Upon The Ledge

Merilin studied the village from above, having perched himself in a tree to watch the people as they went about their lives. He was brooding, thinking about Eriar and how things between them had changed drastically since their time period. He'd been a handler; worked for one of the most malicious Evanuris around. Worked with some of her most dangerous aberrations. And yet, Eriar was hardly frightening. Especially as she tended to each of her pets, the multitude often left Merilin with a headache.

So many birds, and other little creatures that she attached herself to. It was sweet and annoying; though that summed his lover up. He chuckled as he heard the familiar voice. She was on her way back from the market. He dropped down out of the tree, a few feet in front of her. And quietly held out his hand. He'd been awaiting her return; though he trusted her to go to town and back, he did not trust the people in these towns to let her be. He was always near enough to help if she needed it.

Good time at the market? He inquired, idly.

As Eriar headed out of the village, she conversed idly with the two ravens perched on her wings. They'd been more clingy of late, but she didn't mind. It was nice to have the company as she browsed the goods at the market.

This trip - unlike the last she'd taken to Kont-aar - had been rather uneventful. All she'd needed here were some fresh produce for dinner. Her own gardens weren't ready for harvest yet, so she made due when needed by going to town.

Her basket of goods had been held between both hands as she walked any talked. Until she spotted Merilin dropping down from a tree. Sliding it up to the crook of one elbow, she took his hand with her now free one and smiled. Of course, love, when is it not?

Solas and Athim then took their opportunity, scuttling off her wings and one onto each of his shoulders. Eriar grinned as her birds both greeted him in unison with an airy Hi repeated a few times - at least until he'd acknowledge them.

You should come with me next time, she offered, once the birds had quelled themselves. She grinned, leaning into him as she continued. Maybe then you could have a say in what I fix you for supper.

Merilin rolled his eyes. Mmm, I dislike the shem. It isn't said in a way that implies he is better than they; simply that he dislikes them. Which, truth be told, he's not a very social man. His tolerance for stupidity is extremely low.

And it was with great reluctance that he acknowledged the birds on his shoulders, so that they might hush. Once that was done, he returned his attention to the woman beside of him.

Besides, you always cook wonderful meals. He murmured the next bit against her ear, as he pressed a kiss to her temple.

My love, you dislike everyone. She offered him a light shove in the arm with her words, a grin on her lips. Besides, she added, spending more time with me wouldn't kill you, would it? She'd turned big doe eyes to him along with a small, hopeful smile.

Eriar knew what she was doing. This wasn't the first time she'd asked him to join her for such menial tasks. And, likely, wouldn't be the last.

Athim had hopped her way back over to Eriar's wing, but Solas seemed content to keep his perch on Merilin. Plucking at the fabric of his tunic. Whether it was specifically to annoy Merilin was a secret the bird kept closely to himself.

Ah, do I? Eriar couldn't help the gentle flush that crept across her cheeks. Still, I should like to cook something special for you, every now and then. Something you choose. She'd leaned into the kiss, but pulled away with that same doe-eyed look of hope.

Eriar began to make her way again, though tugged on Merilin's hand to follow along with her as she went. If they were to eat at their usual time, she'd need to get going sooner rather than later.

Merilin allowed a chuckle to pass his lips, as she pointed out the obvious. Mmm. You are one of very few that do not annoy me. He reached to tug a strand of her hair between his fingers, If we must go to market together, then I concede. There's a bit of smile, though if you didn't know him you'd think he was stoic.

The bird that chose to stay on him, plucking his tunic in its beak, earned a displeased glare, though he did nothing to dismount the creature from where it rested. That'd simply upset Eriar.

Mmm. I like your cooking. He felt her tug his hand, and followed, Hmm. Could you make me a meal with mist cheese? He did not know if mist cheese still existed; but perhaps she'd find an alternative if she could not obtain the fluffy cheese from their time.

