The Honeymoon

[Lia]

Lia looked at the horses loaded down, and the wagon hitched; and it seemed it was time to go. They were finally getting ready to depart Chester County, to begin their new adventure. Beeston was the last stop before heading out....they had promised to escort a couple friends down to Warwick, before making their way to Cornwall for a visit. Lia looked over at her new husband and smiled; anxious to get their trip underway. Making sure Pork Chop's basket was secured tightly to her saddle horn Lia looked to make sure everyone was ready.

Clucking at the horses, the pair set off, friends in tow; outside the town walls, and heading into Stafford County. They had decided to forgo stopping in Stafford, preferring to get to Warwick as quick as possible. Shortly after passing through Stafford City, Lia spotted a suitable clearing up ahead. Glancing at Blades, Lia gave him a wink and set off for the clearing; almost challenging him to a race to the clearing. Her laughter was echoing off the trees, it had been a long time since she felt so free. Glancing down at her hand that held the reins, she spied her rings and smiled. Tossing a quick look over her shoulder to be sure Blades was still behind, she turned back around; narrowly ducking a branch that had snuck out at her. Thought of setting up camp ran through her head, including spending some quiet time with her husband.

Lia slowed her horse just a bit; if she beat him in this race; she didn't want it to be by much.

[Blades]

It had been a long day, but it had been well worth it. The wedding was wonderful, a slight disturbance before and after the ceremony, but they were now married, now husband and wife. He smiled with that thought in his head, and it was that way until he was brought back into reality by Lia's horse picking up some speed. He smiles knowing her plan to try and beat him, but he spied another path, and quickly turned Thunder to the left, disappearing into the forest. He kicked Thunder a little harder, spuring him on, when suddenly he noticed a tree had fallen across the path. With another quick kick and a slightly pulling on the reins, and just at the last minute Thunder's hoofs leave the ground and he clears the the tree with a half foot of clearance. Blades lets out a yell, as Thunder goes airborne. Thunder lands the jump and continues running, reaching the clearing that Lia had looked at. He pulls back on the reins, slowing Thunder to a trot. He looks around, looking for his bride.

[Lia]

Lia had glanced behind her and not seen her husband. Just a bit worried she slowed even more, expecting him to be hot on her heels. Bringing her mare to a stop, she looked around. Not seeing him anywhere behind her, she got a bit concerned, until she swung her gaze out upon the clearing and saw Blades just a bit ahead.

How did you pull that off love, Lia said, walking her horse over to join him. Pulling alongside him, Lia leaned over to give him a kiss. That will teach me to try to race you, headstart or no... Lia said laughing.Looking around the pretty clearing, surrounded by forest Lia smiled.

What do you think about camping her for the night?

[Blades]

Blades kisses Lia back and listened to her question. As she asked about camping here, he looked around and saw that this looked liked a pretty good place to bed down for the night. He looked over and looked into her beautiful eyes and smiled at her.

I think that this would be a wonderful place to stay for the night.

Blades quickly dismounted Thunder, tying him and Lia's horse up on a nearby tree and offered a hand up to help Lia off of her horse. He pulls her into his arms, kisses her deeply and then walks back over to Thunder, and removes an axe from his saddle bag. Attaching the axe to his belt opposite of his sword he looks towards the forest clearing.

I will go and get some wood for a fire, then I will get ready and prepare you a wonderful feast tonight my dear.

He kisses her forehead and heads towards the clearing, stopping only to turn back and look upon her beauty once again, before heading into the forest.

[Lia]

Giggling a bit as Blades helped her off her mare, Lia slid down his body as she returned his kiss. Finally feeling her feet hit the ground, she smiled up at him. Watching him go over and get the axe, then set off to the tree line, she began to get to work.

Pulling down the basket that Pork Chop was sleeping in, she gently pulled him out and set him in a patch of grass. Not wanting him to stray to far, she grabbed a silk scarf from her bag and tied it gently around Pork Chop’s neck, and the other end around the handle of the basket. Leaving him to graze a bit, Lia pulled a couple of their other packs off the horses. The day had been clear and sunny, so the night should be too.

