Xanderian lay on the soft grass, an evening's breeze making it's rambling way along the swiftly flowing brook beside her, sweet and heavy with the scent of lilac's in bloom. The moon had just risen, full and luminous, giving everything a silvery edge as it bathed the scene in soft, pure light as if it were Telparion itself.
With a sigh the huntress nestled deeper into the grassy hillock, running one hand through her inky black hair. It had nearly all grown back now, and was still wet and smooth from her recent swim. She shivered again, the clear water drying swiftly on her skin as she watched the stars begin their unending dance.
With a soft grunting noise the man dropped onto his belly on the grass beside her, leaning over to kiss her suddenly as the elleth laughed and returned his kiss, forcing him to take his time. After a moment he broke the kiss, shaking his head like a dog, laughing, his long red hair swirling in an arc, spraying brook water in all directions.
Xanderian didn't seem to mind or notice, one graceful, pale hand stroking his bare shoulders as they caught the moonlight, making his ruddy skin seem to glow like embers. She sighed, laying back again to look at him and be looked upon in the moonlight, the ease of lovers surrounding them like a soft cloak on a cold night.
"Truly Gem..." she whispered, dark eyes warm and loving, "If I remained here until the end of my days, I would not feel cheated."
The Ranger laughed, his mirth deep and rich and infectious, unlike anything she had ever heard. Not like the cold, delicate, artificial chuckle of Emig she knew so well growing up, or the boisterous, mocking laughter of Xandilif, always just short of hysteria. Gemniphred's joyous laughter was like a song she had never known she longed to hear, had never expected to be able to share...but she laughed with him now.
She tilted her head and looked up at him as he leaned on one strong elbow, looking away from her towards the bubbling brook. "Is this happiness my love? I have never known this before, never beheld this beauty in all my travels, all my companions. Is this what the poets write of? Is this the happiness I was always destined for?"
"Your destiny?" he asked.
Gem turned his head, his wet red hair now hanging in lank, thin strands. His dead eyes fixed upon her, cold and rotted, his flesh plastered to his skull like the skin of an onion, grey-black and flaking. He opened his mouth to speak, black insects scurrying down his chin, bearing bits of decayed flesh to feed upon. The ruin of his once full lips pulled up into a rictus grin as she tried to scream...but could not make a sound. His free hand sliding down her throat, along her chest, over her breasts and belly...the rotting flesh cold and wet and oily, stinking like a mass grave. She felt her gorge rising to vomit out her terror, feeling the touch of death on her pale flesh, but that too was denied her, as if she were trapped between seconds.
When that which had once been Gemniphred of Harndirion spoke, his voice seemed black and twisted, his humor turned to scorn, his love turned to regret. "You dare to speak of your destiny? Lethril, Xanderian, Nightwind, Longtracker, Rian, Xan. So many names but a single destiny. Your destiny is not happiness. Your destiny is horror. Your destiny is war...only war. Endless war. But not death...never death. Everyone else dies. You survive, again and again and again. Not all are so blessed, or so cursed, are they my love?"
His hand came up, bony dead fingers gripping her throat as she lost her breath, her heart stopping. He stared into her eyes as she saw so many faces, so many moments reflected there. His voice wrapped around her like a serpent. "Destiny? What you see is the destiny of all you profess to love, Lethril. Just as you slew me, you slay them...or worse, make them dispair as you smile while they decay. I am the destiny of your love, firstborn witch. The destiny that awaits all of those you embrace. Kiss me...lay with me and surrender now, spare them the pain.
His hands moved down her body, as she sank into helpless shaking...whispering to herself as her hands gripped his skeletal shoulders..."Yes...take me and let the world be done with me, my love...finish this now before it is too late...too late.
Then as she felt him move over her as he had so many times before, she heard a scream.
Her own scream.
And she was awake.
With a start, Xanderian woke before the fire of the Prancing Pony, those few late night drunks and revelers staring at her, mouths open. Several wine glasses had been shattered in hands by her exclamation, it would seem. Whispers rose...Elf magic. Queer outsider. Witch.
Leaping to her feet she staggered out into the street, barely aware of those she knocked aside. Falling to her knees, vomiting into the gutter as she shook and wept.
Rolling onto her back on the rough cobblestones she stared up at the same moon, still bright as Telparion, the same stars. She struggled to to calm her breathing, tears running down the sides of her face to wet the stone.
Perhaps it was already too late.