The request of the old cheese did not give Eriar pause in her mission to return to their homestead. Though mentally, it did keep her quiet for a period of time on that trek. Contemplating if she could replicate it if she couldn't find it. Where would she even find it? Would, perhaps Reida be able to find it? She traveled a lot more than Eriar did. Then again, Merilin did as well and clearly he'd not come across it. Though, she'd reckoned, if he wasn't looking, perhaps he'd overlook it.

She'd only release his hand when they arrived home, turning to coax Solas off his perch, then his sister. Go! She'd whisper to both birds, sending them off with a lift into the air. For Merilin's sake, she did not allow the birds in the house when he was home. They were her children, not his, and she was okay with that. All of them remained wild creatures, free to come and go as they pleased anyway. Often, though, they stayed near enough to visit regularly. If not constantly at her side, like the raven siblings.

We shall look on our next visit, and I will ask Reida if she has seen it in her travels. Eriar finally explained her collected thoughts, closing the door behind her love once they'd entered. Come! You can help me prep the vegetables. Pulling a knife from the block, she set it on the counter alongside the assortment of root vegetables she intended to turn into a stew. For herself, she'd begin pulling spices out of the cupboard and deciding what she wished to use.

Merilin watched the ravens depart, and sighed under his breath. Thankful. She read his emotions well, even when he did not display his emotions as openly as others may. She promised they'd look on their next visit, and then pulled him through the door of their home.

Humble, simple. He liked it, it didn't draw attention. Nobody bothered them. He preferred it that way. He had lived at the center of attention; he had lived a life of glory.

Now he wanted nothing more than quiet. Peace and quiet, and he rarely got both. The animals his little dragon cared for often grit his nerves. And still, he stayed his hand.

Is that all I'm good for? He joked, well aware that he was skilled enough with a blade. He settled at the cutting board, and began to chop the various vegetables. It was cathartic, in a way.

Considering I desire to fix supper at this moment, yes. Eriar hardly gave pause to his joke, smirking to herself as she continued to pull what she wished. Some she'd open and sniff, others she'd simply look at her label and then return.

Finally satisfied with her choices, though, she pulled down a small bowl and began to mix them together. Selections were only half the battle, now she needed to get the right proportions. Though much of what she did was second nature to her. Even before she'd gone into her long sleep, she'd done a lot of cooking. It was enjoyable, and sometimes the best way to spend time with someone as fickle as her lover.

Cooking was quiet, but sensory. They didn't need to speak, but could enjoy the feel of working with the food, the smells as it began to cook.

Walking past Merilin with his vegetables, she grazed one hand along his back. A wisp of a smile as she went toward the hearth. A flick of her wrist and a small fire erupted under a large cauldron. This stew would last them a few days - or perhaps fewer if they got the odd visitor. While rare, it was not unheard of and Eriar would turn no one down a meal.

She'd fill the large pot with water before heading back past Merilin. When you're done with those, you can cube the meat if you'd like to add it? She was not picky about her meals. Despite her love of animals, she could not completely quell the encoded desire to satisfy her appetite with meat. But the occasional vegetable stew? Absolutely delightful. It would be her love's choice.

Unlike his counterpart, Merilin was not fond of veggie stew. Mmm, I'll cube the meat. He stated, as he watched her walk past with the pot of water. She was so pretty; he'd never be over it. Not that he was the most vocal about his adoration of her. But she knew, he was certain she knew.

He finished the vegetables, and moved on to cubing the meat, taking his time. It was strange, to cook alongside her rather than have someone cook for him. But times were changing. And if he wanted to be successful, he had to change too.

For the most part Nahreida tried to stay around Rivain for her tattoo work, but she often travelled into Antiva for work as well. Her tattoos were quite popular amongst the Crows so those that couldn't come to her, she went to them. It often meant weeks apart from the others, but it was doing what she loved, and she did love travelling, so for now the arrangement worked out all right. 

Her Antivan contacts and business also meant she was poised in a perfect position to help the Rivain rebellion, as she was able to get information that others might not be able to, though so far what little information she'd gathered wasn't exactly things that would win them the rebellion. 

She was tired, hungry and ready to settle into home for the first time in weeks. She approached the door and opened it, smiling as she entered.

