[Righteous Hand Dojo] Just come out and say it already (Lenara)

[Veleraen]

Late Melora, Winter Era XV PF

Dire news had reached the hands of Veleraen. The demands had been charged and now the Knight's destiny was in his own hands now. He needed to travel to Aelyria Prime and talk with the Prince on the dilemma they faced with the Wolf of Jorel. Fidelis had demanded that Veleraen be turned over to him and the Giant had every intention of facing the Jorelite upon the field of battle and whether that cost him his life or not, it did not matter.

The hardest part of all of this, was telling Lenara after having read about the recent developments.

After their awkward falling out, things had not been the same compared to when they had first met. Veleraen had avoided talking and interacting with Lenara now and then when he could feel the floodgates opening after being around her for too long. Her presence was sweet and comforting yet tormenting at the same time. The difficulties they had in the past were nothing now that Veleraen had learned of this predicament. It meant he was going to have to sell the business and pack up to head out for Aelyria Prime. What it also meant was that he needed to tell Lenara the truth of his situation and what was going on and how she wasn't going to have a home anymore.

Later on in the darkening after Veleraen had his last darkening meal, he had gone back out to the dojo to meditate for about a candlemark, to think and try to calm his mind. A storm had developed inside of him since hearing the news and Lenara definitely would have noticed there was more going on ever since he received the letter from the sorcer with the red beret.

Opening up the rice paper door from the dojo to the living room, Veleraen came in, mind daunted with the task of telling her the truth. He could feel a solemn sadness overcome him as he slowly walked towards her and set the parchment down in front of Lenara. Slipping slowly down into the seat across from her at the table, Veleraen took a deep breath and could but only start his explanation with a simple sentece.

"Lenara....There is something I need to talk to you about."

[Lenara]

Life in Zinn'Sunn was definitely different for the former slave, it wasn't exactly easier for the young giantess but it wasn't any harder either. Lenara was slowly fitting into the role of a former slave that was starting a new life, though she still had her moments where she slipped back into the old slave mentality. She found it hard to look others in the eyes still and she was skiddish at times around other citizens of Zinn'Sunn, but her self-esteem was growing with Veleraen's help.

However, Veleraen was responsible some pain that Lenara had been put through, whether he was aware of the fact that he had hurt her deeply with his rejection or not, she couldn't be sure nor could she summon up the courage to bring up the subject again, not after the awkward time after the snowball war. Vel had been doing what he could to avoid Lenara as much as possible and while Lenara thought she understood why he was doing it, she couldn't squash the hope that there was something there between them.

All through the brightening, Lenara took notice that Vel seemed out of sorts, as though he had a great worry on his mind. Lenara kept her questions to herself, not wishing to bother him in case he needed to have time to himself. She had a little book that she had gotten from the library where she practiced her letters and words, she was slowly learning how to read, largely because of Veleraen's persistance. She remained in the bedroom a good bit of her time that brightening, waiting for Vel to head to the dojo before emerging from the bedroom to make herself a cup of tea. She wore a comfortable white shirt that was one of her nicer ones and a svelt black skirt, she was partial to blacks and whites.

Lenara sat with the book on her lap, concentrating hard on the words that swam before her eyes. It was frustrating that she had spent most of her life illiterate and she was working hard to correct that mistake. She took a few sips of her tea every so often and continued to sound out her letters and such. She only looked up when she heard the door open from the dojo, her heart starting to beat quicker as her eyes fell upon Veleraen. She wanted to get up and leave, let him to whatever he had to think about, but she couldn't bring herself to move from the chair she sat on. Her hand reaching up to play with the braid that rested over her shoulder.

She waited, surprised and worried by the look of sadness on his face. Had he finally decided to get rid of her? Was that what caused him such sadness? She slowly closed her book and looked down instead at the parchment he lay on the table. He knew she wouldn't be able to read it, though that didn't stop her from looking down at him. She couldn't help it, her body was tense and her heart was racing as he finally spoke, there was so much behind his words. She struggled to keep her face nuetral and her breathing soft as she nodded her head. "Um, ok." She was trying so hard to mentally prepare herself for what she believed was coming. I don't want you here anymore. You need to leave. You're not needed. So many possible remarks.

