crimson Cove

Hrolf

Someone had been there. Or maybe he was still there waiting for her. She sensed him but could not see him. Was this how he felt?

Her feet took her to the top of her tree swiftly. Reaching the larger branch that she sat sentinel on, she stood cautiously. He was here, somewhere hidden right out of view.

Show yourself to me. She said to the empty space.

Why? You cloaked yourself from me until I could expose you. So why should I reveal myself?

I did not cloak myself, it was my mother's spell. She cloaked me. I could not help what someone else had done. She kept the cove secret. He had no idea it was just out of reach. From her vantage point, the edge of the cloaking spell was barely ten feet from her tree. It was still inside of the veil, so she had to obey the rules, but just far enough that it appeared to be a part of his world as well.

Why do you come here, to the edge of our very existence? The cliffs have taken many men and women from us. He tilted his chin as she gazed at him.

I do not come here often. I do not belong to any one place. My family is not known to anyone, and I would like to keep it that way. So if you do not mind, I will grab my personal belongings and leave here.

No. He replied shortly.

No? What do you mean sir? I am leaving as we speak, I only have to grab one more item and I will be away from you immediately.

I said No. He growled.

You have no rule over me. I will be leaving. You have no choice. You have no claim to me.

Once again, I said No. Now you can keep blathering on about yourself, or you can sit down and speak with me a bit.

What do you want to talk about?

How about who you are, Neytiri, what you are doing out here so far from any other people? Oh and why did you kiss me?

I live not far from here, in a secret community. I will die before I betray them. I am not far from others, you are here. As for the kiss, I couldn't stop it if I tried, it was what was meant to happen at that moment. Any other questions?

Well, aren't you a little slice of Valhalla? So complete and to the point. You must be a warrior wherever you are from.

Her gut felt like it had been kicked. She knew she couldn't tell him she was Queen, he could use it against the cove. He needn't know what she was and how he could use her to destroy everything and everyone back at the coven.

I cannot stay. I have duties to the community that need to be fulfilled.

If I let you go, will you come see me again?

She was stunned. Why would you want that?

I wish to know you better is all.

Neytiri sat down, folding her arms. What is your name and species sir?

Species?

I know you are no mortal. Nor am I, and you know that as well. So I will ask you again, what is your name, and species?

I do not know if I can trust you. I haven't had much luck speaking to anyone, let alone a strange woman from the cliffs, as it seems.

Does anyone in your community or family know you are out here?

Honestly, I am not even sure my father or uncle care where I am. It doesn't work like that in my clan.

As a family that does not speak to good character I am afraid.

So what? Do your family members know where you are?

My mother always knows where I am. She sent me here to get my things. She is the reason I must get back.

Of course, you can't be too far from mommy dearest, can you? He was being sarcastic.

If you must know she is dying tonight, mere hours separate her and her final moment. She showed no emotion.

How is it she knows she is dying this very night?

You are a nosey man, aren't you? What was your name?

Hrolf. He stated simply.

Hrolf? So is it a direct translation then?

How? He began.

How do I know Viking? Is that what you were going to ask?

He tilted his head, smiling somewhat. You are a strange female Neytiri.

I am not like any woman you have ever met Hrolf, nor will ever meet again. She said, leaping towards the knot in her tree deftly. She grabbed her father's knife and turned to look into his eyes. She saw the gleam race across them. I am nobody to anyone, especially you Hrolf. And I swear there is no reason I will ever see you again. With that she lept from her tree to the ground far below them. Landing gracefully, she shot a sweet smile over her shoulder as she ran off through the woods quicker than he could catch her. She could not let him see her disappear into the cloak protecting the cove. He would never be able to penetrate it, but she did not want to risk them all being exposed. As soon as she could, she ducked into a small hiding place she had hidden for just these situations. She heard the ground rumble as he flew past her. Her thoughts were tight, she only needed him to be thrown off her trail for a moment, so that she could get free and cross through the haze. Just when she felt he had gone, she slowly emerged from the small hole.

So did you really think that would work?

She was stunned to see him sitting above the hole on a fallen tree.

What is it that you want Hrolf? I do not have time for your games, my mother is fading fast and I have to get back to her.

So why so secret? It's not like I am going to invade.

How should I know that?

What? That your secret is safe with me?

No, that you are an honorable person who bears my home no harm. I cannot take risks with the lives of the people who live there. Do you not see how that is the only reason I do not want you to follow me.

I already know where you are going. Or at least I feel it.

How could you possibly feel it?

Because I have been told since the moment I became Hrolf that there would one day be a reason for me to go into the haze myself.

So, you know about the haze? She asked calmly.

Only that I am one day going to go there. Now it seems I may have a reason to after all.

He crossed the short distance between them in a flash, grabbing her gently around her waist, he took her lips in his and deepened the kiss so as not to allow her to resist him. Her body melted into his. His mouth was warmer than she had remembered earlier in the day. He slowly drug his hand up her back and laced his fingers in her long black hair. As he backed out of the kiss, he watched her eyes dance with heat like his were. The pools of emerald green had turned into darker shades of emerald green crystal. She felt it too. He knew now that she was the woman he had heard of all of his life. He felt it the moment she appeared in front of him. She was his, in every sense of the word. She had finally revealed herself to him.

You mustn't kiss me like that. You have no clue who I am.

I have known you all of my life, Neytiri, I don't know how, but I have, and I have loved you just as long. He whispered in her ear.

Hrolf, I. I have to go. I will return here tomorrow, at sunset. I do not know why I want to, but I know I cannot stop this. It is becoming very clear that this is what is meant to happen. He softly kissed her lips one last time causing a wave of emotions to flow over her.

I will be here, and I will always come alone. If there is any idea someone is coming with me, you must promise to stay clear, run if you have to, but stay away if you do not feel safe.

I understand clearly. I will not be followed, my people do not want to be found, so they stay away from me because I live dangerously at times.

Go, now, before I change my mind and keep you here, with me.

Her body began to ache for him long before she even took a step.

I will come back, I swear it. She said as he let her go.

Somehow I know you will. His smile lit up his face.

With that she turned away and ran, leaving him behind her once more. She ran and he did not follow her. She could feel him inside her mind. I will never let you go, Neytiri. You are mine. It was a slightly rougher voice, but it was him all the same. She felt her heart racing as she calmly said back to him, And you are mine Hrolf. She raced all the way to the cove not stopping for anything. She felt his lips and wanted more, but she had to slow down, she had responsibilities to the cove and to the coven. As she reached her home she felt her mother slipping away.

Neytiri, where have you been? Nevermind, your mother is fading fast, she's under her willow. Go to her now. I will be there shortly. Go. Now. Renae shoved her towards the garden. The moment she opened the door she saw her mother smile, You live Tiri, live, for you. I love you and always will. Her mother said softly as her form began fading, becoming transparent and drifting away on the wind.

I love you mother, thank you for all you have given for me, and all of us. I will never forget you. With that Neytiri watched her mother disappear into the haze forever gone. It was now time for her to find her way, the path that her mother had given her a chance to follow, freedom if she should want it.