Amo, Amavi, Amabo Semper! (part 1)

Beranhond let Paz lead them to their tent. Their passage caused many a snigger when they saw Beranhond stand a head taller than an orc. Naturally, most of the jokes were more on Beranhond than Paz.
"You must be from the Tantras region Beranhond."
"Impressive, how can you tell?"
"Ah, because when you should be using a bilabial plosives you instead use a labio-dental fricative. At least, when it arises in the initial syllable. I believe the only region where this is common is Tantras."
Beranhond was quite taken aback and reevaluated the orc.
"I see someone has taken steps to educate you in linguistics! Very impressive." Beranhond said restraining the urge to slap him on the back in camaraderie. "I was born and raised in the region and eventually spent much of my youth training with the paladins of Torm."
"Ah, a noble venture indeed. We are certainly lucky to have such well traveled visitors amongst us this eve."
They continued to talk and found that their companions had also found their way to the tent and had made themselves at home.
"I must bid you adieu for now, prepare as you are able and Beranhond do find me later as there is much I have to say that might interest you."
. When Paz left Beranhond noticed that Darvin looked ready to make his way over and give him a piece of his mind. Beranhond realized that the conversation with Paz had been interesting enough to distract him from the glares that Darvin had been sending his way and that he might have to make some ammends later. However, before Darvin could corner him Aelysin stepped out of the tent and put a hand on his shoulder.
"Beranhond, could I talk with you for a moment."
Absentmindedly Beranhond nodded glad of the distraction. She led him into the tent where he noticed that she had set up his sleeping roll for him.
"You didn't have to do that."
"It is my pleasure. Please sit." She said directing him towards his pallet. After setting his sword to the side his at on down.
"That wasn't really fair to Darvin." She said sitting cross legged on another pallet.
If Beranhond were more observant he would have noticed that she had very carefully set her own sleeping arrangements near his. In fact, if he had been more observant in the evening he would have noticed that she had been doing this for several weeks.
"No, but I knew he could handle it - he is quite scrappy. Besides, I knew these orcs would respond to direct action rather than subetly." He leaned back onto his elbows and looked at her. She had taken a corner of her red hair into her mouth and was absent mindedly chewing on the end.
"Yes, but at least you could have warned him."
"True. I will make up for it latter and I will assist him how I can during the fight. Besides, it will be a great opportunity for him to show off for Nym and it isn't as if he minds doing that."
"No, people can do funny things for people those they care for."
"Yes." Beranhond said unable to resist thinking back to the field where he and Ceilith had lunch such long ages ago. It was such an idylic moment in his life, but at the same time it was an action that ran completely counter to the very vows they had taken as initiaties.
"Feelings are such an odd thing. Did I ever tell you about Ceilith?"
Her eyes narrowed slightly. "I think you mentioned her once or twice."
"She and I ignored our training and our vows for one another. Of course, it didn't work out because we had different feelings about Torm. The last time I saw her there was nothing there other than an old friendship... yet what could have been."
"What would you have wanted with her?"
"I used to imagine us just living."
"Living? That is what you do naturally!"
"No, I mean, being able to enjoy the true simplicity of life rather than being caught up in the world wind of conflict, of the duties demanded by Gods and Kings. To enjoy the pleasure of just being."
"You wouldn't be content with that Eth..." She said trailing off. "You have too much of a hero in you."
"Perhaps, and clearly that never would have worked with Ceilith either."
"Don't forget that you are still living - even when you are galavanting off across the world seeking aid to destroy a dark God. Don't forget that you can enjoy these moments and that there are those who would share it with you."
Beranhond looked up at this and saw the nervousness in her eyes. He bit his lip as he finally caught on to what she had been hinting at for weeks.
"Aelysin... I think..." He started to say.

