Post by rosiexrainbow on Aug 28, 2009 2:39:05 GMT 10
Title: Wrong
Author: rosiexrainbow
Fandom: Tamora Pierce’s Tortall
Rating: PG-13
Length: 814 words.
Author's Notes: Stefan/Iriseyes, so it's human/immortal.
They used to go riding together in the depths of the Royal Forest. Sometimes they would sleep under the stars. Nobody questioned where they had been the next morning – in the stables his word was law, and she was feared by humans and the People.
Galloping with her through the trees, she would wind her arms around his waist and pull him closer to her. But when he had to return to the palace, she had to leave. They could only talk like acquaintances, or at best, friends. He had to pretend he did not love her, and it almost broke his heart to do so.
*****
The nights they spent together went something like this: She kissed him, pushing him to the ground. Folding her legs beneath her, she bent over him as he laid on the straw-covered floor of the stables. She nuzzled his nose with hers and leant in to press her lips to his once more. Her eyes sparkled indigo in the dim light. As he fumbled with her shirt buttons she undressed him. She dropped the discarded clothing on the floor and prayed that nobody would come in.
He could not enjoy it, for all it was good. All that ran through his head were repeating thoughts; “this is wrong, so wrong. It’s twisted; against nature. Love like this is not allowed.”
She must have noticed, for when they finished she arose quickly. Pulling on her shirt, she avoided meeting his gaze.
“This is wrong,” she whispered.
He lifted her chin with one large hand and stared into her huge sapphire eyes, glistening with unshed tears. He could only nod, not trusting his voice. She took one last look at her lover and trotted out of the stable.
*****
“It was not our love that was wrong, but that you thought it was wrong,” she explained in the meadow. Overhead the night’s sky was clouded, and neither stars nor moon were visible. He could barely make out her strong features.
“Lass, we cannae do this anymore. It’s too risky,” he started.
“No, it is that you don’t want to risk it. Why are you so frightened of loving me?” Her voice cracked, and even in the darkness he could see the tears begin to stream down her cheeks.
“’Cause our love en’t-” he trailed off, unwilling to finish the sentence.
“Isn’t what?” Her voice was dangerously quiet.
“It en’t normal!”
“It’s not wrong, though. How could you ever think love was wrong, no matter what form it takes? If you don’t want to stay here, we can start a new life!” Her low voice was desperate now, pleading with him. “I don’t want to lose you. I want to be with you forever.”
“Ferever,” he agreed, taking her hands and kissing the palms.
“Then I know what we can do.”
*****
Numair surveyed the couple stood in front of him. They made an odd pair, of that he was certain. Or maybe it was less odd than one would think – Numair had trained the man. The mage knew what he was like.
After listening to their request – and it was a well though-out one; they must have spent a long time considering it – Numair himself considered. It was a good idea, if they were willing to sacrifice – or rather, if the man was willing to sacrifice. At the look on his pink-cheeked, weathered face, Numair knew he was.
Only... What if he doesn’t have the ability?
He put the question to them, and was answered with a quick nod.
“I cannae do it, it’s true. But that’s what I were hopin’ ye’d help wi’.”
“Ah.” Now Numair understood. But can I really end human life so callously? Looking at the expressions on the faces of the two lovers, he knew it was not an ending, but the beginning of an eternity. The mage took a deep breath and nodded. “I will do it.”
*****
He could feel Numair’s presence in the core of his mind, filing through his magic and enforcing it with sparkling black fire. And then Numair uttered a phrase in a guttural language, and he could feel that black fire coursing through his veins. For a moment there was only pain – he had never felt anything more painful, in fact. But then it was over as quickly as it begun.
He looked down at his body.
*****
Finally he could give himself freely to her, receiving on equal terms for the first time. It was like his eyes were opened anew to her astounding beauty. Those long, muscular legs, her flowing black mane of hair, the astounding eyes for which she was named – he could appreciate everything about her more than he ever had when he was human. They fit together like corresponding pieces.
Stefan could have gazed into her eyes forever.
