Forbidden Love

©2003 Elizabeth L. Clark
 

No one noticed, no one at all. She slipped into the bar, eyes looking for
all possible exits. She took a seat in the back, ordering wine and then
making the wench serving her forget she was even there.

This was dangerous. No one could know, or her beloved would suffer or it. And that she could
not allow. Silently she waited, silver eyes dull with fear and strain.
Her pointed ears twitched as she brushed back her raven dark hair.

She rode up on a pale grey mare. Her faded brown cloak hid her wealth of fire-red tresses and shadowed her bright green eyes. She could feel her lover there, sense her fears. She closed her eyes and a tendril of magic reached out, 'tapping' her love and guiding the elf to her side.

Like smoke the Elf maid slipped free from the human tavern. Not a touch or a word passed between them. The Elf helped her onto her larger horse and they vanished into the darkness.

It was nearly dawn before they reached the hidden glade. An older woman met them and took their steed from them. Together they climbed a set of stairs into a well appointed tower. Only then did lips meet, tears fall as they clung to each other.

Hours passed as they made love, bodies melding together in a magic as old as time. Sleep came in each others arms, safe from the hostile world. Now they would grow old together, the Elf gladly sharing her considerable life-force with her Human lover. Life would be long and happy in their glade away from prying eyes and hatred.

Outside, people searched for the fiery-haired princess. But all they found was a scarf deliberately left behind, dabbed with blood from a nick on her arm. Her father roared with anger, her mother wept. But she cared not. All she cared for she had.