Ripples were sent through the dark waters as a small pebble hit its surface then sank to the murky depths of the lake. Rae sighed softly as she picked up another pebble, this time slightly bigger and tossed it lightly into the lake, memorized by the silky ripples it created. Brown boots lay discarded a few feet behind where Rae had claimed as her resting place. Bare feet rested in the cool waters as Rae sat hugging her knees close to her chest with one hand while the other scrounged for more ammo to throw at the glassy waters. Her long blue dress had been bunched up around her thighs so the ends would not get wet. Long brown hair had been pulled back in a loose braid and hung over her left shoulder. The small bunch of trees behind her tended to hid her from view, hence why she loved this spot so much. This was where she came when she just wanted to sit and enjoy nature, being a Wood-Elf she had been raised to appreciate and love nature and all the creatures it held.
There along the shore of the lake Rae felt at home. While growing up with her uncle there had been a small pond in one of the nearby clearings. She was constantly skipping out on her chores to go down to the small pond to swim or just rest her feet him the cool waters. This small pond had seemed magical to her and the part of the lake she sat at now reminded her so much of it that the sadness and homesickness inside her grew until a single tear ran down her face. The small drop of water fell off her smooth check to land in the soil next to her. As she reached down to scrounge for another throwing pebble a lone duck landed on the glassy waters in front of her, the sight of it bobbing its head under water with its butt in the air while looking for food caused a soft laugh to escape from Rae’s throat which instantly raised her spirits.
Rae had never been one to blue; she was more of a happy-go-lucky kind of person, always wanting to be around people, laughing and having fun rather then mopping by herself. But today she missed her family and she would allow herself one day to be downhearted.
Launaux cursed his feet, as the pain of many miles of travel took thier blistering toll. He was travelling ever eastward on a path that would lead him eventually to the Alulanta Falls and an undoubtedly uncomfortable reunion with his younger brother. His brother Terion was a ranger who dwelt in those thinnly forested lands near the falls. Launaux had never quite understood what turn of events had made his brother into the joyful and helpful man he had become. The events of thier youth had led Launaux down a different path. He had not been present when his brother had quested incessantly for a way to save thier mother. After the disappearance of thier father, thier mother began to waste away. It was as if she had lost the will to live. Launaux had known that this was common when elves lost thier human mates, no spell or potion that he had ever heard of would have been able to save his mother. So, he left, wandering the land in search of power, always power. He felt that if someday he had enough magic, or enough knowledge, he would be able to prevent such a thing from happening again. He didn't care much for the woes of others, not even his little brother. There was a bitterness inside of Launaux, he was angry with himself for not doing more, even though he knew there was nothing he could do.
A short, yet musical laugh awoke him from his memory. He stopped walking with one final click of his staff and looked up. Down near the water's edge he saw a vision of beauty. A brown haired elven girl sat musing to herself by the lakeside. He wondered that she didn't worry about bandits or brigands, they were known to be active in this area. He shrugged but continued to watch her from his place on the dirt path that ran alongside the lake. He was stuck almost as if by a glamour, watching the elven girl. He was torn between leaving or going to greet the lady. So instead he just kind of watched, hoping not to be noticed.
Golden eyes gazed over the glassy waters, examining the wavering reflections of the surrounding hills and greenery. The mid-day sun beat down on Rae and her finely tanned skin soaked it in like soil soaks in water. A soft sigh escaped the elf’s full lips as she turned her attention back to the lone duck in front of her that was still fishing for its meal. Rae’s occupied hand gave up searching for a perfect throwing pebble and instead she wrapped it around her knees, pulling them closer to her chest and resting her chin on them as she remembered how things use to be for her.
Suddenly the duck rose from the water, its dark green head searching the lands behind Rae. In the flash of an eye the duck turned towards the open lake, spread its wings and took of, perhaps to return to its flock. Lost in memories Rae had not yet heard the traveler on the nearby road. Instead she slowly let go of her hold on her knees and laid back, her knees bent and feet still playing restlessly in the shallow waters. Slender hands played absentmindedly with her long brown hair, unbraiding then rebraiding repeatedly. A low melody filled the air around her as she softly hummed a tune her uncle use to hum while they were cloud watching. Brown eyes gazed up at the nearly cloudless sky forming the few clouds into shaped in her mind, a gentle smile on her face.