Lia set about clearing out a spot for the fire, lining the edges with a few stones. Setting a pack aside that held the sleeping bags, she drew out a thin blanket and placed it on the ground near where Pork Chop was grazing, and Lia stretched out on the blanket, looking up at the sky. Watching the clouds roll across, Lia stretched her arms over head, feeling something nosing her side. Spying Pork Chop curling up next to her in the sun, Lia closed her eyes and sent a small prayer to Loki, thankful for what she had… a caring, loving husband; and a second prayer that they would have safe journey to catch up with Ghost and Oro.

Lia sat there just listening to the sounds of nature, her body relaxed; and with nothing immediately going on, her breathing slowed a bit, and Lia was fast asleep basking in the sun.

[Blades]

As Blades walked away he glance back at this lovely bride, and saw her getting the camp site ready. He turned then heading into the forest looking for firewood. He pauses just inside the treeline to allow his eye to adjust to the dimmer light that filters throught the tops of the trees. He walks through the forest. As he is in a new surrounding, his senses are heighten looking around at the noises around him, making sure that he will not be taken by surprise. Blades looked to his left and notice that there was a tree that had been knocked down some time ago, and would make the perfect firewood. As he walked around it he got an idea and turning towards camp let out a high long whisle. After taking a breath he reaches down and take the axe and starts to cut into the tree the sharp blade cutting throught the wood with ease. He works the blade through the tree completely severing it from what was left of the stump. Just as he set the ax down, familar sounds could be heard. He looked up and here trooted Thunder, coming to ansewer the whisle. It had taken many months of slow and painful training, finally Thunder had learned to untie his reins and come to Blades when he whisles. After petting Thunders nose Blades pulled out some rope from his saddle bag, and looping one end of the rope around the tree, and tying the other to the saddle, he slowly walked Thunder away from the tree. Finally with a few more quick shots to the tree it was free, and Thunder pulled it easily from it once final resting spot. Blades stopped Thunder and piled fodder and tinder on, and in the trunk and then lead Thunder back to the campsite. Staying just within the treeline, Blades untied the tree and carried the first load of wood over to the fire pit that Lia had made. He smiled as he saw both Lia and Porkchop lying there on the blanket asleep in the warm sunshine. It was nice to finally be free from the city and able to relax. The spot beside Lia looking inviting, but Blades quickly got a small fire burning, so that they would have good embers to cook dinner over. Once that was done, Blades tied thunderr up, and moved opposite of porkchop and wrapping his arms around Lia, laid down in the warm sundshine, just watching Lia sleep.

[Lia]

Lia hovered between dreaming and waking, pleasant images running through her mind. A warmth appeared at her side, she snuggled into it, half asleep, feeling safe and content. Almost as if Lia felt him watching her, she opened her eyes slowly and looked up to see her husband lying beside her; looking down at her. Blushing slightly at the realization she fell asleep, Lia tilted her head up to kiss his jaw softly. I must have dozed of my dear, Lia said smiling slightly. You were in my dreams, and such a pleasant sight to wake up to as well.

Reaching up to brush a stray lock of hair off his forehead, Lia ran her hand down the side of his face, finally resting her hand on his chest. Pillowing her head on his shoulder, she snuggled even closer, sighing with happiness. Tis so peaceful here, so serene. I do hope when we have our own home…we can have a spot such as this.

Seeing the tendrils of smoke coming from nearby, she realized that Blades had already started a fire. I do hope I haven’t been asleep long, Lia said, looking around a bit. The sun hadn’t seemed to move very far, so she didn’t think she dozed long. Feeling something tugging at her hair, Lia was about to scold Blades for pulling her hair; but turning her head slightly Lia saw that Pork Chop was awake…and thought her hair was a new toy, or maybe even dinner. Laughing she looked up at Blades and smiled. It would seem the ‘child’ is demanding attention. Hoping Blades would try to shoo the small piggy to the grass at the edge of the blanket, Lia kept her arms around him, not quite wanting to move just yet.

[Blades]

Blades smiled as Lia stirred and then woke up. squeezed her gently as she snuggled closer to him.

I do agree my dear. Wherever we settle I would love a quiet place like this close to our house.

Blades held Lia close, watching the few clouds passby overhead, and the small whisp of smoke trialling up to the sky. He then looks beside them and sees Porkchop playing with Lia's hair. He smiles as the little one is cute.

It would seem the ‘child’ is demanding attention.

