Paladin - the path begins

Chapter 5

Luna couldn't sleep again. She could hear Tar'vid whispering his prayer to Sah'ravel, she knew the saint of the paladins gave them guidance of some kind and she wondered whether it was her he prayed about. Luna rolled onto her side, spying Tar'vid in the moonlight outside her tent. She closed her eyes tentatively as he lay down to sleep. She was destined for him... she knew it from the moment she'd saved his life, before that even... since the visions at the seeing pool. At first, Luna had thought perhaps it had been the visions from Barrow-helm playing on her emotions, but she had been drawn to him instantly and strangely he to her. Luna rolled onto her back again staring up at the tents canvas roof. She knew he wanted her, and why wouldn't he, she was attractive and besides, humans were always drawn to elves. He would certainly take her for a mate, but would he stay loyal to her?. She had no choice in that regard, as once Keldran elves partnered they were joined with their partner for life, the breaking of the bond could be lethal, though she wasn't sure if Tar'vid would be affected. The bond wasn't magic she knew, as her grandfather had offered substantial rewards to the Mage or Mages that could break the 'curse' as he had called it after he had tired of his joined after some centuries together. The reward strangely still stood, though the Mage conclaves had abandoned their research hundreds of years ago.

"He is rather handsome though" she whispered to herself, weighing up her options.

But he was also human, which meant he'd age and die in what to her would be only a quarter of her life so far. Yes, she could potentially find another partner, but her father had mourned for over three centuries for her mother and probably still did. Then there were the social ramifications, human and elf romances were tolerated in few elven communities, but if they were to have children... she didn't want to think of what her father might do. Luna looked over to Tar'vid as an owl called out in the night, it's mate called back and she smiled. She would see how tomorrow went, they still had several nights together at least. She drifted off to sleep finally, dreams of a perfect future where Tar'vid was an elf and their two... no three children lived happily for all eternity, it never crossed her mind that she had already decided her path.

When Luna woke Tar'vid was already up and about, she propped herself up on her elbows, reaching out a hand and pushing open the tent flap, a flood of light blinding her as an appetising aroma found it's way to her nostrils.

"Do I smell bacon?" she said aloud, her mouth starting to salivate.

Tar'vid sat down beside her tent, offering her a bowl of food, she looked inside expectantly... indeed it was bacon, she picked up a rasher carefully. He'd made the fat crispy how she liked it, she was certainly becoming more convinced now they were destined to be together. She wolfed it down greedily, manners were secondary when it came to her favourite foods... of which there were many, Yindar be damned in that regard. There were also slices of tomato and a chunk of carrot to eat, but she put the bowl aside, wiping her greasy fingers on the grass.

"I had no idea we had this quality of food," she said, still chewing her food.

Pigs were a rare commodity in the north since the plague had ravaged much of Vieldon and the surrounding lands, which unfortunately was the more fertile farming land, making Whitecliff the only source of meat in the kingdom as the rest of the region followed Yindar and bred little cattle.

"It seems the former owners had been attacking food caravans from Fernhaven and Whitecliff. There's maybe another breakfast worth, so enjoy it while it lasts" Tar'vid told her with a smile.

Luna leant forward and kissed him softly, the moment slightly tarnished by the grease smudging his lips. Tar'vid laughed as she wiped the grease away with her finger and she lay back sighing contentedly.

"Do you... it doesn't matter, it can wait until later," she told him, shaking her head and sitting up.

Tar'vid looked at her a little confused, then stood up slowly and walked back over to the fire. He came back a few minutes later with a second bowl.