[DL-W] Smitten

Saul (At Whiteriver
***
<< Evening - Day 9 >>

>"Serves you right." Shawnee told him, giving him that disapproving look, before
turning back toward the dining hall, leaving the two men to follow her.

Saul looked at J'red for a moment then chased after Shawnee, "What do you
mean she's a woman. She's hardly a woman .."

Shawnee turned to look at him. "Of course she is Saul. First off, she's a
dragonrider, and Patinari could rise to mate at any time .. if she hasn't
already .." J'red shook his head at that, indicating the negative. Shawnee
continued. "She may still look like a little girl, with those braids she
insists on wearing, but if my math is correct," She gave him a look letting
him know that it was, "She's 17."

"17?" Saul frowned slightly. "But she's the same age as .."

"That's right, the same age as Byrin."

"And we haven't seen him since the wedding .."

"No we haven't. Fawna was moping about that the other day."

"We missed his birthday .." Saul was feeling horribly guilty all of a
sudden.

Shawnee stopped and put a hand to his cheek, "Things have been busy for us.
I'm sure he'll understand. And maybe we can stop and see him on the way back
to Jasra tomorrow."

"Yes! That would be perfect." Saul brightened. "And I should apologize to
Elissa. She really is upset with me, isn't she?"

Shawnee nodded, "But I'm sure tomorrow is soon enough .."

"No," Saul shook his head, "I'm gonna go now. J'red, will you take Shawnee
to the dining hall and I'll meet you both back there later?"

J'red nodded, "Sure."

***

It was quiet when Saul arrived at Elissa's apartment. He hoped she wasn't
asleep. The small creamy yellow dragon was laying contentedly on her sandy
bed, looking very comfortable. She didn't even take note of his arrival.

Well it was worth a try, he thought as he knocked. He wanted to make thing
right between them. "Elissa, are you ok?"

Her voice came back to him muffled. "Yes Saul, I will see you in the
morning." 

Saul sighed and was about to protest, but then decided it wasn't worth it.
She didn't sound angry at him now .. perhaps morning would be better. He was
about to answer that he would see her in the morning, when the door opened.

His eyes narrowed when he saw the new searcher. He was only supposed to be
taking her home! What was he still doing here. And why the hell was he
wearing that devilish smile! "Hello?"

>"Hello, Elissa tells me you are her brother, Saul is it?" He stepped back as
Saul stepped into the room, pushing Har'son with his shoulder as he did so.

Really the man was being friendly and looked sincere, but there was
something Saul didn't like about him. Something to charming. Saul knew the
type. A notch in his belt for everyone woman to swoon .. And it looked as
though he intended to put another notch for Elissa! "And you are the new
searcher for the warren. Shouldn't you get your rest, you have a big job
tomorrow." Saul looked at the open door with no attempt to hide his meaning.

>"No, I am going to take the day off and go out looking around the area. I don't
plan on doing anything too much yet. I want to get a feel for this place."
Har'son shut the door and took a seat near Elissa. "Anyway, Elissa invited
me to stay the night, and I thought I would take her up on the offer."

>"She what!" He stepped forward making a fist. "She is just a girl, you could
not possibly take her up on such an offer."

>Har'son looked over to Elissa. "Do you want me to stay?"

Elissa couldn't believe Saul was acting to horrible. First he ran off, with
barely a word to her and now he was back trying to protect her! Where the
hell was he when she was at the Fowler Estate .. or even afterward! He
hadn't seemed to care about her then!  Well she was her own woman now and
she didn't need his protection. She smiled as sweetly as she could.  "I
guess if I am to be considered a woman by the warren I can do as I wish. And
I do want you to stay the night Har'son." She could finally make the fact
she had responsibility work for her instead of against her for once.

>"I don't care what you say. As your brother this lout is going to leave." Saul
reached out and pulled Har'son from his seat.

>Elissa stood. "You will do no such thing, Saul. he is my guest and this is my
house." The room was silent and Saul just looked at her dumbfounded. The she
felt the breeze. 

>The shirt was long enough to cover her, but it defiantly told Saul what had
been happening. Saul's eyes burned with the rage only a brother would know
when looking at the man who had touched his pure sister. "I am going..."

>Har'son cut in. "Cover your sister, or let me go so I can. Because if you start
a fight now, you will have no grounds to justify this with the warren lady."

>The fist landed squarely on Har'son's jaw. It sent him back into his chair, a
bit of blood from a cut lip marring his cheek. "I may get in trouble but it
was worth it." he turned and stormed to the door. "We will speak about this
in the morning Elissa." *slam*

Hitting Har'son had felt good! And really it was the only thing he could
have done to make him feel so. He couldn't throw the man out of Elissa's
apartment .. As long as Elissa wanted him to stay, he had no recourse. And
Shawnee would probably be pissed at him too about it. But damn! It had felt
good!

***

Shawnee could tell right away when he entered the dining hall that her mate
was not happy and that something had gone wrong going to see Elissa. She
watched as he stomped it to get some coffee.

"He doesn't look happy," J'red said.

Shawnee nodded, "Nope, he doesn't. I'm sorry J'red, If you'll excuse me, I'm
going to try and head off trouble."

"Oh, no problem, It's been a long day for me, and I'm really tired."

She smiled at him, "Thanks for sitting and keeping me company while Saul was
gone. But go on now. You do look tired .."

J'red headed off and Shawnee moved to intercept her mate, "Didn't go well?"
She asked sympathetically.

"I don't want to talk about it." He grumbled.

But she grabbed his arm and pulled him out the door of the dining hall into
the moonlight. "Come love, not talking about it only makes it worse. Perhaps
if we walk in the moonlight, and talk it won't be quite so bad."