Day 2 in Wonderland

Pipper woke Nym before sunrise because he needed to tinkle but couldn't get out of the tree by himself. "Momma.... MOmma?" he whispered, nosing her with his cold, wet snout, "I need to potty!" The cold nose on her face woke Nym rather quickly. She chuckled and said, "Alright! I'm up..." She collected the apothecary's sack, straightened her clothes and hair, left a note for Illuvaen saying she'd returned to the village and thanking him for his hospitality, and climbed down from the tree-house with Pipper in the sack. A fine mist hung in the pre-dawn air. The forest birds had not yet awoke and the plants were covered in dew. Nym set Pipper down and began walking into the forest.

Away from the elven village the forest was still dark. Nym cupped her hands and a soft blue light grew between them. After a moment, she let it go and it floated gracefully around her. After about a minute, she'd released six of these light, which Pipper found excellent for chasing. After this, they continued into the dark forest.

Aside from seeing a few strange animals in the trees, they saw few animals this early in the day. In the distance, they heard the last calls of nocturnal forest beasts before they settled in for the night. Blue firefly-like bugs floated daintily throughout the forest making the silent forest both beautiful and eerie. As Nym and Pipper walked (well, Pipper really was running circles around Nym, refreshed and excited for the morning), the forest birds began singing and the rising sun peaked through the branches.

After about a half hour of traveling, they came out of the forest and were standing in a large field of tall blue grass swaying in the light breeze. The last wisps of the mist clung still to the grass. Nym and Pipper walked about 20 meters into the field before finding a cleared area to start a fire. Once the fire was started, Nym collected the apothecary's sack and Pipper, said "cabbage and brussel sprouts!" and jumped over the fire.

Nym found herself in the village square near the fire once more. No one was out in the streets yet, likely because it was still ridiculously early in the morning. Nym set Pipper down and headed to the apothecary, which hadn't opened yet. The door, though, was unlocked, so Nym let herself in and left the sack filled with the requested herbs and plants with a note thanking Miss Common Scents for her help. Nym carefully took her own herbs out of the sack and then headed back to the floating inn.

When Nym reached the top of the rope ladder, she set Pipper down and walked into the lobby. Rather than seeing the smiling Miss Stake, a sleeping and rather angry looking half-orc slumped behind the desk. Not really wanting to interact with this unpleasant looking fellow, Nym and Pipper quietly walked past the desk upstairs to room 12.

Nym quietly opened the door, which to her surprised was unlocked, and walked in. Talathel, Guybrush, and Druuv were nowhere to be seen, but Darvin was sleeping soundly where Nym had left him the day before on bed rest. She felt a pang of guilt for leaving him with three caretakers who had disappeared somewhere but then couldn't help but smile watching Darvin sleep. Pipper wandered around the room sniffing despite having done the same ritual the day before. Nym silently walked up to Darvin and began unwrapping his woulds and examining how well the had healed. He stirred a bit and then slowly awoke and blinked groggily at Nym. "Where have you been?" he asked, sounding hurt. "At a big party in the woods," she said, smiling mischievously at him. He raised an eyebrow in disbelief, but didn't question her further. Darvin watched as Nym washed and examined his wounds. "Everything's healing nicely. I expect I'll be able to take your your stitches in a couple days," Nym said, smiling at Darvin, "You're officially free from bedrest." Darvin smiled halfheartedly, sulking about how Nym had left him in the hands of others. He sat up and put on his shirt. "I guess we should go find Talathel," he said, looking around and noting the other bed was not even disturbed from use. Nym nodded in agreement and watched Darvin stretch from having spent a day in bed. "I'm sorry I had to leave you here alone," she offered, feeling genuinely guilty about leaving Darvin when he was injured. He smiled at her, taking heart in the apology and walked up to her. "Shall we?" he said, holding his hand out toward the door, meaning to hunt for Talathel. Nym stood still, studying Darvin's face. Her eyes wandered over his face and lingered on his eyes that were both gentle and mischievous. He had gone all the way to Silverymoon just to make sure she was safe. He had jumped in front of a giant worm to protect her. Her heart fluttered; something had awakened in her that she hadn't allowed to be before. Yes, she did love him too. Nym was shaken from her revelry by Darvin's nervous chuckle. "What's so interesting, fair maiden?" he said half mockingly half in earnest. She wrapped her arms around Darvin and kissed him.