Happily Ever After: Chapter 9

Elvish taken from Gray & Company's website.

Chapter 9: First Kiss
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A strong arm push Rivian's head into cold water. Rivian struggled frantically to raise her head above the water but the arm held her in place and the other arm locked hers behind her back. She used her nails and scratched the arm holding her. Two thin lines of blood appeared but he did not loosen the grip on her arms and neck. She could hear Solaufein yelling at her above the water.

"Snap out of it Rivian! What's happening to you? I will not let you sink into darkness. I will not let you destroy yourself. Do you hear me?"

His words stung her soul, she knew he was right. She was losing control of herself. Rivian stopped struggling and closed her eyes, letting the coolness of the water calmed her down. Her sudden surrender caused a panic in Solaufein. Thinking that she had drowned, he released his grip on the back of her head and pulled her out of the water immediately, embracing the drenched Rivian into his arms.

Rivian opened her eyes and gazed into Solaufein's eyes. His white brows kneaded into a slight frown but he looked kindly at Rivian. His hand swept a few loose strands of her hair off her face and gently caressed the side of her cheek, his eyes never left her face.

"Rivian. Forgive me... " he started to apologize.

Rivian shook her head lightly, interrupting his apology.

"Why do you bother with me Solaufein? Let me destroy myself." she asked bitterly. "There's nothing left for me. Do you know?"

Because I love you.

The words in his heart, he felt a great desire to tell her. Instead, Solaufein nodded his understanding to Rivian. He noted that her indifference attitude had disappeared, replaced by her real expression of her heart - her pain. He felt his heart relaxed. Rivian was finally confiding in him and he had waited so long for her to open up her heart. He pulled her closer to him. She did not avoid their closeness.

"I know. I understand. I'm here for you, my friend." he whispered.

"Solaufein? I'm sorry." her words were barely a whisper and she sobbed softly into Solaufein's arms. Their closeness comforted her and she felt warm and consoled that at least there was someone in the world that would still be there for her.

It was after sometime when Rivian stopped crying and looked up at Solaufein. He was still holding her in his arms and it was then that she was finally aware of their closeness and she blushed. He was looking intently at her, his eyes were kind and they displayed sympathy and understanding, yet there was something in his gaze that draw hers to him.

Subconsciously, she allowed herself to be distracted by him, it was only when their lips met that she realized what was happening. She abruptly tilted her head backwards, away from Solaufein and broke off their embrace.

Solaufein winced at her reaction. He loosen his grip and Rivian slipped a few steps away from him. Her face was flushed and her eyes lowered on the water reflection.

"I'm sorry, Solaufein. I... I.." She realized she could not finish the sentence. She did not know what to say.

They stood awkwardly opposite each other at the side of the river, trying to find the right words to say to each other.

Solaufein knew what he wanted to tell Rivian but he was terrified of speaking the words. He feared that she will leave him, if she knew he was deeply in love with her. He feared that his heart would not be able to handle the pain of rejection another time. He had waited so long for her, yet this was hardly the right time to disclose his feelings. He fought within himself, he was tired of pretending that his care for her was purely friendship.

He sighed as he made his decision and walked towards Rivian. He reached for her hands and was relieved that she did not reject his grip.

"Amin mela lle¹ Rivian." Solaufein whispered the words he longed to tell the elf.

 
_{1 : I Love You in elvish}