Stuck Midst the Peasantry (Non Canon, R, for Aviaris)

Elise blinked and rolled onto her side, propping her head up on an elbow so she could look at Lucas. "What do you mean good enough? I don't usually have sex with men I've barely met, in fact this is a first. But...I like you," she traced a finger along his chest lazily. "You're a contradiction from every human I've met. You have wealth and power, but you used it to save instead of punish. You haven't thought twice about learning manual labor and seem to like it." She shrugged, "I just...wanted to share myself with you."

Lucas just looked at her for a long moment, then smiled. "...So... what's this mean? Are we... I mean... what are we?" He wasn't sure, really. Were they together? It wasn't a one-time thing, was it?

The smile Lucas wore at the moment was contagious. "Well, I certainly wouldn't be opposed to continuing your education. As for what we are...we're together, and as long as we're both enjoying it I see no reason to change that." Elise frowned, "Is that okay with you?"

Lucas' grin only widened. "Yeah... I'd like that, Elise. Honestly... you're the first woman that I've ever... well, done that with, and... the only one I actually really wanted to, I think. I've had the opportunity, but..." He trailed off, not really sure how to put it.

"But...you're a little shy?" Elise asked in honest observation.

Lucas paused a bit. "That's... part of it. Something my father hates, honestly, but... I really don't care what he thinks. He's the reason I'm so screwed up, anyway."

Elise cuddled close to him, laying her head on his shoulder, "What do you mean? You can tell me."

He paused, then sighed. "I first learned of sex when I was six, and saw my father practically raping my mother. I've never been quite right since. I... have a lot of respect for women, and... I worry that I might be like him, that I'd hurt women the way he does."

Elise gaped, "Oh Lucas..." She grasped his chin and turned his face to her, "I may have only known you a day, but I know you could never, ever do something like that. And I can make sure you learn exactly how to please a woman. If you want."

Lucas blushed a bit, glancing away. "I... yeah, that would be nice... you... really don't mind being with... someone like me? I mean, I'm... I'm so much younger, and don't really know anything about the world, and... I'm human... even if you don't dislike human's, and I have nothing against elves, I..."

Elise glared, "I'll show you I don't mind..." Her lips crashed into his, their tongues twining as she pulled him tight to her body. She didn't let up until they were both breathless once again, "I said... I like you, Lucas. I wouldn't... lie about a thing like that."

Lucas was a bit senseless after that, but he still managed to voice what was really worrying him. "But... what about what your family will think? Or... or... mine...? What if they... what if they try to separate us, or... or hurt you..."

"You've met my whole family. My brother who is madly in love with his human wife and has sired four half-elven children...so far. As for your family," Elise frowned. "We'll come up with something. Right now, we should worry about washing the sweat from us in that creek just passed the treeline and then finishing the fence line. You still need to heal before I'd want to risk escorting you home." With that she gathered up her clothes and walked to the creek stark naked to bathe.

Lucas nodded slightly, then followed Elise at a slightly slower pace, thinking a bit. He knew that his sister would support him no matter what, and would indeed love to meet Elise. Their father and mother, however... their reactions scared him, not to mention those of the rest of his family...

Bathed and dressed, Elise led them further down the fence line, stopping once again whenever repairs were required. When it was almost time to head back to Elise's cabin, Elise reined Ghost to a slow walk. Her brow furrowed as her eyes darted about. It was way too quiet hear. Nightlarks and other birds should have been making their calls. Squirrels, chipmunks and other small furry creatures should have been making their last runs in the effort to find food. But they weren't. The countryside was silent.

Lucas noticed Elise's behavior, and was confused. He didn't know that the silence was odd. "...Elise? What is it? Is something wrong?"

Elise held up her hand for silence. A faint snap, a whir. The arrow hit Lucas' horse in the flank. The mare reared, making a sound like she was screaming. She wanted to lead them both away, but the whir of more arrows joined the first, a cacophony in the silence. She hesitated a moment, then yelled, "Kalina Ram!" Gold light ringed them, leaving them inside an intricately patterned circle. The arrows hit the walls of light and disintegrated. "Naur en ar' ndengina i' orqu!" Spirals of fire flashed out into the forest, leaving the plants untouched. Moments later they heard the screams of five men.

Lucas could only stare in shock at what he was seeing. He knew elves had powerful magic, but... damn. He was subconsciously trying to calm his horse, though he didn't dare mess with the arrow. "What... the hell is going on?" Had... that arrow been meant for him?

"I don't know who they were..." Elise said, peering into the trees, "but they're dead now." She turned to Lucas, "I'd appreciate it if you didn't tell anyone about that. Everyone but my brother and sister in law thinks I'm just a farm elf."

Lucas just nodded, looking rather nervous. "I... well of course I won't tell anyone... but... do you think they were aiming for me specifically? You don't... think they know who I am, do you?"

Elise frowned and dismounted, "I don't know. Maybe we can find out." She beckoned him to follow her into the woods. She moved silently on the leaf litter, following the stench of burned flesh. "Yech," she recoiled, seeing a human body scorched and melted to its armor. It'd been male, judging the armor type. "Do you recognize the armor or anything?"

Lucas was trying not to puke, but got as good of a look at the armor as he could. "N-no... I don't recognize it...." He shook his head, walking away a short distance.

Elise looked at the armor a little while longer, only to not recognize it either. She went up to Lucas, brushing his arm with her fingers, "Are you okay?"

Lucas shook his head slightly. "I... I'm not... used to seeing things like that... and the smell..." Not to mention the carnage reminded him of the attack... all that blood...

"I'm sorry," Elise said, "let's move upwind, I need to check on your horse."