Tiger

Gift in the Ashes [Tiger/LalaKitty]

Emera reached up, shyly wrapping her hand around his ring. It wasn't an official engagement, but it did make her feel a lot better. "But you've slept with woman before." She'd heard the one he'd had in his room when they first met. She had good lungs. "What if they had given you a son? Is it not the same? Bastards don't count, do they." She knew how that went. As a bastard, she couldn't inherit anything from her parents. When they died, their things would go to legitimate children, if they had any. If not, it would return to the government. Whatever she could make for herself, she could have. But that was it. Bastards were not friends of the elven society.

"I could give you a daughter. Would a daughter be worth anything to you?" She inquired curiously. She didn't think a daughter could rise to succession, but she actually was not completely sure about that. She doubted, though, that if she had a daughter, her beloved would be exceptionally excited. She knew they valued sons more, and she was sure for his first child, he would want a son.

"And what about bastard children? If we were to have a child out of wedlock, would that little one challenge your brother's children for the throne? Would a bastard girl stand as much of a chance as a son born within wedlock?" She shook her head, not understanding at all. "I would never want to be a queen. I don't think I'd ever want to be a princess, ether. So many rules, and details. I don't know how Sylvia has handled it."

Sinking back into River's chest, the young elf sighed. "River, why won't you try for peace? Don't you want your children to be safe?" She looked up at him, starting to blush. "They might be my children, too. I don't want to have children that are just going to be sent off to die in a war." She hated the thought of losing her children. "For that matter, I don't want them participating in your stupid rite of passage, ether. I've read about that one. Children DIE during it!" Tender hearted little Emera couldn't stand the thought of loosing a child.

She stood up and crossed over to her wardrobe. Selecting a dress of sea green, she laid it upon the bed. "Shoo, River. I have to change. It's not proper for you to be in here while I dress. We can go for a walk and start preparing for our trip once I have dressed."

Gift in the Ashes [Tiger/LalaKitty]

Emera shivered at his touch. She let his hand stay where it was, though. She hated to admit it, but she almost liked the way it felt against her skin. She sunk into his chest, defeated. He never fought, but he always won. "Not that law." She muttered sullenly. "I've been studying the ones that apply to me. Not your stupid marriage laws." She still felt sulky, and she refused to be easy. "It's not like we're going to get married."

The young elf sunk into her beloved's chest and closed her eyes. She didn't want him to ever let go of her. "Stop touching me." She demanded, even as her own hands wrapped around his waist and drew him tighter to her. "And don't you dare think about kissing me." She wanted him more and more every day. Which is why she had to let him go now. "You do too have to marry a princess. Stop telling your silly lies."

Nestled against him, Emera felt so safe. "We are too going to go do something important. You can just tell Aranhil to make you a stupid ambassador. We're going, and we are making the vampires your friends." She insisted firmly. "You call me stubborn, but you haven't seen half of it. Now shut up." She kissed him gently to lessen the sting of her words. "Sorry, shut up, handsome."

Pulling out of his arms, Emera got to her feet. "Help me find a dress, River! We should go make our travel arrangements. Oh, damn it!" She caught sight of herself in a mirror. "I look like a mess! My hair'll have to be redone, and this dress...." She sighed. "I liked this one..." reluctant to throw it out, she decided she'd do what she could to repair it. She was handy with a needle and thread. "You'll have to step out while I dress, though. And cover your eyes, you shouldn't see so much of my leg."

Gift in the Ashes [Tiger/LalaKitty]

"You're a prince!" Emera protested from under him. She squirmed against him, trying not to read too deeply into what he'd just done. She struggled, panting with the effort of it. he was too damn strong for her, though. And she was in a dress. A dress that was trapped by his knees. She tried to bring one of her legs up, to help fight free. The resulting rip left her frozen, though. She could feel cool air on her outer thigh, and it wasn't something she was use to. "Ri-river?" She squeaked. "My dress."

She squirmed again, trying to cover her leg. The dress just ripped a little more. Unable to fight back physically, she returned to words. "Get off me, you oaf! My dress is ripped, and this isn't decent! Of course I don't expect you to stay with me. You're a prince, did you forget that?" She could feel her tears starting to build up, and she desperately wanted to hold them back. "And I'm a bastard. Maybe it would have worked out if my parents had been wed. And if my dad hadn't tried to kill Sylvia. And if I had a higher social standing. But they weren't, he did, and I don't."

