Interlude
Between Chapter 10 and 11
By LirinStar

        The Interlude is part of the story, so it will need to be read, as I will probably have parts referring back to it in other chapters. You will probably be a little lost without it.

While the boys got on their PJ’s Lirin and Mia did the same. Mia put on a large cream colored nightshirt with loose fitting navy blue cotton pants and Lirin put on her green nightshirt and silver cotton shorts.

        Lirin decided that she would like to do some reading by the fire tonight so she grabbed a book entitled The Sword of Shannara by Terry Brooks (Yes, it’s a real book, and a real good one too). Not wanting to be bothered when she was reading she made her way to Mia’s little library/reading room. The walls in this room were totally covered with books and on one wall it had a large fireplace. In the middle of the room was a russet brown leather couch, two leather chairs of the same color, and a coffee table. The couch was facing the fireplace, and there was one chair on each side of the couch, each angled to face the fireplace. There was a large lamp on either side of the couch in between it and the chairs and the coffee table was in front of the couch.

        She set her book down on the table and went over to start a fire. One thing about her starlight fire that really bugged her was that because it was so hot, as soon as it touched something it turned that something to ashes. So, she could never use it to start a fire, for the wood would be consumed in less than a second.

        Once she had a relatively large fire going, she went over to one of the chairs and sat sideways in it, with her back leaning on a pillow on the arm of the chair and her legs dangling over the other arm. It was her favorite way to sit. She reached for her book, opened it and started to read.

        Meanwhile, the boys and Mia had all gone down to the living room. Everyone but Rowen, who was trying to read, was watching "Friends" on TV. It was a particularly funny episode and kept everyone laughing continuously, much to Rowen’s dismay. Finally Rowen got fed up and left to go read somewhere quite.

        As Rowen walked into Mia’s library, expecting to be the only one there. He was surprised to find Lirin there. Rowen paused, not wanting to disturb her, and studied her there sitting sideways in the chair. The light of the fire danced on her exposed skin, and her long golden hair gleamed in the fire’s light. Her silver green eyes where sparkling with the starlight he had seen earlier, only now it was more easily seen. He felt his heart growing lighter the longer he stared at her. She was so into her book that she didn’t realize he was there watching her.

        A small smile tugged at the corners of her mouth when she had come to an amusing part of her book. Then she started to laugh and looked up, seeing Rowen in the doorway studying her. She blushed under his scrutiny. "Rowen! How long have you been there?"

        "Not very long. I came in here to get some quite while I read my book."

        "Same here."

        "What cha readin’? he asked, coming to sit on the couch beside her.

        "It’s called The Sword of Shannara by Terry Brooks. It’s a Fantasy Novel. They’re my favorite, especially the ones that have elves and stuff in them. What are you reading?"

        "The Legend of King Arthur."

        "Oh I love stuff about King Arthur!" she exclaimed. "The fantasy books and the books about King Arthur and Camelot and Avalon and stuff are the books I like to read the most."

        "You like reading then?"

        "I’m an avid reader. I’ll usually divide my spare time between my computer, reading, writing in my journal, and sparring. How about you?"

        "Me? Oh, I’ve always got a book in hand. I think I get on the guy’s nerves, especially Sage’s, cause I read so much." he said truthfully. Lirin giggled.

        They both settled down into reading their books in companionable silence. After a few hours though, Lirin began to doze off and finally she was in a deep sleep, book on her lap, and head leaning on the back of the chair. She had a content little smile on her face. After about another hour or so, Rowen started getting sleepy too. He marked his spot in the book and closed it. He looked over to see Lirin already fast asleep. ‘I wonder how long she’s been asleep.’ he thought to himself. He went over to her and nudged her shoulder a bit. "Lirin." he said softly. She moaned, but didn’t wake up. "Lirin!" he said a bit louder, nudging her shoulder harder. Still no response. ‘Guess I’ll just have to carry her to her room.’ he thought.

        Rowen set his book down and took her book and put her book mark in it and closed it. He set it down on top of his. He then scooped her up out of the chair, bringing forth another moan from her. He stood still, wondering if she was gonna wake up. She didn’t though, and in fact snuggled closer to him. He smiled down at her and carried her up to her room.

        When he got there he pulled down the sheets and set her down. He pulled the sheets up to her shoulders and watched her curl up on her side. He smiled at the cute baby like expression on her face. After a little hesitation he bent down gave her a little kiss on her forehead. "Good night, Lirin." He whispered and left to his own room. He didn’t notice the happy smile on her face.