Under a starry sky..

[Moridanu]

*The sun was just beginning to set, low over the hills that surrounded Kendelah as Moridanu skipped down the stone steps and away from the palace. The last of the party guests were taking their leave and Moridanu was grateful for the reprieve. There was only so many times she could smile sweetly and thank people for coming to the party and bringing her such beautiful gifts. Truth be told, she hadn’t even looked at most of the gifts, and she only recognised a handful of her guests. Why she had to even have a party had left her baffled and confused. But Darius had insisted that she was to mark her 16th birthday with a gala affair and as he was her most trusted adviser, she had had no choice but to listen to him. Now, however the party was over. As she made her way towards her favourite place in the garden, she skipped and danced, her long aquamarine skirt twirling around her. Moridanu giggled as she remembered her many attempts at trying to tempt Crowe into a dance with her. He had of course remained stoic and stationary by the door, his dark eyes never travelling away from her. There had been a moment when a pretty young blonde woman had sought to gain his full attention, however the only thing she had been successful in was causing a heat of jealousy to stain Moridanu’s cheeks a deep crimson. Wondering as to her feelings for her loyal guard and protector, Moridanu slowed her pace as she walked towards the rose garden. Soon, she was surrounded by their heady blooms and she sat down on her favourite stone bench, gazing up at the stars which were just beginning to twinkle in the night sky.

~Sweet 16 and never been kissed..~ she sighed sadly as she watched the sky above her. She knew that she would probably never be able to get married and have babies. Her duty was to her kingdom and her heart must belong to her people. Her soft pink lips however, trembled slightly at the thought of a kiss she was never to have, and she hugged herself tightly to stave off the cool night air as she gazed in wonder at the heavens above her.*

[Crowe]

Crowe's impression of this large gathering of primarily people that he did not know and therefore did not easily trust, was one of disdain. His dark eyes scan to and fro from one guest to the next as they passed close by Mori, his stance never faltering through the hours that passed. His disagreement on what was happening here went silent, not question what needed to be done just making sure he kept her safe, dilligence wasnt a question to him it was a necessity.

Beyond that frozen face always attentive to what was happening around her, always aware of what her current state of mind was, not so much just guessing how she was doing by her demeanor but he just knew. Close to his heart he kept that his creation was solely for her safety, and in that was a connection that ran deeper, he thought, than even blood. And so even when the blonde began to try to entrance him into leaving his post, he could only smile beyond a stone face as he continued to watch without movement, finding enjoyment in the slight reaction stirred from Mori. But it all passed without expression or so much as a movement.

Only when things had begun had to slow down and she was on the move did he finally begin to walk, following behind her as he had done so many other nights. Always ready to move from his marching pace if she was to fall under danger, but this night like many nights before he only needed to walk up upon and stop in time to hear her words. His feet made no sound, always mindful of the peace she might have sought but always there to offer her what words he could muster when needed. He felt that never leaving her in stress or despair was just another form of protection, another charge he took to heart, and in this his voice cut through the nights air and the dull silence that stood between them.

"You still have yet to make a wish, ask for something you desire and deserve. Maybe you will be blessed with it." The urging her towards alittle more of a lightened mood, yearning wasnt something he was foreign too. For all of his seriousness, he took nothing more serious than this. His own form of love with her, for isnt the ultimate show of love somone's sacrifice? He would sacrifice his life for her without question or hesitiation and so a little comfort was nothing for him to offer.

[Moridanu]

*She jumped slightly at his words, although in reality she would have to admit that she had expected him to appear. He was the one constant in her ever changing world, the one she could rely on to always be there for her. Happily she tore her eyes away from the brilliance of the heavens above her to lock her emerald orbs with his dark gaze.


~Ye think I should make a wish?~ she laughed. ~What more could I possibly ask for Crowe? I have Kendelah, a home that thousands would kill for. I have m’people who love and worship me far more than I deserve. And.. I have you..~ she trailed off, a slight blush rising to her cheeks as she looked away quickly in case he should see. ~ I mean.. I have you.. in the sense.. that.. er… I have you in my life.. as .. my.. er.. protector! Yes.. and my friend.. my dear, sweet friend..~ Her gaze found his again as she smiled at him and motioned for him to come and sit beside her on the bench.