She planted her hands on his chest to push him back. She couldn't bring herself to do it, though. Her hands dropped down, and she looked away. "You're going to leave me, River. Eventually it'll get to be too much for you. I know I'm always leaving those stupid handkerchiefs for you, but it's just a joke! It's not like we can get married. You deserve a proper princess. Not me."

Gift in the Ashes [Tiger/LalaKitty]

Emera kissed him gently. She couldn't help it, he was right there, and it was just too easy. She reached up and wrapped her arms tightly around his neck. "I think you still haven't gotten me in bed, and your male pride won't let you leave me until you do." She purred back. Sometimes, she was certain she had him all figured out. Usually, though, she was hoping that he would prove her wrong. He didn't just want to sleep with her, did he?

"I think," She whispered as her lips moved across his jaw. "You find me to be different than anyone you've met before." She almost couldn't believe herself. Her hands moved on their own accord, touching his shirt gently, and searching for the easiest way to get it off of him. "I think people see me as a conquest, and you would not want them to say you turned from one." She nipped at his neck gently, trying to keep her own desires in check. She hadn't realized how badly she wished to see him shirtless.

Pulling away from her young prince, she looked up to meet his eyes. She could hardly catch her own breath. "I think I'm not so sure I care any more. But I do know something." Very gently, she kissed him one more time, then stepped away.

"I know I am going to see the vampires." She smiled at him and took one more kiss. "Your people don't have an alliance with them. I've been studying the politics of your court, you know." She looked very pleased with herself. "Your country is at war with almost the whole rest of the world. Sylvia is sure to find that out. And she will not want to bring children into a world with so many dangers. We are going to go make peace with every single land that you hate. So, pack a bag, River. If you want to stay with me, you've got to come with me."

Gift in the Ashes [Tiger/LalaKitty]

I have no plans for the princess/other vampires, so if you have any ideas that my new info sparked, you're welcome to add it in.

Gift in the Ashes [Tiger/LalaKitty]

Emera flushed deeply, trying to squirm out of his hold. "Stop that. You're just a guy. Guys never know what's good for them. Woman know that, not you men!" She protested as she tried to free herself from his grasp. Why did he have to be so strong? She loved that on any other day, but right now, she wouldn't mind breaking free. "Don't you dare try to kiss me. You know I forget how to argue with you when you do that! Don't distract me. I have to break up with you before I forget that it's better for you!"

She had a feeling that her protests were worthless. Why would he let her go, if he was able to keep her for himself. She groaned softly and gave up, sinking into his warm chest. "I hate you." She mumbled, though they both knew she didn't mean it. "I don't understand you, River. You could have a princess. If you wooed ether of Sylvia's sisters, you know they would take you. Or the vampires. Their strength is almost as legendary as that of the dragons. Their princess would be a worthy bride for you. I heard that a new one recently claimed a place among the royal family. She's only suppose to be a hundred and three years old. And I had heard that she is very beautiful. They said she's likely not even of human origin. That she had arrived from another country with one of the lords of the court. Neither of them would say where he found her, or when she was changed."

The elven lands had bordered upon the vampire's territory for years. For a long time, garlic and steaks had been very popular items to buy, grow, or make. However, eventually, they had worked out a deal. The vampires could have free passage through to the human lands, if they left the elves alone. "You would like her, River." She murmured as she closed her eyes. She smiled a bit and squeezed him a bit tighter. She loved being in his arms. "You smell good."

Looking up at him, Emera started to smile. "Would you like to travel with me to go see their country?"

Gift in the Ashes [Tiger/LalaKitty]

Emera wrinkled up her nose. "I'd rather go pray to your gods." She answered with a deep frown. She did not like the idea of bringing him to see her gods. Not if they did not have to. "I think your gods are more likely to answer, in any case." She almost wished that he had not let her go. That was not something she could say to him, however. Instead, she turned away from him. She stepped over to where she had dropped her needlework, and gently took it into her hands. "River? Do you truly think it is necessary to sleep with your spouse to have a happy marriage?" Her voice was soft, unsure of what he thought.

She sat down, trying to think of reasons why Sylvia would not be abed with Aranhil already. Suddenly her eyes went wide. "River! Tell me, quickly. Did you and your brother ever make a child pact?" She asked in a rush. "When Sylvia and I were children, we swore before her gods that we would not get with child until we both could. She did it so that I would not be scared of having a bastard of my own. If you and your brother made something of the like, perhaps he is reluctant because you are unable to-" She blushed deeply. "I mean, not willing...or perhaps...."

