"Are you sure you are okay with paying me later?" asked a plump man who was buying some of Arlla's hides.
She nodded, suddenly quiet. The man gave the Elven lady a kind nod before turning and walking down the road.
Arllawen sits on the grass at the edge of the road. She places her head in her hands; her breath comes out in shallow bursts.
"Are you sure you are okay with this?" a younger, prettier Arllawen asked.
The tall High Elven male stood with his back to her. He chuckled as he turned around. His pale fingers delicately worked his long fiery red hair into an elegant ponytail. "My darling, I am much more than okay with it! I have never been so proud."
Arlla looked up to him, still nervous. "But I knew how much you wanted the position. I could decline."
"Come and sit with me, my love." He walked with uncanny grace and sat on the bed in the large room. He patted the spot next to him.
With a small sigh, Arlla went to sit next to him. She moved less gracefully but still seemed to float across the room. The Elven woman rested her head on his shoulder and laced her fingers with his.
"Arllawen, you deserve this. To lead a group of bowmen to battle has to be an amazing honor. I will be amongst the men you command, so you will never have to worry of me not being by your side." He carefully turns her face to look at him.
Arlla smiled up at him, "Oh my darling Galather. Gi melin [I love you]. How did I wind up so lucky?"
The Elf, Galather, chuckles and flicks the single silver hoop at the tip of her ear. "I ask myself that every day." His pale hands cup Arlla's face, and he kisses her then: passionately. His slender thumbs make small circles along her jaw.
Without warning, he pushes her down onto the bed. Arlla lets out a surprised squeal and quickly whispers, "The children will hear."
"My queen, they are fast asleep. I can hear their steady breathing."
Arlla rolls her eyes, "With a house as big as this, I doubt it." She teases before pulling him down for another kiss.
Arlla sits back up. Her hands are wet with her tears. She hears movement coming towards her and stands quickly. Traces of any emotion she may have felt disappear as she makes her way to the Pony.
