by Orr, Krystal
"Talyn had us bring warm water to you so that you may wash and clean yourselves before resting." Both Talliea and Arizira turned to see a fair looking Arnira with her head peeking out of the floor drop that lead to a ladder. The ladder was balanced against the tree itself and served as the means by which entrance to any living quarters was reached.
The Arniran took a few steps down the ladder and pulled the hatch closed behind her without another word. After the battle, reunions had taken place. Every Arnira in Arizira's tribe had desired to talk with her and obtain her blessing from Aitla. They all had believed her dead for so long and wished to spend time hearing of the glorious tale that had been her life since meeting Talliea.
Of the Esu men, only a handful of wounded had accepted Talyn’s offer. None of them had possessed the fortitude of spirit to take the first step toward relations with the Arnira. They all had looked upon each other as if expecting one among them to take up the mantle of leadership. The Arnira had tended to their wounded as best as they knew how. Without their healing magic from Esuval, the men were unable to cure their afflicted on their own. None of them still retained any of their abilities. Talliea, Arizira, or D'jiira had worked as a translator when the need arose.
Only those who had helped Talliea or Arizira along their journey were still able to communicate freely. That blessing had come from Iolirthas and its limits had been met, as it now seemed that the gods desired their children to actively learn the other's tongue on their own.
D'jiira had been greatly accepted among the Arnira. Like with Arizira, they had been fascinated by her and yearned to hear more of her life and her time with one of their own. With the past having been returned to all, and the need for secrecy no longer paramount, the memory of Iolirthas had been returned to Arizira's tribe.
Many hours after the battle had seen Ma'nolira and Talyn recalling Cynra's daughter with fondness. Roasted meats, vegetables, nuts, fruits, herbs, breads, and drink had been shared amongst all those who sought peace and safety within the Arniran walls.
The fallen of both peoples had been tended to en mass, as custom for both had dictated. As Taetylona was the only Esu, apart from D'jiira, to now possess Esuval's gift, her time had been spent learning of herself and attempting to aid any that needed comfort. Never before had she felt so respected and appreciated. D'jiira had stayed close to her and served as her means of communication while she used every resource available to her to help both Esu and Arnira alike.
Cynra, for most of the night, had walked wherever needed. She offered blessings, healing, services for the deceased and their loved ones, words of comfort or wisdom, and helped in ensuring all gathered were fed, cleaned, and offered water. Her long years of burden were no more.
Her family was safe, healthy, and happy. She could ask no more of her life than that. With the time remaining to her, she wished only to watch her granddaughter fall more in love and welcome into the world her new great granddaughter.
After several hours or talks, feasts, services, stories, introductions, and reunions, Talliea and Arizira had finally excused themselves and retired to Arizira's home. They now stood in silence in the dark of the room around them. Only the glow of Arizira's eyes and the light of the moon streaming in from a small window, offered any illumination for Talliea.
Outside, they could still hear the voices of the gathered and smell the aromas of various meats. Talliea took a deep breath and looked to her love. Arizira stood in the center of her home with an expression Talliea could not read. Slowly, she removed her bow, which had been gathered earlier, and her sabres and gently placed them along the wall in front of her. She looked down at the tattered remains of her shirt and sighed.
In the excitement following the battle, Arizira had not had a moment to do anything other than wash her face and hands. Talliea's blouse that she wore still clung to her body, and the blood from earlier still covered the front of it. The silence around the two of them was oddly comforting. There was nothing pressing that either of them had to do. There was no journey they had to undertake, no worry they had to trouble themselves with. For the first time since they met, Talliea and Arizira could simply enjoy just being.
Talliea moved and stepped deeper into the room. She walked to Arizira and stood in front of her. Silvery-blue eyes looked up at her approach and held her gaze. Without a word, Talliea brought her right hand to Arizira's shoulder and trailed her fingers along the fabric of her top. She took a step closer and her other hand came to Arizira's left shoulder. Slowly, she pushed the torn remains of the white shirt off of her love's body.
It fell to the floor silently. Arizira's hands landed on Talliea's hips and a shaky breath sounded in the room. Talliea placed a lingering kiss on Arizira's forehead, and for a long moment neither woman moved. When tears slipped from Talliea's eyes and touched Arizira's nose and cheeks, a deluge of emotion followed.
As powerful as Talliea had been, as strong as she had appeared, a part of her had always been, and would forever be, the frightened and unknowing girl who had first come to the Northlands. In a very short span of time, she had suffered much. She had believed Arizira to be lost to her, taken at the tip of a silver fletched arrow. She had believed their destiny together to be too demanding to ever allow them happiness. When the Esu men had attacked them after finding Bela'luin and Sed'dya, she had frozen in her panic over Arizira's safety.
The relief she felt after that encounter had been short lived, as she had succumbed to the will of another and been taken from Arizira yet again, only to awaken in the midst of a war with Arizira's bloodied and battered body lying next to her own.
