Remember Me

[Relairah]

Long ago... how long? Had it truely been so long ago? Many years indeed had passed since last she had been here. Even so, she remembered it as if it were yesterday. She had been in her wolf form, and quite on Endymion's bad list. At least, she felt that way with the way he spoke to her. But she had been so ill and he had brought her here as a haven for her to remain till he could return with a cure. At least, he had been in search of one. She moved amongst the great trees, breathing in deeply.

She was tall and slender, graceful in her movements. Her skin was fair, with long, blue-black tresses falling down her back. Adorning her body was a pale gown, fitting to her curves and soft in material. It was lined in blue. She stopped, staring into a clearing and watching as a memory flashed before her eyes. Oh Endymion!

How she longed for him. She wished to be reunited with him and spend some time as they used to. Her soul ached with her yearning for his touch, to look in his eyes and to feel the passion they once shared. No one in this world could ever come close to the might and glory of her beloved. He alone deserved everything the world had to offer and more. At least, that's how he had once been. There was something different about him. But nevertheless she loved him. No matter what, Moriâ was hopelessly in love and devoted to him.

She moved forward once more, a breeze toying its way through her hair and causing the leaves high above to rustle and dance. The grass felt good on her bare feet and she stopped where she had once lain and looked up to the sky, just visible above the towering Sequoias. "Endymion," she whispered, just to feel the name on her lips. She dared to hope...

Would he come to her?

[Aveilthé]

"You utter his name... in hopes he'll find you here?"

A deadpan male's voice acknowledged the single spoken word.

"A fool's hope. But you're no fool."

The figure who said these things dropped his shadow across Moria's path, but he was partially blocked by a large oak tree, so that immediately seeing him was quite impossible at Moria's angle.

All around them were a blast of of rainbow colors, so happy and serene. It was like being hit in the eyeballs with a tranquilizer dart, both painful and intoxicating. In truth, it was the perfect moment for a romantic reunion. There wouldn't be a better, or more beautiful place on earth (and yet at the same time, they weren't on earth). Yet somehow, it all felt very depressing. He would rather die in front of thousands one more time than confront her... but it had to be done. Yet for now he could waste time beating around the bush... prolong that single moment when things would get super awkward, and the situation get out of control.

[Relairah]

A small gasp escaped her as someone responded. Perhaps she had not been entirely ready... or maybe there had been a bit of doubt within her heart. Nevertheless, she recognized the voice, though her eyes did not yet see him. She didn't move for a moment, wondering if she had only imagined his voice. But then, he spoke once more. No... she wasn't a fool. She dipped her head slightly and smiled, though wasn't sure exactly what to say at that moment.

But words seemed to come to her lips.

"I've missed you. I'm glad you came."

She raised her eyes toward the sky once more, somewhat surprised as tears suddenly began forming and then falling down her cheeks. She started to move toward catching them, but instead let her hand fall to her side once more. She wasn't sure if she was crying for happiness, or not. The air felt so heavy despite all the life around them.

Was fate so cruel? Was she always doomed to loneliness? To life without him?

She turned, her bi-colored eyes now searching for him. "Endymion... must you still hide? Can you not at least show yourself to me?"

[Aveilthé]

"What makes you think I am he?" These were muttered in belligerent tones, which ended in a short, brusque sigh. There was a slight flurry of movement as feet shifted on the grass. The shadow crept away with him, but it was so fleeting that it almost seemed like the man behind the tree just left. When words were uttered then, it was proof that he remained. "You are not ready."

[Relairah]

She was silent when he asked why she believed it to be him, her ears listening to his movements, her eyes still trying to figure out where he was. Finally, she closed them, realizing she would get nowhere until he decided to step away from the shadows. He spoke again, and the words he spoke made her all the more certain of his identity. She sighed in turn.

Moria then wrapped her arms about herself and moved to sit in the grass. How much longer would he make her wait? Just being this close without being able to see him was agony in her heart. As though he dangled fresh meat before her nose and wouldn't allow her to taste it. Did he neither know nor understand the longing she felt for him still?

Were her feelings even now the reason he said, "You are not ready"?

"Perhaps I am not. But isn't that for me to decide?" She paused, opening her eyes once more though only to stare into the darkness of the trees around her. "If that is truly how you feel... why then have you come?"