Emera had no doubts that, should she offer, River would not take her to bed. She knew quite well that he would get her with child in an instant, should she let him. She also knew that Aranhil was aware of her reluctance to let his brother do as he pleased to her. "I wouldn't wish to be the reason Sylvia could not be granted a child." She whispered softly, her cheeks bright red. "Maybe I'm not right for you, River.....I know you're free, and wild. But I'd have you in a cage, just to be happy myself. Perhaps you would feel better with another woman."

Gift in the Ashes [Tiger/LalaKitty]

Emera was silent a very long time. Finally, she looked up at River. "I could lie." She offered softly. Lying was not something she did easily, nor well. But for Sylvia, even she could fabricate a tale worth retelling. "I'll go to the gods." She looked up at him, fear in her eyes. "She will believe me if it comes from the gods. I will tell her they showed me a Life Split." The elves held their temple in great regard. The trip there was difficult, though not long. Before the gods you could pray, offer gifts, and sometimes, they granted you with one of their own. Elves would sometimes return, claiming to have been shown a choice. They took their sight to the one it involved, and gave their council. This choice was called a Life Split. It was at these points that their lives did split, to two separate paths. Neither choice was good, nor bad, not as they could be seen. Each held merit. It was to them to decide which was the path that was true. Each, usually, resulted in the same. The difference was how you got there.

"I will tell her that they showed me that if her stomach has swelled with child before the first snow, it shall be her children that shepard in a peace greater than the realm has known in lifetimes. If she is not with child by the time snow touches ground, it shall be your youth that bring about the peace." Emera looked up at River, insecure about her choice. "I do not hold water with the gods, but Sylvia does not know. If I tell her they mean for her to be with child, she will lay with Aranhil."

The young elf set aside her needlework. Gently, she smoothed out her skirts, and took to her feet. "I shall make plans to travel at once. It won't take me more than a day, perhaps two. But I should still inform our hosts that I mean to travel." She turned to River, her eyes tracing his face. She studied his every line and curve, every sign of smile and frown. They were so different. She was sure he'd like her plan. After all, everything she feared, he loved. She was positive he would love this idea.

"It's not truly a lie." The young elf offered nervously. "Her children will bring about peace. We....we're just helping that peace come sooner."

Gift in the Ashes [Tiger/LalaKitty]

Emera felt her cheeks take on a very pink color. "Th-thank you, River." She knew he was trying to help her by buying the child's silence. Sometimes, the stoic prince would do something that was quite surprisingly touching. It always shocked her to see that something so tender hid under all the armor. She supposed, though, that it made sense. All across her world, this was true. Castles guarded princesses, who hid away inside. Animals guarded their stomachs, the softest part of their bodies. Armor guarded River, along with his foul disposition and scowl. But it turned out, those defenses just sheltered a tender heart.

With him seated upright, now, Emera took her turn to lean against him. She melted against his side with her head gently on his shoulder. "You are good to me, River. I appreciate it." She, teasingly, had left a kerchief on his pillow ever afternoon for him to find when he went to bed. She thought the tradition was foolish, silly, and completely and utterly romantic. It seemed almost too sweet to be a dragon's tradition. The one for tonight was safely hidden inside her skirt. She'd made a delicate border of thorns, with his initials in the corner, two swords crossed behind the letter. She thought he would enjoy it. She'd been trying to make as many masculine designs as she could.

"I wonder why your brother wrote you, River." she said softly. "It seems odd that he might send a letter at the same time as Sylvia. Do you think that they are alright?" She inquired curiously. She broke the seal to her letter gently, and carefully unfolded her paper. Bowing her head, she turned her eyes to the words. If it was something that River should not read, she was sure Sylvia would have written in elven, and she would know to turn away.

Gift in the Ashes [Tiger/LalaKitty]

Emera blushed gently. "No, River." She answered quietly. She rarely called him by anything but his name. Though she had consented to let him woo her, she still was a little embarrassed by it. However, being home in dangerous territory, she felt safest with him by her side. "It's for Sylvia's eldest sister. She got engaged while we were away, and I wished to make her something." She explained softly. She gave River a little smile. "I will make you something after, however, if you desire."

She reached down to touch his cheek gently. It was only in their rooms that she let him rest on her in this way. If she had dared to let others see, she knew she would hear no end of it. They already suspected her because of her mother. "What would you like?" She asked, her voice gentle as always. Lately, she had not liked the way the girls had been looking at him. Word had gotten around quickly that he was a prince. Any woman would be honored to be his wife. "You know, dear heart, you've been very well behaved since we left. Should I worry as to why this is so?"