"Shawnee .." he sighed, but saw the determination in her aqua eyes and knew
he had little choice, so he started walking, feeling her moved beside him
and wrap her arm in his. "You know I can't drink this and walk .."

"You shouldn't drink coffee anyway .. Now talk."

He began to relate the details of what had happened and then dropped the
bomb. "So .. I hit him."

"You what!"

"I hit him. A good one, right in the mouth!"

"Saul .." Shawnee sighed.

"I'm sorry, Shawnee! He was asking for it! He had that annoying look of
confidence that just screamed for a beating. I mean, he doesn't care about
Elissa. All he wants is to get into her bed, and I'll just bet he does to!
He's got one of those faces that tell a woman exactly what she wants to hear
..."

"Like someone else I know .." Shawnee chuckled.

"I was NEVER like that!"

"Oh? You mean you never charmed a girl into bed?"

"Not a little girl like Elissa!"

"Saul, we've been over this before. She's not a little girl. You're just
getting older. When you were his age, I'm sure there were plenty of 17 year
olds you seduced. I know .. I've heard all the tales."

"It's not the same," he grumbled.

"Of course not .. they weren't your sister. But Saul, she's a grown up
woman. She can take care of herself."

"He's going to hurt her."

"Well if he does, it's something she'll have to live with.  It's part of
being grown up. And you know she won't be alone. She's got friends here. So
no matter what happens, she'll survive, and maybe she'll be happy for a
while. Can you deny her that?" Shawnee looked up at him with a mischievous
glint in her eye. "Besides, if he's like you in .. um .. other ways. It'll
be worth it."

He looked at her in surprise, then smiled and pulled her close, "Oh you are
naughty .."

She nodded, "Umm hmmm, look where we are."

He looked and his smile broadened, "Our spot .." The sound of the waterfall
had gotten louder so gradually as they walked that Saul had not even noticed
that they had arrived there. "I've missed this place."

"And it looks empty .." Shawnee grinned, pressing her body against his.

"Not anymore, lady." He growled, covering her mouth with his.

Elissa
***
<< Late morning - Day 10 (after the funeral at Whiteriver) >>

Elissa had skipped the funeral. She'd been too happy to ruin it by going to
a depressing funeral. She felt kinda bad about it, but she was still in
heaven even hours after Har'son had left. He'd woken her up in the most
wonderful way, and then made love to her a second time .. her second time.
It had been better then she could ever had imagined. And she'd floated on
air all through breakfast, but as all things had to end .. it did and he
headed out, leaving her to her thoughts.

She couldn't imagine why she'd been so hung up over J'red now .. not when a
man like Har'son wanted her and was soooo wonderful! She couldn't wait to
see him again! And in fact she planned on going to the dining hall after the
funeral because surely he would be there.

She'd spent the entire morning in the bathroom, playing with her hair. No
more braids. Now she needed to find a new, more womanly way to wear it.
Har'son had liked it down, and because of that, she was never going to braid
it again!

She'd even used perfume and face color, and by time she was finished, she
was sure she would turn every head in the Warren, even though now there was
only one she wanted to turn.

And she did turn heads when she walked into the dining hall .. and while
there were a few snickers she heard none of them, for she knew she was
gorgeous. 

Saul
***

Saul groaned loudly as he saw Elissa walking across the dining hall. He
tapped his mates shoulder, "See .. see what's happened now."

Shawnee turned and grimaced lightly at the young woman was just a bit much
too much face color on, "Well .. it's not that bad. She's just not
experienced with that sort of thing yet."

"Shawnee, she looks like a clown!"

"Stop it," Shawnee reprimanded him, "She does not. And look at her hair,
it's lovely. Very becoming. Now come on, let's go say hello."

They headed toward Elissa, and Shawnee smiled at the young woman, "Elissa,
it's good to see you this morning."

"Hi Shawnee," Elissa smiled. "I've missed you."

"You're hair is different. I like it."

Elissa beamed, "Thanks!" She completely ignored Saul.

But he wasn't going to let her ignore him for long. "What's with the face
paint? You look like a clown .. ouch!" he groaned as Shawnee stomped hard on
his toe.

"I'm looking for Har'son." She said not letting him get her down.

"Well you'll certainly send him running .." Saul began but was cut off by
his mate.

"I saw him earlier talking to Th'rin and .. Xanthia .. they were over there.
But Elissa, I think you and I should have a talk first."

"Can it wait. I really want to see him," she said.

"Well, sweetie, it's just that .."

"Oh I see him!" she smiled happily and waved catching his attention. He
smiled back and headed toward her.

When he was close enough Saul glared at him and spoke, "Do you see what
you've done to her!"

Har'son shrugged, and ignored him, "You look beautiful, Elissa. I see you've
worn your hair down."

She nodded, "Cause I knew you liked it."

"I do," he nodded, "Would you like to dance."

She nodded vigorously, "I would."

Shawnee grabbed Saul's arm and prevented him for interfering anymore.

Regards,
Saul & Fayloth
***
NRPG: Just letting you follow along with Saul & Shawnee's trip to WR :)

Kris

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       \oo/     Kristen Gant
        ~~      (AKA: Waylene & Aura, Marrid Warren, Warrenlady
                      Meena & Vonn, Norwall Warren, Wingleader
                      Th'rin & Areena,Whiteriver Warren, Head Healer
                      Merybelle Barmen, City of Ralengarde, Innkeeper
                      Ce'lot & Britche, Xylain Warren, Wingleader
                      Saul & Fayloth, Jasra Warren, Searcher
                      Darlea & Makayla, Courier
                      Kalewyn & Sabbith, Dragonrider
                      Devon & Xanith, Dragonrider
                http://homepage.interaccess.com/~sgant/Kris/kris.htm
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