~As for something I desire.. ~she sighed. ~ I suppose I want what I can never have.. a man who will love me and marry me and give me babies.~ She giggled, the teenager in her heart finding the whole notion of “forever” a laughable concept. ~But for now.. I would settle for a kiss..~ These last words were said so quietly that she doubted he could hear her. Laughing softly, she raised her voice slightly so that he could hear. ~Ye don't suppose a knight in shining armour is hiding somewhere in these roses, waiting to give me a birthday kiss, do ye?~*

[Crowe]

Crowe was weighing, calculating her words and nodding to seal to her and in his mind the agreements to her statements but when she came to speaking of him, he couldnt help but to wonder behind that constant gaze. So different and yet so kindred they were, so close that it surpassed so many descriptions that he couldnt simply explain it to himself as a protector but he wouldnt feign to believe he was as close as what burned deep, so deep that that it ravaged his soul. It all somehow fed him with the will to do what he did, to sacrifice the things in life that he himself couldnt have for his dedication to her. For that they were the same and it was in their suffering, happiness, and dare say love that there was that bond. It was all unspoken, thoroughly picked through so that nothing was left to speculation except deep within their own hearts.

Crowe let the chaos wax and then wane as he took the place she offered him beside her on the bench. He carefully sat beside her and allowed himself to take one short glance towards the stars, he took in her jest but instead of humor he only found pain within those words. Honorbound to what he was, he couldnt take that as an opening as maybe a suitor would have sought to do, he could only let his gaze scan the area for a moment before turning to her silghtly on the bench.

"I do believe we are alone..." *Everything caught up within him as he couldnt finish what he had thought to say, he couldnt really voice what it was that he wanted to say. Struggling with it for moments before he could speak again. "As for your birthday kiss, I cannot offer something like that, I cannot do what is not requested of me.

[Moridanu]

*She could not help but laugh at how serious Crowe appeared as he looked around the garden and informed her that they were indeed alone. Laughing loudly now, she reached over and playfully slapped him on his strong arm. ~Honestly Crowe..~ she wiped the tears of laughter away from her green eyes. ~You do cheer me up, ye know that?~


She looked at him more closely now, once again taken aback by how handsome he was. She would be hard pressed to find a more handsome suitor, indeed she would be challenged to find a suitor at all. Her role and position meant that no man in their right mind would seek her hand, let alone try to steal her away for a kiss. Sighing sadly, Moridanu looked down at her long silk skirt, her thoughts turning to the blonde at the party. She wondered if the blonde had indeed been successful in her attempts at luring Crowe away from the party. Moridanu had been so busy meeting and greeting all her would be supporters that she supposed he could have slipped away and given the beautiful blonde the kiss that she herself craved so deeply. But just as the thought buried its way into her mind, she smiled and shook her head. She knew in her heart of hearts that Crowe would never leave her side for a simple dalliance with a stranger, no matter how beautiful she might have been. Although it was never said, she felt Crowe’s love for her and she hoped he felt the same from her. Would it be so strange then for her to have her first kiss from the man she loved with all her heart?

Emboldened by the moonlight and the stars which danced above her head, Moridanu mulled his last words over in her head before she spoke again.

~What if .. I did request it of ye? Then.. would ye be willing to give me what I desire most in this moment? A sweet kiss for my sweet 16th birthday? Really Crowe, who else could it ever be?~*

[Crowe]

Crowe's eyes never left her after he had spoken, watching and wondering what she had been thinking about in those moments. Always thinking that she may have him on her mind, wondering about the things that always went unspoken, the hidden library within him that was filled with things he had never said, maybe that he had wanted to say. Some people said it was unhealthy to leave such things inside, that if that chance slips away for good then it would become a poison that would leave him a rotted and twisted being. It all tied into his purpose and seemed too perfect, too cruel and too blessed all in one swoop. But he accepted it because he craved it, needed to be here beside her as he always had been. It consumed him and there was nothing else, being amongst all those people this evening had only solidified that within him.