[Veleraen]

The apprehension in the air was almost unbearable as Veleraen sat down across from Lenara. His left hand was shaking ever so slightly and his chest constricted as if he were a dead man walking down the ramp to be hung at the gallows.

He could barely look Lenara in the eye as he had trouble starting, what could have been a rather long explanation of his situation. Although Lenara probably felt as though Veleraen was going to leave her or dismiss her from his life, it was surely the opposite. He wanted her by her side, closer than ever in such dark times...He was merely afraid that if she became too close, she would be slain emotionally if he were to fail at his objective, if he were to fall by the sword of the Wolf himself.

Taking a nervous gulp, Veleraen calmed himself, wondering why such a person like Lenara could make him sweat so easily. Her infectious smile and angelic demeanour made him feel like he was ruining her entire life, ripping it to shreds like a dog upon its favourite chew toy. It brought much sadness to tell her such a desperate truth, a truth he'd held from her for so long now it had grown into a swollen tumour, one that had to be expelled now that the time had come.

"Lenara...There are some things I have not told you about me and my life since we first met many months ago." His eyes dipped slightly to the parchment as he nervously spun the message slowly in a circle upon the table. "As a servant of Aslan, I have done many, many things in my life in his name; for the good of the people of this Kingdom..." He looked at her with nerves frayed beyond breaking point, but yet somehow they stayed their ground.

"In doing so, I have incurred many blessings and gifts from Aslan himself, many things that you may or may not understand...I have seen things...I have become his Herald, his messenger upon this world Lenara. I have become his righteous fist to help guide the weak and the lost to the Light that mingles in between the shadows of this world..." A deep breath was exhaled as the Giant continued. "In my efforts to quell the evil that has resided in this realm Lenara, I have incurred the wrath of a man who seeks to kill me. His name is Fidelis Meridius, a self proclaimed, 'Wolf of Jorel'. This man...is a warrior of Jorel, his...Champion, if you will." Veleraen turned the parchment around once more so it was right side up, facing the Knight.

"I received a missive from the Prince Milo L'Evienne describing a letter he received from this man, describing in not so many words that, I, be turned over to him, or that for every cycle the Prince delayed in meeting his demands, this wolf, this monster, will kill one thousand people." Veleraen's eyes calmly resided upon the parchment, his tone slowly tuning to that of a more serious note.

"I do not...Expect you, Lenara, to fully understand the implications of such a development. We only met a few months ago and..." He paused and looked at her with softer eyes. "...and while I have fully enjoyed your company here at my home, this threat issued by this Mister Meridius has given me no choice but to confront him. This means...I must go to Aelyria Prime and meet the Prince before issuing a challenge to meet him upon the field of battle." The words were tough to utter but they had to be said. Lenara might not have liked the idea of Veleraen rushing out to battle, as they had gotten used to a more peaceful life, but there were some things a Knight had to do.

"I want you to come with me Lenara, to Aelyria Prime." His face lit up a little as there was still much hope within the Knight of Aslan. "I want you to come with me and see the palace and its gardens. You can even meet the Prince himself." A small smile cracked upon his lips. "I will need to sell the business and home however. I feel if I go do this Lenara, change will be upon us and it will no longer be safe for us here. Business and profits come second to our own safety and you will be much safer at the Imperial Palace in Aelyria Prime. Much safer than here with just me to protect you..." He tilted his head ever so slightly, not ever wanting a hair upon her precious head to be harmed. If she ever were to get harmed or injured on his watch, the Knight surely would have gone mad or worse.

"But..." He looked up at her with grave concern. "Once I have talked to the Prince and we have enjoyed the Palace's hospitality...Once we have settled upon our plan of action. It will be my time to go confront this Wolf...and...." Veleraen's eyes started to soften as a small tear creased his cheek, even though he wanted to will it back into its watery prison it would not go back now, it was too late for that. "...and there is a good possibility that my brightenings are numbered once I step onto that battlefield and meet him, face to face, once and for all." The thought of dying for his own cause, his own god was something to be proud of. It was a life long dream come true, it was...an accomplishment and feat unto itself. What would come of his death however...was great pain and suffering for those closest to him and to see Lenara weep in sorrow would make his soul cry in agony for eternity.