It wasn’t until the man stopped on the road right behind her that her sensitive Elvin ears picked up the sound of him, but that’s what happens when ones mind is somewhere other then the present. Rae tilted her head back and raised her back slightly so she could look at the man upside-down; a small grin on her face, which must have looked ridiculous in the man’s eyes. Eagle sharp eyes examined the man from their odd position; from his blue eyes to his silver hair to his staff that showed her he was either a sorcerer or a mage.
“Beautiful day today isn’t it?”
Her musical voice called up to the man as she stayed in her exceptionally awkward position.
Launaux was still rooted to the spot, struck by the elven lady's beauty when she arched her back and looked back at him with a little smile on her face. His heart jumped into his throat. He was caught! He felt like some sort of peeping tom, though he didn't really see anything candid or inappropriate. He wiped a hand on his chest nervously and glanced from left to right, before throwing his hood up over his head. He gripped the staff tightly until his knuckles went white. He was distraught, her lovely eyes watched him without fear or judgement. Most women, though Launaux was not unattractive, paid him little mind or left him alone after speaking with him. He was also utterly confused. Women did not affect him in this manner, he prided himself on being cold and distant.
“Beautiful day today isn’t it?”
Launaux froze for a moment then wiped a hand over his sweat beaded then produced a goofy grin and began to walk towards the lady.
"Beautiful...yes, yes it is. Much more so now m'lady, I must say."
Her glittering brown eyes watched him as he approached. He swallowed deeply trying to fight down his discomfort. The way she had positioned herself was extremely enticing, he tried not to notice. She had an appeal, despite her wilderness oriented appearance, that he was absolutely certain his brother would appreciate. Terion most certainly would not be nervous either. When it came to prospects of any physical nature, Terion had always been the brother to speak to. He extended his hand to the lady, while attempting to keep his eyes on hers.
"I am Launaux Blackwind, it's a delight to meet you lady. What is your name, and which direction are you going? I would love to walk with you."
He smiled in what he hoped was a pleasant way, then wondered what in the hell he was thinking, acting like a love struck fool.
Rae waited for a response patiently as she studied the stranger from her awkward pose. Piercing blue eyes were wide in shock, as if caught in some sort of compromising situation. Russet eyes watched the man as he nervously wiped his hand across his chest then glance from her, to the way he was heading and back to her before quickly throwing his hood up and over his head to cover his face. Bare feet played absentmindedly in the shallow waters of the lake as she waited for the man to speak. In fact she half expected him to run in the opposite direction without a single word, and was somewhat surprised when he replied "Beautiful...yes, yes it is. Much more so now m’lady, I must say." A soft blush spread across Rae’s sun tanned checks as she smiled gently at the obvious compliment.
Shifting her weight, Rae pushed up gently lowering her back and resting on her elbows in a half laying position. Brown eyes followed the man with a silent laugh as he started to walk towards her. Launaux Blackwind, his name had a slight Elvin sound to it which surprised Rae, as she had not noticed his Elvin ears. Shifting her weight once more Rae sat up to wrap her arms around her knees once more, looking up at Launaux with smiling eyes that squinted slightly against the bright sun.
“Raehonia Ghen, but please, call me Rae.”
A slender hand reached up to meet his in greetings, it was odd how he extended his hand, most would bow or nod their head in greeting, but to each their own.
“There was no particular direction in which I was heading; I was just enjoying the day and my surroundings.”
She motioned with one hand to the glass like lake that reflected the sky and surrounding trees in a breath taking picture.
“However I’d love to join you in whichever direction you were heading.”
Grabbing her boots by the leather laces Rae gracefully pushed herself up off the ground to stand barefooted in the shallow waters of Lake Aelin, waiting for Launaux to lead the way.