It seemed they both were off into thought, and when she spoke to him, said those words, he wasnt sure how to respond. It only took him moments to come up with that response, he could only be honest with her and allow her to use it as she would, "I would give it to you, if that kiss you desire is from me. I..couldnt think about it being anyone else.."

There was so much more than just his desire to be the that one person, but to think that someone else could be that close to her, without his supervision, without his protection. That she could need someone else to be there. He thought he sounded selfish but it wasnt something he could shake, it was his nature.

[Moridanu]

*Her emerald eyes sparkled with a hint of mischievous delight as she revelled in his words. Always her loyal companion, so eager to protect her.. to please her; she knew that there was nothing she could request of this man that he would not move Heaven and Earth to give to her. It was a position that she had held since the moment of their creation, however she was always cautious not to abuse the power she held over him. He was so much more to her than even he could know, and now, to think that he was to provide the one thing she wanted more than anything at this moment, a shiver of anticipation danced down her spine as she turned to face him.


~I would never ask ye to do something which would make ye feel uncomfortable or forced in any way.. however.. if ye would consent to giving my first sweet kiss, I would consider it to be the best birthday present anyone could ever give me..~ she grinned as a thought occurred to her.

~That reminds me, ye didn’t get me a birthday gift! Do I mean so little to ye, that ye thought me not worthy some small token of your affection??~ She slapped his strong arm playfully to show him her comment was in jest. She had never expected a present from Crowe. His presence was literally her present and shone more brightly than any of the baubles which awaited her in the palace. *

[Crowe]

And that was when it happened, her words found him a small smile. Something he rarely did, to show emotion beyond that constant concerned look at he seemed to eminate, it wasnt something that he more chose to do but more it was his nature. However, it was in Mori to bring things out of him that were always there. Always playing out beyond his watching eyes, and it seemed that most didnt even think he was capable of more than simple anger in moments where he felt things were getting a bit much for Mori. Most treated him like he was a pieceof furniture or a decoration, save those whom didnt know whom he was, the blonde was a perfect example of this. Perhaps those closest to Mori, the guiding and kind hands knew what was happening behind those eyes.

The point in all of it was that he did love her, and even though that stoic face couldnt show it, and his eyes couldnt convey it as he wished. His dedication, his constant unwavering attention to her was driven by the soul fact that he loved her, and this kiss meant more than anything he had ever experienced in life.

Her jest had done nothing to his demeanor, he knew that she knew that he was a present, a token of appreciation. They never had to explain to each other, and that was why when he turned to her in that moment, his eyes met hers. He could only allow himself this moment, and he had waited his entire life for this to come to being. His voice came out, alittle lighter, not so much directed as offered. Completely him and yet totally different, "Your present to me, is waking and breathing each day. And so in this, I have given you my life, happily. I have seen other ways of life but not only am I made for this but I choose it. Being close to you has always been my purpose, it could never be uncomfortable.."

It was short, but so much more than he had possibly previously said in his entire life, but he prompted his fingers to graze her chin as he lifted her head. Crowe's lips would meet hers in so much more than a physical way, it seemed so perfect like two pieces of a puzzle fitting together and it filled him with something that he truly didnt expect or even know but he loved it and even if that moment was brief, even if he had to pull back from her, it was worth every fleeting second.

[Moridanu]

*His words left her breathless, as they so often did, resulting in her being capable of doing nothing except take a deep lungful of breath to steady herself. It was just as well she did, for Crowe chose that exact moment to give her the one thing she had been longing for her whole life – his kiss.

Their lips interlocked as only they could, two missing halves finally coming together to make the whole embodiment of their love for each other. She melted into the kiss, her entire being seemingly ceasing to exist apart from her lips. The universe around them seemed to expand, contract and explode in a shower of stars as she closed her eyes and gave everything she had into kissing him back.


After what felt like an eternity, other emotions and sensations began to creep their way back into her subconscious and she was achingly aware of the deep pang of longing she now felt in her heart. She knew in that moment that now she had tasted this man she had desired for so long, she had no intention of ever letting him go.


