Awakened by the sound of Lilith's sobbing, Lyranda rose to one arm and addressed the mage, "what is the matter Lilith, are you injured?  Why do you weep?"  "No, I'm not injured," Lilith replied, "it's nothing, really."  "Nothing, you say? Nothing would not cause a person to cry," Lyranda told the woman,  "there is something wrong.  I feel your spirit cry out in turmoil and pain, what is it?" "I thought your spirits tell you everything!", Lilith shot back, "surely you know all by now."  Sitting up, Lyranda cupped the weeping woman's face in her hands, instantly Lilith began to feel a soothing sensation enter her mind and body.  "There are only two spirits here now, Lilith," the druid softly spoke, "yours and mine.  Please tell me what ails you so much.  And be truthful."

"I love somebody I cannot possible have," Lilith replied, still sobbing. "I see," Lyranda answered, "and you cannot have this person... is he betrothed to another?" "It's not a he," Lilith responded, "it's a she."  "And why does this bother you?", Lyranda continued to press, "does she belong to another?"  "It's a woman, Lyranda!  That's the problem.  I'm not supposed to feel like this toward another woman," Lilith exclaimed, "it's not natural, not right... my upbringing tells me these feelings are only supposed to be between a man and a woman!"  "Lilith, my people believe that when Kakiruu created all people, It also created the most powerful emotion of love, and like The Creator, it had no gender," Lyranda softly spoke, "love was meant to be shared by all, without regards to whom it was directed.  There is no evil in loving a person, male or female.  So tell me... who is this woman that holds your heart?"  "The woman... is you," Lilith answered, then gazing into Lyranda's eyes, "when I look at you, all I want to do is kiss you, hold you," then lowering her gaze and in a whisper, "love you."  "I now understand," Lyranda responded, "it seems there is only one way we may solve this dilemma."  Now with fear in her heart of the druid's answer, Lilith asked in a weak, frightened voice, "and that is?"  "It begins with your kiss," Lyranda said as she put her arms around the trembling woman, "I too feel for you, as you for me..."  As Lilith placed her lips to Lyranda's, all her fears, doubts and insecurities washed away and she was at peace once again.

As the two women lay there in each others embrace, Lyranda softly spoke to her partner, "I must confess something to you, my love.  I knew you were attracted to me from the moment we first met under the gazebo.  I knew this time would come."  "Did the spirits tell you this?", Lilith questioned.  "No, they told me nothing... you did", the druid responded.  "I said nothing, how could you possibly have known my feelings for you?", Lilith asked.  "It was in your eyes, your spirit, your heart," Lyranda whispered, " you tried to hide these things with the pursuit of academic knowledge.  But even then, I felt your true heart."  "I love you," Lilith softly said to the other woman, "and yes, I was smitten by your beauty the moment I first laid eyes upon you.  I felt as if I had finally found my true soulmate, though I was frightened by the thought, even then."  "I love you, too," Lyranda answered with a smile, "you have made me whole.  In the morning, we will tell the others of our love."

Bolting to a seated position, Lilith exclaimed, "NO!  We mustn't tell them anything! They'll despise us, tell us to leave... hate us."  Rushing once again to the troubled woman, Lyranda took her into her arms and softly cooed, "it will be alright, my love.  They are good people and will be understanding."  In Lyranda's soothing embraced, Lilith's fears began to wane, "how can you be sure?  What if they don't... what if they have us leave?"  "Then we leave," Lyranda responded, "sleep now, Lilith.  Be at peace, I will be here for you, for now and always." 

As the couple lay back in each others arms to rest, both women fell peacefully asleep.

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Cailin's Journey - - An Adventure In The Making
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