And Iriseyes felt like she belonged in his arms.
Author: rosiexrainbow
Fandom: Tamora Pierce’s Tortall
Rating: PG-13
Length: 814 words.
Author's Notes: Stefan/Iriseyes, so it's human/immortal.
They used to go riding together in the depths of the Royal Forest. Sometimes they would sleep under the stars. Nobody questioned where they had been the next morning – in the stables his word was law, and she was feared by humans and the People.
Galloping with her through the trees, she would wind her arms around his waist and pull him closer to her. But when he had to return to the palace, she had to leave. They could only talk like acquaintances, or at best, friends. He had to pretend he did not love her, and it almost broke his heart to do so.
*****
The nights they spent together went something like this: She kissed him, pushing him to the ground. Folding her legs beneath her, she bent over him as he laid on the straw-covered floor of the stables. She nuzzled his nose with hers and leant in to press her lips to his once more. Her eyes sparkled indigo in the dim light. As he fumbled with her shirt buttons she undressed him. She dropped the discarded clothing on the floor and prayed that nobody would come in.
He could not enjoy it, for all it was good. All that ran through his head were repeating thoughts; “this is wrong, so wrong. It’s twisted; against nature. Love like this is not allowed.”
She must have noticed, for when they finished she arose quickly. Pulling on her shirt, she avoided meeting his gaze.
“This is wrong,” she whispered.
He lifted her chin with one large hand and stared into her huge sapphire eyes, glistening with unshed tears. He could only nod, not trusting his voice. She took one last look at her lover and trotted out of the stable.
*****
“It was not our love that was wrong, but that you thought it was wrong,” she explained in the meadow. Overhead the night’s sky was clouded, and neither stars nor moon were visible. He could barely make out her strong features.
“Lass, we cannae do this anymore. It’s too risky,” he started.
“No, it is that you don’t want to risk it. Why are you so frightened of loving me?” Her voice cracked, and even in the darkness he could see the tears begin to stream down her cheeks.
“’Cause our love en’t-” he trailed off, unwilling to finish the sentence.
“Isn’t what?” Her voice was dangerously quiet.
“It en’t normal!”
“It’s not wrong, though. How could you ever think love was wrong, no matter what form it takes? If you don’t want to stay here, we can start a new life!” Her low voice was desperate now, pleading with him. “I don’t want to lose you. I want to be with you forever.”
“Ferever,” he agreed, taking her hands and kissing the palms.
“Then I know what we can do.”
*****
Numair surveyed the couple stood in front of him. They made an odd pair, of that he was certain. Or maybe it was less odd than one would think – Numair had trained the man. The mage knew what he was like.
After listening to their request – and it was a well though-out one; they must have spent a long time considering it – Numair himself considered. It was a good idea, if they were willing to sacrifice – or rather, if the man was willing to sacrifice. At the look on his pink-cheeked, weathered face, Numair knew he was.
Only... What if he doesn’t have the ability?
He put the question to them, and was answered with a quick nod.
“I cannae do it, it’s true. But that’s what I were hopin’ ye’d help wi’.”
“Ah.” Now Numair understood. But can I really end human life so callously? Looking at the expressions on the faces of the two lovers, he knew it was not an ending, but the beginning of an eternity. The mage took a deep breath and nodded. “I will do it.”
*****
He could feel Numair’s presence in the core of his mind, filing through his magic and enforcing it with sparkling black fire. And then Numair uttered a phrase in a guttural language, and he could feel that black fire coursing through his veins. For a moment there was only pain – he had never felt anything more painful, in fact. But then it was over as quickly as it begun.
He looked down at his body.
*****
Finally he could give himself freely to her, receiving on equal terms for the first time. It was like his eyes were opened anew to her astounding beauty. Those long, muscular legs, her flowing black mane of hair, the astounding eyes for which she was named – he could appreciate everything about her more than he ever had when he was human. They fit together like corresponding pieces.
Stefan could have gazed into her eyes forever.
And Iriseyes felt like she belonged in his arms.
Maybe once we'd have seen it during Smackdown!