As she thought back over the past several days, Talliea realized how much of her time had been spent in a state of worry or apprehension. She had not been allowed a moment to relax or a moment to enjoy the company of her love. For every brief moment she managed with Arizira, another two or more had demanded her immediate action. If it was not Cynra telling her she was the only one with any hope of saving them, it had been Taetylona's unassuming presence reminding her of what they all stood to lose if no action was ever taken.
Now, however, as Talliea stood closely with Arizira, she realized how different her life was to be now. The powers she had been granted were now dormant. They would not surface again unless the need was great. Her task to the gods had been paid, her favor well earned. Only her unique connection to Arizira remained. Their bond was a lasting gift for all they had endured and suffered.
Talliea could be herself again. No longer was she anything more or less. Now she was simply Arizira's love and the mother of their unborn child. Her life was her own to do with as she chose. All other demands or duties were now in the hands of others.
As the tears continued to fall from her eyes, she could not stop the emotions that filled her chest. Her sense of relief was overwhelming. She cried for Arizira's suffering and pain in the name of their destiny. She cried for all the times she had very nearly lost the one person who mattered the most to her. She cried for the fallen. She cried for D'jiira and Cynra and all those who had known loss so that this present could exist.
Most of all, Talliea cried for the unborn child Arizira carried who had nearly been taken from her at the hands of others one too many times. Dropping to her knees in front of Arizira, Talliea ran her fingers across her love’s stomach. Dried blood still covered her skin.
Arizira looked down at her and stroked her hair. She spoke no words as none were needed between them. Talliea reached toward the basin of steaming water next to her and dipped a piece of cloth into its warmth. She brought it to Arizira's stomach and reverently washed away the blood that covered her. For several minutes, Talliea cleaned Arizira's body. She helped her love out of her leather pants and continued to wash away dirt and sweat and blood. When Arizira was clean, Talliea knelt before her again and pressed her lips to her abdomen. Soft kisses were placed on warm and moist skin.
"I love you," she whispered, her hands holding Arizira's hips as she con
tinued to trail her lips across the space that had nearly claimed her family's life. "I love you so much." Arizira, standing bare before the woman she loved, wrapped her hands in dark hair and allowed Talliea the time she needed. Fresh tears met her stomach as Talliea continued to cry. "I can not lose you...either of you."
"Tah-li, it is over now. We have only a need to be happy with each other."
Talliea rubbed her nose across Arizira's middle and used her hands on her hips to pull her closer. "I need you."
Arizira smiled softly. This was her Talliea. This slightly unsure, scared, and endearing woman. This was the Talliea she had first fallen in love with. Though she knew Talliea had grown during their time together, both in confidence and in their relationship, she was also aware that this side of Talliea would always be reserved for her. For when the two of them were alone.
Now that immediate danger and threat were in the past, Arizira knew that Talliea would need time in processing matters. Everyone would need such time. This vulnerability that Talliea was now displaying was healing for the both of them. For so long, they had been looked upon as reluctant heroes. They had been expected to have answers or to seek answers.
This time alone, this time where they could just be them, was to be a new beginning. Arizira lowered herself to the floor and came face to face with Talliea. Tears covered her love's face.
"I need you," Talliea whispered again and her voice was so small, so delicate, that Arizira's heart ached. They were both finally free and the knowledge of that liberation was both sudden and breathtaking. They no longer had to hide their feelings. They no longer had to worry about their people learning of them or each other. They no longer had a destiny that demanded their sacrifice.
Arizira wiped away at Talliea's face and kissed the side of her mouth. Her thumbs soothed over her love's jaw as she placed tender kisses across her face. She pushed her hands into Talliea's hair and trailed her lips up her jaw and to her right ear. "I love you, failira. I have you now. I shall always have you," she spoke in a hushed voice. Her lips kissed Talliea's ear. "You are safe with me."
At the words, Talliea could not stop the small laugh that sounded from her. How many times had Arizira uttered such reassurances before? How many times had she caught her and made her feel secure, just as she was this very moment? Pulling back slightly to gaze into her love's mesmerizing eyes, Talliea slowly brought their lips together in an unrushed embrace. No more words were spoken as Arizira pushed her onto her back and settled herself on top of her.
* * * * *
"It is three months this very day, Tah-li," Arizira whispered as the two of them lay entangled together after making love. They had moved to the Ophe'las bedding and were now half under a soft fur blanket. Talliea's legs were entwined with Arizira's and her foot was running soft patterns along her calf. Her arm was underneath Arizira's neck and her fingers softly stroked the silken skin of her love's shoulder.
Arizira's left hand, settled against her chest, was currently playing with the fingers of Talliea's right as they each laid on their back next to one other. Her own right hand scratched Talliea's back lightly and occasionally dipped into the inviting curve of her spine. The sounds of fellowship below them had faded somewhat and now the nocturnal melody of deep night met their ears.
Talliea lifted her head from Arizira's shoulder and looked down into her face. "What has been three months, love?" Since bonding with one another, both women now felt more centered and at peace than they had before. A deep and satisfying contentment resided inside both of them.
Arizira lifted her head enough to kiss Talliea's lips chastely. She threaded their fingers together on her chest and lowered her head again. "Since we made love for the first time."
Talliea, despite everything she had been through with Arizira, blushed. "It seems as though it should be longer."
