Pain and a Swain

Lieve read the captain's latest letter excitedly. Perhaps she could actually get her father to let her go on a trip! But when she suggested it to him, he merely laughed in her face. 'No daughter of mine is going off on a wild goosechase for wine,' he said. 'Leave business to men, women have no head for it.' He beat her mercilessly to drive the lesson home, then left her to her get on with her sewing. She put it down as soon as she thought he was out of hearing and ran to the Pony. She was determined not to cry, but could not hide her hurt. Her captain friend was there. Seeing she was in distress, he escorted her to a back room. She winced as he put his hand on her shoulder and he drew back in alarm. 'What's the matter?' he asked. She told him as calmly as she was able what had happened. Horrified, he swore it would not happen again. He once again urged her to come away with him, telling her he loved her and would not see her hurt again. Declaring their love for one another, they kissed. After a very short consideration, Lieve decided she would take him up on his offer. Throwing caution to the wind, she followed him out of the Pony. Together they took horse to Celondim and his home. At first, Lieve was delighted with his house. The elven homestead was lovely and the house was highly decorated in the elven style . She kept it clean for the captain, cooking for him and doing mundane tasks such as washing and mending. It was completely different from her life at home. There she had had servants to cook and clean for her. Here she was the only one who cared for the house. It was there that she took up the harp, wishing to learn an instrument. When the captain returned home, he would often find her practising under the cherry blossom trees that swayed in the breeze, seemingly dancing to her music. The days passed peacefully enough. Often she was alone, the captain having his duties far afield, but he would send her letters, telling her of his battles and travels. She slept on a pallet on the floor in the main room. Sometimes, when he was home, the captain would ask her to come and sleep in his bed, just to nestle, nothing more, but she always refused, saying they were not married, hardly daring to enter his bedroom even except to clean it when he was not home. One evening when the captain had finished his meal, he said he had a gift for her. She was thrilled. What could it be? He fished out a small item from his pocket, letting it hang from his fingers. It was a necklace, the pendant depicting a horses head and a man and a woman. He explained that it symbolised the love of a man and a woman and that it was very precious to him. Because she was precious to him too, he wished for her to wear it. As he placed it around her neck, they kissed. Once again he urged her to share his bed, but she refused, for the same reason as always. He promised once the war was over and peace had been brought to the lands, they would be wed. She nodded, smiling at him lovingly, then after a kiss good night, went to her pallet to sleep.