As soon as this thought entered her head there was a loud bang above them, causing Moridanu to gasp and break the kiss. Her eyes snapped open and she looked above in her alarm to see a large black cloud had formed from seemingly nowhere while they had been lost in their kiss. The loud bang had been a clap of thunder, signalling the downpour of torrential rain that was now starting to fall directly above the young couple.


Squealing in shock at the cold water that was now stinging her exposed skin, Moridanu reached out with one hand and grabbed Crowe, standing up quickly and dragging him towards the small Gazebo which stood in the west corner of the garden. Once there, Moridanu cuddled up to Crowe, huddling under the shelter of the Gazebo as the rain pounded the ground and the wind howled around them. The previous serenity of the crystal clear sky had been lost, seemingly eradicated by their innocent kiss. Moridanu wondered as to the ominous message the storm was sending - Could this be a message from their creators that their kiss, and indeed their love for each other, was not to be?*

[Crowe]

The daze that Crowe was in, its momentary and somehow even though he felt shocked back into reality as he sought refuge with her under that roof. Something became seeded within him in that moment, a reaction that was only surpassed in the threshold of his emotion by what he had just shared with her. And perhaps something tore within him, and he was filled with anger. The message was struck down to his core, and he felt wounded, hollow and aching. He took his eyes away from Mori for a moment, his fists clenching as he looked up into that darkness.

It was but moments before he would turn back, a thousand things racing through his mind in that moment. He knew that she had the same feeling, the same dark truth that had always been the barrier, the line drawn in the proverbial sand. And even if for a moment, the shortest distance, they had crossed that line and provoked the forces of their very creation. How to deal with such opposition, to question the will of the Gods. And he couldnt, he couldnt speak out like he wanted to and he couldnt do what he wanted to do. Perhaps it was the first time he had wanted more, he had ventured out, he had been told to stay in line and now this was the price. To know that the forces against what he wanted, were too strong for him to break. And perhaps she would know, but physically it could never be shown, for all the water streaking down his face, the single tear wouldnt even be visible.

And he needed guidance in that moment, reverting to the sentry he was meant to be with resentment towards why he was always meant to love her, to be with her. What was he, he loved her, and he knew she loved him. He needed to do this, he needed to protect her but he had tasted the forbidden fruit and that would never leave him alone. How could something so good be so wrong..Maybe it was unhealthy to hold it all in but he just couldnt..he couldnt do that to her.

[Moridanu]

*Huddled under the Gazebo, she wrapped her lithe arms around his strong torso, her head resting on his chest. The sound of his strong heartbeat through his shirt was a steady rhythm for her to calm down her own racing heart as a million thoughts ran through her dazed mind.
She finally had what she had always wanted. The man she loved had finally kissed her in a kiss that threatened to end life as she knew it while also sparking a new sense of being and purpose in this world. She was a myriad of emotions, the storm raging above a perfect mirror to the storm raging within her heart. Although she tried to convince herself that her first reaction had been wrong, she knew deep down that she had been right. They had angered their creators. Their love was forbidden, she had known that from the moment they had been created. In a cruel twist of fate they had been forever entwined with each other’s heart, bound to love each other for eternity but never to act upon this love.


She buried her face in his shirt, knowing that when she would eventually have to turn her gaze up towards those brilliant dark eyes she would see the knowing in his gaze, the resignation on his handsome face as he accepted the cards that had been dealt to them both. It was unfair.. cruel.. but they could do nothing to anger their creators any more than they had already.


Finally, she pulled her head away and looked up at him, willing him to meet her gaze. When he did, she stood on tiptoe so that her lips could find his once more. Thunder screamed above them, the wind tried to tear the Gazebo from its mooring while the rain whipped them from all around, but still she kissed him with every fibre of her being. She knew that this was the last kiss they would be allowed to share; a forbidden kiss that would undoubtedly bring its own repercussions. She needed him to know.. to feel how much she loved him. Words often escaped her, and he was so often hidden behind his stoic façade that she needed this moment to express years of longing, both past and present. She could only hope that he would understand and respond in kind.*

[Crowe]

And from the depths of all that darkness he now held onto, he was uplifted, revved him when she pulled in close to him. This wasnt a first, they had hugged before and he had held her many times when she was sad or weary. And even though that pain remained, he felt numbed, completely concentrated on that warmth against him and the world was drowned of sound. And even though everything within him was screaming for him to despair, to realize that the hope had faded and that he would love, and he would die for her, but he would die alone. There was so much that still echoed in his mind and he wanted to cling to her, to hold her close to him in desperation but he couldnt show that weakness. He did hold her but it was one of comfort, to protect her from what they had wrought upon themselves.