Veleraen reached out and took hold of one of Lenara's hands and grasped it firmly. "I still want you to come with me Lenara...To have you by my side until the time comes would be an honour unto itself. I am...very blessed to have you in my life. I hope...I hope you can understand why I must do this...Aslan has called upon me to meet a challenge Lenara...A challenge that cannot go unanswered. I must face him and I must kill him before the rest of this Kingdom suffers at his hands..."

[Lenara]

Lenara took a few more breaths to calm herself, trying to maintain her usual gentle nature and cheerfulness, but it was hard when she was so certain that Veleraen had finally decided to have her leave. There was a heaviness in the air, caused by their worries of different natures. Lena lay the book down on the table, her eyes darting from the parchment with the letters that swam before her eyes to Veleraen's face that was so sad.

Veleraen couldn't even bring himself to look at Lenara as he stalled on just what he wanted to say. Lenara was tempted to just get up from the table and just leave, she didn't want to hear what he would say because no matter how he phrased it, it would kill a part of her. She had no idea just what Vel was facing, no idea what words lay on the parchment, what lay ahead for the pair of them. She continued to twirl a pieice of her hair around a finger as she waited, her eyes down for the most part.

Lena looked up when Veleraen finally began to speak, she was terrified on what he would say yet she had to hear him out. One thing she had to wonder was why he seemed so nervous and sad about. Why would he be sad about having her leave? She brought her eyes upwards to meet Veleraen's eyes, if only for a moment. She arched a brow, remembering so many of the stories Veleraen had told Lena since they had first met, some had her laughing whilst others were quite serious, showing how dangerous his life could be. Now he was admitting more to her that there was more to it then she had been told.

She followed his gaze to the parchment and for the hundreth time that brightening alone, she wished she was able to read. She nodded as he mentioned his god Aslan, she remembered how devoted Veleraen was to his god and she admired him for his devotion. She only hoped that one brightening she would find devotion as strong as that of her own. She couldn't help but feel her breath catch at the tone of his voice, something was wrong and this caused her fear to increase, no longer did she worry for herself but for Veleraen.

A Champion for Aslan, she didn't doubt that for even a second. From what Lenara had known of Veleraen, he was a Knight worthy of so much, blessed in his devotion and sense of duty. She found herself nodding as he explained just what he truly was to Telath, he was so much to so many people, did that mean she was being selfish in wanting his attentions? She felt a sense of dread fall upon her heart as he mentioned someone that wished to kill him. Being a knight for good, it was understandable that evil would wish to get rid of him, but why did it have to be Veleraen? She had never heard of Fidelis nor had she heard much about the god Jorel and while she was curious, the impending sense that she was going to lose Veleraen in another sense rather then rejection and abandoment came crashing down on her and took away her ability to speak for a moment.

This wolf would murder a thousand people a cycle if Veleraen wasn't turned over to him, but if Fidelis was such a monster, what was to stop him from continuing such a slaughter after he killed Veleraen? Had the situation that was presented before her not been so distressing, she might have been excited at the thought of being able to talk about Prince Milo, for she had heard of him of course.

She wanted to cry at that moment, but she didn't dare for she didn't want Veleraen to stop speaking. She wanted to hear all he had to say, even if it would cause her more distress. She waited for it and finally it came, he was leaving Zinn'Sunn, going to Aelyria Prime before heading off to fight Fidelis. Lenara looked away at that moment, shaking her head as though disagreeing with it all. It wasn't fair for Veleraen to have such a burden placed upon his shoulders. She felt tears in her eyes, but she held them back for the moment, it would be selfish to think of herself in such a situation. "No, there has to be something else that can be done." Her voice was but a whisper, her heart beating quickly and her mind racing. "Can't someone else face him?"

