Anshi: The Lost Eagle of the Steppes

Waiting For the Dawn

When Anshi arrived back at their rooms, it was late, well after their normal bedtime, at least 2:00 AM. He was exhausted but could not sleep. He felt a pair of welcoming arms slip around his waist and his hands moved to cover Han's; they cradled the other's so naturally, as if they were fashioned just for this purpose. He leaned back into the warmth of the High Minister's body and stayed that way, eyes closed, feeling loved and cherished.

They swayed, barely moving, a gentle rhythm only they felt; an organic response so unique and subtle that no one else could ever understand. Their give and take was hammered from pain and tragedy, yet they had forged something strangely beautiful; infinite yet finite, eternal but destined to end,; a euphoria that banished the inevitable until it would have to be faced. These rooms were their haven, and all else was forbidden intrusion.

They were content and that was all that mattered.

The entire palace was silent as thet walked to the bathing pool. Steam rose upward, greeting the chilly, late-Autumn air as they sank into the water; lips seeking each other, tongues meeting as if it were the first time. Each movement had a dreamlike quality as their buoyant bodies began an elegant ballet of love and eternal longing. Muscular, strong limbs intertwined, and Han opened fully, welcoming and accepting. Anshi answered, fully possessing the gift that Han presented. They rocked, suspended, drawing the moments out, Anshi striving to prolong it, always touching the one spot that could bring his mate the only pleasure that had been left to him. The Emerald held out until his own crowning release could no longer be denied. They cried out together into the night, floating, no words needed. Their lovemaking, as always, said it all.

Not many would ever understand their relationship. Even if Han was not a eunuch, the same people would have called them Duanxiu (Cut-sleeve} or Nanfeng (Southwind}. The fact of Han's mutilation made their pairing utterly confusing to all but those that loved them and supported them.

The simple fact was, they loved one another and that was that.

They walked back slowly, wrapped in thick robes against the cold night air. Almost unnoticeably, something glinting fell before their eyes, then another and another. They looked up and saw thin feathery clouds above and a few gentle flakes of snow wafting down. Not much. Just a light touch of the seasons as they began the slow dance toward to changing over. They quickly melted as they hit the ground, still warm beneath their slippers. Instinctively, they drew closer and Anshi heard a sigh from Han. He tweaked the other man's nose and said,

"Let's go straight in, burn some incense, and pray for Autumn to live an unnaturally long life and for Qian to have a long, endless winter!"

Han smiled and answered. "What god could resist those beautiful green eyes, my love?"

**********

The Dowager Queen looked down at the pair and saw the first hint of snow as well. Her heart sank as she saw the introduction being written to the final chapter between these two, both dear to her and her son. She was deeply worried, especially for Han. When Anshi departed in 6 months, he would have a strong support system in place. He would find who was left of his family, for good or ill. But Han would return to his sterile environment, with only herself and the Childe King to close ranks around him. His bodyguards would protect him as well, but she ached for his future happiness. She sighed and returned to her own lonely bed;

**********

Wei Ying and Lan Zhan lay awake as well, watching the twinkling flakes.

"We will need to tie up loose ends soon. Have you decided anything about Lan Xiao Mian and..."

"That puppy?"

"Lan Zhan...look at how old we were when we fell in love.."

"And we were too dense. Made a mess of things..."

"At first, but we survived."

"Not by much."

"But we did, and look at us now. Happy. Fulfilled. We cannot keep her wrapped up in cotton wool, can we?"

"Can try!"

"You made the right decision when you asked Anshi to deliver some harsh lessons. Look how they both matured! It is amazing. You cannot expect her to regress at this point. She is a woman now. Please, sweetheart, let's give them this?"

"Mn..."

Wei Ying's eyes showed silver in the glow of the lamps. "Is there no other way I can persuade you, my Tiger?"

He sat up and let his crimson robe slide down a smooth shoulder.

"Mn..."

Ying batted his eyelashes coquettishly, and Lan Zhan growled. He bent down and bit the exposed shoulder, and Wei Ying shuddered in delight as his mate licked the pain away. He pulled temptingly away.

"Promise me you will relent a little?"

"Promise you will pay in full tonight?"

"Umhmm, my golden-eyed cub. Are you going to eat me all up?"

The Tiger pounced, and Wei Ying fell back as his husband made his way down...down...down...

**********

Yenay and Qinyang were also sleepless, even after their own bath and night of lovemaking. They were still basking in the pride they felt in their eldest son's accomplishment and the deference paid to him in the Qian Royal Court. Anshi had achieved such honer for himself and Cloud Recesses. But they worried about the rest of his journey. Leaving Han behind and seeking a family he no longer knew, after 20 years? They were happy for him, but also afraid. 

And their younger son. Despite his leap into manhood, was he ready for the responsibilities of marriage...and a family in the future?. Yet they knew that once A'Qiang's mind was made up, it was difficult getting him to change it. And his mind was set on Xiao Mian.

They knew that, if Lan Zhan and Wei Ying said yes, so would they, but they were mothers and they were nervous.

They snuggled into each other. Yenay combed her fingers through her Soldier Woman's hair and whispered. "Sleep. Fretting solves nothing. We will take this one step at a time."

"But they have danced more quickly ahead of us. Quicker than I expected."

"I know. But at least they danced towards each other. Anshi and Han will soon tear themselves apart. I worry more for them."

"You are right. It is too much to dwell on when we are exhausted. I will try to sleep, We will tend to this tomorrow. Good night, my Guardian."

Goodnight, my Sunshine."

And for everyone, the dawn rose too soon that day.