When she kissed him again, something else rushed into him, pushing aside old and new notions alike, his body buzzed again and with the euphoria for just a moment, it felt like that storm was the simple power of their love. No matter how untrue this sentiment was, he held onto it in that moment and returned that kiss with everything he had, pouring his own love into that one physical action. And even as that storm raged, nothing else mattered in that moment and only when he broke that kiss did the sound come rushing back, he felt he had let go too soon. Could he not have this night, it would not be enough, but it was more than the crushing realization that he would live everyday differently because of this night.

He had fulfilled her wish and she had brought him to a point of living that he never thought he would see. Crowe brought some good things away from this night but standing in this storm he realized that he could never have her, that the physical expression of their love may destroy the very world around them, a passion borne apocolypse. And as he watched her now the thought crossed his mind, if she asked him to take her..he would forsake this world. Perhaps it was a dark thought, but his only concern was always her and nothing else mattered.

[Moridanu]

*Despite the howling wind and pounding rain, Moridanu knew nothing but the passion she felt building inside of her like a torrent of water unable to be stopped as it rushed down a waterfall. She felt nothing but his lips on hers, his tongue entwined with her own and her hands which were now roaming endlessly over his torso. Unaware of what she was doing, so lost in her kiss that she was now acting on simple impulse, she found herself fumbling with the fasteners of his shirt, her passion urging her to rip the clothes from his body.


Before this kiss, she had been a young girl who appeared to be in her 16th mortal year in this realm- naive and innocent as to the ways of the world and the ways of men. The kiss had awakened a deep primal urging within her, one that had been lying dormant from the moment of her creation. Now, she was reborn a woman, complete with womanly urges fuelled by this passion that threatened to consume her. She knew nothing of carnal thoughts, let alone actions, yet still she tugged and pulled at his shirt as she found her body pressing itself automatically against his.


When he broke the kiss and pulled away from her, she found her breath to be coming in short ragged pants. She gazed up at him, her quivering lips forming a perfect O of surprise, confusion, frustration and lust. Although their lips were no longer touching, her body was still connected with his and she realised with a blush rising to her cheeks that her hands had found their way inside his shirt and were now caressing his smooth warm skin. She wanted every part of him in a way she had never thought possible, she ached to feel his touch on her skin and to know every inch of his.


Thunder cracked overhead, a giant willow tree to the left groaned in protest as the howling wind ripped its gnarled roots from the earth and flung it toward to the two young would be lovers while rain whirled around them so fast that they would be blind to anything else outside of the shelter of the Gazebo. She heard all the warnings, felt them deep down in the core of her being but still she could not pull away from him as her hands became more urgent in their exploration of his toned abdomen and strong back. She pleaded with him with her eyes for him to respond in kind, to defy the Gods and complete her metamorphosis into a passionate woman before the night was through.


As this thought passed between them like a bolt of electricity, a thunder clap roared above them, so loudly that she was deafened almost instantly. If he spoke to her now, she would not hear it, but this was of no consequence to her. She did not want him to waste precious seconds with talking. She knew that there time together was limited, and if they were to seize this moment, they would need to do it soon. The wind screamed at them, finally succeeding in its task to rip the roof of the Gazebo from its posts and sending it hurtling up into the funnel of a tornado that had formed above them. The ground beneath them shook as large cracks began to appear in the earth around them, but still her eyes were locked on his. It was only when a large branch of the nearby fallen willow tree was hurled towards them and struck her on her side, that she tore her gaze away from his. Crying out in pain, she fell to her knees, desperately looking up to Crowe to save her from this Hell and deliver her to the Heaven they both sought within each other’s embrace.*

[Crowe]

Did she read his mind? That thought which he couldnt see as dark or light, and before he had time to let it go he found her hands touching his skin. Although not completely to feel her hands on him, to feel her touch him like this was surreal. The cold rain couldnt contain the heat that rose up from his core and radiated outward in an instaneously reaction to those hands carefully but quickly working over the forms of his body. And in that moment he didnt know if he was paralyzed with fear or pleasure. Everything was happening so fast around them and for moments, he was unsure of what to do.