She was expecting to be left there in Zinn'Sunn, he had helped her develop the skills to live on her own mostly and if she had to, she was sure she could manage. However, he didn't dismiss her or reject her, quite the opposite really. She blinked in surprise as she brought her eyes back to look at him. He wanted her to go with him? There was a small sense of excitement at the thought of seeing the beautiful Capital City, it had been her dream to do so since before she even met him, but more to the fact, she would be with Vel. She felt a small smile touch her lips in response to his own smile, though her soft blue eyes watered with unshed tears. "Why worry about my safety?" Not much could hurt a giantess and she was hardly important to really worry about.

Seeing the tear fall from Veleraen's eyes nearly broke her heart, to see that vulnerability was strange to her. Vel had been like a rock, so very good at hiding his emotions from her. Despite the awkwardness between them, Lenara reached forward and gently brushed the tear from his cheek gently, she didn't want to see him sad, though she could feel the tears in her own eyes threatening to fall. Vel was possibly facing his death and he knew it yet he still faced it because he was potecting others, such a selfless man. Gods, how it would kill Lenara to lose Vel in such a way, she was coming to terms with how she really felt about the man and to lose him before anything developed was horrible to think about. She wanted him to be selfish for once, wanted him to live more then protect others, but he was too good a man for that.

She felt her heart jumpas he took her hand in his, holding it firmly. "Don't go, please don't face him Vel." Whether it was the contact or the words themselves, but the tears began to fall as she begged him. "I don't want to lose you to him Vel." Her words were like a soft confession, so much emotion behind them. She didn't agree to go with him, but she didn't refuse either. She didn't know what to do. "Please don't make me lose the only friend I've ever had."

[Veleraen]

Trying to downplay the present situation was as impossible as snatching the wind from Carmelya's breath or blocking out the suns that rose every brightening and set when their master's told them to. Words flowed from his mouth but they were jittery and they sounded muffled, quite unlike the silken tongue he thought he had that could roll off a hundred explanations without disturbing the most innocent of minds. It was a saddening affair that it had come to this. The world was in turmoil and he sat there, telling the Giantess that he felt so deeply for that he had to go and die to prove a point.

However, it was not just any point.

Aslan had bestowed upon him gifts and burdens, both coming hand in hand. Torek had shown him the light, given him the honour, strength and wisdom to guide him down his troubled path. Veleraen could not turn his back on his God on the chance that he would die in His name. No, such cowardess was the ultimate shame. To expose his soul to such a disaster would create a depression deeper than the abyss itself and Veleraen would not have been able to live with himself knowing that he had turned down the only God that had lifted him above grace itself.

Lenara had asked him, "Can't someone else face him?" Veleraen could hear the subtle desperation lining her voice, secretly and selfishly wanting him to live. Why did she have to suffer because Aslan willed it so? It was fate's choice now and the Knight could not defy that which had been written for the eras to come. The dice would fall where they would and all he could do was hope that the roll was in his favour or did not change his fate for the worse.

"I am afraid there is not Lenara.." Veleraen replied solemnly. People would die if he did not answer the threat immediately and having that responsibility on his shoulders made the weight of his burden even heavier but it was something he could bear. He was a Knight and it was that with this burden he protected the people and shielded them from what sought to hurt them most. Even if it meant that he could not have a relationship that could be the love of his life, to protect her, then it had to be that way. There was no other way around it.

"I am the one who must stand for the others who cannot. He has called upon me and me alone. I am not one to refute the will of the Gods. This meeting has been destined to happen. It was only a matter of time Lenara." It was only a matter of time before tears were shed as he could see the pain in her eyes. Her sadness made the hard, stone-walled, impenetrable veil that encompassed him soften to butter, her tears breaking through and crushing the remaining doubts within his heart and purifying the insecurities which lingered inside him. It showed him she did truly care in return and it made him smile in the brief glimmer of joy within their dim conversation.

Veleraen tried so desperately to be that rock, to be that persona to which he had shown Lenara all this time but the small tear that escaped could not be helped. His decision made his heart weep for the potential consequences of such sacrifice. Why did he care for her safety? "Because..." Veleraen's hand shoke a little more, slowly stabilizing it against the table. He wanted...he wanted to say it. "Just say it you oaf...Just say it!"

"Because I care for you Lenara..." His words puttered off into oblivion, his mind and body holding back the rest to which there was an entire confession but it could not be heard by her ears that brightening. It was best saved for a rainy brightening when he was lying on his bed, watching the steady rain hit the window; when all the cares in the world were just tossed away into the wind for Carmelya to handle.

