Aksel left the barmaid in the main hall and made his way to the lodging that Reidun had gave him. He entered and shut the door quietly so as not to wake her. Stopping partway across the room he stared at the other bedroom door quizzically. Obviously there was at least two people in there. He hesitated then he knocked lightly on the door. [color=gray]"Reidun? Are you well?"[/color]

Conall had felt his heart stop upon hearing the voice of the man.  For one he had no idea that there would be another man in the house.  What made it worse was Conall had no idea who this voice belonged to.  It had sounded familiar in some way but he couldnt put his finger on it.  She could have at least told me there was someone else gonna be here he swore to himself.  He had looked to her trying to find any sense of worry or panic. 
 
Reidun's smile turned a little pinker as she blushed.  [color=f49ac2]"I'm well Aksel. Go to bed. I'll see you in the morn."[/color] She spoke out loudly. Then she returned her lips to Conalls and murmured into his ear. [color=f49ac2]"Don't worry, it's just the Earl."[/color]

Conall let the words sink in.  [i]'just the Earl'[/i].  Conall thought it best to remain as quiet as possible not really wanting to get on the bad side of the Earl.  Not that he was afraid of him, oh no I can surely take him Conall told himself trying to make the whole ordeal less stressful.  [color=00a651]"Why is it always the pretty ones that wind up being the most trouble?"[/color] he said in low voice with a playful smile.

Reidun gasped in shock and then grinned a little. [color=f49ac2]"You think I'm pretty and that I will be trouble for you?"[/color] Her grin was unmistakable in the light. Her eyes were kind and in that light the green shone through the brown and she raised her chin slightly. [color=f49ac2]"You have no idea what kind of trouble I could be if I set my mind to it."[/color] She responded cheekily.

Aksel quickly moved away from the door and chuckled to himself. He knew he shouldn't be listening but he couldn't help himself. Reidun had a man in her room and he hadn't expected that at all. She was not usually so ...approachable. His grin held til he fell fast asleep.


[color=00a651]"Well in that case I guess I will just have to keep you happy then wont I?" [/color]Conall said with a slight grin but his face showed he meant it.  Then getting a sly grin on his face [color=00a651]"I do warn you though you've got no idea what madness comes with being near me."[/color] he said somewhat jokingly but something in his eyes was serious.  Almost as if they warning her, telling her to run and never turn back.

For a half a second Reidun was uncertain of what he meant. [color=f49ac2]"Well as I have no intention of becoming your enemy I doubt it would be something to worry myself about. I am a shield maiden and quite capable of protecting myself ...even against you if I needed to."[/color]  Looking into the depths of his eyes she moved slightly underneath him and saw the urgency building in his eyes and grinned. [color=f49ac2]"Do I have something to fear from you?"[/color]


Conall didnt quite know how to anwser her last question.  He had what felt like a battle going on inside him over what to say.  On one side he seemed drawn to her and didnt want to scare her away from his side but that emotion wanted him to warn her.  [color=00a651]"No of course not."[/color] he hadnt even realized what had come out of his mouth before he had finished.  Trying desperately to find a way to take the focus off of him for a second, he looked for anything to get him out of this situation.  [color=00a651]"Well if you think you can take me on i'm sorry to break the bad news but i've never lost."[/color]  It wasnt a complete lie he told himself sure there was that one time but that really didnt count.  

Reidun could feel the tension in him as he seemed almost panicked. [color=f49ac2]"I've no intention of fighting you. Besides, I would win. I'd dazzle you with my assets and you'd fall at my feet in love."[/color] She was kissing his neck as she said these words and could feel the tension lessening as he relaxed again. She felt his arms wrap tighter about her and his mouth was close enough that his breath was on her neck which made her feel secure.

Conall relaxed at her comment.  Well at least she went along with it he thought.  He smiled at her, there was something in her eyes that kept him drawn in.  Something about them reminded him of his own.  They seemed to have a hidden kindness in them.  He leaned in and planted a kiss on her head and tightened his hold of her almost as if he was scared of losing her.  

[@sly13]