Elven Roses

"But won't they suspect something when they see this … other elf maiden taking the same path that the android took into the house and out again?" Mericlou said.

"You'd think that they would," Aldrec replied slyly. "But most elves change paramours so regularly during their youth that to see a male with one female one year, and then see him one day, with someone completely different is quite common. So your anonymity is guaranteed."

Mericlou smiled gratefully, and moved to again rest her head upon Aldrec's shoulder, before she stopped herself.

"Will you be like these young elves, Aldrec?" She asked. "Will you just suddenly become disinterested in me, and exchange me for some girl who tickles your fancy down the road?"

Aldrec shook his head, smiling his usual smile: tender and disarming. "I'm not a young elf," he said. "And even if I were, my family took relationships quite seriously, and taught me to do the same, no matter what my age. And thirdly, I love you, Meri. You know it as well as I. What I feel for you is far more than mere elf infatuation or curiosity."

He leaned over, and kissed her, and then Mericlou, at last satisfied, rested her head fully on his shoulder.

When they arrived at Lusea, he walked her to the pet shop for Needles' food, and then back home without the peril of staring eyes or warding spells. Again, he proved to her that if she was having a bad day, just being with him made it better.

***

Mericlou hummed to herself as she watered the plants at home.

Then she stopped, and giggled at her actions.

She never hummed to herself.

So, Meri, this is what it's like to be in love, she thought.

It was true that yesterday had started out poorly, but after Aldrec intervened, she found herself able to handle its remainder quite well. And now, having this day off and having Noroa home again was simply wonderful.

At the moment, it was only Sedriil in the apartment with her. While the rest of the family was away at work, and Garen gone to the marketplace with Noroa, her little brother was busy with his usual data-gathering treks through the Orb Network while she caught up on tending to her plants.

She came upon the rose beside the hall entrance. It was the very one that Aldrec had given her when they first met. It had become special to her, both for sentimental value, and because of the fact that had shown no signs of wilting. Though no known spells could delay death, it had to be magical; there was no doubt in her mind.