To admit that he cared for her broke his wall, a crack formed but it still held, a drop of water was emitted but it was brushed away by her soft touch. He closed his eyes as the gentle sweep of her hand wiped away all of his worries, all of his doubts. With but a gentle breath and a soft smile she could cure the wounds inside his soul if he would have let her but it would have meant that his defenses would have been exposed and his true self revealed for all to see.

Lenara's pleas only made it worse. The guilt rumbled inside, an avalanche roared down upon him as Lenara could not bear to lose the only bright light in her newly formed world. His lips trembled with fear as he looked into her eyes, he didn't want to say the words as he saw her cry. It was as if he was betraying the one angel in his life that brought him so much joy and happiness. He was sentencing her to a miserable existence filled with pain and suffering and he couldn't do anything about it. "There's...There's no other way....THERES NO OTHER WAY!!!!" His mind screamed and he wanted to scream with it but to utter a word anything above a whisper in the presence of his angel would have been a sin unto itself.

"You won't lose me Lenara...." He grabbed her other hand and brought them up with his and pressed them against his face. "You won't lose me, in this life or the next. I not only fight for my life and the others around me, but I fight for you too. I will fight and continue to fight knowing that you await me on the next sunrise in the gardens...On the fresh grass with all the roses and the...the ducks on the lake." He closed his eyes and took a deep breath as he held back the flood behind the gates with his enormous mental embrace. He pictured that brightening after such a horrendous battle, the peaceful image washing over him as he could see Lenara standing there in the dawn's early light, smiling at him.

If it was something that he could not live to see, then at least he would die with it burned into his mind so that he could take it with him; past this life and into the next.

[Lenara]

Being that Lenara didn't understand religion just yet, she couldn't bring herself to understand how a god could ask someone as good and wonderful as Veleraen to sacrifice himself for the lives of others. It wasn't fair and while she knew full well that she was being selfish, she didn't care. If the gods were as great as people said they were, then why couldn't they come down and fight their own battles and let the morals live their lives with the ones they held dear. She wanted so badly to say this aloud, let Vel and the gods know of her sadness and her selfishness, but she just couldn't bring herself to utter a word. She had seen how devoted Vel was to Aslan and Torek, she just couldn't dishonor him by insulting his gods and his beliefs.

When the words had fallen from her lips, she already knew the answer that would come back, if one did at all. Was she worried about herself or did she fear for Vel? It was true that she was be desolate if he left her alone, leaving to fight someone that he might die against, but surely what a weight it had to be to bear such a burden. Knowing that he might just die in a few cycles. She couldn't imagine how it felt to have such a thing occur and while she was feeling selfish, she wanted to be there for him as well. She sniffled and nodded as he spoke, having been expecting such words. "It's not fair," she said softly, her voice shaking. "Why does it have to be you?"

Gods, she hadn't felt so sad since the brightening Vel had put up his stony exterior, but now she could see that there had been a reason to it. He had been doing it not because he was rejecting her but because he knew that his life was complicated and allowing himself to become vulnerable and let someone in would only make things harder. She should have known that was there was a good reason for what had been happening with Vel, him avoiding her and such. She wanted to argue, wanted to tell him that he was wrong, that he didn't have to fight for anyone if he didn't want to, but all she could manage was a half nod, her eyes down.

She felt her heart beat faster as he spoke, finally admitting that he had come to care for her. Not as a friend cared for another friend but something more then that. His words trailed off, as though he meant to say more but chose not to, but Lenara didn't need to hear more at that moment, what she heard was good enough. Veleraen cared for her, her hope that something might happen had not been in vain, though was it just as bad that something might happen and then she would lose him. Were the gods truly so cruel? She blinked a few times, her cheeks burning slightly at the revelation, though a genuine smile touched her lips for that moment, the joy of the revelation taking hold.