Arizira smiled and nodded her agreement. "It does. Nine moon seasons have marked our time together since we met. Two of those months saw us separated. It does not seem possible to me that my time with you totals only seven complete months."
Talliea shook her head and looked down at her hand entwined with Arizira's. She felt warm lips press a kiss to the side of her neck and inhaled softly. Freeing her right hand, she pushed the fur blanket covering Arizira's middle further down her body until her abdomen was exposed. Her fingers gently brushed across her love's stomach and she stopped when she noticed something different.
"The baby has grown, as has your womb. You are slightly swollen with this life now." Arizira did nothing more than smile when Talliea turned back to face her. "How?" she asked, awed.
"An Arniran pregnancy progresses as the mothers share themselves. I may carry our daughter inside of me, Tah-li, but you nourish her with your spirit. I do not know how much our bonding affects this pregnancy, but our lovemaking just now has--"
"--caused this?" Talliea finished, spreading her fingers out over the small, and barely noticeable, bump of Arizira's stomach. Arizira nodded and moved her left hand down her body to join Talliea's.
"This is beautiful," Talliea whispered. She looked, once again, into Arizira's eyes and was overcome with how much she loved the other woman. When she first came to the Northlands, she had not imagined the wonders that awaited her. She had been unaware of the love she was destined to find, and of the happiness that love would bring her.
Then, her life had been simple, small, and suffocating. She'd been expected to join with Markahn and bear his children. At the thought of the man, Talliea briefly wondered when he would make his way to their location. She knew he was well and safe.
She kissed Arizira's chin and nuzzled her neck before laying her head back down on an ivory shoulder. Her life was no longer small. It was far from simple, and with Arizira, she had never breathed easier. Instead of bearing Markahn's children, she was expecting a baby with Arizira, the Child of Whispers. She was not joining with a person out of duty or obligation or against her will.
She had found love. True love. That love had been a teacher to her. It had balanced her. It was responsible for her growth and her ability to see magic and wonder in the world. Her love with Arizira had blessed them both with a child. She was no longer who she had been before traveling to Arizira's sacred forest. Not entirely.
She was more and she had Arizira to thank for that. Every good thing that had ever happened in her life was because of Arizira. Now that war had been averted, both Talliea's and Arizira's happiness was finally at hand. Talliea felt Arizira wrap her arm tighter around her back and pull her closer. Lips moved along her hair line. She continued to rub Arizira's tummy, enjoying the slight swell her fingers met in the process.
"I am so glad I found you," Arizira whispered into the quiet. Her fingers moved up and down Talliea's right arm soothingly.
"Me, too, love," Talliea yawned softly as sleep began to claim her. "You are my beautiful whisper." Silence engulfed the two of them as their breathing settled and grew softer. "Ari?" Talliea asked a heartbeat later.
"Hm?" was the sleepy response.
"You still need to teach me how to use a bow."
Epilogue
-4 months later-
Cynra pushed through the crowd with barely restrained agitation.
The large circular main chamber of Rae'kir was filled with most of the tribe, a few sisters of Zy'nilur's tribe that had remained after the war, and D'jiira and Taetylona whom Cynra now moved toward.
Since the cease of hostilities four months past, Cynra had resumed her role as Dream Speaker and spiritual leader of the tribe. Her lessons of history and lore to young Arniran children had changed greatly to reflect recent events. Also to have changed was her relationship with Arizira. Though the both of them had always been close, they now were as grandmother and granddaughter ought to be. They were a family.
"How soon? Has it already begun?" Cynra asked D'jiira, who appeared anxious and preoccupied.
"She is still receiving the preparation rites. It should not be long
now, leyaja," D'jiira replied. Her attractive face was colored with excited apprehension. The months following the Eclipse War had seen D'jiira being instrumental in bridging the divide between Esu and Arnira. Often, she had traveled to Talliea's clan to teach them of older customs now forgotten, as well as to help in the forming of their new society.
Her mate, Lenet, had journeyed from their home in the west shortly after witnessing the history that had been returned to all. With her, Lenet had brought an envoy to open a dialogue with the northern tribes. The journey had taken three long months, but in her month's stay with Talyn's people, Lenet had grown overly fond of her mate's daughter and of Arniran customs.
She now stood next to D'jiira and listened to her exchange words with Cynra. Being unable to understand the Arniran tongue left her in her own thoughts. Learning of D'jiira's past, though startling, had not diminished her feelings in any way. It had given the two of them much to talk about and had brought them closer together. Like D'jiira, Lenet was tall with tanned skin. Her eyes were a rich and deep brown and her hair was long and black. Her face was round and a small cleft kissed her chin. Though her features were average, she possessed a natural beauty that was easy to notice.
When she had first met Arizira, there had been no doubt in her mind that she was D'jiira's daughter. The two of them looked too much alike for anything else to be true.
"I should be in there!" Cynra huffed. Her wrinkled hands came to rest on her hips as she made no show of hiding her displeasure.
"You know that is not possible. You are not the Dream Speaker today," D'jiira said in even tones. "You are family. Talyn and Sed'dya have matters well in hand."