In that early touch of daylight doth she stand at the aft of the ship. Medium length blond hair blowing lightly as it is played with by the breezes that blow over the bulwark. Long strong beautiful legs encased in a pair of golden tights, that pick up the sun's glance shining upon them, move with ease at each movement of wave and tide. Upon hair she sports a black pirate's hat, with a feather that perches lightly upon it. Her beautiful form encased in a medium frock-coat, to keep the lady warm from the light chill that seeps upward from the water below.

Lona stares out silently at the passing land across the starboard bow of the ship. In the early beginnings of this day the crew sleeps silently. Her solitude shared only by the helmsman up at the prow, at the wheel-house. This time of morning is a personal time deeply enjoyed by this woman, upon a ship that offers little time for private thoughts - or for silent wishes, whispered alone in hushed whispered tones. Spoken instead only to the ever growing wake of the ship below her, carried softly to the horizon as far as she can see it. On this ship of many crew Lona only feels loneliness, a yearning steadily building, for something dear to a heart.

As she lets her silent yearning float down to the wake passing below, a movement catches her eye through the mist across the land not far away. Looking toward the bank passing by in hazy luminance, she soon spies the wings of the bird that flies toward the ship. As Lona watches this beautiful white bird fly closer, a dazzling smile escapes from her parted lips with a sigh. Watches in amazement as the dove fly forward, hovering above her as the flower held in its talons is slowly released. Slowly does it float down toward her outstretched open right hand, resting lightly. In fascination does Lona gaze down upon the rose, red in color and shiny, feeling the warmth which is uncommon indeed. She slowly looks up at the dove, yet there is no bird there, nor anywhere around the ship at all. A sudden movement at a rocky outcrop on the land catches her attention, making her look once more at the hazy outline of passing land. A form seen for a moment, entering the forest. A shimmering form, for just an instant, glanced as if within a dream……

From his favorite spot to look out at the ocean he watches the strange human ship, as it passes him on its voyage. He doth not fear being seen by those aboard her. He is only seen, when this is his desire. He watches the ship, silently playing a blade of green grass which he nibbles between his teeth without thought. Wonders what places those aboard might have seen during their travels. What adventures they have experienced. His grey hair feels the soft touch of that ocean breeze, making him silently purr within. Keen eyes take in the timbers, the mast, the canvas sails. For a moment selfishly he also sails aboard that vessel upon this ocean….That he too knows true adventure. He has heard tales of others of his kind that are crew of ships such as she on the water. And silently he imagines he is one of them himself.

Soon imaginings are interrupted by the movement he sees upon the ship, as the sun slowly crests above the far horizon. He watches silently, as the human female slowly crosses the length of the ship, halting at the back. He looks upon her with his keen eyes. Even with the far distance between them, sees her as if right next to him indeed.

Hearing quiet movement behind him, he answers the silent summons that reaches his perked elfin ears. He raises himself from that outcrop of rock. As he enters the forest his ears hear the whispered words of the human female as they float to him softly. Slowing, for a hesitant moment he looks back.…at the human female that is at the back of the vessel.

In that instant she seems to stare right at him, two hearts that touch silently, unknown to the persons themselves. Reluctantly doth the elf Laren once more turn and enters the forest.

The middle of the town square is a bustle of activity. Vendors hawk loudly to passer-by to come see their varied wares. Passer-by strolling through the aisles of vendor areas, gazing half-heartedly at items, continuing on their way to unknown needs that they only know themselves. The sky is a cloudless blue above the town, the sun shining down brightly in this early afternoon hours, warming all below within its light.

He walks behind her, unseen to all in this square. To those in the vendor areas this young Faerie seems alone. Her long auburn hair played by the touch of breeze that plays softly. Long supple legs carry her easily with unnoticed calculated strides, as she interweaves effortlessly through the throng around her, all busy and unnoticed. Yet he keeps pace easily behind her, as only to his elfin ears doth Laren hear her say “Keep up little one,” carried from her lips upon a whisper. Laren replies back “Yes, YoungMistress.”

He carries the light elfin short sword, feels it ride effortlessly against his left thigh and leg. Across his back, held by the long thick strip of dark brown leather that goes across his light frame, he carries the elfin long sword proudly. Looking up at the form of her a few steps ahead of him, easily can be seen the long bow carried easily in her right hand. The quiver of light brown that rides upon her back, filled with black and red feathered arrows. He sees the matching elfin short sword that she carries, riding nicely upon her left thigh. He can smell the light brown leather armor she wears, the match to the armor he also wears upon his form. A gift, given to him by thy YoungMistress herself, to her elf-subservient and beloved pet.

Soon LadyTaret enters the shop she has traveled to. The elf Laren unconsciously takes stance near the entrance unseen, to the side corner of the vendor's home. When his eyes survey the surroundings about him, both elfin ears can still monitor the shop within. He looks totally relaxed, yet able to pounce in an instant. Always ready to come to the aid or call of the Lady within. To those passing by there is just the shop, a beautiful young faerie within shopping. None see the older, light boned, grey haired elf outside the shop, her escort. Laren is still young for his elfin age, though to the humans he would as if a middle aged man. In reality he is just 47 years old, a young age for elf-kind, who live many years longer than human-kind. The world outside the bond between both he and YoungMistress is something unknown to him, only hinted at when listening to stories. In this elf's heart this present life is all he has ever known.

As he stands his place, he watches as that woman seen earlier - at the back of a ship passing by his outcrop of rock, enters the town square.

Lona enters the square, looking around her. Too long has it been since her boots touched upon real ground. She smiles. It has been too long where, instead of a pirate, she can be that woman inside her. Brushing the blond hair from her eyes she slowly moves amongst the vendor booths, enjoying just being a woman out on the town again.

As she moves past a group of tables, something makes her halt, feeling bewildered. Slowly doth she turn her back away from the tables, facing instead at the shops behind her….at the spice shop itself. She looks at the entrance, then something makes her look to the right side corner of the shop. As Lona looks at the side corner….inside her that magic returns. Unknown -the heart within reaches out, to that which is at the spot she looks at…..

Laren watches as beautiful blond female pirate stops at tables across from him and the shop. Watches unseen as she suddenly turns and looks at the entrance of the shop. Sees the look of confusion, that turns into a trance-like pondering. Watches but does not move as suddenly her eyes turn away from the entrance. Her dazzling blue eyes looking right at the elf. As those eyes look right at him, unknown - that heart within him responds also to hers….both hearts once more joining - remembering each other deeply. Ages that they have been apart pass now to the present time, as two hearts - so long apart - find rebirth in each other at last.

Above the town square she watches with a smile. Feels the rebirth of the two below deeply. In response does her own heart sing. Her black beautiful eyes watch, as slowly doth her right hand softly caress the feathers. Giggles lightly at the crooning that she hears float up to her Faerie ears.

dobby