Lenara's hand swept gently over his scarred face, brushing the tear away, as though she was trying to brush away the sadness he had to be feeling as well. Vel's skin felt rough beneath her fingertips yet she never minded Vel's scars before. If she could have lifted such a burden from him shoulders, she would have done so in an instant, but she had a feeling that he hadn't come to her to seek her sympathy or pity. Now she had to wonder if she should go with him to Aelyria Prime, she had always spoke about how she wanted to see the beautiful Captial city, but couldn't she allow herself to get even closer to Veleraen only to lose him later on?

He had said that he wanted her by his side until the brightening where he would go and face Fidelis and really, that was what she wanted as well, though she didn't want him to go and fight either. The tears continued to fall in a steady stream as she pleaded for Veleraen not to go. She hated to cry, felt foolish to do so but really she couldn't help it. Veleraen was probably going through enough as it was without her sitting there crying in front of him. She wanted to get up from the table and go to his bedroom where she could cry away from him, she even moved to get up, but he caught her other hand and brought both her hands up to his face. Such an action surprised her and caused her to listen to what more he had to say, the tears still flowing.

The image he brought up was a beautiful one and she hoped that it was true, that he would come back to her after his battle and she would be waiting for him. Perhaps then they could further explore just what really was between them. But even as he said it, she couldn't help but feel that there would be a great chance that she would be left waiting there in that garden alone and she couldn't bare to have that happen. She tried her best to halt the tears that seemed neverending. She would go with him to Aelyria Prime, remain at his side until it was time for him to go and while she was sure she would beg him to stay then as well, at least she would have time time with him.

She remembered the brightening where she had kissed him on the nose. She remember the problems that had caused for them both and while she had regretted it after she had done it, it had felt right at time. It had been an innocent little kiss on the nose. Perhaps it was a risk and maybe it was foolish, but she didn't know how long she would have with him and she didn't want to waste it. She looked Vel's face over, her hands on both sides on his face, her thumb moving gently on his cheek. Leaning forward quickly, her heart pounding hard in her chest, she pressed her lips tenderly against his for but a moment before pulling back, she pulled her hands from his and burrowed her head against his chest. She just wanted his comfort, she didn't care if he reciprocated her kiss, but she wasn't giving him a chance to get away either. She had taken a chance, which was unlike her since she was normally so shy. "I want to go with you to Aelyria Prime and I want to be by your side for as long as I can be."

[Veleraen]

Mightily he through all of his weight and effort into preventing Lenara from getting closer to him, but in the end, Veleraen could not deny that bond that had formed between them both. As he sat there in front of her, her dejected eyes burned into his soul, etching her name into it forever. It hurt inside to see her cry, so disheartened and subdued, Veleraen wished, he prayed that he was to survive his upcoming battle.

Their situation had grown since their initial meeting in the quiet paths of the Laroo River park. Many things had changed and in the brief flashes of memory, nothing could have compared to the tears that fell that brightening. Only smiles and grins could be found, awkward frowns and inward sighs, curiousity and disheveled grunts...It all wound its way to here, to that moment in time where but a hurricane of emotions was whirling about them and Veleraen could feel and sense every droplet, every gust that came forth; it was almost unbearable.

The only thing that made it bearable was the fact that Lenara accepted him despite his flaws, scars and religion. She may have questioned why it had to be solely him, but she made no mention or remark as to denounce Veleraen's beliefs. Perhaps she was holding back and as Veleraen watched her tears fall, he knew she had doubts as to the reasons behind all of it but he stayed and sat there, holding her delicate hands within his rough grasp. "Because there is no one else who will." His words were solemn but truthful. People sought this man but in his heart he knew deep down that there was only one person and one person alone who confront the Wolf of Jorel. Perhaps his feelings for Lenara could shield him from the evil on the battlefield that resonated from such a dark soul.

So he had admitted it. At first, Veleraen was not sure whether or not he had actually uttered the words that he cared for her. His eyes wandered ever so slightly, almost having confused himself as he went against his will, his own gameplan as it were. "Did I..." He looked to Lenara as a genuine smile crossed her face in reaction to his comment. It was a sign of things to come and Veleraen could only stare in amazement as to what was developing. Their bond had become too strong for Veleraen to ignore any more and with the storng possiblity of him never returning to see her beautiful face, was it so wrong to say such a thing?

