Speech // thought

Despite his best effort, Artorias had sufficiently dominated Eltrys. As he was forced to concede defeat he saw the small form of Haydee on the field. He relented to the Hallow's Lord as he saw Haydee fall. She should not have been up, she should not have been here, she should not have battled.

As he was released to leave the field Eltrys quickly came to Haydee's side. His face was severe, concerned, eyes cold, demanding, accusing her of endangering herself. He didn't speak, he hefted the small woman over his back, she was having trouble breathing again. He loped, struggling to hide his soreness from the tussle and hefting the small form on his back. He reached an overlook and looked back at the field. This was the way it was. He trusted the Hallows to not endanger his members, they were probably coming for the sugar in the caves and testing their mettle.

His wolves (and bear) were doing their best, he was proud of them. He slipped into the cave behind the falls and gently placed Haydee's petite form on fresh furs. Good, Alexa had been able to refresh the bedding and herbs in here.

He poured her a cup of the tea that she was supposed to be taking daily to help her improve.

He couldn't fault her for attending the raid, for defending her home. But he was... He placed the cup near her, not able to meet her eyes, and turned back to the fire.

He was angry. Angry that he hadn't been able to protect her from this sickness, angry she had to attend the raid while she was still in recovery, angry that she wasn't better already... Angry he was so helpless and feeble in the past.

The raid had been a disaster for Haydée. When the challenging call had rung through the air, the fear of those she loved getting hurt had driven her from her sick bed and out onto the battlefield. In her weakened state, when she was bested, the frail woman had to practically crawl to the sidelines where she then collapsed to watch as the rest of the fights played out. Chest worked as she sought to bring her breathing under control, the effort it had taken to battle evident by the way she rapidly pants and issues intermittent coughs.

Eltrys appears, face stern and cold and she immediately crumbles, ears folding and paws drawing inward as she curls into herself, attempting to appear as small as possible. Without a word he hefts her up and she squeaks slightly in surprise as she is deposited onto his back. A cough rattles Hay’s chest and, while it has dried up, the muscles of her chest still hurt from excessive amount of effort that they have been put through these past few weeks. They move into the cave system and make it to her den where the sweet smells of fresh herbs greet her.

No words are spoken as she is lowered to her bed, body instantly relaxing against the fresh furs as a sigh of relief slips past her lips. Muscles melt as her body spreads out and she stretches her aching muscles but pulls up short when her chest twinges in displeasure. A small cough bubbles past her lips and she quickly stifles it as Eltrys approaches her, leaving a cup of medicinal tea before her without meeting her eyes and then turning away to face the fire. Anger radiates from the earthen man and Haydée’s ears fold back as she gazes down at the tea, unsure of what to say.

There is no regret for what she did and she takes a swig of the drink. Hay swallows down a tickle in the back of her throat and makes a soft sound to pull Eltrys’s attention to her. A paw slowly traces the rim of her drinking vessel and she brings her emerald gaze up level with his as she says, “If you want me to apologize for defending my family, I won’t. There was nothing but pain and bloodshed when I was leader and I refused to allow everyone to fight without me. I am getting better and I won’t sit idly by while my home is attack...”

Haydée’s words are strong, filled with determination as she speaks but, at the end she falters and drops off, her eyes falling down to the tea as she adds more softly, “I will not allow you to face challenges like that alone.” There is an unspoken vow in there, a promise to never let him face things alone so long as she is alive. Huffing a sigh, she keeps her eyes diverted down as she takes another long pull from the medicinal tea, making a face at the bitter bite of the herbs hidden within.


"Haydée Kedieo"

Speech // thought

He glared at the blaze, the heat brushing his nose and cheeks as if a punishment self inflicted. He should not have left her side... But he had not wanted to intrude beyond what was polite at the time...

He pulled himself back from the heat and closed his eyes as she spoke into the growing silence. He was about to interrupt when she continued more softly. It froze him mid turn.

The silence stretched again as he melted from his initial shock. Then slowly shifted away from the fire, half to face her, half to watch the doorway.

"I can't fault you... I won't. You responded to the call as you should." He started, his voice distant, an edge of disappointment, either at himself or the situation it wasn't all that clear to him.

Then his ice blue eyes dared to weave their way over the den and fall into her small form. He watches her take a sip fo the tea.

"Do you... Mean that?" He asked seriously, how his voice upticked in hope. Did he dare to hope? The last he knew she still hadn't made up her mind about him. Was he truly this foolish? Wasn't dogging her heels until she relented to him worse than the wait? If she admitted it now... Was it because he was too pushy? Could he trust it?

Paw slowly traces the lip of the cup she is using as Haydée gazes at the bitter tea, her feelings expressed and sentiment voices about the raid. Eltrys has become dear to her and the thought of him having to face challenges like she had to when she was alpha… well, no one should have to walk that road alone. His voice is distant, tinged with disappoint and a soft, sad sigh falls from her lips. The small woman hates to disappoint anyone but the thought of frustrating him sends pangs of guilt resounding through her gut.

