Hearing Cailin's voice behind him, Marren turned to say hello.  The sight that he beheld however, was not what he expected.  Dropping the package, all he could do was stand in silence and admire the vision of the young woman standing before him.

Finally coming out the state of mild shock from the surprise, Marren began to haltingly speak, "Cailin... you look... you look... my gods, you look beautiful."  "Really?  I mean 'thank you' Marren," Cailin softly responded, "do you like it?"  Still in awe, Marren stammered, "it's amazing, you look like an angel."

From behind the couple, Lyranda and Petra began to talk to each other.  Lyranda, noticing Marren's initial reaction to Cailin's attire, spoke first, "for the first time since we've met, I do believe the man is speechless." Continuing the jovial banter, Petra said,  "would you say he be smitten?"  "Oh, definitely," Lyranda replied with a small laugh.  "Marren!", Petra loudly spoke, "what be the problem?  Cat got yer tongue?", then remembering Lyranda's ability, added, "oops, no offense, Lyranda."  "None taken, my friend," Lyranda responded, "the M'buri have a similar saying."

Still affixed on Cailin, Marren turned to the two women and in an irritated tone, asked, "what are you two mumbling about back there?"  Looking at each other for a moment, the two replied in a sing-song voice simultaneously, "oh, nothing."  "Well, Marren," Petra continued, "if yer finished gawking, pick up that bundle and go change, can't wait to see what ye look like all fancied up. Well... go on, git!"

When Marren returned about a half hour later, he presented himself with a slightly comical flourish, "well, what do you think, ladies?"  "Ah lad, ye look great, ye clean up well.  But I don't remember getting ye a sash," Petra replied.  "Oh this, just a little something I've had stashed away for a special event.  Speaking of which, I'm famished, would you ladies allow me the honor of escorting the three most beautiful women on Aeranor to dinner this evening?", Marren responded.  "C'mon lad, you know by now, flattery will get ye nowhere," Petra giggled.  Turning to the dwarf and with a slight bow, Marren said, "no flattery, my dear.  Just the honest truth... ladies, shall we go"  And with that, the group began a leisurely stroll to the Bloated Boar.

During dinner, the women told Marren more about the day's shopping and arrangements made with the various merchants for delivery to the livery, where they could stow the items on the wagon for the trip to come.  Marren let the women in on the information he had gathered.  "There's reports of orc raiding parties ahead, but they are few in number.  The worst it seems are roving gangs of bandits that have been on the rise between here and the next large settlement of Crider's Blight," Marren continued, "at best speed, it's a week's ride to get there, but at our pace, probably closer to eleven or twelve days.  But we do not need to overly tire the animals, so the delay is inevitable."  The group spent about another hour at the tavern, mostly engaged in light conversation.  Marren could not help but gaze at Cailin throughout the evening, only turning his eyes when he saw her looking his way and once again returning when he noticed her not.

As the the group made their way back to the inn, night had fallen and the full moon lit the area as if it was just a cloudy day. Hearing music coming from the courtyard, they all decided to investigate.  "Ye hear that, it be a Whitecap jig... time to dance!", Petra stated loudly as she began dancing with the violinist.  "Ye play a mean fiddle there, lass," she told the musician, "I love it!"  The other two women saw the good time Petra was having and decided to join the fun.  Leaning against the low column, Marren said with a laugh, " I'll sit this one out, but don't worry, I'll be joining you soon."  As the women danced, not used to the high heeled shoes she wore, Cailin began to fall.  "Cailin!", Marren shouted as he sprung from the column to catch the woman, breaking her fall, "are you alright?" 

Marren's sudden shout brought a temporary halt to the festivities.  Turning to the couple, Petra excitedly asked, "what happened?  Cailin, are you hurt, darlin'?"  "No, I'm fine," Cailin responded, then sheepishly turned to look at Marren, "thank you."  "You're welcome, I just didn't want to see you... see any of us get hurt," Marren softly replied.  With the crisis out of the way, the musicians began playing an old romantic ballad.  Looking down into Cailin's eyes, Marren gently asked, "may I have this dance?" "I don't kno...", Cailin's words being interrupted by the man's next request.  "Please," Marren whispered softly.  "I uhh," Cailin stammered, "yes."

As Petra and Lyranda watched the two dance, Lyranda broke the silence, "do you think those two will ever tell each other their true hearts?"  "Perhaps," replied the dwarf, then with a lilt in her voice, "if they don't kill each other, first."



-----------------------------------------------------------------
Coming in somewhere at the middle of Cailin's saga and want to start at the beginning?
Then click here:
Cailin's Journey - - An Adventure In The Making
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Thank you for viewing and a very special thank you for all who have begun to follow my story about Cailin and her continuing journey.
Comments, critiques and/or suggestions are always welcome.
Remember... when viewing mine and other artist's work, check out the full size view... bigger is always better!