Such were the words of a desperate man in a desperate time. His heart paced so quickly it felt as though it was going to tear a hole in his chest. Lenara was truly unique. Veleraen was not sure what made him like this around her. Was it her smell? Her personality? Her irresistable face? The combination of such things drove him mad and he did not know why. It was like tasting the elegant, rich taste of chocolate for the first time in over half a century. It's decadence was overpowering, driving him to the point where it was pointless to deny that which was obviously true.

In that quiet moment as Lenara stroked his face, it felt like they were two long lost lovers parting for the last time. She went to get up after delivering him to grace but Veleraen held on to her, clasping onto her delicate hands, not wanting to let her go so easily.The Knight was not rough with her, his scarred hands only pulling her towards him with a soft tug, lifting her hands to his face again as he wanted to linger in her tender embrace for but a second or two more if the Gods would have granted it.

He wanted his ideal brightening to happen so badly, so badly it hurt him inside to know that there was a decent chance it would not. Words were not needed in those few moments where skin met tears and souls touched for but a brief instance. Lenara could not hold back anymore as she gazed at his grief-ridden orbs, protected by their closed lids as he held her hands against his face. His breath stuttered as he opened his eyes and saw but only an angel closing in to bless him with a gift of the Gods.

A serene feeling washed over him as Lenara rushed forth and placed a sweet and pleasant kiss upon his lips. His chest surged outwards as he felt her hands clasp ever so tigher to his face, a incredible tingling sensation running around and down his mouth through his throat to his gut where his insides tangled and battled for control. The Giant had never felt the touch of a Giantess before much less been in such a relationship where the mere sight of her made his heart cry out for her affection. His life had been a lonely one, a life filled with sorrow and anguish and before their meeting, he had known nothing but solitude. Veleraen had lived a life without physical, affectionate contact and as Lenara kissed him, everything changed.

His eyes pulsed with an innate energy and his cheeks swelled. His mouth trembled and held their ground as he stood there, almost statuesque as Lenara graced him with something he had longed for all along but had forbidden himself to grasp. Her fickle kiss took the breath right out of him as the shock set in, Lenara's action stifling his mind and body, freezing him in place. He enjoyed it all the same however, his lips moving ever so slightly to return the affection she shared for him, as little as it was, it was still there but hesitant.

Two arms wrapped around his chest and back as Lenara hugged him and pushed her head deep into his. Unable to think, not knowing what to do, Veleraen embraced her all the same, his large arms wrapped around her frame as they pressed up against each other. Lenara could feel the rapid pulse of his heart as it beat beyond the speed of anything she'd ever felt before in her life. The Giantess had struck the Knight Aslan with a surprise right hook and stopped him in his tracks.

He blinked twice as he realized...She was taking a chance on him. Should he not do so for her? Still silent in the brief moments of their affectionate embrace, he looked down at her, her face wetting his shirt. Ever so slowly the edges of his lips curled upwards as his hand cradled the back of her head. Perhaps he had gotten the meaning of love all wrong. Perhaps he had to embrace that which little life gave him instead of rejecting it for all the wrong reasons. If he was to face death constantly, the risk of dying high and around every corner, how could he deny something that which he could only experience once in his life before he met his end? It made no sense then but it made perfect sense now.

It was his turn to show her he was willing to take a chance on her, despite what lurked in the shadows beyond the horizon.

Lenara felt his chest heave twice more and then his heart beat slowed and leveled off. A hand reached down and lifted her chin as he stood at the table with her. He looked deep into her eyes and for a few brief seconds, he gazed into her soul, her bright aura shining deep about her face. It shined brightly and it accentuated his urge even further as he leaned in slowly and returned to her but a kiss to tell her that she would not regret her decision. His mouth pressed against hers in a chivalrous manner as he gave Lenara a piece of his soul back. He kissed her passionately, expressing his hidden affection as it snuck out between the cracks in his iron defenses. The wall was gone now. There was no use in hiding behind it anymore. Words were useless beyond the tender contact of lips and an essence of enamored bonds.

She had taken his armour, she had stripped him of it; there was nothing left. There was nothing left now but two beating hearts and loving, painstaking souls.