______Faoiltiarna walked cautiously down the sunlit forest path. She picked up her feet and set them down soundlessly amid the dry, cracked leaves, reaching up to push a strand of silver-blonde hair behind one slightly pointed elven ear. She moved easily through the forest and kept up a brisk pace, keeping a wary eye out for anyone who might be following her. Her piercing silver-blue eyes had the slightest hint of green in them, which marked her youth. She did not, however, have the mind or naivety of youth. She was strong, with the strength of one who has been through hell and had to fight their way back from it. Her elven features were youthful, sharp and distinct, and her eyes had a hawkish, nearly feral, light to them as she glanced around once more.

______Besides her eyes, however, her clothes were the only other indicator of the fact that she was a warrior. Everyone carried at least a sword and a dagger at all times, times being as they were. Her protective leather armor was a big hint as to her true abilities. She also wore a deep green, loose fitting tunic, wrapped at the wrists with leather bands, and tighter, but not restrictive pants that she tucked into knee-high leather boots. Over all, she wore a dark green, hooded cloak that could be pulled protectively about her, to conceal her armor, if the need arose.

______Suddenly, a twig snapped behind her. Faoiltiarna spun on one heel, and in a blur of motion, her twin daggers were in her hands. With a flick of her wrist she embedded one, up to the hilt, in the ground at the feet of a rather startled man. “Who are you? Why have you been following me?” She snapped. “Answer now, or you won’t be able to.” She flexed her wrist, threateningly, readying her second dagger. “Well?” She said, drawing her hand back.

______“Don’t! I’ll talk” He cried, dropping to his knees. Suddenly, with blindingly swift movement, he snatched her dagger from the ground and flung it at her. He smirked to himself as it flew directly toward her heart.

______Faoiltiarna saw the smirk, and she growled lightly as she reached up, easily catching her knife by the hilt, bare centimeters from her chest. The strangers face fell, and a glint of fear entered his eyes. She then flung her second knife, burying it up to the hilt in his throat. He gurgled in shock, clawing at his throat, his eyes bulging and sightless. He coughed weakly, blood trailing from the corner of his mouth, before he slumped to the ground and lay there unmoving.

______Faoiltiarna walked toward the body and pulled her dagger free, plunging it into the ground, then wiping it clean on the grass. “Oh well, he probably wouldn’t have had anything interesting to say, anyway.” She mumbled, noticing the crossed blades stitched on his bright red tunic. Then, she noticed a beautifully embroidered leather pouch hanging at his side. With deft fingers she pulled it from his belt and opened it. Inside, there were several small and relatively useless protection charms, a carved dragon’s scale said to bring luck, and a large pendant. The pendant caught her attention, and she pulled it out to look at it. It appeared deep blue in the center, surrounded by a light green, with a corona of silver-white. She quickly dropped it back into the pouch and stood, fastening the pouch to her belt.

______Suddenly, she heard footsteps behind her. Mentally cursing herself for letting her guard down, she turned, instantly alert. Then, just as quickly, she relaxed and ran straight into the arms of the newcomer. He was obviously elven as well, but he didn’t have the hardness about him that Faoiltiarna did. His eyes were soft and kind, and of the deepest midnight blue one could imagine. His hair was black as night and shone with blue highlights in the right light. His hair was tousled, and his bangs fell across his forehead and half into his eyes. Unlike Faoiltiarna, he was dressed simply in loose pants, tucked into boots, and a loose white shirt, with a vest over it.

______Faoiltiarna’s eyes softened with adoration as she looked up at him, reaching up to gently brush his bangs back from his face. Then, her eyes hardened, sternly, and she pulled away slightly. “What are you doing here?” She scolded. “It’s dangerous!”

______“I know.” He replied, eyes flashing with laughter.

______“Kerwin! It’s not funny!” Faoiltiarna snapped, her eyes flashing dangerously. “Well, anyway, you’re here now and I can’t very well take you all the way back to the village, so I guess I have a new travel buddy.” She said, frowning. Inwardly, however, she was smiling at the thought of spending time with Kerwin. She gave herself a mental slap and turned to walk away.

______Kerwin hurried after her, grinning widely and trying to stop. He knew that he was going to have to be on his guard with Faoiltiarna, because if he slowed her down at all, it could cost them both, their lives. He fell into step behind her and began to move easily with the same cautious swiftness that Faoiltiarna did.

______They walked in silence for a few minutes, then Kerwin spoke, “Tiarna, where’d you get that pouch?” He asked, curiously.

______“You don’t want to know.” Faoiltiarna said, quickly.

______“Well what’s in it?” He asked.

______“Some charms, a dragon scale, and an interesting pendant.” Faoiltiarna said, her voice becoming softer as her mind drifted back to the curious jewel.

______“Where are we going?” Kerwin asked, anxiously.

______“My home.” She responded bluntly.

______“Where’s your home?” Kerwin asked, staring at her profile, brought into sharp relief by the setting sun.

______“Alnwick.” She said.

______“The capital city?” Dartrey asked, suddenly fearful.

______“Yes, do you know of another Alnwick?” She asked, wryly.

______“Why would you go back there?” He asked, looking frightened.

______“Because it’s my home, Kerwin.” Faoiltiarna said, turning to look up at him, sadly.

______“Okay.” He said, suddenly, looking determined.

______Faoiltiarna gazed at him in surprise, then smiled up at him.

______They walked along in companionable silence for a time, then, “It’s getting dark. We should stop here for the night.” Said Faoiltiarna. “We’re going to have to take watch shifts. I’ll go first.”

______“No, I’ll go.” Kerwin said, in a tone that told her arguing would be useless.

______“Fine.” Faoiltiarna said, resignedly, stretching out on the ground and closing her eyes. A few moments later, she was breathing deeply, fast asleep.

______Kerwin watched her as she lay there. In sleep, the guarded fierceness of her face melted away. Asleep, she looked small, fragile and vulnerable. He reached over and gently moved a stray strand of hair out of her face, smiling as she shifted in her sleep. He thought back to how they had met.

______She had been new in his village, which was located in the far reaches of the kingdom ruled by the capital city of Alnwick. He had been immediately attracted to her fierce beauty and independent nature. She, in turn, had been immediately distrustful of anyone who tried to approach her. Kerwin kept trying, however, and gradually she became used to his presence, then even started to expect him to be there. They began to talk during these encounters and she slowly began to trust him. He knew he was in love with her, and he believed, deep inside, that she loved him, but with Tiarna, it was so difficult to be sure.

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