Destiney of the Sword God

Chapter 13 - Confession

The festivities began to wind down as the moon rose high in the sky, bathing the small village in her silvery glow. Torchlights flickered lower in the courtyard as tired revelers retired for the night, their songs and laughter fading into the distance. 

Rowan found Elia amongst the dwindling crowd her radiant smile unwavering as always. "Walk with me?" he asked, taking her hand in his. She nodded, allowing him to lead her away from the dimming lights and into the shadows of the surrounding forest.

They followed a narrow path winding between slumbering trees, the babbling of a nearby brook their sole companion. Fireflies danced amongst the undergrowth, illuminating Elia's delicate features with their ephemeral light. All was quiet save for the sounds of nocturnal creatures stirring in the darkness.

Overhead, the twin sisters Luna and Diana gazed down upon the lovers, bathing the tranquil forest glen in their soothing radiance. A sense of calm and serenity washed over Rowan and Elia as they strolled hand in hand, leaving behind the turbulence of the recent days if only for a moment, lost in each other's company under the watchful eyes of the moon. Rowan turned to face Elia as they walked, her radiance seeming to glow even brighter beneath the soft light of the moon. "Forgive me for the turmoil of earlier," he began, gently stroking her cheek. "I never wish for you to feel unsafe or distressed."

Elia leaned into his tender touch. "You were protecting my honor, as is your right," she assured him.

Rowan sighed. "Even so, I despise seeing any distress marring your fair features." He gazed intently into her eyes. "You give me strength like no other, Elia. My love for you knows no bounds."

A faint blush colored Elia's cheeks at his heartfelt words. She clasped his strong yet gentle hand on her own. "And you are my safe harbor in any storm. Where you go, so too shall I follow, for now and always."

Rowan wrapped his arms around her, holding her close. In that tranquil glen beneath the overseers of Luna and Diana, all seemed right in their world once more as they confirmed the deep and abiding love, they held for each other in their hearts. Elia wrapped her arms around Rowan's torso, leaning her head against his broad chest. She listened to the reassuring beat of his heart, drawing comfort and strength from his embrace.

"I cherish you above all else, my dearest Rowan," she said softly. "Your love is my harbor in any storm."

Rowan held her close, resting his chin upon her head as they swayed gently together. He loved how perfectly she fit into his arms, as if made for him alone.

Elia gazed up at him, silver moonlight dancing in her eyes. "I wish we could stay like this forever, away from strife or discord. Remember our days wandering the forest together? Such simpler times they were." A wistful sigh escaped her lips.

Rowan smiled tenderly. "We'll have peace again, my heart, once this shadow passes," he soothed. He tilted Elia's chin and gazed upon her lovely face, aglow with affection. "But for now, as long as we have each other, no darkness can touch us. You are my light that guides me through any storm."

Elia's answering smile was radiant as the moon. A gurgling brook bubbled nearby, its gentle melody accompanying Elia and Rowan as they gazed into each other's eyes. Slender willows danced lazily above the bank in the soft breeze, silvery foliage shimmering like a veil draped over this secluded glen.

Drawn together as if by some invisible thread, Rowan and Elia's lips met in a heartfelt kiss. Rowan cradled Elia's face tenderly as she clung to him, pouring all their hopes, fears and ardently blossoming love into this sacred union.

Under the watchful moon and stars, the rest of the world seemed to fall away, leaving only the two soulmates lost in their embrace. The sweet song of the brook and whispering willows wove a spell of tranquility around them, shielding their retreat from all earthly turmoil.

As they kissed, unspoken vows were reaffirmed. Their bond was rooted deeper than any words could express, a living essence glowing bright despite shadows encroaching. So long as they stood together, hand in hand and heart to heart, no darkness could diminish the light kindled within. It was a light to guide their steps through whatever challenges life may bring. For now, in each other's arms beneath the glow of Luna, all was calm, and all was well. Rowan gently stroked Elia's hair as she lay contentedly in his arms, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat amid the sounds of the nocturnal forest. All seemed peaceful and right in their private haven.