In his moments of just allowing her to search him, which seemed like an eternity to him, he didnt notice that the tree had snapped and when Mori went down, he went straight to her and even through that pain, he could feel it, see it in her eyes that she still wanted this, wanted him to deliver her from the storm and to complete this fantasy. And in that moment Crowe had never felt more conflicted, he had lived for these years without it, always wanting it from her and never acting on his impulses. Here was his chance, maybe his only chance to feel her against him but at what cost? He certainly could protect her from anything but how would the world fare around them, they had kissed and now she touched him and already the world around them had begun to completely fall apart. If they touched their bodies together, would the world simply collapse? Her people, her kingdom, all gone, no future and nothing for her..and for that fact him to live for. And even in that rekindled hope that she had given to him, he knew she would have to understand, his eyes would leave hers and his head would slump as he also went to his knees.

Tears fell from his eyes as he looked down, submissive and not responsive to her want. He loved her, more than his life or this world. But he knew that she could not live with what their physical interaction might cost. Crowe loved her enough, that he forsake his greatest wish and only want in life, just so that their lives could continue. He could still be there for her and she could continue on to do what she was born for. He was angry and beyond the saddest depths that he had ever felt, it was all too much for him to deal with but he was only do what he was ever meant to do...protect her.

[Moridanu]

*She felt his eyes on her, their darkness penetrating her inner core and threatening to consume her like the passion that continued to rage inside her. The Willow branch had caused a large gash to open on her skin, the red blood trapped under the peacock blue skirt soon turning the material a dark purple. Moridanu felt no pain; in fact she knew nothing but those dark eyes on her.


He came to her, to comfort her as he always did and she begged him with her own eyes to ignore the chaotic destruction that whirled all around them. She knew that she was being reckless, immature and irresponsible, but she simply didn’t care. All she wanted was for Crowe to take her to the dizzying heights of rapture that only he could deliver. And, for the briefest of moments, she saw the same passion in his eyes; a reckless abandon similar to her own desires.


Before she could rejoice however, something in his eyes changed and she sensed the resignation that was now etched all over his handsome features and slumped shoulders. She was taken aback to see him fall to his knees, her shock and frustration blinding her to see the tears that fell from his eyes. She knew immediately what was happening; he was rejecting her. Despite a little voice trying to speak up deep within her conscious, telling her that it was for the best and that he was making the decision they both should be making; Moridanu only felt pain, rejection and disappointment. As she gazed at him in an expression of hurt and frustration, her emerald orbs quickly darkened as her hands clenched beside her sides in fists of rage. Despite the pain from the cut on her hip, Moridanu rose slowly, now unable to look upon the man she loved enough to forsake her place in this realm and her crucial role in the upcoming war.


Regardless of the howling wind and rain, or perhaps fuelled by it, Moridanu’s auburn curls quickly ignited in flame, burning rapidly until they soon burnt down to a dark ash. This ash quickly morphed into thick black feathers that were now growing over her shrinking body. With a loud caw of anger and resentment at the man that had hurt her beyond compare, Moridanu completed the transition into her raven form and spread her large dark wings. Without a backward glance she took off into the stormy sky, her dark eyes immediately beginning to water as the harsh wind burned her orbs and ruffled her feathers. Still, the raven flew upwards towards the dark clouds and tornado funnel which had begun to move away as soon as Crowe had made his heartbreaking decision. She heard people calling out below and glanced down quickly to see her most trusted advisors running towards what remained of the Gazebo, carefully dodging the large cracks that had formed in the earth. Ignoring their cries, the raven soared higher and higher determined to fly into the heart of the storm and end this pain forever. *