Hey guys, I'm hooome finally!!! She already felt more at ease than she had in days being back at home, as much as she loved travelling, she loved her people more.

Cade loved returning home on long days. Loved having a home to return to. One where he was cared for and loved. One where he wasn’t looked at as an extra piece on a chessboard. He loved his country and would continue to fight for it as their prince but he wasn’t sure he would be able to return to his place as their prince after this. Their general? Maybe. But he would be willing to forgo his royalty in order to keep the life he had here at the waterfall.

He shouldered his great sword a bit more comfortably as the house appeared and went to stable his horse. His smile grew each moment he was within the grounds of their home. He checked his satchel for one of his prizes, nestled against notes from some of the spies in their network. There were a few fresh healing scars on his left arm, glistening in the moonlight. He hardly left home without returning with a new kill or two. He’d need to put a few more on his back but he’d ask one of the others to help him there.

The door was partially opened when he got to it and he saw Nahreida standing in the frame. He smiled coming up behind her to hug her and grinned, Perfect timing, I see, he chuckles and sniffed a little Something smells good… shall we go see? he asked and headed for the kitchen, smiling when he saw the rest of his people.

Eriar grinned to herself. She knew Merilin well enough by now to have predicted his choice, but she'd always give him the choice. Especially since he was here and not out and about.

She was about to move away from setting the pot at the fire when the door opened. Her heart jumped, joy flushing through her at the voice - no, voices - that rang through the quiet.

Reida! Cade!

The pot of water hung now, she immediately whisked herself over to them both. Arms - and wings - outstretched, excited to embrace them both.

My loves, your timing is wonderful. Come, come. Let us get you washed up while the stew cooks. She smiled over at Merilin. Darling, can you add the ingredients once the water boils? The spices are set out beside the vegetables.

Merilin's smile was tight, as a voice called out that they were home. And then another. He continued to finely chop vegetables, simply grunting in response to both Nahreida and Cade's arrival. Eriar talked enough for the both of them, though.

They came into the kitchen and his smile widened, as he took in the way they all stood there. His people. His little collection. He moved to scoop the vegetables and meat onto the same cutting board, bringing the spices with him as he waited for the water to boil.

Once it did, he'd dump the ingredients into the water, spicing it with an estimation of what he'd need. "How were your travels?" He finally spoke, his back to the small harem he had collected over the years.

Not that it was his collection, though. It was mostly Eriar.

Nahreida embraced Eriar and Cade, feeling herself finally relax for the first time in, well a few weeks really. Not that the spying she did for the rebellion was particularly stressful, she mostly just listened whenever she had occasion to tattoo a crow. Most were low level and didn’t know much, but she had had the occasion to help an old friend and in the process gain the trust of a Talon. At least, she felt it had been left on relatively trusting terms, she’d certainly proven herself more than capable.

Fruitful I’d say, more or less. Though I’m glad to be home. How have things been here? Nahreida reached into a shadow and pulled out her travelling pack and set it down on an empty chair for the moment. Oh I picked up some more spices for you! Supposedly a couple are from the north, but since trade there has been cut off for awhile now, I don’t know how true that is. She said to Eriar with a shrug and a grin.

Once through the threshold of his home Cade put his sword by the door. There was no need to be armed here. No need to have his sword at the ready. He was home. As he pressed into Eriar’s side for a moment, squeezing her tight he smiled over her shoulder at Merilin. The way the other man’s smile widened had Cade’s own smile cracking his face.

He didn’t know how his life had come to this, but he was happy for it. So happy, in fact, he had no desire to return to the royal palace in Rivain once they managed to free her from the grip of Antiva. There was no need for him to return anyway. Maybe he would just retire. That was if they freed Rivain and he was alive to see it.

He let Reida speak first, rubbing Eriar’s back between her wings as he moved further into the kitchen too look for some wine to pour, We took out a group of Antivan spies outside of the capital. It wasn’t so bad. he looked down at his wrist where there were a half dozen new marks working to scar, If one of you could help me with my back later… I’m running out on room where I can reach. he said with a chuckle as he poured wine for the four of them.