[Aveilthé]

Taking gentle steps, he emerged from behind the tree, careful not to make any sudden movements. In urgency, he said, "Do not move."

He knelt slowly to the ground, arms hanging hesitantly at his sides. Then he calmly drew his arms up, letting them wrap around Moria's middle. With gentle ease, he pulled her to him. Moria might feel a distinctive warm breath next to her smooth face as he spoke softly in her ear.

"Never have I said I felt that way."

[Relairah]

The air was so still, and yet so heavy. She felt she could not bear the weight. Her ears listened to every sound they could gather, and he told her not to move. She obeyed, afraid he might disappear if she did not.

And then he held her. A wave of emotion flooded her body, warmth tingling all the way down to her toes and she felt his breath against her cheek. She didn't move, except to let herself be pulled against his breast. She wanted to lift her hand to hold his, or to brush a finger along his cheek. But she did not. In a way, it was as though there had been some tension at long last released. And yet, not quite. For though he held her, there was still something between them. Not physical. Oh how she wished they could remain.

"How then, do you feel, Endymion?" Her voice was a mere whisper, and she managed to keep the quiver out of it.

[Aveilthé]

Silence reigned after the woman spoke, and he let it be. He closed those crimson eyes of his, his pale hair spilling over his face as he dropped his head on her shoulder. With barely a whisper, those lips uttered words that he found difficult to say.

"You want to know how I feel? Face me."

And if she did so, Endymion would suddenly grasp both sides of her face with strong hands, and gave one long, sharp look into her eyes.

"Only you can see pass all the deadness inside of my eyes. So you tell me. How do you think I feel?"

Through a blaze of fire-red orbs churned a chaotic world full of hate, love, pity, and remorse all fighting to reveal themselves.

[Relairah]

She was aware of his every breath, his every movement. Her ears were strained toward him, though his lips weren't far from them. He asked her a rehtorical question. Of course she wanted to know. Perhaps as reassurance. They hadn't been this close since before his public execution. And the last time, he had thrust her from him like some stranger.

She did as he said, turning to face him, unable to look away when he grasped her and stared into her eyes so intently. Oh yes, she saw them. All the emotions which raged. Which would be almost unbelievable to anyone else, since Endymion always portrayed himself as emotionless.

Her heart trembled as she gazed into those red eyes, and she couldn't help the tears which once again surfaced in her eyes and dripped down her cheeks, coming also in contact with his strong hands. "Oh! Endymion!" she gasped. Moria was overcome with desire to erase all of his emotional turmoil and give him peace and assurance. But she wondered if that was even within her power now. It was different than it might have been before.

If he allowed, she would place a hand on his cheek, gently rubbing her thumb against his pale skin. Up until this point, she hadn't dared do anything except what he demanded. But looking into his eyes once again, all of her passion for him welled up within her. She would then attempt to embrace him, pulling him close to her and holding him tightly. "Forgive me," she whispered. She could give him neither answers nor complete freedom. At best she could only be there for him... if he allowed it. That she would always be.

[Aveilthé]

She embraced him, and at any other time it might have been welcome. But right now, Endymion held her awkwardly, then took her shoulders and tried to gently pull her away.

"We can no longer be what we once were. Do you understand?"

[Relairah]

He pushed her away. The action was gentle, as though he did not wish to hurt her. But if that were in his intentions at all, it certainly was not accomplished. She stared at him blankly a moment, as if trying to contemplate the words he had just spoken. No, no, no! She knew it, deep within her. She had perhaps all along. But she didn't want to believe or accept it. She wanted to cling on to the small possibility that they could still be together.

She could see everything plainly before her. And finally she hung her head, her arms falling limply to her sides. She supposed it would be foolish to ask for even a reminder of the feel of his lips or the warmth of his skin on her own. So, perhaps she should have simply accepted their last close encounter and moved on. This was even more painful than before. Her heart was being wrenched in twain and she looked up weakly into his eyes, once again seeing the emotions there. She wasn't alone in her pain. But she couldn't... no she wouldn't suppress hers either.

Oh gods in heaven! Why was fate so cruel?

"Perhaps not now," she murmured finally, "but somehow I'll find a way. Someday, nothing will stand between us or tear us apart." She said those words matter-of-factly and with fervence. She meant them with all of her being. "Because... I love you."