The Nøkken and the Huntress.

7.) Time together.

Five days had passed and even though Eføy was still quite upset at least she was no longer sobbing and breathing uncontrollably.

This morning I found her snuggled up to her nose in pelts under the tent. The low early morning fog settled all around her and gave her an aura of secrecy. Finding her like this made my heart race with how beautiful she looked. I got closer to her and crouched down I then patted her curled legs to wake her up. She stirred but didn't open her eyes. I smirked at her and then stood up and dragged her out. She made an annoyed groan and she sat up glaring at me. Eføy made another groan rolled her eyes and fell back onto her bedroll. As I turned to leave hands grabbed my ankles and I lost my balance and landed on my stomach with a yelp. I could hear Eføy chuckling and soon enough her weight was straddling my narrow hips.

I tried my best to look at her but the fall made my hair drape across my face.
"Let me help you." She giggled as I felt her move closer as her hands glided to my face and parted my long mane. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see her grin. I returned the gesture then smirked. She tilted her head and I quickly grabbed her and reversed our roles before she could get off. She gave a surprised gasp when I did that but calmed when our eyes met. My yellow eyes like candlelight and her eyes like young storm clouds looked into each other. Her face was a placid calm and mine I'm sure was slightly excited. My hands loosened around her wrists and she slipped them out and laid them by her sides.

My very long barely manageable hair fell around us again and surrounded us in shade. That was when Eføy did something I didn't expect. She reached up and lightly letting her fingertips graze over my face. She continued her path exploring my features as I watched her with fascination. Her eyes followed her fingers and my bottom lip twitched when they grazed over it. How badly I wanted to kiss her hand and then her pale lips. She felt bold and placed her entire hand against a side of my face and held it there. This wonderful moment ended when her eyes widened and she removed her hand quickly. She turned on her side and shook her head. My face fell at this as I got up from my position and rested on my knees. I sat rather hunched as she sat on her side facing away from me.

"I'm sorry I shouldn't have done that. You probably didn't like that." She glances back at me blushing.
"I didn't mind." My voice is barely audible. In my mind, I could hear my dearest brother, Fossegrimen yelling: "Tell her how ya feel ye fool!"

Shaking my head I stood up and offered her hand. She took it avoiding my eyes after she was up she left my presence in favor of a spot by the unlit fire pit she made. I sat by her and watched as she stared at her bare feet while rubbing her elbows uncomfortably. I attempted to pick some grass off of her back but she flinched at me. "The green grass will ruin the white. Besides, it's bothering me." She nodded in agreement and let me continued. I finished picking the grasses and leaf bits off of her and I noticed she looked distant.

"Is something wrong?" I leaned slightly towards her.

"I... think I am. I don't know." She gave a defeated sigh.

I furrowed my brow at her and wrapped an arm around her shoulders and leaned close. "You miss your uncle, don't you?"

She leaned into me. "I do. There's nothing I can do now though. No trees grow to the sky you know." She smoothed out her dress.

Her gray eyes looked at me sadly. She snuggled into my chest and exhaled. I rested my chin on her head my free arm found its place at her side and I pressed closer to her. A few minutes of quiet solace ended abruptly when the sounds of horses could be heard in the trees. We both snapped our heads up and I let go of Eføy and dashed into the pond.

I stayed close to the fallen log but close enough within earshot. I don't remember exactly what the men said but I know it was along the lines of people being worried because of Eføy or Askr not visiting the village. They saw the grave and were alarmed. A man asked her something along the lines of if she was "just getting out of the house to clear her head" she responded with a short answer.

I heard hoof falls and I listened until they faded to come out. Eføy soon stood by the pond and watched as I climbed out opposite of her and looked back.
I eyed her with worry. "Eføy, are you alright?" I tilted my head. Her lips turned up faintly as I walked to her. She looked up at me and hugged me which I gratuitously accepted. "They asked me if I was returning home yet."

She looked up at me. "But I'm not leaving yet."

I smiled and held her frame close.

As the days went by I spent my time watching Eføy either firing her bow or just her skinning animals or a simple walk and a late night swim together at the lake. Sometimes we would talk about our thoughts on things and we would consule each other when down.

I began to notice that our interactions were more physical and emotional. The way I would catch Eføy looking at me and sometimes the way she watched my body move when I demonstrated my athleticism to her. The way she would let one of her hands linger on my back after she brushed my knee-length hair or whenever she offered to rub my shoulders when I mentioned I was sore. She finally started to notice my advancements as well. Before she would just dismiss my touches as coming from a friend now, however, she would spare me a second glance and smirk. She would catch me looking her way as she bathed and would always play around with me as I messed with her during the time. She started to blush more when my compliments of her became more frequent.

Other times I would be sitting against a tree and she would join me with some furs. She would place them on us and she'd rest her head on my chest and drift to sleep. When we woke up we were always in each other's arms not daring to let go. Before we would start apologizing and keep an awkward distance from ourselves. Now, we either pulled away and sat side to side or we would continue to cuddle.

A month passed and I finally gained the courage to tell this beauty how I truly felt. I was currently laying under a tree with her across from me.
"Eføy?"
"Hmm?" I could tell she almost dozed off.
"I have to ask you something. Please don't see me any other way if you don't agree with it. Please?"
"Alright." She had a questioning tone with her voice.
"Throughout my time of knowing you and spending time with you, we've come to see each other as friends." I heard her shuffle in the grass.

"Though, awhile back I started to see you in a different view, I started to love you. Eføy Folkevenn, do you want to join me and be more than friends?"

She gasped. I closed my eyes and waited for the painful rejection. I heard her getting up and I opened my eyes. Instead of seeing the glow of sun touched leaves I saw Eføy standing over me on the left. I frowned, positive I would get a kick in the face but she smiled and laid down beside me. She rested her head and left hand on my chest. "Nøkken I would love to." She pecked me on the cheek. My eyes went wide and she rose her head up and looked me in the eyes.

"You would? This isn't pitying?"

"Well no it's not pity, I love you and I'll gladly spend my time with you."

"Why me? Look at me."

Her eyes softened. "You are perfect in my eyes."

We pulled each other into a passionate kiss.

"No trees grow to the sky" is an old Norse proverb that means nothing lasts forever.
I was very tired typing this and I hope it's alright.