Yet a subtle unease flickered in Elia's eyes, not quite vanishing even as she smiled up at her beloved. Rowan's keen senses noted this trace disquiet, and he tilted her chin gently to meet her gaze.

"Dearest heart, something troubles you still," he said softly rather than asked. Elia hesitated but knew she could conceal nothing from Rowan.

Sighing, she replied, "It is nothing of import, truly. Let us speak no more of shadows tonight." Yet Rowan would not be deterred. He embraced her reassuringly, radiating calm strength.

"No darkness will overwhelm us so long as we stand together. Please, tell me what clouds your joy so I may chase it away." Elia heard earnest care in his words, melting her reserve. Leaning into Rowan's sheltering arms once more, she prepared to unburden her heart. Elia took a steadying breath. "Cadmon's advances trouble me still," she admitted softly. "Though I've made my disinterest clear, he persists as a shadow refusing to withdraw."

A flare of anger lit within Rowan's gaze at this news, but he quelled it at once. This night was not for rage but reassurance. "You have nothing to fear from that cur while I stand by your side," he vowed, gently squeezing her hand.

Elia smiled up at him, some lingering anxiety dissolving under his steadfast gaze. "I put no stock in his hollow charms. My heart and loyalty are yours alone." She lay her head upon Rowan's broad chest, listening to its soothing rhythm. "Whatever shadows mass on our horizon, facing them together will dispel even the darkest of doubts. Your love is the light that guides me, my dearest Rowan, and by its warmth I know no distress can touch me."

Gazing down at her beloved's lovely face aglow with quiet faith, Rowan's smoldering anger cooled. Cadmon's machinations meant nothing so long as Elia's trust in their bond remained unshaken. And so, in peaceful companionship, hand in hand, they walked on through moon dappled shadow and light. Elia's gentle confession stirred Rowan's heart with fierce protectiveness. He halted their stroll and turned to face her, taking both hands in his.

"You need not suffer Cadmon's leering any longer, my love. From this night forth, know that you walk these lands under my shield. No unwelcome word or touch shall darken your light while I stand by your side."

Rowan's tone was earnest yet resolute as mountain stone. Elia blinked back tears, recognizing the unbending conviction in his steady gaze, which faced the future without fear.

"You are my heart's sanctuary, Elia. Any who disrespects or endangers that which is mine will answer to this sword." He patted the weapon on his hip, his promise ringing soft and true as a knight's oath. "Have faith, and trust that I will purge all shadows threatening our peace."

Elia smiled through misty eyes, heartened beyond words. "Your strength is my strength. With you to walk by me, no darkness seems so grim." She leaned up, touching her lips gently to Rowan's in gratitude. His faithful heart was armor enough against any discord, sheltering her light from all harm. Hand in hand once more, their footsteps whispered on through moon washed leaves in step toward whatever awaited, facing it side by side. Rowan and Elia walked hand in hand down the forest path, bathed in Luna's silvery glow. A sense of peace descended upon the soulmates despite shadows amassing around them. Their bond was strengthened by facing tribulations together, roots deepening through rain and storm.

Elia's worries were soothed by Rowan's guardian presence, finding safe harbor in his steadfast love. And Rowan drew renewed courage from Elia's faithful light, which would guide him true no matter the morrow's challenges.

As they made their way back through dancing willow groves and silver glades, their footfalls were light and steps in tune. All earthly discord seemed distant in each other's comforting embrace. Though dark wings may gather on future horizons, tonight their sanctified union was cloaked from harm.

Reaching the edge of the forest, Rowan turned to Elia to face her. "By your radiance my heart finds home," he vowed, caressing her soft cheek. "As long as we two stand as one, no darkness can prevail." Elia smiled up at her beloved knight, mirroring his hope. "Our love is a fire to light any coming storm. As one we will meet it, side by side as always."

With a parting kiss full of trust and devotion, Rowan escorted Elia to her door under a shining canopy of stars, their hands reluctant to part. Though shadows massed and tensions threatened, in each other they found the strength and solace to face whatever the next dawn may bring.