Blades quickly gathered up the little one and placed it onto the grass, its attention being quickly diverted from Lia's hair. Blades lays his arms back around her, holding her close to him, happy to be relaxing with her. He kisses her forehead lightly.

Are you hungry my dear? I have a fire ready, and it looks as thourh the embers are almost perfect for cooking over.

[Lia]

Smiling as she watched as he untangled Pork Chop from her hair and set him on the grass to graze, she snuggled back against him sighing happily. Such a peaceful place to be, the man she loved by her side. Feeling his lips upon her forhead she pressed her own lips to his neck as she heard him say...

Are you hungry my dear? I have a fire ready, and it looks as thourh the embers are almost perfect for cooking over.

The thought of food perked her up a bit. Something to eat would be lovely. I didn't realize how hungry I was until you said something. Pulling herself up to a sitting position, she looked over to the fire glowing nicely. [color=blue]Now then, who is doing the cooking? Lia asked with a laugh. [/i]

[Blades]

Now then, who is doing the cooking? Lia asked with a laugh.

Blades looked deep into her beautiful eyes and kisses her lips sweetly.

You stay here, relaxing, I will cook tonight.

He gets up and moves over to their packs, glacing over his shoulder to see if she is still laying down, he opens one of the sides of the pack, rummagges around a little and finally finds what he was looking for. Glancing over his shoulder on more time, to make sure that Lia was not looking at him, he pulls out a package of meat that he is stashed away just for Lia. He moves over to another pack, gets a few other items and then heads to the fire. Keeping his back towards Lia and the surprise in front of him, he picks uyp a small shovel and digs out a small area in the embers. Wrapping the meat with some of the veggies he brought, he then then places it among the embers, convering it. He then goes to the wagon, and pulls out a large black kettle and placing it over the fire, he fetches some water. he adds a few spices and herbs to it, stirring it up and letting it boil slightly. He goes back and fetches a loaf of bread from the sack, and places it close to the fire, to warm up slightly. Looking over everything he smiles and goes to get the places and silverware they will need. He comes back, and checks on everything, noticing that the meat is starting to smell as it cooks surrounded by the embers. He turns it once, covering it back over with embers. He smiles and goes back to his wife, kising her.

It is almost ready my dear.

[Lia]

Lia smiles and returns the kiss as she lays back in the afternoon sun. Watching him work around the fire, she smiled as she realized he was comfortable around cooking as everything else. Giggling lightly as it would appear he wanted things to be a surprise, Lia turned on her side to see what her little piggy was up to. Watching him frolic and snuff around the ground beside the blanket, Lia reached out to scoop him up. Lia sat there talking nonesense to Pork Chop, the same as one might do with a small baby. Watching him settle, Lia placed him back into his basket to make sure he was out of harms way and glanced over at her husband.

She watched him move to and fro, trying to figure out what he was preparing... with no luck. Leaning back on her elbows she continued to watch his profile in the sun, wondering how she got so lucky. Starting to smell the aromas of the meal, Lia placed a hand on her stomach as it rumbled slightly. Giggling she smiled at Blades as he returned to her side, turning her head to meet his for another kiss.

It is almost ready my dear.

Smells good so far my love, wrapping her arms around him tightly. We must keep our strength up for other activities... Lia said laughing, snuggling up next to him waiting for the meal to be done.

[Blades]

Blades holds her close to his body, and looking into her eyes, he cannot help but smile. He thinks back over the last few days and they still seem so surreal to him. As he lays here on the grass, no one else around, he is spending time with his wonderful wife... HIS wife... he actually got married to a wonderful beautiful woman.

We must keep our strength up for other activities...

He smiles at her words and holds her close, his hand travelling the length of her body.

I completely agree my dear... we might have a late night. He smiles and kisses her deeply before laying back upon his back.

He takes a deep breath in, smiling and relaxing upon this journey. The aromas hit his nostrils and he turned, kisses Lia deeply. He smiles at her, and gets up from the blanket going to tend to the fire. Still keeping his back between Lia and the food, he pulls the meat out of the embers and carefully placing it on a platter, he unwrapps it, and taking a knife cuts it into slices. After cutting it and he places two slices, along with some veggies, and a slice of bread. He turns around and hands the plate to Lia, then placing something in the coals, he grabs his own place and sits beside her.

I hope you enjoy it my dear.

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