Emerald eyes lift, gaze hard with resolve, she calmly says, “As long as I breathe, I will never miss a call like that.” She watches as his icy gaze traces over her den until it finally comes to land on her and she takes a sip of the bitter tea before offering him a gentle smile. His voice upticks with hope as he asks her if she means it and her paw stops the idle tracing of the rim as she meets his gaze, love overflowing from her green eyes as she gently says, “Eltrys, through everything, you never once gave up on me.”

Small paws set aside her cup and she lifts her petite form from the plush furs to wobbly close the distance between them. Determination keeps her moving forward as a soft, warm smile fills her lips. Coming to a stop in front of him, voice filled with affection, Haydée says, “I love you, Eltrys. I am so grateful that you have always seemed to find me when I lost myself and helped to build me up when I wasn’t strong enough. You are an amazing man and I would like walk with you on whatever path the future holds… together.”

Breath hitches as she waits, heart thundering painfully against her ribs as her stomach does flip-flops, waiting, hoping, wishing to hear those four little words from him. I love you too. Hope blooms like a midnight flower in her emerald gaze.


"Haydée Kedieo"

Speech // Hear

His breath catches in his chest, and a knot twists in the space he swears his heart is. She remarks he had never given up on her, it was true, he hadn't, he couldn't.

She lifted herself and he jumped to bring them closer together, not letting her wobble and stand too fast. Suddenly, they were nose to nose. Breath to breath. Her petite stature held against his larger frame.

"I love you, Eltrys. I am so grateful that you have always seemed to find me when I lost myself and helped to build me up when I wasn’t strong enough. You are an amazing man and I would like walk with you on whatever path the future holds… together.”

He didn't know if it was his heart or hers he could feel in his chest hammering and unraveling. With a delirious half laugh, half sigh, he clasped his lips to hers. Relief floods the fabric of his sinew as he holds her and kisses her desperately.

Gasping he released their kiss and placed her under his throat as he swallowed and looked up at the den ceiling in silent praise to whatever gods or elements were still listening. His breath shuddered against her.

"Haydee... I love you too." He whispered earnestly into her ear. Swaying them both gently side to side.

Knees wobble but a stubborn determination keeps her legs from collapsing out from under her as Eltrys jumps to close the gap between them and her heart flutters as their noses grow close. Her breath mingles with his as she breathily confesses her feelings and time stands still as her heart pounds against her ribs, fear filling her mind as she wonders if she is already too late to claim his heart. He is handsome, loyal, and honestly, Haydée has been surprised again and again that he hasn’t found someone else.

A smile, soft and glowing fills her features as fear gives way to hope then surprise as he a delirious half laugh, half sigh fills the space before her nose and then his lips finds hers and she is melting into him. Electricity lights every nerve in her body on fire, heightening her senses as she leans in toward him, eyelids fluttering shut as one leg tentatively raises, causing her to momentarily sway until she finds her balance. Then that small paw is reaching up, cupping one earthen cheek tenderly while gently pulling him in, telling him without words to come closer.

Eltrys breaks the kiss and she gasps for air, as if she had been drowning and just broke the surface. Heat floods her body, sending tingles to dance down her body as she grins drunkenly up at him. No alcohol or drug could touch the high that she feels as Haydée suddenly feels as if the clouds are her personal friends and she is walking joyfully among them. He pulls her underneath the throat and she immediately presses into his broad chest, humming contently as her tiny body seems to fit perfectly in the space he has opened for her.

Words are whispered, love expressed and a dreamy sigh passes her lips as she hums agian to him, nuzzling the fur on his chest as she goes. Words, bright with love, fill the air as Haydée says, “I wish I had listened to my heart sooner but I am so grateful that you waited for me. I never want to leave your side El. You have reminded me what home is and I never want to lose that, or you… ever.” Head tilts back as she seeks his cheek and she places a gentle kiss on the fur there as she hums contently once again, feeling like the future is bright for the first time in her life.


"Haydée Kedieo"

Speech // thought

The space she fills under his tender throat fits her perfectly. He can't help but muse that they must have been made for each other. The moment stretches comfortably, heart to heart, chest to chest, breath for breath. Eltrys could feel her dreamy hum as it reverberated through him.

He hears her words, spoken with some regret. She might have felt the way his heart fluttered against her as she called him El. He rumbles pleasantly as she presses her lips to his cheek. Tenderly he wraps his forelegs around her and lifts her up gently. He slowly takes her back to the furs and lays her down, pressing his lips to hers once more before he settles in next to her. He was keeping in mind her injuries and her recent bout of sickness remaining still on her breath and weakened her frame. He didn't want to overwhelm her body with standing also.

"Only you, Dee, get to call me that. It makes my heart sing every time." He sighed as he nuzzled into her neck fur. "I had feared that I was pressuring you unreasonably in my waiting." He said, relishing in how her fur felt against his. How her smell filled his nose made his yearning worth every moment. "We have lost much in our lives, we shan't lose each other. I promise to remind you of what home is every day, from here on out." He purrs into her ear. The light of the fire reflected in her eyes.